4.0 (1 rating)

Athena's Choice

Adam Boostrom

What if a stray virus accidentally killed all the men on earth?

"One of the Best Books of 2019" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review).

Winner of the 2019 National Indie Excellence Award for Visionary Fiction.

Winner of the 2019 Maxy Award for Science Fiction.

Finalist for the 2019 IAN Book of the Year Awards.

Finalist for the 2019 NIEA for Science Fiction.

"A daring book that will stay in readers' minds long after the final page."

-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Athena Vosh lives just like any other teenager from the year 2099. She watches reality shows with her friends, eats well, and occasionally wonders to herself: what would life be like if men were still alive?

It has been almost 50 years since an experimental virus accidentally killed all the men on earth. However, a controversial project is currently underway to bring men back. There's just one catch. The project has been sabotaged.

So begins the award-winning novel, Athena's Choice. When the police of 2099 are tasked with finding the saboteur, they receive a mysterious command to investigate the otherwise innocuous Athena Vosh. After it becomes clear that the young girl might know more than she lets on, Athena is brought in to participate in the official investigation. Simultaneously, the girl begins to experience a series of cryptic dreams featuring a ruined library and an old book containing the saboteur’s true identity. As the police close in on their prize, Athena finds herself on a journey of her own. Her clue-filled dreams and incorruptible spirit bring her face-to-face with a pair of forgotten truths about happiness and gender. The world waits to see if men will return as Athena fights a separate battle all on her own, culminating in the choice that will define her and other's lives forever.

"I have spent days thinking of nothing except this book and I can honestly say, without hesitation, that I loved it."

-Mackey S, Macsbooks

"The story is thought-provoking, troubling, fascinating, and compelling. This is science fiction at its best."

-Chris, Amazon Reviewer

"An interesting concept that the author uses in full force to tell an incredible, lush story."

-Hannah S, Librarian

Published: January 18, 2019

Pages: 279

ISBN: 9781794205550

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Available in: Paperback

Reader Reviews

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Rachel S.

Apr 6, 2026

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.