Cybernetic addiction plagues the populace of Cyber City, a post-apocalyptic metropolis of neon grime and crime. The government promises a tech-free ‘Utopia’ for the Virgins, a small community rejecting body modification technology. But before the invitation goes public, the Virgins begin to disappear.

Xia, a lawbreaking freelancer with a haunting past, is the first to notice the strange vanishings. Her investigation reveals a sinister plot: someone is kidnapping Virgins and using their bodies to escape to the promised Utopia. Teaming up with Mai, a Virgin prostitute, Xia’s mission shifts from simple protection as a means for money into an impossible endeavor: help the Virgins escape the city.

That mission puts them at odds against both the mysterious Virgin body snatchers and Cyber City’s government—two threats that could end in fates worse than death. As the unlikely duo embark on the impossible, they discover secrets more shocking than the plasma dome that traps the city within.

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Cyberpunk Meets Detective Noir in This Gripping Dystopian Saga

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Neon Noir, by Nina Voss, is the first in a compelling saga that immerses you in the neon-soaked dystopia of Cyber City, where cybernetic addiction runs rampant and the government’s promises are as toxic as the acid rain.

Nina Voss seamlessly blends the gritty atmosphere of detective noir with the high-tech, low-life essence of cyberpunk.

Complete with mysterious dames with shady pasts and damsels in distress, Neon Noir weaves a narrative that echoes the timeless allure of classic noir while immersing readers in a dystopian future where trust is scarce and survival comes at a steep price.

At the heart of the decaying Cyber City is Xia, a lawbreaking freelancer with a heavy heart and a past that haunts her every step. When the Virgins—a small, tech-averse sect—start disappearing, Xia takes notice. Her investigation quickly spirals into a perilous mission to protect the Virgins from forces far more sinister than she could have imagined.

Nina Voss excels in world-building, painting a gritty picture of a society teetering on the edge of collapse. The city feels like a character, with its towering structures, narrow alleys, and flickering neon lights glowing hazily through the thick, cloying smog. It reaches for you, inciting you to partake in the rampant hedonistic culture of its citizens, drawing you deeper into the gritty, unforgiving world where danger lurks in every promise of pleasure.

The narrative doesn’t just rely on vivid descriptions; it also incorporates surprisingly complex social commentary. When one beautiful face is indistinguishable from the next and the lines between human and machine blur beyond recognition, Cyber City feels more like home than a dystopian future ought to.

There are no one-dimensional characters in Cyber City. Each has depth, shaped by the harsh reality of a world where humanity is commodified and freedom is an illusion. Throughout the book, we follow Xia and, to a lesser extent, our resident damsel in distress—oh wait, Mai is a strong, independent woman, willing to go to any lengths to save her people and uncover the truth.

Xia and Mai are accompanied by a whole cast of fully developed characters that push and pull the plot in unexpected directions. No one is exactly who you think they’re going to be, and everyone has their own agenda in this gritty, multi-layered narrative.

Would I recommend this book?

The pacing is dense but rewarding, demanding your full attention as you piece together the story’s many intricate layers. From the initial investigation to the climactic confrontations, every chapter adds to the building tension, culminating in revelations that leave you eager for more.

It’s a gritty, immersive journey through a world that feels both futuristic and eerily familiar.

Neon Noir delivers a dark, thrilling exploration of a society on the brink. With strong characters, a gripping plot, and a city that feels alive in its decay, this novel is a standout in the cyberpunk genre.

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