Myka is an amazing author who creates realistic characters and immersive worlds in a flash. The Pigment Thief packs a lot of punch in a small package just like Ro. Ro's world is gritty, sleek, and full of corporate greed. It is eerily similar to our own. I loved how it showed what can happen when climate changes are ignored, corporate entities take over our whole lives, and the trickiness of living in a world full of A. I. Myka holds their own as an author not afraid to ask deep questions about A. I, bodily autonomy, and what it means to be human. This cyberpunk heist novella will yank you under and leave you breathless until the last page. I can't wait to read more from them!

This cinematic cyberpunk novella is full of stand-out characters, great banter, exciting world-building, and stunning imagery. "The Pigment Thief" is not only fast-paced but brutally beautiful as well, pulling you through the story with the perfect precision of a sucker punch. If you are looking for a story with heartfelt rage as well as interesting conversations about AI and humanity, this is absolutely for you. The imagery of "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" paired with the cover of this novella alone is stunning, but there were some gorgeous scenes that had me on my knees. AND IT'S AN ART HEIST, PEOPLE, AN ART HEIST.

As far as prequel novellas go, this is fantastic and incredibly engaging. However, a few plot choices near the end that fairly common to the sci-fi genre to me. But to be honest, I didn't mind because I can't wait to read more stories set in this world - and especially with a main character like Ro.

Content warnings: strong language throughout, a couple of sex metaphors, and some scenes of pretty twisted physical abuse (needed for the story but it can be violent).

Thank you to NetGalley and Myka Silber for an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review!

The Pigment Thief is an incredibly creative, cyberpunk novella that explores a science fiction society in which artificial intelligence, in every aspect, is the norm, even down to the “human” body. The cyber fantasy world building and expansive character development yields a seemingly realistic setting for an underground group of vigilantes to execute an art heist fueled by vengeance. Despite being a novella, complex themes of climate change, corporate greed, and body autonomy are thoroughly illustrated and the action scenes were thrilling and well paced. I am looking of eats to reading more from this author!

I would have loved to see what the author could have done with this story given a higher page count. It’s a story based around a heist, which I love. It takes place in the far future there anonymity is virtually nonexistent; and our motley crew of misfits have to live like ghosts to maintain theirs. All while attempting to pull off a death wish of a heist.

The story speaks to where technology (including AI) is leading art, what it means to be human, what makes us…us, the affects of intimate partner violence and what it looks like to live with and heal from the aftermath.

If that sounds like a LOT… you are not wrong. Mika Silber squeezed all of that between 71 pages. It needed more. I felt like I was left hanging when it came to character development, setting and world building and ultimately to the point of the plot.

I enjoyed the book for what it was, but thought that it would have benefited from more pages and more story.

This was a fantastic little novella! I found it very easy to follow and get into. The plot was very unique and intriguing. The characters were great and the story was fast paced. I just found out this is actually a prequel, so I am excited for the next book to come out!

Cool and unique concept (or maybe it’s just that I’m new to sci fi!), I just wished the writing were a bit more charismatic and immersive, and less telling over showing. Would still recommend to sci fi fans!

This story is about an elite art thief who is offered a seemingly irresistible job that her crew thinks is risky. Yet she can’t help but take it on, both due to her curiosity about the artwork and the lucrative sum she’d get in return. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

I was initially drawn to this book because of its title and description. but as I started reading, the story proved to be equally engaging and entertaining. Its quick pace complemented the cyberpunk setting perfectly. Yet, the found family theme added a cozy, heartwarming touch that I deeply enjoyed.

I also appreciated that in spite of being surrounded by technology that can create art, the MC only values human-created art more because of it. Even though the tech is used to modify the characters’ bodies, they emphasize on it being used to make your body a truer expression of your own creativity and identity.

My only gripe about this book is that it was so short! I would have absolutely loved to spend more time in Ro’s world, especially after the plot twist at the end. This story captures a pivotal moment in her life, and I can't help but wonder about what the future has in store for her.

I thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book for my review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

My rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This sci-fi novella is a romp of an art-theft heist. It not about the science, some of that seemed very sketchy (in the sense of loosely done, not in the sense of dodgy. It felt a little bit YA, and the main character made some truly stupid decisions. The politics, which are central to this situation, are also very simple (rich people have all the resources, and all the fun). I received this an a free e-Arc from Netgalley and I was going to rate it three stars. It is a prequel novella for a novel and I realised that if I saw the novel on NetGalley or at the library I'd read it, because this was interesting enough, and well enough written, for me to want to know what happens next.

The cover and plot immediately pulled me in and the story did not disappoint. This is a shorter book, so I finished it in one sitting and loved it.

I typically get annoyed with Artificial Intelligence references, but AI is a part of our reality unfortunately at this point and this book handled it really well. The story felt more real because AI wasn’t romanticized or glorified - it was just AI - kinda creepy, advanced, and usually the old methods work just as well lol. 
You'll see what I mean when you read it. It was super refreshing and wonderful.

I loved this book immensely. Such an amazing cyberpunk heist novella.

I was going to give it 4 stars initially because I wanted it to be longer, but I think wanting more means it needs 6 stars or more. This was GOOD. It gave me similar action spy vibes to one of my favorite sci-fi series, so this genuinely scratched an itch I needed scratched. 



Thank you for allowing me to read this free copy in advance. It was such an honor! I am leaving this review voluntarily.