K. M. Fajardo’s Local Heavens is a sharp, immersive reimagining of The Great Gatsby, set in a fractured New York of 2075 where the divide between the tech-enhanced elite and the crumbling middle class is wider than ever.

Filipino American hacker Nick Carraway arrives in the city’s neon-lit chaos to find a world of contradictions — glittering corporate towers casting shadows over the desperate streets below. When he meets charismatic, enigmatic billionaire Jay Gatsby, Nick is drawn in by his allure. But as a corporate-sanctioned cyberspace operative, Nick’s latest assignment is to investigate Gatsby himself. In a society where immortality is for sale and secrets don’t stay buried, Nick is forced to navigate a world of power, corruption, and desire.

Fajardo’s world building is intricate and captivating, though it takes a little time to settle into the rhythm of this high-tech, morally complex setting. Nick makes for an unconventional protagonist — no saviour complex, no easy heroics — just a deeply human, often conflicted perspective. The supporting cast are equally compelling, with their shades of moral grey making the stakes feel all the more real.

The romance element is tense and layered, adding emotional heat to the gritty, dystopian backdrop. At times it veers into questionable territory, but it keeps you hooked and second-guessing motives. Local Heavens blends social commentary, cyberpunk grit, and character-driven drama into a story that lingers long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.