Books matching: cyberpunk storytelling
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- #1
In 'Moxyland' by Lauren Beukes, readers are introduced to a near future South Africa where a society heavily reliant on technology is controlled by a merging of the security state and corporate entities. The story follows four young individuals navigating this dystopian world where access to everything is linked to their phones, and disobedience can lead to severe legal consequences. As the characters deal with constant surveillance, extreme body modifications, and corporate sponsorship, they are forced to confront the harsh realities of their environment while attempting to pursue their own goals and ideals.
The narrative in 'Moxyland' is structured around the intertwining perspectives of the main characters, each with their own motivations and struggles against the oppressive system they live in. Lauren Beukes presents a chillingly realistic portrayal of a future where technology divides society into distinct classes, raising thought-provoking questions about power, privacy, and the impact of corporate control on individual lives. Through elements of cyberpunk storytelling and dystopian world-building, the novel explores themes of activism, rebellion, and the consequences of living in a tech-centric society.
The corporate line shushes through the tunnels on a skin of seawater, overflow from the tide drives put to practical use in the clanking watery bowels of Cape Town – like all the effluent in this city... - #2
'Dreams of Amputation' by Gary J. Shipley is a dark and disturbing novel that delves into themes of depravity and experimentalism. The writing style is described as original, experimental, and intelligent horror, with alternating non-narrative body horror scenes and straightforward cyberpunk storytelling. The book is set in a dystopian world where the self is viewed as a virus, blending elements of late eighties and early nineties anime, William S. Burroughs, and early David Cronenberg. The story is described as dark, grimy, ugly, and violent, dropping the reader into the world without traditional exposition, making it a challenging yet intriguing read.
- #3
'City of Golden Shadow' by Tad Williams is the first installment in the 'Otherland' series, a sci-fi multi-genre tale that introduces a diverse cast of characters embarking on a quest within a virtual reality world. The plot revolves around a group of individuals from different backgrounds investigating mysterious comas affecting children, while also delving into a cyberpunk mystery in the real world. The writing style is described as ambitious, detailed, and rich in world-building, blending elements of science fiction and fantasy seamlessly through the use of virtual reality.
"Again?" Renie set her pad down on the desk and picked up her bag. Remembering how many things had gone missing during the last scare, she retrieved the pad before walking into the hallway. The man wh... - #4
'Punktown' by Jeffrey Thomas is a collection of science fiction and horror stories set in an alien city on a distant planet. The stories feature a variety of sci-fi elements, with unique and mysterious alien cultures alongside flawed yet interesting human characters. The narrative style is described as terse and straightforward, creating highly visual paragraphs that convey the plot effectively while maintaining a heavy atmosphere. delves into themes of existential despair, individual tragedies, and the corrupting influence of the city of Punktown on its residents.
It was naked and fetal-curled like a withered spider, rain drops bursting all over its white skeletal body. Its face was turned up to the sky, lips folded back from a frozen gnash of black teeth. Its ... - #5
'Moving Mars' by Greg Bear is a science fiction novel set in the Twenty Second Century, focusing on the political developments between Earth and the Martian colony. The story follows Casseia Majumdar, a Martian stateswoman, as she navigates through the challenges of Martian politics and the struggle for independence. The plot involves themes of sacrifice, power struggles, and the quest for autonomy, culminating in Mars breaking away from the rest of the solar system.
The book is narrated in the first person by Casseia, providing a deep dive into her character development from a college student to a selfless leader willing to make sacrifices for the future of Mars. The writing style combines elements of hard science fiction with sociological themes, cyberpunk elements, and political intrigue, creating a narrative that balances character-driven storytelling with high-stakes plot twists.
The young may not remember Mars of old, under the yellow Sun, its cloud-streaked skies dusted pink, its soil rusty and fine, its inhabitants living in pressurized burrows and venturing Up only as a ri... - #6
'WebMage' by Kelly McCullough follows the story of Ravirn, a college student and hacker sorcerer who discovers a virus in the Fate Core and gets blamed for it. Caught up in a conspiracy, Ravirn must clear his name while navigating family intrigue and facing off against the Goddess of Discord, Eris. The story blends elements of Greek mythology with spell programming and high-tech cyberpunk, creating a unique world controlled by magic and gods. The characters, including powerful and cruel Fates, a clever web goblin familiar, and demi-gods, provide highlights in this fast-paced adventure filled with action and excitement.
The spell was very tightly written, and elegantly coded. Embedded in the crystalline matrix of a memory jewel, it was beautiful. Even incomplete, it was the scariest thing I'd ever seen. Worse, it did... - #7
'Bang Bang Bodhisattva' by Aubrey Wood is a cyberpunk noir novel that follows Kierra, a transwoman in a polyrelationship, who is navigating a world hostile to those without money or power. Kierra, along with an ex-cop turned private eye named Herrera, gets embroiled in a murder mystery where they are wrongly accused. The story unfolds with risks and twists as they try to find the real killer, showcasing a mix of cyberpunk, noir, and diverse representation in a near-future setting.
The writing style of 'Bang Bang Bodhisattva' is described as fast-paced, engaging, and visually vivid, reminiscent of classic noir and cyberpunk genres. offers a blend of genres that work well together, with well-developed characters, inclusive representation of queer, trans, and non-monogamous individuals, and a plot that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.
- #8
Cyber Mage by Saad Z. Hossain offers an imaginative exploration of a future Bangladesh twisted by climate change and technological advancement. The story revolves around Marzuk, a talented hacker and gamer who navigates a chaotic society where gangs and environmental disasters collide. Filled with quirky elements like smaller-than-life Pygmy elephants and mythological djinns, the plot builds tension through high-paced action, but often loses focus with flat character development and a disappointing ending that leaves many loose ends untied.
Hossain's writing style integrates humor and sharp dialogue in a cyberpunk setting that begs readers to immerse themselves in its vibrant world. Despite a few unrealistic character portrayals and a lack of depth in relationships, the book showcases Hossain's unique voice, marked by cultural charm and clever twists. Although the characters may not resonate with everyone, fans of sci-fi and fantasy will likely find enjoyment in the author's rich world-building and the thrilling adventures that unfold.
- #9
'A Good Old-Fashioned Future' by Bruce Sterling is a collection of seven science fiction stories written in a high-tech, intense action, near-future style. The stories explore futuristic concepts like personal networks, high-tech social outcasts, and advanced technologies. Some stories are interconnected, with minor characters from earlier stories becoming protagonists in later ones. The writing style of Bruce Sterling is described as focusing on ideas rather than characters, with technical explanations embedded in the narrative.
Tsuyoshi Shimizu looked thoughtfully into the screen of his pasokon. His older brother’s face was shiny with sweat from a late-night drinking bout. “It’s only a career,” said Tsuyoshi, sitting up on h... - #10
'Central Station' by Lavie Tidhar is a collection of interlinked short stories set in a reshaped, futuristic Israel, focusing on themes of family, love, and religion. It explores a society where humans and non-humans coexist, delving into the lives of various characters living in and around Central Station in Tel Aviv. The narrative weaves together stories of everyday life, relationships, and the complexities of a post-human world, creating a vivid and intricate portrayal of a diverse community facing the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
The writing style of 'Central Station' is described as beautifully constructed, with a focus on character depth and emotional storytelling. The author skillfully blends science fiction elements with a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of works by John Crowley, creating a lyrical and engaging narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and connection in a futuristic setting filled with rich world-building and vivid details.
The smell of rain caught them unprepared. It was spring, there was that smell of jasmine and it mixed with the hum of electric buses, and there were solar gliders in the sky, like flocks of birds. Ame...