Neon Ziggurat by Angie Lofthouse (Book Review #2036)

Neon Ziggurat by Angie Lofthouse is a fast-paced, gripping tale that mixes cyberpunk intrigue with high-stakes action, taking readers deep into the heart of a corrupt mega-corporation and a city built on greed, despair, and betrayal. With a strong-willed protagonist and a world brimming with tension, this novel hooks readers from the first page and doesn’t let go.

The story follows Pressley Pierce, a skilled hacker who finds herself caught in a deadly web after uncovering dangerous secrets about Ransom McCleary, the CEO of Span Corp. When her younger sister, Twiggy, is kidnapped by Span Corp’s cyborg enforcers, Pressley is forced to turn to the last place she thought she’d return: her estranged family. Along with her mother and a newly revealed stepfather, Pressley heads back to Los Angeles to convince the powerful gubernatorial candidate, Hazard Snow, to help free Twiggy.

However, Snow’s betrayal sends Pressley and her family down a darker path. With nowhere else to turn, they break into the Span Corp tower in a desperate attempt to rescue Twiggy and expose McCleary for his monstrous crimes. When Pressley is captured and taken to McCleary’s penthouse, a horrifying future as one of his sex slaves awaits her, but Pressley refuses to back down. She finds unexpected allies among McCleary’s other captives and devises a daring plan to escape and rescue her sister.

Lofthouse’s writing is sleek and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the oppressive, neon-lit cityscape and the cold, unfeeling world of high-tech corruption. The characters are complex and compelling, especially Pressley, whose fierce determination and quick thinking make her a protagonist readers will root for. Her relationship with her family adds an emotional layer to the high-octane action, balancing the story’s darker moments with human connection and resilience.

The world-building in Neon Ziggurat is a standout feature. Lofthouse creates a vividly detailed, dystopian future where cyborg enforcers, corrupt corporations, and political machinations run rampant. The technological elements, from hacking to the cyborgs themselves, are well thought-out and seamlessly integrated into the plot, adding to the tension and sense of urgency throughout the story.

The plot itself is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. As Pressley fights to free her sister and take down a dangerous man, the stakes continue to rise, leading to a thrilling climax. The moral gray areas and betrayals throughout the novel give the characters’ journey a sense of depth, making the ultimate triumph feel hard-earned and satisfying.

In sum, Neon Ziggurat is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, and high-stakes action. Angie Lofthouse crafts a world that is both chilling and captivating, and Pressley Pierce is a heroine whose journey will leave readers eagerly awaiting more. This novel delivers suspense, intrigue, and a pulse-pounding adventure that will stay with you long after the last page.

Written by Jeyran Main

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