About the book
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing: Book One of Tomas Marcantonio’s Sonaya Nights Trilogy
After serving eleven years in The Heights for the murder of his childhood sweetheart, one-eared vagabond Daganae Kawasaki is finally free. But beneath the neon glare of a sprawling Sonaya, he soon discovers the backstreets are bursting with strange new shadows. Confronting plucky street orphans, bitter biker girls and down-and-out expats, Dag is swiftly embroiled in a fresh homicide case – and finds his murky past isn’t done with him yet.
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is the first instalment of the Sonaya Nights trilogy; a new dystopian noir series set in the fictional city of Sonaya. Deep in The Rivers, through the winding web of neon alleys, we follow our troubled protagonist, Daganae Kawasaki, as he scours the streets to uncover the truth behind his eleven-year stint in The Heights. But will his search for answers in the dingy basement bars and seedy homework clubs finally distinguish friend from foe, right from wrong, or will he uncover more bitter untruths than ever before? Will he finally find freedom from the pain of his past or will new revelations ignite a lust for revenge? Discover a new voice in modern noir fiction and join Dag on his painful pursuit for salvation and sake.
“I really enjoyed This Ragged, Wastrel Thing – a dystopian noir set in gloomy, booze-drenched streets crawling with scoundrels. Tomas Marcantonio’s writing is slick and intoxicating.”
– Adrian J Walker –
Author of The End Of The World Running Club
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is alive with colour, energy and vibrant language. Marcantonio possesses the rare ability of enticing the reader to turn the page, not only to discover what happens next, but to experience yet another visceral and original turn of phrase. A beautifully vicious read.”
– Adam Lock –
Author of Dinosaur
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a neon distorted, gritty reflection of humanity and its quest to find belonging – dystopian novels haven’t had it this good since Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale.”
– Ross Jeffery –
Author of Juniper and Tethered
“A beautiful mash up of grim noir and Japanese flare with a beating heart of motorhead vigilantes. It’s Sons of Anarchy meets Sin City.”
– Dan Stubbings –
The Dimension Between Worlds
“A cinematic and theatrical neo-noir painting dripping old-school masters of the genre on to a new canvas using rare concentrated pigments. With beautifully rich backdrops, scenes and characters – it’s a real treat for the imagined senses.”
– John Bowie –
Bristol Noir
“Within the first pages of Tomas Marcantonio’s searing new book, we are utterly caught up in the crazed action of a world alight with neon fire. Filled with stunning imagery that blends beauty with horror, and sanity with absurdity, the language gives life to a world that feels so intensely realised it is as though we are walking the streets alongside Dag, Fairchild and co. With elements of Watchmen – particularly Rorschach’s diary – but also of Philip. K. Dick, and Ballard, This Ragged Wastrel Thing is entirely unique and never anything other than compelling and exciting.”
– Professor Wu –
Nothing In The Rulebook
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a brilliant debut, wonderfully executed by Tomas Marcantonio. Not many futuristic noir novels can be described as retro but This Ragged, Wastrel Thing has pulled it off and it gives the book a really unique feeling. The odds are it wasn’t on your radar previously, but it needs to be.”
– Fallen Figs Book Blog –
“The descriptions of Sonaya are extremely vivid and captivating; the blinding neon-lit streets, the dingy, seedy bars and alleyways, and the smells and sounds of the city which creates an atmosphere and tone that is incredibly unique and realistic. Marcantonio does a fantastic job at building a sense of tension throughout the book that culminates in the final pages – I cannot wait to jump back into the bizarre but wonderful world of Sonaya in the next two books of this trilogy.”
– On The Bookshelf –
“Tomas Marcantonio has written an entertaining noir that sits comfortably between ‘In the Miso Soup’ by Roy Murakami and ‘The Plotters’ by Un-SunKim. Dark black shadows splashed with blade runner neon nuances provide the perfect backdrop to a world alien to even the most adventurous tourist. Easy to read with clever turns of phrase, This Ragged, Wastrel Thing could be the start of a bold series.”
– Sebastian Collier –
“This witty, futuristic, dystopian noir has some fucking pair of legs! It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very last page. It’s all drugs and guns and soju and sake; grungy bars and rooftop parties, metalhead biker chicks and corrupt politicians; revenge and deception and dark city underbelly. Sonaya is an absolutely brilliant and fascinating character all on its own, and our protagonist Dag is one of the most strangely likeable leads I’ve read in ages. Go and get yer mitts on this one!”
– The Next Best Book Blog –
Editions of THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781916325807
- EBook
- ISBN 9781916325814
Read an Excerpt
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing: Book One of Tomas Marcantonio’s Sonaya Nights Trilogy
After serving eleven years in The Heights for the murder of his childhood sweetheart, one-eared vagabond Daganae Kawasaki is finally free. But beneath the neon glare of a sprawling Sonaya, he soon discovers the backstreets are bursting with strange new shadows. Confronting plucky street orphans, bitter biker girls and down-and-out expats, Dag is swiftly embroiled in a fresh homicide case – and finds his murky past isn’t done with him yet.
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is the first instalment of the Sonaya Nights trilogy; a new dystopian noir series set in the fictional city of Sonaya. Deep in The Rivers, through the winding web of neon alleys, we follow our troubled protagonist, Daganae Kawasaki, as he scours the streets to uncover the truth behind his eleven-year stint in The Heights. But will his search for answers in the dingy basement bars and seedy homework clubs finally distinguish friend from foe, right from wrong, or will he uncover more bitter untruths than ever before? Will he finally find freedom from the pain of his past or will new revelations ignite a lust for revenge? Discover a new voice in modern noir fiction and join Dag on his painful pursuit for salvation and sake.
“I really enjoyed This Ragged, Wastrel Thing – a dystopian noir set in gloomy, booze-drenched streets crawling with scoundrels. Tomas Marcantonio’s writing is slick and intoxicating.”
– Adrian J Walker –
Author of The End Of The World Running Club
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is alive with colour, energy and vibrant language. Marcantonio possesses the rare ability of enticing the reader to turn the page, not only to discover what happens next, but to experience yet another visceral and original turn of phrase. A beautifully vicious read.”
– Adam Lock –
Author of Dinosaur
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a neon distorted, gritty reflection of humanity and its quest to find belonging – dystopian novels haven’t had it this good since Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale.”
– Ross Jeffery –
Author of Juniper and Tethered
“A beautiful mash up of grim noir and Japanese flare with a beating heart of motorhead vigilantes. It’s Sons of Anarchy meets Sin City.”
– Dan Stubbings –
The Dimension Between Worlds
“A cinematic and theatrical neo-noir painting dripping old-school masters of the genre on to a new canvas using rare concentrated pigments. With beautifully rich backdrops, scenes and characters – it’s a real treat for the imagined senses.”
– John Bowie –
Bristol Noir
“Within the first pages of Tomas Marcantonio’s searing new book, we are utterly caught up in the crazed action of a world alight with neon fire. Filled with stunning imagery that blends beauty with horror, and sanity with absurdity, the language gives life to a world that feels so intensely realised it is as though we are walking the streets alongside Dag, Fairchild and co. With elements of Watchmen – particularly Rorschach’s diary – but also of Philip. K. Dick, and Ballard, This Ragged Wastrel Thing is entirely unique and never anything other than compelling and exciting.”
– Professor Wu –
Nothing In The Rulebook
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a brilliant debut, wonderfully executed by Tomas Marcantonio. Not many futuristic noir novels can be described as retro but This Ragged, Wastrel Thing has pulled it off and it gives the book a really unique feeling. The odds are it wasn’t on your radar previously, but it needs to be.”
– Fallen Figs Book Blog –
“The descriptions of Sonaya are extremely vivid and captivating; the blinding neon-lit streets, the dingy, seedy bars and alleyways, and the smells and sounds of the city which creates an atmosphere and tone that is incredibly unique and realistic. Marcantonio does a fantastic job at building a sense of tension throughout the book that culminates in the final pages – I cannot wait to jump back into the bizarre but wonderful world of Sonaya in the next two books of this trilogy.”
– On The Bookshelf –
“Tomas Marcantonio has written an entertaining noir that sits comfortably between ‘In the Miso Soup’ by Roy Murakami and ‘The Plotters’ by Un-SunKim. Dark black shadows splashed with blade runner neon nuances provide the perfect backdrop to a world alien to even the most adventurous tourist. Easy to read with clever turns of phrase, This Ragged, Wastrel Thing could be the start of a bold series.”
– Sebastian Collier –
“This witty, futuristic, dystopian noir has some fucking pair of legs! It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very last page. It’s all drugs and guns and soju and sake; grungy bars and rooftop parties, metalhead biker chicks and corrupt politicians; revenge and deception and dark city underbelly. Sonaya is an absolutely brilliant and fascinating character all on its own, and our protagonist Dag is one of the most strangely likeable leads I’ve read in ages. Go and get yer mitts on this one!”
– The Next Best Book Blog –
Frequently Asked Questions
What is THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING about?
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing: Book One of Tomas Marcantonio’s Sonaya Nights Trilogy
After serving eleven years in The Heights for the murder of his childhood sweetheart, one-eared vagabond Daganae Kawasaki is finally free. But beneath the neon glare of a sprawling Sonaya, he soon discovers the backstreets are bursting with strange new shadows. Confronting plucky street orphans, bitter biker girls and down-and-out expats, Dag is swiftly embroiled in a fresh homicide case – and finds his murky past isn’t done with him yet.
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is the first instalment of the Sonaya Nights trilogy; a new dystopian noir series set in the fictional city of Sonaya. Deep in The Rivers, through the winding web of neon alleys, we follow our troubled protagonist, Daganae Kawasaki, as he scours the streets to uncover the truth behind his eleven-year stint in The Heights. But will his search for answers in the dingy basement bars and seedy homework clubs finally distinguish friend from foe, right from wrong, or will he uncover more bitter untruths than ever before? Will he finally find freedom from the pain of his past or will new revelations ignite a lust for revenge? Discover a new voice in modern noir fiction and join Dag on his painful pursuit for salvation and sake.
“I really enjoyed This Ragged, Wastrel Thing – a dystopian noir set in gloomy, booze-drenched streets crawling with scoundrels. Tomas Marcantonio’s writing is slick and intoxicating.”
– Adrian J Walker –
Author of The End Of The World Running Club
This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is alive with colour, energy and vibrant language. Marcantonio possesses the rare ability of enticing the reader to turn the page, not only to discover what happens next, but to experience yet another visceral and original turn of phrase. A beautifully vicious read.”
– Adam Lock –
Author of Dinosaur
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a neon distorted, gritty reflection of humanity and its quest to find belonging – dystopian novels haven’t had it this good since Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale.”
– Ross Jeffery –
Author of Juniper and Tethered
“A beautiful mash up of grim noir and Japanese flare with a beating heart of motorhead vigilantes. It’s Sons of Anarchy meets Sin City.”
– Dan Stubbings –
The Dimension Between Worlds
“A cinematic and theatrical neo-noir painting dripping old-school masters of the genre on to a new canvas using rare concentrated pigments. With beautifully rich backdrops, scenes and characters – it’s a real treat for the imagined senses.”
– John Bowie –
Bristol Noir
“Within the first pages of Tomas Marcantonio’s searing new book, we are utterly caught up in the crazed action of a world alight with neon fire. Filled with stunning imagery that blends beauty with horror, and sanity with absurdity, the language gives life to a world that feels so intensely realised it is as though we are walking the streets alongside Dag, Fairchild and co. With elements of Watchmen – particularly Rorschach’s diary – but also of Philip. K. Dick, and Ballard, This Ragged Wastrel Thing is entirely unique and never anything other than compelling and exciting.”
– Professor Wu –
Nothing In The Rulebook
“This Ragged, Wastrel Thing is a brilliant debut, wonderfully executed by Tomas Marcantonio. Not many futuristic noir novels can be described as retro but This Ragged, Wastrel Thing has pulled it off and it gives the book a really unique feeling. The odds are it wasn’t on your radar previously, but it needs to be.”
– Fallen Figs Book Blog –
“The descriptions of Sonaya are extremely vivid and captivating; the blinding neon-lit streets, the dingy, seedy bars and alleyways, and the smells and sounds of the city which creates an atmosphere and tone that is incredibly unique and realistic. Marcantonio does a fantastic job at building a sense of tension throughout the book that culminates in the final pages – I cannot wait to jump back into the bizarre but wonderful world of Sonaya in the next two books of this trilogy.”
– On The Bookshelf –
“Tomas Marcantonio has written an entertaining noir that sits comfortably between ‘In the Miso Soup’ by Roy Murakami and ‘The Plotters’ by Un-SunKim. Dark black shadows splashed with blade runner neon nuances provide the perfect backdrop to a world alien to even the most adventurous tourist. Easy to read with clever turns of phrase, This Ragged, Wastrel Thing could be the start of a bold series.”
– Sebastian Collier –
“This witty, futuristic, dystopian noir has some fucking pair of legs! It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very last page. It’s all drugs and guns and soju and sake; grungy bars and rooftop parties, metalhead biker chicks and corrupt politicians; revenge and deception and dark city underbelly. Sonaya is an absolutely brilliant and fascinating character all on its own, and our protagonist Dag is one of the most strangely likeable leads I’ve read in ages. Go and get yer mitts on this one!”
– The Next Best Book Blog –
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781916325807
Is THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Sonaya Nights
Who is/are the Author/s of the book THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING?
Tomas Marcantonio
Who is the Publisher of the book THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING?
STORGY
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING is available as paperback(ISBN 9781916325807) and ebook(ISBN 9781916325814)
Is there a video of the book?
Watch a video about THIS RAGGED, WASTREL THING here