Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)

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Labelled as Mahakarya (Masterpiece) by Patriots Asia, the publisher released one of its first sci-fi and cyberpunk novels. With a whopping 505 pages thick, what if I told you that this book is worth reading? – yes, every page of it. 

About The Book

Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)
A pretty thick book

The story revolves around a character named Azrahel, who is a corpse-tracker for hire. You see, in the near future 95% of deaths are caused by war. Everyone has to join the war at some point, and the rich people are willing to pay a good amount of money to pay people like Azrahel to collect the bodies of their loved ones.

Only the problem is Azrahel’s latest job is more than a sentimental corpse-tracking mission – it’s a giant corporation syndicate to keep the war going on and profit from it. 

A huge chunk of the story is narrated by Azrahel. At first, you’ll probably roll your eyes a few times because Azrahel seems like he tries to be edgy and cool so bad. But eventually, it will grow on you. 

A Fresh Take On The Cyberpunk Theme

Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)
Every page screams cyberpunk 

It has every element of a cyberpunk theme plus more. AIs, flying cars, post-apocalyptic ghost towns, giant corporate syndicate, and countless weapons. I’d say the world-building is great and detailed. How the war started, the lore of the AI community, and the corporate’s evil plan are all worth reading. 

How It Should’ve Started

Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)
It should’ve started with THAT scene 

I think the novel started in a wrong way. It’s pretty bland and dull. Like I said, Azrael tries too hard to be edgy and cool. The novel starts with how he likes money so much, how he rented an AI service, and the description of the war. 

What I’m trying to say is the novel starts with an exposition galore. 

A novel is a story and people read stories to appeal to emotion. The novel should’ve started with Azrahel’s origin – about how he failed to save his friend in a war and how it led to him becoming a corpse-tracker. It is emotionally intense. The author should’ve opened with that story, or at least a small chunk of the story so that the readers would be invested in the main character right away. 

How It Should’ve Ended

Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)
The fifth part isn’t necessary and the novel could’ve been shorter 

The novel is split into five parts. The fourth part is crazy. It’s a full out war scene and the story revolves around three main characters, Azrahel, Juliana, and Raqib. It’s basically three final battles happening at the same time. 

Unfortunately in the fifth part, it feels anti-climactic. The final scene feels less intense than the fourth part. The momentum is kinda ruined with how the fifth part was written.

I believe this can be fixed if the final battle in the fifth part was included in the fourth part. In fact, I don’t think the fifth part is necessary at all. The author could’ve fit all of his plot in mere four parts.

Conclusion

Azrahel: Your Local Cyberpunk Novel (Spoiler-Free Review!)
It’s still a great novel 

In a nutshell, the overall story is good—great, even—but it could’ve been perfect. The world-building is immersive, the themes are compelling, and the plot keeps you engaged. However, the pacing falters in the final act, where the story loses some of its momentum. Despite this, “Azrahel Si Penjejak Kubur” stands out as a fresh take on the cyberpunk genre, with enough grit and depth to make it a must-read. I’d rate this book a solid 9 out of 10.

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