Tag: cyberpunk

Twin Rivers by Jeremy Bender Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A priest must contend with hearsay and corruption in a futuristic world in author Jeremy Bender’s “Twin Rivers.”

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The Synopsis

The High Priest rules the city of Twin Rivers in the name of the Lord of Mercy, his AI god. In this land, where robotic Brothers complete all labor and humans are left to enjoy the fruits of this Eden, something rotten grows. Yonatan, a newly ascended Priest in the sclerotic Priesthood, is meant to shore up the faith of those left behind. Yet as Yonatan’s preaching takes him deep into the city’s bowels, he must confront heresy far deeper rooted than he ever imagined. When he sees one of the city’s paramilitary Keepers leave a young woman to die because of her unsanctioned implants, Yonatan must decide whether his faith in the Lord of Mercy outweighs his own belief in human exceptionalism.

The Review

This was such a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author does a remarkable job of creating a world that is both futuristic to the point of being sci-fi and yet so grounded in the problems of our modern world that it feels tangible and jumps right off the page. The blending of modern technology with religion and spirituality was a unique twist on the cyberpunk genre, and the powerful imagery in the author’s writing made this world feel both cohesive and vibrant on the page.

The world building and mythos of this world was perfectly built up by the author, and the way this balanced out the complex themes the story touches on was incredible. Themes that include mankinds reliance on automated systems and the battle of freedom versus the control that comes from conformity all made the story feel so important and enthralling at the same time. The characters are so complex and help highlight these themes through each shocking twist and turn.

The Verdict

Thrilling, complex, and engaging, author Jeremy Bender’s “Twin Rivers” is a must-read cyberpunk thriller. The shocking twists and turns the story brings out and the dynamic characters and the world they inhabit will both entertain readers and keep them invested as the futuristic setting slowly peels away to show just how close to reality this seemingly perfect yet problematic society truly is. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on February 7th, 2026 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jeremy Bender is a part-time writer, full-time father, and all around dilettante. He has worked in the threat intelligence, cybersecurity, and education fields for over a decade. This work, as well as his studies in college on religion, folklore, and Middle Eastern history, have influenced the stories he writes. 

Jeremy has short stories published in The Arcanist, Black Hare Press’ “Year Seven” anthology, Support Indie Authors, and Lit Up.

Gods of a New World by Ryan Melsom Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two people from very different walks of life must come together to stop the wealthy elite from becoming living gods in author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World.”

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The Synopsis

The trillionaires were powerful enough to reshape the world, but it wasn’t enough. Now they want more . . .

In a world where trillionaires assisted by powerful AIs call themselves gods, a world where miracles are engineered and secret technology is wired into the very air, James Kessler and Maree Shell stumble upon a conspiracy that defies possibility: the new gods’ plan to encode their consciousness into the world and seize control of reality itself, to literally become the gods they have so far only pretended to be.

From the world’s gleaming new AI-crafted cities to the crumbling ruins of the old ones, the two unlikely allies, one a childhood survivor of the Bad Times and the other a privileged daughter of wealth, must run a gauntlet of hostile AIs, vengeful modern-day gods, and mysterious ancient deities, desperately trying to disrupt the plans of the most powerful people who have ever lived. Nothing less than the fate of free will itself hangs in the balance.

A mind-bending cyberpunk thriller of rebellion and redemption, Gods of a New World is a visceral dive into the soul of a world on the brink.

The Review

This was such a powerful and thought-provoking cyberpunk read. The novel finds a way of folding in profound questions of theology and the human condition into an action-driven sci-fi thriller that leaves readers completely engrossed in the detailed world the author has crafted, as well as the visceral mythos of the tech and gods, both the old and the new, brought to life on the page. The imagery in the author’s writing makes this feel like a mix of Blade Runner and The Running Man, showcasing a world of advanced AI and wealthy elitists who see themselves as living gods and making technology that could eerily bring that thought to life.

What stood out, aside from the incredible character development, especially with James and his journey to protect those he loves, was the amazing conversation that bridged the gap between modern technology and ancient theology and belief systems as a whole. The concepts surrounding the ancient gods and how their connection to humanity faded, as well as how those with money and power envision themselves modern gods and how perhaps the universe itself is an ancient run technology far beyond our understanding and how AI could tap into something similar to that kept readers on the edge of their seat as the story developed.

The Verdict

Thrilling, compelling, and captivating, author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World” is a must-read cyberpunk sci-fi thriller. The twists and turns in this narrative and the deep, rich mythology this story brings to life will stay with readers long after the novel ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ryan Melsom has never stopped dreaming about new ways he could get ideas out of his head and into the world. He holds a PhD in literature from Queen’s University and has long been fascinated with the interplay between culture, technology, spirituality, spaces, and human nature. Through the years he has explored these topics through numerous creative media, including two works of fiction, academic writing, experimental web spaces, music projects, blogging, and a black belt in karate. He grew up in Kamloops, British Columbia, and now lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife and two boys.

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The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter by D.K. Thorne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A mind extractor in a dystopian virtual world discovers a hidden secret that could hold the key to saving humanity in author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter.”

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The Synopsis

What if reality is a relic?


What if neural decay silenced your language—and killed thought itself?

Splinter launches you into Onyros, a virtual reality dystopia where thought is currency—and extinction is everywhere.

  • Neural mercenaries dive into synthetic paradises to harvest memories before flesh decays (a true mind-uploading sci-fi thriller)
  • Logan Bochniak is a dying breed—one of the last Splinters racing toward cognitive failure in a post-human cyberpunk world.
  • An impossible signal echoes through the system: an anomaly in the system itself.

Memory is a maze. Reality is a rumor. Your only hope is a fraying mind.

For fans of Red Rising, Cyberpunk 2077, William Gibson, Peter Watts, Black Mirror and YA dystopian books —and anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the end of meaning.

The Review

This was both entertaining and thought-provoking to dive into. The dark, gritty tones of this sci-fi dystopian world were immediately felt, and readers were thrust into a world of intrigue and mystery that felt chaotic and oppressive, as the mystery deepened further. The angst and the forboding nature of the larger threat to humanity are felt in every chapter, and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style captures the darker underbelly of this cyberpunk narrative. 

The heart of this story lies in the grand themes the author explores and the compelling character dynamics at play. Logan, as a protagonist, is a powerhouse, revealing depth and complexity as he navigates the tension between his cold indifference, shaped by life experiences, and the harsh reality of the impact this virtual world has on humanity, as well as the secret he uncovers. The author’s commentary on technology and science as a whole, especially virtual reality and AI, is astounding, focusing not just on world-building but on the neurological and physical impact that being immersed in a virtual setting for long periods can have on the human body.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enthralling, and memorable, author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles book 1: Splinter” is a must-read cyberpunk dystopian thriller. The connection the author makes between consciousness and its interweaving with our biology, as well as the plethora of unique characters and the epic world-building of Onyros as a whole, make this a sci-fi epic that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/

Killswitch Overkill by Mark Everglade Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Mark Everglade’s upcoming sci-fi novel Killswitch Overkill, a woman haunted by her past must find a way to redeem herself and save a world while facing rogue assassins, drones, and an AI hellbent on taking over her mind.

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The Synopsis

Sabrina Underfoot is no hero. After attacking the largest cities on Gliese 581g, she contributed to a chain reaction that flooded half the world. Poisoned with power, she’s dying to redeem herself, but when the world’s most dangerous A.I. hijacks her mind to end humanity, dying may be the price she pays. When the world is issuing its dying breath, there’s little left to grasp.

Gliese 581g is an unforgiving world where bio-cities get viruses, where you can download your friends’ emotions as easily as swapping clothes, and where half the planet is so flooded you can leap off a skyscraper and hit the water a second later.

Sabrina must restore balance, extract the malevolent Id.Entity from her mind, and find redemption while being hunted by assassins, surveilled by drones, and fired upon by droids. The final battle must be fought within herself, however, by restoring her faith in love and friendship and finding the strength to forgive and accept herself. She’ll have to trust old enemies, form new alliances, and save a mysterious child who may hold the key to everything.

“It’s Waterworld meets Neuromancer, with a touch of The Sixth Sense.”

The Review

Such an exhilarating and memorable read. The author does a remarkable job of creating morally complex characters, giving readers a protagonist struggling with her past choices but seeing the moral high ground in this scenario. As the prologue begins, “I have been a keeper of secrets, you know, those little sunspots that burn holes in your soul until they become solar flares forcing their way out under the pressure of your lies. Mine were honeyed lies sprinkled with just enough truth that the masses believed them, and I was good at it,” showcasing a dynamic hero and protagonist that feels real and tangible on the page.

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This is such a layered and visceral read. The author perfectly navigates a devastated planet and the themes of over-reliance on technology, highlighting the dangers of depending on technology for everything in one’s life. The imagery in the writing and the adrenaline rush that came with each chapter as the story progressed spoke to a firm understanding of the cyberpunk and sci-fi genres, which felt evenly paced yet detailed in its delivery. 

The Verdict

A STUNNING BLEND OF Jason Bourne, The Day After Tomorrow, and Blade Runner, author Mark Everglade’s upcoming cyberpunk meets sci-fi thriller “Killswitch Overkill” is a must-read novel. The twists and turns that the author took to keep this narrative alive and thriving on the page, and the rich style of world-building and mythos that went into breathing life into this narrative, made this a stand-out novel that readers won’t soon forget. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy this May!

Rating: 10/10 

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About the Author

Mark Everglade is a traditionally published cyberpunk author who has written four novels. He has sold thousands of books, with his first novel hitting #5 in its genre. Inertia won the 2024 Fire and Ember Award for best sci-fi novel from a small publisher. His first novel about the horrors of A.I., inspired by his former wife’s ideas, was ironically used to develop A.I. vocal narration software for a major firm. His short stories have been featured beside authors such as Cory Doctorow, Cat Rambo, Walter Jon Williams, and Jim Keen. After spending his life studying sociology, obtaining a master’s, he has been interviewed dozens of times by venues such as NBC News, a British radio station, and by a BBC correspondent.

Mark has enmeshed himself in everything cyberpunk and assisted with the co-founding of Annual Cyberpunk Day, which unites the community with both major and indie cyberpunk media creators to celebrate the genre and its diverse values. He has designed book covers for cyberpunk legend John Shirley.

Mark owns a company that publishes dystopian book bundles as featured on Gamespot, Fanatical, and other sites, selling over 25,000 books annually. He has worked on a project with Humble Bundle, and has represented publishers’ interests on behalf of Macmillian/TOR, Astra/DAW, Apex, Angry Robot, and other presses.

Mark’s ancestor invented the field of psychology. In his free time, he enjoys DnD and RPGs, Chess, Jazz and Progressive Metal music, and anything postmodern and profound.

Mark lost both his wife and young son in late 2024 during a tragic car crash that took their lives, but continues to write and look for new ways to spread their legacy. He will be publishing a book of his late wife’s poetry.

https://www.markeverglade.com/

Terminus by Proto Dagg Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

In a not too distant future, a young man living in a divided city discovers a powerful new street drug and a growing movement, leading him to become the center of a battle for the soul of the city in author Proto Dagg’s “Terminus”.

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The Synopsis

Following a period of violent unrest, the city of Terminus is divided into color-coded zones – each block outside of the green zone brings citizens deeper into unguarded chaos. At an exclusive green-zone club, Matt hears about a new street drug called Peace. Receiving a cryptic invitation, he attends a series of ceremonies that uses the entheogen to bring about transformative experiences. As the movement grows across the zones, Peace threatens the powers who control Terminus, and Matt finds himself at the center of a struggle for the soul of the city.

The Review

The author did such a fantastic job of creating a narrative that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. The themes and genres that were meshed so well together all kept their identities while still creating something new and unique. From the futuristic, cyberpunk style setting to the tone and background of a Wolf of Wall Street style cast of characters to begin the narrative and a spiritual awakening and rebellious bio-punk storyline, this novel truly created something unique that readers will be eager to devour in one sitting.

The unique thing about this novel was how the narrative become the heart of this book. Typically the cast of characters will become the focal point of this kind of storyline, but the story itself was just so unique and the writing style was so thoughtful, that readers will just feel themselves getting drawn further and further into the rabbit hole that is this plot. The world-building and mythos of this futuristic world and the society the author built within this city were brilliantly written as well.

The Verdict

Gripping, breathtaking, and thought-provoking all at once, author Proto Dagg’s “Terminus” is a must-read novel of 2022 for all fans of cyberpunk and bio-punk. The twists and turns this narrative takes and the exploration that the narrative takes the characters on through some spiritual awakening moments will have readers enthralled with this story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Monkey Man by M.N. Snow Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A futuristic, punk-style story brings four very different individuals together in a world few would recognize in author M.N. Snow’s novel “Monkey Man”. 

The Synopsis

Cyberpunk?  This ain’t it.

Steam-punk?  Wrong again.

This is New-Burn® Coal-punk, set in the present of a slightly altered, not too distant future.

Belay that, call it future-punk and be done with it.

Global warming fixes have overshot their mark and boomeranged the world into global cooling. With global cooling came the flooding of the lower Great Lakes. Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, etcetera—all flooded out. A majority of the refugees have been relocated to The Zone, the formerly named Twin Ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI—now the third largest city in the North American Protectorate, and easily the coldest.

Four people are drawn together in this wintry port city on the far western edge of Lake Superior.

–Delores Manning, a shrewd, New York femme fatale chasing her ex-husband and the money he stole from her.

–Wally Moon, back from his fifth combat tour, on three different continents, in a world perpetually at war.

–Julie Newman, recently a civilian, laying low and wondering if it’s paranoia, or is someone really after her.

–Finally, Danny “Java” Vacha (Vuh-SHAY)—who is definitely NOT a private detective. What he is is a combat vet who lives as far off the skyline as possible. However, he has been known to occasionally look into things and, perhaps, to settle the odd score or two for people. And with all the dry-grade digital and wet-grade bio military enhancements he has endured, he can be quite effective at that job.

In Wally Moon’s words, “Think of Java as Robin Hood… with a lead-pipe.”

Bundle up and enter their bleak world.

And watch your back.

The Review

What really stands out about this novel above all else is the effortless way the author blends so many different genres into one narrative. One moment readers are in a future punk style setting filled with people who have been physically and mentally altered or enhanced, and then in the next readers are exploring a noir style mystery with a futuristic military and espionage thriller bend. Yet the narrative never feel confusing or overstocked, instead bringing a new natural mixture of genres that really works in the reader’s benefit. 

The characters themselves are also a huge draw. In this futuristic, cataclysmically different world the author has created, the characters feel both cinematic and relatable all at once. The core connection these characters share speaks of a story of makeshift families, struggles with the vices of our world and the horrors of war on the human psyche. These deep, emotional and wonderfully told elements of the characters only serve to better enhance the narrative set in this action-packed punk world. 

The Verdict

This is a new punk style novel that any fan of cyberpunk, Neo-noir style punk or any other reader of the overall genre will absolutely fall in love with. It’s an evenly paced read filled with twists and turns, and creates a detailed image of the scenes playing out in the reader’s minds. From mind control and sexually driven body modifications to military black ops and the bonds of a self-made family, this adult noir-punk style novel is beautifully written and a must read book in 2019. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of M.N. Snow’s “Monkey Man” today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

M. N. SNow’s fiction has been published in “Decimos-We Say” and “Oeuvre Magazine.” Snow’s first novel, “The Helper”, was published in 2017. The author was also a contributing writer for “Reader Weekly”, in Duluth, MN. SNow’s bio includes years as a public radio host and anchor, primarily in the south Florida market, but also for Wisconsin Public Radio. M. N. is also a published poet, a published cartoonist, and a former Marine Corps NCO. The author’s time is divided between Key West and the south Florida mainland, with occasional trips back home to The Zone.