ARC Review Ghost of the Neon God by T. R. Napper

Introduction

I was given a copy to review by Sarah Cook the author. My reviews are always honest, and all opinions are my own and freely given.     #GhostofTheNeonGod #TRNapper #TitanBooks #NetGalley #FantasyandSciFi #BookReview  #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted  #ARCReview

Blurb

A thrilling, propulsive story of escape as a small-time crook goes on the run across Australia with a stolen secret that will change the world, from the award-winning author of 36 Streets, perfect for fans of William Gibson’s All Tomorrow’s Parties, Richard Morgan and Ghost in the Shell.

Jackson Nguyen is a petty crook living slim on the mean streets of Melbourne. When he crosses paths with a desperate, but wealthy, Chinese dissident, begging for his help, Jack responds in the only natural way: he steals her shoes.

And yet, despite every effort to mind his own damn business, a wild spiral into the worst kind of trouble begins – murder, mayhem, fast cars, fast-talking, bent cops, and long straight highways into the terrible beauty of the vast Australian Outback.

In Jack’s world, taking a stand against the ruling class is the shortest path to a shallow grave. But when an Earth-shattering technology falls into his hands, he must do everything he can to stop the wrong people taking it. In a world of pervasive government surveillance and oppressive corporate control, it’s up to a small-time criminal to keep the spark of human rebellion alive.

Review

This is the third novel I have read by Napper and I have to say it may be my favourite to date. First of all, I adore cyberpunk style novels. If you are looking for a world that will give you Blade Runner, William Gibson or Ghost in the Shell vibes look no further. Best of all as well as a wonderful cyberpunk setting with a tightly woven plot with engaging characters. To put this into perspective and without spoilers, if I can manage that, I was invested in three characters that only seemingly appeared in the first 5% to 20% of the novella.

Napper is brilliant at creating well rounded, believable characters even if they are the bad guys. This pairs perfectly with his ability to create tightly woven thrillers and vividly depicted worlds. While the basis of the novel is a futurist Australia as someone who has never visited the country I could easily imagine the landscapes and cityscapes. If you are fan of furtistic thrillers which pose questions about where society could be headed this is for you!

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