STORMBLOOD

RELEASED 4 JUNE 544 pages | Hardback/ebook

Author Jeremy Szal

Publisher Gollancz

Hard-edged, hyper-violent sci-fi noir was pretty much defined by 2002’s cyberpunk thriller Altered Carbon, and the latest novel to explore similar territory offers a moody and intriguing mix of rich worldbuilding, meaty twists and ballistic ultraviolence.

The story takes place shortly after an interstellar war has been won by soldiers enhanced with “stormtech” – the DNA of an extinct alien race that’s both incredibly powerful and ferociously addictive. Now, in the wake of the war, a new and deadly drug trade has begun, and ex-soldier and recovering addict Vakov Fukasawa has to uncover a dark conspiracy that is poisoning stormtech and killing his old comrades…

Debut author Jeremy Szal wastes no time in setting up a detailed and evocative world, with the vast, multi-layered asteroid city of Compass remaining a fascinating and attention-grabbing setting throughout. He also delivers visceral, bone-crunching fight sequences and gives the story a strong emotional core.

How much you eventually enjoy Stormblood will depend on how you feel about its second-half transformation from moody and intriguing noir mystery to full-on John Wick-style actionfest. The blend of powerful subtexts, cartoony villains and crazed carnage is occasionally a little awkward, but it still makes for a rollicking ride.

Saxon Bullock