A high octane, cyberpunk thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat! On the planet Nera, a world of towering metropolises powered by nano technology and controlled by corporations, Mr. Zan and his misfit crew have trained for five years to be Omegas, the greatest and most elusive assassins on the planet. However, disillusioned with their mission, they went rogue and killed their handler, Nancy. Now, they run guns to survive, while racing to stay one step ahead of the living Shadows that hunt them. After a tragic, traumatic attack, Zan and his crew find themselves on the outs with Dietrich Boateng, one of the most powerful men on the planet.
But when Dietrich suddenly risks everything to warn them of a new, dangerous threat, events are set in motion that threaten to spiral out of their control. To make matters worse, Deputy Marshal Akira Sudo is hot on their trail, after a coverup leads her to believe that there is more to this case than meets the eye. If they can complete Dietrich’s mission, they might secure the tools they need to survive the next Omegas that show up to exact revenge. If they don’t, they might not survive to see tomorrow. For fans of Neuromancer, Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, and Altered Carbon, this action-packed, dystopian Sci-Fi romp will leave you breathless and wanting more!
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Runners, a striking sci-fi thriller, hosts lavish worldbuilding, giving the action-centered plot plenty of teeth, and the author delivers an ending that perfectly sets the stage for a sequel.
Prose: The prose is vivid, if sometimes extravagant, and works hard to keep pace with the story’s worldbuilding. Unfortunately, the author’s often-excessive descriptions are more distracting than riveting.
Originality: Runners combines plenty of action with character-driven subplots and a freshly realized planet setting, while elements like the Shadows add a welcome shiver of suspense to the story.
Character/Execution: The characters are solid, with several standout main players—particularly the rough-and-ready Alexander, always ready to face danger and unbeatable in his bravado.
Date Submitted: April 19, 2023
Hale has created an engrossing world powered by inventive technology and social structures, complex modulation simulations and training drama, and compelling dystopian themes—the written word is illegal and only digital communication is allowed, dark hints of a potential human future. With an eclectic group of characters that are powerful, smart, and entertaining, Runners is never dull. Hale prioritizes character amid the action, exploring the tight familial bond of Alexander's diverse crew, which ensures the suspense ramps up as the connections strengthen, the trash-talk flies, and readers become attached. For all the crisp dialogue, the novel at times suggests a science-fiction take on progression fantasy, offering superpowered villains, out-of-this-world tech weapons, and an urgent mission to destroy the final boss.
Fans of intricate world building, action packed fight sequences, and ensemble character arcs will enjoy this, though at times the flatly declarative lines describing actions during dialogue get awkwardly repetitive. Emotions will run high as each character faces their own tragic loss, or be put at risk themselves as they face off against the Shadows, the powers that be, and former friends turned enemy.
Takeaway: Space-assassins in training power this fast-paced SF adventure.
Comparable Titles: Tochi Onyebuchi’s War Girls, Richard K. Morgan’s Altered Carbon.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
