Set in 2099, a lot of things have changed, including all men, including trans men are wiped out due to the pandemic Y-fever virus. The only way to have a child is through artificial insemination and all babies are female too. So yes, no men at all...what? I am not sure I would want to live in that world, even though men can be annoying at times.
They are trying to bring back men, but obviously because the virus is still about they need to work out how to stop the men dying, they have a genome, Lazarus to help with this but someone has stolen the genome that was going to help with this process.

Athena, the main character is a 19 year old girl, she is requested to help to find out who has stolen this genome. Unsure why she is chosen but going although with it, she learns the truth about things and it is Athena’s Choice which could change the future forever. Will she decide to have men or no men?
The technology described in the book reminded me of Total Recall/The Demolition Man movies, they were very similar and thinking about the future I can see these being a real part of life.
The story flowed well, I was wary reading it during our own real life pandemic though.
I am not usually a fan of sci-fi and dystopia books but this did keep me engaged, although I will be honest I went into it blind, I chose it for the cover.
The author did a great job with this book and I will look out for more from him.

In 2099, Athena Vosh lives just like every other teenager. To Athena and her friends, a world without men is normal, has been for many years. A recent political movement to bring back the eradicated gender creates an essential question, is humanity really better off without men? Was the virus that killed them really just a fluke? When those in power suspect Athena might know more than she lets on, she’s pulled into the official investigation, and she might uncover way more than she bargained for.

This book was very interesting to me. In my opinion, it has some solid points, on both sides of the issue, and while I will always lean toward the side that we’re better off without men, I realize that so many wouldn’t be able to survive without them, and also, my opinion isn’t the only one that matters. Still, I felt a little validated and perhaps agreed more than I’d like with some of the more villainous characters in this novel.

While dystopian isn’t always my first choice of subgenre, I do enjoy it, and I loved the complex landscape that Boostrom crafted in this sci-fi novel. That’s what I love about sci-fi. More than any other genre, the words “what if” aren’t bound by the constructs of the likes of contemporary and literary fiction. This book definitely isn’t for everyone, especially defensive men, because, well, they aren’t in the story at all.

This book left me with a lot to think about, and that’s not always a good thing this year, but in this case, it was. This one could spark a potentially great conversation for those who choose to buddy read or read it in groups, and I’d love to hear other thoughts on it as those in my bookish communities give it a read.

It’s out now if you’re up for it.

Thank you to Net Gallery gallery for letting me listen to this audiobook. I found the story to be interesting and the characters complex and in-depth. Enjoyed listening to this audio book. Thank you Net gallery.

In a world without men Athena a seemingly average girl finds herself in the middle of a mystery. A mystery surrounding the disappearance of data that will help bring back men. Who had all died out from a virus that seemed to only affect men (and trans men for some reason, it’s mentioned multiple times that trans men were included. Which to me is confusing because their men so shouldn’t they all be lumped in the “all men are dead” thing.)

You ever read a book and know it was written by a man? This is one of those books. Now this is not a bad thing in any way. But due to the subject of the book I was surprised to hear a male voice throughout the text.

Overall I liked it, it was interesting. But it needed more. More of an explanation. More history. At the end of select chapters their is some news articles or Wikipedia entries clearly inserted to make the world feel fleshed out. But it didn’t really help for me. The world felt like every other sci-fi world I have ever read about. Nothing was special or distinct. Even though no men existed. I also didn’t quite understand all the females desire for men who had never met them. I don’t lay awake at night imagining a man and feeling emptiness in my heart for not having one. I think this concept threw me off the most. Why must woman feel incomplete with the absence of a man?

Enter the future, 2099, a world partially run by AI with advanced technology, world peace, the ending of poverty and hunger. But also a world without men as a virus wiped them out almost 50 years ago. Scientists have begun trying to alter the male genome so that men can be brought back. The decision to do is filled with a controversy between women, Lonely Hearts, who wish to see the return of men, and other groups who see men as only going to bring the return of violence and fear. The project to rebuild man has just been stolen.

This is the world our main character, Athena Vosh, lives in. Athena is a young struggling artist, trying to find her purpose in the world. The Third Core, a massive AI, selects Athena to join the police in their search for the culprit.

I read this book in audiobook format. I feel it may have tainted my view a little as I found many of the character's voices, annoying, overly whispy, and feminine. It just grated me a bit. As the story got going and I got more into it, it bothered me less but it still did affect my enjoyment.

I think a very fascinating world is explored here, it opens up huge doors for all sorts of interesting conversations which I love. I really enjoy the idea of this book. The element of the AI and its role in society reminded me of The Arc of a Scythe Trilogy and the role/identity of the thunderhead there. In this book that element is a much smaller piece of the story, but still definitely plays a vital role in the story and the lives of the people within this future.

I did not know where this story was going to go, towards the middle I thought I had a guess as to the culprit, not the why though but my guess proved wrong. I was definitely surprised by who did it. The last part of the book was definitely a page-turner. The editorial that is found and points us to the real culprit, is very fascinating. I think it sparked many interesting ideas and love the discussion that it primes for engagement with.

The book ends with our character being the one who decides if men will be brought back into existence or not. Before she makes a decision the book ends. I hated this and it really annoys me. In the afterward the author explained they get a lot of this complaint or people questioning, What did Athena do? He counters, what do you think? What would you do? I believe we can still ask those questions of ourselves and have been given the answer at the ending. It felt a more complete ending was due.

Overall I definitely enjoyed the book, but some elements just did not click for me. Athena was a little too naive at times, her relationship with Naomi and Valerie (Captain Bell) just wasn't quite genuine. I had trouble connecting.

Lastly, if you're wondering what I would decide, do we bring men back or live on without them? I think I would bring them back. With a world with women already in charge and running things. I think we could allow them to return and be kept in control!

This book had me very hopeful. The world building is excellent; from technology to science, art to the politics, the world seems almost tangible until you meet the main character- Athena. She suffers terribly from "not like other girls" syndrome, and while she had the potential to be very interesting, she ended up being shallow and difficult to like. In a world without men, Athena thinks of them in a way that seems borderline obsessive; it is her secret, and yet no one is there to judge her for it. Multiple opportunities for fully formed, real relationships with characters that existed in the world were passed by in favor of this trope. The background is the only thing that kept me reading, and I would love to revisit this premise with a less disappointing main character.

I found this storyline a little slow and had to really apply myself to finish this book.

The over descriptive detail on everything caused me to drift off the storyline at times. The story was set in the future and it all felt a little too far fetched for me.

I received this audiobook as an ARC from NetGalley. This is not really my preferred genre at all, but I love audiobooks and figured this would be another good way to pass the time. Cut to, I became obsessed with this storyline! I could not have loved it more. I love the feminist/girl power vibes and I love the dive into sci-fi/futuristic aspects. All my Hunger Games/Divergent lovers, look no further!! This book is phenomenal. Thank you to NetGalley and Thinker Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Not my usual read but I was drawn in by the dystopian future and was not disappointed. The Audiobook version was perfectly narrated and the tone of the book came across easily in the narration.
The story really held my interest. As well as the strong female characters and interesting settings, I found myself surprisingly interested by the technology in this book, it just seemed so believable and I could imagine easily our lives running in the same way. The mystery element of this book kept me guessing to the very end. A true success

incredibly intriguing & interesting to see a world without men !! the science fiction aspect seemed logical - which is usually such a sticking point for me in dystopians. the characters were likable, and the plot, although slow to begin with, was so clever

Even though this book is a bit different to the usual books that I read, I enjoyed it. The book is a mixture of mystery, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy and it is set in the future. All of the men on earth have been wiped out by a deadly virus, leaving only females on the planet. Some scientists have been trying to produce the male genome, but this has been stolen and a girl called Athena is called on to help solve the case. I really liked Athena and her journey and I liked the ending of the book.

I listened to the audiobook and it was very good as the narrator was strong and confident. I also enjoyed using the netgalley app, which I love.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

It doesnt support or open after I download the pdf version of it. It's also not showing in my shelf in netgalley and I cant open it to read Please look into the issue and if you can send me the pdf in my mail ID- taniagungunsarkar@gmail.com I cant read the book from here. Please look into the issue

I am not usually interested in Sci-Fi, but the description of this book drew me in. It was an easy to follow take on what it would be like without men in the world. However, I missed the feeling that I was in the same situation. I did not live the book with the characters. It was a good listen, and a decent twist, but it was hard to experience the book like I would have liked to.

I will begin by admitting this style of book is not my favorite. But, I like to give all styles a chance. Overall I would recommend this book if you enjoy science fiction. However, if that is not your thing it may not be for you.

I could appreciate the overall themes and the desire to make the reader think. The need to draw attention to the very real role technology and science play in our lives is important. The timing of the catalyst to the situation is also interesting. The author had no way to know that we would now be in a global pandemic but it makes the story that much more compelling. Two years ago, I likely would have rolled my eyes at some of the content/catalyst. Now it doesn't seem so outlandish. However, it could be a bit heavy handed with the significant role technology could potentially play.

I imagine that a lot of people dislike the ending. However, I thought it was one of the redeeming qualities of the book that I at times had a hard time following. The ending leaves you thinking, which is clearly what the author intended.

Overall, if you like science fiction I could recommend this.

Very interesting and kind of terrifying idea, especially in the world we are currently living in. A would without men would be so insanely scary. I did listen to this on audio instead of read it and I do feel like it may have enhanced how terrifying it was for me, hearing the emotion. The narrator is very enjoyable. It did feel a bit short and while I do understand, the ending is a bit frustrating. I felt like I was sucked in, led to climax then just kinda left there wondering what happened. Fun for a quick listen.

This was a ‘read now’ audiobook on netgalley this month and I couldn’t resist because it sounded like such a cool future society. It takes place in a future society where all of the men died around thirty years ago. It’s a sci-fi book, but also a mystery and it does both of these genres justice. I loved the technology and I thought the mystery was super well done!! I could never have guessed what was coming and the final reveal is what makes this book so stunning. It makes you think a lot about morality and quality of life.

 

My favourite thing about this book was absolutely the worldbuilding. It was mostly done through sources outside of the main action like news and wikipedia articles and I found it jarring at first but once I realized the purpose of these excerpts I found them very intriguing and it was super a unique way to show how the world worked. I will say that, perhaps because of the audio format, I felt a little disconnected from the characters, but the rest of the book was so great that I’m giving it five stars anyway and I highly recommend this to anyone who likes sci-fi or a unique mystery.

Unfortunately, due to the book being archived the day after I received it, I am unable to listen to or read it, to give an actual review. I will not listen to only an excerpt. This book sounded quite interesting and right up my alley and I predicted it to be pretty interesting. I am leaving it a 3 star rating since I have to give one.

I enjoyed Athena's choice. I liked the narrator. I liked the characters and the plot. I thought the futuristic/dystopian story was interesting. I would have liked a little more of the science fiction details of how they were trying to recreate man. I liked the tid bits from the newspapers, etc that gave insight into the story. The story makes you think, where are we going with medical and technological advancements? I recommend this book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to net galley got providing me with a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a very different novel than to the ones I have read recently, the plot was interesting. Felt even interesting to listen to it during a pandemic, I often wondered during my reading whether or not I would have the same opinion if I had read before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

I thought this book was brilliantly written, the author did an amazing job in really emerging the reader into the world in which the novel is set. This is cleverly done through advertisements without the long paragraphs describing the surroundings and what has been going on. While listening to the book, I noted the different tones to portray the different fonts and speeches, this kept my attention very easily throughout the audiobook. I strongly recommend this book to any dystopian/sci-fi fans.

I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Thinker Books for giving me access.

The future has no men. On one hand, this sounds nice...on the other, it also sounds horrible. With a virus that wipes out men and trans men, we are left to a future of women.

I enjoyed how Boostrom builds this futuristic world. There is almost an outer space vibe but on earth.

As we follow Athena, we find that the truth isn't what we thought and her whole life changes with the secrets that were kept.

This was such a great read and different to most in the dystopian genre.