Books by Daniel Verastiqui

Daniel Verastiqui has an obsession with giving his characters great big heaping gobs of amazing technology, and then watching them screw themselves with it.

- Travis Holmes, Review of Perion Synthetics

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Welcome to my world of cyberpunk science fiction, where humanity suffers under the relentless advance of technology, and corporate power is as omnipresent as it is oppressive. I write novels in an ongoing series called The Vinestead Anthology, a collection in which each story takes place in the same universe, often with recurring characters, but aren't direct sequels. In this anthology, Vinestead International—a corporate giant with boundless influence and questionable ethics—serves as an ever-present antagonist, casting its shadow over each story.

In addition to The Vinestead Anthology, you’ll find standalone novellas and short stories here, exploring new futures, unique challenges, and the resilient human spirit that binds them all. Whether you’re here for high-tech intrigue or character-driven explorations of identity and relationships, there’s something here for you to enjoy.


This page provides an overview of my books, complete with summaries, themes, and links to dedicated pages to dive deeper into each story. You’ll find everything from high-tech heists to introspective journeys about identity and connection, all set in a richly imagined universe. Click on a title below to learn more, read an excerpt, or find your next science fiction escape. Hack into thrills today!


The Vinestead Anthology Novels

Vise Manor (2022)

Eccentric tech billionaire Winston Vise invites eight guests to his secluded manor to demonstrate his AI synthetic humans. But when a murder unfolds during the event, guests must navigate a night of terror to uncover the killer—who may not be entirely human.

Featuring: artificial intelligence, human vs. synthetic identity, corporate secrecy, isolation, survival, murder mystery

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Brigham Plaza (2020)

When Johnny San Vito’s final hack leaves a trail in cyberspace, it draws in Danny “Guns” Montreal and cipher den suit Megan “Tanzy” Riley. Following Johnny’s digital breadcrumbs, they find themselves on a dangerous journey to Brigham Plaza, a virtual construct that holds game-changing secrets about humanity's future.

Featuring: Cyber warfare, virtual reality, legacy, corporate conspiracy, loyalty, hackers, simulation.

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Hybrid Mechanics (2019)

Armando Carrillo awakens from a simulation in a bunker, realizing his life in Austin was a manufactured illusion. Determined to uncover who created him and why, Armando must escape while rescuing three other synthetic captives designed to learn human behavior.

Featuring: Simulation theory, synthetic life, self-discovery, captivity, existential identity.

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Por Vida (2017)

In 2035, rising Hollywood star Sepideh Ahmadi undergoes a synthetic body transition to stay with her terminally ill girlfriend, Natasha. As the boundaries of identity and love blur, a machine war threatens, forcing Sepideh to confront what it means to be truly human—and whether she’s still that person.

Featuring: Immortality, synthetic relationships, personal transformation, machine uprising, love and identity.

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Perion Synthetics (2014)

As a massive beta test introduces synthetic humans to Perion City, publicist Sava Kessler must protect Perion Synthetics’ legacy while managing the media and concealing dangerous truths. With a competing corporation eager to expose them, Sava faces a moral battle to keep Perion’s secrets buried.

Featuring: corporate rivalry, synthetic ethics, media manipulation, mortality, loyalty and betrayal.

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Veneer (2011)

In the 22nd century, augmented reality has transformed society. Deron Bishop, who struggles to control the Veneer, faces a stark choice when his ability to access the virtual world is disrupted. As he grapples with a reality he barely recognizes, he must choose whether to abandon or reclaim the life he once knew.

Featuring: augmented reality, identity crisis, social class, control vs. freedom, resilience.

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Xronixle (2007)

To preserve his relationship with his girlfriend, C, X uploads her consciousness into a virtual avatar, triggering unforeseen consequences. As C becomes an unstoppable presence in the virtual Net, X’s friends Natalie and G must embark on a rescue mission through a digital realm filled with deadly threats and insidious corporate forces.

Featuring: virtual relationships, identity upload, digital frontier, corporate dominance, friendship and sacrifice.

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The Vinestead Anthology - Short Stories

Guardian Angels (2008)
When a bomb threat shuts down the Vinestead West building in Sacramento, senior developer Rick Diaz’ first thought is to head back home, but his new friend Bonnie has other ideas. From a fancy breakfast on the rich side of town to a sim parlor in the tech mecca of

Standalone Novellas

Bartering Nola (2024)
He rode in out of the west with a girl on the back of his horse. Unlike every other known human, this one had blonde hair and blue eyes. She was an Original. And with her genetic signature, a portal could be opened to Balise, a dimension of pure darkness.