First published 2016
Asher built his reputation breaking into pipeline systems, but his digital crimes have finally caught up with him. His comfortable life as a hacker crumbles when powerful forces come looking for payback. Now he faces an impossible choice: disappear forever or venture into territory he never wanted to explore. His only option involves partnering with a border hacker who operates in the shadowy regions beyond civilization. She makes her living in the Outlands, where normal rules don't apply and survival depends on underground connections. Asher must learn to navigate this dangerous world where his technical skills may not be enough. The partnership forces both hackers to confront threats they never anticipated. Trust becomes a luxury neither can afford as they move deeper into hostile territory. Asher discovers that escaping his past requires more than changing his location. He must transform himself to survive in a place where his former identity means nothing and his new ally holds secrets that could destroy them both.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, cyberpunk
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Outlands
232 pages · Paperback · Independent