Book Review: Altered Carbon – Richard Morgan

This is a book review of Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan.

Update 2019: This book was turned into an excellent Netflix TV series, which I enjoyed watching.

Note: This book isn’t for the younger reader as the violence and sexual scenes are definitely for adults only.

The future filled full of technological wonder and humanity has traveled to the stars, yet some things have not changed. Desire and lust remain. Deceit and pain are abound and human nature often gets out of hand, going beyond reasonable, catching innocents in the wake.

Where you can be ‘resleeved’ in another human body or be digitally transmitted to distant worlds, as Takeshi Kovacs has been. Kovacs was an Envoy, essentially a military arm of the group that governs humanity. Often acting as muscle, but not purely in the physically sense, but also with heightened mental abilities. Able to strategise and solve analytical problems when most would be found wanting. Envoy’s can be devastating both together or acting independently, meaning Kovacs a now ex-Envoy can be a dangerous man.

This book is how Kovacs found himself back on Earth solving the murder mystery of a rich man and in the process getting into endless trouble.  Earth in this distant future is recognizable and how some have abused their power or mix politics with action, often unsavory. It was fascinating to follow Kovacs wading his way through the situation he has found himself in.

I should of read this book before Broken Angels but even if like me your reading out of order, fear not it is still a worthwhile read. This book is firmly science fiction, but also a murder mystery coupled with strong action.

This book left me guessing on many accounts until the end, I appreciate that. At times I found the violence extreme, but I appreciate it wasn’t going to be a gentle read with the nature of the storyline as it unfolded.

This is the second Richard Morgan book I’ve read, it won’t be the last. He creates characters and environments that show depth and not scared to show the darker side of humanity. A well written book for the older reader.