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WesternSFA


The Heist of Hollow London
by Eddie Robson
Tor, $28.99, 276pp
Published September 2025

In this future, corporations own everything and most everyone.  Not a really new concept.  In this world, however, up-and-coming executives have clones created in case they need an organ.  Again, not a new idea but this one has a twist.  The clones are put to work as adults, working for the same corporation in which their host works.  They tend to work in a lot of labor-intensive type jobs and can expect to be called up at any moment.  This is the life they know and they expect the end result; without any real resentment.

Arlo and Drienne are 'mades' and work as sales persons in the biggest corporation on the planet.  No one, absolutely no one, would have predicted this particular corporation to fail.  The ramifications are explored down to shepherding assets so that the portions of the corporation up for sale would not lose value.  And that includes the 'mades'.  Arlo is approached by an executive who has a proposition for him.  Apparently, his host has died unexpectedly; leaving something of value inside a safe box deep within the corporation headquarters.  The executive needs Arlo's DNA to be able to access that box.  And Arlo needs Drienne with him or no deal.  They end up with three other 'mades' that comprise the team they need to break into the building and access the box.  The prize is a little bizarre but sort of fits within this context.  The important thing for the team is the promise that their contracts will be paid off and they will be freed to lead their own lives. 

This is actually a dull little story.  There are some contrived crises that each has to surmount either alone or with help.  There is a little character development. There is a little shock value when they realize who the executive actually is and what the real prize is.  But this is not managed well and I never felt invested with any of the characters or the plot.  The author seemed most invested in worldbuilding.  I can't recommend this one.  ~~  Catherine Book

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