by Annalee Newitz
Published 2017
'Autonomous is to biotech and AI what Neuromancer was to the internet' NEAL STEPHENSON 'Something genuinely and thrillingly new' WILLIAM GIBSON 'Holy hell. Autonomous is remarkable' LAUREN BEUKES WINNER OF THE 2018 LAMBDA AWARD FOR SFF SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEBULA AWARD 2018 SHORTLISTED FOR THE LOCUS AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT 2018 Earth, 2144. Jack is an anti-patent scientist turned drug pirate, traversing the world in a submarine as a pharmaceutical Robin Hood, fabricating cheap medicines for those who can't otherwise afford them. But her latest drug hack has left a trail of lethal overdoses as people become addicted to their work, doing repetitive tasks until they become unsafe or insane. Hot on her trail is an unlikely pair: Eliasz, a brooding military agent, and his indentured robotic partner, Paladin. As they race to stop information about the sinister origins of Jack's drug from getting out, they begin to form an uncommonly close bond that neither of them fully understands. And underlying it all is one fundamental question: is freedom possible in a culture where everything, even people, can be owned?
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Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Reuven's measured baritone and thoughtful inflections would convey the story's moral ambiguity with a calm, intellectual presence.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“Jake offers a smooth, dramatic presence that can enhance the underlying tension and serious nature of the audiobook's futuristic setting.”
Indian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice's deep, measured tone and subtle intensity perfectly capture the mysterious and tense atmosphere required for the futuristic narrative.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“Adam's rich, resonant tone provides the gravitas and immersive quality needed for a serious and engaging narrator, fitting the complex themes.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Low · Calm · Measured · +11 more
“With a low, serious tone and measured pacing, this voice suits the narrator's need for a clear, professional delivery that delves into complex subjects.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A sharp, determined anti-patent scientist and drug pirate. Her voice should convey intelligence, defiance, and a touch of weariness from her dangerous lifestyle.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Raspy
“Veronica's raspy and knowledgeable voice perfectly embodies Jack's intelligence, defiance, and the weariness of her dangerous life as a drug pirate.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Blair's emotionally grounded and persuasive tone would convey Jack's sharp determination and underlying intensity, even with her weariness.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Julie's natural, polished, and conversational style can capture Jack's intelligence and defiance, making her relatable despite her illicit activities.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Jessica Anne Bogart offers a calm yet conversational delivery that could hint at Jack's underlying intensity and experience, balancing her defiance with a sense of control.”
African American · Middle-Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Shayla's rich, soothing tone and natural storytelling cadence could provide a nuanced portrayal of Jack, subtly revealing her inner conflict and resilience.”
A brooding military agent, initially on Jack's trail. His voice should be serious, authoritative, but with an underlying sense of conflict and eventual warmth.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“Atlas's deep, rich, and serious resonance is ideal for Eliasz's brooding military agent persona, conveying his intensity and eventual warmth.”
Canadian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Stryka's calm, steady tone and professional delivery would suit Eliasz's initial serious and measured demeanor, allowing for subtle shifts to warmth.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Calm · Professional · +3 more
“Kevin Costner's deep, warm, and measured voice would effectively portray Eliasz's serious nature while hinting at his internal conflict and developing warmth.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Spartan's calm, grounded baritone and measured pacing would fit Eliasz's serious military background, providing a solid base for his character arc.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story
“Arsen's smooth and measured tone could convey Eliasz's serious and intelligent nature, allowing for the gradual emergence of his warmer side.”
Eliasz's indentured robotic partner. The voice should be distinctly artificial, precise, and initially devoid of human emotion, gradually showing subtle shifts as a bond forms.
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Franklin's deep, steady, and monotone delivery is perfect for Paladin's distinctly artificial voice, with its precise and initially emotionless quality.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Medium · Clear · Crisp · Professional · +10 more
“Marlow's clear, crisp, and neutral tone would suit Paladin's professional and precise robotic nature, allowing for subtle emotional shifts.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Crisp
“A Lost American's crisp, delicate, and almost fragile tone could be adapted to convey Paladin's artificiality, with a hint of future emotional depth.”
South African · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“Karl's neutral, calm, and measured delivery provides a strong foundation for Paladin's robotic voice, suggesting precision and control.”
British · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“Stephen's polite and thoughtful delivery, while human, could be modulated to create a precise and measured robotic voice that gradually gains warmth.”