The Bazaar series continues with Shifta, Miles Joyner’s eerily relatable sequel to the debut novel that challenged readers to consider the pitfalls of advanced technology when it’s manipulated by human folly and ambition.
The Uzunma siblings are thrust into the middle of an act of domestic terrorism set once again in the fast-paced, political environment of Washington, DC. Law enforcement agencies are certain that a disturbance during a cultural parade and the casualties it claims can be blamed on one perpetrator with access to a chatbot, but Yemi fears the return of Bazaar, the online assassination marketplace most believe to have been successfully shut down. Can his investigation help restore order, or will the elite power players in the area get caught in the crosshairs first?
Much like the first installment of the series, Shifta builds tension through overt action as well as in the subtle nuances of what the author has imagined our world might look like in the not-so-distant future. In fact, similarities between this DC and the real city’s current climate might just be too close for comfort, urging the audience to consider the fine line between truth and fiction, and whether or not we have already dabbled deeply enough to make the dangers of this foray into the dark web a true threat.
While somewhat more emotive and dynamic than they were in the first book of the series, Joyner’s returning characters do sometimes lean on genre stereotypes to help drive the plot forward. That being said, the world-building and the overall pace of the story support the narrative and fill in some of the gaps that might otherwise leave readers guessing more than they anticipated.
For those who enjoy political thrillers and futuristic action movies alike, Shifta is a thought-provoking addition to one’s TBR list.
