Scion

 

Scion by James Islington
9/1/26; 240 pages
S&S/Saga Press 

Scion by James Islington is a highly recommended cyberpunk dystopian science fiction thriller following a hired assassin and, by all appearances, this novel is very likely the start of a new series. 

Living in a corporate dystopian world where the ultra-wealthy "lifers" can pay for immortality, Azure is an assassin whose revs (somatic and cognitive genetic revisions or enhancements) give him a significant edge in combat. He works for the Keres, who paid for his revs and now they assign him contracts/jobs to pay off his debt. After a job eliminating a lifer that required he first fights a biotech bipedal Argos with 6 clawed arms in order to get inside, Atti, his AI software assistant, gives Azure his next assignment. He has a 2 week contract to protect, Jasa, who is clearly one of the ultra-wealthy, but appears to be quite old, before other assassins kill her. 

This short novel is very tightly plotted and the pace is lightning fast. Above all else, it is very entertaining. It features non-stop action as the characters, especially Azure, move from one threat and one temporary solution to another. Azure is an interesting, morally ambiguous character. Much of his intuition, reactions, and the multiple twists are all handled in a rather causal, humorous way, even when they are deadly.  When he learns who Jasa really is, it adds an additional twist more than once.

Admittedly, the abbreviated length of the novel also resulted in a loss of complex explanations in the world building as well as the tech and advancements. Much of these things are simply mentioned rather than explained in the narrative as the plot propels itself forward. It seemed to be a very cinematic approach, which means if you can picture in your mind what you are reading, it will greatly improve your enjoyment. Actually, I thought this could be a great movie the whole time I was reading. It is great escapism.

Scion is a great choice for anyone looking for a fast-paced cyberpunk dystopian thriller that should be made into a movie. Thanks to Saga Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.