The Auction

By: Elci North

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

America 2272 - The Office of Reproductive Oversight dictates laws for women and men.
In a society where babies have become a source of government income, laws designed to push up the birth rate are enacted that strip women and men of the most basic of human rights: The right to choose when to have a child, the right to choose whom to marry, and the right to raise her biological child.
Logical computer programmer Jane overindulges at a graduation party, winds up pregnant, and is forced to marry a near stranger. Drama queen Angelica bets a gay guy in a bar that he couldn’t “do it with a woman.” Pregnant Angelica loses her job and the love of her life. And after 13 years of trying, Millie finally conceives, but sitting vigil at her severely injured husband’s bedside takes priority. Fifteen-year-old Wendy loves school and art, but an ex-convict breaks the glass from her window and rapes her.
Their paths cross when they are sentenced to the same pregnancy prison. But as lawmakers know, putting women together can lead to ideas. Ideas that could end the baby auction and bring down the government.

“Four women use their skills, along with the help of sympathetic men, to hatch a plan to set things right. Readers will toggle between rage and hope as they immerse themselves in North's meticulous worldbuilding that exposes the hypocrisy and illogic of brutal government policies, stifling bureaucracy, and government censorship. North crafts a memorable and emotional thrill ride through an unnerving society with intelligent and inspirational characters who strive to create their own destiny." Booklife Review

Captivating story with good character development.

I was skeptical of the AI Narrating but it was actually pretty good. The story was clever, interesting and I appreciated the character development. I wasn’t ready for the story to end and I would really like to find out what happens after this book ended.

Read, don't listen

AI should not be narrating, no inflection, mispronounced words, it killed the vibe. wish I had read it myself

realistic future story line

The story and character development were very good.
The AI reading took a bit away due to lack of expression.

The reading

I love the book. I didn’t like the computer generated reading. There was no flow or feeling to any of it.

AI narration is AWFUL!

Story was ok. Narration ruined it. Either read the book itself or skip it. Don’t listen to the audible AI narration.

Good story but AI reading lacked feeling

the story was quite good but bc of the AI reading it was difficult to tell the difference characters.

Good story, AI….

…horrible. Flat, lackluster, robotic. My opinion, but what an awful, cheap way to represent this author’s work. It was hard to listen to at times. I will not be purchasing any more audible books that have AI narration. That said, I was intrigued by the story.

Virtual narration ruins it

I now know to check to make sure books are not virtually narrated before I purchase them. The story is good but the narration ruins it.

Nope on AI

I have 8 hours left and I am into the story and really interested but I can NOT stand the AI. I would think that since not all narrators are rated or paid equally that would be an indication that AI may not be the best for this job. Inflections are completely wrong. I thought it may work for to the futuristic dystopian vibe of the story but….nope.