In a post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk world where immortals rule and reality blurs with virtual existence, a morally conflicted bounty hunter named Thibault Allard is forced to hunt down a killer to gain leverage with his captor and continue his desperate search for his missing wife. Themes of memory, identity, and the cost of love drive this atmospheric, genre-blending story, which explores the illusion of free will and the struggle to retain humanity in a dystopian society.

Reader Review Summary

"A Mirage in the Memory" is a gripping cyberpunk sci-fi novella that immerses readers in a vividly rendered post-apocalyptic world where reality and virtual simulations bleed into each other. From the opening lines, Tull's lyrical and evocative prose immediately hooks you, painting vivid imagery of memories "etching wounds worse than any acid" that resonates on a deep level.

One of the strongest aspects is Tull's masterful world-building. He has crafted a richly textured futuristic dystopia that blends cyberpunk's gritty technological underbelly with dark fantasy elements like immortal vampire-like beings. The slick melding of the "bleed" (reality) and the addictive virtual "slip" is a fascinating and original concept executed with finesse. Tull doesn't inundate with reams of tedious exposition but instead sparingly reveals intriguing tidbits that leave you hungering to discover more about this compelling world's evolution.

The character work is also stellar, with the tormented antihero Thibault making a captivating lead. His relentless drive to locate his missing wife provides the emotional narrative thrust, rendering him sympathetic despite his morally dubious bounty hunter occupation. Tull adeptly portrays the toll Thibault's decisions have taken without lapsing into one-note brooding. Complementing Thibault are the enigmatic digital ghost and a vibrant supporting cast like the memorable android Blink that leave you wanting to see more of their arcs explored.

Speaking of Blink, the android characters represent one area where Tull truly shines - injecting moments of much-needed levity and whimsy to counterbalance the dark, oppressive atmosphere. For example, Blink's sarcastic robot companions like Normy with his overly literal banter providecharming bits of humor. These flashes of lightness make the heavier moments even more impactful through well-executed tonal contrast.

On a technical level, Tull's immersive cyberpunk voice is spot-on, with the neon-tinged descriptions and rapid-fire rhythmic dialogue feeling authentic to the genre. His judicious use of stylistic flourishes like twisting cliches into fresh metaphors enhances rather than distracting from the prose. The kinetic action sequences are brimming with visceral intensity, particularly the electrifying arena battle that kicks into adrenaline-fueled high gear.

Most impressively, Tull accomplishes a surprising amount of character and world development in this relatively slim page count, no easy feat. "A Mirage in the Memory" seems to function equally well as a prequel providing key mythology to whet appetites for the main series or as a tight, self-contained cyberpunk noir narrative.

While the open-ended, bittersweet conclusion may leave some readers yearning for more closure, it tonally aligns with the melancholic themes and grounded tone. Above all, this atmospheric and stylish novella showcases Tull's immense talents as a storyteller, establishing him as an author to watch in sci-fi/fantasy fiction. Evocative, imaginative, and possessing a distinctive voice, "A Mirage in the Memory" vividly brings its neon-bathed futuristic landscape to vivid life and should delight genre fans seeking fresh visionary worlds to explore.