redRobe

This is one of his earlier novels, and in some places it shows... the invention of weapons, futuristic technologies are heavily branded, it's almost like a weapons & shopping fest in places. But still, the ideas are in there, the writing is fast and pacy, the characterisation makes you want to probe the people a little (and they are not all multi-dimensional) but overall a fun if slightly OTT gory read.

interesting ideas but I didn't care enough about the characters to continue

Gory, splattery, acid house music video style imagery. Uninteresting and flat characterisations. And in my opinion not even a good basic plot. Not his best.
Read the Arabesque suite instead. Then go on to Lucifers Dragon, etc.