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triplzer0's review against another edition
4.0
Cross-posting my Amazon review here:
Gory, foul-mouthed cyberpunk given a 21st century face lift. Riko is a SINless runner out for blood and answers. She ends up with more blood than answers, but that's what sequels are for! I really enjoyed this book, and really the only thing keeping it from being 5 stars are some slight issues with pacing. I thought some of the bits in the beginning, especially at the police station and Riko's meetings with Detective Greg got a lot of page time and then were dropped until a small aside at the end of the book. The world of Necrotech, with its tech-augmented mercenaries, neon and corruption is one I want to come back to. K C Alexander's got a winner on her hands. If you've ever played Shadowrun, think that, strip out the elves n' stuff, and crank up the ultra-violence. You're in for a thrill ride.
Gory, foul-mouthed cyberpunk given a 21st century face lift. Riko is a SINless runner out for blood and answers. She ends up with more blood than answers, but that's what sequels are for! I really enjoyed this book, and really the only thing keeping it from being 5 stars are some slight issues with pacing. I thought some of the bits in the beginning, especially at the police station and Riko's meetings with Detective Greg got a lot of page time and then were dropped until a small aside at the end of the book. The world of Necrotech, with its tech-augmented mercenaries, neon and corruption is one I want to come back to. K C Alexander's got a winner on her hands. If you've ever played Shadowrun, think that, strip out the elves n' stuff, and crank up the ultra-violence. You're in for a thrill ride.
silelda's review against another edition
5.0
*Free book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is definitely not for everyone. There is an intense amount of colorful language, even more colorful metaphors and violence. That being said, I loved this book! I read all 400+ pages in one day, never wanting to put the book down. If I'd had the right soundtrack playing in the background, I probably would have read it quicker. This is one of those books that hooks me in quick and keeps me guessing. Even after completing the book, I'm as in the dark as the main character. I have my theories, but I'll have to wait until I can get my hands on the next book.
I'll admit I'm not as well versed in the cyberpunk genre as I'd like to be, but if the world they're in is like this one, I'm definitely adding more to my TBR. I love seeing all the different ways authors can think of for how technology will integrate itself into our lives, and even our anatomy. The only reason Riko is able to survive as much as she does is because everyone in this world has nanobots in their blood stream that repair damage, provided they're given enough energy to do so.
Of course, there are consequences for having too much tech. At some point (different for each person) a human becomes more tech than human and the tech takes over and turns the person, essentially, into a fast zombie. These are Necrotech and they are scary. Some of the descriptions made me think of Japanese horror movies. At least one or two scenes left me feeling genuinely terrified.
The best part, for me, was that I only knew as much as Riko, the narrator, knew. I have some theories, about what happened and what will happen, but, just like Riko, I have no certainties. I am very eager for the next book to come out to either confirm or rebuke my theories. I was left guessing on a lot of things, in a good way. Plus, by having the book from Riko's perspective, we get to see just how badass she really is. I was rooting for this woman the whole way, downsides to her personality and all.
Once again, this book is not for everyone. Those that are okay with strong language and violence, however, and are looking for a cyberpunk mystery or thriller story will definitely enjoy this. I happily give this book 5 hoots and am already chomping at the bit to get the next one!
This book is definitely not for everyone. There is an intense amount of colorful language, even more colorful metaphors and violence. That being said, I loved this book! I read all 400+ pages in one day, never wanting to put the book down. If I'd had the right soundtrack playing in the background, I probably would have read it quicker. This is one of those books that hooks me in quick and keeps me guessing. Even after completing the book, I'm as in the dark as the main character. I have my theories, but I'll have to wait until I can get my hands on the next book.
I'll admit I'm not as well versed in the cyberpunk genre as I'd like to be, but if the world they're in is like this one, I'm definitely adding more to my TBR. I love seeing all the different ways authors can think of for how technology will integrate itself into our lives, and even our anatomy. The only reason Riko is able to survive as much as she does is because everyone in this world has nanobots in their blood stream that repair damage, provided they're given enough energy to do so.
Of course, there are consequences for having too much tech. At some point (different for each person) a human becomes more tech than human and the tech takes over and turns the person, essentially, into a fast zombie. These are Necrotech and they are scary. Some of the descriptions made me think of Japanese horror movies. At least one or two scenes left me feeling genuinely terrified.
The best part, for me, was that I only knew as much as Riko, the narrator, knew. I have some theories, about what happened and what will happen, but, just like Riko, I have no certainties. I am very eager for the next book to come out to either confirm or rebuke my theories. I was left guessing on a lot of things, in a good way. Plus, by having the book from Riko's perspective, we get to see just how badass she really is. I was rooting for this woman the whole way, downsides to her personality and all.
Once again, this book is not for everyone. Those that are okay with strong language and violence, however, and are looking for a cyberpunk mystery or thriller story will definitely enjoy this. I happily give this book 5 hoots and am already chomping at the bit to get the next one!
bhalpin's review against another edition
4.0
I once knew this guy who saw a couple of Kurt Russell movies in the 80's and decided to be a tough guy. He started wearing tank tops. He carried a butterfly knife for protection in the mean hallways of his private school. He took to turning chairs around and straddling them rather than just sitting in them. He then began coupling the chair straddle with pulling out his zippo lighter, flicking it open and lighting it with one smooth motion. He had obviously practiced. A lot.
He was trying too hard. And I kept thinking of him during the first quarter of this book. Our narrator is just trying way too hard. Or possibly our author is trying too hard to make our narrator look tough. So she talks, kind of incessantly, about how tough she is. And violent. And hardcore. And horny for everybody. And also tough. You can tell she's tough because of the creative swearing. So very, very tough.
The narration is so annoying that I nearly gave up on the book. I'm really glad I didn't. It begins with a classic thriller setup--person wakes up in a sinister lab with no memory of how they got there--and then transitions into another great trope--the "mission that goes sideways." It's fast-paced, action-packed, and tons of fun. If you enjoyed Dredd or The Raid, you should check this out. If you play Shadowrun, you'll probably like this, since the setting is pretty much "Shadowrun without the magic." Great twists and turns throughout, and the ending works perfectly--enough resolution that I didn't feel cheated, enough unanswered questions that I really want to read the sequel.
He was trying too hard. And I kept thinking of him during the first quarter of this book. Our narrator is just trying way too hard. Or possibly our author is trying too hard to make our narrator look tough. So she talks, kind of incessantly, about how tough she is. And violent. And hardcore. And horny for everybody. And also tough. You can tell she's tough because of the creative swearing. So very, very tough.
The narration is so annoying that I nearly gave up on the book. I'm really glad I didn't. It begins with a classic thriller setup--person wakes up in a sinister lab with no memory of how they got there--and then transitions into another great trope--the "mission that goes sideways." It's fast-paced, action-packed, and tons of fun. If you enjoyed Dredd or The Raid, you should check this out. If you play Shadowrun, you'll probably like this, since the setting is pretty much "Shadowrun without the magic." Great twists and turns throughout, and the ending works perfectly--enough resolution that I didn't feel cheated, enough unanswered questions that I really want to read the sequel.
samanatha's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5
I had expected much more with this. It felt so much like the story was a giant wallowing in self pity that I had to skip a bunch and drag myself to finish. In the end, I like the concept a ton and think I might enjoy the second inherited more?
I had expected much more with this. It felt so much like the story was a giant wallowing in self pity that I had to skip a bunch and drag myself to finish. In the end, I like the concept a ton and think I might enjoy the second inherited more?
hteph's review against another edition
4.0
I think cyberpunk must be a difficult genre to write, it has such a narriw subset of SF tropes to draw on and setting in itself is so formulaic it too easy to fall into either parody or repetitive.
K.C. Alexander manage to balance that vibro edge. The whole time I read the book it feels like something I almost read before, from the vulgar language of the protagonist, by the galley of "supporting" characters, to the main plot. But it is an enjoyable journey, with enough twusts and turns to keep the interest and even if no one is actually likeable, at least some personas are interesting and not making overly predictable choises.
So, it do not in any way revolutionary the genre (not possible I guees) but faithfully delivers my fix and makes me really want the next book!
K.C. Alexander manage to balance that vibro edge. The whole time I read the book it feels like something I almost read before, from the vulgar language of the protagonist, by the galley of "supporting" characters, to the main plot. But it is an enjoyable journey, with enough twusts and turns to keep the interest and even if no one is actually likeable, at least some personas are interesting and not making overly predictable choises.
So, it do not in any way revolutionary the genre (not possible I guees) but faithfully delivers my fix and makes me really want the next book!
thoughtsstained's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed at Thoughts Stained With Ink:
**Copy of Necrotech by K.C. Alexander graciously sent in exchange for an honest review by agent Lisa Rodgers of Jabberwocky Literary Agency**
And honestly, I think the best summation of this book is simply this: holy shit. What a whirlwind of emotions this book takes you through. Though I didn’t empathize with Riko–and gladly didn’t, because I can’t imagine surviving the hell she went through in my own life, nor being as much of a hard-earned badass that she is–I sympathized with her the entire time. The blows she was dealt, no one should have to endure. I was frustrated when she was frustrated, just wanting to know what was going on–but memory loss has a bad habit of making that near impossible. And then as the situation continued to deteriorate to the point of where I had no idea how Riko was staying sane, let alone surviving and continuing to push forward, my sympathy skyrocketed. And then the book ended and I just stared at my hands, wondering why the sequel didn’t magically appear within them. Isn’t that how books work?
(Hint: that’s not how they work. Dammit.)
(Second hint: notice how purposefully vague I’m being about what Riko is actually dealing with and what she actually goes through? Yeah, I’m giving away nothing. Go read it for yourself. You won’t regret it.)
Image result for necrotech
Since I’m not going to tell you anything about the plot or give away any truly juicy details, I will share the main aspect that of the book that I thought made it such an interesting read: Riko herself and her personality and how she juxtaposed to me. Which is to say, we are the exact opposite in practically every regard. Riko is a badass. I’m lame. Riko is sexually experienced and enjoys it. I’m a virgin and absolutely terrified to experience sex for the first time. Riko puts a sailor’s vulgarity to shame. I actually get slightly uncomfortable when a person’s vocabulary consists of using “fuck” as a noun, adjective and verb. Riko is dealing with the complete and totally ruining of the harsh life she’s built for herself within an even harsher world. I’m just a kid struggling to pay bills and chase writing dreams at the same time. Riko’s greatest strength is her toughness, her perseverance, her cold calculations. My biggest strength is my positivity. Riko is fit as hell. I’m will go to my grave attempting to run off all the second helping I eat. She has a metallic arm. I have a metallic screw that holds my elbow together.
We are both tatted, though, so there are similarities.
What I’m getting at, though, is usually, I enjoy a book so much because of how invested I get into the characters. And that investments stems from forming connections with those characters, usually through seeing pieces of myself within them. I don’t think I’ve ever read about a character like Riko, who was so totally and utterly different from me, yet still found myself drawn to her and invested in her story, in her life, even though I couldn’t connect with her in ways I usually hope to connect with characters. I still rooted for her, even though sometimes her mannerisms or choices made me uncomfortable or how negative her outlook could be made the positive soul in me feel both foolish and defensive. But the most amazing part that happened, after I closed the book and waited for the second book to suddenly appear, to no avail?
I still feel like I understood her.
And I think that is just really impressive.
Necrotech is a thrill ride. You got action, you got advanced tech, you got vibrant, fearless, reckless, intriguing characters (though I didn’t talk about him here, I really, really loved Indigo). Akin to Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series (one of my favorite series), this is a book you should be reading for both pure fun yet also so your emotions are pulled a little bit. Because it’s impossible not to both feel for Riko, yet at the same time, eagerly await whatever shit she has to go through next, if only so you can watch her kick ass one more time.
Read on!
**Copy of Necrotech by K.C. Alexander graciously sent in exchange for an honest review by agent Lisa Rodgers of Jabberwocky Literary Agency**
And honestly, I think the best summation of this book is simply this: holy shit. What a whirlwind of emotions this book takes you through. Though I didn’t empathize with Riko–and gladly didn’t, because I can’t imagine surviving the hell she went through in my own life, nor being as much of a hard-earned badass that she is–I sympathized with her the entire time. The blows she was dealt, no one should have to endure. I was frustrated when she was frustrated, just wanting to know what was going on–but memory loss has a bad habit of making that near impossible. And then as the situation continued to deteriorate to the point of where I had no idea how Riko was staying sane, let alone surviving and continuing to push forward, my sympathy skyrocketed. And then the book ended and I just stared at my hands, wondering why the sequel didn’t magically appear within them. Isn’t that how books work?
(Hint: that’s not how they work. Dammit.)
(Second hint: notice how purposefully vague I’m being about what Riko is actually dealing with and what she actually goes through? Yeah, I’m giving away nothing. Go read it for yourself. You won’t regret it.)
Image result for necrotech
Since I’m not going to tell you anything about the plot or give away any truly juicy details, I will share the main aspect that of the book that I thought made it such an interesting read: Riko herself and her personality and how she juxtaposed to me. Which is to say, we are the exact opposite in practically every regard. Riko is a badass. I’m lame. Riko is sexually experienced and enjoys it. I’m a virgin and absolutely terrified to experience sex for the first time. Riko puts a sailor’s vulgarity to shame. I actually get slightly uncomfortable when a person’s vocabulary consists of using “fuck” as a noun, adjective and verb. Riko is dealing with the complete and totally ruining of the harsh life she’s built for herself within an even harsher world. I’m just a kid struggling to pay bills and chase writing dreams at the same time. Riko’s greatest strength is her toughness, her perseverance, her cold calculations. My biggest strength is my positivity. Riko is fit as hell. I’m will go to my grave attempting to run off all the second helping I eat. She has a metallic arm. I have a metallic screw that holds my elbow together.
We are both tatted, though, so there are similarities.
What I’m getting at, though, is usually, I enjoy a book so much because of how invested I get into the characters. And that investments stems from forming connections with those characters, usually through seeing pieces of myself within them. I don’t think I’ve ever read about a character like Riko, who was so totally and utterly different from me, yet still found myself drawn to her and invested in her story, in her life, even though I couldn’t connect with her in ways I usually hope to connect with characters. I still rooted for her, even though sometimes her mannerisms or choices made me uncomfortable or how negative her outlook could be made the positive soul in me feel both foolish and defensive. But the most amazing part that happened, after I closed the book and waited for the second book to suddenly appear, to no avail?
I still feel like I understood her.
And I think that is just really impressive.
Necrotech is a thrill ride. You got action, you got advanced tech, you got vibrant, fearless, reckless, intriguing characters (though I didn’t talk about him here, I really, really loved Indigo). Akin to Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series (one of my favorite series), this is a book you should be reading for both pure fun yet also so your emotions are pulled a little bit. Because it’s impossible not to both feel for Riko, yet at the same time, eagerly await whatever shit she has to go through next, if only so you can watch her kick ass one more time.
Read on!
caramm's review against another edition
81 pages in. just couldn't get into the story, which i think was the result of never feeling grounded in the setting. i thought i would like this much more, but it just didn't hook me.
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