Step into a fractured future where virtual reality enslaves the mind, humanity blurs with machine, and survival demands moral compromise. A Mirage in the Memory introduces readers to a dark, cyberpunk-tinged post-apocalyptic world through the eyes of a man who will risk what remains of his soul for one more chance to see his wife.
About the Book: A Mirage in the Memory
A Mirage in the Memory by Simon Tull is a prequel novella set in a post-apocalyptic Earth shaped by virtual reality addiction, transhuman evolution, and moral compromise.
Thibault Allard is desperate to save his wife. After escaping the addictive digital world that enslaved them both, he now works as a bounty hunter for the very captor who once controlled them. When he’s forced to hunt down a ruthless cult leader, he finds himself captured, imprisoned, and thrown into a brutal gladiatorial fight against a monstrous foe.
In a world where some humans have become vampires and others are part machine, part man, Thibault must decide how far he’s willing to go, and how much of his soul he’s willing to sacrifice, for one more chance to see the woman he loves.
BookHookup Review: A Mirage in the Memory
I really like the concept behind this book.
There’s a strong cyberpunk feel layered into a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has splintered into vampires, trans-humans, and those struggling to survive somewhere in between. The ideas are compelling, and the moral ambiguity of the protagonist adds depth. Thibault isn’t a hero in the traditional sense. He isn’t entirely good or bad, he’s a product of his world, willing to do almost anything for the chance to see his wife again. That internal conflict is where the story’s emotional core lies.
The plot itself carried me to the end. There’s tension, danger, and high-stakes action — especially in the gladiatorial sequences. The reader experiences this layered world entirely through Thibault’s eyes, which adds intensity but also limits clarity.
At times, I felt like I was walking in the dark. The glimpses of world-building that did shine through were fascinating — but they were too few. I often wasn’t sure where I was within the layers of this complex setting. Perhaps that restraint is intentional, given that this is a prequel and may be designed not to reveal too much too soon.
While I occasionally felt connected to Thibault, I wasn’t consistently invested. The overarching question — where his wife is and whether he’ll find her — drives the narrative, yet it remains unanswered by the end. The lack of resolution left me wanting more clarity, though it may be addressed in Book 1.
Overall, A Mirage in the Memory is worth the read for its imaginative premise and morally complex protagonist. It lays groundwork for what could become a richly developed saga.
BookHookup Content Note
Dark sci-fi with themes of violence, captivity, gladiatorial combat, moral ambiguity, and post-apocalyptic survival. Some intense action scenes. No explicit graphic content, but mature themes are present.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
-
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan – A gritty cyberpunk thriller exploring identity, immortality, and moral compromise in a fractured future.
-
The Passage by Justin Cronin – A post-apocalyptic saga blending vampiric evolution with human resilience and survival.
-
Neuromancer by William Gibson – A foundational cyberpunk novel where technology, consciousness, and shadowed motives collide.
Enjoyed this review? Let’s connect!
I focus on clean fiction across genres, historical romance, fantasy, suspense, crime, children’s, and more. When books include content that may not be suitable for all readers, I provide clear disclaimers so you can choose wisely.
- 📖 Read more book reviews on BookHookup
- ⭐ Follow me on Goodreads for updates and reviews across all genres - Goodreads Books I've read
- 📸 Join me on Instagram for quotes, bookish highlights, and behind-the-scenes posts My Instagram
- 🐦 Follow me on X (Twitter) for quick book insights and discussion as well as news about my own books. On X I'm known as Birdiesquill
- 👍 Share this review with readers who enjoy thoughtful, clean, and engaging fiction!
Let’s explore great books together—one page at a time.