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Behind Blue Eyes #1
Behind Blue Eyes
They are the perfect hybrid between human and machine. They are the next step in the evolution of mankind. And when they come after you, nothing in the world will save you...
Welcome to the year 2095.
Society has overcome everything that made human life miserable. It has become perfect -- so perfect that it needs killer cyborgs to hunt down anyone who disagrees with it.
Nephilim isn't just any elite death squad member, she is the best. Genetically and cybernetically enhanced, she and others like her strike terror wherever they go. Knowing nothing besides this lifestyle, Nephilim believes that she's part of a righteous cause.
But everything changes for her after a hostile EMP attack.
She suffers a severe system glitch. Disconnected from the grid, for the first time in her life, she begins doubting the system.
Shortly after the attack, she meets Jake, a 100% biological human, and she falls in love with him. Jake helps her discover that everything she had believed in was a lie.
But there is no walking away from the system. And soon, Nephilim finds herself hunted by members of her own death squad.
In an era of deception, who can she trust? And in this brave new world, is there a place for love between a human and a cyborg?
Behind Blue Eyes is a fast-paced, cinematic action story in a dystopian setting. It's a modern-day version of 1984 - on steroids.
Welcome to the year 2095.
Society has overcome everything that made human life miserable. It has become perfect -- so perfect that it needs killer cyborgs to hunt down anyone who disagrees with it.
Nephilim isn't just any elite death squad member, she is the best. Genetically and cybernetically enhanced, she and others like her strike terror wherever they go. Knowing nothing besides this lifestyle, Nephilim believes that she's part of a righteous cause.
But everything changes for her after a hostile EMP attack.
She suffers a severe system glitch. Disconnected from the grid, for the first time in her life, she begins doubting the system.
Shortly after the attack, she meets Jake, a 100% biological human, and she falls in love with him. Jake helps her discover that everything she had believed in was a lie.
But there is no walking away from the system. And soon, Nephilim finds herself hunted by members of her own death squad.
In an era of deception, who can she trust? And in this brave new world, is there a place for love between a human and a cyborg?
Behind Blue Eyes is a fast-paced, cinematic action story in a dystopian setting. It's a modern-day version of 1984 - on steroids.
410 pages, ebook
Published May 20, 2020
397 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Anna Mocikat
58 books206 followersAnna Mocikat is a successful Cyberpunk and Space Opera author.
She was born in Warsaw, Poland, but spent most of her life in Germany where she attended film school, worked as a screenwriter and a game writer for several years.
Her "MUC" novels have been nominated for the most prestigious awards for Fantasy and science fiction in Germany.
In 2016 Anna moved to the USA where she continued her writing career.
"Shadow City" was her debut in English in 2019.
Since then she also published the "Behind Blue Eyes" series, the "Cyber Squad" series, the "Nephilim" series as well as "Space Punks" and "Neon Nights."
She was born in Warsaw, Poland, but spent most of her life in Germany where she attended film school, worked as a screenwriter and a game writer for several years.
Her "MUC" novels have been nominated for the most prestigious awards for Fantasy and science fiction in Germany.
In 2016 Anna moved to the USA where she continued her writing career.
"Shadow City" was her debut in English in 2019.
Since then she also published the "Behind Blue Eyes" series, the "Cyber Squad" series, the "Nephilim" series as well as "Space Punks" and "Neon Nights."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 23, 2020
I received Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour for Booktamins. This review is also available on my blog - Book, Blog & Candle.
Trigger/Content Warnings: gore, animal death, swearing, drug use, sexual themes, rape
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is set in the year 2095 in a dystopian future. After a devastating war the world is split into three conglomerates all trying to outdo each other.
Our protagonist is Nephilim, a human-machine hybrid tasked to protect the Olympias conglomerate. As a Guardian Angel her "sole purpose is to search and destroy anything that could threaten the conglomerate." Nephilim is content with her life, she's the best of the best and in line for a promotion that will change her life forever. Until one day an accident makes her start to remember her old life and she starts to question the very system she is designed to protect.
Trigger/Content Warnings: gore, animal death, swearing, drug use, sexual themes, rape
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is set in the year 2095 in a dystopian future. After a devastating war the world is split into three conglomerates all trying to outdo each other.
Our protagonist is Nephilim, a human-machine hybrid tasked to protect the Olympias conglomerate. As a Guardian Angel her "sole purpose is to search and destroy anything that could threaten the conglomerate." Nephilim is content with her life, she's the best of the best and in line for a promotion that will change her life forever. Until one day an accident makes her start to remember her old life and she starts to question the very system she is designed to protect.
There were so many dynamic and interesting characters throughout this book! I found Metatron - the leader of the angels - to be really intriguing. He is obsessive, especially with matters concerning Nephilim and a complete control freak. Everything has to be done exactly the way he wants and he demands complete adoration and devotion from his Archangels - the promotion that everyone wants and is reserved for Nephilim.
I really liked the concept of this book and the Orwellian 'Big Brother' state was set up fantastically! It really makes the reader reflect on how scary this possible future would be and how it is terrifying how we're not really that far off it as well!
Plus, I really enjoyed the slight reference to Greek Mythology - Olympias being like Olympus and the three conglomerates being similar to the 'Big 3' Gods - Zeus, Poseidon & Hades - who were always fighting. My random Percy Jackson & Greek Mythology trivia knowledge comes in handy every now and again!
Behind Blue Eyes is an action filled, exciting and brilliant story full of unexpected twists and fantastic humour. It was a pleasure to read and perfect for fans of The Kingdom and Crier's War!
Trigger/Content Warnings: gore, animal death, swearing, drug use, sexual themes, rape
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is set in the year 2095 in a dystopian future. After a devastating war the world is split into three conglomerates all trying to outdo each other.
Our protagonist is Nephilim, a human-machine hybrid tasked to protect the Olympias conglomerate. As a Guardian Angel her "sole purpose is to search and destroy anything that could threaten the conglomerate." Nephilim is content with her life, she's the best of the best and in line for a promotion that will change her life forever. Until one day an accident makes her start to remember her old life and she starts to question the very system she is designed to protect.
Trigger/Content Warnings: gore, animal death, swearing, drug use, sexual themes, rape
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is set in the year 2095 in a dystopian future. After a devastating war the world is split into three conglomerates all trying to outdo each other.
Our protagonist is Nephilim, a human-machine hybrid tasked to protect the Olympias conglomerate. As a Guardian Angel her "sole purpose is to search and destroy anything that could threaten the conglomerate." Nephilim is content with her life, she's the best of the best and in line for a promotion that will change her life forever. Until one day an accident makes her start to remember her old life and she starts to question the very system she is designed to protect.
There were so many dynamic and interesting characters throughout this book! I found Metatron - the leader of the angels - to be really intriguing. He is obsessive, especially with matters concerning Nephilim and a complete control freak. Everything has to be done exactly the way he wants and he demands complete adoration and devotion from his Archangels - the promotion that everyone wants and is reserved for Nephilim.
I really liked the concept of this book and the Orwellian 'Big Brother' state was set up fantastically! It really makes the reader reflect on how scary this possible future would be and how it is terrifying how we're not really that far off it as well!
Plus, I really enjoyed the slight reference to Greek Mythology - Olympias being like Olympus and the three conglomerates being similar to the 'Big 3' Gods - Zeus, Poseidon & Hades - who were always fighting. My random Percy Jackson & Greek Mythology trivia knowledge comes in handy every now and again!
Behind Blue Eyes is an action filled, exciting and brilliant story full of unexpected twists and fantastic humour. It was a pleasure to read and perfect for fans of The Kingdom and Crier's War!
May 17, 2021
Behind Blue Eyes is a fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi adventure for fans of Ghost in the Shell and Bladerunner. It’s dark and sinister, fantastically techy, with a current of sexual tension and elements of dark romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Olympias is a fascinating dystopian world with a complex and well-thought-out corporate political system. There were a few places where the world building was a bit heavy, but in the end it’s worth powering through in order to better understand the world that Nephilim is living in.
The plotting and character development in this book are superb! By far my favourite part of the book. Mocikat has found a perfect balance between character and plot driven story, in my opinion, which seamlessly carries the reader along.
A definite must-read for sci-fi thriller lovers.
Olympias is a fascinating dystopian world with a complex and well-thought-out corporate political system. There were a few places where the world building was a bit heavy, but in the end it’s worth powering through in order to better understand the world that Nephilim is living in.
The plotting and character development in this book are superb! By far my favourite part of the book. Mocikat has found a perfect balance between character and plot driven story, in my opinion, which seamlessly carries the reader along.
A definite must-read for sci-fi thriller lovers.
January 12, 2023
*This is a review of the audiobook version*
4.5/5
BEHIND BLUE EYES by Anna Mocikat is a independent cyberpunk novel. It is a story that draws on dystopian science fiction tropes as well as puts the author's own spin on the subject. It also incorporates the journey of its heroine from being a pawn of a corrupt system to being her own woman, finding out along the way that you can't trust anyone even if they seem to be the good guys. A lesson that she learns multiple times with increasing bitterness.
The premise is that in the distant future, humanity has mostly destroyed itself with the survivors living in arcologies run by various megacorporations. Olympias City is run by one and survives due to the efforts of a cybernetic assassins called the Guardian Angels. Blue-eyed mercenaries. they are created from children taken from the dregs of society or its outcasts then upgraded into unfeeling weapons that eliminate all dissidents.
Nephilim is one of the best of the Guardian Angels, soon to be promoted to their Archangel ranks that answer only to the mysterious Metatron. Fortunately, or unfortunately, she is damaged during one of her battles and starts to question her role as a government cleaner. Assisted by a nerdy computer programmer named Finwick, she manages to buy herself some genuine freedom and explores it with a young rebel named Jake. However, totalitarianism turns out to be harder to escape than it sounds.
I like the world-building in this book. Olympias City is a dystopia in the vein of Brave New World versus 1984, focused more on bread and circuses versus direct oppression. You are provided a job, security, and all the sex as well as mindless entertainment you could want. It just requires you to have your news edited, to never disobey your superiors, engage in no religion, and ignore the perversities of the society like legalized child trafficking. Anna introduces the darker elements one at a time so that it takes awhile to understand just how fully messed up the society is.
Nephilim is a fantastic character and one of the more likable heroines I've encountered in the genre. She desperately wants to be free and the good guy but is still fairly naive due to being programmed to trust her superiors as well as believe in her society's propaganda. This pays off in a way that I feel is the highlight of the book. I'm also a fan of Finwick, who is both repulsive and likable in equal parts. I mentally cast him as Seth Green just like I used Kate Beckinsale for Nephilim. Now there's a movie I would have liked to have watched.
Metatron is an amazing villain and comes across something like a Bond villain transported to a cyberpunk dystopia. Educated, charming, and urbane, he's a fellow that thinks he's less of a complete monster than he is. Despite my earlier statement that it's more BNW than 1984, he reminds me strongly of O'Brien from the latter. A man who has immersed himself in the culture of the old world and is aware of the Party's flaws but gleefully pursues its goals anyway.
The narration for the book is fantastic and really manages to bring the book to life. I actually was impressed with the incorporation of music and sound effects. The audiobook sounds a bit like Deus Ex and I absolutely loved that game. Almost like an audio drama versus a book.
In conclusion, I think this is a book that fans of cyberpunk and scifi action thrillers will enjoy. There's lots of fantastic movie-esque set pieces and scenes as well as a strong character heart. I'm not a big fan of Nephilim's romantic interest but that's a small complaint in an otherwise solid story. Definitely recommended.
4.5/5
BEHIND BLUE EYES by Anna Mocikat is a independent cyberpunk novel. It is a story that draws on dystopian science fiction tropes as well as puts the author's own spin on the subject. It also incorporates the journey of its heroine from being a pawn of a corrupt system to being her own woman, finding out along the way that you can't trust anyone even if they seem to be the good guys. A lesson that she learns multiple times with increasing bitterness.
The premise is that in the distant future, humanity has mostly destroyed itself with the survivors living in arcologies run by various megacorporations. Olympias City is run by one and survives due to the efforts of a cybernetic assassins called the Guardian Angels. Blue-eyed mercenaries. they are created from children taken from the dregs of society or its outcasts then upgraded into unfeeling weapons that eliminate all dissidents.
Nephilim is one of the best of the Guardian Angels, soon to be promoted to their Archangel ranks that answer only to the mysterious Metatron. Fortunately, or unfortunately, she is damaged during one of her battles and starts to question her role as a government cleaner. Assisted by a nerdy computer programmer named Finwick, she manages to buy herself some genuine freedom and explores it with a young rebel named Jake. However, totalitarianism turns out to be harder to escape than it sounds.
I like the world-building in this book. Olympias City is a dystopia in the vein of Brave New World versus 1984, focused more on bread and circuses versus direct oppression. You are provided a job, security, and all the sex as well as mindless entertainment you could want. It just requires you to have your news edited, to never disobey your superiors, engage in no religion, and ignore the perversities of the society like legalized child trafficking. Anna introduces the darker elements one at a time so that it takes awhile to understand just how fully messed up the society is.
Nephilim is a fantastic character and one of the more likable heroines I've encountered in the genre. She desperately wants to be free and the good guy but is still fairly naive due to being programmed to trust her superiors as well as believe in her society's propaganda. This pays off in a way that I feel is the highlight of the book. I'm also a fan of Finwick, who is both repulsive and likable in equal parts. I mentally cast him as Seth Green just like I used Kate Beckinsale for Nephilim. Now there's a movie I would have liked to have watched.
Metatron is an amazing villain and comes across something like a Bond villain transported to a cyberpunk dystopia. Educated, charming, and urbane, he's a fellow that thinks he's less of a complete monster than he is. Despite my earlier statement that it's more BNW than 1984, he reminds me strongly of O'Brien from the latter. A man who has immersed himself in the culture of the old world and is aware of the Party's flaws but gleefully pursues its goals anyway.
The narration for the book is fantastic and really manages to bring the book to life. I actually was impressed with the incorporation of music and sound effects. The audiobook sounds a bit like Deus Ex and I absolutely loved that game. Almost like an audio drama versus a book.
In conclusion, I think this is a book that fans of cyberpunk and scifi action thrillers will enjoy. There's lots of fantastic movie-esque set pieces and scenes as well as a strong character heart. I'm not a big fan of Nephilim's romantic interest but that's a small complaint in an otherwise solid story. Definitely recommended.
May 12, 2020
This book is fantastic. I was gripped from the opening salvo, and transported to a new future. Lots of excellent touches. Especially if you are familiar with Atlanta.
Angelic code names are an excellent touch as well. “We’re the good guys.”
The action is flawlessly delivered. (Usually the part of a book where I lose focus as a reader. None of that here!) The plot and characters are both intriguing as well and have depth, and style!
The inclusion of the song reference from the title is seamless. You might miss it. DONT.
Now for the grit. It’s labeled as cyberpunk *noir*.
Remember that. “God’s busy”
It’s definitely not all electric blue eyes and skin tight armor. (Don’t get me wrong… love all that.)
There’s references to Orwell’s 1984 and it is with a point. There’s no shying away from Olympias I’s dark underside.
I don’t want to give anything more away.
This book is fast paced, with flawless heart, memorable characters, and a big dose of cynicism. You’ll be thinking about this book next week, and maybe the one after.
Angelic code names are an excellent touch as well. “We’re the good guys.”
The action is flawlessly delivered. (Usually the part of a book where I lose focus as a reader. None of that here!) The plot and characters are both intriguing as well and have depth, and style!
The inclusion of the song reference from the title is seamless. You might miss it. DONT.
Now for the grit. It’s labeled as cyberpunk *noir*.
Remember that. “God’s busy”
It’s definitely not all electric blue eyes and skin tight armor. (Don’t get me wrong… love all that.)
There’s references to Orwell’s 1984 and it is with a point. There’s no shying away from Olympias I’s dark underside.
I don’t want to give anything more away.
This book is fast paced, with flawless heart, memorable characters, and a big dose of cynicism. You’ll be thinking about this book next week, and maybe the one after.
September 6, 2020
This book is cyberpunk platinum delivered by cyborg hands. BBE (Behind Blue Eyes) pulls no punches from beginning to end. It's cinematic in scope to the degree that I'm chomping at the bit for Behind Blue Eyes to be picked up by a major motion picture studio just so I can see this vision fully realized.
Do yourself a favor, go in blind and enjoy the ride.
Do yourself a favor, go in blind and enjoy the ride.
May 22, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and author for letting me take part in the tour and for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was my first ever cyberpunk novel, and I actually loved it so much more than I was expecting. I usually don't read too much science fiction because often the science part of the story goes completely over my head because I do not have a scientific mind. However, this book absolutely captivated me and I was so surprised by how invested I became in the plot and the characters so early on.
We follow a hybrid cyborg, Nephilim who is 60% killing machine and 40% human, she is a Guardian Angel in the American "conglomerate" part of the world. This story is set in 2095, and that was the only thing that I didn't find very plausible, I doubt that this could be possible in barely 70 years, so that seemed a bit strange to me, but the rest was so surprising and enjoyable.
As I've said, I don't usually read a lot of Scifi, but I do love dystopias and this book definitely had a dystopian feel to it, I loved every minute of it. The characters were so well fleshed out and believable despite them not even being fully human, I found that Nephilim was such a special character because of her doubts. She really came across as an emotional being whereas she shouldn't be and she portrayed her ability to question things admirably, i was besotted with her and now that I know that there will be a sequel (thank you Anna!), I'm really looking forward to reading her character development after the ending of this book.
The setting was very dystopian, I really enjoyed the descriptions, especially the times that the Angels were out in the field, it was really interesting. The first couple of chapters really set the scene before all hell breaks lose basically, and I thought that those first chapters were great for what came after, it really helped me to form a connection with the characters and I've realised that I like this stylistic element in books a lot more than the story starting at the time of the big event or catastrophe. This book gave me The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games vibes, and I can't help but want to pick it up again to dive back into this world because I'm sure I've missed so much.
Metatron, another very important character in the plot is one of my favourites in this story, he is so charismatic and just ARGH!!! READ THE BOOK, I can't tell you anything about him, you have to read about him for yourself, but I guarantee you'll love him and hate him and want to shake him and give him a high five all at the same time. He was my favourite character to read about because of his personality and how he is portrayed, although I prefer Nephilim for obvious reasons, her personality traits aren't as interesting to me as Metatron's. Also, that's a really badass name lol!
I have to stop rambling about this book because I'll be here for yonks otherwise, but, overall, I absolutely loved it and I'm going to try to reread it as soon as possible because A) I want a copy on my bookshelves because that cover is gorgeous, and B) I want to read it all over again! I gave this 5 stars, and it was one of the easiest ratings I've given in a while. I would highly recommend to science fiction, dystopian and cyborg/robot fans, it was incredible and I loved every minute!
This was my first ever cyberpunk novel, and I actually loved it so much more than I was expecting. I usually don't read too much science fiction because often the science part of the story goes completely over my head because I do not have a scientific mind. However, this book absolutely captivated me and I was so surprised by how invested I became in the plot and the characters so early on.
We follow a hybrid cyborg, Nephilim who is 60% killing machine and 40% human, she is a Guardian Angel in the American "conglomerate" part of the world. This story is set in 2095, and that was the only thing that I didn't find very plausible, I doubt that this could be possible in barely 70 years, so that seemed a bit strange to me, but the rest was so surprising and enjoyable.
As I've said, I don't usually read a lot of Scifi, but I do love dystopias and this book definitely had a dystopian feel to it, I loved every minute of it. The characters were so well fleshed out and believable despite them not even being fully human, I found that Nephilim was such a special character because of her doubts. She really came across as an emotional being whereas she shouldn't be and she portrayed her ability to question things admirably, i was besotted with her and now that I know that there will be a sequel (thank you Anna!), I'm really looking forward to reading her character development after the ending of this book.
The setting was very dystopian, I really enjoyed the descriptions, especially the times that the Angels were out in the field, it was really interesting. The first couple of chapters really set the scene before all hell breaks lose basically, and I thought that those first chapters were great for what came after, it really helped me to form a connection with the characters and I've realised that I like this stylistic element in books a lot more than the story starting at the time of the big event or catastrophe. This book gave me The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games vibes, and I can't help but want to pick it up again to dive back into this world because I'm sure I've missed so much.
Metatron, another very important character in the plot is one of my favourites in this story, he is so charismatic and just ARGH!!! READ THE BOOK, I can't tell you anything about him, you have to read about him for yourself, but I guarantee you'll love him and hate him and want to shake him and give him a high five all at the same time. He was my favourite character to read about because of his personality and how he is portrayed, although I prefer Nephilim for obvious reasons, her personality traits aren't as interesting to me as Metatron's. Also, that's a really badass name lol!
I have to stop rambling about this book because I'll be here for yonks otherwise, but, overall, I absolutely loved it and I'm going to try to reread it as soon as possible because A) I want a copy on my bookshelves because that cover is gorgeous, and B) I want to read it all over again! I gave this 5 stars, and it was one of the easiest ratings I've given in a while. I would highly recommend to science fiction, dystopian and cyborg/robot fans, it was incredible and I loved every minute!
September 21, 2020
I'm not usually a sci-fi reader - Dystopian Noir Thriller, as it is described - but having decided to read 'Behind Blue Eyes', I was gripped from the start and loved every minute of it.
It is set in 2095 by which time the earth is governed by three consolidated corporations, totalitarian states ruled by cryptocracies with highly developed weapon systems, in the form of cyborgs, to defend against 'enemies' and equally developed propaganda to control their own populations into believing they live in a perfect utopia.
It is action packed, endlessy imaginative and resourceful in convincingly futuristic weaponry communication sytems, and cybor technology. I was not surprised to learn that Anna Mocikat has a background in gaming and film. But as well as the breathless action, the novel tackles wider themes relevant to us all in an era when the surveillance society grows ever closer and where power and technology go dangerously together hand in hand.
The central character Nephilim, is one of the blue-eyed cyborgs, part human, part killing machine. Nephilim goes through a roller-coaster sequence of adventures, but besides the thrills and spills, she is led to question the way she has been programmed, and the journey becomes a quest to disover what is it to be an ordinary human being in a totalitarian regime designed to nullify any concept of individuality or personal freedom.
It is full of unexpected twists and turns, and leaves us finally poised on a fascinating question mark.
It is set in 2095 by which time the earth is governed by three consolidated corporations, totalitarian states ruled by cryptocracies with highly developed weapon systems, in the form of cyborgs, to defend against 'enemies' and equally developed propaganda to control their own populations into believing they live in a perfect utopia.
It is action packed, endlessy imaginative and resourceful in convincingly futuristic weaponry communication sytems, and cybor technology. I was not surprised to learn that Anna Mocikat has a background in gaming and film. But as well as the breathless action, the novel tackles wider themes relevant to us all in an era when the surveillance society grows ever closer and where power and technology go dangerously together hand in hand.
The central character Nephilim, is one of the blue-eyed cyborgs, part human, part killing machine. Nephilim goes through a roller-coaster sequence of adventures, but besides the thrills and spills, she is led to question the way she has been programmed, and the journey becomes a quest to disover what is it to be an ordinary human being in a totalitarian regime designed to nullify any concept of individuality or personal freedom.
It is full of unexpected twists and turns, and leaves us finally poised on a fascinating question mark.
June 11, 2021
Cyberpunk and Noir aren't my usual kind of read. Normally I go for fantasy, comedy, that sort of thing. This was recommended to me by a friend and I am NOT left disappointed!!
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is the first book in what I believe is a duology and is an excellent read!
We've seen lots of different dystopian futures in literature so it might seem a bit cliched to read another, but this one really drew me in from the very beginning. The main character is interesting, flawed and very exciting. The setting is very different to other futures I've read and the action sequences are so well realised I could visualise it in my minds eye easily and it had me totally hooked!
This is one book that I heartily recommend and I can't wait to read the sequel!
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is the first book in what I believe is a duology and is an excellent read!
We've seen lots of different dystopian futures in literature so it might seem a bit cliched to read another, but this one really drew me in from the very beginning. The main character is interesting, flawed and very exciting. The setting is very different to other futures I've read and the action sequences are so well realised I could visualise it in my minds eye easily and it had me totally hooked!
This is one book that I heartily recommend and I can't wait to read the sequel!
May 13, 2020
WOW! Just WOW! What a book ❤🖤❤🖤
Usually when you start reading a Sci-fi-distopia book you expect everything that happens in the postapocaliptic world to be dark and disturbed.
And yes, that happens in this book too and much more, but you don't expect to discover romance in this cyborgs, humans and robotic world.
This book is so well written that I was able to completely connect with the characters, even if they were cyborgs and not 100% human and fall in love with them.
The mix between cyborg and human and the unbelievable exciting actions in this book is so incredibly fascinating and gripping that I couldn't put this book down.
The world in the future was so incredibly fascinating and detailed described that I could really visualize everything in my mind. Amazing!!!
This is not a normal post apocalyptic story, at least not like other books I read so far. It's an incredibly fascinating love story and an incredibly exciting and gripping story about our possible future.
The power fights and games between different countries or mega-corporations remind a lot the Cold War era with the endless spy actions and intrigues.
This is a dark story about our possible future and the consequences of greed for power.
I don't read this genre very often, but after this incredibly good book, I'll definitely read more of this genre.
Oh and the correct genre is of course Cyberpunk Noir, but I like Sci-fi-distopia love story much more 😍🖤
I recommend this book to all of you that love romances and want to try a sci-fi version of it.
This book ends with a cliffhanger and I know from reliable sources that another book will follow soon 🖤🖤🖤
Usually when you start reading a Sci-fi-distopia book you expect everything that happens in the postapocaliptic world to be dark and disturbed.
And yes, that happens in this book too and much more, but you don't expect to discover romance in this cyborgs, humans and robotic world.
This book is so well written that I was able to completely connect with the characters, even if they were cyborgs and not 100% human and fall in love with them.
The mix between cyborg and human and the unbelievable exciting actions in this book is so incredibly fascinating and gripping that I couldn't put this book down.
The world in the future was so incredibly fascinating and detailed described that I could really visualize everything in my mind. Amazing!!!
This is not a normal post apocalyptic story, at least not like other books I read so far. It's an incredibly fascinating love story and an incredibly exciting and gripping story about our possible future.
The power fights and games between different countries or mega-corporations remind a lot the Cold War era with the endless spy actions and intrigues.
This is a dark story about our possible future and the consequences of greed for power.
I don't read this genre very often, but after this incredibly good book, I'll definitely read more of this genre.
Oh and the correct genre is of course Cyberpunk Noir, but I like Sci-fi-distopia love story much more 😍🖤
I recommend this book to all of you that love romances and want to try a sci-fi version of it.
This book ends with a cliffhanger and I know from reliable sources that another book will follow soon 🖤🖤🖤
May 26, 2020
Rating
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is definitely a 5-star novel for me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First impression
Having enjoyed Shadow City so much, I was overjoyed when Anna Mocikat offered me an ARC of Behind Blue Eyes, a cyberpunk noir novel. It was much darker than I anticipated and my first cyberpunk experience.
As a first-timer, the grit and gore took me aback and I had mixed feelings about it for a while. I had a John Wick moment right at the beginning of the book, you’ll know when you read it. But once you get accustomed to the bleak dystopian world, the action will suck you in completely.
About the plot
The action takes place in 2095, in a dystopian setting where what’s left of the world in the aftermath of a big war, was divided into three parts. Each part was ruled by a conglomerate. What was left of America was now called Olympia and was ruled by cyborgs who call themselves guardian angels and have neon blue eyes.
We see everything through Nephilim’s eyes. If you’re familiar with angel mythology, consider this as foreshadowing — fallen angel. She’s a 60% machine – 40% human hybrid apparently tasked to protect the Olympias. In reality, her sole purpose is to seek and destroy anything Metatron (their supreme leader) deems a risk to the conglomerate.
You have to appreciate the irony of giving angelic code names to such killing machines. Nephilim, true to her name acts as a fallen angel. She’s a guardian angel and like her fellow guardian angels, she’s content with her life awaiting the biggest promotion of her life — archangel.
She’s the best at what she does and although she doesn’t question her orders at first, she starts to, especially after an EMP attack that gives her glitches, moments of freedom when she becomes disconnected from the grid.
Themes
There are many themes intertwined in this story. The world-building evokes a mixture of Ready Player One and Alita, except more gritty. It’s a reality of contrasts: a web of truths and lies, right and wrong, humans and machines, love and duty, and ultimately devotion and defiance where Metatron is concerned.
At the heart of the story, there’s a quote from George Orwell:
Throughout the second part of the story, we see a lot of parallels to the “Big Brother” mentality from Orwell’s 1984.
What I liked best
The best part of this novel was Nephilims’ character arc, which was magnificent considering the starting point. The second best part was how fast-paced and action-packed it was along the way. There was no saggy middle in this book. And when you think you figured out what’s going on — plot twist. Even the plot twists have plot twists! It will haunt you.
Read the full review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
Behind Blue Eyes by Anna Mocikat is definitely a 5-star novel for me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First impression
Having enjoyed Shadow City so much, I was overjoyed when Anna Mocikat offered me an ARC of Behind Blue Eyes, a cyberpunk noir novel. It was much darker than I anticipated and my first cyberpunk experience.
As a first-timer, the grit and gore took me aback and I had mixed feelings about it for a while. I had a John Wick moment right at the beginning of the book, you’ll know when you read it. But once you get accustomed to the bleak dystopian world, the action will suck you in completely.
About the plot
The action takes place in 2095, in a dystopian setting where what’s left of the world in the aftermath of a big war, was divided into three parts. Each part was ruled by a conglomerate. What was left of America was now called Olympia and was ruled by cyborgs who call themselves guardian angels and have neon blue eyes.
We see everything through Nephilim’s eyes. If you’re familiar with angel mythology, consider this as foreshadowing — fallen angel. She’s a 60% machine – 40% human hybrid apparently tasked to protect the Olympias. In reality, her sole purpose is to seek and destroy anything Metatron (their supreme leader) deems a risk to the conglomerate.
You have to appreciate the irony of giving angelic code names to such killing machines. Nephilim, true to her name acts as a fallen angel. She’s a guardian angel and like her fellow guardian angels, she’s content with her life awaiting the biggest promotion of her life — archangel.
She’s the best at what she does and although she doesn’t question her orders at first, she starts to, especially after an EMP attack that gives her glitches, moments of freedom when she becomes disconnected from the grid.
Themes
There are many themes intertwined in this story. The world-building evokes a mixture of Ready Player One and Alita, except more gritty. It’s a reality of contrasts: a web of truths and lies, right and wrong, humans and machines, love and duty, and ultimately devotion and defiance where Metatron is concerned.
At the heart of the story, there’s a quote from George Orwell:
“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself. You must know all the while that it is there, but until it is needed you must never let it emerge into your consciousness in any shape that can be given a name.”- George Orwell
Throughout the second part of the story, we see a lot of parallels to the “Big Brother” mentality from Orwell’s 1984.
What I liked best
The best part of this novel was Nephilims’ character arc, which was magnificent considering the starting point. The second best part was how fast-paced and action-packed it was along the way. There was no saggy middle in this book. And when you think you figured out what’s going on — plot twist. Even the plot twists have plot twists! It will haunt you.
Read the full review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
January 23, 2021
A dark future fantastically realised
Behind Blue Eyes is a thrill-ride of a novel that moves with electric pace through twists and turns. Nephilim is a complicated character who we see change and develop as events force her hand and open her eyes to the truth of things. There's depth to the characters throughout and clear motivations behind them. There's also awesome tech, battles, action, and intrigue! Brilliant!! I really liked the other factions outside of the world of Neph's city and the idea of those who want to escape to freedom. Old town has a fantastic gritty feel. A fantastic example of cyberpunk reminiscent of bladerunner.
Behind Blue Eyes is a thrill-ride of a novel that moves with electric pace through twists and turns. Nephilim is a complicated character who we see change and develop as events force her hand and open her eyes to the truth of things. There's depth to the characters throughout and clear motivations behind them. There's also awesome tech, battles, action, and intrigue! Brilliant!! I really liked the other factions outside of the world of Neph's city and the idea of those who want to escape to freedom. Old town has a fantastic gritty feel. A fantastic example of cyberpunk reminiscent of bladerunner.
May 20, 2020
Nephilim (great name) is a cyborg whose job it is to kill whoever her overlords tell her to. At first, she doesn't question these orders because killing is her sole function in life. The world is a tech-heavy place ruled by corporations who impose their rule with an iron fist (or cybernetic fist, if you will). However, cyborgs like Nephilim are still part human, and that human side both endangers and excites her. There are some classic battles in here: human vs machine, love vs duty, obedience vs defiance. One thing I really loved about this book was the world building, which was both dark and electrifying. As a goth who loved Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell, etc., I felt immersed in this book's world.
May 27, 2021
So much has been said about this book already, so I'll be brief.
If you like strong, complicated female protagonists, lots of twists and turns, and unexpected endings, then this book is for you.
A great read that stays true to the punk genre. Fantastic Noir Cyberpunk.
If you like strong, complicated female protagonists, lots of twists and turns, and unexpected endings, then this book is for you.
A great read that stays true to the punk genre. Fantastic Noir Cyberpunk.
January 4, 2021
"Behind Blue Eyes" was a fantastic read! Ms. Mocikat managed to draw my sympathy towards the cyborg Nephilium despite some rather unspeakable actions she commits while following the orders in the opening scenes. The events that follow are unexpected and compelling, keeping me guessing to the end. I'm not usually a reader of this genre, so I would recommend to anyone interested in a rather dark, fast-paced story!
May 24, 2020
Story time... For the past week or so I’ve been in a mood reading mood, reading nothing but time travel books. I was afraid to start this book because it sounded so good and I knew I would like it so I held off so my semi slump wouldn’t affect my enjoyment. I started this book early the night before my spot on the tour and then continued to read it all through the night. I knew I would enjoy this book but I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I finally feel like reading again and not just time travel books and it’s all thanks to this book!
I have been reading a lot more sci-fi ever since I got into the genre a couple of years ago but I haven’t read a great dystopian in a while, until this book and now I have a desire to reread the hunger games or divergent.
From the very first page we are thrust into the action. I loved seeing there unique abilities, how they operated in combat situations as well as learning about the cities and system.
Even though this world has a complicated system, I never once found myself confused by this extremely high tech world. I could picture every district described vividly and fell in love with the world that Anna has created. There were times when I was so engrossed that I believed I was actually there.
Every character was so well done, they are all intriguing and each of them have a depth to them that is hard to create with so many characters.
Metatron (how good is that name) and Nephilim were probably my favourites, granted for different reasons but all of them where so well done that you will find at least one character that you will find relatable.
The ending was really well done, If you love sci-fi dystopias with an imaginative world, intriguing characters and unexpected twists with just enough humour, action and romance to make even non sci-fi lovers fall in love, then look no further than this book!
I have been reading a lot more sci-fi ever since I got into the genre a couple of years ago but I haven’t read a great dystopian in a while, until this book and now I have a desire to reread the hunger games or divergent.
From the very first page we are thrust into the action. I loved seeing there unique abilities, how they operated in combat situations as well as learning about the cities and system.
Even though this world has a complicated system, I never once found myself confused by this extremely high tech world. I could picture every district described vividly and fell in love with the world that Anna has created. There were times when I was so engrossed that I believed I was actually there.
Every character was so well done, they are all intriguing and each of them have a depth to them that is hard to create with so many characters.
Metatron (how good is that name) and Nephilim were probably my favourites, granted for different reasons but all of them where so well done that you will find at least one character that you will find relatable.
The ending was really well done, If you love sci-fi dystopias with an imaginative world, intriguing characters and unexpected twists with just enough humour, action and romance to make even non sci-fi lovers fall in love, then look no further than this book!
February 20, 2021
Wow!
I knew from the minute I saw the cover and read the blurb that this book was slap bang in the middle of my wheelhouse! It also helped that I’ve read one of Anna Mocikat’s other books (Shadow City) prior to this and loved it.
Behind Blue Eyes is my favourite book of Anna’s so far.
This is a book that is begging to be a TV show or movie! It’s got such great visuals that you just want to see it come to life. It’s got real Bladerunner meets Ghost In The Shell vibes... I can almost hear the Vangelis soundtrack as I read it! 😃
The book is almost exclusively written from the point of view of the main character Nephilim, and as such the end of the book kind of lines up with your expectations as you read it.
That said... Wowsers! The twists and turns that the story leads you on are fantastic. The clues are there, and a few I worked out for myself before the reveal... but not all of them! The plot is twistier than a contortionist playing Twister!!! For every plot twist I smugly saw coming, there was another that caught me blindsided.
Hence i got this double whammy of pleasure from it! On the one hand feeling clever that I’d worked it out from Anna’s cleverly sprinkled clues, while on the other hand I was delighted to be surprised too!!!
I CANNOT wait for book 2!
And I don’t have long to wait, because it’s out in a little over a month!!! Yay!!! Even the title of book 2, Behind Blue Eyes: Fallen Angels, leaves me salivating at the prospect of what’s to come next.
I knew from the minute I saw the cover and read the blurb that this book was slap bang in the middle of my wheelhouse! It also helped that I’ve read one of Anna Mocikat’s other books (Shadow City) prior to this and loved it.
Behind Blue Eyes is my favourite book of Anna’s so far.
This is a book that is begging to be a TV show or movie! It’s got such great visuals that you just want to see it come to life. It’s got real Bladerunner meets Ghost In The Shell vibes... I can almost hear the Vangelis soundtrack as I read it! 😃
The book is almost exclusively written from the point of view of the main character Nephilim, and as such the end of the book kind of lines up with your expectations as you read it.
That said... Wowsers! The twists and turns that the story leads you on are fantastic. The clues are there, and a few I worked out for myself before the reveal... but not all of them! The plot is twistier than a contortionist playing Twister!!! For every plot twist I smugly saw coming, there was another that caught me blindsided.
Hence i got this double whammy of pleasure from it! On the one hand feeling clever that I’d worked it out from Anna’s cleverly sprinkled clues, while on the other hand I was delighted to be surprised too!!!
I CANNOT wait for book 2!
And I don’t have long to wait, because it’s out in a little over a month!!! Yay!!! Even the title of book 2, Behind Blue Eyes: Fallen Angels, leaves me salivating at the prospect of what’s to come next.
May 25, 2021
Behind Blue Eyes is a cyberpunk science fiction novel and the first book in its series. The story is set in a dystopian future where the entire world is run by three rival mega-corporations. Behind Blue Eyes takes place in the capital city of the mega-corporation Olympias and follows Nephilim, a member of the Guardian Angels: killer cyborgs tasked with rooting out and eliminating any threat to their society, including those who just want to leave. Nephilim is just as ruthless as others until a chance encounter triggers something within her mind and she begins questioning herself. When an encounter with an enemy cyborg from one of the other mega-corps causes a malfunction that cuts her off from the grid, she finds that she enjoys the freedom that comes with the occasional lack of oversight. These combined events cause her to explore the city unseen by her commander and she begins to rediscover her humanity.
Behind Blue Eyes is an entertaining story filled with dark themes and advanced futuristic technology. The city is lively and oppressive at the same time. Nephilim’s character development as she begins thinking for herself and learning more of her past is very well done. Her boss, High-Archangel Metatron, is vicious, cruel, and sadistic throughout and seems to have his own agenda in addition to his duties as a Guardian Angel. All of the other characters are interesting people in their own right and well rounded individuals.
Overall, Behind Blue Eyes is an engaging story. Science fiction fans will enjoy the futuristic technology of the city and the cyborgs, while those who enjoy dystopian stories will find the society of Olympias to be very interesting. Both will certainly be looking forward to future installments
Behind Blue Eyes is an entertaining story filled with dark themes and advanced futuristic technology. The city is lively and oppressive at the same time. Nephilim’s character development as she begins thinking for herself and learning more of her past is very well done. Her boss, High-Archangel Metatron, is vicious, cruel, and sadistic throughout and seems to have his own agenda in addition to his duties as a Guardian Angel. All of the other characters are interesting people in their own right and well rounded individuals.
Overall, Behind Blue Eyes is an engaging story. Science fiction fans will enjoy the futuristic technology of the city and the cyborgs, while those who enjoy dystopian stories will find the society of Olympias to be very interesting. Both will certainly be looking forward to future installments
May 21, 2020
Anna Mocikat has done it once again! I loved BBE! You will, too!
Behind Blue Eyes will leave the reader with thoughts of epic forces of dark and light still clashing long after they’ve finished the book. You will definitely find a relatable favorite among the many characters whether it’s Nephilim, Jake, Sarah, Finwick, Adriel, or perhaps Metatron (mwahahaha). The story is full of action, intrigue, and hidden Easter eggs of the past in a world that has greatly changed. There is even a touch of romance despite the fact that this type of love no longer seems to exist as part of the social norm. The world is well-built, the flashbacks/memories flow perfectly, and the story will leave you wanting more. If you’re looking for your next futuristic, post apocalyptic, dystopian, cyberpunk, action-packed, scifi read…look no further. Don’t take my word for it though, read the other reviews or watch the promotional video.
If you’re looking for another fantastic story written by Anna Mocikat, be sure to check out Shadow City! The second part for it should be coming out later this year and I loved it just as much as BBE.
Behind Blue Eyes will leave the reader with thoughts of epic forces of dark and light still clashing long after they’ve finished the book. You will definitely find a relatable favorite among the many characters whether it’s Nephilim, Jake, Sarah, Finwick, Adriel, or perhaps Metatron (mwahahaha). The story is full of action, intrigue, and hidden Easter eggs of the past in a world that has greatly changed. There is even a touch of romance despite the fact that this type of love no longer seems to exist as part of the social norm. The world is well-built, the flashbacks/memories flow perfectly, and the story will leave you wanting more. If you’re looking for your next futuristic, post apocalyptic, dystopian, cyberpunk, action-packed, scifi read…look no further. Don’t take my word for it though, read the other reviews or watch the promotional video.
If you’re looking for another fantastic story written by Anna Mocikat, be sure to check out Shadow City! The second part for it should be coming out later this year and I loved it just as much as BBE.
April 12, 2021
Wow, an absolute rush to read BBE! Where do I begin?! Everything about the story is exciting—Nephilim, a brilliant character, is so well crafted to the extent I had empathy for a cyborg! The world building is fantastic and deeply immerses the reader with a cinematic perspective into the dystopian setting.
The author didn’t miss a beat with villains being the kind you love to hate & questioning everyone Nephilim puts her trust in.
I’m a slow reader yet this book kept me up way past my bedtime to finish! The blood rushing action placed right in the middle of the scenes and I was lost in the world of Olympias.
Behind Blue Eyes is definitely a must read for lovers of sci-fi dystopian and cyberpunk. I can’t wait to get into book 2, Fallen Angels.
The author didn’t miss a beat with villains being the kind you love to hate & questioning everyone Nephilim puts her trust in.
I’m a slow reader yet this book kept me up way past my bedtime to finish! The blood rushing action placed right in the middle of the scenes and I was lost in the world of Olympias.
Behind Blue Eyes is definitely a must read for lovers of sci-fi dystopian and cyberpunk. I can’t wait to get into book 2, Fallen Angels.
July 19, 2020
Are we a prisoner of the circumstances of our birth and body? Or are we masters of our own destiny? If we wake up screaming, our dark bloody nightmare revealing that WE are the monster ~ would we have the courage to leave everything familiar behind, to reach for the better person we dream we could be? I really enjoyed Anna Mocikat’s first book, Shadow City, and was definitely not disappointed with her well written second novel, Behind Blue Eyes! The best science fiction stories deliver on multiple levels; a great story well told, while also exploring and revealing deeper themes of the human condition. Behind Blue Eyes does this, with plenty of awesome action and while also breathing life into characters you’ll "hell yeah!" root for and villains you’ll love to hate (or maybe even hate to love, hehe). Anna has a delicious writing style that brings her exciting stories vividly to life like a movie in your mind. I would love to see this on the big screen! If you enjoy immersive cyberpunk stories with epic battles, "Deathway" motorcycle racing, badass women warriors, and characters you’ll believe are real ~ you’re in for a treat!
August 31, 2020
This is a great book! Riveting futuristic love story! This novel deserves a big budget Hollywood treatment.
Finds the perfect balance between cyberpunk sci-fi and contemporary romance. Highly recommended.
Don't wait until it's on HBO, read it first. :)
Finds the perfect balance between cyberpunk sci-fi and contemporary romance. Highly recommended.
Don't wait until it's on HBO, read it first. :)
September 14, 2020
Exciting read from start to finish.
This is a fast-paced thrill with lots of unexpected twists and turns. If you're a fan of brutal tales of survival in dystopian settings give this one a chance.
This is a fast-paced thrill with lots of unexpected twists and turns. If you're a fan of brutal tales of survival in dystopian settings give this one a chance.
August 4, 2021
Very interesting read. Original concept for a dystopian future. Strong lead character and good build up of relationships between various characters.
May 23, 2020
Personal Rating: 3 stars
My biggest complaint with this was the romance. I wasn't sold on it, BUT as that typically is a personal thing and I rarely like romance in books, I'm making this simply as a note. If you like romance, this is very much more lust/sex-based, though the growth between the characters does come later. I was simply never sold on the pairing, though that may have been because I was really wanting the story to be even darker than it was.
And boy was it dark. This is a gory story, so go into it knowing that. This is a Utopian post-apocalyptic world that delves into a lot of deep ideas like what is society, what is the function of a family unit, and are friendships important. I wanted a deeper dive into that and more political intrigue, but what we did get was fascinating.
The majority of the angels are little more than glorified mass murderers. The damage a rogue angel could wreak is brought up as characters question the system, and it's a fascinating dive into what is right and wrong to do when you've been allowed to cross all lines for years.
I liked Nepilim as a character, though I felt like she stopped gaining character development once her romance began. I wanted to see more of her going head-to-head against Metatron and the other angels, either philosophically or physically.
Metatron was a complete creep, but I loved getting into his brain because he's one of those people that is so completely off kilter that some of what he says almost sounds right, and it's so bad, but so well done. I loved how he always seemed one step ahead of everything, but not in an unreasonable way, but it felt natural that he was able to keep abreast of situations.
Finwick started off as such a dull character, but I say that not as a mark against him but at how well Mocikat wrote his unassuming, normal human self into a story about killer cyborgs. He's the average Joe. He's not special, but he yearns to be in his own way. He overcomes obstacles and grows as a person and while I may not 100% like him by the end of the book, I could see the journey he had accomplished and felt his character had been well taken care of.
Sex and glamorous life aside, this book is GRITTY. I said above it's gory, and it is. There's a lot of death. Mocikat explores many questions on the validity and frailty of human life in this book. There's a lot of parallels to the "Big Brother" mentality from Orwell's 1984, and the way Nephilim questions the system makes you wonder, to some extent, if maybe the system isn't "all" that bad. You can see where the corporation was able to easily step in and blindside people into such a plush lifestyle. Even with slums in the world, it never felt quite as bad as the slums of our modern day.
I can see a lot of potential in the story, and I want to delve more into the world to see just how messed up Olympias, the corporation, is.
My biggest complaint with this was the romance. I wasn't sold on it, BUT as that typically is a personal thing and I rarely like romance in books, I'm making this simply as a note. If you like romance, this is very much more lust/sex-based, though the growth between the characters does come later. I was simply never sold on the pairing, though that may have been because I was really wanting the story to be even darker than it was.
And boy was it dark. This is a gory story, so go into it knowing that. This is a Utopian post-apocalyptic world that delves into a lot of deep ideas like what is society, what is the function of a family unit, and are friendships important. I wanted a deeper dive into that and more political intrigue, but what we did get was fascinating.
The majority of the angels are little more than glorified mass murderers. The damage a rogue angel could wreak is brought up as characters question the system, and it's a fascinating dive into what is right and wrong to do when you've been allowed to cross all lines for years.
I liked Nepilim as a character, though I felt like she stopped gaining character development once her romance began. I wanted to see more of her going head-to-head against Metatron and the other angels, either philosophically or physically.
Metatron was a complete creep, but I loved getting into his brain because he's one of those people that is so completely off kilter that some of what he says almost sounds right, and it's so bad, but so well done. I loved how he always seemed one step ahead of everything, but not in an unreasonable way, but it felt natural that he was able to keep abreast of situations.
Finwick started off as such a dull character, but I say that not as a mark against him but at how well Mocikat wrote his unassuming, normal human self into a story about killer cyborgs. He's the average Joe. He's not special, but he yearns to be in his own way. He overcomes obstacles and grows as a person and while I may not 100% like him by the end of the book, I could see the journey he had accomplished and felt his character had been well taken care of.
Sex and glamorous life aside, this book is GRITTY. I said above it's gory, and it is. There's a lot of death. Mocikat explores many questions on the validity and frailty of human life in this book. There's a lot of parallels to the "Big Brother" mentality from Orwell's 1984, and the way Nephilim questions the system makes you wonder, to some extent, if maybe the system isn't "all" that bad. You can see where the corporation was able to easily step in and blindside people into such a plush lifestyle. Even with slums in the world, it never felt quite as bad as the slums of our modern day.
I can see a lot of potential in the story, and I want to delve more into the world to see just how messed up Olympias, the corporation, is.
August 14, 2020
Spoilers: Anna Mocikat's Behind Blue Eyes A Cyberpunk Noir Novel Behind Blue Eyes asks various questions: What does it mean to be human? When does humanity stop and machinery begin and vice versa? Can AI feel or think for itself and if it does, how soon will they question and rebel against their programming? Are we becoming more human or less and will AI become more human to make up for it?
These questions and themes are seen through the journey of its protagonist, Nephilim. Nephilim lives in Olympia, a futuristic city in what used to be the East Coast of the United States. Nephilim is part of an elite force of commandos called The Guardian Angels, who are 60 percent cyborg and 40 percent human.
They have augmented hearts and other organs, titanium metal bones, lightning fast reflexes, titanium blades and high tech weaponry connected to their bodies, and wear high tech bullet impenetrable synthetic silk suits. They are an unstoppable killing force. When their victims sees the eerie neon blue optic sensory eyes of the Angels, usually those eerie blue eyes are the last things that they see.
Nephilim is considered the best of the Guardian Angels and on the fast track to getting promoted to Archangel, one of the heads of the force, thanks to the interest of the creepy sinister Head Archangel, The Metatron. Nephilim, like the other Angels, has been trained since childhood with no memories from her life beforehand.
She and the rest of the Angels are trained to kill, destroy, and serve the interests of the Olympia company that now controls the former United States. They attack members of rival corporations, Rosprom (Europe) and TogbuaXiang (Asia) as well as people who live outside the Olympia as rebels or off the gridders. Their motto is "Custodio et mortifico." ("Protect and Destroy".) They do not hesitate. They follow their orders and kill without question. Or at least,Nephilim used to.
During what should be a routine seek and destroy mission against a family of rural outsiders becomes deeply personal for Nephilim. After a little girl's parents are killed, Nephilim looks at the girl and sees herself through the child's eyes: Nephilim sees herself as a monster.
This encounter awakens several repressed emotions, thoughts, and memories inside her.
These emotions, thoughts, and memories become stronger when she is injured during another assignment and receives a glitch which allows her to disconnect from Olympia's mainframe. This disconnection allows her to think for herself for the first time and question her purpose as a mindless killing machine.
Most of the book centers around Nephilim's rediscovery of her humanity. Repressed memories are reawakened. Nephilim recalls her youth on a farm living with a beautiful loving mother and a gentle blind father. One night, she was taken by "blue eyed monsters" and trained and augmented until she became one of the blue eyed monsters herself.
Nephilim makes the most of her new found humanity. She entices Finwick, one of their scientists, to implant her with a device that turns her off from the mainframe. She explores the forbidden areas around Olympia. She goes to the seedier sections and finds Sarah, the young girl who looked at her with such fear, reduced to becoming a child prostitute. She rescues her, leaving a trail of dead bodies behind them. Protecting Sarah gives Nephilim a maternal instinct and empathy, remembering what it was like to be a child lost and helpless to the whims of adults around her.
She sees a brothel where the clientele are dressed like Angels, so regular humans can experience what it's like to have sex with one of those death machines. (The Guardian Angels have an intense sex drive and no concerns about reproduction or catching V.D. It is said for a human to have sex with one is like courting death.)
Nephilim is amused and horrified until Finwick is kidnapped and assaulted by one of the prostitutes and her gang. In this encounter, Nephilim learns about gratitude for what Finwick did for her and accepts friendship in place of lust and sexuality.
One of the most important lessons that Nephilim learns is about love and trust. During her nightly jaunts, Nephilim encounters Jake, who is part of the Resistance movement against Olympia. Until she encounters Jake, Nephilim has begun to question her programming and the Angel's purpose but only in an abstract. After she meets Jake and the other Resistance members, Nephilim becomes determined to fight the system that built and trained her.
Throughout the book, Nephilim emerges from a two-dimensional unremorseful obedient killer to a strong willed independent badass using her impressive abilities to fight for freedom and against the oppressive corporation which controls everything and treats its people like commodities rather than human beings.
Her greatest antagonist is her formerly biggest supporter. The Metatron is one of the most memorable villains that I have read this year. He is one of those characters who is so good at being bad. He is the corporation personified. He views the Angels and everyone else around him as a means to an end. He is completely analytical and results driven. He orders the death of his allies just as quickly as his enemies. He makes plans and counter plans putting himself above anyone who may plot against him or Olympia and that includes Nephilia.
While The Metatron is terrifying with his initial cold icy persona and his manipulative controlling tyranny, he becomes even more terrifying when he displays his vulnerabilities in front of Nephilia. He breaks down the former Angela's current alliances one by one and shatters her emotions and newly discovered allegiances, particularly her love for Jake. He then reveals his past connections with her converying all his rage and hatred on this young woman with whom he both lusted after and wanted to destroy. This passage between Metatron and Nephilia reveals his true villainy. He wants to destroy her emotionally and mentally before he destroys and reprograms her physically.
The final chapters of the book ask a lot of questions and some are unanswered. What are the Resistance and Jake's real goals? What is Nephilia's real role in this Resistance? Are some of Nephilia's fellow Angels starting to question their own programming and becoming rebellious? If Nephilia is reprogrammed to become a killer will she retain her memories and emotions and if they are wiped what's to stop them from happening again? The ending suggests a return to status quo, with a new and improved Guardian Angel but is it? While the questions are purposely left open ended for a second book, it also suggests that the link between humanity and machinery is an ongoing process. The discovery of the things that make us what we are-thought, emotion, development, reason, memories, change-can never truly be suppressed or wiped.
Anna Mocikat gives us a suspenseful science fiction with some thought provoking questions that allow the Reader to experience what really goes on behind those blue eyes.
February 9, 2021
I thought Behind Blue Eyes was good, but I mainly had to force myself to read it. The constant sex or mention of it--like in an off-hand manner--was annoying. Repetitive or lengthy description. (Along with the language. I'm from the South so I'm not fond of cuss words.) How the POV would suddenly jump from one character to another for, like, a sentence threw me off, and I didn't feel the romance.
So, good story about rebelling against the man--so to say--but not my taste.
So, good story about rebelling against the man--so to say--but not my taste.
July 5, 2022
One thing that cyberpunk should always do is put a mirror against society and reflect it, and its ills back at the reader. Another thing it should do is tell a rollicking adventure. The author understands these, and with Behind Blue Eyes, she delivers on both with aplomb.
Behind Blue Eyes tells the story of Nephilim, a warrior for the Guardian Angels of Olympias, a military outfit responsible for protecting the city against those who aim to do it harm, including rivals to the Olympias Conglomerate, the corporation overseeing the city. As she faces the prospect of a promotion, Nephilim becomes confused by doubts surfacing in her head that perhaps the cause she fights for isn't entirely just. As these doubts take hold, her journey sets her on a collision course with the Guardian Angel's leader, High Archangel Metatron.
The author tells a story with an in-depth plot and plenty of twists and turns. It unfolds at a steady pace, but always builds momentum as it moves forward. The story unfolds at a natural pace while giving it room to breathe as it builds its world, delves into its characters, and explores themes about corporate greed, what it means to be human, and breaking one's programming.
This is the first part of a series; however, while by the end of the book, it is clear there is more story to be told, it feels like a complete, satisfying story.
The prose is easily digestible, resulting in a book that reads quicker than its page count would suggest. It navigates the reader through the story, explaining everything they need to know without pandering to them. The world is vividly realised, as are the characters. The slower-paced parts of the book never drag and always keep the reader engaged, and the action sequences are visceral, putting readers into the moment. The author has struck a wonderful balance between detail and pacing, ensuring that is flows well, keeps moving forward, and most importantly, entertains.
As the protagonist and point of view character, Nephilim is the most clearly realised character. This is fitting, as Behind Blue Eyes is firmly the character's journey. Through her eyes, we see the world and how it operates. The title is beautifully fitting as it is about this character beyond her glowing blue eyes—and one’s eyes are the window to the soul, after all. Her journey from simple warrior to somebody wanting to fight for a better future, from someone cut off from humanity to learning what love is, is at the book’s core.
The supporting characters are also great. Whether they be friend or foe, each of them is memorable, both filling the role required by the story and enriching its world. All the characters' voices are unique and distinct. The dialogue ensures they all sound like individual people and feels natural, whether the character is a cyborg cut off from humanity, or fully human with a firm grip on their humanity.
If you're a cyberpunk fan, you'll find so much to love here. The author has painted a fully realised world with some great action and a gripping plot with plenty of twists and turns. If you’re unfamiliar with the genre, this is a great place to start, thanks to a wonderful, personal story about Nephilim and some great adventure.
My full review will be available in my website from Wednesday, 13 July. To read it (and a host of other book reviews), click here.
Behind Blue Eyes tells the story of Nephilim, a warrior for the Guardian Angels of Olympias, a military outfit responsible for protecting the city against those who aim to do it harm, including rivals to the Olympias Conglomerate, the corporation overseeing the city. As she faces the prospect of a promotion, Nephilim becomes confused by doubts surfacing in her head that perhaps the cause she fights for isn't entirely just. As these doubts take hold, her journey sets her on a collision course with the Guardian Angel's leader, High Archangel Metatron.
The author tells a story with an in-depth plot and plenty of twists and turns. It unfolds at a steady pace, but always builds momentum as it moves forward. The story unfolds at a natural pace while giving it room to breathe as it builds its world, delves into its characters, and explores themes about corporate greed, what it means to be human, and breaking one's programming.
This is the first part of a series; however, while by the end of the book, it is clear there is more story to be told, it feels like a complete, satisfying story.
The prose is easily digestible, resulting in a book that reads quicker than its page count would suggest. It navigates the reader through the story, explaining everything they need to know without pandering to them. The world is vividly realised, as are the characters. The slower-paced parts of the book never drag and always keep the reader engaged, and the action sequences are visceral, putting readers into the moment. The author has struck a wonderful balance between detail and pacing, ensuring that is flows well, keeps moving forward, and most importantly, entertains.
As the protagonist and point of view character, Nephilim is the most clearly realised character. This is fitting, as Behind Blue Eyes is firmly the character's journey. Through her eyes, we see the world and how it operates. The title is beautifully fitting as it is about this character beyond her glowing blue eyes—and one’s eyes are the window to the soul, after all. Her journey from simple warrior to somebody wanting to fight for a better future, from someone cut off from humanity to learning what love is, is at the book’s core.
The supporting characters are also great. Whether they be friend or foe, each of them is memorable, both filling the role required by the story and enriching its world. All the characters' voices are unique and distinct. The dialogue ensures they all sound like individual people and feels natural, whether the character is a cyborg cut off from humanity, or fully human with a firm grip on their humanity.
If you're a cyberpunk fan, you'll find so much to love here. The author has painted a fully realised world with some great action and a gripping plot with plenty of twists and turns. If you’re unfamiliar with the genre, this is a great place to start, thanks to a wonderful, personal story about Nephilim and some great adventure.
My full review will be available in my website from Wednesday, 13 July. To read it (and a host of other book reviews), click here.
November 20, 2020
Oh my God what an incredible story!
This is the perfect unique sci-fi book. Ticking all the boxes of how to tell a good story, but enveloped in a “utopian” nightmarish underworld where killer cyborgs called the “Guardian Angels” eliminate all those who oppose the system.
Nephilim, our cyborg protagonist, has been trained and made into a stone cold murderess and possesses inhuman speedy fighting technique that are almost unbeatable.
But she begins to doubt the system and go more and more rogue, which would get her killed by her sadistic boss Metatron (positioning himself as the high-archangel).
She meets Jake a fully fledged human, who is fighting against the cruel system that brainwashes its citizens and kills any who tries to oppose them. And they fall deeply in love with eachother.
The book sometimes goes in places where what you expect will happen happens. And other times, it drops huge bombshells that were not at all expected. It’s full of vibrant colours, cyberpunk lifestyle and clothing and incredibly brilliant characters. Nephilm is a complex yet ultimately really lovable character who, despite being trained as a ruthless killer, is actually more human than any of the genetically enhanced people in the book.
I really do hope there will be a sequel to this! I couldn’t get enough of this world.
This is the perfect unique sci-fi book. Ticking all the boxes of how to tell a good story, but enveloped in a “utopian” nightmarish underworld where killer cyborgs called the “Guardian Angels” eliminate all those who oppose the system.
Nephilim, our cyborg protagonist, has been trained and made into a stone cold murderess and possesses inhuman speedy fighting technique that are almost unbeatable.
But she begins to doubt the system and go more and more rogue, which would get her killed by her sadistic boss Metatron (positioning himself as the high-archangel).
She meets Jake a fully fledged human, who is fighting against the cruel system that brainwashes its citizens and kills any who tries to oppose them. And they fall deeply in love with eachother.
The book sometimes goes in places where what you expect will happen happens. And other times, it drops huge bombshells that were not at all expected. It’s full of vibrant colours, cyberpunk lifestyle and clothing and incredibly brilliant characters. Nephilm is a complex yet ultimately really lovable character who, despite being trained as a ruthless killer, is actually more human than any of the genetically enhanced people in the book.
I really do hope there will be a sequel to this! I couldn’t get enough of this world.
July 18, 2020
Behind Blue Eyes turned out to be so much more than I imagined. It was thriller action, a love story, a story about society, bleak futures, excellent characters, heartbreaking turns of events… I cheered, was angry, hopeful… A roller coaster of emotions!
Our protagonist, Nephilim, goes through an incredible story and character arc. 60 % machine, 40 % human, this cyborg, tasked with protecting the (questionable) utopia city Olympias, is our eyes to a bleak future in 2095. With vibes of Orwell’s 1984, I loved the setting and world building of this dark, dystopian future.
A quote from Orwell (If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself) lies at the heart of this story’s twists and motivations. It also ties to the ending in a brilliant way, and while I found this story to be heartbreaking, I also found it to be absolutely fantastic, especially the ending. Those are my types of endings. I think it was brilliant.
This book was fast-paced and action-packed, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a plot twist comes my way, and I’m left adjusting my reality.
All in all, I recommend this book to all noir cyberpunk dystopian sci-fi readers. It was a great book and a great read!
Our protagonist, Nephilim, goes through an incredible story and character arc. 60 % machine, 40 % human, this cyborg, tasked with protecting the (questionable) utopia city Olympias, is our eyes to a bleak future in 2095. With vibes of Orwell’s 1984, I loved the setting and world building of this dark, dystopian future.
A quote from Orwell (If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself) lies at the heart of this story’s twists and motivations. It also ties to the ending in a brilliant way, and while I found this story to be heartbreaking, I also found it to be absolutely fantastic, especially the ending. Those are my types of endings. I think it was brilliant.
This book was fast-paced and action-packed, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a plot twist comes my way, and I’m left adjusting my reality.
All in all, I recommend this book to all noir cyberpunk dystopian sci-fi readers. It was a great book and a great read!
May 24, 2020
I wish I could forget this novel so I could read it for the first time again!
Do you love Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell? Of course you do! You need this book in your life.
It has everything you'd want in a Cyberpunk Noir novel! But forget the genre it has everything you would look for in any great story! It's action packed, dark, gritty and utterly brilliant!
Nephilim is just insanely good and everything you want a protagonist to be - exploring herself and her emotions as well as being bad-ass! Themes such as: human vs machine, love vs duty and obedience vs defiance are explored exceptionally well in this novel and I can't wait for the series to progress. Metatron was my favourite character and when you read it you'll know why - just brilliant in every way.
The world building is exceptional and I found this to be a very visual reading experience. I can definitely see this making the big screen (or small screen) in the future as it is that good! What more do you need?
Do you love Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell? Of course you do! You need this book in your life.
It has everything you'd want in a Cyberpunk Noir novel! But forget the genre it has everything you would look for in any great story! It's action packed, dark, gritty and utterly brilliant!
Nephilim is just insanely good and everything you want a protagonist to be - exploring herself and her emotions as well as being bad-ass! Themes such as: human vs machine, love vs duty and obedience vs defiance are explored exceptionally well in this novel and I can't wait for the series to progress. Metatron was my favourite character and when you read it you'll know why - just brilliant in every way.
The world building is exceptional and I found this to be a very visual reading experience. I can definitely see this making the big screen (or small screen) in the future as it is that good! What more do you need?
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