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Cyber Dreams #2
Ghost Chrysalis
From the author of the Victor of Tucson series comes the second installment of the action-packed, high-tech dystopian adventure begun with Electric Angel .
Juliet Bianchi was once just another working drone, struggling to survive in a world where megacorporations reigned, information was power, and that power was worth killing for. Then she stumbled upon a kidnapping gone wrong and ended up with a stolen AI chip that took her from the bottom of the barrel to a top-tier realm of mercs, freelancers, and assorted unsavory folk.
With a little help from her embedded AI, Angel, Juliet quickly proved herself as an operator in that adapting, overcoming obstacles, and kicking some serious ass. Now known as “January” to others in the caper biz, she’s still dealing with a betrayal that put her and her crew in danger—and emptied her coffers to boot. If she’s ever going to get out of Tucson (and maybe off-world), she’ll have to get back on the horse and start pulling some paying jobs.
When she’s hired to infiltrate Grave Industries, Juliet quickly discovers she may have to pay a price of her own. The job requires her to become an entirely different person in body and mind, and the deeper undercover she goes, the more she fears her new identity will control her life far longer than she’d like . . .
The second volume of the hit cyberpunk LitRPG series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
Juliet Bianchi was once just another working drone, struggling to survive in a world where megacorporations reigned, information was power, and that power was worth killing for. Then she stumbled upon a kidnapping gone wrong and ended up with a stolen AI chip that took her from the bottom of the barrel to a top-tier realm of mercs, freelancers, and assorted unsavory folk.
With a little help from her embedded AI, Angel, Juliet quickly proved herself as an operator in that adapting, overcoming obstacles, and kicking some serious ass. Now known as “January” to others in the caper biz, she’s still dealing with a betrayal that put her and her crew in danger—and emptied her coffers to boot. If she’s ever going to get out of Tucson (and maybe off-world), she’ll have to get back on the horse and start pulling some paying jobs.
When she’s hired to infiltrate Grave Industries, Juliet quickly discovers she may have to pay a price of her own. The job requires her to become an entirely different person in body and mind, and the deeper undercover she goes, the more she fears her new identity will control her life far longer than she’d like . . .
The second volume of the hit cyberpunk LitRPG series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2023
163 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Plum Parrot
26 books134 followersPlum Parrot is the pen name of author MC Gallup, who grew up in Southern Arizona and spent much of his youth wandering around the Sonoran Desert, hunting imaginary monsters and building forts. He studied creative writing at the University of Arizona and, for a number of years, attempted to teach middle schoolers to love literature and write their own stories. If he's not out walking his Airedale Terrier, you can find Gallup writing, reading his favorite authors, or playing D&D with friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 9, 2025
This is the second book in a kinda-cyberpunk series. Read in order.
Let's talk blurb writing, shall we? So if you're going to put "she’s still dealing with a betrayal that put her and her crew in danger—and emptied her coffers to boot." in your blurb, you might want to have something like that somewhere in your story. There are no betrayals in the first half of this book. I think it's referring to something from the last book, but this line is in the third paragraph of the blurb and that thing wasn't an actual betrayal. Like, at all. And third paragraph is way past where you should be referencing the background. Plus, this entire book, Juliet's bank balance is never low enough that she couldn't afford to live in a high-end hotel for a month without having to take a job that entire time. This is a stupid blurb is what I am saying. Try harder. I spent the whole start of this book waiting for a betrayal that would strip her of her resources. Didn't happen.
So ignore the blurb and you know what to expect from the first book. The beginning is very "power of friendship", but I expected that and was fine with it. I really like that Juliet is throwing herself into improving on things she lacks and determined not to just rest on the advantages her super PAI, Angel, bring her. The author actually does a really good job showing her earn it, even with the boost of her cheat power. This is the kind of thing I love to see in my power fantasy.
I could nitpick parts of the plot as being a bit too smooth or dig out plot holes. But there was nothing egregious or blatant and I liked seeing how the author chose to portray her relationships while she was under cover. Yeah, corpo life sucks and the system is designed to reward bad and suppress good. But that didn't mean she didn't find good people and even some with organizational power. That was interesting.
And I had a brief stint of "she has a new cheat now? That's too much cheat!" But I chose to roll with it. It does help that you can look back and see that the author was setting this new thing up from the beginning, but it was still a bit of skirting the Mary Sue event horizon. Power fantasy gets more power and more fantasy. I'll take it, I guess?
Anyway, I'm annoyed enough with that blurb creating unnecessary friction through the entire start of the story and Juliet still isn't a great fit for a cyberpunk background so I'll stick with four stars. I had fun. I'll definitely be moving on to the next.
A note about Chaste: There's an explicit date and Juliet has time for shenanigans if she had been interested. But none actually materialized. So this is still very chaste.
A note about LGBTQ: There's still inner monologue supporting bisexual attraction and mini-flirting, but the only overt "action" (not even any kissing, but a picnic with shooting does happen) is heterosexual. So maybe she isn't and the author is just bad at it? Maybe. We'll see.
Let's talk blurb writing, shall we? So if you're going to put "she’s still dealing with a betrayal that put her and her crew in danger—and emptied her coffers to boot." in your blurb, you might want to have something like that somewhere in your story. There are no betrayals in the first half of this book. I think it's referring to something from the last book, but this line is in the third paragraph of the blurb and that thing wasn't an actual betrayal. Like, at all. And third paragraph is way past where you should be referencing the background. Plus, this entire book, Juliet's bank balance is never low enough that she couldn't afford to live in a high-end hotel for a month without having to take a job that entire time. This is a stupid blurb is what I am saying. Try harder. I spent the whole start of this book waiting for a betrayal that would strip her of her resources. Didn't happen.
So ignore the blurb and you know what to expect from the first book. The beginning is very "power of friendship", but I expected that and was fine with it. I really like that Juliet is throwing herself into improving on things she lacks and determined not to just rest on the advantages her super PAI, Angel, bring her. The author actually does a really good job showing her earn it, even with the boost of her cheat power. This is the kind of thing I love to see in my power fantasy.
I could nitpick parts of the plot as being a bit too smooth or dig out plot holes. But there was nothing egregious or blatant and I liked seeing how the author chose to portray her relationships while she was under cover. Yeah, corpo life sucks and the system is designed to reward bad and suppress good. But that didn't mean she didn't find good people and even some with organizational power. That was interesting.
And I had a brief stint of "she has a new cheat now? That's too much cheat!" But I chose to roll with it. It does help that you can look back and see that the author was setting this new thing up from the beginning, but it was still a bit of skirting the Mary Sue event horizon. Power fantasy gets more power and more fantasy. I'll take it, I guess?
Anyway, I'm annoyed enough with that blurb creating unnecessary friction through the entire start of the story and Juliet still isn't a great fit for a cyberpunk background so I'll stick with four stars. I had fun. I'll definitely be moving on to the next.
A note about Chaste: There's an explicit date and Juliet has time for shenanigans if she had been interested. But none actually materialized. So this is still very chaste.
A note about LGBTQ: There's still inner monologue supporting bisexual attraction and mini-flirting, but the only overt "action" (not even any kissing, but a picnic with shooting does happen) is heterosexual. So maybe she isn't and the author is just bad at it? Maybe. We'll see.
March 30, 2024
Good development
Plot moves along nicely. Characters given right amount of background for their role. Good action, fun read, and well done.
Plot moves along nicely. Characters given right amount of background for their role. Good action, fun read, and well done.
January 3, 2024
Another good spin
This author is a beautiful writer.. Love both series I read.. This and the pit fighter... Great emotional depth and character building... Great plotting... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream
This author is a beautiful writer.. Love both series I read.. This and the pit fighter... Great emotional depth and character building... Great plotting... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and the Dream
January 28, 2025
New friends, more betrayal, and a little corporate espionage.
This book starts after Juliet has taken a break from being an operator due to events of the last book. However, Juliet can't rest on her laurels when she needs more money for upgrades, and to get off world.
When looking for a new job, she's offered the opportunity to go under cover with a new identity and infiltrate a huge tech corporation called Grave Industries. The clients offering her the job spare no expense to hide her identity – new hair, new DNA and a new arm in addition to a hefty bonus the longer she stays "employed" at the company-- and depending on what secrets she uncovers.
Well, Juliet is excited to try for the gig, and actually getting the job comes with some major stipulations. New coworkers, crazy bosses, and a watchdog program that monitors her every move is just the beginning.. While things seem crazy, Juliet has Angel on her side so circumventing some procedures are easy-while being trapped with her new recruits is set to drive her crazy.
However, shady business practices aren't the only thing going on in this degenerate corporation -which Juliet discovers when she suddenly finds herself as possible test subject without her consent in an strange drug trial – and of course chaos ensues again for the human AI duo.
Can these two make it out of this job alive and with their sanity intact-or well pretending to be someone else mess with Juliet's mind more than the doctors are?
This book starts after Juliet has taken a break from being an operator due to events of the last book. However, Juliet can't rest on her laurels when she needs more money for upgrades, and to get off world.
When looking for a new job, she's offered the opportunity to go under cover with a new identity and infiltrate a huge tech corporation called Grave Industries. The clients offering her the job spare no expense to hide her identity – new hair, new DNA and a new arm in addition to a hefty bonus the longer she stays "employed" at the company-- and depending on what secrets she uncovers.
Well, Juliet is excited to try for the gig, and actually getting the job comes with some major stipulations. New coworkers, crazy bosses, and a watchdog program that monitors her every move is just the beginning.. While things seem crazy, Juliet has Angel on her side so circumventing some procedures are easy-while being trapped with her new recruits is set to drive her crazy.
However, shady business practices aren't the only thing going on in this degenerate corporation -which Juliet discovers when she suddenly finds herself as possible test subject without her consent in an strange drug trial – and of course chaos ensues again for the human AI duo.
Can these two make it out of this job alive and with their sanity intact-or well pretending to be someone else mess with Juliet's mind more than the doctors are?
December 21, 2023
Loved it
I love the characterization of Juliet and her interactions with Angel. Juliet is just moralistic enough for the reader to identify with and root for in the setting that the author has them in. Highly recommend.
I love the characterization of Juliet and her interactions with Angel. Juliet is just moralistic enough for the reader to identify with and root for in the setting that the author has them in. Highly recommend.
December 19, 2023
This series is really excellent. Another success for Plum Parrot!
December 24, 2023
This is Allegedly LitRPG but don't let that put you off or expect it to be fully emersed in that genre.
April 11, 2025
A little predictable and a little not. Mixed feelings about how "smart" Angle is. That said, I loved the book and am very excited for the next release.
November 23, 2024
Radical concept and story
This is the 2nd of 3 books and it follows the storyline that started in the first book and expands on it. While I think
This and the first book handle the idea that drives the story extremely well I have one small problem with it and
That is how the main character handles things that suddenly change in her life. It's not such that I still don't really enjoy the book because I do. To the point of going from reading the first one nonstop to doing the same with this one. So grab the first one and give this series a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Enjoy.
This is the 2nd of 3 books and it follows the storyline that started in the first book and expands on it. While I think
This and the first book handle the idea that drives the story extremely well I have one small problem with it and
That is how the main character handles things that suddenly change in her life. It's not such that I still don't really enjoy the book because I do. To the point of going from reading the first one nonstop to doing the same with this one. So grab the first one and give this series a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Enjoy.
March 10, 2025
The dynamic duo (Juliet and Angel) engage in some corporate espionage! Super fun, very tense. Poor Juliet gets the short end of the stick a lot, especially with the ending. The new characters are fun. I feel really bad for Mustard though but at least Juliet gives her friends some closure at the end. I didn't love the plot twist secret technology but we'll see if it becomes more useful later on.
There was a lot of exclamation marks but I forgave it this time because I enjoyed the story so much.
There was a lot of exclamation marks but I forgave it this time because I enjoyed the story so much.
May 27, 2024
This was quite interesting, corpo stuff, new technology and fights but it kind of lacked something. It wasn't bad by any means, the general plot was good but once again the characters outside of the MC fail to feel complete or full.
One piece of new technology sounds incredibly similar to something acquired in Starfield lol.
Still continuing on with the story though as it is fairly interesting nevertheless.
Narrator continues to be good.
3.5-3.75*
One piece of new technology sounds incredibly similar to something acquired in Starfield lol.
Still continuing on with the story though as it is fairly interesting nevertheless.
Narrator continues to be good.
3.5-3.75*
June 3, 2025
Good Read
Better than the first one. In that one they went a little overboard with the dumb amateur stuff, I’m you don’t have to be a spy to know not to use your real name when you’re trying to work anonymously.
This was good though. Undercover operation, some good fight, kick-*ss rail gun. Looking forward to the next one.
Better than the first one. In that one they went a little overboard with the dumb amateur stuff, I’m you don’t have to be a spy to know not to use your real name when you’re trying to work anonymously.
This was good though. Undercover operation, some good fight, kick-*ss rail gun. Looking forward to the next one.
November 10, 2025
Just when I thought I was getting a handle on where this story was going to take me, everything goes to shit in a highly interesting way--and it's all undercover cyberpunk corpo shit. :)
Yes, it's just like I'm continuing in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe and it's delicious. I'm having a grand time.
Highly recommended. If you know, you know.
Yes, it's just like I'm continuing in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe and it's delicious. I'm having a grand time.
Highly recommended. If you know, you know.
September 8, 2024
Interesting and continues to entertain
Julia, a "criminal" with a conscience and moral compass.
This book has more descriptive gore than but the dieing are not providing graphic slow motion details.
The writer continues to entertain.
Enjoy.
Julia, a "criminal" with a conscience and moral compass.
This book has more descriptive gore than but the dieing are not providing graphic slow motion details.
The writer continues to entertain.
Enjoy.
September 21, 2024
It’s only getting better
I found the first book pretty good, but the follow up is even better! Juliet is going places… not always places she wants to, but still, moving (ultimately) upwards.
I found the first book pretty good, but the follow up is even better! Juliet is going places… not always places she wants to, but still, moving (ultimately) upwards.
February 26, 2025
If you enjoyed book 1 you’ll enjoy this one. There were a couple slow moments in the plot because there’s less fight scenes compared to book 1, but the ending was fantastic and you’ll want to jump into book 3
August 22, 2025
Different from the first and just as good
A great cyperpunk novel with excellent characterization and world building. Got the the end wanted the next one immediately. What better praise is there.
A great cyperpunk novel with excellent characterization and world building. Got the the end wanted the next one immediately. What better praise is there.
December 28, 2023
So good. 5 stars!
September 18, 2024
An excellent read, and hits a bunch of personal sweet spots.
October 21, 2024
Solid
I have really enjoyed this series so far. The plot and characters develop well together. Great pacing. I feel like everything fit well together.
I have really enjoyed this series so far. The plot and characters develop well together. Great pacing. I feel like everything fit well together.
January 25, 2025
Lost 2 stars for NOT writing a Recap.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
February 13, 2025
Really good story
March 14, 2025
If the first book was a nice warmup, this was a full blown story with nice character development. Can't wait to get to the next one.
April 19, 2025
Slow start but then it got better.
May 6, 2025
I am hooked. This series is great
June 8, 2025
If you are a fan of cyberpunk 2077 or Shadowrun
Absolutely wonderful action packed series. Not gamelit but hits the same vibes so it reads wonderful. Definitely worth the read.
Absolutely wonderful action packed series. Not gamelit but hits the same vibes so it reads wonderful. Definitely worth the read.
August 14, 2025
Great book
Stellar work once again from Plum Parrot. Lots of action and adventure, intrigue and twists. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Plum Parrot. Lots of action and adventure, intrigue and twists. Looking forward to the next one!
December 25, 2025
Enjoyed this one overall.
I like the main character and the world being built here. I am not a fan of the protagonist's new 'capability.' That's the primary reason this cannot be better than 4 stars. I will read the next book in the series.
I like the main character and the world being built here. I am not a fan of the protagonist's new 'capability.' That's the primary reason this cannot be better than 4 stars. I will read the next book in the series.
January 3, 2025
Second book in series. Borrowed Kindle Unlimited book read using Alexa audio asset. Continued adventures, going into the corporate lion's den.
January 19, 2025
See my review for book one. This is a great series; recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews