If you like sci/tech-based scary stuff, youll like this.
357417
I think the first-person narration really helps in this kind of thing, because its a technology-run-amok thriller, and clearly this is a technology Crichton had genuine worries about. And in my humble opinion, he was right to be worried. The developments in this novel are still quite a ways off, but having read it, you have to be worried about the long-term consequences when we finally do start monkeying around with things at the nano level. Also, there are parts of the book that stick with you, like the scene where we finally get to hear a few desperate words from  oh, lets just say once of the principal characters whom we haven't REALLY heard from until that scene (Sorry to be cryptic, just don't wanna do spoilers). Its scary where its supposed to be scary, and Cichton never talks down to the reader, which I like. In fact I learned several interesting facts about predator-prey interaction, along with the nano stuff. Its not a perfect book, Crichtons always been more of a craftsman that an artist, but hey, thats more good enough for me.
4619313
I really enjoyed The Ares Weapon quite a bit.

It reminded me of the same fun I had reading the sci-fi mysteries/adventures by my favorite Golden Age writers, with one major exception.  The science felt plausible, the human interactions were recognizably realistic  the exception?  The overall atmosphere felt realistically derived and believable rather than being dated in any way, like some of those favorite stories of mine written in less contemporary times.

The protagonist is an exceptional doctor with some secrets preventing her from feeling the self-respect she deserves.  Hitting rock bottom, she is presented with an opportunity for which she feels completely unworthy but is essentially forced into taking  and starts an adventure which feels part heist, part murder mystery, and part high-stakes espionage.

The backdrop is a Solar system far enough in the future from now that it feels used and lived-in.  Private and company-owned ships make regular runs throughout the system, and the surface of the moon is pocked with neighborhoods and communities filled with people from all walks of life, every social strata, and a full range of moral turpitude or, erm, otherwise.  Its fun being invited into a world similar enough to our own that every little thing doesnt have to be explained, with the occasional quirks and twists thrown in to remind us were no longer in Kansas.

Some writers feel they have to explain quite a bit more than my attention span will accommodate, and others leave so much a mystery I find it difficult to image what it is thats actually going on.  Luckily, Doug Pruden is right in the middle  I feel I can smell the environment, hear some of the background noise, and I know just enough of whats going on.

Occasionally I found myself thinking wouldnt it be cool if something like this happened, or it would be very cool if so-and-so was actually like that.  And more often than not the cool thing I was hoping for would be the very thing which happened next  with just enough of a twist I didn't see the whole thing coming.  I like being able to kind of know where the story might be taking me, but its a lot of fun when I can fall into a world enough that I feel the ride of the story as a real adventure.

Although in the first half I was able to pull myself away occasionally for the necessities (going to bed, taking a shower, showing up for work, etc.), the last half became exciting enough I had to read it straight through.  The next morning required a bit more caffeine than normal to get going, but it was totally worth it.

And thats a (sadly) unusual event  it seems a smaller number of writers than we would hope make the payoff really worth all the lead-up, but this felt very satisfying as it tied (most) things together.  Theres still enough left hanging so Im looking forward to another adventure in Dr. Destins world, but this book is truly its own adventure.
1994891
This is big scifi. A number of big future technology questions are addressed. The old concept that any technology that is sufficiently advanced looks like magic goes for religion too. I did skim through a few of the fight scenes. But all in all it is an interesting read. Worth your time.
2885401
So. This is my second Jake Scarne and I'm glad I have more DeMarias in a holding pattern because I can't WAIT to read them. This was a frightening, too-close-to-home premise that may make you wonder what's in that next protein bar. The - for lack of a better word - "techno-scientific" jargon is kept to a minimum but it's nice that it's there in case anyone, as I do, cares to do a little post-thriller research to expand their horizons. There's the odd proofreading glitch here or there but countable on the fingers of one hand, and toward the end the 'old-wives'-tale/suck-out-the-poison' experience was a bit of an eye-roller, but beyond that I had no get-on-with-it moments. The fates of some of the more minor characters - including some of the baddies - were open-ended enough that they could easily be slipped into future tales and their personas and motivations were interesting enough that I think their reappearance would be an asset. The banter was a pleasant interlude in times of tension, the humor wasn't overdone or interjected at inappropriate times, and the best thing about it was it kept me wanting more Jake. All in all, I liked it enough to recommend it and I can easily see re-reading it.
For those who are keeping score, here are the standings:
(1) Zero paranormal/supernatural/magic components;
(2) Mild profanity;
(3) No gooey romance;
(4) Some sex but not overly explicit;
(5) Some gooey death but not overly descriptive;
(6) No child abuse;
(8) No animal abuse;
(9) No alternative lifestyle agenda or promotion;
(10) Not a cliffhanger ending;
(11) Grammar and punctuation police, come ahead on: I know you'll find something.
1909743
A good tech thriller with plausible explanations for many hypothetical situations dealing with time travel, and other situations requiring thought experimentation
949232
It has some ideas that will make you think how technology is caching up with fiction.  Technology changes every day.
3925993
Well produced. Hidden gem with spooky element.
4418886
It is too scary in fact.

The patience, use of silence, and the mostly naturalist every day settings created a climate of anxiety. The use of technology was interesting. The panopticon theme -as smart phone and as simple holes in a wall- was clever. The clean and classic style cinematography was beautiful. The acting from the lead was superb.
3456700
It is a short read, and I thought it was pretty good. I like my science fiction to be believable - from the technology, plot / story line, as well as names I can pronounce, and the author hit it.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this guy.
3117389
Get your British creepy on.; fun ride on the nerdy side. Would watch it again. Fan of BBC.
2492771
Phil Elmore slams us into a dirty cyberpunk world that shares much in common with both William Gibson and Clive Barker. I would classify this as techno-horror rather than pure action or sci-fi, though it certainly has elements of each. The action is violent. The descriptions of "mods" (augmented humans) blend the most horrific elements of H.R. Giger and Heironymus Bosch. Definitely not for those with a low tolerance for violence or gore. This novella is the first part of the story, and ends on a cliff-hanger with the main character still needing to solve the greater part of the mystery. I'll definitely be reading future installments.
68596
It was SCIFI without being totally unbelievable with the tech as fast as it is changing  today. I could see a future like this.
4812626
I really enjoyed this movie because it wasn't the typical hokey stuff where you know all along where everything is going. This one keeps you guessing and second guessing up until the very end. It's different, but at the same time scarily believable. So don't expect some tired ridiculous setup like impossibly good looking and horny teens running, screaming, and being predictably slaughtered. Its realism makes it scary. You know when death leaps out at you, it's not going to be with a loud musical chord, it's going to be mundane. That's what makes it so creepy.
4226895
Excellent work by Brian. Pacing is good and the horror elements really mesh well with the action elements because there is rarely ever a sense that danger isn't present, even if the characters aren't able to figure out what or where the danger is currently coming from. Entertaining blend of science and magic systems as well.
1983058
I liked this series. If you're a hopeless space sci-fi nerd like me you'll enjoy these three books. They're fairly well written, the characters are easy to care about and the badguys are pretty frightening.
1075329
Interesting tale about the dangers of new technology.  I like fiction where the outcome is possible when talking about technology.

I love the possibility of technology being used to heal, but the science fiction was great.  I wasn't as pleased that he fell for the "trampy" girl and in my mind he gets over her and finds a girl like his cousin.  You'll understand when you read the story.

I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
4425293
As far as scary movies are concerned, I think this one is actually great- the genre tends to be subpar so it's nice when you watch a thriller that is both a little scary (as scary as a movie can be to anyone over 16) and has a decent plot/ script.