Before you is a mosaic world of the future, where humankind is torn apart, and everyone must survive by joining one of two powerful factions—Shape-ters or Mechanists.
The Shapers have bet on development through genetic modification. Their power comes from an endless well of willpower and the mobilization of human biological resources.
The Mechanists, on the other hand, prefer—in the literal sense—to grow together with technology: cyborgization affects not only parts of the body, but also their own consciousness.
In the swirl of endless intrigues and the hostility of mighty forces, the book’s hero—a Shaper renegade—gets pulled into the orbit of cosmic politics. Through deep training, he’s turned into the most skillful liar, capable of converting anyone to his faith. Yet he sets his skills and his dream of humanity’s future against everyone and anyone.
Criminal corporations—zaibatsu—stand guard over which is the yakuza and the skilled killers called “antibiotics.” Intrigue, confrontation, revenge, and conspiracies.
Welcome to the future of technology and mutations, of stimulants that alter consciousness, and of whole cities made of living flesh; a universe of death and love—all of this is SCHIZMATRIX! Visit the divided universe of Bruce Sterling, the man who coined the word “cyborg.”