frend

After suffering a traumatic event that lands her in the hospital, Anomie makes a decision:

She is finished with the human race.

At the urging of an enigmatic stranger, Anomie volunteers for a series of surgical procedures to replace most of her natural, organic body with powered prosthetics — transforming her into something decidedly different, a human-machine hybrid — in the hopes of joining the Frend Program, an unusual matchmaking service that trains hybrids to serve as sidekicks for a group of software-based beings known as the Lumen.

As Anomie delves deeper into her new life as a Frend, she encounters a group of humans dedicated to destroying the Lumen, and when the group’s charismatic leader recruits her to join their cause, Anomie finds herself caught between worlds, embroiled in a conflict between two opposing forces, as she struggles to unravel a mystery that cuts to the heart of her identity, her nature, and the true extent of her capabilities.

Both thought-provoking and action-packed, Frend is a story of transformation, the unceasing drive to belong, and the struggle to liberate oneself from oppression, both internal and external.

"Miller's skillful economy of language and penchant for playing the cards close to the vest -- or chest plate -- works to his advantage as the tale picks up momentum/mayhem and puts an intriguing, nonstereotyped lead character through pitfalls and deadly perils of parahumanity.  Ghost in the Shell fans will have a blast."  - Kirkus Reviews