Smart, well paced technothriller
920758
Plot is  well paced, characters well develop. I especially appreciated the way the author expounded on scientific ideas of great complexity, making them understandable and integral to the story.  Now to find more books by Mr Richards
1168483
A science fiction thriller, or a technothriller, take your pick. There are two strands to the story. In one, Jake finds himself in a hedge fund responsible for his boss's questionable financial dealings, and for a mafia boss's money Jake's boss has lost. The police are after Jake, the mafia is after Jake, and Jake has no idea why. Then Jake gets a letter from his friend Sean, which contains cryptic clues. Something really bad is going on. Meanwhile, in China, something similar is happening to Jin. Gradually, we learn how to make sense of Jake's cryptic clues, and Jin finally makes it to America, to get closer to Jake's problem, which eventually they learn is mediated through the darknet, another part of the internet where almost anything goes. Amongst further problems for Jake is an upgraded Murder Inc, where rewards are posted for assassinations. Jake and Jin are designated targets.

The book is well-written, structurally sound, and moves with really quick action. The problem is novel, and more to the point, the attempted solution is rational, as is the response by the bad side. For me, there were only a few blemishes. The first is general; the evil side is so powerful and Jake and Jin have so few resources they both should die fairly early into the story. If Sean is going to send a letter, he should include a statement as to what the enemy really is. If a policeman stands five paces behind a bad guy with a pistol drawn and aimed, the bad guy either surrenders or is shot. It takes surprisingly little time to pull a trigger! Finally, the bad guys are so powerful that the ending needs something approaching deus ex machina to reach a conclusion. Nevertheless, this is a great story, well worth the five stars, and one of the clearly better thrillers I have read for some time.
1926886
Like his first two books, 'Kill Decision' is a non-stop edge-of-your-seat thrill jam. Suarez's grasp of bleeding-edge technology and modern warfare coupled with his ability to develop likable (and despicable) characters gives the reader a great read. His story development and his ability to shock and surprise the reader often comes into play. Our story begins with a series of mysterious airborne drone attacks that appear to be the work of the US military - except the US military has no knowledge of the attacks. The attacks soon become very menacing: swarming autonomous drones that communicate with one another to coordinate their attacks - a frightening development that involves a young scientist who studies the habits of Weaver ants. A group of Special Operations warriors - along with a handful of 'volunteers' - combine forces in an effort to learn who is behind these attacks, and to stop them. They are stymied at every turn and the mystery deepens as they try to figure out how their enemy seems to know their every step in advance. I look forward to Suarez's next book - hope my wait is a short one. This guy is one of the top techno-thriller authors out there. 'Kill Decision' would make one hell of a film. I hope Hollywood is paying attention.
1262395
Influx by Daniel Suarez is in keeping with his prior novels... take an interesting high-tech idea, mix it up into an action-adventure/thriller story, and the result is a book that is really hard to put down. It took me a bit to get past the first couple of chapters, but once that was over, it was difficult to find a stopping place until the end.

The overall story line revolves around a secret branch of the government that hides and controls disruptive technologies when they are discovered. For instance, self-sustaining fusion reactors were perfected decades ago, but the agency hid the technology to prevent the world from the massive disruption and upheaval that would come with cheap energy. Specific to this novel, the main character (Jon Grady) discovers how to reflect gravity. The venture capital firm financing his work is actually the BTC (Bureau of Technology Control), and they stage a bombing of the facility by neo-Luddites who want to suppress the advance of technology. Meanwhile, they have Grady stashed away to "persuade" him to work on his technology under their control. When he decides he doesn't agree with their philosophy of control, things get ugly...

The book started off rather slow for me, as it's VERY heavy with techno- and geek-speek for physics and other esoteric topics. I have *no* clue as to whether any of it makes sense, or if Suarez made it all up to be something that was meant to be light-years beyond what any of us understand. But once the demo of the technology occurs and the bombing is staged, it picks up plenty of speed and becomes a thriller.

I think it works on a number of levels. There's a David vs. Goliath element in play, as the BTC has (and has perfected) technologies far beyond anyone's imagination. It's (almost) impossible to oppose them, as they have the upper hand in any and every encounter. It also plays on the government conspiracy idea, in which there are things that are intentionally hidden from public view for various reasons. Granted, Influx takes it to 11, but it's a fun ride along the way.

Influx was an excellent read, and as usual, I'm looking forward to whatever his next novel might be.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed
2582612
Picked this up looking for a book to travel with - bad idea since I finished all 343 pages in two days BEFORE leaving on my trip.  I've read plenty of techno-thrillers over this years and somehow here we have fresh, exciting ideas fleshed out with exceptionally smart and readable prose.  A really impressive debut by Mr. Stebbins - I'll be picking up whatever he publishes next, this was a really great read.
3583315
This timely thriller writes about the constant battle of technology against humanity nature. The protagonists are fully fleshed out. Exciting book without gratuitous violence. Can't wait to read more by this author.
3002546
MIND IN THE CLOUDS
Bruce Perrin

A copy of this novel was provided in exchange for an honest review

This novel by Bruce Perrin was a crazy wild ride through modern day technology with a little advanced AI thrown in to create an action thriller par excellence. I will admit that after reading the first 2 chapters my eyes were glazing over and I wondered if I could finish such a dry book that appeared, at first, more like one of my text books than a novel. So I put it aside and returned later thinking I would slug through and honor my commitment to Mr. Perrin.

What a pleasant surprise to find the book is NOT dry and is loaded with technological surprises around each corner.  I won't recreate the storyline, as other readers will do a good job of that.  What I will say is the author is able to create characters with depth such as Doc and AI-based weapons such as Jack JACC, the main nonhuman character that is capable of making its own decisions on who will live and who would die. I wish Perrin had given more character development to the lesser characters, especially Drew as one of the primary villains, intoxicated with his own power as a pilot able to control JACC. While I understand the motives of money and ego, and knew Drew was going to take us to places we didn't want to go, how did Drew get so far in the program with such a warped psyche that was very discernible to the reader? And Marshalls ruthless natures was somewhat thinly drawn and made Docs hospital revelations a stretch as how he could know their motives and potential actions after spending only two months with them.

Though Im not generally a techno-thriller type, this novel is a great read and will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially during the Congressional/investor real time review of JACCs capabilities.  As Perrin began to weave his story, juxtaposing the advantages of AI against the ultimate misuse and failures of such technology and you realize that we are currently on the cusp of such uses for technology you may shudder as you consider this type of weaponry in the hands of our enemies, may they be home grown or international.

This novel should not only entertain you but also inform you as to what lies directly at our feet and how far in technological advances we are. How far is too far?  It made me long for the good ole cold war days of the 60s and 70s when I knew where the bomb cellars were located and an occasional trial blaring of the warning horn soon became just a part of life.  Now, I cringe to think what AI in the hands of government and other villains portends for our future.

This book has some blemishes, for example: how is Doc (1 year out of graduate school) able to put this all together in the 2 months spent in needs analysis while evaluating Troy, the JACC Operations Coordinator, with merely a training manual (given to him upon arrival) and a few lean web sites as his background and merely minutes meeting with Marshall and Colonel Dempsey? Too big a stretch for me to believe Doc could figure out who all the bad guys were and their complicated actions including espionage and murder during the demonstration. The ending with Docs soliloquy was just a step too far. However, other than jumping a few high buildings in a single bound, Doc makes a great likeable protagonist. He may need a few flaws to make him approachable in future episodes. It is obvious the author has a great handle on technology and has done a great job of putting it all together for us to enjoy. Highly recommended.
2503130
Excellent techno-thriller!
This is his second book.
I highly recommend this and all of this author's books if your are interested in technical fiction.
4675866
This review has been edited to correct inaccuracies, such as misnaming one of the characters. My humble apologies to the readers of the earlier version of the review, and my apologies to the author, Ian Kane.

RISING STORM by Ian Kane is a fast-paced futuristic techno-thriller.
This story is the first installment of a lengthy series titled, FADING EMPIRES. The story opens in the year 2047. Mega-corporations run the world. Climate change, powerful storms, rising sea levels, and devastating drought makes for a world where the average person is trapped in a desperate rat-race to survive and hopefully eke out a bit of happiness. The author has an uncanny ability to see how current trends will lead the way to this harsh chaotic future. That is perhaps the most frightening aspect of the book; Kane makes you believe this dreadful future is not only possible but probable.  The story is written well, very good editing, excellent descriptive prose for setting, strong action scenes that are believable (rather than comic-book action). All characters are described vividly and uniquely. The dialogue is graphic street-speak, but it must be in order to convey the traits of the real-live flesh-and-blood characters that inhabit the Underzones and domed cities of the future. Kilbane is the main character that is teamed up with others to resist and fight the mega-corporate stranglehold on the world.

I strongly recommend this SciFi story, especially to men and women that want the dangerous thrill of wandering the streets of a grim and gritty futuristic world. Come on, be brave, join Kilbane, Blood Wolf, Turbo and the rest of the team, the world needs the help!

This is excellent storytelling.
1909743
A good tech thriller with plausible explanations for many hypothetical situations dealing with time travel, and other situations requiring thought experimentation
599361
Intense, smart, riveting techno thriller. Couldn't put it down, kept me involved to the end. Highly recommend.
562915
Well paced, fluently written and elegantly navigating a plot filled with twists and turns, with the author always in control of his craft. Highly relevant in today's world of technological change!
3412203
This is John Sundman's first book and what a great book it is too. Sundman has written a techno conspiracy thriller that mixes nanotechnology, biotech engineering, Gulf War syndrome, Frank Zappa and the insidious rise of an all powerful software corporation and it works. This is very much in the vein of Neal Stephenson, before he got long and irrelevant (although Sundman denies having read him when he wrote this book) but with rather more narrative drive. At the start I had some concerns that my ignorance of hardcore computer engineering was going to alienate me from this tale (Sundman occasionally displays his tech credentials rather too obviously) but once power crazed billionaire ubergeek Monty Meekman appears on the scene to tempt our jaded protagonist with promises of world domination, we know we are in for a hell of a ride. Sundman has a strong grip on narrative and he knows how to keep those pages turning, but beneath it there is a dystopian vision that resonates long after the final page. Highly recommended.
757947
Please Note:  I received an advance reader's copy of this book as part of the Irish Banana Blog tour promoting this book.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

The Punch Escrow, by Tal. M. Klein, is set in a future where technology has transformed the world.  Some of the innovations are predictable, such as everyone having chip implants and the widespread use of cyber-currency.  The most transformative technology of the new age is teleportation.

The use of this technology, and it's moral implications is at the center of this novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and devoured it in a few days.  With plenty of imaginative world-building, action, and existential dilemmas, this an entertaining book that every fan of science fiction should read.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

While some of the uses for technology are ones I think most people will predict, others were delightful and fun.  Of course, there were the requisite driver-less cars, and Google Glass type interfaces.  I particularly enjoyed the 22nd century's way of solving air pollution!  I think this is why the book seems so believable to me.  Many of the innovations are things that I hope will actually occur in the future.

I also like that the wise-cracking main character, Joel, takes time to humorously explain these technological breakthroughs, as well as the "history" of these inventions.

Action:

This is a fast-paced book with Joel, Joel, and their wife, Sylvia trying to find each other, and evade those who want to erase the evidence of the two Joels.  Besides the International Transport company trying to "clear" one of the Joels, there are also religious fanatics who want to capture the two Joels and display them as examples of the evils of teleportation.

There are at least three storylines happening at once, but the author does an excellent job of keeping everything from getting too confusing.  Don't get me wrong, some of the plot IS confusing, but that is deliberate and helps the reader to understand how bewildered Joel, Joel, and Sylvia must feel.

Existential Angst:

There are several moral conundrums in this book which will make the reader think, and may be fun for a book club to discuss.  What if you get promoted to an amazing job, only to realize that your company is doing something horribly immoral?  Would you quit?  Now that you know their secret, would the company try to have you (or your loved ones) killed to keep you silent.

What would happen if you were suddenly replicated?  Who would be the "real" you?  If you were their spouse, how could you choose between them?

These were great dilemmas to ponder, and led to me thinking about progress versus purity.  Do we want genetically altered food that may keep costs down, and help us feed a growing population?  Or do we want to keep the food supply "pure"?  Do we want medical innovation that will allow people to live forever, or should people age naturally?

What I Was Mixed About:

My only criticism of the book (and it is a tiny one), was how the book ended.  I appreciated that the main story was resolved, but felt that there didn't need to be any cliffhangers.  If the author wants to create a sequel, there are many avenues for him to explore.  Let the characters have a moment of happiness, please.
340669
Douglas Richards researches his technology really well, and turns out a fast moving tech thriller.
2357566
Stephen Coonts proves he is more than equal to the task of maintaining the Jake Grafton character as he ages and moves away from the cockpit and the flight deck.  This story harkens back to the tone and the pace that Coonts set with Under Siege, another book that found Jake Grafton ashore. Coonts works in some old characters, an exotic locale and some pretty good observations on the looming political/cultural struggles in China.  He also weaves in some good comparisons to present day Hong Kong and life the way it was under British rule. There is enough high-tech stuff here to satisfy the techno-thriller reader, but it is paralleled by some good character portraits and an expansion of the character of Jake's wife, Callie. All in all a very satisfiable addition to the Jake Grafton series.
2804660
I had read MacDonald's two previous offerings back to back, thoroughly enjoying them, and have eagerly awaited the opportunity to direct my attention to his third, and apparently most critically acclaimed and controversial novel. The inexcusably long hiatus on my part was well rewarded. MacDonald is one of few authors in this genre that can write an internationally sweeping, plot driven technothriller, without burying the reader in details, while at the same time fully satisfying technical readers like myself.

In Critical Error, MacDonald goes above and beyond his previous efforts to keep the reader unseated. I continuously anticipating the next twist or turn, which catapulted the plot forward at a blistering pace. The villains and puppet masters are diabolical, yet not cartoonish. The protagonists are complex, flawed and not unstoppable...though they certainly don't go down without an incredible fight. The action is believable and gritty, with an emphasis on "economy of violence." Double crosses and backstabbing are the order of the day, and you'll never know exactly whom you can trust among his cast of characters. All of these aspects combine to create a richly entertaining read.

Reviewers have criticized the greater plot driving much of the novel's action, and while it is undeniably ambitious, MacDonald pulled it off with what I considered to be a minimum suspension of belief. After all, this is technothriller fiction, and the author tackled a sensitive topic with particular skill and research-based logic. The culmination of scenes at the end of the novel is brilliant, and well worth the price of admission in the case of Critical Error. MacDonald has a keen talent for pulling everything together in end, leaving no stones unturned.

Overall, this is the author's strongest novel to date. I look forward to his next offering, which I can only hope will be released soon.