Empaths and Operators: A Cyberpunk Adventure
Neon Dust, Book 2
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Narrated by:
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Suzy Jackson
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Robb Moreira
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By:
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MC Gallup
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Plum Parrot
Tony and Addie must up their game—or get put out of business for good—in the second volume of this dystopian series from the creator of Victor of Tucson.
The Blast isn't your typical New Manhattan neighborhood. It's the kind of high-tech, hardwired cyberpunk underworld where only the tough survive and maniacs thrive. So it's the perfect place for ex–corporate black bagger Tony Santoro and intrepid reporter Addie Jones to set up shop as legitimate operators.
Tony has the professional skills and experience while Addie has the budding ability to manipulate the ever-present, dimension-bending Dust to her advantage. Ready to take on the kind of work other people run from, they're hoping to make a difference—and some cash—along the way. And as new jobs present themselves, the simmering attraction between the duo grows . . .
But when they extract a scientist being held in a corporate biolab, they find themselves caught in a caper far beyond their pay grade. Someone in town is trying to build their own private army of very powerful, valuable, and dangerous enhanced humans known as "sparks." And the monstrously deranged leftovers from their illicit experiments are wreaking deadly havoc in the streets.
Human nature has taken an unnatural turn in this epic cyberpunk adventure that's perfect for fans of Neuromancer and Defiance of the Fall. Narrated in duet style.
©2026 MC Gallup (P)2026 Podium AudioContinue the series
Critic reviews
“A gaming-inspired cyberpunk adventure with lovable characters in a compelling dystopic setting . . . Parrot’s series-starter will hook gamers and SF afficionados alike with its dynamic characters, unique worldbuilding, and well-written action.” — Kirkus Reviews on Welcome to the Blast
“Does it represent a conflict of interest that I narrated this? I don’t care! It’s that good. Aura Overload is pitch-perfect cyberpunk—smart, fast, and a hell of a lot of fun.” —Travis Baldree, New York Times–bestselling author of Legends & Lattes, on the Aura Overload series
“MC Gallup has done the rare thing of mixing mystery, cyberpunk, and LitRPG together into a rollicking adventure. Fascinating LitRPG system, otherworldly threats, and a dystopian far future guarantee a page-turning read.” —Tao Wong, author of The First Step, on the Aura Overload series
So there is a lot of potential for world building but ... the underlying "bit of romance" is tortuous. I bought book 1 (took 3 attempts to finally get into it) and book 2 but half way though I'm bored of the descriptions of the main protagonist's thoughts and insecurities when it comes to each other, it's meant to be a dystopian world were life is tough, not a love story - that's really the core thread, eveything else supports that. So that's it for me, I won't be buying book 3.
I'm a bit disappointed because I like the authors style and world he's built. If you don't mind prolonged flirting and descriptions of how warm someones hand is, over 2 or more books, then you might enjoy it. I tried but it's not for me.
Romance novel set in comfortable "dystopian" world
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