Nylon Angel

Post-apocalyptic society Down Under has stratified into levels of haves and have-nots, with the have-nots divvying up the toxic waste dump known as the Tert, and the wealthy carefully isolated from the worst of the crime and poverty in luxurious Vivacity. It's a gritty, post-apocalyptic world in which the strong, clever, and adaptable survive -- if they're lucky. Australia of the future isn't a place I'd particularly want to visit, but Parrish Plessis is at home there. She's a relatively unaltered human, unusual in a world that accepts and encourages all forms of body modification from electronic to cosmetic; where plastic surgery to be beautiful (in whatever fashion) is as easy (or hard) as coming up with the cash. Genetics have show more blessed Parrish if not with looks, with size, speed, coordination, and a working brain, and she's willing to use it all to get where she want to go -- out. When the book opens, Parrish's sole goal is getting free of her boss without getting dead in the process: and then her life gets complicated.

Parrish is a likable tough, with a soft spot for the underdogs and the innocent, and Pierres' mix of technology, violence, and suspense works fairly well -- at least enough so that I'll be looking for the sequel. show less

A classic adventure novel in an original, weird cyberpunk dystopia with a strong Australian flavour and a truly great female hero.

"Cuando el infierno se llene, los muertos caminarán sobre la tierra".
Dawn of the Dead, 1978

¿Qué sucedería si un día al levantarse descubrieses que la civilización se está cayendo en pedazos?

This book was all right, not quite what I expected, though. I don’t know if it’s because I read the U.K. version, but the author uses some real odd spelling (she’s from Australia apparently).

Anyway, it’s a cyberpunk-esque story about a “grrl” in Australia that’s a bodyguard, but has a chance to put her hated boss away. She ends up getting blamed for the death of a media personality (the world is run by the media now), and everyone is after her. She gets beat up a lot, but ends up on top taking her boss’ place.

Nylon Angel was a worthwhile read, but I won’t be hanging on to the book to read again.

Jun09:
Characters: The lead was maybe a little stereotypical. The other characters were a little flat.
Plot: Rather confusing and thrown together. Tried to keep a breakneck pace to seem exciting. Had a touch too much of 'discover my powers'.
Style: Actually managed to rise above classic steampunk to me. Maybe it was just the touch of sympathy the main character always had for the lesser folk.

Interesting cyberpunk story about Parrish Plessis who ran from her family to find freedom only to find that freedom is difficult.

Underwhelming Cyberpunk novel with a plot that attempts to be complex but is too simply spelt out. First person voice gets irritating after a while. Probably better suited to young teenagers.