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The Lottery
The Lottery
is a dark feminist dystopian tale that unapologetically explores the intersection of politics and reproductive rights. Thought-provoking and chilling, it demonstrates how choices outside of our control can make us who we are, while our actions have the power to change our destiny.
From the Back Cover
Australia has banned babies, and one reluctant woman must decide if reproductive freedom is worth fighting for.
Brilliant scientist Alice Avery has never wanted children. When she falls pregnant accidentally, she doesn’t consider Australia’s mandated abortion laws an abuse of women’s rights. Instead, they’re a relief and a safety net for her.
Until the government decides that Alice and her baby are special. Too special for her baby not to be given a chance at life.
Prohibited from seeking an abortion, Alice and her unborn baby become unwilling participants in The Lottery, a brutal and secretive competition to see which woman will carry Australia’s next quarter baby to term.
Held against her will and forced to endure rounds of gruelling and invasive tests, Alice must fight for survival while coming to the realisation that her country doesn’t care about women.
Alice must finally face the truth—she may be the only woman in history who can do anything about it...
About the Author
AM author, writer, Aussie, introvert, photographer, traveller, bucket list chaser, dog mum, and wife. By day, she works in an all-men’s prison as a HR guru. By night, she writes dark, disturbing, twisty stories centred on the horrors of being a woman.
With over a decade of writing stories in the dark, AM Joy is publishing her first novel The Lottery in September 2024.
The Lottery, like most of her stories, is a work of speculative fiction, or more aptly, what would happen if…
From the Back Cover
Australia has banned babies, and one reluctant woman must decide if reproductive freedom is worth fighting for.
Brilliant scientist Alice Avery has never wanted children. When she falls pregnant accidentally, she doesn’t consider Australia’s mandated abortion laws an abuse of women’s rights. Instead, they’re a relief and a safety net for her.
Until the government decides that Alice and her baby are special. Too special for her baby not to be given a chance at life.
Prohibited from seeking an abortion, Alice and her unborn baby become unwilling participants in The Lottery, a brutal and secretive competition to see which woman will carry Australia’s next quarter baby to term.
Held against her will and forced to endure rounds of gruelling and invasive tests, Alice must fight for survival while coming to the realisation that her country doesn’t care about women.
Alice must finally face the truth—she may be the only woman in history who can do anything about it...
About the Author
AM author, writer, Aussie, introvert, photographer, traveller, bucket list chaser, dog mum, and wife. By day, she works in an all-men’s prison as a HR guru. By night, she writes dark, disturbing, twisty stories centred on the horrors of being a woman.
With over a decade of writing stories in the dark, AM Joy is publishing her first novel The Lottery in September 2024.
The Lottery, like most of her stories, is a work of speculative fiction, or more aptly, what would happen if…
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2024
8 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 11, 2024
Last night, I finished reading The Lottery by AM Joy. I read the ARC of the book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily:
I'll start by saying that the book touches on interesting topics that reminded me of The Hunger Games, such as human rights, especially women’s rights, womanhood, and life-changing dilemmas. The story is about a woman named Avery who gets pregnant from a one-night stand. In a world where overpopulation is controlled by taking away women’s rights to have a baby, Avery, who never wanted a baby, finds herself in a challenging situation. Apparently, her baby is a genius, so she is forced to compete in The Lottery, a cruel and secretive competition where the winner gets to keep her baby. Throughout the book, Avery uncovers frustrating truths and realizes how deeply women's rights have been damaged.
The women characters in the book are strong, brave, and independent. I absolutely LOVED it! The book made me feel sad, frustrated, angry, and proud; by the end, I was in shock! For me, the first part of the book was a bit slow, and I struggled a bit, but then the pace picked up, and I was truly hooked. I loved Mason's (the love interest) character and felt that we didn’t get enough of him in the book. The few parts we did get of him were written beautifully!
The book is closed-door. There is an acknowledgment of one scene, but it’s not described, so we can say the book is spice-free 🌶.
My rating for this book is 4⭐.
***BTW, look at the cover, it's stunning 😍.
I'll start by saying that the book touches on interesting topics that reminded me of The Hunger Games, such as human rights, especially women’s rights, womanhood, and life-changing dilemmas. The story is about a woman named Avery who gets pregnant from a one-night stand. In a world where overpopulation is controlled by taking away women’s rights to have a baby, Avery, who never wanted a baby, finds herself in a challenging situation. Apparently, her baby is a genius, so she is forced to compete in The Lottery, a cruel and secretive competition where the winner gets to keep her baby. Throughout the book, Avery uncovers frustrating truths and realizes how deeply women's rights have been damaged.
The women characters in the book are strong, brave, and independent. I absolutely LOVED it! The book made me feel sad, frustrated, angry, and proud; by the end, I was in shock! For me, the first part of the book was a bit slow, and I struggled a bit, but then the pace picked up, and I was truly hooked. I loved Mason's (the love interest) character and felt that we didn’t get enough of him in the book. The few parts we did get of him were written beautifully!
The book is closed-door. There is an acknowledgment of one scene, but it’s not described, so we can say the book is spice-free 🌶.
My rating for this book is 4⭐.
***BTW, look at the cover, it's stunning 😍.
September 28, 2024
5 stars achieved! I am typically more of a fantasy girl but when I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I needed to read it. I knew that if it was a good book, a well-written dystopian perspective on woman's reproductive rights and all the chaos in the world currently threatening them, that it was a book I needed to read and support. If, like me, you are easily triggered by pregnancy loss, it is not an easy relaxing read so prepare and be gentle with yourself. BUT it is absolutely worth reading! It not only met, but far exceeded expectations and I could hardly put it down. Not only does this book explore the realities of stripping reproductive rights, and pulls NO punches in the process, but the characters pull you right in and take you for a wild ride. This story is full of heartwarming and inspiring displays of female empowerment and sisterhood that will have you wanting to hug the women closest to you. New technologies that will have you curious and wanting to learn more. And moment of loss and triumph that will have your emotions racing to hit new highs and lows you weren't expecting. I could not recommend this book enough and will absolutely be adding it to my rotation of books I will read and recommend over and over for years to come!
I am so thankful that this amazing book was given to me as a free ARC (advance review copy) and I get the opportunity to meet it in its early stages. This review is 100% voluntary and genuine.
I am so thankful that this amazing book was given to me as a free ARC (advance review copy) and I get the opportunity to meet it in its early stages. This review is 100% voluntary and genuine.
February 4, 2025
The Lottery is a stunning and bold story that deserves to be made into a blockbuster Aussie feminist dystopian movie. AM Joy’s writing is superb, and her descriptions of the emotions experienced by the characters are powerful and evocative.
This was a harrowing read, in large part because I can picture this being our reality in Australia in the near future.
The play-by-play of the invasive testing that Alice Avery undergoes in the degrading, dehumanising lottery is dragged out more than I’d like, but it also portrays a picture of just how cruel and calculating the lottery is. Alice is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine whom I could definitely cheer for, and imagine being friends with. Speaking of friends, hers are lovely and lovable too!
The nature of the story made me think this could easily become a series, however the story seems to be tied up and finished with by the end of this book.
Congratulations AM Joy, on this thought-provoking, horrifying snapshot of what our country could become. This one will stay with me for some time to come.
This was a harrowing read, in large part because I can picture this being our reality in Australia in the near future.
The play-by-play of the invasive testing that Alice Avery undergoes in the degrading, dehumanising lottery is dragged out more than I’d like, but it also portrays a picture of just how cruel and calculating the lottery is. Alice is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine whom I could definitely cheer for, and imagine being friends with. Speaking of friends, hers are lovely and lovable too!
The nature of the story made me think this could easily become a series, however the story seems to be tied up and finished with by the end of this book.
Congratulations AM Joy, on this thought-provoking, horrifying snapshot of what our country could become. This one will stay with me for some time to come.
October 12, 2024
I was hooked by reading the quick synopsis of the story and the more I read held my attention until the end. Quick warning, if the subject of abortion bothers you, then this book is not for you. Imagine in a near distant future where over population is a concern, a country that has a solution of mandatory abortions. In Australia abortions are mandated and women are made to undergo pelvic exams and pregnancy test routinely. The country does have a lottery, and the winning woman is allowed to carry her baby to term. Alice has a one-night stand and then finds out she is pregnant. She is intelligent and her unborn baby is a genius. She is entered into the lottery and her nightmare is only just beginning.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2025
This was a book I couldnt put down. The hypothetical future where population control is taken to extremes, and only four babies may be born per year - to winners of The Lottery, a contest where pregnant women must prove that their intelligence, and that of their foetus, makes them the best option for being allowed to make it to full term. This book is heart breaking in so many places, and a good commentary on the state of women's health care and how a person's choice is vital.
TWs: If forced sterilsation / abortion / pregnancy are difficult topics for you, please consider the impact on your mental health this book may have.
TWs: If forced sterilsation / abortion / pregnancy are difficult topics for you, please consider the impact on your mental health this book may have.
October 4, 2024
This is how the world ends... body autonomy lost
A terrifying look into our future if we follow the current American Political choices. A mix of Gattaca, A Handmaids Tale, Idiocracy and people not paying attention.
If you don't watch what's happening and fight back, this can be your future.
A gripping read from start to finish, I could not put down this amazing book. Set in Melbourne, with some recognisable places, it's a story of one woman's struggle to be heard and make a difference to the future of the other women in her country.
A terrifying look into our future if we follow the current American Political choices. A mix of Gattaca, A Handmaids Tale, Idiocracy and people not paying attention.
If you don't watch what's happening and fight back, this can be your future.
A gripping read from start to finish, I could not put down this amazing book. Set in Melbourne, with some recognisable places, it's a story of one woman's struggle to be heard and make a difference to the future of the other women in her country.
December 9, 2024
Wow this book was amazing and what an eye opener read it was and if it ever these laws where to come about where you had no rights to your body and would be forced to give up ones child I would fight with everything I had and fight for all women’s rights and yes there are some places that are doing these kind of things to women now but why would women want to give up the power over there own body’s to anybody. Great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2024
This book feel like a cross between the hunger games and the Handmaid's Tale. I felt a kind of fear while reading it. Not like when reading horror book that most likely will never happen but like yes this could be something that would get regulated. A fear of complacency. It was challenging to get through it because of the anxiety but it was so so good. I definitely will be thinking of this book for a while.
February 26, 2025
incredible.
This book is hard - but not for any reason other than the socio-political climate that women, myself included, are experiencing today. We should all have the right to choose our own path, our own destiny, and what we do with our own body.
Very strong, immersive storytelling by AM Joy.
This book is hard - but not for any reason other than the socio-political climate that women, myself included, are experiencing today. We should all have the right to choose our own path, our own destiny, and what we do with our own body.
Very strong, immersive storytelling by AM Joy.
August 3, 2025
A searing, unflinching dystopian debut that punches through the page with emotional urgency and razor-sharp insight. The Lottery unapologetically tackles reproductive rights, autonomy, and systemic control through a chilling what-if premise that feels eerily close. Alice’s journey is raw, human, and horrifyingly plausible. This one lingers.
May 1, 2025
A great and speculative novel! I thoroughly enjoyed the book! It was well written, told well, and evenly paced. Why is no one talking about how great this book is!?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews