Review by Frank Plowright

Altiplano sees Gustaffo Vargas return to the futuristic cyberpunk version of Peru last seen in Anticucho. Some time has passed, and the map at the end of the book shows the setting to be Peru’s Amazonian region, considerably removed from Lima where previous events occurred. At first there seems no connection to those events, but Vargas eventually returns some of his earlier cast.

We first see Sonja risking the dangers of the jungle to locate her lover Canela, hiding there for her protection, although not without resources, but the connections to the previous volume are only made when they return to the city.

Having Peru as the setting enables locations far mote exotic than those found in North America, and Vargas maximises the possibilities, most obviously via the jungle, but also via distinctive architecture and views. What will primarily attract attention, though, is the phenomenal designs, with a feature dedicated to them after the story ends. Instead of neat surgical creations, both animals and people look to have been cyberbnetically treated in some backstreet chop shop, with electronic modifications untidily visible. Savage robot dogs have a role, equally well conceived, and the most astonishing design is saved for the target of some very nasty people. After the artistic innovation of Anticucho there may be some disappointment that Vargas hasn’t included scenes with the complexity of that book’s marketplace chase, but this is still virtuoso art. An action story is imaginatively told.

Once a few revelations have dropped, readers of Anticucho will know some characters and their situation, but via flashback scenes Vargas ensures Altiplano stands up without an awareness of previous events. He supplies thrills from the start, and an ever increasing sense of danger, with the ultimate revelation being a tragedy.

With Vargas now picking up considerable work beyond his own projects whether he’ll return to this self-created world is up in the air. There’s certainly a definitive, yet inventive, finish here befitting the crisis Altiplano builds toward, rounding off a wild adventure.

As yet this isn’t available via most online booksellers, but order direct from Vargas here.