Artificial Selection

De: Marianne Pickles

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton

An AI, an investigator, and a geneticist walk into a library...

It’s the year 2101, and half of England is underwater, but the horrors of the Melt are becoming a distant memory thanks to ArkTech, the company that saved the world.

The ArkTech Territory is the only home Charlotte Vance has ever known, so when Ben, the company’s curious AI, starts asking awkward questions about human behaviour, she's only too happy to help.

But as she investigates the mystery of why a geneticist is stealing pages from library books, Charlotte is forced to confront unsettling truths about her past, and about the company she’s always trusted.

The deeper she digs, the more she realises her discoveries could threaten everything she holds dear. Charlotte must make a choice – and the wrong decision could cost her everything.

©2024 Marianne Pickles (P)2024 Marianne Pickles

good dystopian AI-themed story

Enjoyable story. Loved The Melt name! I think I wouldn't feel as close to the AI as the main character did! Glad to have some closure and positive vibes at the end. The end read like a Book #1 of a series?

Interesting Concept

In the near future (post climate disaster), Ben, an AI that tells dad jokes, and his partner Charlotte, the head of Awkward Questions, are investigating why pages from library books are being stolen. Although often amusing and full of heart (I love a good misfit story), leaves one to ponder lots of big topics: climate change, social responsibility, morality, conformity vs breaking the rules for the benefit of society, etc. Excellent (as always) performance by Kristin Atherton. The final chapter also drives you to a free short audio prequel download from the author's website. Also enjoyable! Looking forward to the next in series.