In the shadowy corridors of a future where human identity is as interchangeable as clothing, "Altered Carbon" by Richard K. Morgan weaves a tale of intrigue, murder, and immortality. Takeshi Kovacs, a former envoy turned unwilling detective, finds himself thrust into the heart of a bewildering conspiracy that challenges the very essence of existence. His consciousness, dispatched across the stars and housed in a foreign body, must navigate the perilous landscape of wealth, power, and eternal life, where humanity has extended its reach beyond the natural confines of death. Kovacs's journey is a relentless pursuit of truth, one that leads him through a maze of betrayal and dark secrets, where the value of a human soul is weighed against the unfathomable advancements of technology. Amidst the neon glow of advanced civilizations and the dark corners of the human psyche, "Altered Carbon" poses profound questions about identity, morality, and the cost of eternal life. Morgan crafts a world rich in detail and complexity, blending elements of noir detective fiction with high-concept science fiction to create a riveting narrative. As Kovacs delves deeper into the mystery of his benefactor's murder, he uncovers layers of corruption that reveal the dark side of achieving godhood through technology. With every clue and every body left in his wake, Kovacs doesn't just seek answers to his questions—he's forced to confront the very nature of his own existence.