I strongly suggest reading The Feedback Loop before venturing into this, book two, of the series. I feel the reader will be lost otherwise. Additionally, the dynamics between the characters will be completely lost and this story won't make a good deal of sense and/or fall short. I very much enjoyed this installment. It differs quite a bit from the series launch, where Quantum is stuck in The Loop - an abandoned Proxima World that he can't seem to escape. Here, we are introduced to the protagonist, as well as Frances, Dolly, Morning Assassin, The Reapers, and the UK boys. In Steampunk is Dead, Quantum is free in the real world, but finds himself needing more. He is torn between what he is and what he can be in virtual space. This depressive, almost isolationist tug-of-war is just one bit of the dynamics at hand. Quantum and Frances team-up and jack-in to Steam, a steampunk virtual entertainment world. I've said in many book reviews that I'm not the biggest fan of steampunk. I have found a couple books which I like and was thinking I wouldn't care much for this installment. Luckily, Cooper pokes fun, through Quantum, about the fantasy world, which provided me some nice balance. That, and mutant hacks. As my opening suggests, you really should read the first book. It makes the return of the old cast much more enjoyable and you may be happy for Quantum and Dolly; the latter being one, sexy bad-ass Seed. I noticed a handful of wrong/missing words. I also noticed sections where run-on sentences go long, yet other sections where semicolons aid in the flow. I do look forward to book three, even though, for me, it takes place in an environment worse than steampunk: high fantasy with dragons. I don't like books with dragons. I'm hoping the characters will pull me through. In sum, this is a very fast-paced read. There is plenty of action and continued character development. I was provided an advance review copy.
4.4 of 5 stars. ARC provided by author. From the Publisher:
Adjusting to the real world isn't easy for Quantum Hughes. Instead of focusing on his recovery, he takes an assignment alongside Frances Euphoria to an online steampunk world in search of a Proxima developer. True to his nature, Quantum acts out of turn, causing the entire world to turn against him. This gives him two options: return to The Loop for help, or try and hold his own. There is also the problem of the Reapers, who have appeared in steampunk world ready to hunt him down or worse – kill him. The real world, The Loop, Steam – three worlds with their own rules, their own enemies. The thin line between dream and reality is pixelated in this exciting LitRPG series!