Neom by Lavie Tidhar
Published November 8th 2022
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 256
Source: sent by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The city known as Neom is many things to many beings, human or otherwise. Neom is a tech wonderland for the rich and beautiful; an urban sprawl along the Red Sea; and a port of call between Earth and the stars.
In the desert, young orphan Saleh has joined a caravan, hoping to earn his passage off-world from Central Station. But the desert is full of mechanical artefacts, some unexplained and some unexploded. Recently, a wry, unnamed robot has unearthed one of the region’s biggest mysteries: the vestiges of a golden man.
In Neom, childhood affection is rekindling between loyal shurta-officer Nasir and hardworking flower-seller Mariam. But Nasu, a deadly terrorartist, has come to the city with missing memories and unfinished business.
Just one robot can change a city’s destiny with a single rose—especially when that robot is in search of lost love.
I have been meaning to read from this author for a long time so, when the publisher aproached me, of course I had to say yes.
This book is full of rich and unique characters. It has fantastic worldbulding, Neom is both harsh and cozy, futuristic and familiar.
It reminded me a lot of Becky Chambers so, if you enjoy Chambers’ novels, you might also enjoy Neom.
Neom is set in the world of Central Station and, aside from the brief mensions of the station, I don’t think it made any difference that I didn’t read it before. However, now I will, for sure, pick it up.
Rating: 4 stars