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Hard Carry: A Fast Paced and Darkly Funny Sci Fi Thriller
The job looked simple: take the data, make the drop, collect the money, and be back in time to get the girl.
But when the clinic gets hit, the broker dies, and the route burns behind him, Felix has one night to cross Neu Berlin's underbelly before the package leaks and cooks his brain from the inside. Hunted by a corporate recovery team, revolutionaries, and the Mob, can Felix survive this hard carry, or will he end up as just another body on the streets of a City that doesn't care?
Neu Berlin is the city they promised would save the future. But only one thing is certain: you fight back, or you leave in a body bag.
Hard Carry is fast-paced, gritty and fun Cyberpunk that hits the "punk" hard and never lets up.
But when the clinic gets hit, the broker dies, and the route burns behind him, Felix has one night to cross Neu Berlin's underbelly before the package leaks and cooks his brain from the inside. Hunted by a corporate recovery team, revolutionaries, and the Mob, can Felix survive this hard carry, or will he end up as just another body on the streets of a City that doesn't care?
Neu Berlin is the city they promised would save the future. But only one thing is certain: you fight back, or you leave in a body bag.
Hard Carry is fast-paced, gritty and fun Cyberpunk that hits the "punk" hard and never lets up.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2026
About the author
J.S. Holloway
6 books16 followersJ.S. Holloway is a Science Fiction author fascinated by the intersection of technology and humanity. Drawing inspiration from neon-soaked streets and digital landscapes, their work explores themes of identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human in an increasingly connected world.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 2, 2026
HARD CARRY – J. S. HOLLOWAY
🦾 Felix tiene un problema. O varios. Primero de todo, el paquete de información que le han subido al terminal que tiene en el brazo está a punto de reventarle la cabeza. Segundo, los dueños de la información, la competencia de los dueños y las mafias, quieren ese paquete, con o sin brazo. Tercero, NeuBerlin es hostil, oscura, egoísta, tramposa, traicionera y llena de amigos y enemigos que cambiarán de bando si les conviene. Cuarto, su pareja le espera en casa. Cabreada.
🕵🏻 J. S. Holloway trabaja una obra de Cyberpunk de ritmo alto, con mucha acción y personajes a los que dedica más tiempo, atención, detalle y profundidad de lo que se les suele dedicar.
🤵🏻 Empecemos despejando el elefante de la habitación. El puto Johny Mnemonic. Sí, se parece. Es innegable.
📩 Pero también tiene toques Yamakasi, también tiene toques John Wick, y aires a Blade Runner (la buena, la de Rutger Hauer). Es algo más que un mensajero apretado. Es moverte en la falta de seguridad que da Neuberlin, donde no estás a salvo en ningún momento; pero donde no puedes pararte a descansar.
⚠️ Por otra parte, uno no se espera unos personajes tan trabajados, un humor sincero a veces, cáustico en otras ocasiones, que a veces deseas que sean de los buenos, o que no sean tan peligrosos (Dom y Frank, personajes secundarios espectaculares).
No es una obra maestra, pero entretiene muy bien.
Valoración: 🔥🔥🔥 ➗ (3,5 Sobrecargas)
Un saludo a @NetGalley por el ARC
🦾 Felix tiene un problema. O varios. Primero de todo, el paquete de información que le han subido al terminal que tiene en el brazo está a punto de reventarle la cabeza. Segundo, los dueños de la información, la competencia de los dueños y las mafias, quieren ese paquete, con o sin brazo. Tercero, NeuBerlin es hostil, oscura, egoísta, tramposa, traicionera y llena de amigos y enemigos que cambiarán de bando si les conviene. Cuarto, su pareja le espera en casa. Cabreada.
🕵🏻 J. S. Holloway trabaja una obra de Cyberpunk de ritmo alto, con mucha acción y personajes a los que dedica más tiempo, atención, detalle y profundidad de lo que se les suele dedicar.
🤵🏻 Empecemos despejando el elefante de la habitación. El puto Johny Mnemonic. Sí, se parece. Es innegable.
📩 Pero también tiene toques Yamakasi, también tiene toques John Wick, y aires a Blade Runner (la buena, la de Rutger Hauer). Es algo más que un mensajero apretado. Es moverte en la falta de seguridad que da Neuberlin, donde no estás a salvo en ningún momento; pero donde no puedes pararte a descansar.
⚠️ Por otra parte, uno no se espera unos personajes tan trabajados, un humor sincero a veces, cáustico en otras ocasiones, que a veces deseas que sean de los buenos, o que no sean tan peligrosos (Dom y Frank, personajes secundarios espectaculares).
No es una obra maestra, pero entretiene muy bien.
Valoración: 🔥🔥🔥 ➗ (3,5 Sobrecargas)
Un saludo a @NetGalley por el ARC
September 7, 2026
3.5⭐️Fast paced. Nostalgic read.
The audiobook is brilliant. This is bladerunner meets the lives of others. With some top tier 80s and 90s Nostalgia for the win. I got star trek cyborgs, firefly control.
Brilliant read.
The audiobook is brilliant. This is bladerunner meets the lives of others. With some top tier 80s and 90s Nostalgia for the win. I got star trek cyborgs, firefly control.
Brilliant read.
October 19, 2026
As promised, it is fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of action. It is also very witty and sarcastic, with dark (British?) humor. Think Joe Abercrombie in a cyberpunkish, ragged Berlin with biometric doors and cyber-implants. But what makes this work stand out is that it is also touching, intimate, and heartwarming. In a disconnected and alienated world, Felix's internal world is full of emotion.
And one small note that made this book even more touching for me (some very minor spoiler): This is very refreshing, and I felt it was masterfully done.
I enjoyed this book very much; definitely 5/5.
And one small note that made this book even more touching for me (some very minor spoiler): This is very refreshing, and I felt it was masterfully done.
I enjoyed this book very much; definitely 5/5.
October 28, 2026
This book is paced like an action movie, but it manages to sneak an impressive amount of depth and world building into its break neck story!
Very enjoyable and some great cyberpunk sci-fi!
Very enjoyable and some great cyberpunk sci-fi!
October 12, 2026
Fast-paced cyberpunk sci-fi that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let you go. You're in the action from page 1 and you never slow down, save a few instances before you are running for your life yet again, one chapter turning to 2 and easily the day passes, I read the whole thing in one go, because I literally found it impossible to put the book down. Highly addictive... I can only say that you are in a hell of a ride till the very end, and once you get there, you are gasping for more. Very well written, combat scenes are superb, akin John Wick or Jason Bourne type of fighting style. If you are looking for your next cyberpunk obsession look no further than here. This is truly one of the greats, sitting comfortably between stories such as The Fifth Element, Die Hard, with a flair of nostalgia for everything cyberpunk and the grit and dirt that comes with it. You won't be able to put the book down once you start. Highly recommend. Go read it, off you go...
September 2, 2026
I have never actually read a cyberpunk novel before, so going into Hard Carry by J.S. Holloway I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. Cyberpunk is something I have obviously come across through films, games and TV, but it's never really been a genre I've explored through books.
So, I guess Hard Carry ended up being a bit of an experiment for me, and it was an amazing one.
The story follows Felix, a data courier in Neu Berlin. His latest job should be simple enough, take the data, make the drop, get paid and get back to the girl. Now obviously if everything went according to plan there wouldn't be much of a story.
When the clinic gets hit and the broker ends up dead, Felix is suddenly on the run with a piece of data that could cause him some serious problems. He must make his way through Neu Berlin while being hunted by corporations, revolutionaries and the Mob. All while trying to stay alive long enough to finish the job.
What I really liked about Hard Carry is that it doesn't spend ages getting you into the story. Things go wrong quickly and from there it just keeps moving.
Felix doesn't get much time to sit around and think about what's happening because there's always something coming at him. It gives the book a good pace and, considering it's a relatively short read, it never feels like there's loads of unnecessary stuff thrown in just to make the book longer.
Then there's Neu Berlin itself.
This was probably one of the things I found most interesting as someone who isn't particularly experienced with cyberpunk. You have all the technology, crime, corporations and general grimness you'd expect from the genre, but setting it in a version of Berlin gives it its own identity. The world feels dirty, dangerous and lived in, and the descriptions do a good job of putting you alongside Felix.
I also liked Felix as a character. He's not some badass who walks into every situation and destroys everyone. He's capable, but he's also vulnerable, so you get the feeling that things could go horribly wrong for him.
The supporting characters work well too. There's enough there to make you interested in them without the book stopping every five minutes to give everyone a massive backstory. You get little pieces of who they are as the story moves along.
For me, the biggest compliment I can give Hard Carry is that it knows what sort of book it wants to be.
It's short, fast and gritty. It doesn't waste your time.
I went into this expecting to maybe struggle with it because cyberpunk isn't a genre I've really read before, but I found myself getting properly invested in what was happening. More importantly, it made me want to explore more cyberpunk novels, which is probably the biggest sign that this was a successful introduction to the genre for me.
Hard Carry is the first book in the Neu Berlin Arc, with Hard Traffic following as the next story, so it sounds like this is only the beginning for Felix and Neu Berlin.
So, I guess Hard Carry ended up being a bit of an experiment for me, and it was an amazing one.
The story follows Felix, a data courier in Neu Berlin. His latest job should be simple enough, take the data, make the drop, get paid and get back to the girl. Now obviously if everything went according to plan there wouldn't be much of a story.
When the clinic gets hit and the broker ends up dead, Felix is suddenly on the run with a piece of data that could cause him some serious problems. He must make his way through Neu Berlin while being hunted by corporations, revolutionaries and the Mob. All while trying to stay alive long enough to finish the job.
What I really liked about Hard Carry is that it doesn't spend ages getting you into the story. Things go wrong quickly and from there it just keeps moving.
Felix doesn't get much time to sit around and think about what's happening because there's always something coming at him. It gives the book a good pace and, considering it's a relatively short read, it never feels like there's loads of unnecessary stuff thrown in just to make the book longer.
Then there's Neu Berlin itself.
This was probably one of the things I found most interesting as someone who isn't particularly experienced with cyberpunk. You have all the technology, crime, corporations and general grimness you'd expect from the genre, but setting it in a version of Berlin gives it its own identity. The world feels dirty, dangerous and lived in, and the descriptions do a good job of putting you alongside Felix.
I also liked Felix as a character. He's not some badass who walks into every situation and destroys everyone. He's capable, but he's also vulnerable, so you get the feeling that things could go horribly wrong for him.
The supporting characters work well too. There's enough there to make you interested in them without the book stopping every five minutes to give everyone a massive backstory. You get little pieces of who they are as the story moves along.
For me, the biggest compliment I can give Hard Carry is that it knows what sort of book it wants to be.
It's short, fast and gritty. It doesn't waste your time.
I went into this expecting to maybe struggle with it because cyberpunk isn't a genre I've really read before, but I found myself getting properly invested in what was happening. More importantly, it made me want to explore more cyberpunk novels, which is probably the biggest sign that this was a successful introduction to the genre for me.
Hard Carry is the first book in the Neu Berlin Arc, with Hard Traffic following as the next story, so it sounds like this is only the beginning for Felix and Neu Berlin.
September 2, 2026
Hard Carry written by JS Holloway and narrated by Mike Frankland is a cyberpunk style power mission that hurled me back to Bladerunner and then boomeranged me into a dystopian future that would fit well in the Fifth Element. However, this does not even begin to scratch the surface of just how good the book (and audiobook) is
Firstly, huge props for the narration. I read along with the audiobook, but found myself utterly engaged with Mike Frankland's performance. The pace was perfectly matched and the character acting was illustrious and well tuned. An immaculate listening experience
Felix is a courier in the underbelly of Neu Berlin, but when your payload had multiple people from different agencies hard on your tail with the clear intention of removing your existence from living memory, a hard-wired deadline suddenly looks less achievable. It's not just the adversaries that are capable of rearranging Felix's anatomy to a more, fragmented state, but the parcel itself will fry Felix's brain if it is not delivered to the right person, at the right time. This time, the package is the most dangerous yet, the epitome of the Hard Carry
Favourite Quotes
"The door was thoroughly destroyed and reincarnated into a million pieces"
"The man's skull was suddenly the wrong shape"
"Felix had been through a lot lately and was feeling overwhelmed - He didn't know how to whelm"
There were so many characters that I really enjoyed in this book, but aside from Felix, Frank was a delightful comic relief, the type of looming hard man that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, but his monosyllabic quips were beautifully timed. Dominica (the sort of love interest) was a gentle soul with a glacial core borne of working the streets. Eva and the Architect were the perfect villains of the tale and the supporting cast were golden! Jurgen was especially fun to dislike for the most part
I absolutely loved this heart-pounding race against time. The narrative is packed full of creative synonyms, razor sharp quips and a dynamic trajectory that keeps the attention throughout. It's a great listen and a fantastic read (and Felix and Dominica - Need more from these two!)
Hard Carry is the perfect blend of dystopian cyberpunk thriller, timed mission, comedy and adventure. This was a novel that is a heck of a ride and I cannot wait to get into Hard Traffic (Book 2 of the Neu Berlin Duology) and then on to the Veil Trilogy.
Firstly, huge props for the narration. I read along with the audiobook, but found myself utterly engaged with Mike Frankland's performance. The pace was perfectly matched and the character acting was illustrious and well tuned. An immaculate listening experience
Felix is a courier in the underbelly of Neu Berlin, but when your payload had multiple people from different agencies hard on your tail with the clear intention of removing your existence from living memory, a hard-wired deadline suddenly looks less achievable. It's not just the adversaries that are capable of rearranging Felix's anatomy to a more, fragmented state, but the parcel itself will fry Felix's brain if it is not delivered to the right person, at the right time. This time, the package is the most dangerous yet, the epitome of the Hard Carry
Favourite Quotes
"The door was thoroughly destroyed and reincarnated into a million pieces"
"The man's skull was suddenly the wrong shape"
"Felix had been through a lot lately and was feeling overwhelmed - He didn't know how to whelm"
There were so many characters that I really enjoyed in this book, but aside from Felix, Frank was a delightful comic relief, the type of looming hard man that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, but his monosyllabic quips were beautifully timed. Dominica (the sort of love interest) was a gentle soul with a glacial core borne of working the streets. Eva and the Architect were the perfect villains of the tale and the supporting cast were golden! Jurgen was especially fun to dislike for the most part
I absolutely loved this heart-pounding race against time. The narrative is packed full of creative synonyms, razor sharp quips and a dynamic trajectory that keeps the attention throughout. It's a great listen and a fantastic read (and Felix and Dominica - Need more from these two!)
Hard Carry is the perfect blend of dystopian cyberpunk thriller, timed mission, comedy and adventure. This was a novel that is a heck of a ride and I cannot wait to get into Hard Traffic (Book 2 of the Neu Berlin Duology) and then on to the Veil Trilogy.
October 28, 2026
Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I am looking at J.S. Holloway’s Hard Carry. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!
This book kept coming into my social media feeds, and I finally decided to get it. Science Fiction/Cyberpunk is right up my alley. One problem we have nowadays is that we don’t get many top-quality cyberpunk novels. Many of them feel thrown together, with enough neon to just barely pass muster. Needless to say, I was a bit apprehensive, but if it is another slapdash, I am only out a buck.
Thankfully, that is not the case! J.S. Holloway gives us the story of Felix Voss, a courier. His job is to get a data packet embedded into a device in his arm from point A to point B. His time is limited: if it takes too long, the data can leak into his system and literally cook his brain. There is just one problem: the clinic where he gets this data packet is hit, and the destination point is compromised. Now Felix is on the run, hunted by angry people with angrier weapons, looking for a safe harbor for his cargo before he becomes an empty husk fed tapioca for the rest of his life. Can he survive the next few hours before his mind is no more?
This book is well written and fast-paced. When you start it, be prepared, because you will not want to put it down until you are finished. Every word pushed the story further and faster. The style is slick, the action is relentless, and the hero is one you want to see succeed in the end.
The characters are well thought out and believable. The setting is dark and gritty to the point that I felt it on my tongue. My pulse raced with Felix until he could finally stop (for better or worse). Neu Berlin is not all sunshine, rainbows, and sprinkles. It is a dark place inhabited by people who just want to make it to the next day. It is thick with desperation and greed. It is a city where the only person you can really trust is yourself, and sometimes even that is in doubt.
The highest praise I can give this book is to say J.S. Holloway has a new fan! Keep them coming, and I will keep buying them!
I give this book 5+ bookmarks out of 5!
This book kept coming into my social media feeds, and I finally decided to get it. Science Fiction/Cyberpunk is right up my alley. One problem we have nowadays is that we don’t get many top-quality cyberpunk novels. Many of them feel thrown together, with enough neon to just barely pass muster. Needless to say, I was a bit apprehensive, but if it is another slapdash, I am only out a buck.
Thankfully, that is not the case! J.S. Holloway gives us the story of Felix Voss, a courier. His job is to get a data packet embedded into a device in his arm from point A to point B. His time is limited: if it takes too long, the data can leak into his system and literally cook his brain. There is just one problem: the clinic where he gets this data packet is hit, and the destination point is compromised. Now Felix is on the run, hunted by angry people with angrier weapons, looking for a safe harbor for his cargo before he becomes an empty husk fed tapioca for the rest of his life. Can he survive the next few hours before his mind is no more?
This book is well written and fast-paced. When you start it, be prepared, because you will not want to put it down until you are finished. Every word pushed the story further and faster. The style is slick, the action is relentless, and the hero is one you want to see succeed in the end.
The characters are well thought out and believable. The setting is dark and gritty to the point that I felt it on my tongue. My pulse raced with Felix until he could finally stop (for better or worse). Neu Berlin is not all sunshine, rainbows, and sprinkles. It is a dark place inhabited by people who just want to make it to the next day. It is thick with desperation and greed. It is a city where the only person you can really trust is yourself, and sometimes even that is in doubt.
The highest praise I can give this book is to say J.S. Holloway has a new fan! Keep them coming, and I will keep buying them!
I give this book 5+ bookmarks out of 5!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received as an ARC copy in return for an honest review
I bloody loved it. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
The main plot is a classic cyberpunk story about a data courier running out of time to pull off an extraction in Neu-Berlin. It was nice to have a European setting for a cyberpunk novel rather than the usual Asian one. It really helped that the author used real Berlin districts; it made the world feel much more grounded while still keeping that futuristic vibe.
The characters, as always from Holloway, are rich. They have backstories and development that are so lean they're sometimes communicated by just a single line or a bit of dialogue, but you still know exactly what went down. Felix is a great MC, and he had several laugh-out-loud moments. He's incredibly likable, and you're definitely rooting for him. I also love how the author gives the world and story texture through anthropomorphisms.
Frank was a particular highlight for me. He has so little page time, but somehow Holloway delivers a character who is competent, threatening, dangerous, and very deadpan funny. The strength of the wider cast was great across the board. Plus, Dom and Felix are so cute together that I was really pulling for them.
At around 200 pages, there's absolutely no boring filler here. It says in the back that a sequel is coming, and I am definitely picking it up. Thanks to JS Holloway and Station Press for the ARC. I highly recommend this one.
I bloody loved it. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
The main plot is a classic cyberpunk story about a data courier running out of time to pull off an extraction in Neu-Berlin. It was nice to have a European setting for a cyberpunk novel rather than the usual Asian one. It really helped that the author used real Berlin districts; it made the world feel much more grounded while still keeping that futuristic vibe.
The characters, as always from Holloway, are rich. They have backstories and development that are so lean they're sometimes communicated by just a single line or a bit of dialogue, but you still know exactly what went down. Felix is a great MC, and he had several laugh-out-loud moments. He's incredibly likable, and you're definitely rooting for him. I also love how the author gives the world and story texture through anthropomorphisms.
Frank was a particular highlight for me. He has so little page time, but somehow Holloway delivers a character who is competent, threatening, dangerous, and very deadpan funny. The strength of the wider cast was great across the board. Plus, Dom and Felix are so cute together that I was really pulling for them.
At around 200 pages, there's absolutely no boring filler here. It says in the back that a sequel is coming, and I am definitely picking it up. Thanks to JS Holloway and Station Press for the ARC. I highly recommend this one.
October 11, 2026
Hard Carry has propelled JS Holloway into a definite auto-pick author. This book ticked all my boxes for a perfect read. Fast-paced, great characters, excellent plot and it dragged me through the world of Neu-Berlin at a rate that kept me flicking through the pages, needing to know what happens next.
Felix is a cracking character – he’s thoughtful, but determined, resilient but there for his friends. I felt like I’d known Felix for far longer than the opening page of this book, with his history enriching his world instead of force fed into me like a bad data block into a subcutaneous rail (read this, and you’ll understand that). His friends, associates and people he’s met don’t pop into existence, they’re part of what makes Felix the man he is.
The obvious comparison for a data carrier in a cyberpunk world is Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson, the main character in which is chased through a cyberpunk world carrying data for shady people assisted by a badass girl. That’s where the comparison ends. Hard Carry is better. The time limit imposed by the data rail adds urgency. Not getting it out of Felix will leave him in a vegetative state. So, when it all blows up (literally), there’s a ticking clock and that keeps the pace relentless.
I stayed up far too late reading this just to get Felix, Frank and Dom to safety and on reaching the last page, immediately bought the next in the series, Hard Traffic.
Felix is a cracking character – he’s thoughtful, but determined, resilient but there for his friends. I felt like I’d known Felix for far longer than the opening page of this book, with his history enriching his world instead of force fed into me like a bad data block into a subcutaneous rail (read this, and you’ll understand that). His friends, associates and people he’s met don’t pop into existence, they’re part of what makes Felix the man he is.
The obvious comparison for a data carrier in a cyberpunk world is Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson, the main character in which is chased through a cyberpunk world carrying data for shady people assisted by a badass girl. That’s where the comparison ends. Hard Carry is better. The time limit imposed by the data rail adds urgency. Not getting it out of Felix will leave him in a vegetative state. So, when it all blows up (literally), there’s a ticking clock and that keeps the pace relentless.
I stayed up far too late reading this just to get Felix, Frank and Dom to safety and on reaching the last page, immediately bought the next in the series, Hard Traffic.
August 15, 2026
This was a very interesting read. The story may have been difficult to read, but I enjoyed it. The first few pages were nice to read, but didn't provide much of a hook in the beginning, but the almost-immediate tension kept me reading.
The description wasn't used a lot with characters, which is a good thing for me since I prefer using my imagination to guess what character looks like, but I can see this being an issue for other readers. However I think this directly affected the worldbuilding. The world was lacking much building, leaving me in confusion about certain things that are important to the plot.
Tension was definitely good in this book. I loved how almost every chapter ended in a cliffhanger, forcing the reader to keep on going to solve the mystery.
The tension was good, but since emotions were given a skip, I found the author missed an important emotional twist, but most later twists were equally tense.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their sci-fi with thriller and maybe a dash of violence.
*please be aware that this book was free, but this opinion is my own*
The description wasn't used a lot with characters, which is a good thing for me since I prefer using my imagination to guess what character looks like, but I can see this being an issue for other readers. However I think this directly affected the worldbuilding. The world was lacking much building, leaving me in confusion about certain things that are important to the plot.
Tension was definitely good in this book. I loved how almost every chapter ended in a cliffhanger, forcing the reader to keep on going to solve the mystery.
The tension was good, but since emotions were given a skip, I found the author missed an important emotional twist, but most later twists were equally tense.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their sci-fi with thriller and maybe a dash of violence.
*please be aware that this book was free, but this opinion is my own*
September 1, 2026
a bit derivative but decent…
This largely reminds me of the plot of the movie, Johnny Mnemonic. While I love Keanu Reeves and most everything he’s been in, that movie started with a premise just as weak as this book's.
The premise asks us to accept that digital information has mass, volume, and thermodynamic properties. Trying to cram oversized data into a container too small for it somehow generates enough ambient heat to become life-threatening. By this logic, downloading a high-definition movie onto a full flash drive should spontaneously set your pants on fire. It is ridiculous and it made it difficult to keep reading because I was stuck thinking of other premises that could have sold this better. I won’t list them because why should I do your job.
That being said, if you can somehow either ignore the ludicrous premise or set it aside long enough, the plot itself isn’t too bad. The pacing is good with plenty of twists and turns, and the world-building is also acceptable. The ending is predictable, especially if you’ve seen the movie, but it is entertaining enough. Thanks for sharing your time and creativity.
This largely reminds me of the plot of the movie, Johnny Mnemonic. While I love Keanu Reeves and most everything he’s been in, that movie started with a premise just as weak as this book's.
The premise asks us to accept that digital information has mass, volume, and thermodynamic properties. Trying to cram oversized data into a container too small for it somehow generates enough ambient heat to become life-threatening. By this logic, downloading a high-definition movie onto a full flash drive should spontaneously set your pants on fire. It is ridiculous and it made it difficult to keep reading because I was stuck thinking of other premises that could have sold this better. I won’t list them because why should I do your job.
That being said, if you can somehow either ignore the ludicrous premise or set it aside long enough, the plot itself isn’t too bad. The pacing is good with plenty of twists and turns, and the world-building is also acceptable. The ending is predictable, especially if you’ve seen the movie, but it is entertaining enough. Thanks for sharing your time and creativity.
September 7, 2026
I was Invested in Felix, but struggled to stay immersed in the story.
In Hard Carry, we follow a man named Felix who is having possibly the worst day of his life.
Felix is a smuggler, and what he smuggles is data.
We are immediately immersed in his day on the run, trying to escape someone who is after him and will do anything to get that data.
At times, the story was incredibly detailed and interesting, but then I would lose the thread and have a hard time following which character’s dialogue I was reading.
The dialogue is fast-paced, and maybe that was an intentional choice on the author’s part, but I had a difficult time staying immersed in the story because of it.
This is my first sci-fi book review, so please hear me out when I say I may not be the target audience for this book.
However, I did enjoy reading it. I thought the story itself was interesting, and I followed Felix all the way to the end because I genuinely wanted to know what would happen to him.
Overall, I think there is a good story here. The style of writing just didn’t connect with me as a reader.
I was provided with an ARC review by the author. All opinions are my own.
In Hard Carry, we follow a man named Felix who is having possibly the worst day of his life.
Felix is a smuggler, and what he smuggles is data.
We are immediately immersed in his day on the run, trying to escape someone who is after him and will do anything to get that data.
At times, the story was incredibly detailed and interesting, but then I would lose the thread and have a hard time following which character’s dialogue I was reading.
The dialogue is fast-paced, and maybe that was an intentional choice on the author’s part, but I had a difficult time staying immersed in the story because of it.
This is my first sci-fi book review, so please hear me out when I say I may not be the target audience for this book.
However, I did enjoy reading it. I thought the story itself was interesting, and I followed Felix all the way to the end because I genuinely wanted to know what would happen to him.
Overall, I think there is a good story here. The style of writing just didn’t connect with me as a reader.
I was provided with an ARC review by the author. All opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
This is exactly the kind of lean, high-octane cyberpunk I was in the mood for.
Hard Carry drops you straight into the action and barely lets up. From the opening pages, it’s clear this story isn’t interested in slow world-building or long exposition — it wants to keep you moving. The pacing is relentless in the best way, and the neon-drenched, gritty atmosphere hits exactly right for fans of classic cyberpunk thrillers.
The protagonist feels lived-in and capable without being invincible, and the stakes escalate quickly in a way that feels organic rather than forced. It’s a short, tight read (around 200 pages), which actually works in its favor — there’s no fat on this story. Everything serves the momentum.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hard Carry drops you straight into the action and barely lets up. From the opening pages, it’s clear this story isn’t interested in slow world-building or long exposition — it wants to keep you moving. The pacing is relentless in the best way, and the neon-drenched, gritty atmosphere hits exactly right for fans of classic cyberpunk thrillers.
The protagonist feels lived-in and capable without being invincible, and the stakes escalate quickly in a way that feels organic rather than forced. It’s a short, tight read (around 200 pages), which actually works in its favor — there’s no fat on this story. Everything serves the momentum.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2026
The idea that packages are time sensitive because they require an internal upload added a real sense of tension at the beginning of the novella. We are literally in a race against time and then we stopped. Felix would meet people who could help him increase his time. And that just removed the urgency felt in the beginning. Which is honestly what attracted me to the novella. We would literally stop for coffee breaks in universe..... which often left me screaming - BABE DO WE HAVE TIME FOR THIS!
On his escape we meet interesting people from the underground. Friends, foes and some who exist as both if the price is right. Eva the broker, Lotte and Andreas a member of an underground counterculture group being my favorites! I would like to see them again, as this is the first book of an arc. But we don't get much time or depth with them or with Domenica, Felix's love interest. Which makes their romance a hard sell. While it's a fun ride, it just didn't hit emotionally.
However, I would consider reading another one of these novels due to the characterization of Neu Berlin itself. To me the most interesting part of this novel was the city. The dynamics, the double crossing! I would be open to revisiting for another story.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to BookSirens and the author for this advance review copy! I received the book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world in this book is a cyberpunk beauty. We move through gritty areas with a sketchy med tech and the immaculate luxury of Neu-Berlin’s wealthy elites creating the perfect setting for a well-paced cyberpunk action thriller.
That said, despite the cyberpunk setting and implants, the story was more action-focused than I expected. The cast of morally grey and outright illegal characters kept me guessing until late in the story about who to trust, who was telling the truth, and who would actually make it out unscathed.
I had a great time with this book and enjoyed Holloway's writing style, so I'll definitely be checking out the rest of his books!
The world in this book is a cyberpunk beauty. We move through gritty areas with a sketchy med tech and the immaculate luxury of Neu-Berlin’s wealthy elites creating the perfect setting for a well-paced cyberpunk action thriller.
That said, despite the cyberpunk setting and implants, the story was more action-focused than I expected. The cast of morally grey and outright illegal characters kept me guessing until late in the story about who to trust, who was telling the truth, and who would actually make it out unscathed.
I had a great time with this book and enjoyed Holloway's writing style, so I'll definitely be checking out the rest of his books!
September 9, 2026
Hard Carry is cyberpunk with the accelerator welded to the floor.
J.S. Holloway drops you straight into the action alongside Felix, a data courier whose latest job turns into several hours of conspiracies, betrayals and lucky escapes. Think Johnny Mnemonic with the pacing of Crank.
I've enjoyed how the world is revealed through texture and breadcrumbs rather than exposition and Felix is exactly the kind of protagonist I like to follow: not a superhero but competent, resourceful and just lucky enough to survive.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. More city. More supporting characters, especially Dom. More opportunities to take in the world before the story hit the nitrous again. Which is a pretty good problem for a book to have.
J.S. Holloway drops you straight into the action alongside Felix, a data courier whose latest job turns into several hours of conspiracies, betrayals and lucky escapes. Think Johnny Mnemonic with the pacing of Crank.
I've enjoyed how the world is revealed through texture and breadcrumbs rather than exposition and Felix is exactly the kind of protagonist I like to follow: not a superhero but competent, resourceful and just lucky enough to survive.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. More city. More supporting characters, especially Dom. More opportunities to take in the world before the story hit the nitrous again. Which is a pretty good problem for a book to have.
Review of advance copy
My first read of a J.S. Holloway novel, and it definitely won't be my last. I read Hard Carry cover to cover in a single sitting. I simply couldn't put it down.
On the surface, this is a fast-paced chase through the gritty streets of Neu-Berlin. Dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that Holloway genuinely cares about the characters he writes, right down to the supporting cast.
I'll be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.
Hard Carry is a page-turner. Fast-paced, gritty and fun, J.S. Holloway knocked this one out of the park.
Thank you to the author and Station Arc press for this ARC copy.
On the surface, this is a fast-paced chase through the gritty streets of Neu-Berlin. Dig a little deeper and it becomes clear that Holloway genuinely cares about the characters he writes, right down to the supporting cast.
I'll be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.
Hard Carry is a page-turner. Fast-paced, gritty and fun, J.S. Holloway knocked this one out of the park.
Thank you to the author and Station Arc press for this ARC copy.
July 31, 2026
Review of an advance copy
An incredibly fast-paced read with tonnes of action and deceit packed in those 264 pages. The story starts with a data-load gone wrong, a shoot-out and a courier, Felix, who needs to deliver his package, against a growing list of obstacles in an incredibly short period of time. Follow him through Neu-Berlin, where every move is tracked, and it's underbelly, where you never know who is watching. J.S. Holloway has managed to add enough twists to keep you entertained until the end. This is a one sitting read, and the hint of a sequel will leave you wanting more.
An incredibly fast-paced read with tonnes of action and deceit packed in those 264 pages. The story starts with a data-load gone wrong, a shoot-out and a courier, Felix, who needs to deliver his package, against a growing list of obstacles in an incredibly short period of time. Follow him through Neu-Berlin, where every move is tracked, and it's underbelly, where you never know who is watching. J.S. Holloway has managed to add enough twists to keep you entertained until the end. This is a one sitting read, and the hint of a sequel will leave you wanting more.
September 10, 2026
I listened to Hard Carry as an audiobook and absolutely loved it. It felt fast-paced right from the start and never let up, which made it incredibly easy to get completely swept up in the story.
The writing is phenomenal, with some really great scene-setting that made the world feel vivid without slowing the pace down. There were also sections that felt distinctly Terry Pratchett-esque to me, which I absolutely adored. That particular blend of humour, creativity and excellent writing really made the book stand out for me.
Overall, this was such a fun listen, and one I’d happily recommend.
The writing is phenomenal, with some really great scene-setting that made the world feel vivid without slowing the pace down. There were also sections that felt distinctly Terry Pratchett-esque to me, which I absolutely adored. That particular blend of humour, creativity and excellent writing really made the book stand out for me.
Overall, this was such a fun listen, and one I’d happily recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fast paced, action filled cyperpunk dystopian novel. I enjoyed Felix’s character, and the trials and tribulations he faces (in such a short time!) trying to courier data through this dystopian world. The quick, sharp writing lends well to the stories pace. My only complaint is the “love story” was somewhat shallow and the history/relationship between Felix and Dom not explored enough to understand the depth of their feelings for one another. Otherwise, another great book from this author!
July 31, 2026
Hard Carry promises a fast, gritty cyberpunk experience packed with danger, action, and a futuristic world that feels anything but safe.
J.S. Holloway brings together corporate power, criminal underworlds, rebellion, and high-stakes survival in a premise that immediately grabs attention.
Overall, it looks like an exciting choice for readers who love hard-edged cyberpunk, action, and dystopian science fiction.
J.S. Holloway brings together corporate power, criminal underworlds, rebellion, and high-stakes survival in a premise that immediately grabs attention.
Overall, it looks like an exciting choice for readers who love hard-edged cyberpunk, action, and dystopian science fiction.
October 15, 2026
Bare Wires Frying
I enjoyed the read enough to jump right into the next one, high praise indeed, I am picky about the words I encounter. Time to see if the upcoming tale will lead to yet another.
I enjoyed the read enough to jump right into the next one, high praise indeed, I am picky about the words I encounter. Time to see if the upcoming tale will lead to yet another.
September 12, 2026
Tight, fast paced, cyberpunk read from J.S.Holloway and thoroughly enjoyable. Excited for Hard Traffic next!
September 23, 2026
Pretty much a very large heist/escape in a Cyberpunk setting. All takes place in one night, think of it like a Cyberpunk movies in literary format. Done quite well, enjoyable story!
October 8, 2026
Fast paced cinematic cyberpunk, this goes full throttle from the first page as we follow Felix on a dangerous mission. Holloway’s writing style is frenetic and fun, I had a blast with this.
Review of advance copy
Hard Carry, is the first realy try at sci fi. And it did not dissappoint. From the first paragraph you are thrown into a world of danger and adrenaline, the car and mouse aspect has you on the edge of uour seat throughout
If sci fi is your thing you will love this!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If sci fi is your thing you will love this!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Picked up an Arc copy from Booksprouts, and I'm glad I did.
I love this book; it starts straight in the action and never lets up. But still finds time to make you love the characters.
Holloway manages to make characters fully fleshed out and believable with just a single sentence its so good.
The plot is nothing new: a data courier on a race against time to extract the data or suffer the consequences and its action and drama all the way through
Frank gets a special mention as the thug with surprising depth, and Felix is a charming lead who's vulnerable enough that you fear for him, but also capable. His relationship with Dom is really well thought out and real-seeming. No spoilers, but the girlfriend /boyfriend dialogue is so sweet and unexpected in a full throttle action adventure.
It said in the back there was a sequel in the works and I am fully on board the Felix train
Thanks to BookSprouts and thanks to Station press / JS Holloway for the ARC copy Im glad I picked it up
I love this book; it starts straight in the action and never lets up. But still finds time to make you love the characters.
Holloway manages to make characters fully fleshed out and believable with just a single sentence its so good.
The plot is nothing new: a data courier on a race against time to extract the data or suffer the consequences and its action and drama all the way through
Frank gets a special mention as the thug with surprising depth, and Felix is a charming lead who's vulnerable enough that you fear for him, but also capable. His relationship with Dom is really well thought out and real-seeming. No spoilers, but the girlfriend /boyfriend dialogue is so sweet and unexpected in a full throttle action adventure.
It said in the back there was a sequel in the works and I am fully on board the Felix train
Thanks to BookSprouts and thanks to Station press / JS Holloway for the ARC copy Im glad I picked it up
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