Data Runner

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via netgalley.com to review.

Data Runner, the name alone makes me think of Shadow Run, with shadowy hackers breaking into corporations and taking their data for fun and profit. There is a bit of similarity in this book but it's of a different nature. Patel creates an interesting vision of the future where “data runners,” or people who load up data into their bodies and currier it from location to location, help form the culture of our world. Our protagonist, Jack, a tracer who dreams of being able to go to the best schools, gets recruited into the best data running organization, Arcadia. Soon, he learns the value of carrying data and what it can really shape the direction of the world.

I loved the world built into this book. I loved the parkour and running scenes. My head carried out music to accompany it. The book did have a few twists and it kept me wondering just how far the run was going to go. The characters were great and had flaws, that made them more well rounded. The book ends with a great opening for the next, if there will be.

I'm not sure what the shortcomings of this book might be... it was a bit short (which isn't a downfall), and things did flow a bit too well, but those are minor things to something I hope heralds the start of a promising series.

Bottom Line: want a fun cyberpunk/shadow run book to read? Love tales that feature parkour prominently in them? Then this is your book.