Books Like...
'Synners' by Pat Cadigan is a cyberpunk novel set in a future where individuals called synners have surgically augmented their brains to interface with computers. The book explores themes of technology, capitalism, and human-machine interfaces through a complex narrative involving a large cast of characters. Despite some initial confusion and a slow start, the story eventually picks up momentum, leading to a climax involving a rogue AI in the datasphere.
If you liked Synners, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
The Girl Who Was Plugged In by James Tiptree Jr. is a classic sci-fi novella that delves into a dystopian future where society values superficial beauty and influencer culture. The story revolves around a physically deformed girl who gets a chance at a new life by controlling another lab-made body, becoming a celebrity used for product placements. Despite the technology not being entirely plausible, the novella accurately predicts influencer culture and corporate media control. It explores themes of performing femininity, societal pressures on women, and the difference between offline and online personas.
- #2
Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams is a cyberpunk thriller that presents a somewhat dark vision of earth's future. The novel details the attempts of a few individuals to remain free in a world dominated by evil human overlords and new technology. Set in a post-apocalyptic urban cyberpunk landscape with elements of military SF and western, the book follows deeply flawed heroes navigating through inhuman circumstances and engaging in high-octane adventures.
By midnight he knows his discontent will not let him sleep. The panzerboy drives north from Santa Fe, over the Sangre de Cristos on the high road through Truchas, heading for Colorado, wanting to get ... - #3
Voice of the Whirlwind by Walter Jon Williams follows the story of Etienne Njagi Steward, a clone seeking to uncover the mystery behind the murder of his original self, known as the alpha. Missing 15 years of memories, Steward navigates a dangerous world, chasing leads through a futuristic solar system while dealing with the arrival of advanced alien species. The plot is full of suspense, ethical dilemmas, and a focus on the philosophical implications of clone reincarnation, all presented in a terse and intense writing style that immerses readers in a world of future politics and technology.
The narrative delves into the complexities of identity, memory loss, and the blurred lines between friend and enemy in a world dominated by powerful political corporations. Steward's journey to uncover the truth about his past and his mission is intertwined with themes of self-discovery, revenge, and the quest for justice, creating a compelling and thought-provoking storyline that keeps readers engaged till the final chapters.
Steward hung suspended beneath a sky the color of wet slate. Below him the ground was dark, indistinct. There was the sensation of movement, of gliding flight. Sometimes Steward’s stomach fluttered as...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Hardwired ) - #4
"Trouble and Her Friends" by Melissa Scott is a cyberpunk novel set in a future where hackers, known as crackers, operate in a virtual world where cracking has become illegal. The protagonist, Trouble, is being impersonated and hunted by the authorities, leading her to search for NewTrouble to clear her name. The story revolves around the adventures of Trouble, her partner Cerise, and their group of LGBTQ community women as they navigate the virtual reality and the challenges it presents. explores themes of identity, gender politics, and relationships within the hacker community, all set against the backdrop of a futuristic internet landscape.
Trouble was gone.Cerise had known it from the moment she entered the strangely neat apartment, the inevitable clutter—disks, books and papers, here a sweater, there a pair of shoes—all missing along w... - #5
George Alec Effinger's 'When Gravity Fails' is a cyberpunk detective noir novel set in a future Middle Eastern world where the protagonist, Marid Audran, navigates a dark and gritty society filled with sex, drugs, and murder. The story follows Marid as he becomes entangled in solving a mystery while exploring themes of identity, faith, and societal issues in a world where technology plays a significant role in modifying personalities.
Effinger's writing style combines elements of hard-boiled detective fiction with cyberpunk, creating a unique and immersive world that blends traditional noir storytelling with futuristic technology. The narrative delves into the complexities of the characters and the setting, offering a fast-paced and intriguing read that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Chiriga’s nightclub was right in the middle of the Budayeen, eight blocks from the eastern gate, eight blocks from the cemetery. It was handy to have the graveyard so close-at-hand. The Budayeen was a... - #6
'Islands in the Net' by Bruce Sterling is a science fiction novel set in a future world where data pirates operate outside the wired network, trading in stolen data and technology. The protagonist, Laura Webster, works for a multinational collective that portrays itself as benign but is always seeking profit. The novel explores themes of technology, data privacy, and the consequences of a hyper-connected society. Sterling's writing style is praised for its vision of the future, even though some elements have not aged well, the story remains relevant and thought-provoking.
Pilings rose in clusters, like blackened fingers, yards out in the gentle surf. Once, Galveston beach homes had crouched on those tarstained stilts. Now barnacles clustered there, gulls wheeled and sc... - #7
Infomocracy by Malka Ann Older is a political science fiction thriller set in a future world where countries are replaced by units of 100,000 people called centenals, practicing micro democracy. The story explores the implications of this new political system, intertwining espionage and political maneuvering within a world driven by pervasive technology and connectedness. The plot is complex, with conflicting perspectives and motivations, and the author's writing style combines elements of futuristic world-building with a focus on political intrigue and societal structures.
The sign on the defunct pachinko parlor proclaims 21STCENTURY, but the style—kanji in neon outlined in individual light bulbs? Who does that?—suggests it was named at a time when that was a bold look ... - #8
Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel set in a world devastated by global warming. The story revolves around the floating city of Qaanaaq near the Arctic Circle, where complex characters from different social classes navigate through a society plagued by inequality, a mysterious disease called the Breaks, and power struggles between crime syndicates and wealthy shareholders. As the plot unfolds, the arrival of a woman with a nanobonded killer whale and a polar bear sets off a chain of events that lead to a rebellion against the corrupt establishment, revealing deep-rooted secrets and challenging the status quo.
The narrative of Blackfish City is characterized by a richly detailed worldbuilding that explores themes of climate change, capitalism, gender identity, and social injustice. Through multiple perspectives and intricate storytelling, the novel delves into the interconnected lives of its characters, offering a thought-provoking portrayal of a society on the brink of collapse, where hope and resilience endure amidst chaos and despair.
After the crying, and the throwing up, and the scrolling through his entire contacts list and realizing there wasn’t a single person he could tell, and the drafting and then deleting five separate lon... - #9
'Void Star' by Zachary Mason is a futuristic dystopian novel that delves into the complexities of reality, artificial intelligence, memory implants, and interconnected protagonists. The plot is described as geek-oriented, with a focus on the uncertainty of reality due to advanced AIs. Despite being set in a future world with elements like virtual reality, AI, and martial arts, the book's writing style is praised for its spare and beautiful prose, intriguing narrative, and affecting characters. The story follows multiple characters with memory implants as they navigate through a world where the nature of reality is constantly questioned.
Below her are the lights of the valley, like burning jewels on a dark tide. The Bay is a negative space around them, its leaden ripples picked out in the moonlight. There is, Irina realizes, a pattern... - #10
'Accelerando' by Charles Stross is a mind-bending journey through the concept of the Singularity, exploring a future where humanity evolves alongside advanced technologies. The book weaves together multiple generations of the Macx family as they navigate the consequences of rapid technological change, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human. Stross presents a dense narrative filled with futuristic ideas such as posthumanism, artificial intelligence, and societal transformations, creating a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the potential future of humanity.
The writing style of 'Accelerando' has been described as dense, filled with jargon, pseudo-physics, and sci-fi cliches that challenge readers to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancements presented in the story. Stross blends elements of space opera with down-to-earth societal issues, creating a unique reading experience that balances between futuristic concepts and relatable human dilemmas.
Three years later, Manfred is on the run. His gray-eyed fate is in hot pursuit, blundering after him through divorce court, chat room, and meetings of the International Monetary Emergency Fund. It's a...