Ava: A Novel

by Victoria Dillon

For fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale comes Ava, a provocative blend of speculative fiction and social commentary that takes readers on a gripping, thought-provoking journey into the fight for women’s autonomy in a politically charged Southern landscape.

What if the only way to reclaim reproductive freedom was to rewrite the very nature of birth itself?

Ten years after Roe v. Wade is overturned, twenty-two-year-old biologist Larkin finds herself unexpectedly pregnant in a country where choice is no longer an option. Initially uncertain, she embraces motherhood—until a devastating diagnosis changes everything. Trapped by Tennessee’s strict abortion laws, she is forced to carry her baby to term, only to endure the heartbreak of losing her hours after birth.

Years later, Larkin joins a radical scientific movement that could change a groundbreaking technology that replaces gestation with incubation, allowing women true control over their reproduction. When she uses it to bring her second daughter, Ava, into the world, she believes she has finally reclaimed her autonomy. But as Ava grows and begins to question the very choice that created her, Larkin is challenged in ways she never imagined.

Ava is a powerful, emotionally charged exploration of motherhood, bodily autonomy, and the far-reaching consequences of restrictive legislation. In a future shaped by loss and innovation, mother and daughter must confront the ultimate what does it truly mean to have a choice?

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Feminism

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Amy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and an out of the box way of looking at reproduction!

[Dori Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book was incredible. I am so glad I got to read this. The cover is perfect. Just, wow.

I want to write a more eloquent review but I have no words. I need to process this one. I’m worried about the future in America but thankful for those like the author for books like this.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review is much more spoilery than my typical review, so please read with caution. Thank you!

A poignant speculative novel that dives deep into women's reproductive rights and the state of contraceptive care in America today.

Larkin finds herself pregnant and abandoned by the government ten years after Roe v. Wade is overturned. Initially, she embraces motherhood with everything she has until she is informed that her child will not survive outside the womb. Devastated and unable to do anything about it, Larkin carries the child to term with all the mental anguish that comes with it. Years later, her boss, Dr. James Davis comes to her with an exciting proposition that will allow gestation to be replaced with incubation. Larkin then figureheads a radical movement that will allow women to take back their reproductive rights and give them the power to once again choose what to do with their bodies.

Just... Wow. It shocked me how much I needed a book like this. This book is certainly going to be a controversial one when the public gets its hands on it, but sometimes that's what the world needs. The fight for women's reproductive rights concerning contraception, abortion, and choosing what is best for their situation has been ramping up as of late, as is the fight for youth getting the healthcare they deserve without adult approval. Therefore, this is such an important book for the situations we are facing today.

This book is so important that it's truly going to be a challenge for me to describe it right. Before I dive into my deep analysis, I just want to say that this book can be extremely triggering to many readers. Pregnancy, losing a child, and having one's ability to choose taken away are all such hard things to cope with, so make sure to treat yourself with care first and foremost. This book is also extremely political and at times divisive, so make sure to take care of yourself. Also, it is going to be hard to discuss this plot without giving away some of it, because it is truly a rollercoaster.

I think the best way to start talking about this one is to start exploring it in segments. Part I of the book shows Larkin and Spencer's early lives as they go to school, get married, and get pregnant. Larkin is a scientist, which is something that is explored in great detail in this segment. I found it absolutely fascinating to learn more about how life develops and the similarities between different species embryos.

The latter section of Part I ends up being quite tragic and one of the hardest things I have ever read. Larkin and Spencer learn that their baby is incompatible to live longer than a few minutes after birth, but they exist in a futuristic America in which getting an abortion is illegal. It was so difficult to read about how much stress and torment this unfortunate situation added to Larkin and Spencer's lives. I was sobbing my eyes out pretty much the entire way through, and I grieve for those that are forced into situations such as this. Seriously, anyone who believes that abortions are evil should be forced to read the beginning of this book and see if they aren't crushed by it.

Part II focuses on the subject matter that the prologue and the cover promise. One of the main characters, Dr. James Davis, also has a bit of a traumatic past involving his mother, her reproductive health care, and medical negligence on her doctor's part. This inspired him to try to create a safer, less fatal way for humans to give birth. As the cover alludes to, he takes the laying eggs approach. I fear there are many reasons that this form of repopulating the human species is seriously unlikely, but the science behind it is absolutely fascinating and would certainly change our world at large.

Part III showcases young Ava coming to age and being the first human to ever produce an egg successfully. Seeing her grapple with her biological differences was an interesting study in human nature. The points brought up about her parents choosing this lifestyle for her against her will was also a great conversation starter about how much agency parents should have over their children's medical decisions. The ending of this book was so sweet my heart could barely handle it.

Hopefully I didn't just spoil the entire book, but man, it's difficult to talk about anything meaningful without giving some things away. There are so many things I could discuss about this one, but I'll try to reign it in a bit.

One thing that I absolutely ate up was the discussion that it presents about a parent's decision to do or not do certain things regarding their kid's medical history. There is a section in this book that talks about a fifteen- to sixteen-year-old girl wanting to go on birth control and get the HPV vaccine behind her parent's backs. She wanted to practice safer sex and get a vaccine that could potentially prevent her from getting a dangerous cancer in her future. She successfully acquired birth control before a law passes that prohibits youths under eighteen from seeing a doctor without a parent or guardian present but didn't receive the HPV vaccine in time. Her parents feared the vaccine would cause infertility, but in reality, it just opened her up for much scarier risks in the future.

The overall fight for reproductive rights in general was another obvious highlight of this novel. Many topics surrounding pregnancy, sex, and conceiving children are things that freak me out, though I recognize the gift these things are. Therefore, books such as this tend to freak me out, but I also love being more educated on these subjects; more knowledge gives me more power to make practical decisions.

It scares me that the government in America has been fighting so hard to make abortions illegal, because every person's circumstances are different and women deserve to be able to make such important decisions about their bodies. In Larkin's case, she had to carry a child to full-term even though it had an incurable developmental problem that meant the baby wouldn't survive in the outside world. So much turmoil is put on these women already, it is only fair that we let them put their baby to rest as soon as possible in the peacefulest way we can. Also, the financial burdens it puts on people can also be crushing, especially given the fact that they don't have a baby to bring home with them afterwards.

The sci-fi nature of this one hits really close to home but feels seriously impossible at the same time. People laying eggs and having to wear protective sunglasses to avoid ovulation seems really out there, but the government crackdown feels all too real. The fact that all forms of contraception are eventually banned before this book concludes is terrifying. Those against this ban would have to sneak in contraband condoms and birth control pills from Mexico like they were drugs, which is a terrifying thought. These things make everyday life simpler and better; I fear the main thing that banning contraception would really lead to is more illegal and unsafe abortions happening on the streets or in secret clinics.

The church's influence on contraception and sex practices is another thing I always find interesting to study. Many religions beg their followers to save their purity and not lie with anyone unless you are married. I feel this is a dying value in this day and age, but I found it an interesting thing to investigate. In this book, many people started restraining from sex again after contraceptive methods were made illegal. I think it's an interesting thought experiment to see how this would affect humanity's values as a whole.

In schools, it is still scarily common that the only form of sex ed that exists is a member of a church group or a singular nurse coming in and saying, "The only way to be truly safe is to abstain from having sexual intercourse in any form." Newsflash, this helps literally nobody. I thought it was really funny how Larkin used her knowledge of biology to make the people that came in and taught sex ed at her school to look extremely stupid. Seriously, public education needs more than teaching abstinence, because they're not stopping teens from having sex in any way, shape, or form. Also, people who flaunt their beliefs over others are just so uncool anyway. Larkin had this one roommate who literally did not understand how children are created due to programs such as these, so I also appreciate how the author backed her work up later in the story.

I fear I've already bared my soul too much and probably expressed one too many controversial opinion for my own good. I sort of felt like I was back in College Government debating my stance on critical issues in America. *awkward laughter* Anyway, just know that this book touches on so many important topics and hits you right in the feels as it does so. This is a book I'm sure I'll revisit again, as I'm certain it will read differently as more time passes and politics shift.

Overall, "Ava" was such a powerful novel. I wasn't expecting for this one to put me in a death grip and not let me go, but it certainly did. I sobbed, I laughed, my stomach turned with unease as I read about the horrors that the government was putting Larkin and her family through. This is such a great speculative novel that deep dives into reproductive care, medical negligence, contraception, parental agency, scientific discoveries, and so much more. I was absolutely touched and hope that this book finds all the right people. I hope Dillon keeps writing, because this book really packed a punch!

[LyndaIn Oregon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who grew up in an era of unprecedented medical advances, I have long been troubled by Capital-M Medicine’s tendency to proclaim “we can DO this!” without adding the codicil “…but should we?”

Victoria Dillon’s near-future speculative novel, Ava, drops us square in the middle of this conundrum, at the dawn of an era where the boogeyman of test-tube babies seems as quaint as the distrust of the horseless carriage. What Dillon’s barrier-breaking scientist gives the world is a complete renovation in human reproduction, developed through human genome editing that leapfrogs a billion years of evolution and takes off in entirely new direction.

It’s all driven, as so many medical advances are, by good intentions. In a world where women’s freedom of reproductive choice has been arbitrarily removed by the state, one researcher with a pregnancy-related family tragedy strives to save mothers and babies by returning family-planning choices to the family. His solution is radical, to say the least. How it plays out through two generations forms the heart of this deceptively simple tale.

Dillon is an adequate wordsmith, though she relies perhaps over-heavily on soap-opera-ish coincidences in the lives of the players, which drive them individually into making the decisions that shape not only their own lives but, literally, the future of the species. Her hypothesis is built within the established framework of science fiction, by presenting that which is true and extending it just beyond the horizon of probability.

It’s an interesting idea, but there is a shadow across the work that the author touches upon but never really comes to grips with. Her characters have a few pages of shock and horror and anger, and then quickly decide everything is going to be just peachy. But it isn’t. Because this emancipating process involves human genome editing, it must be performed, in vivo or in vitro, on a woman’s eggs prior to conception. And since it alters the genetic makeup of the offspring, the change will be passed down to all subsequent generations. The egg donor, as a consenting adult, makes the decision, but the ultimate impact is not on her. Morally, is there a difference between a legislator controlling a woman’s reproductive rights, and a woman choosing to create offspring who will be considered freaks and monsters for generations to come?

This is a thought-provoking and ultimately disturbing little novel that wants to tackle our post-Dodd world of diminished bodily autonomy, but instead proposes an alternative with profoundly unsettling possibilities. And that, my friends, is the reason you ought to read it.

[ROLLAND Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful science fiction novel, served by hard science and made possible by backwards politics.

We are truly living through uncertain times, horrifying times even.
Reproductive rights are attacked. In many US states, abortion is now banned. Contraception is next. Women are dying because they cannot get the care they need - obstetricians have their hands tied, they are waiting for lawyers to validate that the woman is close enough to dying to justify an abortion.

And for all those who think that the solution, if an abortion is needed to save your own life, is to travel to another state... In those cases, you simply can't. A pregnant woman going through sepsis cannot board a plane to get care elsewhere, she simply dies.

In Ava, a team of scientists decides to work around the lack of reproductive rights. They find a way for women to lay eggs instead, which means no more uterus, no more pregnancy complications, and no more abortions. Of course, right wing groups find the idea horrifying and like proper pro life people, they send death threats to everyone involved in this project.

This book felt very scary at times, and I really wondered how the author would find a way for all this to end well. I truly connected with the characters and also liked the science part - well documented without becoming so complicated that you would have to be a biologist to enjoy the novel. Some parts felt a little bit rushed, but I forgive the author because the rest was so good.

Ava would be a great choice for teenagers. Many topics are explored here, from the ethics of biohacking (is it ever defendable to alter the genome of anyone before they can consent) to reproductive rights. Victoria Dillon also raises other hot topics such as surrogacy, sex education, and the racial bias in obstetrics. It would be a mistake to only make women (and girls) read the novel. Reproductive rights are important for everyone, especially when they are under attack.

Thank you NetGalley, She Writes Press and Victoria Dillon for providing me with this book. I truly enjoyed it, especially since those topics are dear to me (I unfortunately have an incompetent cervix and it is the first time I see my condition represented in fiction). 5 well-deserved stars, and thank you for trusting me with an prepublication copy.

[backy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava: A Novel by Victoria Dillon explores a fascinating idea: changing the very nature of human reproduction and birth through gene splicing. The science behind that science fiction seems plausible, with lots of medical details for people who may be interested in them. The dialogue is realistic, the prose is accessible and engaging, and the quality is high with no errors found. Some of the scenes are touching, some are humorous, and several are are gut-wrenching. Although the plot is rather predictable, there’s a lot to like about this short novel.

However, I rated this novel as I did because I think there’s a couple of HUGE problems with the story. The first two-thirds of the book isn’t science fiction, but rather tells the story of a young couple in Tennessee in the near future who deal with a heartbreaking pregnancy and childbirth. In this future, abortion and even birth control are banned by most states, and eventually nationwide. In this part of the book, the author advocates for reproductive freedom for women. That isn’t the problem; science fiction stories often take a particular POV on social issues. The problem, in my opinion, is that in the rest of the story, Dillion throws this important idea of freedom of choice completely out the window, as girls are forced to undergo a radical change to their physiology without their knowledge or consent. What’s more, science and medical ethics are tossed out the same window. There’s very little mention or discussion about either of these issues; it’s more like, “Oh, yeah, what we’re doing here is unethical, maybe even illegal. Okee doke.” I think more consideration for these very important concerns was warranted in a book that emphasizes freedom of choice as much as it does.

NOTE: I think the book's content is suitable for Young Adult (12-18) readers and up, but be aware there are a few expletives. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thoroughly impressed with this book. The story envisions a possible world with women's choices becoming obsolete, and how science could help provide an alternative. Larkin becomes unexpectedly pregnant after getting married. Initially, she and her husband are elated with the news. But when they find out the baby has a condition in which the brain will not develop and will die shortly after birth, the couple is devastated. Unable to get an abortion, Larkin becomes increasingly aware of the rights that are slowly being taken away from women. When her boss, Dr. Davis, shows her his research on creating a way for humans to reproduce by incubation, Larkin dives in to help out, even volunteering as a test subject in order to have a baby without the concerns of the same devastating diagnosis her first child had. What follows is the birth - or hatching - of Ava. Growing up, Ava has to learn about herself differently than other kids, and even questions why her mother went to such extremes to have her.

What's scary about the premise of this book is that some of the problems are actively occurring in America. Women being denied abortion even for ectopic pregnancies, and even dying as a result of their rights being taken away. The novel takes this a step further, imagining where birth control becomes illegal, and pregnancy tests are monitored and reported. Despite genuinely scaring me, I very much liked reading this. It was well-written, and you can tell that the author did her research when it comes to the scientific side of things. My only disappointment is that the ending felt rushed. Most of the novel is about Larkin, despite being named after her daughter. We barely get to know Ava, and despite her valid concerns about the way she was born, it feels like she moved on too quickly, especially for a teenager. I would still recommend giving this book a chance!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I picked this up because the central topic is one I’m genuinely interested in, and it is very clear the author cares deeply about the subject. The premise itself is interesting, and I especially liked the speculative and sci fi elements that start to come into play later in the book.

That said, it did not fully land for me. While the story itself was fine, the writing made it hard for me to emotionally connect with the characters or feel fully invested. I found myself most engaged during the final third, when the speculative elements really took center stage. I kept thinking that if the book had started closer to that point or leaned more into that aspect, it might have worked better for me overall.

The book spends a lot of time focusing on social and political issues. While I personally align with the viewpoints being expressed, the messaging felt very upfront and at times overshadowed the story itself. For me, it made the book feel more message driven than narrative driven, which made it harder to stay engaged for much of the read.

I think this book will really work for readers who are specifically looking for fiction that centers these themes. While it was not a favorite for me, I can appreciate what the author was trying to do and the conversations the book is aiming to spark.

[Keilah Villa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a timely and intriguing book for our era of reproductive tension. It reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale and reflects the widespread fear over reproductive rights and pro-life vs. pro-choice. The idea of women laying eggs is a unique premise, and it was interesting to see how the scientists made it possible. The dialogue was a bit awkward at times, but the characters are sweet. One thing that I keep thinking about is that Ava lays eggs that are twice the size of an ostrich egg. I don't know how she could have produced that! (I see another reviewer had the same thought.) If you like speculative fiction, try this one out.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars This is a very strange book. I got an advance reading copy in exchange for my review, but sadly, I didn’t love it. It’s a book about female autonomy and the right to make your own reproductive decisions, which are things I care about & why I thought I’d like the book. But sometimes when a book is focused solely on a social topic like this, it just feels a little preachy to me (I mean I agree so preach) and I want a little more nuance for a fiction presentation. This might work for some people but I just didn’t love it.

[Megann Kammerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very poignant and at times a difficult read. It’s a terrifying look at an all-too-likely and horrifyingly close future. I felt like the science was very plausibly laid out and I loved the exploration of how a technology like this would be used to change the world — it was a great blend of hard science and extrapolation — but it’s really Larkin and all of the other characters who linger with you after reading. Because despite the bleakly familiar world, it’s Larkin and her friends who work to find ways to hold onto hope and fight for a better future.

[Laura Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique story! I was a lucky early reader and found this book intriguing from the beginning. It is an important tale that weaves the truth of science and the fantasy of "what if" in remarkable ways. An entertaining and thought-provoking read about a subject that demands attention. The characters are excellent and after your read the last page and close this book, they will stay with you a long time as will the subject. Victora Dillon does not disappoint. Loved this book!

[Just Another Final Girl Review (Brittany) Levely-Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book finished in 2026

Just finished my first book of 2026, ‘Ava’ by @victoriadillon.bsky.social an arc epub sent by the publisher thanks to @publisherswkly.bsky.social #grabagalley

God, how much New Years Eve can change after having a baby….
This feminist sci fi/horror novel is as much about the reality of the horrific

[Books Forward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful analysis on what women's bodily autonomy means in a time where it is all too important. Dillon masterfully weaves fiction, speculation, and a difficult dose of reality. A must read!