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NoirNexus: The Shard and the Shadow: A NeuNexus Files Mystery
In NeuNexus, a city of rain-soaked alleys, flickering neon lights, and secrets buried in shadow, survival is a delicate balance of grit and cunning. Progress comes at a cost—and for Kade, a weary detective with a past as fragmented as the shard in his pocket, the cost might be everything.
Hunted by augmented enforcers and haunted by his own demons, Kade must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice to protect a city that’s already on the brink. With Riley and her enigmatic companion—a cybernetic cat named Hex—by his side, Kade faces a choice that could destroy the city or himself.
Review of The Shard and the Shadow
Overall 9/10Chris Deaton’s The Shard and the Shadow is an electrifying cyberpunk noir that masterfully blends hardboiled detective fiction with high-tech dystopian intrigue. Think Blade Runner meets The Maltese Falcon, with a touch of Neuromancer and Ghost in the Shell.
Set in the rain-drenched, neon-soaked city of NeuNexus, the novel follows Kade, a sharp-edged investigator drawn into the deadly underworld of "shadow tech"—a dangerous and possibly sentient technology that corrupts everything it touches.
✔ World-Building ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NeuNexus breathes—from its towering corporate monoliths to the grime-streaked streets where people barely survive. The city feels like a character itself, pulsing with electric life and shadows. The Shatterline, the Verge, the Abyssal Slums—each setting is distinct, immersive, and dripping with atmosphere.
✔ Protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kade is the classic noir antihero—cynical, haunted by past losses, yet bound by his own moral code. His habit of flicking a lighter (despite not smoking) is a great character detail, adding subtle depth. He’s flawed but competent, making him easy to root for.
✔ Supporting Cast ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A street-smart girl with a hidden past. She’s tough but vulnerable, making her a great contrast to Kade. A robotic cat with combat capabilities. This might be my favorite sidekick in a cyberpunk setting—enigmatic, intelligent, and possibly more than it seems. A chilling antagonist—half crime lord, half mad scientist, with an army of augmented enforcers. His cryptic, rhyming threats add a theatrical menace that sets him apart.✔ Action & Pacing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book moves at a gripping pace, with high-stakes chases, gunfights, and eerie encounters with shadowy entities. The blend of physical and psychological tension keeps the reader hooked.
✔ Mystery & Suspense ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The novel is layered with intrigue—what is the shard? Why does Drez want it? What’s the true nature of the shadows? The tension builds expertly, with twists and reveals that feel earned.
✔ Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deaton’s prose is sharp, cinematic, and evocative. The opening chapter sets the tone beautifully—rain-washed streets, neon reflections, a city humming with danger. The dialogue is crisp and filled with noir-style quips, but it never feels forced.
Hunted by augmented enforcers and haunted by his own demons, Kade must decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice to protect a city that’s already on the brink. With Riley and her enigmatic companion—a cybernetic cat named Hex—by his side, Kade faces a choice that could destroy the city or himself.
Review of The Shard and the Shadow
Overall 9/10Chris Deaton’s The Shard and the Shadow is an electrifying cyberpunk noir that masterfully blends hardboiled detective fiction with high-tech dystopian intrigue. Think Blade Runner meets The Maltese Falcon, with a touch of Neuromancer and Ghost in the Shell.
Set in the rain-drenched, neon-soaked city of NeuNexus, the novel follows Kade, a sharp-edged investigator drawn into the deadly underworld of "shadow tech"—a dangerous and possibly sentient technology that corrupts everything it touches.
✔ World-Building ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NeuNexus breathes—from its towering corporate monoliths to the grime-streaked streets where people barely survive. The city feels like a character itself, pulsing with electric life and shadows. The Shatterline, the Verge, the Abyssal Slums—each setting is distinct, immersive, and dripping with atmosphere.
✔ Protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kade is the classic noir antihero—cynical, haunted by past losses, yet bound by his own moral code. His habit of flicking a lighter (despite not smoking) is a great character detail, adding subtle depth. He’s flawed but competent, making him easy to root for.
✔ Supporting Cast ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A street-smart girl with a hidden past. She’s tough but vulnerable, making her a great contrast to Kade. A robotic cat with combat capabilities. This might be my favorite sidekick in a cyberpunk setting—enigmatic, intelligent, and possibly more than it seems. A chilling antagonist—half crime lord, half mad scientist, with an army of augmented enforcers. His cryptic, rhyming threats add a theatrical menace that sets him apart.✔ Action & Pacing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book moves at a gripping pace, with high-stakes chases, gunfights, and eerie encounters with shadowy entities. The blend of physical and psychological tension keeps the reader hooked.
✔ Mystery & Suspense ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The novel is layered with intrigue—what is the shard? Why does Drez want it? What’s the true nature of the shadows? The tension builds expertly, with twists and reveals that feel earned.
✔ Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deaton’s prose is sharp, cinematic, and evocative. The opening chapter sets the tone beautifully—rain-washed streets, neon reflections, a city humming with danger. The dialogue is crisp and filled with noir-style quips, but it never feels forced.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024
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