I read a book! I have unfortunately discovered how to knit sweaters and now I spend lots of my time knitting. Maybe now that it is summer, I’ll maybe take a bit of a break? So the length it took me to read this book is by no means a reflection of how good the book is, just a reflection of obsessively getting into a new hobby.

Mindwalker takes place at some unspecified time in the future, after some sort of cataclysmic event that has resulted in depopulation and irradiated zones. The remnants of what the USA have developed novel new technology like nanobots and a type of technology that allows another person to take control of someone else through a mind meld. These specialised agents are called Mind Walkers (hence the title). However, they live short lives, traded for better lives and comfort for their families.

There is so much to like about this novel, and even though it’s a ‘future corporate dystopia’ kind of vibe, it manages to do it in a fresh, new way. As well, it’s not so far removed from our current reality that it seems unrealistic. Sure the tech companies are powerful, but there are still some checks. There are still people fighting back. There were obviously good things and bad things that were happening as a result of that technology. The world building played on all that, so it seemed familiar and accessible, even though it was a different time with a some cataclysms along the way.

It also helped that the main character is one of my favourite types, mouthy, trash talking, super-soldier. I really loved Sil Sarrah, who is one of the aforementioned Mind Walkers. But she has to flee her high-tech life when she’s framed, seemingly by the director of the company she works for. Of course she falls for a normie boy, but it’s adorable, so it’s fine. All the supporting characters are all also interesting and have their own backstories and motivations, which makes it a much more well rounded story.

What was also excellent was the ending. It felt really straight forward (still interesting though) and then suddenly it wasn’t. I think it could have seemed contrived, but the seeds for it were sewn throughout the early part of the book, so it didn’t feel forced. It made the shock and surprise felt by Sil feel valid, as I didn’t see it coming either.

Anyway, it was a great book. Really recommend. It’s a great sci-fi read, leaning into some of the current tropes but without the heavy handed despair that is often associated with ‘future corporate hellscape’ type stories. It was easy to read, the characters were all great, and had a great, fast paced plot.