Neon Quinn Must Die: A Dark Romantic Cyberpunk Fantasy Prequel

by Loki Orion

The year is 3087.

Sylas was engineered to kill her kind.
 Now he wakes in her bed.

He was not made to want.
Not mercy. Not freedom. He was made into a Nightcrawler, the Empire’s perfect assassin.

Then the Emperor gives him a simple order:
Find the Aberrant.
Kill the woman.
Bring back her body.

He expects a target. He gets Neon Quinn.

A rebel with too many secrets and too much defiance, Neon is everything Sylas was taught to erase. She knows the truth the Empire buried beneath a thousand years of scripture: the gods are machines. And the world everyone worships is built on a lie.

But when Sylas finally has her in his sights, he hesitates.
The longer he gets to know her, the harder it becomes to remember why she deserves to die. And the longer Neon looks at him like there is still something human beneath the monster, the harder it becomes to obey.

Because Sylas was made to kill without question. 
And Neon Quinn was born to ruin him.

The question is not whether Sylas will betray.
It is who he will betray first:
his Empire, his target, or himself.

Perfect for readers who love:
- True slow burn and enemies to lovers
- Morally Gray assassin MMC
- an MMC POV novel
- Cyberpunk x Medieval worlds
- Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners, Blade Runner 2049 and Horizon Zero Dawn

Genres: Fantasy

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2026

About the author

Loki Orion is the author of Glitched and Fractured, a science-fantasy debut that blends romance, rebellion, and the echoes of lost technology. When not writing, Loki can be found gaming, working out, or taking long walks with two dogs while daydreaming about new worlds.

Reviews

[Shannon K G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it goes without saying that I thought I'd enjoy reading this. Otherwise I'd have passed it by without knowing what an incredible story I was missing out on. But sometimes I'm surprised by how much I end up liking a particular book and thats exactly how I feel after finishing Neon Quinn Must Die.
I think I stared at the wall for a solid 20 minutes to make sure the book didn't actually finish me.
I can't think of anything I didn't like...besides ultimate villain #1.
I can't even figure out how to put into words how much I liked these characters. Everything they go through, the odds they defy, and the promises made were so much more than I expected. The trust they begin to put in one another and every moment in between caused my reading brain peak emotional damage and I need to continue with this series.

Thank you booksirens for the ebook. All opinions are my own.

[Sophie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC! This was unlike any book that I have ever read, and I loved it! I valued how the characters understood each other so easily from the beginning. No words needed to be spoken for Neon to know that Sylas did not liked to be touched. It was action packed from start to finish, never letting up. Sometimes it was true life or death moments, or action between characters; physical fights or the smaller moments of connection. Sylas' battle with his mind, his heart, and his orders was told with such great detail and turmoil that I felt it as a reader. Where this whole book took place in only a couple of days, I was not expecting to connect with the character a lot. I was very wrong; I was holding back tears in the airport at the ending. I need book two right now to see how this story continues!

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x infinity

I've never been rendered speechless after reading a book before... that is, until I read Neon Quinn Must Die.

What kind of voodoo cr@ck is in this book? I absolutely devoured this.
✨️The enemies to lovers is the absolute best I've ever read.
✨️The action... edge of my seat.
✨️The development between Neon and Sylas... top tier perfection
✨️The individual character development... top tier perfection

"Of all the Nightcrawlers he could have sent... it was you."

Find me.
Stay alive.
Remind me.
Come back.

How on earth did Loki put so much power, passion and emotion into two word phrases?! I don't know! But he did! I read the last two chapters twice because what actually was that ending?! Now, I must immediately read Glitched and Fractured as well as anything @lokiorion.glitched writes.

The artwork in this book is also created by Loki. Perfection. Every line, every color, and all of the shading makes each and every character come to life in such a powerful way. Having these images while reading the book really enhanced every single character as well as the story itself.

Highly recommend. Read it now.

#NeonQuinnMustDie #LokiOrion #darkromance #enemiestolovers #DarkRomantasy

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

【I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.】

An assassin. A rebellion. A Neon-soaked world full of secrets. ℕ𝕖𝕠𝕟 ℚ𝕦𝕚𝕟𝕟 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝔻𝕚𝕖 felt like playing a cinematic video game at 1.5x speed — fast, chaotic, addictive, and stopping just long enough punch me right in the feels.

𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖
🌗 MMC POV
🌗 enemies to lovers
🌗 true slow burn
🌗 touch her and 💀
🌗 forced proximity
🌗 cyberpunk fantasy
🌗 that 🤩 feeling you get when you're watching the cutscenes of video game as if it were a movie


⏱️𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧
I want you to imagine your favorite video game with cutscenes. For me, that's probably Detroit: Become Human, Final Fantasy X, or Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Now imagine chopping all those cutscenes together and watching them at 1.5x speed, so you're barreling through the entire story with maybe a beat here and there to catch your breath. That is the best way I can explain what reading ℕ𝕖𝕠𝕟 ℚ𝕦𝕚𝕟𝕟 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝔻𝕚𝕖 felt like — and I mean that as a compliment. It was fast, cinematic, and relentlessly propulsive, with barely enough time between beats and viscerally written fight sequences before the narrative threw me into the next one.

I have not read 𝔾𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕕 yet, so I went into this prequel entirely blind. Orion’s writing is incredibly descriptive, and I still got a very strong sense of the world, but I think some of the world-building may have been lost on me because I hadn’t actually played the game yet ― so to speak. I felt a little like I’d maybe been dropped into the middle of a game without having played through the earlier levels. I could follow the story, understand the major players, and appreciate the world being built around me, but I hadn’t wandered the map, discovered the lore, completed the side quests, or leveled up my understanding of the universe the way someone coming to this after 𝔾𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕕 may have.

But, you know what that just made me want to do? Read 𝔾𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕕!

Still, this didn’t detract from my reading experience at all. If anything… the pacing and tone made it a really fun ride.

🧠𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐀𝐃: 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫
Okay, so I know the math probably does not seem to be mathing when I say that despite feeling like I was missing out on some of the lore—meaning my brain should theoretically have had to work harder to put the pieces together—this was actually a really easy read on the brain. But those are just the facts.

Where the book did make my brain work was in the philosophical concepts beneath all the action and slow burn relationship between Sylas and Neon. What makes someone human? How much of ourselves is actually ours when we’ve been engineered, conditioned, or taught to believe certain things? What does free will really mean? What happens when you start questioning the truth you were built to believe? And, as the dedication lays out from the very beginning, what must you do to find your way back to yourself after you've had to become someone else to survive?

That last one in particular struck a chord with me in the current chapter of my life, and it made Sylas’s character arc as he grappled with identity, agency, and the choices he was making all the more weighty. His journey from being a weapon engineered to obey toward questioning what he actually wants for himself is where so much of the book’s philosophical weight lives, and I loved how that was reinforced through the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Sometimes they foreshadowed something that was about to unfold, while other times they offered a little more context for something that had just happened, giving you another lens through which to understand the narrative.

💕𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐋: 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬
Because I was just going along on this wild ride, I wasn’t sure that I had become particularly attached to the characters. This isn’t to say that I didn’t care about them, but I simply wasn’t sure how much emotional investment I had beyond the very simple joy of having fun as I zoomed through the story.

And then the final chapters happened, and suddenly I got gut punched.

It caught me completely off guard, even if the seeds had been planted right from the very first chapter with Sylas. Suppose you could say that the emotional weight snuck up on me because I was too busy enjoying the ride to realize just how much was underneath it all. I actually gasped softly at a single word ― “No.”

I can’t really talk too much about these gut punches without venturing deep into spoiler territory, but Sylas’s slow burn journey not only with Neon, but with his own humanity, combined with the twists and turns that bring the narrative to a close, made for fantastic emotional beats to experience after spending so much of the book immersed in those beautifully written fight sequences.

🌶️𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄: 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐧𝐨

“Neon had taught his hands another language.”

I think this quote sums up the dynamic between Sylas and Neon quite beautifully.I would not go into this expecting the “usual” when it comes to the romance. These two barely have time to yearn with everything else happening around them, and for me, their romance existed more in the quiet breaths between paragraphs and glances. It was in the way they watched each other, the way they learned to and already knew how to read one another, and all those little unspoken moments where affection began to take root before either of them was ready to acknowledge it.

Both Neon and Sylas have lived lives that demanded they learn how to read a person almost instantly, and Orion uses that beautifully to build their chemistry. A look can carry an entire conversation. A touch can mean far more than it should. There is so much tension in those tiny moments because Sylas is so certain he knows the path ahead ― blending an unreliable narrative perspective into the mix ― and Neon perplexes him more than his sense of fealty should allow him to, and yet he cannot resist. The result is a romance that feels incredibly intimate even when very little is actually being done between the them.

There is no explicit open-door spice in this book and the culmination of their relationship ultimately fades to black. The book spends so much time building their trust, vulnerability, and physical awareness of one another that the emotional payoff enough weight for me than an explicit scene necessarily would have ― nooooot that I wouldn’t have minded there being one, just sayin’.

[Konstantina Sgolombis · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤⚡ **NEON QUINN MUST DIE** ⚡🖤

⭐ **5/5 Stars | An Unexpected Obsession**
🥀 **Romance: VERY Slow Burn** 🔥

**DID I SEE THAT ENDING COMING?! ABSOLUTELY NOT.** 😭🖤

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of *Neon Quinn Must Die*, and let me just say, WHAT A RIDE!

When I say I was SHOCKED, I mean staring at the final page, questioning everything I thought I knew. Because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT'S HOW IT ENDS?! The absolute audacity! And yet, I loved every second of it.

There's something so satisfying about a book that completely blindsides you just when you think you've figured everything out. And honestly? I'm not even mad about it. 👀

But can we PLEASE talk about how refreshing it was to experience this story through the MMC's perspective?!

Don't get me wrong, I love a good FMC POV, but getting to experience the MMC's thoughts, emotions, and vulnerabilities firsthand was such a refreshing change. Instead of trying to decipher his intentions through someone else's eyes, we got to see the world through his, and I absolutely LOVED it.

And the romance? **SLOWWW BURN, PEOPLE.** 🥀🔥 The kind that makes you savor every little interaction, every lingering thought, and every subtle shift in emotion. Sometimes the anticipation is just as intoxicating as the romance itself.

And THAT ENDING?! I'm still not over it. 😭 The shock, the disbelief, the overwhelming need to question everything. It's the kind of ending that stays with you long after the final page.

**Was I prepared? NO. Am I emotionally recovered? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Would I do it all over again? WITHOUT HESITATION.** 🖤

⭐ **Rating:** 5/5
🥀 **Romance:** Very Slow Burn
🖤 **Vibes:** Unexpected Twists • MMC POV • Emotional Tension • Slow-Building Romance

**Some books leave you wanting more. Others leave you questioning everything. This one managed to do both.** ⚡🖤

💌 *ARC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (prequel) had me guessing the entire time!
Sylas and Neon’s slow building romance was so good and so were the twists that had me gasping right up until the end. Loved the dystopian world author Loki Orion created and cannot wait for this story to continue. Thank you for the early copy.

[Kiki Leroux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

📚 I loved it. I adored it. I ate it up. If not for jet lag I’d have finished it in a sitting, my eyes were HEAVY and I just wanted to keep reading. I lost that battle.
You need to pick this up, and let me tell you why.
It’s a breath of fresh air in this romantasy era we live in today. I don’t typically choose dystopian, cyber punk as a genre, but I’m so happy I did for this book.
The writing is beautiful. Third person POV, we follow our favourite baddie assassin MMC, Sylas, rather than the FMC. How often does that combo happen in the modern era of books? But the way the words are put together, and the way the sentences flow, it was almost poetic. My heart skipped sometimes just thinking about how the author was going to put more beauty on the page. That being said, one turn of phrase that I got annoyed with after the 10th time it was used in about 7 chapters was “…the shape of it…” I’m not sure if this is just an overuse of a turn of phrase, or if it actually means something tangible in this world, but I didn’t love the repetition of it so many times in such a short amount of book.
Back to beauty on the page, the art inside the book is absolutely gorgeous. I have gone back again and again just to look, to understand, to let my eye rove over the colours and imagery. I read in the kindle app on my iPad, and this is the exact reason I chose the iPad over the kindle device. Even on the Kindle Colour, the images would be muted, and that’s not doing them justice. The colour tells half the story.
I loved the characters, I loved their dynamic, I loved the secrets and the tension. I loved how they met. I loved how black the MMC is, especially compared to the literal saint, Neon. I love how Sylas doesn’t quite understand what’s happening to him, his funny feelings in his ribs he likes to ignore when she’s around. I love that I still have questions, like, what is she? How is this next book going to get us to where we need to be? I’m just happy to be on this journey right now.
🌶️ this is a slow burn, enemies to … I’d say lovers here usually, but, there’s none of that in this one. It’s about how they met, and how their relationship became what it was at the end of this book, before the Title of the book catches up to us. And when I say they’re enemies, at no point do either of them treat the other as an enemy, yet you know the whole time why Sylas is there and what he’s expected to do. That tension is delicious.
⭐️ This book has my heart, and I would love to give it 5 ⭐️s, but there’s no witty banter. The book is quite serious and heavy and exciting, so there isn’t a lot of room for levity, it’s just one piece of chaos after the other, basically. But there were a few quiet moments where a little humour could have gone a long way. Especially with how clueless in life Sylas seems to be, I think there could have been some light moments of him learning to be human, almost. There is a female who doesn’t betray us, she doesn’t feature prominently since we follow the MMC rather than the FMC. But it is quite obvious the FMC has strong females around her, and I’m happy to give a star for that. All in all, a strong 4⭐️s from me, I love it even without the witty banter, and I can’t wait to start the next one in about 35 seconds.
Loki Orion: thank you. ❤️

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆

How can a book leave you staring at the wall speechless, but with your heart full of so many things to say, you just don't really know how to put them into words? I am really struggling with writing a review that expresses how Neon and Sylas' beginning made me feel, while still giving a little insight into the story itself but also not spoiling it. So, I'll do my best but I am certain anything I say won't be enough to really express how absolutely fantastic this book really is. Here goes.

Neon Quinn Must Die is a prequel story of Sylas, an Empire engineered and designed, lethally trained assassin, and his mission to find and kill Neon Quinn. Having already read the first book in the series, Glitched and Fractured, I thought that I already had a little insight into who Neon and Sylas are and a little about their story. But wow, I was still blown away by seeing it unfold. The book is full of surprises, thrilling and intense situations and non-stop, nail-biting action. The details, the machine beasts, the characters! The added art in the book is everything to an aphant like me!

The story is raw and real, you feel connected to several of the characters right away and become suspicious of some others rather quickly. The connection between Neon and Sylas is impossible to define. It just is. It's just there, from the first look. There isn't an explanation and Sylas certainly doesn't understand it but you just feel their chemistry, making you want more!

Neon is one of my favorite FMCs. She's so compassionate, you can feel her desire to save others even when it might be her downfall. Even when you want to scream and tell her to run or protect herself, she still displays a level of goodness and hopefulness that is overwhelming. You know she has a good heart but is also strong, rebellious, determined and so very smart. You are rooting for her in every way.

Sylas is a bit harder to puzzle out. You know he is a trained assassin and can't imagine being on his side. He knows how to take another person's life but he doesn't know how to love another person. But, then throughout the story, he does little things (and big things) that suprise you, leaving you rooting for him too. He's still stoic, extrememly serious and closed off, and you get glimpses of the trama etched into every inch of his skin. You start to see what might be possible if he's given compassion instead of punishment.

Neon Quinn Must Die is superb. It was captivating and unputdownable! Emotional devastation times a million but it's the kind you crave and just keep wanting more.

Favorite quotes:

"A Nightcrawler’s body never moves without a plan. Before the first step, the fifth has already been chosen. Mine moved for her."

"He had known she was dangerous. He had not understood, until then, that she was beautiful."

“I do not know how to be gentle,” he said.
“Then learn here,” she said.

[Lore & Disorder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Neon Quinn Must Die in the evening and finished it at 2 AM because I genuinely could not put it down. And yes, there were tears. Multiple times. 😭

I'll admit that cyberpunk isn't a genre I'm particularly familiar with, so it took me a little while to find my footing in this world. But once I did? I was completely invested.

Sylas absolutely broke my heart. He's been engineered, tortured, and conditioned into becoming a weapon, and watching him slowly discover that he has the ability to make his own choices was one of the most compelling parts of this story. His struggle isn't just about survival. It's about figuring out who he is when someone else has controlled nearly every aspect of his existence.

And then there's Neon.

I adored her. She's strong, compassionate, stubbornly selfless, and determined to see the humanity in someone the rest of the world considers a monster. What really got me was the way she treated Sylas. She recognized his trauma, respected his boundaries, and gave him choices rather than making them for him.

The moments surrounding physical touch were especially beautiful. For someone who has only ever associated touch with pain, discovering that it can also mean comfort, tenderness, and love is incredibly powerful.

The worldbuilding was another highlight. Rather than overwhelming the reader with explanations, Loki Orion lets us discover the world naturally through the characters' experiences, memories, and travels. We learn about the Nightcrawlers and the horrors behind their creation without being buried under exposition.

And the pacing! There is so much action in this book, but the author still knows when to slow down and let an emotional moment breathe. Those quieter scenes made everything else hit that much harder.

For a story set in such a brutal world of technology, violence, and engineered soldiers, its greatest strength is its humanity.

There are still so many questions I have about Neon, the Veil, and the larger world. Knowing this is a prequel has made me even more eager to pick up the original book.

I went into this expecting an action-packed cyberpunk adventure. I wasn't expecting to become so emotionally attached to these characters or to be sitting there at 2 AM trying to recover from what I'd just read.

Five stars. Absolutely worth the emotional damage. 💜

I received a complimentary advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Alexandra Bollella · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Nightcrawler is never lost while there is something left to hunt. "


The year is 3087. Sylas was tasked to kill her form. Waking up in her bed. Sylas transformed into a Nightcrawler aka the Empires perfect assassin. The Emporer gave him a unadorned command. Find Aberrant, kill the woman, bring back her body. He expects a target and gets Neon Quinn. Neon is spunky and obstinate and is everything Sylas was taught to delete. Knowing the truth, the Empire buried deeply beneath thousand years of scripture: Gods are machines. The world everyone worshipped was built on a lie.

Sylas had Neon in his view hesitating as the more he gets to know her, the harder it is to know why she's supposed to die. Sylas was made to kill without question. Neon Quinn was born to destroy him. Neon is seeing more in Sylas beneath the monster, becoming harder to obey. Who will Sylas Betray first?



This book was epically glorious! You immediately get pulled into the story from the first chapter immersing you as if you're in an action packed video game, reminding  me of Devil May Cry. One word: Cinematic! Creating an experience that is interactly woven, continously submerged into gripping commotion that brings you on an unthinkable journey as Enemies become lovers with passionate Slow Burn grasping all your emotions and dragging them through the treacherous world. Sylas is a powerhouse! Very tedious with every move he takes, but also a darkness that surges from the torment he endured being turned into a humane machine, a deadly weapon, I truly felt for him. For both Sylas and Neon, both in survival mode constantly taking guard and watching out for one another even when the truth emerges and puts everything into jeopardy. Neon, is my favorite, she's independent, witty and doesn't judge, especially when looking at Sylas more than what he's supposed to be. The ending, hit me like a ton of bricks, everything came so fast and flashed before my eyes!



" Her name was the first thing I reached for. "

[Gemslilbooknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy

I was pulled in by the bold title and hooked by the character art. This was my first Cyberpunk novel, and I really enjoyed the experience.

As this is a prequel, I do feel I may have enjoyed it more if I’d read the main title first. I think having a better understanding of the world before diving into this story would have helped me appreciate some of the details a little more.

That being said, Loki Orion's writing is beautifully descriptive. I could easily visualise the world as it unfolded.

The dialogue also felt purposeful rather than being used as filler, with everything contributing to the story and helping to immerse me in this futuristic dystopian world.

I particularly enjoyed reading from the MMC, Sylas's POV. With the current fantasy market feeling so heavily saturated with FMC or dual POV stories, it was refreshing to experience the entire story through a male perspective.

It was intriguing watching Sylas's character develop as he begins to question, change and break away from what he was engineered to do.

One of my favourite little details was the chapter headings featuring the Codex/Decrees. I loved watching these evolve and change alongside Sylas's character development. Such a small detail, but one that added another layer to the story.
The world itself gave me Tatooine from Star Wars vibes, gritty, futuristic and a little rough around the edges, which I really enjoyed.

Vibes: Cyberpunk, Futuristic, Gritty, Character-driven, Male POV, Star Wars/Tatooine vibes

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were two main things that first drew me to this book. The first, and let’s all be honest, the art is incredible 😍 and done by the author himself. The second was the POV, which was from the MMC. This book was going to be my something a little different from what I had been reading, and it was, in the best ways! This was a 5✨ read for me!

I am not going to lie, I wasn’t even half way done with reading Neon Quinn Must Die, and I had already ordered the book that you would read after this one (which happened to arrive the day I finished it 😃)

There was so much detail in this book, from the clothes and environment to the characters and their emotions. One thing I thought was really interesting, was the sayings / quotes under the chapter titles… watch those! Just putting that out there 🤫.

The mix of technology and magic made this book captivating to me! There are scenes that I don’t want to spoil, but they are incredible to imagine. The characters were so good, the way he portrayed their complex emotions through the book was so well done! I love Neon and Sylas!!

This book evoked all the emotions, from being so absorbed in what was going to happen next to heartbreak. I still tear up a little when I think about it sometimes (like right now, haha).

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for some of those great tropes, forced proximity, touch her and ☠️, he was sent to 🔪 her, and true slow burn. Releasing October 31st, 2026, the only thing I have left to do is pick which one I love more, the hardcover or the paperback cover… I like them both!! (The one in the review is the hardcover)

Add it to your TBR, you won’t regret it!! Better yet, just go read it!!

[Guillen_reads13 · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy Recieved by Author thank you for the opportunity
Ok what a gritty ride that was through a Desert Empire. If you like fantasy with a cybernetic grit and high-stakes tension, Neon Quinn Must Die is an absolute must read. Loki Orion has crafted a world that feels like a collision between a dusty, ancient desert kingdom and a dark, imperial sci-fi nightmare. The story follows Sylas, a "Nightcrawler" essentially a lethal, Empire-issued assassin with implants that make him a terrifyingly efficient weapon. But when he’s ordered to kill the mysterious "Aberrant," Neon Quinn, things get complicated fast. The dynamic between them is electric it’s that perfect blend of "I’m supposed to kill you" and "I can’t stop thinking about you" that keeps you turning pages way past your bedtime it did keep me up most of the night.
The world building is fantastic from the brass roofed city of Vabbe to the terrifying, metal jawed "Cogmaws" lurking beneath the sand. It’s dark, atmospheric, and moves at a breakneck pace. If you’re a fan of morally gray assassins, mysterious magical abilities, and slow-burn tension that feels like it could explode at any second, pick this one up. It will be an atmospheric start to a series that promises to be as dangerous as it is addictive. I’m already hooked!

[Allyson Khaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I was first drawn to this book because of the cover. I mean, it looks straight out of Aladdin. And well, Aladdin doesn't even come close to this level of amazing. The worldbuilding for one is...Phenomenal. The Nightcrawlers themselves are so unique and complex. This book is perfect for those who love enemies to lovers and fast paced, action packed stories.
So the MMC is Sylas. Nightcrawler, Assassin and loyal to the Empire. He kills because that's what he was made to do. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a heart. He does. The book expertly shows Sylas's conflicts and inner struggles every step of the way. Sylas is definitely worth adding to my list of top book boyfriends.
Our FMC is Neon Quinn. Sylas's target, Aberrant, Enemy to the Empires. She's kind and has good morals. She helps others at the expense of her own well being. Even when people, like Sylas, are trying to kill her, she chooses to see the good in them. Her faith in him is a very important part of this story, as it shows us how you might not believe in yourself, but when someone else does, you can too.
Favourite quote: "I do not care what the Empire named you. I do not care what they cut into your body. Your soul is worth saving."

[DarkPhoenix0612 · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

First off, the artwork for this book is stunning! Even reading in black and white on my Kindle, the illustrations were amazing—and that cover is absolutely gorgeous.

As for the story itself, it started out a little slow for me with a bit too much filler at the beginning, but once it picked up, I was completely hooked. I was immediately invested in Sylas and Neon and kept rushing back to each chapter just to see what would happen between them next.

I loved the mystery surrounding Neon and trying to figure out who—and what—she really was. Her patience, giant heart, and compassion for those around her were wonderful to read, especially in how gently and deeply she understood Sylas.

Learning about Sylas’s backstory and the pain and torment he endured completely broke my heart. Despite everything he was trained and programmed to be, he still held onto his humanity, and I loved that Neon was able to see that in him.

That ending did not go where I expected it to, and I am utterly devastated! This was such a strong prequel, and I can't wait to jump into the main series to see where the story goes from here.

[Katie Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
📉 DNF Scale: 0% (Hooked from the start)

​The Vibes:
Set in the year 3087, Neon Quinn Must Die serves up immaculate sci-fi fantasy vibes. As a prequel to The Glitched Saga, it absolutely delivers on the gritty, high-stakes aesthetic, reading it gives the same adrenaline rush as an intense late-night gaming session. What truly drove this to a 4-star read for me was the unbelievable dynamic between the main characters. We have Sylas, the Empire’s deadliest genetically engineered Nightcrawler assassin and Neon Quinn, the fugitive he’s been ordered to hunt down and kill. The "executioner falling for the woman he was created to destroy" trope is executed flawlessly here. The tension, the survival instincts, and that gritty captor/captive energy gave me exactly what I look for in a dark romance.
​Overall, an amazing read. If you love deadly assassins, incredible tension, and a dark futuristic setting, add this to your TBR immediately.
​#NeonQuinnMustDie #LokiOrion #DarkRomantasy #CyberpunkRomance #BookTok #SciFantasy #BookReview #BookRecommendations

[TDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neon Quinn Must Die is so many things, including but not limited to:
- Beautifully written
- Engaging
- Dynamic
- UNIQUE
And so addicting that I stayed up late multiple weeknights to finish... and then I immediately started it over again.

The POV is actually told from Sylas's perspective--the Nightcrawler (i.e. assassin) tasked with taking Neon Quinn out. Except, he can't. And this isn't your normal "assassin falls in love" story. He is literally and physically programmed to take commands. So, violating his orders has some pretty intense consequences.

But he does it anyway. For her.

If you are a romantic, like attractive men & women (the embedded art is FIRE), love cyberpunk or fantasy or romance, or you just love a good story, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. It is even better than Glitched & Fractured, which was a top five 2026 read for me. (I loved G&F so much, I love bombed the author until they added me to their street team!)

I received an advance copy of this book from the author and Netgalley. My opinions are 100% my own.

[Mushmookie (Karla P) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Review Copy -

Okay Loki, I see what you did there… very good, mission accomplished!

I really enjoyed this book! I was so drawn into it. Not only did the title catch me but the ART ALL created by Loki, WOW! And to top it off, it was highly recommended by my friend, Mandy, so I was definitely all in and I’m so glad I did.

The world building was amazing and I absolutely loved the characters. You could see the creativity that was poured out into this book.

A book filled with drama, tension, action, a slow burn that the characters didn’t even realize were developing but Sylas and Neon’s story had me curiously hooked all the way through.

An assassin literally made & programmed to do just that, with no feelings at all. A rebel with the secrets the Empire wants erased who also gives Sylas a promise of hope. The development between them was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Oh and thanks for the ending Loki, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor a few times. Bring it on book 2!

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It’s such a fun mix of old-school sci-fi and fantasy, with an intriguing story, interesting characters, and a world that had me happily along for the ride.

Neon was definitely not the FMC I expected, and I mean that in the best way. I’m still not entirely sure what I thought she was going to be, but whatever those expectations were… Neon said, “Cute. Anyway…” I’m definitely invested in seeing where her story goes next.

And Silas? Exactly what I expected from an assassin MMC. Mysterious, dangerous, and very much giving 'yes, this checks out.'

The world-building also did a great job setting things up for the rest of the series without making me feel like I was reading a giant instruction manual, which I appreciate.

Needless to say, I’ll be checking out the rest of the series because apparently I now have questions and must have answers.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Tyrone Talavera · Rating 5 out of 5]

So firstly, I'd like to state, that this was in fact a complimentary advance copy that was obtained. Therefore, I'll be as honest as possible.

TLDR: Amazing story, well written, must read.

If you don't want to read this whole thing, the short version is mentioned above.

As a self-proclaimed super fan of all things cyberpunk, I was beyond confused at the start. It didn't give the impression of anything along those lines, but as I continued, I was pleasantly mistaken.

Character "design", world building, the atmosphere, and especially the overall story... It was all just simply amazing. There was definitely a lot of thought and care behind creating this story.

Forgive me, for not being more detailed with this review, as it is beyond difficult to talk about how this book was, without giving even the smallest of spoilers, considering the twists and turns in this story are what make it great.

This is a definite "need to read". I hope you enjoy it after reading this.

[Madison · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.
The underlying premise of this story is not groundbreaking.
However, what is incredible is how well this book was written. You really feel for the characters and their evolving relationship.
At no point did the story advance like I was expecting it too. It kept me turning the pages just to find out what would happen next.
Sylus was a really interesting character. You can tell he was trained to have no feelings and follow orders without question, but as his character develops, you see his body and subconscious start to rebel while his mind seems to take longer to catch up as to why. Without spoiling anything, his journey was fascinating.
I could not put this book down. I highly recommend it for the world building and character evolution!

[Zonia H · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the advance readers copy

Let me start by saying, thank you to my friend Mandy that highly recommended this story (series) to me. It’s not a story I would have typically picked up, but so glad I did. I was very impressed with the world building and intricate magic system. The way the world was described it made it easy to picture and I felt like I was in the story. The plot was full of suspense, twists, and drama. It was easy to get caught up in all of it. The way Sylas and Neon Quinn meet made me chuckle because of course an assassin wouldn’t allow someone else to do his job. Sylas saves Neon Quinn, but She too gives him something in return. Something he didn’t think would be possible. A freedom that put more on the line.
Also, the character art is sooooo good!!!!
I can’t wait to continue the series.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neon Quinn Must Die is noted as book 0 of the Glitched Saga, and a dark cyberpunk romance fantasy.
The story follows MMC Sylas who is the Empire’s deadliest assassin and was created to obey his Emperor without question.
From the moment Sylas was introduced to the reader I had a feeling his Nightcrawler persona was somehow glitching.
He didn’t quite complete his current task the way he was supposed to before moving on to a newly assigned one. It will be this newest target Neon Quinn who he wasn’t supposed to fall for, and the revelations that follow which will ultimately change his view of his year 3087 world.
My first cyberpunk read which I found interesting even though not my usual fare.
Nicely written, with good characterizations, drama, action, adventure, intrigue, betrayal, spice, and emotion.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[little fox ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

It took me forever to finish this book but that's entirely my fault cause HOLY SHITTTTT I should've never put this down

I came for the art but I stayed for the amazing setting and plot
Unfortunately I learned too late that this is a prequel and now I have to read the other book to know what's going to happen (not that I'm complaining but still)

I love Sylas, I loved to read about him and have a glimpse inside his thoughts, I think his character has a lot more to give and I can't wait to keep exploring more of his development. The same goes for Neon. My sweet Neon Quinn 😭 you were taken too soon, but I know I'll be reading more of you cause this is a character that has a lot to give and I seriously can't wait for her story.
Safe to say, I was crying at the end. Am I naive to expect a happy ending? Absolutely but I had hope.

Out on October 31st! I NEED EVERYONE TO READ IT

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was absolutely AMAZING! I fell in love with Glitched and Fractured, and that’s where my obsession with Neon first began! But THIS BOOK?! It takes everything to a whole new level! 😍

I didn’t think I could love these characters any more than I already did, but I was so wrong! The story pulls you in, makes you fall even harder for the characters, and leaves you wanting more!

Now, you can absolutely read Neon Quinn Must Die without reading Glitched and Fractured first! BUT my personal recommendation? Read Glitched and Fractured FIRST! Trust me, getting to know these characters and building that emotional connection with them makes Neon Quinn Must Die hit SO MUCH HARDER! 🖤

I absolutely LOVED every second of this book! The characters, the emotions, the story… EVERYTHING!

[Andréanne Biron · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and title and it did not disappoint! This is a departure from my typical genres, and it was a nice reminder to try something different occasionally.

The book follows Sylas, a government assassin sent to kill Neon Quinn. However, when they meet things do not go as planned… The world building was really well done; I could picture it clearly without there being pages and pages of descriptions and the characters felt real and their connexion made sense. Lots of action and a fade to black scene.

Overall, a solid 3.75 stars. I would have liked more of Neon, we still know nothing about her and things were revealed in the last chapter that felt a bit rushed to me. I will definitely continue this series.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy Review

I finished the book this morning and I am in after book shock.
Wow. I said wow so many times during this book.

I loved it, is an understatement. I will be thinking about this book for ages.

The sci-fi monsters were scary exciting, and the art [made by the author] really brought them to life.
I reccommend pinning the photos while reading on Kindle Unlimited when it is released.

The gut wrenching losses and complicated turmoil Sylas was experiencing had me on the edge of my seat.

This was an action packed story with so much character depth in the dialogue.

Fan-fing-tastic!

I was crying at the end. I can't see the pages crying but there is hope. A scarf worth of hope. IYKYK
💔😭
I am ecstatic for book 2.

I will be tell anyone who will listen, and likes sci-fi romantasy this is a must read.

I was given this copy, and I am leaving an honest review because I want to.

[Lunora · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

“No matter how much of you they tried to own. I will find where it begins, and I will tear it out before it takes your life.”

I was sucked into this story from the start and read through it incredibly quickly, in about 24 hrs.

I really loved the writing, it is very descriptive and creates such a clear and unique image. The blending of cyberpunk elements into the fantasy is incredibly unique and I've never seen it done this way before.

I loved following the relationship between Sylas and Neon. Watching how they start to open up to each other and letting the other see aspects that they have hidden from other characters.

I liked that we experience this whole story through Sylas and I did get a bit emotional at the end.

I'm really curious and can't wait to to get into the first book, Glitched and Fractured.

Thank you to the author for the ARC!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the Author for an Arc of this book

This was a cool world, its more like cyberpunk/dystopian/fantasy. Getting the flashbacks of Sylas basically being built helped to understand the world a bit better, since its a prequel I hope to get a bit more understanding of the world itself in book 1. I loveee when there is art in books, seeing what the stingray robot guys looked like was super helpful and the art in general was awesome. The timing in the middle of this book was a little off, it didnt flow as smoothly as the beginning and end, but damn that ending, had me tearing up 🥲

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I wasn’t sure where this story was going to lead. The world building was beyond imagination, reading the pages felt like watching a movie with all the little details you could miss. Absolutely loved! The pacing for me was very very slow but we were getting all the bits of what would be the backstory. I loved “watching” how Salas grew, how things were questioned, answered and behaviors changed. The last few chapters lead up to the climax, I throughly enjoyed, felt like a reward for surviving the beginning parts.