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togdon's review
4.0
Interesting take on cyberpunk. It's a heist novel, taking place in a future borderline dystopia, where the object that's stolen ends up convincing the folks who stole it that maybe they were liberators instead, and that maybe they shouldn't complete the job the way that they were supposed to. Enjoyable if a bit long.
kieralesley's review against another edition
4.0
A queer, modern take on a classic cyberpunk heist novel telling a very human story in the late stage capitalist city of Neo Songdo.
An action-filled read (shout out to one of the greatest car chase scenes I've read in a while!) with memorable worldbuilding touches (Hacked police Boston-Dynamics style police dogs co-opted by a white saviour techno cult leader? Yes please.) with plenty of nods to the classics of the genre (the Voight-Kampff test made me laugh on the train). The highlight for me was the band of scrappy hackers and gamers trying to get by in a world that has been designed to leave very few cracks for them to exist in and still finding friendship and warmth. Repo Virtual's gang of characters provides a fiercely hopeful contribution to an often grim, quips-replace-personality cyberpunk landscape.
I found it a little slow going in the first third and Enda's introduction and plot thread never quite gelled for me, but if you're looking for a smart, vibrant modern cyberpunk read this should be on your list.
An action-filled read (shout out to one of the greatest car chase scenes I've read in a while!) with memorable worldbuilding touches (Hacked police Boston-Dynamics style police dogs co-opted by a white saviour techno cult leader? Yes please.) with plenty of nods to the classics of the genre (the Voight-Kampff test made me laugh on the train). The highlight for me was the band of scrappy hackers and gamers trying to get by in a world that has been designed to leave very few cracks for them to exist in and still finding friendship and warmth. Repo Virtual's gang of characters provides a fiercely hopeful contribution to an often grim, quips-replace-personality cyberpunk landscape.
I found it a little slow going in the first third and Enda's introduction and plot thread never quite gelled for me, but if you're looking for a smart, vibrant modern cyberpunk read this should be on your list.
davybaby's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine. Pretty pulpy and not very well-written, but a heist book is always fun, and there were interesting conversations about the personhood of AI.
It also felt a bit like diversity bingo, with just about every character checking at least one box. It was helpful in that I got more experience with they/them pronouns, but felt a bit forced.
I won't go rushing out to find more of the author's books, but I'm not mad I read it. It just didn't bring much to the table when it comes to worldbuilding, which is what I want out of my speculative fiction.
It also felt a bit like diversity bingo, with just about every character checking at least one box. It was helpful in that I got more experience with they/them pronouns, but felt a bit forced.
I won't go rushing out to find more of the author's books, but I'm not mad I read it. It just didn't bring much to the table when it comes to worldbuilding, which is what I want out of my speculative fiction.
g2pro's review against another edition
2.0
I would say this is a YA book. Disappointed in the lack of Virtual world was hoping for something along the lines of Neuromancer with a good heist, but fell far from that tree.
whiskeyvinylnbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic Sci-fi/Cyberpunk heist story filled with intrigue and fascinating cast of characters. Corey paints such a wonderfully dystopian future in which the world is augmented to be seen as the Zero Corporation wants you to see it....removing the refuse and homeless from the background and overlaying things to look bright.
I hadn't heard about this until I read a summary online before I bought it and as soon as I started I was immediately hooked and could not stop reading it. Makes me kind of excited for the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077.
I hadn't heard about this until I read a summary online before I bought it and as soon as I started I was immediately hooked and could not stop reading it. Makes me kind of excited for the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077.
gotoboston's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting. I would have loved this I think if I didn't find some issues with the dialogue at times. There were some stilted moments and the relationship development could have used work. I think this book could have used 50 more pages to develop relationships a bit deeper. But, I did like the concept.
williamlowe11's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable read, the first part lagged for me since I wasn't that interested virtual game stuff. Became more interesting with the introduction of the character Enda.
echan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
murderbot42's review against another edition
Just really wasn't that invested in the MC or the creepy cult. Nothing really wrong with the book, so I won't rate it, just wasn't for me I think.
achillea's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
best part of this book is the nonbinary character only appearing to wreak havoc and commit arson. it's what we deserve
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Gun violence