Cyberpunk thrillers give us a mix of science fiction, dystopian societies, corporate dominance, and advanced technology to create captivating worlds that leave us in suspense. While William Gibson paved the way for this genre, other authors have contributed their own unique takes on cyberpunk books, incorporating imaginative settings, enigmatic characters, and high-stakes action. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best cyberpunk thrillers:
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
Alfred Bester’s gripping novel, The Stars My Destination, presents a vision of the future where individuals possess the ability to jaunte, teleporting across vast distances with their thoughts. In this world, the wealthy isolate themselves within intricate mazes and employ deadly hitmen armed with radioactive weapons.
Amidst this backdrop, a voiceless outsider emerges as the most valuable and perilous individual alive. With its blend of technological foresight and captivating storytelling, The Stars My Destination is regarded as a timeless masterpiece of science fiction crafted by a renowned master of the genre.
Ghosts of Tomorrow by Michael R Fletcher
In this gripping tale, Ghost of Tomorrow, the fate of humanity rests in the hands of children. The illegal creation of highly skilled child soldiers has become a disturbing reality. Griffin, a junior Investigations agent, is tasked with locating and shutting down these secret operations. Joined by Abdul, whose mind was implanted into a combat chassis after dying in war, and Nadia, an investigative reporter, the team delves deeper into the black market brain trade.
Meanwhile, in the slums of Costa Rica, an autistic girl named Archaeidae, aided by the ruthless assassin, seeks to challenge humanity’s dominance. With the odds stacked against them, these two children become the world’s unlikely saviours.
The Ware Series by Rudy Rucker
In a world where sentient robots known as “boppers” have rebelled against their human creators, Cobb Anderson, the brilliant mind behind their creation, has become a weary and alcoholic old man. The larger boppers are now planning to assimilate all smaller boppers and eventually every human into a collective consciousness.
However, some of the smaller boppers resist this idea, sparking a widespread robot uprising on the moon, their base of operations. Amidst this chaos, a bopper named Ralph Numbers proposes granting Cobb immortality by merging his consciousness with a big bopper’s software. To Cobb, this offers a glimmer of hope and purpose. The Ware Tetralogy includes Software (1982), Wetware (1988), Freeware (1997), and Realware (2000).
Five Minds by Guy Morpuss
In a world where population control is enforced and lifespans are limited, a group of five minds shares one body as a commune, extending their lives. Alex, Kate, Sierra, Ben, and Mike have spent a quarter of a century together, navigating alliances and conflicts. Seeking additional lifespan, they participate in Death Park’s games, where time can be gambled.
However, when Kate accepts a dangerous offer, one of them vanishes, and it becomes apparent that someone is targeting the commune. As they grapple with the mystery, the difficulty intensifies when the killer may be hiding within their shared body. Blending speculative fiction and crime, Five Minds was a remarkable debut that immerses you in a thrilling murder investigation.
Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams
In the futuristic world of Hardwired, a thrilling tale unfolds, reminiscent of the classic Neuromancer. Cowboy, a former fighter pilot, is hardwired – physically connected to powerful electronic weaponry embedded in his skull sockets. Seeking liberation from the oppressive Orbitals, he joins forces with Sarah, a skilled gun-for-hire with her own extensive cybernetic enhancements.
Together, they embark on a dangerous quest for independence, battling against the relentless greed of the Orbitals. Hardwired has been hailed as Walter Jon Williams’s finest work, delivering high-tech excitement and captivating characters that will leave readers spellbound.
Daemon by Daniel Suarez
In Daemon, you are thrust into a high-tech thriller set in the wireless age. The story explores the terrifying possibilities of a computer program, known as a daemon, running without human control. This daemon has been designed to dismantle society and establish a new world order. As technology governs every aspect of our lives, the daemon activates after the death of its creator, initiating a chain of events with the potential to unravel our interconnected world.
An unlikely alliance must decipher the intricate plans of the daemon and combat an anonymous adversary in a battle for control. Daniel Suarez mixes cutting-edge technology and gripping suspense, reminiscent of renowned authors like Michael Crichton, Neal Stephenson, and William Gibson.
The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi
In The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi, Jean le Flambeur wakes up every morning with the task of killing himself before his alternate self can eliminate him first. This is just a typical day in the Dilemma Prison. However, his routine is disrupted when he is rescued by the enigmatic Mieli and her seductive spacecraft, leading him to the Oubliette, a moving city on Mars where time is a currency, memories are treasures, and a moon-turned-singularity illuminates the night.
Meanwhile, investigator Isidore Beautrelet is hot on the trail of an arch-criminal known as le Flambeur while investigating a murder case. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through a futuristic solar system filled with advanced technology, complex characters, and an epic heist that unravels the mysteries of Jean le Flambeur’s past. The Quantum Thief combines breathtaking sci-fi wonders with deeply human motivations, and a thrilling mystery.
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat
In the year 2095, society has achieved perfection, but at a cost. Killer cyborgs known as Nephilim are deployed to eliminate anyone who opposes the flawless system. Nephilim, the best of the elite death squad, believes in the righteousness of her mission until a hostile EMP attack causes a system malfunction. Disconnected from the grid for the first time, she begins to question everything she knows. When she meets Jake, a purely biological human, love blossoms, and together they unravel the lies they’ve been fed.
But in a world of deception, they become hunted by their own kind. As Nephilim navigates a dangerous landscape, the question arises: can love exist between a human and a cyborg in this dystopian future? Behind Blue Eyes is a thrilling, action-packed story with a cinematic feel, and is said to be reminiscent of a modern-day, amplified version of Orwell’s 1984.
New White Sands City Cyberpunk Series by Ron Bender
New White Sands City, a world dominated by corporations, where the climate is devastated by nuclear warfare and body augmentations are commonplace, Raven thrives as a tour guide, party girl, and hired assassin. When a simple assignment goes awry and she inadvertently kills Shadow, a prominent vigilante, Raven finds herself in possession of a valuable data core and the target of a dangerous mega-corporation.
Racing against time, she must dispose of the stolen item, but as secrets unravel, Raven realizes she’s entangled in something much larger than a typical job. With her past brought to light by her new enemy, Raven fights not just for a paycheck, but for her freedom. New White Sands City Cyberpunk offers fast-paced sci-fi action in a gritty world where everyone’s freedom hangs in the balance. It is currently a series of five books, each one with a unique standalone story that is perfect for anyone interested in Blade Runner or Mad Max.
The Immortality Clause (Easytown #1) by Brian Parker
Easytown, a futuristic slum in eastern New Orleans, is a haven for vices and pleasures, with its robotic pleasure clubs catering to every desire for a price. But beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect paradise, a serial killer is on the loose. Homicide detective Zach Forrest, harbouring a deep distrust for machines, takes on the task of unravelling the grisly murders.
With no leads and no evidence, Forrest embarks on a perilous investigation that will blur the lines between reality and illusion. Can he uncover the truth and catch the killer before he himself becomes the next victim? The Immortality Clause is a riveting sci-fi thriller that immerses you in a world where pleasure comes at a deadly cost.
There we have it. 10 of the best cyberpunk thrillers for you to sink your teeth into, each one with an immersive techno-dystopian world filled with robotics, humanity on the brink of existence, and thrilling narratives.
Have you read any of these books? Are there any cyberpunk books we’ve missed? Comment below and let us know!