Several of these stories are set in the Neuromancer Sprawl universe and there are a couple of recurring characters, including Molly. I should imagine this is the reason most people come to this collection. It’s certainly why I did. However, you don’t need to have read the Neuromancer trilogy to enjoy what’s here.

I particularly enjoyed these Sprawl stories. I find his sociological extrapolations particularly frightening and I like his conception of the internet as a three dimensional world rather than the page-based system we’re gone for. I’d like an Ethernet socket installed in my skull.

As for the rest of the stories, some feel a little like they’re looking for something. Red Star, Winter Orbit may lack a little in the execution but its questioning of how we will maintain a presence in space is very interesting. And The Belonging Kind may be in search of a plot but is creepy and atmospheric and worth a read.

In the little book house along with two of the Sprawl novels:

Neuromancer
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15119857/

Count Zero
https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/15895107/