PARALYZE

by S.K. Putt

In the neon-drenched world of Echo City, a simmering angst brews between the lost ways of religion, unshackled from centuries of dogma, and the modern threats posed by technology that risks erasing what it means to be human. Jasper, a seasoned netrunner, stumbles upon a secret that could unravel the very fabric of this reality, drawing him into the orbit of commercial greed. Nova, an aspiring freelance dancer meets a corporate woman who will change her life forever. As Jasper and Nova's paths intertwine, they uncover a conspiracy that links their city’s fate to their own survival. P.A.R.A_LYZE, is a gripping cyberpunk novel that delves into the intersection of technology, rebellion, and survival in a world where every shadow conceals a secret and every neon sign tells a story. Will Jasper and Nova uncover the truth before their city—and themselves—are consumed by the darkness of the net?

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2025

About the author

After many, many years of reading he decided it was time to create his own world for others to
experience. Authors such as Robin Hobb, John Gwynne, Matthew Harffy and William Gibson are just a few to name that have inspired S.K.Putt.

He lives on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC, Australia with his wife, two children.

Reviews

[Ainy Cormac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, thrill ride of a cyberpunk novel that crackles with neon-soaked energy, punk rock and razor-sharp wit.

S.K. Putt’s P.A.R.A_LYZE dropped me straight into the electric heart of Echo City and didn’t let go. From the first page, the novel brought back the high-voltage vibes of Neuromancer; walking inside virtual reality, merging with code, losing the body to find the self. But what sets this story apart is its fierce momentum and sly humour, more Snow Crash than dystopian doom, especially with Jasper Lyze wielding a katana with cool, calculated flair.

P.A.R.A_LYZE asks: when your flesh is synthetic and your mind is enhanced, what part of you is still human? The novel’s exploration of augmentation, corporate overreach, and human identity is sharp, timely, and thought-provoking. And it does all this without skimping on the action. Trust me, that katana cuts deep. 🤯

Every scene pulses with life. Dense, grimy, and saturated in neon. We dive into dingy punk clubs and exotic dance clubs. I really want to hear a Cross Docking album (and a visit to EDGING wouldn't be too bad). Echo City feels claustrophobic in the best way, a melting pot of cultures and tech, with nods to Japan, global cyberpunk aesthetics, and even a refreshing taste of Australia.

This is a world I want more of. It’s slick, smart, and effortlessly cool. The story is left open to further exploration: give us more, Stu!
Add this to your TBR, you won’t regret it.
A blistering debut. Unmissable.

I also just want everyone to know I was first to review this book 🥇🥇🥇

[K.D. Marchesi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes books come along and you can just tell the author had a blast writing it. P.A.R.A_LYZE is one of those books.

A love letter to the cyberpunk genre in all its neon glory, we follow Punk_Runner into the net. A dangerous digital world awaits JL inside cyberspace where he excels as a netrunner, battling crime and trying to take on the worlds more dangerous criminals. When Biotech comes to play, JL might have just met his match, but he will let nothing stop him from giving his all to protecting the people he loves.

Full of fast paced action and heart warming friendships, Putt's foray into cyberspace was a lot of fun.

[Siobhán O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of Cyberpunk 2077 or Altered Carbon this is a must read!

Loved the old-school punk references blended with the futuristic elements throughout, with nods to Edgerunners and David Martinez. If you ever wondered what netrunning would feel like, S.K. Putt does a great job of jacking you into the net as Punk_Runner, manoeuvring through firewalls and evading traps left by other runners and showing the physical effects it can have on your body. Both Jasper Lyze and Nova are compelling characters and I loved how their stories intertwined. Echo City feels as Night City does in that it wouldn’t hesitate to consume you if you let it, whether you’re human, synthetic or otherwise.

All in all, a great first book in this genre for S.K. Putt and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from him!

[Joshua Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic example of the cyberpunk genre. Again, SK Putt has broken me out of a reading slump. This book is infectious in the way it’s been written. Partly as an homage to punk culture, partly as an observation of far-future Australia, and partly as an exploration of bioethics in a cyberpunk world, PARA__LYZE is overall an invigorating and action packed novel. The characters are complex and challenging, and the vibes are straight from the machine. A real triumph, if you ask me, and the author’s best work yet.

ARC copy read in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to come @ SFF INSIDERS

[Kelsbookreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This book completely threw me for a loop, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the first chapter had me hooked, and I couldn't put it down. The story is fast-paced, the tech incredibly advanced, the characters compelling, and I could clearly see the neon-drenched streets of Echo City, the dirty underbelly, the corruption, and the people who live there.

Jasper is a netrunner, a punk who jacks in and can infiltrate almost any system (for good or bad... you decide). But when he's hired by the ECPD to hunt down and stop cybercrime, catching out the very people he used to run with, things change. A virus is uncovered, and suddenly, he's fighting for his very life and the life of his friend, Nova.

Nova is a dancer, her only goal to be free, happy, and with enough creds that she can live comfortably. When she's offered more creds than she seen in her entire life by a corpo to dance exclusively for them, her life changes, but not in the way she'd planned.

With tech enhancements, chromed body parts, and upgrading your neural system as the norm, get ready to enter this insanely vivid and jaw-dropping world.

If Altered Carbon was something you loved, then this will definitely scratch that itch!

If you enjoy:

- cyberpunk
- AI Cloning
- high stakes
- escaping reality
- mystery and intrigue
- tech enhancements
- multiple POVs

Then don't hesitate to pick this one up!

[Max Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for sending me an advance e-copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m relatively new to the science fiction genre, but I’ve read Putt’s THE KINSLAYER and loved it, so I was thrilled to hear that he wanted me to review his upcoming project. This was a fascinating, highly enjoyable read. I thought the action was thrilling, the world building was atmospheric and vivid, and the plot was intriguing from the first page to the last. The exploitation of technology was fascinating, and I would love to see this played out in the future, if the author chooses to return to this world.

I believe my only point of feedback would be that I would’ve liked as much time devoted to the characters and their story as the world. I thought Jasper made a great main character, but I would’ve liked to know more about his backstory. That being said, what was there was explored well!

Thanks again to the author.

[Chris Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a fantastic piece of cyberpunk storytelling this book is. From the first line, the author grabs you by the neck and tears through a gloriously described world of high-tech, low-life shenanigans at break neck speed. I couldn't put this book down, and the way the author writes almost demands that you don't. The chapters are short, punchy, and filled with action that just makes you want to keep going until you're forced to slam on the brakes when you reach the end. There's so many awesome moments in this book, described so vividly that at times, it feels like you're watching a movie or playing a video game. The cyberpunk aesthetic and visceral nature has been completely nailed, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.

[J.A. Bryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.K. Putt's P.A.R.A_LYZE doesn't mess around. It throws you straight into the action and keeps you hooked with great characters, 90s punk rock vibes, and a world so vivid you feel like you're driving through the streets of Echo City yourself.
S.K. delivers one hell of a punchy thrill ride.

Also, how freakin' awesome is the cover?!

[Petey Karalis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and enjoyable! I don't know much about Cyberpunk, but this was fun and got me curious enough to want to read the next book when it releases.

I might have to also go and play 2077 to get me more familiar. 🤔

[Stories Podcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fast paced, punchy, and it leaves you wanting more. S.K. Putt was born to write in the Cyberpunk genre. - J.A.