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Future Forfeit #2
Chromed: Rogue
It’s 2150AD. Syndicates fight on the streets.
Company enforcer Mason Floyd and rockstar Sadie Freeman share an uneasy truce in a city buried beneath company sin. As the rain lifts for the first time in what feels like forever, they are hunted.
Mason’s employers sent their best to take them out.
Betrayed from within, walking away would be the simplest choice. But Sadie and Mason aren’t known for taking the easy path. They owe someone who gave everything so they could be free.
They must get back to the world, save a lost friend from a reprogramming facility, and escape into the night.
Company enforcer Mason Floyd and rockstar Sadie Freeman share an uneasy truce in a city buried beneath company sin. As the rain lifts for the first time in what feels like forever, they are hunted.
Mason’s employers sent their best to take them out.
Betrayed from within, walking away would be the simplest choice. But Sadie and Mason aren’t known for taking the easy path. They owe someone who gave everything so they could be free.
They must get back to the world, save a lost friend from a reprogramming facility, and escape into the night.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2018
33 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Richard Parry
47 books309 followersRichard Parry has worked as a senior marketing manager in one of the world’s top tech companies, but it wasn't all cocaine parties. His debut novel Night’s Favor and its sequel Night’s Fall have been shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award “Best Novel” category.
His ever-growing list of novels spans urban fantasy, cyberpunk, and space opera, featuring flawed heroes, sharp dialogue, and a healthy dose of action. His Night’s Champion trilogy follows an alcoholic-turned-werewolf saving the world, while Future Forfeit explores a neon-drenched cyberpunk future where hacking the system is just the start. Meanwhile, Ezeroc Wars throws readers into the deep end of an interstellar war against a swarm species that doesn’t take no for an answer. Across over 20 novels (and counting), Richard delivers stories packed with heart, explosions, and the occasional bad decision.
Richard lives in Wellington with the love of his life, Rae. They have cats, who chase birds. The birds, who have the power of flight, don’t seem to mind.
His ever-growing list of novels spans urban fantasy, cyberpunk, and space opera, featuring flawed heroes, sharp dialogue, and a healthy dose of action. His Night’s Champion trilogy follows an alcoholic-turned-werewolf saving the world, while Future Forfeit explores a neon-drenched cyberpunk future where hacking the system is just the start. Meanwhile, Ezeroc Wars throws readers into the deep end of an interstellar war against a swarm species that doesn’t take no for an answer. Across over 20 novels (and counting), Richard delivers stories packed with heart, explosions, and the occasional bad decision.
Richard lives in Wellington with the love of his life, Rae. They have cats, who chase birds. The birds, who have the power of flight, don’t seem to mind.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 17, 2018
“We are legion. We are the night, the cries in the dark, the fear between worlds.”
A tense, high powered Cyberpunk!
This installment is a breakneck! A world that is frightening and fascinating. There’s a cutting edge current to every page that is so hard to resist. A complete engagement of mind and heart. The characters are so familiar to me now, like friends, and Richard Parry writes in a way that makes readers want to be there for them. An unprecedent and unique write style!
Another book in the series that has made me stay awake many nights, even after having read it. Really thought provoking and captivating!
I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
A tense, high powered Cyberpunk!
This installment is a breakneck! A world that is frightening and fascinating. There’s a cutting edge current to every page that is so hard to resist. A complete engagement of mind and heart. The characters are so familiar to me now, like friends, and Richard Parry writes in a way that makes readers want to be there for them. An unprecedent and unique write style!
Another book in the series that has made me stay awake many nights, even after having read it. Really thought provoking and captivating!
I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
December 15, 2018
The hardest part of writing this review is coming up with a way to tell you how good it is without giving away the plot. I will simply tell you this--the world remains under the control of a handful of warring corporations, but their grip is loosening. Thanks in part to our gang of cyber warriors and their willingness to risk their lives for freedom, not just for themselves, but for those around them. One of my favorite characters goes to the mat in this one and the result serves as a powerful incentive for Mason and Sadie to keep fighting and to unite against the enemy.
As I've mentioned before, this author invents cool stuff for his characters to use/wear. Stuff that I find myself wishing really existed. But he also reaches back into history for items that resonate with the reader. This is part of the charm of cyber punk, but he does an especially good job with this. Wrap this all around relatable, likable characters and you have a winning series.
You will want to read the first book in this series as you will not understand the relationships between the characters, nor will all the technology make sense to you.
As I've mentioned before, this author invents cool stuff for his characters to use/wear. Stuff that I find myself wishing really existed. But he also reaches back into history for items that resonate with the reader. This is part of the charm of cyber punk, but he does an especially good job with this. Wrap this all around relatable, likable characters and you have a winning series.
You will want to read the first book in this series as you will not understand the relationships between the characters, nor will all the technology make sense to you.
December 14, 2018
Another great book from Richard. This series promises to keep providing epic entertainment with lots of characters interreacting but also telling their own stories. Keep up the good work.
December 14, 2018
This is book two in a great tale about technology and the human condition in what feels like a not-too-distant future. Some of the cast of characters become more human, despite being more metal than flesh. Others, not so much.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
January 11, 2022
So, this is the second time I've tried to get through this book, and DNFed around the 30% mark. I'm not totally sure what it is, but I think the basic issue is that between this and the previous book, there's too much perspective jumping (there's like 5-6 viewpoint characters), characters who are just a bit too Grimdark, and characters who are just a biiiit too archetypal/stereotypical for me to invest in them. None of the characters surprise me, none of them stick around on the page long enough for me to really get involved with them, and yet a huge amount of the book is exploring their emotions. It just doesn't click.
December 12, 2018
This story does exactly what a sequel should: it takes us even further into an interesting world and adds new layers of nuance and danger to a tricky situation. It also served to even more deeply humanize some characters and make us despise others all the more. This is an adventure with both a brain and-even more rarely seen in cyberpunk-a heart. There's plenty of trigger-happy sprees and intrigue that makes for fun reading, but what makes the story work is the way characters react to situations: they show true friendship. They exhibit remorse and emotional trauma. This makes them human to me as a reader, which means I actually care.
But for the readers who aren't as much of a bleeding heart as I am, this is a hell of an adventure. And the tech never misses a beat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But for the readers who aren't as much of a bleeding heart as I am, this is a hell of an adventure. And the tech never misses a beat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2018
The future is still bleak, but there is hope as well.
Cyberpunk stories tend to be on the dystopian side and this one is no exception. It has all the elements you need for a solid SF story: corporations gone wild, rouge good guys living underground, and lots of high tech goodies. All this comes with a solid storyline which, while futuristic, remains very believable and serves as a cautionary tale to us today.
The story is very well written and keeps you riveted throughout. But as good as the story is, the characters are better. The bad guys are smart, tough and ruthless while the good guys are strong and self-sacrificing. All with solid personalities that help propel the story forward. All in all, another very enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
Cyberpunk stories tend to be on the dystopian side and this one is no exception. It has all the elements you need for a solid SF story: corporations gone wild, rouge good guys living underground, and lots of high tech goodies. All this comes with a solid storyline which, while futuristic, remains very believable and serves as a cautionary tale to us today.
The story is very well written and keeps you riveted throughout. But as good as the story is, the characters are better. The bad guys are smart, tough and ruthless while the good guys are strong and self-sacrificing. All with solid personalities that help propel the story forward. All in all, another very enjoyable read.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
December 22, 2018
Cyberpunk at it's best
Excellent stories touch your soul and bring tears. Chromed: Rogue made me weep.
You cannot help becoming emotionally invested in these characters. They are so deftly constructed to transcend real. They live, they breathe, they fight, risk their lives and trust few. But those who have earned that trust are trusted whole heartedly. Bravery shines from every page. Courage is ingrained in Mike, Mason, Lace, and Sadie. Can machines love? Yes, if more than a machine. Richard Parry shows us machines can contain souls. Souls that don't discriminate between constructs and meat. It's an intriguing world he has created. Full of paradox and opposites. Full of character, triumph and heartbreak. But our characters don't break, they persevere. Because they have to. There is no one else. They do the hard jobs, the impossible missions. Do they succeed? Join the thrilling adventure of the Future Forfeit series and find out.
Excellent stories touch your soul and bring tears. Chromed: Rogue made me weep.
You cannot help becoming emotionally invested in these characters. They are so deftly constructed to transcend real. They live, they breathe, they fight, risk their lives and trust few. But those who have earned that trust are trusted whole heartedly. Bravery shines from every page. Courage is ingrained in Mike, Mason, Lace, and Sadie. Can machines love? Yes, if more than a machine. Richard Parry shows us machines can contain souls. Souls that don't discriminate between constructs and meat. It's an intriguing world he has created. Full of paradox and opposites. Full of character, triumph and heartbreak. But our characters don't break, they persevere. Because they have to. There is no one else. They do the hard jobs, the impossible missions. Do they succeed? Join the thrilling adventure of the Future Forfeit series and find out.
December 29, 2018
A few unexpected circumstances and the scenes and characters are written with such realism pulls together beautifully.
December 16, 2018
To better understand this book you do have to read the first book Chromed: Upgrade in the series to use as a blue print for relationships as well as weapons and tech used and to try and get a handle on the bad guys.
Through all of the gore, weapons on full power and the bad guys really being to good at being bad guys you find these nuggets of deep caring by the real good guys, their willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other and for humanity. So while cyberpunk purists will enjoy the author’s unique inventions and his incorporation of old tech with new. Those of us that have a bit more squishy centers also appreciate the bits of humanity amidst all the gore and destruction.
This is a dark ride that takes you through the worst of what big corporations can do when they are in charge. The story has a little bit for everyone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Through all of the gore, weapons on full power and the bad guys really being to good at being bad guys you find these nuggets of deep caring by the real good guys, their willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other and for humanity. So while cyberpunk purists will enjoy the author’s unique inventions and his incorporation of old tech with new. Those of us that have a bit more squishy centers also appreciate the bits of humanity amidst all the gore and destruction.
This is a dark ride that takes you through the worst of what big corporations can do when they are in charge. The story has a little bit for everyone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 18, 2019
A Cyberpunk Must Read
This has a great main character and the action and world building is typical of this author.
Mason i find works out very well as a lone wolf enforcer and having these future forfeit shorts, this being the 2nd one helps with the world building immensely.
Even the introductory ones are very good and this just helps with the realism and the reader participation.
Based on this i will be adding all the cyberpunk books to my collection if they are all of this standard
Parry has shown himself to be a multi talented author across the various genres he participates in and this has just made me a bigger fan of his various works and im not a massive cyperpunk fan either.
This has a great main character and the action and world building is typical of this author.
Mason i find works out very well as a lone wolf enforcer and having these future forfeit shorts, this being the 2nd one helps with the world building immensely.
Even the introductory ones are very good and this just helps with the realism and the reader participation.
Based on this i will be adding all the cyberpunk books to my collection if they are all of this standard
Parry has shown himself to be a multi talented author across the various genres he participates in and this has just made me a bigger fan of his various works and im not a massive cyperpunk fan either.
January 8, 2019
This continuation of the Upgrade remaster is wonderful to say the least.
As enjoyable as the original Upgrade was, Richard has made it better, more polished, more exciting in each new tale.
The characters are vivid against the apocalyptic cyberpunk background.
The action continues to capture essence of the story, but the drama shows the cruelty of the warring corporate factions.
I personally love that there are so many protagonists that contribute equally to the story, but the overwhelming emotion for me is the profound sadness. Life can be so unfair.
This is a wonderful book in a wonderful series.
Thank you Richard, you’re a master of your art.
As enjoyable as the original Upgrade was, Richard has made it better, more polished, more exciting in each new tale.
The characters are vivid against the apocalyptic cyberpunk background.
The action continues to capture essence of the story, but the drama shows the cruelty of the warring corporate factions.
I personally love that there are so many protagonists that contribute equally to the story, but the overwhelming emotion for me is the profound sadness. Life can be so unfair.
This is a wonderful book in a wonderful series.
Thank you Richard, you’re a master of your art.
January 28, 2019
Another character-driven story with lots of mayhem
I thought that Chromed Rogue started off somewhat slower than Chromed Upgrade, but then that ramped up to the kind of action and dialog that Richard Parry readers have come to expect and to love.
Harry Fuentes, the total conversion enforcer (think Transformers without the car part) - 99.45% metal: 5.5% meat gets a lot more page time, and this was a great move on Parry’s part. But, as per Richard Parry, all of the characters are brought to life and remain the focal point of the story, and the line between good and evil is often wonderfully blurred.
In Chromed Upgrade, every character smoked cigarettes – even the ones who were non-smokers. This one has a lot of whiskey moments.
Where I live, all beverages alcoholic (and, as of the last month or so, all smokable and edible marijuana products) are the exclusive monopoly of the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission – kind lo like the Syndicates in the story, but run by people who are puppets of the Provincial Government – and my Kindle has gone rogue. I recently discovered, that it is downloading NSLC products on the sly, using my account. Re-booting it does not seem to work, and it won’t share.
Chromed Restore awaits my attention
I thought that Chromed Rogue started off somewhat slower than Chromed Upgrade, but then that ramped up to the kind of action and dialog that Richard Parry readers have come to expect and to love.
Harry Fuentes, the total conversion enforcer (think Transformers without the car part) - 99.45% metal: 5.5% meat gets a lot more page time, and this was a great move on Parry’s part. But, as per Richard Parry, all of the characters are brought to life and remain the focal point of the story, and the line between good and evil is often wonderfully blurred.
In Chromed Upgrade, every character smoked cigarettes – even the ones who were non-smokers. This one has a lot of whiskey moments.
Where I live, all beverages alcoholic (and, as of the last month or so, all smokable and edible marijuana products) are the exclusive monopoly of the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission – kind lo like the Syndicates in the story, but run by people who are puppets of the Provincial Government – and my Kindle has gone rogue. I recently discovered, that it is downloading NSLC products on the sly, using my account. Re-booting it does not seem to work, and it won’t share.
Chromed Restore awaits my attention
July 6, 2019
Seriously Good!
I have read the first two books now and they were exceptional. They reminded me of Blade Runner, and was therefore suitably hard boiled science fiction. The writing style was, to my experience, unique. Most of the story was relayed through character dialogue. That made you feel like you were dumped into the authors world, and also made you feel that you were discovering things along with the characters. Nothing was explained. I have only felt that intrigued with a storyline before from reading Erickson’s Malazan Series, which was simply epic in scale and complexity. Don’t, worry, this is not as hard a read.
I strongly advise that, if you are a fan of Blade Runner, and movies such as John Wick and the Equaliser, read this series and start following Richard Parry and his creations.
I have read the first two books now and they were exceptional. They reminded me of Blade Runner, and was therefore suitably hard boiled science fiction. The writing style was, to my experience, unique. Most of the story was relayed through character dialogue. That made you feel like you were dumped into the authors world, and also made you feel that you were discovering things along with the characters. Nothing was explained. I have only felt that intrigued with a storyline before from reading Erickson’s Malazan Series, which was simply epic in scale and complexity. Don’t, worry, this is not as hard a read.
I strongly advise that, if you are a fan of Blade Runner, and movies such as John Wick and the Equaliser, read this series and start following Richard Parry and his creations.
January 25, 2019
They have an uneasy truce but they will work together so they can save the one who helped get them free. If they do not get to him soon it could mean them being reprogrammed which they do not want? Can they save them? How will they do it? See if they can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2019
a real page turner
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews