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236th out of 326 books
—
215 voters
Encrypted (Robin Hook Hacker #1)
by
Carolyn McCray (Goodreads Author)
A code written in unbreakable Angelic script.
The resurgence of the Black Death.
Can an FBI Agent and the Robin Hood Hacker save the world from another Dark Ages?
The resurgence of the Black Death.
Can an FBI Agent and the Robin Hood Hacker save the world from another Dark Ages?
Kindle Edition, 396 pages
Published
February 26th 2012
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Was it far fetched? Definitely. Completely crazy? Without doubt.
But the most important question to me when it comes to books is: "Was it entertaining?". And in this case the answer to that would be: "Hell, yeah".
This book is far from being perfect, but it doesn't aim to be. It doesn't want to be the book that makes you reflect on the purpose or deep meanings of life, it wants to bring you along in an adventure with unlikely scenarios, semi-impossible (if not downright so) tech-gadgets and a ref...more
But the most important question to me when it comes to books is: "Was it entertaining?". And in this case the answer to that would be: "Hell, yeah".
This book is far from being perfect, but it doesn't aim to be. It doesn't want to be the book that makes you reflect on the purpose or deep meanings of life, it wants to bring you along in an adventure with unlikely scenarios, semi-impossible (if not downright so) tech-gadgets and a ref...more
I thought this was a good book. It took me longer to read than I thought it would, but maybe because I was reading it over the holidays. When I did have time to return to it, I enjoyed what I was reading.
This genre of book appeals to me. I like books about centuries old conspiracies, ancient messages hidden in plain sight. I am a fan of The Da Vinci Code. I liked the sharp banter between Ronnie and her assistant, Quirk. I enjoyed the budding relationship between Quirk and the pilot, more than I...more
This genre of book appeals to me. I like books about centuries old conspiracies, ancient messages hidden in plain sight. I am a fan of The Da Vinci Code. I liked the sharp banter between Ronnie and her assistant, Quirk. I enjoyed the budding relationship between Quirk and the pilot, more than I...more
The author apparently once saw a Radio Shack ad and decided to use all of the technical expertise she gleaned from it to write a techno-thriller. Luckily, she has taken the time to occasionally glance at the pictures in USA Today to lay a realistic foundation upon which to paint every variant of every stereotype she can muster. The medical story could have been interesting, but the promiscuous inclusivity of all inanity great and small is self-destructive. If one examined a list of best selling...more
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The fact that I finished Encrypted says that it can't be as bad as one other reviewer (on Amazon) made out, but on the other hand books are a matter of taste!
Encrypted *is* like a series of big Hollywood trailers glued together with a Dan Brown-ish plot, but if that's what you like then there's nothing wrong with it. There are some typos, I've seen worse in printed books I've paid good money for, and the dialogue does sometimes feel a bit immature. Having said that, Dan Brown's dialogue is frank...more
Encrypted *is* like a series of big Hollywood trailers glued together with a Dan Brown-ish plot, but if that's what you like then there's nothing wrong with it. There are some typos, I've seen worse in printed books I've paid good money for, and the dialogue does sometimes feel a bit immature. Having said that, Dan Brown's dialogue is frank...more
I love this book! A female hacker/thief, a serious FBI agent, 2 side-kicks who can create/procure anything. What's not to love?
Believable? Maybe not. But ... it could be, couldn't it? There are tablets with virtual keyboards, and Google Glass(tm). If those are being released to the public, why not the rest? And, don't they always say "Follow the money" if you want to know the who & why of something?
I love the hint of romance, just a teaser, always put aside because something else needs to be...more
Believable? Maybe not. But ... it could be, couldn't it? There are tablets with virtual keyboards, and Google Glass(tm). If those are being released to the public, why not the rest? And, don't they always say "Follow the money" if you want to know the who & why of something?
I love the hint of romance, just a teaser, always put aside because something else needs to be...more
What can I say bout this book to do it justice except for WOW! How about - an action-packed, techno thriller with larger than life characters and great dialogue. I read late into the night and then woke up early this morning to finish this story and I don't do that very often. It's just that kind of book.
About the characters - loved them. Wanted to be Ronnie, fell in love with Zach and Quirk? Well every girl should have a Quirk.
Talk about being entertained? There was never a dull moment. Between...more
About the characters - loved them. Wanted to be Ronnie, fell in love with Zach and Quirk? Well every girl should have a Quirk.
Talk about being entertained? There was never a dull moment. Between...more
First paragraph, "The archaic symbol glowed red, and then flared gold across Ronnie’s ultra-high-resolution LCD screen. “Damn it, people,” she muttered. “I’m a little busy here. Could you spam me later?” Each stroke of the brilliant script was crafted in a masterful flourish. Calligraphy. While the illuminated writing might possibly have been the most beautiful art Ronnie had ever seen, the symbols blocked her from making the third largest unauthorized-funds transfer in history. Others might cal...more
A brilliant read. Fast-paced, well plotted thriller that keeps you turning the page. The bubonic plague is back in a weaponized version that is spreading fast, killing millions worldwide as a secret organization, the Hidden Hand, try to rewrite the history of the world. Fantastic hackers Ronnie and Quirk stumble upon a code in an angelic language that could help save the world, but they are also wanted criminals pursued by the FBI led by agent, Zachary Hunt. The relationship between Ronnie and Z...more
How to summarize this book? It can best be described as "The Da Vinci Code" plus religious fanatics plus Indiana Jones plus the Geek Squad plus medical thriller plus irreverent dialogue equals Mission Impossible. As unrealistic as the plot is, it held my attention through the use of "cliffhanger" techniques throughout the book. In fact, it reminded me a lot of the old time movie serials. It was a fun read, almost a satire on the broad thriller genre. If you are looking for serious literature, yo...more
Terribly edited, at times the plot verges on the ridiculous, yet incredibly compelling; I couldn't put it down! The characters are believable, nuanced, and lovable and the pace is perfect for a technological thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it; if it had been professionally edited by a skilled, experienced editor, it could have been a 5-star book, but unfortunately due to these problems it was difficult at times to read. I hope McCray writes more books but works with an experienced editor and does...more
Impossible plot, too-good-to-be-true characters and feats, far fetched and with too many ups and downs in the story .... and, yet, I couldn't put it down. As it is, I read it for work reasons, i.e. didn't expect to like it, but for all its 'faults', I did. I particularly found Quirk (who truly stands up to his name) interesting ---as is also the case with Amanda's assistant, Jennifer. Quirk is quirky indeed plus funny, witty, and smart even if somewhat cliched in his gayness. I will definitely r...more
Who wouldn’t love a breathless rollercoaster ride to save the world? It’s a race against time. Can Ronnie, a kick ass cyber-hacker, save us from The Hidden Hand? The organization that has engineered a weapons grade ‘black plague’ trying to drive the world into another Dark Ages.
If that wasn’t enough, Ronnie has the FBI intent to bring her in for her Robin Hood Hacking escapades?
It’s a fantastic blend of well-rounded characters and techno thriller plot. I’d love to see this one as a movie. An add...more
If that wasn’t enough, Ronnie has the FBI intent to bring her in for her Robin Hood Hacking escapades?
It’s a fantastic blend of well-rounded characters and techno thriller plot. I’d love to see this one as a movie. An add...more
This was a great story. Other reviewers have compared the author to Dan Brown, which I think is fair. There was a lot of action, great characters, danger and conflict. All the stuff that makes for great drama. I look forward to reading more from this author.
One thing I really liked was a noticeably small amount of profanity. That is unusual for these days, but I appreciated it. The book could have used maybe one more thorough editing, as there were some words that didn't make sense and a few spe...more
One thing I really liked was a noticeably small amount of profanity. That is unusual for these days, but I appreciated it. The book could have used maybe one more thorough editing, as there were some words that didn't make sense and a few spe...more
I have yet to be disappointed in any book by this author. Ms. Caroyln McCray spins a wonderful tale. This book is sort of along the lines of her 30 pieces of Silver. Not near controversial, but that darn good!
In this book we are dealing with Zach from the FBI. Ronnie, the Robin Hood Hacker. Quirk, her trusty assistant. Pilot, a pilot. (Basically, these are the main characters) The world is looking at another Black Plague killing off almost everyone. At the hands of the Hidden Hand organization,...more
In this book we are dealing with Zach from the FBI. Ronnie, the Robin Hood Hacker. Quirk, her trusty assistant. Pilot, a pilot. (Basically, these are the main characters) The world is looking at another Black Plague killing off almost everyone. At the hands of the Hidden Hand organization,...more
As an old school hacker, the premise of this book stood out to me -- and didn't disappoint. It started off in the heat of action and the hunt of the Robin Hood Hacker while she stole over 3 billion dollars, and the action barely died down throughout the rest of the book. The descriptions of the scenes and toys used were excellent and I was really able to visualize everything that was going on; even the more fantastical toys and hacks were detailed in such a way that it all could be real. It was...more
I loved the characters in this book. They were larger than life and the romantic connection between Zach and Ronnie while a bit strained at times kept you guessing and intrigued to see if it could all work out.
There were some places that could have used a better editor and some things that don't seem plausible, but if you can relax and roll with the flow you will be entertained! There were plenty of plot twists and exciting action scenes with death defying heroics! What a great thrill ride! The...more
There were some places that could have used a better editor and some things that don't seem plausible, but if you can relax and roll with the flow you will be entertained! There were plenty of plot twists and exciting action scenes with death defying heroics! What a great thrill ride! The...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a good combination of true Middle Ages history and very imaginative present day fiction. What made it more alive for me was the fact that a child in Colorado developed Bubonic Plague from a squirrel bite.
The main characters are sympathetic, although one does take himself a bit too seriously, while others are perfectly spooky and spine chilling.
The plot is believable and is something that could happen very easily. Possibly has already happened.
The main characters are sympathetic, although one does take himself a bit too seriously, while others are perfectly spooky and spine chilling.
The plot is believable and is something that could happen very easily. Possibly has already happened.
An FBI special agent is after a super hacker who has been raiding corporations and diverting funds to needy charitable organizations. The Robin Hood Hacker as she is called and the Agent although never having met and on opposite sides seem to have a mutual attraction and when an ancient and secretive group start spreading a weaponized form of the Black Plague the pair end up working together to thwart the effort and get the vaccine from the group to halt the spread of the plague. The hacker and...more
This book was such a fun read. Lots of really fun, quirky characters, action packed and page turning, and best of all, the plague! There were a few surprises, and nothing really ever went out of whack. I'm giving it five stars because I honestly just loved reading this book. It reminded me of a Michael Crichton book with it's technicality and detail (I didn't fact check, but the author wrote with authority) but had a lot of modern humor which made me laugh.
Very entertaining, fast paced and liked the tension between the characters. Also very much enjoyed the better between the Robin Hood Hacker and her flamingos gay assistant, made me laugh out loud many times. This assistant is genius and designs lots of wonderful gadgets. FBI hunk is also smart and falling love which compromises his job but save the world by living on the edge. Fast read, very fun, I blew through the whole series in two days.
I grabbed this book as an Amazon freebie. I love techno-thrillers, but expected the usual freebie book. Not the case! This had me hooked from the start and was amazingly detailed!
It was Mission Impossible meets ....well, techy toys! This is a tech nerd dream book! The protagonist did seem to always have the right weapon/toy available for everything, but it is fiction!
This was a very fun book, and I'd read more by this author!
It was Mission Impossible meets ....well, techy toys! This is a tech nerd dream book! The protagonist did seem to always have the right weapon/toy available for everything, but it is fiction!
This was a very fun book, and I'd read more by this author!
Start with equal parts 'The A-Team', 'Artemis Fowl', 'Tomb Raider' and 'Mission Impossible'.
Throw in a cataclysmic plague pandemic, a collection of one-off uber high tech gadgetry, and the usual centuries-old group of ultra religious fanatics.
Add a quirky, unlikely, likable, and ultimately cohesive cast of characters.
Mix well at maximum speed.
Voila! Fast-paced fun escapism. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thought this was an excellent book. I don't remember any typos which is always a plus. I think the reason I got it was because the story begins in El Paso (where I currently call home). It was fun to read about places that I have seen with my own eyes. The only thing I didn't like was that it doesn't seem to be a series until you get to the end, and it kind of leaves you hanging about the love story. Don't get me wrong, I love me a good series, but I like to know that is what I am getting myse...more
Encrypted by Carolyn McCray is a very good read. I found the story very enjoyable and fast-paced. There was plenty of action and surprises. Highly recommended.
On the down side, this book really needs an editor. There are dozens of errors scattered throughout the text. Errors include repeated sentence fragments, missing punctuation, “the” used instead of “he”, etc. The errors definitely slow down your reading since you have to back track to decipher what the author meant.
On the down side, this book really needs an editor. There are dozens of errors scattered throughout the text. Errors include repeated sentence fragments, missing punctuation, “the” used instead of “he”, etc. The errors definitely slow down your reading since you have to back track to decipher what the author meant.
The story kept my attention for about 90% of the book (off and on, throughout). If you want a realistic fiction, forget this book - the author takes too many liberties with things just falling into place (a big climax where there seems no way out, and then suddenly WOW, there's a chopper ready for them to make their escape with). The technology described is like MacGyver meets Men in Black's armament. Overall I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars, the 5th being taken away for poor grammar...more
This book is definitely "out there" from a technical perspective (hacker culture, amazingly tech gadgets - many of which are improbable) but it was an entertaining read. Once I got past the "where is she coming up with this stuff" thinking with some of the technology and got into the story I really enjoyed it. I find myself looking forward to more with these characters.
I'd really give this more of a 3.5, if I could. Fun action thriller- reads like an hollywood blockbuster. It's computer hacker mixed with the black plague. Unfortunately, I know more microbiology than the the author does; so her errors (or poetic license) bugged the hell out of me. But I have to say that I stayed up waaay too late to finish it.
A Techno-thriller with issues: problems with spelling and a few things a proper edit should have caught, problems with the computer tech and the medical tech as well. Kind of Da Vinchi Code meets Mission impossible, the characters were quirky and interesting though and the story entertaining despite the improbabilities.
I loved this book. I would zone out while reading it and when my husband would talk to me i couldn't hear him. He said to me once when he had my attention. "I know that's a good book when you can't hear me" That made me think i was like the character in the book who zoned out. ha ha. Great book. I didn't want to put it down.
Wow, what a ride! The description read "an action-packed techno-thriller" and they called it right. Great characters, lots of action, a little romantic tension, and that's just the good guys. The bad guys are evil religious fanatics on a mission to end humanity except for themselves. Wonderfully written, on the edge of your seat action, strong storyline.
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This is a pen name of Goodreads author Cristyn West.
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