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Club Contango
Single mum Connie Lam runs an illegal micro-casino on an international space city with the bold and enigmatic Chance--who is everything Connie isn't--until the murder of a former business partner crosses with the fine print on an old AI job, locking her into a race to reclaim her life, from versions of herself.
- GenresScience FictionQueer
Paperback
Published December 1, 2024
4 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Eliane Boey
9 books29 followersEliane Boey is an SFF and thriller writer, with stories in Clarkesworld, the Penn Review, and Weird Horror, among others. She is the author of SF novella duology OTHER MINDS, and cyberpunk noir novella CLUB CONTANGO. She works with ships and ports, which continues to inspire her writing. Eliane lives in Singapore.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 13, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Club Contango is an enthralling and vivid sci-fi/cyberpunk novel, written by Eliane Boey, and published by Dark Matter INK. A complex story that will be following a single mother, Connie Lam, who runs a microcasino with her best friend in Freeport, when she's caught up in the middle between the murder of an old business partner from Earth and more holograms of versions of herself appearing in the streets.
A plot where we can appreciate Boey's attention to develop a cast of characters that the reader will immediately empathize with, starting with Connie. Single mother, doing what she can to maintain her residency at Freeport, and especially, trying to balance all in his life in order to give the best of opportunity to her son, Sticky. Chase, her best friend, and the other person that runs the microcasino, only appears when he wants, a charismatic person, and an incredible help to Connie, even if unreliable (and Sticky loves him). Most of the people we know around Club Contango are working class people, relying on their job to stay in Freeport (as visas are related to it); the Club acts as their place to cope with their lives.
Boey weaves a great plot around Connie; a person that finds herself in the need of help to get out of a mess that only seems to become bigger, but who, at the same time, realizes she's the only one with the power to change the situation. Not only will we have a story whose twists will surprise us (and I cannot spoil, because I firmly believe it's part of the experience to discover it), but which also takes the opportunity of discuss themes such as identity, the blur of it due to AI copies, and how the working class gets into being exploited under false promises. Through Connie, we can also appreciate how difficult is to be a lone parent, full of love for Sticky and working each single cell of her body if that means a better opportunity for him.
The worldbuilding is simply excellent, with an insane fixation to the detail, from the clothes to the meals, creating its own kind of cyberpunk setting with her own touches that come from the South Asian influence. Freeport itself was promised as a new opportunity to start, but it became an immobile society where there's a big division between the contractors (the working class) and those that own the capital; visas are tied to employment, putting an extra pressure on the humble people. One of the consequences of it is how Club Contango fills a needed niche for those working people.
The pacing is fast, with the pages flowing as you proceed to devour this intoxicating and almost dreamy tale.
Club Contango is an excellent novel, showing Boey's skill at creating compelling characters that are used to discuss nowadays' problems at cyberpunk worlds; if you love a good sci-fi story, you should totally pick this one. I can totally say that it is a candidate for my book of the year 2024.
Club Contango is an enthralling and vivid sci-fi/cyberpunk novel, written by Eliane Boey, and published by Dark Matter INK. A complex story that will be following a single mother, Connie Lam, who runs a microcasino with her best friend in Freeport, when she's caught up in the middle between the murder of an old business partner from Earth and more holograms of versions of herself appearing in the streets.
A plot where we can appreciate Boey's attention to develop a cast of characters that the reader will immediately empathize with, starting with Connie. Single mother, doing what she can to maintain her residency at Freeport, and especially, trying to balance all in his life in order to give the best of opportunity to her son, Sticky. Chase, her best friend, and the other person that runs the microcasino, only appears when he wants, a charismatic person, and an incredible help to Connie, even if unreliable (and Sticky loves him). Most of the people we know around Club Contango are working class people, relying on their job to stay in Freeport (as visas are related to it); the Club acts as their place to cope with their lives.
Boey weaves a great plot around Connie; a person that finds herself in the need of help to get out of a mess that only seems to become bigger, but who, at the same time, realizes she's the only one with the power to change the situation. Not only will we have a story whose twists will surprise us (and I cannot spoil, because I firmly believe it's part of the experience to discover it), but which also takes the opportunity of discuss themes such as identity, the blur of it due to AI copies, and how the working class gets into being exploited under false promises. Through Connie, we can also appreciate how difficult is to be a lone parent, full of love for Sticky and working each single cell of her body if that means a better opportunity for him.
The worldbuilding is simply excellent, with an insane fixation to the detail, from the clothes to the meals, creating its own kind of cyberpunk setting with her own touches that come from the South Asian influence. Freeport itself was promised as a new opportunity to start, but it became an immobile society where there's a big division between the contractors (the working class) and those that own the capital; visas are tied to employment, putting an extra pressure on the humble people. One of the consequences of it is how Club Contango fills a needed niche for those working people.
The pacing is fast, with the pages flowing as you proceed to devour this intoxicating and almost dreamy tale.
Club Contango is an excellent novel, showing Boey's skill at creating compelling characters that are used to discuss nowadays' problems at cyberpunk worlds; if you love a good sci-fi story, you should totally pick this one. I can totally say that it is a candidate for my book of the year 2024.
June 21, 2024
Another incredible book by Boey! Fast-paced and exciting while also creating rounded and lovable characters with depth and a realistic yet fantastical future setting, this is any cyberpunk fan’s dream. I especially loved how we got to see Connie’s struggles with juggling motherhood on top of everything else (you can’t help but love Sticky!) and there were several great twists but a big one near the end had my jaw literally drop open. Boey is an instant-buy author for me and should be for any sci-fi reader. I’m so glad I got to read this as an ARC and will be buying the paperback for my bookshelf!
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December 10, 2024A big thank you to the author for an eARC!
For fans of Blade Runner and In Time x international crime thriller type books/films—CLUB CONTANGO is immersive, decadent, and lush; a story about the people who we must become, must let go, must betray, must come to trust even with hesitant reluctance in order to succeed and survive.
For fans of Blade Runner and In Time x international crime thriller type books/films—CLUB CONTANGO is immersive, decadent, and lush; a story about the people who we must become, must let go, must betray, must come to trust even with hesitant reluctance in order to succeed and survive.
August 5, 2024
With fully-realized worldbuilding and kinetic prose, Club Contango is a dazzling cyberpunk tale that will grab you by the heart and won’t let go. Full of twists, thrills, and the coolest characters I’ve read in a long time, this is an assured debut from Boey and you can bet I’ll be reading anything she comes out with next.
March 24, 2025
Eliane Boey's cyberpunk sci-fi story, Club Contango, is a fast-paced, character-driven tale that is sometimes too immersive for its own good. It's easy to get lost and drift along, taking in the imagery and stylistic prose.
"The holograms wore my face better than I ever did—perfect, hollow, and untouchable." — Connie Lam
Connie is a single mother running an illegal micro-casino in the space city of Freeport. She gets involved with a murder mystery that folds noir into a futuristic setting. Along the way, it tackles themes like identity, motherhood, and societal inequality under a hypercapitalist system.
The story has plenty going for it, including a few clever twists. If Boey had woven a stronger plotline, it could have easily captured five stars. Unfortunately, readers have wade through the slow-burn start, being dazzled by the immersive world, to get a sense of what is happening. In some ways, it leans too heavily on the most significant twist toward the end of the book.
Overall, I'm thrilled to have stumbled into this book. Boey is an extremely talented writer, and I appreciate her unique perspective as a Singaporean novelist. She is someone to watch, especially among those who enjoy compelling characters, primarily Connie, existing within a vivid and dense world. And for true cyberpunk fans, this may even be a must-read for its craft and originality.
"The holograms wore my face better than I ever did—perfect, hollow, and untouchable." — Connie Lam
Connie is a single mother running an illegal micro-casino in the space city of Freeport. She gets involved with a murder mystery that folds noir into a futuristic setting. Along the way, it tackles themes like identity, motherhood, and societal inequality under a hypercapitalist system.
The story has plenty going for it, including a few clever twists. If Boey had woven a stronger plotline, it could have easily captured five stars. Unfortunately, readers have wade through the slow-burn start, being dazzled by the immersive world, to get a sense of what is happening. In some ways, it leans too heavily on the most significant twist toward the end of the book.
Overall, I'm thrilled to have stumbled into this book. Boey is an extremely talented writer, and I appreciate her unique perspective as a Singaporean novelist. She is someone to watch, especially among those who enjoy compelling characters, primarily Connie, existing within a vivid and dense world. And for true cyberpunk fans, this may even be a must-read for its craft and originality.
December 28, 2024
Club Contango by Eliane Boey is a dazzling sci-fi/cyberpunk novel that pulls you into the gritty, vibrant world of Freeport. The story follows Connie Lam, a single mother running a microcasino with her unpredictable best friend, Chase. Things take a wild turn when one of her old business partners is murdered, and holograms of alternate versions of herself start appearing across the city.
The world of Freeport is meticulously crafted, brimming with detail, from the bustling streets to the unique culture of its working-class residents. The stakes feel real as Connie struggles to navigate the city’s harsh realities, balancing the challenges of motherhood, survival, and unraveling a dangerous mystery. The characters are compelling, and Connie’s determination to protect her son, Sticky, makes her story all the more gripping.
Boey weaves themes of identity, resilience, and exploitation into a fast-paced, twist-filled plot that keeps you guessing. The pacing is perfect, and the twists are as sharp as Connie’s wit.
I received a free copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are entirely my own. If you’re a fan of sci-fi with heart, mystery, and just the right amount of chaos, Club Contango is an absolute treat!
The world of Freeport is meticulously crafted, brimming with detail, from the bustling streets to the unique culture of its working-class residents. The stakes feel real as Connie struggles to navigate the city’s harsh realities, balancing the challenges of motherhood, survival, and unraveling a dangerous mystery. The characters are compelling, and Connie’s determination to protect her son, Sticky, makes her story all the more gripping.
Boey weaves themes of identity, resilience, and exploitation into a fast-paced, twist-filled plot that keeps you guessing. The pacing is perfect, and the twists are as sharp as Connie’s wit.
I received a free copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are entirely my own. If you’re a fan of sci-fi with heart, mystery, and just the right amount of chaos, Club Contango is an absolute treat!
August 27, 2024
Club Contango was a fast paced fever dream in a vivid sci/cyberpunk blend.
Our main protagonist is a somewhat messy, single mother who runs an illegal casino of Freeport. She is searching for something, anything, in a tangle of people and places, she just needs someone to rely on.
Suddenly caught up in the murder of her old business partner with more and more holograms of herself showing up on every corner from an A.I. job gone wrong, Connie is at a loss of what to do next.
The black birds sit on her shoulder calling at her to do something drastic. Chase only shows up when he wants to, and she still has her charming young child to bring up amongst all the mess.
Connie needs someone to believe in, someone to help her out of yet another mess, but lately, Connie has been realising the only person with that power is herself.
An incredible journey of self discovery and look at how we as humans desperately hunt for the best versions of ourselves in the darkest moments.
Our main protagonist is a somewhat messy, single mother who runs an illegal casino of Freeport. She is searching for something, anything, in a tangle of people and places, she just needs someone to rely on.
Suddenly caught up in the murder of her old business partner with more and more holograms of herself showing up on every corner from an A.I. job gone wrong, Connie is at a loss of what to do next.
The black birds sit on her shoulder calling at her to do something drastic. Chase only shows up when he wants to, and she still has her charming young child to bring up amongst all the mess.
Connie needs someone to believe in, someone to help her out of yet another mess, but lately, Connie has been realising the only person with that power is herself.
An incredible journey of self discovery and look at how we as humans desperately hunt for the best versions of ourselves in the darkest moments.
January 2, 2025
Thanks to book sirens for this arc read.
Even the flaws in this book can't stop my 5 star.
Connie runs an illegal club as an illegal worker in space. She escaped earth with her daughter for new opportunities and to become a new person away from mountains of debt and mistakes.
However all this comes crashing down around her as her likeness pops up all over town as advertising holograms and her ex business partner ends up dead...in her club. This book needs to be read to explore not only the story but the questions of self, depression and how ideal a new world of opportunity can be. A perfect blend of sci-fi, mystery and a cyberpunk setting
- however the first 1/4 of the book was a slow burn with a bit of repeating information.
There's some minor typos throughout which I hope are remedied soon.
Even the flaws in this book can't stop my 5 star.
Connie runs an illegal club as an illegal worker in space. She escaped earth with her daughter for new opportunities and to become a new person away from mountains of debt and mistakes.
However all this comes crashing down around her as her likeness pops up all over town as advertising holograms and her ex business partner ends up dead...in her club. This book needs to be read to explore not only the story but the questions of self, depression and how ideal a new world of opportunity can be. A perfect blend of sci-fi, mystery and a cyberpunk setting
- however the first 1/4 of the book was a slow burn with a bit of repeating information.
There's some minor typos throughout which I hope are remedied soon.
January 7, 2025
4.5
This was a great read to begin the year on. The characters are dope and the gripping pacing snuck up on me like the well layered mystery plot connecting the messy beautiful story of Connie, if that's her real name, and Chance. Also some of the best world building I've had the pleasure to read. Freeport is as well fleshed out as the human characters, who are just all insane for somehow surviving in the crazy world of club contango.
Just when I thought I had seen all the worst extrapolations of capitalism, something about the intimate nature of the plot, makes the old threats frightening in a new way, and shockingly relatable. I loved this effect. Helped me realize there's more to lose and so much to fight for in the real.
Hoping to find more science fiction like this.
P.s I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a great read to begin the year on. The characters are dope and the gripping pacing snuck up on me like the well layered mystery plot connecting the messy beautiful story of Connie, if that's her real name, and Chance. Also some of the best world building I've had the pleasure to read. Freeport is as well fleshed out as the human characters, who are just all insane for somehow surviving in the crazy world of club contango.
Just when I thought I had seen all the worst extrapolations of capitalism, something about the intimate nature of the plot, makes the old threats frightening in a new way, and shockingly relatable. I loved this effect. Helped me realize there's more to lose and so much to fight for in the real.
Hoping to find more science fiction like this.
P.s I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2024
I had the pleasure of getting an eARC copy of this book. You'll end this book feeling that Club Contango is real, and that it's just there somewhere for you to visit. I loved a lot about this: the voice, the characters (Connie, Chance, Sticky, Trace, you'll always be in my heart), and the setting. There are not many people nowadays writing modern cyberpunk like Eliane. The setting feels so real and all the dynamics, the way people behave, their mannerisms, and the way that Freeport is shaped serves as an important warning about the way we're headed as human beings.
Looking forward to more of Eliane's writings.
(And I literally had to stop reading and come back minutes later after that twist in the end. I needed to let that sink in.)
Looking forward to more of Eliane's writings.
(And I literally had to stop reading and come back minutes later after that twist in the end. I needed to let that sink in.)
January 4, 2025
Rounding up from 3.5 because I did like the novel and think it's beautifully written. For me, unfortunately, it never quite delivers on most of its plot threads or concepts, and the revelation that Connie IS Chance (and possibly several other people) is so heavily foreshadowed but then just passed by and never really explored or interrogated. I understand that our protagonist is a deeply depressed and anxious person who seems to be on drugs pretty frequently, and the somewhat fractured and repetitive nature of the way the story is told reflects that, but I did frequently feel like it could use a bit less economics and digressions into memories of past business meetings and a little more showing the reader the actual events of the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2024
I just finished reading this and it is very good. Eliane Boey has written some of most layered and most thought-provoking cyberpunk I've read in recent years and Club Contango is another must-read in that vein. If you have an interest in stories that explore identity, motherhood, and the future of work, Club Contango does this and delivers lots of intrigue in the process. Connie Lam is very compelling as the center of gravity for this intricate mix of sparklers and contractors and other classes of residents on Freeport. In addition, Club Contango is also a nice homage to the movie Boiler Room, which I didn't expect going in.
July 27, 2024
I had the pleasure of receiving an eARC copy of this novel from the author. If you love cyberpunk sci fi with a futuristic setting that highlights current issues and the path our world is on, you'll love Boey's books. Club Contango explores societal pressures and unfair disadvantages in life, and tangles it up with motherhood and self doubt to make the characters compelling and relatable and bring our current experience seemlessly into a future setting. Not often do twists catch me in novels, but she landed a big one masterfully. An excellent read.
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July 7, 2025Club Contango is an immersive, timely and clever cyberpunk murder mystery about identity, community and labor rights in the age of AI, all set on a space station outpost. Written with Boey's signature style - a beautiful layering of cool characters, detailed Singapore-inspired setting, intricate plot, and stylish prose to achieve a rich and filling story with texture - this is an entertaining novel that begins as a slow burn and ratchets up the pace until its conclusion. Absolutely worth the read.
August 2, 2024
Club Contango immediately pulled me in. The author does an amazing job of creating an immersive experience for the reader. The characters all felt like real people and quite relatable. I will miss the places in this book and look forward to reading more by Boey. Thank you so much for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
August 1, 2025
CLUB CONTANGO by Eliane Boey is sharp, slick, and SO relevant now: a rebellion against class + gender + tech billionaires, with so much heart, an elegant dissection of depression + identity, PLUS nonbinary rep! also, it’s just really freaking cool?
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December 5, 2024Author interview @ Clarkesworld Magazine:
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/boey...
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/boey...
February 21, 2025
Very superficial book that wants to be a reflection on motherhood and has a really obvious plot twist that can be seen from mil es.
didnotfinish
October 12, 2025dnf, 49%.
what is this book actually about, apart from the setup? :)
what is this book actually about, apart from the setup? :)
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February 10, 2025Without spoiling anything, in Club Contango, Boey manages to create another painfully feasible world that is still remarkably fun and engrossing. Boey continues to stay true to her cyberpunk roots while simultaneously pushing what cyberpunk can look and sound like from a non-Western perspective. I kept going back and forth between being delighted by the attention to detail in every little set piece, from the clothing to the food, to feeling deeply enraged by the complete unfairness of Connie’s circumstances. Loved every page of it!
June 3, 2025
Stunning work. Absolutely vicious and prescient take-down of predatory capitalist practices all set in a thrilling off-world space-noir murder mystery. Highly recommended. I am floored by this amazing work
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews