Street: Empathy (Paperback)

~ Ryan A. Span (Author)
Key Phrases: Hong Kong, New Orleans, Radiation Alley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

While cyberpunk fans wait for the next Neuromancer or Blade Runner to get excited about, Street may be something to pique their interest. And who knows... in twenty years, somebody may write a cyberpunk novel or film a movie based on Street. -- Cyberpunk Review, March 27, 2008

Product Description

In the future, telepathy is no longer a fantasy; it's a job. Gina- just Gina- is a woman with no future, trying to make her living along the Street of Eyes, where people go to hire the desperate and the suicidal for their unique services. She is one of the sellers, the new underclass, who use "third eye" or "Spice"- a powerful drug that gives them the ability to read minds- as their way of making ends meet. The drug has only one downside- it drives the user insane. Gina no longer cares about the risks and is content to go on the way she has for years, not knowing fate has something very different in store for her when she accepts a mysterious job from an unusual buyer. Before she knows it, Gina finds herself embroiled in a dangerous mystery, hunted by gangs and madmen, consorting with hackers and assassins, and all the while trying to keep her mind from coming apart at the seams. Street: Empathy is the first volume of the acclaimed online series, STREET.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Gryphonwood Press (February 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979573831
• ISBN-13: 978-0979573835
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,628,598 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good SF/Cyberpunk read, July 8, 2009

By	TW Ervin II (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

Street: Empathy is a science fiction (cyberpunk) novel that's fast-paced and action-packed. It follows Gina, a person who sells her mind-reading services to any individual or corporate representative who wants them, much like a prostitute of today. The main drawback is the inevitable result of using the drug which allows one to read the minds of others. Eventual insanity.

A mysterious deal gone bad rockets Gina into a deadly cat and mouse game, one where she doesn't know the stakes or understand the rules--other than getting caught is a bad thing. Only her wits, quick learning and a bit of luck keeps her one step ahead of the bad guys (sometimes), all the while she strives to figure out exactly who involved is her friend, enemy, or simply using her.

The world and its depth that Ryan Span created to tell Gina's story holds together well, avoiding the inconsistencies (especially questionable logic) one sometimes encounters when reading science fiction novels containing future dystopian societies.

I'd give it a 4.5 stars, but since I can't do that here, bumped it up to five.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent addition to the cyberpunk genre, September 3, 2008

By	Z. R. Murray (MT, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is only the second book I've read that has a strong Cyberpunk storyline. The other having been snowcrash, which I enjoyed greatly. The story follows Gina as well as a number of her associates through her adventures in simply trying to survive in a dystopic future. The story moves quickly and is full of action, though you still get a good feel for who the main players in the book are.

I especially liked the idea of Spice in the book, a drug which gives the user temporary telepathic abilities. Like any other drug though it has its downsides and if used to much it drives the user crazy. Gina, being a user of spice, makes her living by selling her telepathic services. It when she accepts a new job that she finds herself on a non-stop race for survival as she tries to figure out whats really going on in the world.

There are a few weak points to the novel, namely being its kinda short and with the fast pace I flew through it. While the setting and characters are explored through-out the novel, I found myself wanting to know more. Of course, thats a good thing as there are further books coming from what I understand.

All in all it was definetly a fun read and I look forward to the next addition to the series.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book., April 28, 2008

By	Benjamin Delaroche (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been looking for a good Cyberpunk book to add to my collection when the cover caught my eye, and continues to be caught by the excellent style of the writer.
A great book for anyones collection and a author to look out for in the future.
Totally satisfied.