Coldwire

By: Chloe Gong

Narrated by: Shannon Tyo

An instant New York Times bestseller!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the first book in the dystopian Strangleloom trilogy, an “adrenaline-fueled mystery” (School Library Journal, starred review) in which humanity has moved to virtual reality to flee their deteriorating world, following two young soldiers who must depend on unlikely allies in their fight for survival.

The future is loading…

To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives “upcountry” in glistening virtual reality, while those who can’t afford the subscription are forced to remain in crumbling “downcountry.”

But upcountry isn’t perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations, Medaluo and Atahua—and no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier, or risk being labelled a spy.

Eirale graduated the academy and joined NileCorp’s private forces downcountry, exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahua’s most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official, and she’s given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.

Meanwhile, Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy. Paired with her academic nemesis for their final assignment, Lia is determined to beat him for valedictorian and prove her worth. But there may be far more at stake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo and track down an Atahuan traitor goes wrong…

Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on different planes of reality, the two start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracy—and the closer they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shattering collision.

Cyberpunk Dystopian That Kept Me Guessing

What a rush! Cold Wire threw me into a neon-lit, dangerous world where the real one is decaying and the virtual one is the only escape... But what happens when governments and tech corporations hold all the control? This story never stopped surprising me. Every twist landed perfectly, and the characters carried just enough mystery to make me question everything.

Cyberpunk vibes, found family, and Cold War-style espionage, all while exploring xenophobia and the danger of power in the wrong hands. I can’t wait for book two!

Shannon Tyo's performance is wonderful as well.