Jack is a self-proclaimed Robin Hood, providing cheap reverse-engineered pharmaceutical drugs for those who can’t afford the brand names. As her anti-patent ways are illegal, Jack is also a pirate who traverses the world in a submarine. But when a recent drug hack starts causing lethal overdoses, Jack must find a way stop the drug epidemic while dodging military agent Eliasz, and his robot partner, Paladin, who are hot on her trail.

In this preview excerpt, which includes the first five chapters, the mid-22nd century is a wild place, with robots who look like humans and middle-aged ladies scientists who are also pirates. Who wouldn’t want to read a book with the summary of Autonomous? Big Pharma and drug copyrights also appear to be major players in this story, but already in motion are intriguing ideas of identity, as explored through human slavery and robot consciousness and sexuality. The characters have not yet hooked me, but the fast-paced, smart, and imaginative story (which already mentions mass spectrometry among other science lingo) is bound to be a really fun read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for a free copy of the preview excerpt in exchange for an honest review!