Books matching: cybernetic enhancements
34 result(s)
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- #1
Runtime by S.B. Divya is a science fiction novella set in a future America where a young protagonist named Marmeg competes in a challenging marathon cyborg footrace across the Sierra Nevada range. Marmeg, coming from a lower social class, must scavenge parts to build her exoskeleton and survival suit to compete against rivals with advanced technology. The story explores themes of societal class divide, body modifications, gender exploration, and the struggle for a better life in a dystopian world with an unsettling yet realistic caste system.
The wall behind Marmeg thrummed with the muffled impact of bass beats. A line of girls in heels mixed with boys in lacy shirts, both interspersed with androgynous moots wearing whatever they wanted. B... - #2
"Waste Tide" by Chen Qiufan is a science fiction novel set in a near future Chinese island that serves as a dumping ground for tech waste. The story revolves around the people living on the island who process the waste, the power struggles among different clans, and the introduction of American businessmen with a proposal for green recycling. The writing style is described as poetic, character-driven, and providing a visual and visceral experience of the setting. The plot includes elements of psychic powers, advanced technology, and a dystopian ecological backdrop.
The fine, handcrafted wooden model of the junk at the center of the glass display case glistened with the reddish-brown varnish intended to give it an antique air. There was no holographic scene aroun... - #3
'The Possibility of an Island' by Michel Houellebecq is a thought-provoking and bleak exploration of themes such as love, sexuality, religion, and the future of humanity. The narrative follows multiple characters, including a contemporary French comedian navigating relationships and a bizarre sect that evolves into a new religion, as well as cloned neo-humans living in a post-apocalyptic world. The writing style is described as meandering yet insightful, with moments of cynicism and dark humor that shed light on the despair and worthlessness of existence.
HOW VIVIDLY I REMEMBER the first moments of my vocation as a clown! I was seventeen at the time, and spending a rather dreary month in an all-inclusive resort in Turkey—it was, incidentally, the last ... - #4
"Burning Chrome" by William Gibson is a collection of short stories that define the subgenre of cyberpunk science fiction. The stories feature tech-savvy characters engaging in hacking, heists, and questionable behavior in a near-future dystopian setting. The writing style is described as gritty, real, and filled with sensory details that create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
Mercifully, the whole thing is starting to fade, to be-come an episode. When I do still catch the odd glimpse, it’s peripheral; mere fragments of mad-doctor chrome, confining themselves to the corner ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Sprawl ) - #5
'Aurora Rising' by Alastair Reynolds is a science fiction mystery set in the same universe as the Revelation Space series. It follows the investigations of characters like Thalia Ng and Tom Dreyfus in the Glitter Band, a ring of habitats orbiting the planet Yellowstone. The story delves into the workings of a future direct democratic government called demarchy, while exploring themes of artificial intelligence, justice, and the complexity of different cultures within the habitats. The writing style is described as a blend of hard science fiction, space opera, and mystery, with a focus on complex characters and multi-layered plots.
Thalia Ng felt her weight increasing as the elevator sped down the spoke from the habitat's docking hub. She allowed herself to drift to the floor, trying to judge the point at which the apparent forc... - #6
'Headcrash' by Bruce Bethke is a cyberpunk novel that follows the protagonist, Jack Burroughs, who works for a large corporation by day and as a freelance cyber mercenary by night. The book is described as a cyber satire with a mix of action, plot, and humor. The plot includes hand-to-hand combat with virtual Vikings, Nazis, and cross-dressing mob girls, creating a world reminiscent of early Shadowrun or Cyberpunk 2020. The writing style is entertaining, fluid, and humorous, making it a refreshing change from other cyberpunk novels that tend to take themselves too seriously.
I looked away from Reba—who, I couldn’t help but noticing, was now wearing a fringed buckskin jacket in place of her former green camouflage flak vest—and took in our new surroundings. We were in so... - #7
John Barnes' "Mother of Storms" is a thrilling novel set in the future of 2028, where killer hurricanes are unleashed due to a nuclear explosion releasing methane from undersea clathrate deposits. The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, delving into the science of global weather patterns and meteorological phenomena. The plot unfolds with a military action leading to the escalation of ocean temperatures and the creation of superstorms that threaten Earth's population. Despite the disaster theme, the book explores cyber reality, deep space, and the role of augmented humans in saving the world.
Barnes weaves a complex narrative that encompasses political, social, and business angles of life in 2028, highlighting technological advancements such as self-driving vehicles and social media. The book touches on themes of global cataclysm and the need for humanity to reset, while also incorporating elements of suspense, unexpected twists, and a wide cast of characters that maintain varying levels of interest throughout the story.
- #8
'Iron Sunrise' by Charles Stross is a science fiction thriller set in a future where the godlike power known as the Eschaton polices human settled worlds. The plot revolves around a group called the ReMastered who seek to replace the Eschaton with their own god, leading to a series of events including the destruction of a planet and a dangerous interstellar conflict. The narrative style is described as fast-paced, filled with wonders of the post-singularity world, and featuring a clever plot with plenty of twists. The story unfolds through the eyes of key players, including a disaffected teenager, a warblogger, interplanetary spooks, and a godlike singularity intelligence.
Wednesday ran through the darkened corridors of the station, her heart pounding. Behind her, unseen yet sensed as a constant menacing presence, ran her relentless pursuer — a dog. The killhound wasn’t...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Eschaton ) - #9
'The Nano Flower' in the 'Greg Mandel' series by Peter F. Hamilton is a sci-fi thriller that takes readers on a journey through a post-Warming, post-socialist tyranny, hi-tech world filled with psychics, corporate espionage, and the sudden introduction of aliens and space travel. The plot involves protagonist Greg Mandel being called back into service by trillionaire industrialist Julia Evans to rescue a mutual friend who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. is noted for its intricate plot, detailed settings, and the introduction of highly believable and original alien constructs, showcasing Hamilton's skill in world-building.
She concentrated on the neural icon which seemed to hover at the periphery of her consciousness, and marshalled her thoughts into a distinct instruction sequence. Activate Sense Linkage and Directiona...
(Also, see 46 recommendations for the series Greg Mandel ) - #10
Lady of Mazes by Karl Schroeder is a science fiction novel set in a far future world where different cultures with varying social structures require different technologies. The story follows Livia Kodaly, one of the survivors of an inexplicable apocalypse, as she uncovers a conspiracy to subvert the cultures of her world and the larger Archipelago of human societies. The narrative explores the role of technology and institutions in society, focusing on the inhabitants of Teven Coronal who live in heavily mediated virtual realities governed by strict limits on admissible technologies to prevent disruption of the narrative.
The writing style of Lady of Mazes is described as dense, challenging, and packed with ideas. The author, Karl Schroeder, presents a universe where people exist in various virtual realities, consciously manipulating them while sometimes losing awareness of the artificiality of their environments. The novel touches on deep and fascinating ideas about society organization around values and narratives, as well as how future technologies might alter this process, all set against a backdrop of conflicting cultures and a breakdown of unique societies due to inter-manifold disruptions.
Real sheets, not virtual, were bunched around her legs; she clutched a pillow and watched the faint radiance of dawn swing down from the eastern sky. Around and about her, within the walls and ceiling...