Best Cyberpunk Books Ever
I’ve been a little obsessed over the last few years with what the best cyberpunk books are. That’s partly because I was writing my own cyberpunk novel. It’s partly because I simply love the genre. But, what is cyberpunk? Is it simply a techno thriller novel with edge? Isn’t it a video game? Is it similar to LitRPG books? Before we dive into what I think the best cyberpunk books ever are, it’s probably worth stopping for a second to define the genre.
What Is Cyberpunk?
Put simply, cyberpunk is a sub genre of science fiction that takes place in a gritty setting with hi-tech, often with virtual reality as a core element. Cyberpunk also often showcases other distinct features like an interest in Asian culture, swordplay, and cybernetic body modifications. Cyberpunk crosses over with LitRPG books which feature virtual reality roleplaying games as their central focus. However, LitRPG can be more focussed on fantasy elements, which are not typically found in pure cyberpunk. Finally, Cyberpunk with a capital C is the name of a video game/TV franchise, not to be confused with the genre itself.
What Are The Best Cyberpunk Books?
In my mind there are three clear GOATs when it comes to discussing the best cyberpunk books. A lot of the time Ready Player One is also mentioned, but I’d personally class that as LitRPG, so will leave it here out with an honourable tip of the VR helmet. I’ll start with the godfather of cyberpunk - William Gibson.
Neuromancer - the most influential cyberpunk novel
This isn’t even an argument. Neuromancer by William Gibson pretty much spawned the entire cyberpunk movement. While the word cyberpunk was coined by Bruce Sterling, Gibson was the one who cemented it as an actual full-tilt genre. The Matrix took major cues from the book. So did a raft of other novels, short stories and more.
The story of Neuromancer itself centres on Case, a ‘cowboy’ who jacks into cyberspace to thieve, spy and generally be a cyberpunk ratbag. It’s the first book in The Sprawl Trilogy, but can be easy read as a stand alone story.
Check out more on Neuromancer here.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Another epic cyberpunk book is Snow Crash. Written by possibly the greatest living sci fi writer today, it coined the term ‘metaverse’ to explain an interconnected online reality. If that name sounds familiar, Mark Zuckerberg renamed the parent company of Facebook, Meta, in its honour. My personal favourite cyberpunk book, Snow Crash is gritty, fast-faced and packed with incredible ideas. It follows the main character, Hiro Protagonist and skateboard pizza delivery ‘kourier’ Y.T. as they try to shut down the maniac villain Raven (among other things). If there’s just one cyberpunk novel you read from this list, choose this. The audiobook version is an absolute cracker too.
Have a listen here.
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
Some of you might be familiar with the Altered Carbon Netflix series. In typical bibliophile form, I’m going to state right now: ‘the book is better’. That’s saying something too. The series is fricking incredible. The story follows convict Takeshi Kovacs who has had his consciousness and skills downloaded into the body of a nicotine-addicted ex-thug and presented with a catch-22 offer - discover who murdered his last body. If that doesn’t hook you I don’t know what will. Easy one of the best cyberpunk books ever. Read it here.
Best New Cyberpunk Books
Now that you know the top cyberpunk novels ever, I have two brand new releases for you. Both are, strangely, by Australians. There must be some chrome in the water here or something. While new, they contain all of the highlights the top cyberpunk books of all time are known for: dystopian undertones, virtual reality madness, hi-tech low lifes and more.
The first cyberpunk new release is an ultra-violent romp through the underbelly of future Vietnam…
36 Streets by T.R. Napper
I was recommended this one by a friend who’s into all things tech and it blew my circuits apart. Like Altered Carbon meets Apocalypse Now it is an intelligent, action-driven cyberpunk book that probes questions of memory, identity and the power of narratives. Get your mechanical eyeballs onto 36 Streets here.
Thrill Switch by Tim Hawken
You were waiting for this one weren’t you? Well, I obviously had to end with this one so here it is. My new cyberpunk book Thrill Switch. Rather than rabbit on about it myself, here’s a couple of quotes from 5-star reviews of the work…
“Welcome to the Sci-Fi version of Silence of the Lambs.” - Gordon A. Long
"Reading this book felt like playing Cyberpunk 2077" - J. Bickley
Actor Molly Secours absolutely knocked the narration of this one out of the metaverse, so if you’re after a good cyberpunk audiobook, listen to a free sample here.