In a futuristic Dhaka, a teenage hacker known as the Cyber Mage navigates a world filled with nanotech, djinn, and dark humor, while a golem mercenary roams the streets seeking answers. The story blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, cyberpunk, and social commentary in a fast-paced and action-packed narrative.

Cyber Mage by Saad Z. Hossain is a wildly imaginative, darkly humorous, and thoroughly entertaining science fiction/fantasy mashup set in a richly detailed post-apocalyptic future version of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The novel takes place in the same fascinating world as some of Hossain's other works like The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday and Djinn City, but stands well on its own as an action-packed ride through a landscape shaped by rampant nanotech, powerful djinn, and a global climate disaster.

At the heart of the story is Murzak, a brilliant but privileged teenage hacker known in the virtual world as the infamous Cyber Mage. Online, he's a gaming legend and unparalleled hacker working with elite groups and Russian crime syndicates. But in real life, he's an awkward, lovesick kid deciding to brave the treacherous social environment of high school to pursue his crush. Murzak's misadventures, filled with cringey and hilarious moments, form the emotional core of the novel as he stumbles his way to real maturity.

The plot really takes off as Murzak's story collides with that of Djibrel, a ruthless mercenary and "golem forged in dragon fire" who stalks Dhaka with a machete, seeking answers about the fate of the djinn - a magical race who seem to have vanished or merged with humanity. With the emergence of a mysterious and powerful new AI, Murzak and Djibrel find themselves facing unimaginable challenges in an already mind-bending world.

Hossain's breathless pacing keeps the story hurtling forward through constant twists, even as he layers in complex worldbuilding and biting social commentary. The dystopian future Bangladesh he envisions is full of astounding ideas - cities where overpopulation enables regulated climates, humans with wild nanotech-enabled mutations, and blurred lines between djinn magic and cutting-edge technology. This backdrop provides endless fuel for Hossain's signature mix of snarky humor, over-the-top action, and philosophical depth.

Indeed, underneath the dazzling surface, Cyber Mage grapples with weighty themes around corporate greed, inequality, the unintended consequences of technology, and humanity's impact on the planet. Hossain uses his extreme setting to highlight and satirize very real present-day issues in a way that's thought-provoking without feeling heavy-handed.

The novel's tone effortlessly shifts from slapstick comedy to social critique to poignant emotion to adrenaline-fueled action, all tied together by the author's wit and insight. While the kitchen-sink world and frenetic pacing may not work for everyone, fans of genre-blending speculative fiction will find a lot to love here. Cyber Mage is a smart, wildly fun thrill ride and a showcase of Hossain's boundless creativity. If you're looking for a reading experience that's fresh, funny, action-packed and full of big ideas, this novel delivers.