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Title: Daemon
Score:
Author: Daniel Suarez
Rating: Not available
Hits: 107

Review of Daemon

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Comments for Daemon

• Posted on 2009-11-15
  Absolute junk - don't believe the positive reviews
  
  Fair warning: this was such a bad book that I only made about 2/3rds of the way through it. The fact that it currently has 4 stars on Amazon makes me think the review system is nearly worthless and I have to write this review in the hopes that it helps someone avoid wasting their money.
  
  The first thirty pages are entertaining, the second thirty will leave you thinking "wait, that doesn't quite make sense" and the rest will leave you a little disturbed that you're wasting time reading it.
  
  For example, at one point, we're supposed to believe that a computer program scans the newspaper headlines, sees news about a fired reporter, finds her cell phone number and personal data somehow, then calls her and convinces her to go to a hotel room where she can photograph a cop across the street cheating on his wife. And, honestly, that's one of the more believable premises in the book. Apparently, the evil villain created an AI that has access to every database in the world, understands human psychology completely and can predict the future nearly 100% accurately - meanwhile, our government is filled with idiots who are only good at keeping everything secret.
  
  If you don't mind huge plot holes and just want a fast-paced read that you don't want to think about, this might fit the bill. If you need even a little plot consistency or believability, stay far, far away.
  
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• Posted on 2009-11-13
  An intriguing techno thriller with broad appeal
  
  Do you like techno thrillers? Does the idea of killer computers make your spine tingle? If so, then you'll probably like this book. Not only is it a techno thriller, but it tries very hard to sound authentic & (as far as I know) it succeeds.
  
  The plot of this book is incredibly diverse, spanning multiple characters and places. In one spot you have a detective who is rather bitter about life, having had a child at a young age & married the mother out of obligation. In another you have a sociopathic young hacker who steals identities and cares little about who gets hurt. In yet another you have a web game creator who has long passed, yet left something behind that could ruin humanity as we know it- the Daemon.
  
  I was recommended this book via another review & I decided to follow up on that recommendation. I'm glad I did. The beginning of this book is just incredible & the plot idea is an intriguing one. In most of the "killer program" stories out there, the program creator is still alive & is using it to control everything. The idea that someone would do this in his final days is interesting- what were his reasons for doing so? What does he hope to accomplish? I also liked that the techie stuff in the book sounded legit but was explained enough for the knuckleheads like me who aren't as techno savvy.
  
  I'll give a little spoiler & tell you that we don't find this out in this book because this was intended to be followed up with a sequel or two. There were parts of the book that dragged a little, but the book was good enough that I will get the follow up book when it eventually releases.
  
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• Posted on 2009-11-12
  Outstanding cyber-thriller
  
  Suarez' cyberthriller "Daemon" blows away many other similar novels I've read in the genre. Works by RJ Pineiro are in the same vein, and while they are entertaining reads, they are not up to the quality of this one.
  
  Could a threat such as the events described in this novel happen? It's doubtful, but you never know. It was interesting to see some of the dynamics in play, such as the higher-ups in government being more concerned about the potential future value of their 401k than trying to address the issue of the daemon spreading. "Kicking the can down the road" simply postpones the inevitable, but likely worsens the effects when it does occur and cannot be avoided.
  
  The sequel is due to be released soon, and is one I'm anxiously awaiting.
  
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• Posted on 2009-10-28
  Daemon
  
  Daemon was entertaining and a blast to read. Plausible plot? Don't know and don't care. Loved it.
  
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• Posted on 2009-10-28
  An Exciting First Novel
  
  In Daemon, Daniel Suarez gives us a frightening glimpse into a world that may come to fruition in the next few years. The first two thirds of this novel are fabulous, the setup, pacing, and storyline unfolding in a frenzy that will force you to lose some sleep reading. Having spent a number of years working at our national laboratories on technologies similar to what Mr. Suarez so deftly describes, I found his work to be very close to on target, at least for a large portion of Daemon. There are only two areas that kept me from giving this book five stars. First, his story blazes along at such a pace that we don't ever find a character for which we develop an attachment. At times, it appears that we may have discovered our hero, but then that person disappears into the mix. Second, and maybe this is because of the fabulous beginning, the climax felt like a let down. Nevertheless, you will have a lot of fun reading Daemon. It's well worth your time and money.
  
  Richard Phillips, Author of the Amazon Kindle best selling sci-fi adventure series, The Rho Agenda.
  
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