A Maxim Jakubowski Best Science Fiction selection.

This is the opening volume in the Metrozone trilogy by a British author who had previously written books for younger readers. The near future, London after a worldwide catastrophe has become a teeming mass of refugees and a blend of cultures in which Russian computer expert Samuil, a dead man in the making with a heart about to cease beating at any moment, has to confront deadly yakuza, Vatican fighter nuns and mysterious Artificial Intelligences. This is cyberpunk at its best, and one of its most innovative breakthroughs since William Gibson. Guaranteed to please.

Synopsis

Samuil Petrovitch is a survivor. He survived the nuclear fallout in St. Petersburg and hid in the London Metrozone - the last city in England. He's lived this long because he's a man of rules and logic. For example: GETTING INVOLVED = A BAD IDEA. But when he stumbles into a kidnapping in progress, he acts without even thinking. Before he can stop himself, he's saved the daughter of the most dangerous man in London. And clearly: SAVING THE GIRL = GETTING INVOLVED. Now, the equation of Petrovitch's life is looking increasingly complex: RUSSIAN MOBSTERS + YAKUZA + SOMETHING CALLED THE NEW MACHINE JIHAD = ONE DEAD PETROVITCH. But Petrovitch has a plan - he always has a plan - he's just not sure it's a good one.

Reviews

'A fast-paced thriller ... an absorbing read' TELEGRAPH

'Engrossing ... Samuil's mix of action and research makes him a fresh and engaging character, and the escalating scale of danger and violence moves the plot along briskly.'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

'A heart-stopping onslaught of science and action for much of its perfectly judged duration, paced like a runaway train, and Morden handles the fireworks with a steady hand ... truly exhilarating stuff' THE SPECULATIVE SCOTSMAN

'An exciting futuristic science fiction starring an antihero who knows the Equations of Life logically mean stay out of everyone else's life; yet he begins emotionally to comprehend that may be life bit that is not living ... Samuil and the cast make for wonderfully dark future'
ALTERNATIVE WORLDS

'Small, immoral, likeably unlikeable, Petrovitch steps fully formed onto the neon slick streets of London as if on the run from a classic anime '
Jon Courtenay Grimwood

About the Author

Dr Simon Morden is a bona fide rocket scientist, having degrees in geology and planetary geophysics, and is one of the few people who can truthfully claim to have held a chunk of Mars in his hands. Simon Morden lives in Gateshead with a fierce lawyer, two unruly children and a couple of miniature panthers.   Author photo © Simon Morden More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation