Lunar Interlude

Cyber Dreams #5

by Plum Parrot

A cybernetic mercenary sets her sights on the corporation that forced her transformation in this dystopian sci-fi from the author of Victor of Tucson.

Juliet Bianchi has evolved from a lowly scrap cutter to a fully-loaded, combat-ready dark side operator. Known as “Lucky,” she takes high-risk jobs for high-tech upgrades (you know, like weaponry, super reflexes, mind reading, etc.) that make her nearly invulnerable. Nearly.

Juliet is looking forward to some downtime to recover, recoup, and reunite with her mates from the space salvage trawler Kowashi. But after a while, she gets that old itch she can never quite seem to to infiltrate, and hopefully subvert, the all-powerful WBD megacorporation that created the AI that changed her life—and find out just what the hell she might be becoming.

To do that, Juliet must assemble a team of expert covert mercs to get her inside WBD’s formidable defenses. And to do that, she’ll need the help of the last person she’d ever Tanaka—the man who delivered a brutal beating she almost didn’t survive back on Titan. No one ever said being a hyper-advanced, cyber-enhanced master spy/thief/warrior was going to be easy . . .

The fifth volume of the hit cyberpunk series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!

Genres: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk, Audiobook, Dystopia, Fantasy

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2024

About the author

Plum 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.

Reviews

[Cody Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review for book one. This is a great series; recommended.

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the ride on this series, mainly for the space opera and cyberpunk action adventure and accompanying 'competence porn'. The author has done a great job with the world building and keeping the tech and space grounded enough in science to sound plausible. (LOVED the great explanation of how Warp drive could be possible!)

But this book was harder to rate because it is the pause before the storm - an interlude for our heroine to pull together her Scooby gang and prepare for tackling the big Corpo Bad. Kudos to the author for realizing the need to deal with the protagonists trauma and recognize her need for more authentic friendships. However for me this misses the mark on more nuanced relationships, especially anything dealing with intimacy.

Our protagonist is defined as being a loner, with some heavy baggage from not having good emotional ties with her original family, and later betrayals from friends. While in this book we see more development of friendship with her 'found family' interactions still often come across as transactional - her need to provide protection or rewards to feel deserving of inclusion and their caring. The character shows little to no self awareness regarding what she wants from deeper relationships - totally missing or mis-identifying social cues with no appropriate action/response to any kind of intimacy. I absolutely love to read a story including well drawn protagonists with spectrum characteristics, and how they are impacted by expectations, but that requires that the character has that self awareness, that our protagonist here does not. I don't think that portrayal was the author's intention and it has a negative impact on my connection with the characters.

That being said, I look forward to the next final installment of the series.

[david cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Another fun addition to the series. Really no complaints and while it was an actual interlude some big changes actually happened.

[Non Sequiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance was a miss

This is my first < 5 star for the series. Juliet is just better single imo. All her romantic interactions are awkward and feel forced, and none of her potential LIs have been interesting. Maybe a woman..? But honestly, romance just doesn't add anything to Juliet's amazing story.

Also, minor peeve: Athena (Olympian) has flashing grey/silver eyes. Athena (AI) had amber eyes when she was emulating the goddess.

[Michael Theiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Settling in on Luna

Lucky and Angel settle in with their friends and business partners. After making a good account of money from salvage when Lucky handled the pirates, they were working on improving their salvage company's bottom line.
Lucky deals with criminals and dirty cops in the business district.
The action and interaction of characters is good and the story progresses along well.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn't want her to get grimdark on us, so I'm happy to say that there's some light moments and friendships being formed in this one that sits very, very well with the whole "I'm a killing machine" vibe.

You know, literally. Now mostly machine, cyborg implants, late-game Cyberpunk 2077 mythos fully intact. Hell, some of the names are the same and rich for evocation. And you know what? I don't mind in the slightest. This is fun shit.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just dragggggged. I mean, it's practically in the name -- this is a filler book, right? It sure felt like it.

No part of Tanaka's motivations in this book felt believable. None. It all just felt like they were setting up for the finale book where Juliet is going to need the new skills.

[Kinsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is a lot slower/nothing happens compared to the other books and the second half doesn’t have much going on. Still a fun continuation but not as good as the other books of the series

[Jessee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I read a lot of fantasy, some good and some kinda meh. This one is truly fantastic. The plot has a good growth and direction and the character interaction feels very real, excited for the next book.

[Jimmit Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few series can hold the interest or have a plot that makes you look forward to book 6 (esp in Sci Fi progression books). This is an exception and eagerly for book 6

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Swords and synths~

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! By this point the writing is so thought provoking. And Juliet and Angel are the most badass duo. Flew through this book and I'm super disappointed that the 6th book isn't out yet.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It. Angel and Juliet have truly become part of each other now. Probably permanently. Another great story following Juliet and Angel’s escape from earth.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++

Love getting back to more team based stuff, great growth as always. Really enjoying the character interactions. Gonna dive into the next one asap.

[Remy Guillemet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent serie... I love the mix of action / humour /sciFi / etc. i would recommend adding a summary of previous books in the serie at the beginning. Looking forward to the next books ...

[MM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, swashbuckling adventure

I am consistently impressed by this authors creation and twists and turns and action and worldbuilding. Highly recommend it. Go for it!

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Kindle Unlimited. Interesting world a world-building view of the future with corporations dominate but in fierce battles with the competition. Next volume to be available April 1, 2025 - ? April fools???

[Amy Savvides · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raced through all five of these stories and absolutely loved them. Engaging, fun, and really satisfied my obsession with all things Cyberpunk.
I would absolutely love more from Juliet, or anyone else within this world.

Uh ... came back to this one and realised I haven't read it! Must have read the 6th one and missed this one out, so I have the treat of a first read!