Corroded Cells (A Cyberpunk Saga #2) by Matthew A. Goodwin

Corroded Cells (A Cyberpunk Saga #2) Reviews

• 
  Joey

  It's more like a 3.5.
  Parts I really liked, parts are whatever.
  I'll elaborate later.
• 
  Darth Dragonetti

  "Corroded Cells" is book 2 of "A Cyberpunk Saga," and was penned by Matthew A Goodwin. I highly recommend that you tackle "Into Neon" (book 1 of the saga) before reading "Corroded Cells ("CC"). I was most impressed with "Into Neon" and must say that "CC" does an admirable job of continuing the excellent storytelling from the first book.
  
  "CC" follows a plot not unlike that of "The Empire Strikes Back." After achieving great (though costly) success at the end of "Into Neon," Moss and his company of eccentric though venerable heroes come under heavy attack by the dastardly corporations. When most of Moss's team is captured, he must undertake a bold and daring rescue mission to bring his companions back safe and sound--not to mention one other enigmatic figure, whose identity I won't spoil for you. Moss's journey will take him to some interesting places that we haven't seen before, and will give you an ever larger perspective on just what planet Earth has become in Matthew A Goodwin's budding universe.
  
  Just like "Into Neon," "CC" moves at a breakneck pace. From the breathless opening scene to the whiz bang ending, Matthew A Goodwin keeps the action coming, and never lets up. The story combines cutting edge science fiction with a classic prison break plot. Goodwin eschews some of the more cyberpunk-esque tropes from the previous book in favor of a more straight ahead sci-fi thriller. While I understand the author is going for variety in terms of location, plotting, etc, I do hope to see more of the moody, rain-soaked urban sprawl that feels right at home in any cyberpunk tale. However, one sequence in particular stuck with me, one that screams cyberpunk like no other: when Moss visits a virtual realm. The sequence is beautifully written and conceived, and was absolutely my favorite part of the novel. I hope to see more of this type of sequence in later books, and even books that are set mostly or completely in virtual reality.
  
  Like its predecessor, "CC" is well-written and features great characterization. While I encountered a few instances of cheesy dialogue, these did little to detract from the quality of the novel. Author Goodwin continues to shape the characters into ever more compelling specimens, while balancing that character development with the needs of an action story. So what we get is an exiting tale with real depth. This depth is also added to by the author's strong grasp of technology and culture of the future.
  
  There is some delicious and exotic world-building in "CC." I enjoyed experiencing life outside the urban sprawl (though it doesn't feel terribly cyberpunk-ish). Goodwin has some incredibly imaginative ideas for settings, and I enjoyed exploring right alongside the characters in the book. Carcer City in particular was very well done; obviously a great deal of thought went into its functionality and inner workings.
  
  There are so many great things to enjoy in "Corroded Cells," from story ideas, to characterization, to exciting action. Goodwin balances these things in a masterful way that just leaves you wanting more. I look forward to what the future holds for "A Cyberpunk Saga," and am sure the future will be a bright one! Bravo Matt on another job well done!
• 
  Bogi Zweiundvierzich

  Now we are getting somewhere.
  
  Perhaps you've read my review to the first part, where I complained lightly about the shallow world building. Well, the author has stepped up his game - the world is getting more and more interesting, and the writing itself also seems to be a tad more fluid.
  
  It's a great sequel, stepping up the game, leaving behind the cliches. So I'm stepping up my rating - 4 for this book.
  
  Sadly, still no space faring, but by now I'm sure the novel takes place on earth and the offworlds are there to give atmospheric background to the world, so that's okay I guess.
  
  And at least we have one space pirate in this book.
  
  Grab this one (and the book before, of you haven't already).
• 
  Stephen Furness

  BUTT-HURT SNOWFLAKES IN WANT OF A SAFE SPACE...
  
  ...should have been the title. I'm sorry, but I cannot recommend this to any self-respecting science fiction reader. Yeah, there's plenty of action to hold your attention, but the author has forgotten one pivotal facet of storytelling...the ability to create believable characters that we care about. Instead, Goodwin provides us with a vapid cast of characters, accompanied with barely surface-level development. Honestly, it's hard to care about a protagonist when I can precisely predict everything he thinks and says. By the way, I don't understand why Goodwin feels the need to reiterate everything a characters says with a half paragraph of description, confirming what had already been said. I mean, I'm not very smart, but I don't need to be reassured every time a character is feeling insecure or sad (which happens a lot, by the way). The antagonists are equally stupid and cookie-cutter. Does Goodwin really think it believable that a mega-corporation can be out-witted by a group of emotional dissidents? It's as predictable as the sounding of a well timed cuckoo clock. And to nitpick, the author also has an annoying habit of reusing adjectives over and over again.
  
  BUT... like the first novel in this series, there's SO much potential within the story. I think the plots are decent and they very much held my attention, but Goodwin has wasted it all. Why is that? Is he trying to shove out as many books as possible? Bad move, son. Goodwin might become a very good writer, the skeleton of this epic is, for the most part, fairly solid. But he needs to learn to write more convincingly if he is to author anything truly great, or even good.
• 
  Jenna Rideout

  I was granted complimentary audiobook access to Corroded Cells through Audiobook Empire. Thanks for the opportunity to continue listening to the series! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
  
  I absolutely loved Into Neon when the audiobook toured with Audiobookworm Promotions, so when my most recent check-in on the books for review offering at Audiobook Empire revealed that the audiobook for the second title was available, of course I requested it! I was not disappointed.
  
  Corroded Cells picks up where Into Neon left off. Moss and the gang are fighting the good fight from the outside now and we continue to get a whole lot of fantastically rich cyberpunk world-building and witty character dialogue throughout this one as well. Actually, I'd say we get a lot MORE worldbuilding, and I'm really loving this world. Most of what made me adore Into Neon is present here in spades, so if you also loved the first book you'll definitely love the second. Somebody let me know the moment the third book is ready for audio review because I'm in!
  
  Corroded Cells is definitely grittier than Into Neon. While Into Neon was the wake-up call, the call to action, the glitch in the matrix that revealed the flaws, Corroded Cells is the gang in the throws of accepting, fighting against, and trying to change reality. I've seen some people comparing it to Ender's Game and I see that as a comparison for the setting, but not at all the plot. I would also call Ender's Game YA and this book is much more mature.
  
  The reason I think this book impressed me ever-so-slightly less than the previous title is that Into Neon felt like it had a good self-contained arc while still clearly being the start of a series, but Corroded Cells is very much a continuation of a bigger story that trusts and expects that you've read the previous title completely and recently enough to remember details. By definition that's fine and expected for a second book in a series, and getting right into the action is usually a good thing to do, but I prefer sequels that encourage me to pretend I would have been fine reading that book first. I don't think someone jumping in at this point would have a terrible time, I think the characters are great and the world is very compelling, but I think any line-jumping readers would immediately find that the plot has left them behind at warp speed. There's aren't enough subtle reminders of key points. There isn't enough new motivational spark for the characters right at the beginning to feel like a starting place. For the average reader who reads these in order that's not going to be a problem, but it will for readers who (intentionally or unintentionally) skip the first book, and for readers like me to read a couple hundred titles a year and read these with 8 months in between...
  
  Overall this is a fantastic cyberpunk sequel and if you loved Into Neon then I highly recommend checking out Corroded Cells. Also check this series out if you like cyberpunk or any of Goodwin's other works! (But read them in order, please!)
• 
  Jaimie

  So.. when does the third one come out? I’ve always struggled with reading book series because the story line start to become stagnant and the author stops developing characters, however, this was not the case with “Corroded Cells”. You can really feel the author’s passion for the world and story line he created follow from his first book, into his second! The author makes an amazing feat of giving you insight to Moss and Gibbs lives as they meet new friends/foes and continue to fight the mega corporation. So many twist and turns I finished the book in two sittings because I couldn’t put it down and needed to find out what happened next.
  
  My favorite part of this book was how the author continues to expand the world beyond what I assumed it was and lead the reader in a direction one wouldn’t see coming, it kept me on my toes and turning the pages. My least favorite part of the book? The ending... which will make more sense when you get there. I’m trying not to give any spoilers but I can’t wait to read more from this author and see where his other books take us!
• 
  Shanna Tidwell

  I really enjoyed book 2 maybe even more than the first and it was pretty damn good too! Join Moss and his crew on another mission to bring down the ultimate company and corruption
  Zachary Johnson is an awesome narrator!
  I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
• 
  Jill Clifton

  Great story all around!
  
  Goodwin does a great job with his visual detail and character development.I love the diversity he employs, and can't wait to learn more about the people and world he has created.
• 
  Martin

  Darker, rougher, more morally ambiguous than the first book. Like in The Empire Strikes Back, this changed the mood of the story pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to the next part. Also, I like the new characters.
• 
  Matthew Angelo

  Easy read
  
  While the book was decent, the plot was weak. The main character shouldn't be allowed to make decisions as he never questions anything. Not going to finish the series as this book killed it for me.
• 
  Cody

  I don't think this 2nd entry excited me quite as much as Into Neon, but the characters are all still pretty great to read. Ynna and Gibbs especially.
• 
  David Gau

  Great action!
  
  The pace of this book is good, and the story isn't too complicated, but it's well thought out and interesting. It's an intense, liesure read.
• 
  Matt

  Fun, fast paced, and thoroughly enjoyable if a little shorter than what I'm used to. It brings the same level of gritty cyberpunk and amount of action as Into Neon alongside more fluid dialogue and a deeper exploration of the different characters, which made it more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next part!