Palace (1996)

If you read the back cover, this book sounds like generic cyberpunk/scifi pulp. Even the first few chapters have such standard set pieces as evil lizard aliens, a hooker with a heart of gold, and avatar/VR-based net hacking. However, this initial impression belies the book's true quality, which stems from its tight plotting, solid characterization and relatively complex world. The most intriguing parts are when interspecies racism gets mixed up with the genetic engineering-based caste system classism -- the conflicts these tensions present to the characters ring true. The cyber- part of the book is fairly fluffy, but tolerable. All in all, straightforward and built of generic components, but highly enjoyable. I want to read the sequel, but it seems to be seriously out of print. ( )