No Dogs in Philly by Andy Futuro

I have to say the title does not do this book any justice at all, in fact it might just be detrimental to the book, it is in fact a subtle reference to something in the story.

I was pulled in and initially interested in reading this book because of the way the author described it as a Lovecraftian Cyberpunk Noir. Who can say no to that kind of description?

Saru is a strong main character with a devil may care attitude and an even stronger survival instinct. She is stuck between a rock and a hard place, when she is asked to find a young girl. Someone who will eventually determine the salvation of humankind or perhaps the destruction. At this point it could go either way.

This is the kind of book I like to discover. The kind of gem you trip over whilst reading through a load of other books. Futuro has a lot of potential and his dystopian tale is quite visionary. He also manages to take a pop at our society in general and the way technology controls the new generations.

It has become ingrained in our lives, in a way it has taken over us, our children and the world. In this story Futuro takes it more than just a step further. Technology rules and controls. Alternate forms of life and tech sit inside the heads of the remaining healthy humans.

It is complex, intriguing and innovative.

I think it would have been better to add a glossary at the beginning to explain the words, places, people and in general the strange sci-fi/tech/fantasy creatures, as opposed to the page of name pronunciations. Then again any possible description by the author couldn't be worse than what I imagined the etzi actually look like.

I am looking forward to seeing where Futuro takes this story, and whether he can keep up the pace, both from a creative and plot point of view.

Buy No Dogs in Philly at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Read the second book in the Special Sin series Cloud Country.