Title: grydscaen dark
Author: Natsuya Uesugi
Publisher: PageTurner, Press and Media LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64376-010-0
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 245
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
Hollywood Book Reviews
There are so many stories taking place in the post-apocalyptic future that it has become a standard setting in modern literature. While the setting is great for the writer because it allows them to create a rich backstory and a future full of new rules, readers have become weary of the post-apocalyptic setting, making it ever more difficult for a writer to create an environment which will interest the reader. Can grydscaen dark stand out in its futuristic cyberpunk setting?
Author Natsuya Uesugi has done a wonderful job creating a futuristic post-apocalypse setting. Uesugi gives just enough detail to create an image in your head about what the surroundings may look like, and that is all you need. Instead, this story focuses almost entirely on the characters as they navigate a world unknown to us.
In grydscaen dark, it comes with a comprehensive list of all of the book’s characters, all with their own personal flair. These characters navigate a world unlike the one we know, filled with living psychic weapons, weaponized cyber hackers, and radiation poising as part of their everyday lives. When a group of hackers break into the stock market to artificially manipulate the price of critical goods, it creates a ripple effect which threatens their city.
While the book paints a picture of good guys and bad guys, it is easy to forget which is which. As authorities close in on the main characters, you wonder if you want to see them get caught. There is a fair amount of moral ambiguity in this story, making you wonder if the bad guys are really the bad guys or closer to anti-heroes. Luckily Uesugi is an inventive writer who comes up with a fantastic conclusion to keep readers happy – no matter how they may think they want the story to end.
This is not Uesugi’s first published work, and it shows in the clarity of this book. Even though grydscaen dark is part of a larger world, there is no need to read the other books before you enjoy this one. The author is clearly a creative mind, and the cyberpunk aspect of this story is such a fun and different take on the common dust-covered landscape of post-apocalyptic books.
My one complaint about grydscaen dark is that there is some mature content that doesn’t necessarily seem to fit in the book. Uesugi could have easily skipped the few scenes where these situations happened, and it would not have affected the story in any way. There is some mature language too, but it is not excessive. Overall, this book is very be suitable for the 17+ crowd.
I endorse both the author and the story. It is rare for an author to create a story that straddles the line between futuristic fantasy and plausible reality like grydscaen dark. If you love this book, you will be happy to know that Uesugi already has a library of works, and surely there will be more to come from this author’s creative mind.