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In Absence of Fear
After years of terrorist attacks, murders and kidnappings, citizens of the State vote to enact the Protector Program. A predictive policing system, it signals the dawn of the New Era. Passive iD chips are implanted in every citizen's wrist, providing convenience and protection. The chips enable users to unlock homes, start cars, transact in stores, and monitor their health. They also collect data.
Specially designed risk prediction algorithms parse and analyze user data to predict individual levels of threat, aiding the predictive policing program and eradicating crime in most cities.
Marus Winde has worked for the State's Intelligence Annex since the inception of the New Era. As Senior Algorithm Architect, no one is more dedicated to the predictive policing program. No one has greater trust in its proficiencies.
That is, until his young son vanishes inexplicably in broad daylight in the safest city in the world.
As Marus works to reconcile the program's deficiencies and unravel the mystery of his son’s disappearance, he discovers that the system he helped build is not only imperfect, but corruptible, and that even the greatest of technological advancements can't replicate human intuition.
IN ABSENCE OF FEAR examines how a democratic state can legislate away liberties given a frightened public. It is about technology and convenience, and being human in an age where we allow these things to govern our existence for the sake of leading "optimized" lives. It's also about a man in search of meaning as he seeks to make his family whole again.
Specially designed risk prediction algorithms parse and analyze user data to predict individual levels of threat, aiding the predictive policing program and eradicating crime in most cities.
Marus Winde has worked for the State's Intelligence Annex since the inception of the New Era. As Senior Algorithm Architect, no one is more dedicated to the predictive policing program. No one has greater trust in its proficiencies.
That is, until his young son vanishes inexplicably in broad daylight in the safest city in the world.
As Marus works to reconcile the program's deficiencies and unravel the mystery of his son’s disappearance, he discovers that the system he helped build is not only imperfect, but corruptible, and that even the greatest of technological advancements can't replicate human intuition.
IN ABSENCE OF FEAR examines how a democratic state can legislate away liberties given a frightened public. It is about technology and convenience, and being human in an age where we allow these things to govern our existence for the sake of leading "optimized" lives. It's also about a man in search of meaning as he seeks to make his family whole again.
360 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2015
26 people are currently reading
1169 people want to read
About the author
Celeste Chaney
2 books57 followersCeleste Chaney is an American author and filmmaker.
Her debut novel In Absence of Fear examines what it means to be human in a world of algorithmic absolutism and considers the risks society faces by succumbing to fear and choosing protection over privacy. Can a mass surveillance state truly remain a democratic one?
Foreword Reviews gave In Absence of Fear an honorable mention at the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards.
Chaney's writing has been recognized by Writer's Digest and featured in CATALYST and The New York Times Magazine. Her forthcoming screenplay The Feed is in development with Passage Pictures.
She lives in a small mountain community outside of Salt Lake City, UT--just 15 minutes from the NSA's largest data center.
Her debut novel In Absence of Fear examines what it means to be human in a world of algorithmic absolutism and considers the risks society faces by succumbing to fear and choosing protection over privacy. Can a mass surveillance state truly remain a democratic one?
Foreword Reviews gave In Absence of Fear an honorable mention at the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards.
Chaney's writing has been recognized by Writer's Digest and featured in CATALYST and The New York Times Magazine. Her forthcoming screenplay The Feed is in development with Passage Pictures.
She lives in a small mountain community outside of Salt Lake City, UT--just 15 minutes from the NSA's largest data center.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 22, 2021
A very riveting reading..
Celeste Chaneys first novel is a thrilling sci-fi story, hair-raising and electrifying!!
People suffering from technophobia after reading Celeste Chaney will feel themselves vindicated!!
It's about how the goverment try to gain controll over the population..
Computer programmes, cameras, implanted ID-chips, Iris scan, and much more..
But overall the propelling power behind controll, is fear!!
In absence of fear what we are leave with, is love!!!
I did enjoy this novel very much indeed, and I do recommend it!!
I even would suggest this one is the right book to read in the midst of a pandemy..
So much fear and talk about controll!!
Dean;)
Celeste Chaneys first novel is a thrilling sci-fi story, hair-raising and electrifying!!
People suffering from technophobia after reading Celeste Chaney will feel themselves vindicated!!
It's about how the goverment try to gain controll over the population..
Computer programmes, cameras, implanted ID-chips, Iris scan, and much more..
But overall the propelling power behind controll, is fear!!
In absence of fear what we are leave with, is love!!!
I did enjoy this novel very much indeed, and I do recommend it!!
I even would suggest this one is the right book to read in the midst of a pandemy..
So much fear and talk about controll!!
Dean;)
December 17, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed reading In Absence of Fear. It is scary to think how much information is floating around out there about each of us, and what it could potentially be used for. Once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. Chaney created real suspense in the story, without the predictability of many other works in this genre, and I would love to see it made into a movie.
March 2, 2016
A highly recommended read for 2016. I was swept up by the setting, which was someplace between surrealism and reality- or maybe a glimpse into the next 10-20 years. The question of how far we should go in giving up our privacy for the advancement of technology in the name of greater safety and security couldn't have been presented at a better time than the present. The parallels between the controversy of whether Apple should unlock a device for the FBI in the name of countering terrorism and the future presented in IAOF make one question whether we are starting to go down a very slippery slope where ignorance is bliss, until our human instincts and intuitions are awaken through a traumatic experience such as losing a family member where our emotions and actions are no longer supported through technology upon which we have laid so much faith.
Celeste Chaney brings that reality to life so close to us and the current society we live in. She presents a future that isn't so far ahead that we can scoff at the idea as a fantasy. The world she has created with the State is tangible, approachable and somewhere between (as some reviews have offered) where 1984 left off and before we have gone so far as a society to reach the setting depicted in Hunger Games Trilogy. I will be the first to say that novel like IAOF are not my usual go to reads, where the content is heavily handles around technology or science fiction themes, but I was extremely surprised by how captivated I was with the themes of family, love, patriotism versus maintaining the status quo, and grappling with a dilemma of doing whats right for all versus looking out for oneself. The themes, characters and environment was not overly fantasized, making this a compelling read that's easy to relate.
By the end of the novel, I was thirsty to know what happens after the conclusion. Where does our society go when everything is disrupted and turned upside down? Chaney was able to evoke emotions that I don't often feel while reading certain books, and I commend her for her work and look forward to her future writings. I definitely recommend this book to everyone and particularly anyone extremely wrapped up in their tech devices and computers. This might be a good warning of caution to maybe slow it down a bit and remember that we are still humans with active brains, intuition, and emotions that are still more powerful than technology!
Celeste Chaney brings that reality to life so close to us and the current society we live in. She presents a future that isn't so far ahead that we can scoff at the idea as a fantasy. The world she has created with the State is tangible, approachable and somewhere between (as some reviews have offered) where 1984 left off and before we have gone so far as a society to reach the setting depicted in Hunger Games Trilogy. I will be the first to say that novel like IAOF are not my usual go to reads, where the content is heavily handles around technology or science fiction themes, but I was extremely surprised by how captivated I was with the themes of family, love, patriotism versus maintaining the status quo, and grappling with a dilemma of doing whats right for all versus looking out for oneself. The themes, characters and environment was not overly fantasized, making this a compelling read that's easy to relate.
By the end of the novel, I was thirsty to know what happens after the conclusion. Where does our society go when everything is disrupted and turned upside down? Chaney was able to evoke emotions that I don't often feel while reading certain books, and I commend her for her work and look forward to her future writings. I definitely recommend this book to everyone and particularly anyone extremely wrapped up in their tech devices and computers. This might be a good warning of caution to maybe slow it down a bit and remember that we are still humans with active brains, intuition, and emotions that are still more powerful than technology!
February 13, 2016
My actual rating of this book is 4.5 stars. Had it been more tightly edited, it would have rated 5. Set in the near future, just a few decades from now, this modern-day 1984 weaves an eery cautionary tale around what can go wrong when you meld Patriot Act like policies with Facebook type data, wearable technology and a power hungry government. The following excerpt (which I don't consider a spoiler since it tells you little more than you would learn from reading the book's jacket) provides a sense of the author's underlying premise:
Some books "are pretty unimaginative if you ask me. Especially those dystopian books. People thought that the Mass Surveillance State would be forced on us. They never thought we'd welcome the cameras and the microphones with open arms. That we'd bring the, what were they called--telescreens--into our homes. S**t, we carried them around with us, even before Id's were implanted. And everything their eyes and ears see and here is stored permanently, forever. . . .What citizens would willingly give up their rights? . . .We did. We wore GPS trackers wherever we went--willingly. We broadcast our whereabouts, for f**k's sake. 'Rand checked in at Dunkin Donuts.' We celebrated the convenience of it all and never gave a second thought to the potential risks. We put it all in place. Brick by freaking brick, we laid the foundation. And then, to seal the deal, we made it the law just because we were scared of what might happen if we didn't. We gave up our freedom and it wasn't even a difficult decision for us."
But don't let the fact that the book has a fairly obvious message and viewpoint stop you from reading it. It doesn't come across as preachy. Instead, it has the feel of an suspense action movie, think Taken, as the main character struggles to uncover what happened to his wife and child while at the same time being ruthlessly hunted by the all knowing all seeing supposed "good guys." With the exception of a few pages here and there that could be excised without impact, this book is a page turner and a great example of the "the power-elite-are-out-to-get-you" conspiracy novel. Could easily be made into a movie.
Some books "are pretty unimaginative if you ask me. Especially those dystopian books. People thought that the Mass Surveillance State would be forced on us. They never thought we'd welcome the cameras and the microphones with open arms. That we'd bring the, what were they called--telescreens--into our homes. S**t, we carried them around with us, even before Id's were implanted. And everything their eyes and ears see and here is stored permanently, forever. . . .What citizens would willingly give up their rights? . . .We did. We wore GPS trackers wherever we went--willingly. We broadcast our whereabouts, for f**k's sake. 'Rand checked in at Dunkin Donuts.' We celebrated the convenience of it all and never gave a second thought to the potential risks. We put it all in place. Brick by freaking brick, we laid the foundation. And then, to seal the deal, we made it the law just because we were scared of what might happen if we didn't. We gave up our freedom and it wasn't even a difficult decision for us."
But don't let the fact that the book has a fairly obvious message and viewpoint stop you from reading it. It doesn't come across as preachy. Instead, it has the feel of an suspense action movie, think Taken, as the main character struggles to uncover what happened to his wife and child while at the same time being ruthlessly hunted by the all knowing all seeing supposed "good guys." With the exception of a few pages here and there that could be excised without impact, this book is a page turner and a great example of the "the power-elite-are-out-to-get-you" conspiracy novel. Could easily be made into a movie.
January 8, 2016
I received a very nice paperback copy of this book for free through the Goodreads Giveaways program and would like to thank everyone who made that possible – especially the author for the nice handwritten note!
This is a fast-paced and entertaining story with plenty of excitement and conspiracy. The world the author created felt very realistic and not at all far-fetched which made me really think about the technology that we already use every day and what the consequences of further dependence on technology could be. It was also very well written with just a few minor typos here and there – nothing major enough to interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking book that I am grateful to have had the chance to read!
This is a fast-paced and entertaining story with plenty of excitement and conspiracy. The world the author created felt very realistic and not at all far-fetched which made me really think about the technology that we already use every day and what the consequences of further dependence on technology could be. It was also very well written with just a few minor typos here and there – nothing major enough to interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking book that I am grateful to have had the chance to read!
January 11, 2016
Entertaining story with a very interesting plot. I really liked how it was a very conspiracy theory kind of story, there were many things going on and you never knew how it would turn out. The story has a nice flow and it keeps you entertained throughout. The technology aspect of the story was very interesting to me and something that could happen in the future the way we are going, not all of it of course, but some of it for sure.
Definitely liked the happy ending, was very glad the author decided to end the story they way she did.
Would recommend to my friends.
Definitely liked the happy ending, was very glad the author decided to end the story they way she did.
Would recommend to my friends.
April 9, 2016
LOVED it!
February 12, 2023
Just say no. This book is a giant red pill.
March 6, 2016
I couldn't possibly leave an unbiased review of my work. In some instances, I'd be too hard on myself, and in others, perhaps too forgiving. However, I thought reposting Kirkus Reviews' opinion might be helpful to readers unsure whether or not they want to give IN ABSENCE OF FEAR a chance.
---
Chaney imagines a society under total surveillance in this debut sci-fi thriller.
“Why do most boys wish to be firemen?” wonders Marus Winde as he thinks back to his boyhood dream. “It was noble to put out fires, yes. But, it was nobler to prevent them.” Prevention is Marus’ task: he’s a Protector in a time when state security is so robust that it can discover and foil crimes before they occur. Stopping premeditated crimes isn’t enough, though, and Marus works to refine the government’s “Internal Indicator Initiative,” a system meant to predict even unpremeditated crimes by monitoring the population for signifiers of violent behavior.
After years of hard work, the initiative is finally ready for implementation—but then the unpredicted abduction of Marus’ son from a soccer game throws Marus’ world into chaos. In a society with no crime, such an incident shakes public confidence in the surveillance state. But if someone has taken advantage of the flaws in the algorithm, then so can Marus. He must go outside the law, outsmart the system that he helped to create, and undermine the compact that the citizens of the New Era have made with their Protectors—all in order to preserve the safety of his family.
Chaney writes in tight, confident prose that immerses readers in the fictional world while also summoning ever increasing levels of tension and unease. Her palette is the innocuous corporate jargon of technocracy: “Threat indicators added up, increasing the individual’s total, quantified risk. The higher the level, the greater the threat, the most dangerous of which required immediate, classified action.”
Although the premise evokes the work of genre predecessors, such as George Orwell and Philip K. Dick, Chaney’s vision, with its data collection and popular support, has been updated to fit the concerns of the 21st century. She may not have reinvented the wheel, but the wheel she has built is uniquely suited for today’s moment of technological discomfort.
A compelling novel to tease readers’ paranoia.
---
Chaney imagines a society under total surveillance in this debut sci-fi thriller.
“Why do most boys wish to be firemen?” wonders Marus Winde as he thinks back to his boyhood dream. “It was noble to put out fires, yes. But, it was nobler to prevent them.” Prevention is Marus’ task: he’s a Protector in a time when state security is so robust that it can discover and foil crimes before they occur. Stopping premeditated crimes isn’t enough, though, and Marus works to refine the government’s “Internal Indicator Initiative,” a system meant to predict even unpremeditated crimes by monitoring the population for signifiers of violent behavior.
After years of hard work, the initiative is finally ready for implementation—but then the unpredicted abduction of Marus’ son from a soccer game throws Marus’ world into chaos. In a society with no crime, such an incident shakes public confidence in the surveillance state. But if someone has taken advantage of the flaws in the algorithm, then so can Marus. He must go outside the law, outsmart the system that he helped to create, and undermine the compact that the citizens of the New Era have made with their Protectors—all in order to preserve the safety of his family.
Chaney writes in tight, confident prose that immerses readers in the fictional world while also summoning ever increasing levels of tension and unease. Her palette is the innocuous corporate jargon of technocracy: “Threat indicators added up, increasing the individual’s total, quantified risk. The higher the level, the greater the threat, the most dangerous of which required immediate, classified action.”
Although the premise evokes the work of genre predecessors, such as George Orwell and Philip K. Dick, Chaney’s vision, with its data collection and popular support, has been updated to fit the concerns of the 21st century. She may not have reinvented the wheel, but the wheel she has built is uniquely suited for today’s moment of technological discomfort.
A compelling novel to tease readers’ paranoia.
August 10, 2022
4.5 stars.
What do I say? This book was so easy to get in to. I thought it sounded too much like 1984 and Minority Report from those who recommended it and wasn’t really sure I’d enjoy what I thought might end up being a bit of a copycat. That being said, I found myself consuming it over 2 train journeys, even to the point where I found myself reading it on the platform in between connections, completely unaware of my surroundings. Moreish! Truth be be told I had to nip in to a book shop to grab something to cover my journey home. I doubt I’ll get through it as quickly as I devoured this one. A copycat it was not, but clearly the aforementioned titles had been sources of inspiration which turned out not to be a bad thing at all.
My only bugbear is, and also the reason for the spoiler flag, the ending. Don’t get me wrong, I think the ending was still a great one; I was happy and hopeful for Marus and his family. However, I felt it all came together a bit too quickly towards the end, and a little bit too conveniently overall.
A part of me also wishes we’d seen more of Shey’s side of things, but perhaps that’s just my tendency to lean towards books with a female protagonist. I felt like I needed a bit more from her on the whole.
Overall, it won me over however. Like I said, I couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t expecting it to lead where it did and I wasn’t expecting to like Marus as much as I did either.
Probably my favourite read of 2018 so far.
What do I say? This book was so easy to get in to. I thought it sounded too much like 1984 and Minority Report from those who recommended it and wasn’t really sure I’d enjoy what I thought might end up being a bit of a copycat. That being said, I found myself consuming it over 2 train journeys, even to the point where I found myself reading it on the platform in between connections, completely unaware of my surroundings. Moreish! Truth be be told I had to nip in to a book shop to grab something to cover my journey home. I doubt I’ll get through it as quickly as I devoured this one. A copycat it was not, but clearly the aforementioned titles had been sources of inspiration which turned out not to be a bad thing at all.
My only bugbear is, and also the reason for the spoiler flag, the ending. Don’t get me wrong, I think the ending was still a great one; I was happy and hopeful for Marus and his family. However, I felt it all came together a bit too quickly towards the end, and a little bit too conveniently overall.
A part of me also wishes we’d seen more of Shey’s side of things, but perhaps that’s just my tendency to lean towards books with a female protagonist. I felt like I needed a bit more from her on the whole.
Overall, it won me over however. Like I said, I couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t expecting it to lead where it did and I wasn’t expecting to like Marus as much as I did either.
Probably my favourite read of 2018 so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed this book and I have not been compensated in any way.
The Protector Program is a predictive policing system designed to protect and uses Passive ID chips implanted in citizen's wrists to collect date, identify people and provide access to their homes, cars and buy things in shops. The core of the system are risk prediction algorithms that analyse the user data which has resulted in the elimination of crime in most areas. Marus Winde is the Senior Algorithm Architect and has dedicated his life to working on the system and it's algorithms.
Reality comes crashing down towards him when his young son Cade vanishes in a public park in broad daylight. As he searches the data to find his son he realises that the system is corruptible and no match for human intuition.
I love this story and the concept. It was well written and the plot was well thought out. I liked that there were a few twists and turns in the story and it wasn't obvious where it was going. It was well written and I could feel the emotions they were experiencing.
The Protector Program is a predictive policing system designed to protect and uses Passive ID chips implanted in citizen's wrists to collect date, identify people and provide access to their homes, cars and buy things in shops. The core of the system are risk prediction algorithms that analyse the user data which has resulted in the elimination of crime in most areas. Marus Winde is the Senior Algorithm Architect and has dedicated his life to working on the system and it's algorithms.
Reality comes crashing down towards him when his young son Cade vanishes in a public park in broad daylight. As he searches the data to find his son he realises that the system is corruptible and no match for human intuition.
I love this story and the concept. It was well written and the plot was well thought out. I liked that there were a few twists and turns in the story and it wasn't obvious where it was going. It was well written and I could feel the emotions they were experiencing.
June 4, 2017
I was sent this in exchange of an honest review!
In Absence of Fear is Celeste Chaney's first novel, and I really hope to see more from her.
The book itself can only be described as a mix of 1984 and Ready Player One which is probably one of the most bizarre comparisons I can make, but also the most accurate. A corrupt government, every movement traced, a kidnapping, an underground cause...honestly this book has a bit of everything to fulfil your dystopian needs. It's super fast paced, exciting, well written and a scary possibility for the not so far future!
My only small criticism is that the book lost its drive towards the last 50 pages and the excitement of the ending felt a little rushed and almost abrupt. However, it doesn't massively detract from the whole book which is really enjoyable!
In Absence of Fear is Celeste Chaney's first novel, and I really hope to see more from her.
The book itself can only be described as a mix of 1984 and Ready Player One which is probably one of the most bizarre comparisons I can make, but also the most accurate. A corrupt government, every movement traced, a kidnapping, an underground cause...honestly this book has a bit of everything to fulfil your dystopian needs. It's super fast paced, exciting, well written and a scary possibility for the not so far future!
My only small criticism is that the book lost its drive towards the last 50 pages and the excitement of the ending felt a little rushed and almost abrupt. However, it doesn't massively detract from the whole book which is really enjoyable!
March 13, 2017
In Absence of Fear is the gripping tale of Marus, a dedicated father, husband, and Protector of the general public. Loss, fear, and Dangerous secrets make this book well worth the read. Its fast pace kept me on my toes, while I could only guess at the next turn of events for Marus and those dearest to him.
The author took me on a roller-coaster of a journey and make it easy to sympathize with the main characters. They write with a poetic style that captivated me and left me craving more.
Rated 5 stars.
The author took me on a roller-coaster of a journey and make it easy to sympathize with the main characters. They write with a poetic style that captivated me and left me craving more.
Rated 5 stars.
January 9, 2016
Book Club.
I am exited to meet the author at our book club meeting this next week. I have so many questions for her on the writing process and how she came up with these ideas for this book.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I did have a hard time "Keeping up" with the technical jargon and trying to remember the names of the characters and their roles.
Very unique story line though. Especially at a time in our world where we think more technology the better.
I am exited to meet the author at our book club meeting this next week. I have so many questions for her on the writing process and how she came up with these ideas for this book.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I did have a hard time "Keeping up" with the technical jargon and trying to remember the names of the characters and their roles.
Very unique story line though. Especially at a time in our world where we think more technology the better.
June 22, 2018
This is a thought provoking novel that envisions a very plausible future in which fear and predictive analytics are used to manufacture consent for a post-privacy police state. The characters are well defined and the author develops the interior life of the narrator with care and precision. This novel has a lot of heart and the emotional motivations of the narrator are strongly shared with the audience. Chaney never allows the rush of this futuristic thriller to overwhelm the clarity of the story or to distract her from a sensitive treatment of the character's experience. At the same time, she also uses wonderfully evocative language to create the world in which the character's live. This is a remarkably well crafted first novel that delivers a lot of great content while building high expectations for future works from the author. The beginning of an exciting career.
June 17, 2023
Profound and thought-provoking
Predictive Science is growing as a "thing", and just like AI, must be cared for intentionally. This book makes you think of possibilities on both sides of a coin, and makes you wonder where your beliefs truly lie...and why. Thought-provoking and scary, with a little bit of a warning, this is a great book. I recommend it to others who enjoy this kind of ride.
Predictive Science is growing as a "thing", and just like AI, must be cared for intentionally. This book makes you think of possibilities on both sides of a coin, and makes you wonder where your beliefs truly lie...and why. Thought-provoking and scary, with a little bit of a warning, this is a great book. I recommend it to others who enjoy this kind of ride.
March 31, 2025
In Absence of Fear is a quick and thrilling read about the lengths a parent will go for their child in a dystopian world that doesn’t feel too far from our current society. The potential insidious nature of technology and the access we give it to our private lives is a cautionary tale that is almost prophetic given this book was written in 2015. Read this on a 6 hour flight and enjoyed every minute.
February 11, 2016
As a voracious reader with a broad range of interests, especially about how technology affects society, I was pleased to discover the novel In Absence of Fear (IAoF) by Celeste Chaney. As we are constantly bombarded by hundreds of e-mails a day while trying to sort thru the media’s incessant, daily darts at our eyes and ears, I was fascinated by the questions that IAoF raises, mulls, and in some instances resolves: what will our high-tech future be like, say in 100 years?
As a Stanford-trained computer scientist and practicing engineer and programmer for many years, I love pondering the ways and degree to which human interactions are affected by technology. Certainly tech brings convenience, constant information access, and ubiquitous communication, but can tech make us better parents, or more caring spouses, or more supportive friends? Can tech eliminate crime, or improve government, or raise political engagement levels above our country’s pathetic levels, where fewer than 60% of U. S. citizens vote?
Marus and Shey are IAoF’s protagonists – a post-modern couple whose son Cade has disappeared under frightening circumstances. In the IAoF future, Chaney envisions a society where crime has nearly been eliminated because everyone is not only being watched, tracked, and monitored continuously, most people do so willingly in exchange for an illusion of safety and security. But as the IAoF reader soon discovers, not all is well in such a future. Chaney crafts frequent scenes in which the reader can reflect both upon the benefits and potential (and actual) downsides of tech.
IAoF is well organized: the plot flows effortlessly between the novel’s five sections and 29 chapters. Tech readers like me will appreciate the accurate depiction of the software development process, as protagonist Marus is part of the State’s top echelon of software developers, improving upon his employer’s ability to monitor the present, and (creepily) to predict the future.
But as much as I was taken in by the “what if” tech scenarios replete in IAoF, I was equally fascinated by Chaney’s exploration of the evolution of human relationships in a futuristic tech society. In most cases, this IAoF reader concluded that human behavior won’t be all that much different, even 100 years hence. I especially enjoyed the way Chaney portrayed the complex and nuanced relationship between Marus and Shey (husband and wife) as they process the consequences of their son’s violent disappearance, both individually and as a couple.
IAoF also deftly sketches scenes where human “wet” processes are valuable. Even in the IAoF future, computers are still not able to mimic all human processes, such as intuition, emotion, and inspiration. I was pleased to see Chaney’s characters recognize this: “Intuition. Trust. Faith. Seems we’ve all forgotten what those are.” “Trust your gut; it will get you there.” In my view, one of the main conclusions of IAoF is powerfully summarized by Emery, whose leadership Marus and Shey learn to trust: “Engineers, scientists, technologists – have to make things right … we’re the only ones who can. We have to take responsibility for our work.” Even if that might mean (someday) NOT bringing certain technologies to market because of the imminent harm they could cause humanity, or because humanity’s ethical and moral compass would spin unmoored under such influences. We just may not be ready for every possible future.
Finally, as a “wordie,” I thoroughly enjoyed Chaney’s many artistic turns of phrase throughout IAoF: “Another beautiful day, expertly rendered;” “The tediously carved credenza;” “A narrow, well-groomed trail wound them through the woods and over a considerable creek to a large boulder flecked with orange and black lichen.” For this reader, IAoF had it all: a topic worth pondering, a driving story line, and well-crafted sentences. A most enjoyable read, and an author to follow.
As a Stanford-trained computer scientist and practicing engineer and programmer for many years, I love pondering the ways and degree to which human interactions are affected by technology. Certainly tech brings convenience, constant information access, and ubiquitous communication, but can tech make us better parents, or more caring spouses, or more supportive friends? Can tech eliminate crime, or improve government, or raise political engagement levels above our country’s pathetic levels, where fewer than 60% of U. S. citizens vote?
Marus and Shey are IAoF’s protagonists – a post-modern couple whose son Cade has disappeared under frightening circumstances. In the IAoF future, Chaney envisions a society where crime has nearly been eliminated because everyone is not only being watched, tracked, and monitored continuously, most people do so willingly in exchange for an illusion of safety and security. But as the IAoF reader soon discovers, not all is well in such a future. Chaney crafts frequent scenes in which the reader can reflect both upon the benefits and potential (and actual) downsides of tech.
IAoF is well organized: the plot flows effortlessly between the novel’s five sections and 29 chapters. Tech readers like me will appreciate the accurate depiction of the software development process, as protagonist Marus is part of the State’s top echelon of software developers, improving upon his employer’s ability to monitor the present, and (creepily) to predict the future.
But as much as I was taken in by the “what if” tech scenarios replete in IAoF, I was equally fascinated by Chaney’s exploration of the evolution of human relationships in a futuristic tech society. In most cases, this IAoF reader concluded that human behavior won’t be all that much different, even 100 years hence. I especially enjoyed the way Chaney portrayed the complex and nuanced relationship between Marus and Shey (husband and wife) as they process the consequences of their son’s violent disappearance, both individually and as a couple.
IAoF also deftly sketches scenes where human “wet” processes are valuable. Even in the IAoF future, computers are still not able to mimic all human processes, such as intuition, emotion, and inspiration. I was pleased to see Chaney’s characters recognize this: “Intuition. Trust. Faith. Seems we’ve all forgotten what those are.” “Trust your gut; it will get you there.” In my view, one of the main conclusions of IAoF is powerfully summarized by Emery, whose leadership Marus and Shey learn to trust: “Engineers, scientists, technologists – have to make things right … we’re the only ones who can. We have to take responsibility for our work.” Even if that might mean (someday) NOT bringing certain technologies to market because of the imminent harm they could cause humanity, or because humanity’s ethical and moral compass would spin unmoored under such influences. We just may not be ready for every possible future.
Finally, as a “wordie,” I thoroughly enjoyed Chaney’s many artistic turns of phrase throughout IAoF: “Another beautiful day, expertly rendered;” “The tediously carved credenza;” “A narrow, well-groomed trail wound them through the woods and over a considerable creek to a large boulder flecked with orange and black lichen.” For this reader, IAoF had it all: a topic worth pondering, a driving story line, and well-crafted sentences. A most enjoyable read, and an author to follow.
March 7, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this and would actualy rate it 4.5 stars. It's a great plot that had me gripped within a couple of pages. Very thought provoking and seriously worth reading .
February 4, 2016
Marus Winde is a Senior Algorithm Architect that has designed a program that predicts when common action becomes criminal intent. The citizens are implanted with an ID device, that "tags" their movements, health, and privacy is a thing of the past except for those rich enough to pay for it. Marus is considered a Protector, working for the State, and when the system he has designed fails to protect his son, he begins to realize that all is not what it appears. The State he works for may not be the benevolent government he believes them to be. Fear is what the State is using to control every aspect of their citizens lives, and they will stop at nothing to ensure the citizens stay afraid. A thought provoking book about technology and how through using computers, social media and smart phones to announce our whereabouts, likes, dislikes, it begs the question could it lead to a state not dissimilar to the world the author has written about?
The author did a great job leading us on the chase that Marus begins to find his son and a wife that has gone AWOL. The process he begins to take when he realizes that their are people who have gone underground who are "patriots" and he is admitted to "the colony", was truly my favorite part of the book. The book dragged for me in certain areas (too long for Marus to figure out what was going on) and could have been edited to be shorter. This author's strength is in character and plot development. Chaney created a world that the reader could easily envision through her powerful descriptive writing. I was hooked from the beginning.
Thank you GoodReads and Celeste Chaney for this book I won in a giveaway. This review is my honest opinion.
September 24, 2017
First I want to say thank you to the author and Goodreads. I won a signed copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway from the author. The extra handwritten note stuck in the front of the book was a nice surprise.
Fast-paced and intriguing, this book drew me in from the beginning. So much technology though had me a bit tense because you see the world we live in and how much we all rely on technology. Could we really be headed into a world like this where our every move is known before it happens? And is that the best thing for us? Is technology really a good thing or is it too much? So many of these questions ran through my mind as I read this novel.
I'm not much of a Science Fiction type reader but really enjoyed this first book by Celeste Chaney and look forward to future work of hers.
This review can also be seen at https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Fast-paced and intriguing, this book drew me in from the beginning. So much technology though had me a bit tense because you see the world we live in and how much we all rely on technology. Could we really be headed into a world like this where our every move is known before it happens? And is that the best thing for us? Is technology really a good thing or is it too much? So many of these questions ran through my mind as I read this novel.
I'm not much of a Science Fiction type reader but really enjoyed this first book by Celeste Chaney and look forward to future work of hers.
This review can also be seen at https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2...
June 12, 2016
I really enjoyed the setting--the creepiness of the surveillance felt like a not-far reach from where we are now. It reminded me a little of Black Mirror in that way. Just familiar enough to be terrifying.
Downside: Characters. I found them two-dimensional. Which is ok for a thriller (in theory). But this story could definitely have used some emotional appeal, and Marus just didn't have it. He went through emotional trauma, yes, but it just failed to connect with me as a reader. I found myself wishing we were following Shey instead. For such a futuristic story, it felt pretty old-school to be following the provider man who just wants to keep his family safe...
I'm interested in reading more from Chaney, but I'd like to see a main character driving the action instead of just reacting. Shey's actions indirectly put Cade in danger--maybe that's why I found her much more interesting than Marus.
Downside: Characters. I found them two-dimensional. Which is ok for a thriller (in theory). But this story could definitely have used some emotional appeal, and Marus just didn't have it. He went through emotional trauma, yes, but it just failed to connect with me as a reader. I found myself wishing we were following Shey instead. For such a futuristic story, it felt pretty old-school to be following the provider man who just wants to keep his family safe...
I'm interested in reading more from Chaney, but I'd like to see a main character driving the action instead of just reacting. Shey's actions indirectly put Cade in danger--maybe that's why I found her much more interesting than Marus.
April 13, 2017
This book was more than a 3 but I couldn't quite give it a 4. Maybe it was a 3.6. I love reading futuristic sic-fi; in absence of fear reminded me of enemy of the state meets minority report. The idea of technology and social control is fascinating to me. IAoF sees the future of our society as a place where fear blinds us into submission; where people willfully surrender their freedom in exchange for this idea of protection through technology and visibility. It also brings to question who are the people interpreting this information and how is that story spun, ie 'History is written by the victors'. All in all, it was a fun story and a quick read. My issues lie with the syntax and some of the story's evolution. Totally a worthwhile read!!
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January 10, 2016Enjoyable read. Entertaining plot, although the first half was more interesting to me than the second half. A few questions remained unanswered as well, and a few additional details that didn't necessarily add anything to the story (point of the gypsies, what happened to the bunker/colony/Devlin/etc. after chaos) but maybe I was reading to quickly to follow. Loved the writing style though - enough vivid description to really add imagery, but not enough to distract me from reading to really understand what was being described.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It is fast-paced and gripping right from the start. Though it is classified sci-fi, I think it appeals to a broader audience. It addresses issues we're facing today in an entertaining manner that keeps you thinking long after you've finished it. In that way, it's part sci-fi, part political thriller, and part action-packed crime novel. Everyone should read In Absence of Fear.
January 5, 2016
This is Goodreads win review. This is an excellent book about a very relevant topic in 2106. The government gives everyone chips in a wristband that will do everything including collect information. They thought it was perfect until the man in charge was told his child was lost. So the system he helped with failed him. The book made me think about much control the government wants over us using technology. This is a riveting book.
December 9, 2015
This book is a page-turner which kept me wondering which way the plot would go, never quite sure who was "good" and who was "bad." Kind of like our use of technology today -- how much of it is good and what part of it is detrimental to the very freedom we seek? The characters are real and their motivations are our own motivations. Do read this book. You'll find yourself pondering your everyday actions.
January 13, 2016
Took a bit for me to get drawn in to the story, but once I did, it was a quick read. Intriguing subject, though. One part, in particular, was quite suspenseful and very well written. Great debut novel.
January 22, 2016
I received this book free from a goodreads giveaway.
Such an amazing book I loved the characters.
Couple twists I didn't see coming so that's always good.
Ending was the best but seems like there wont be another book but hopefully the author will keep writing awesome stuff like this.
Such an amazing book I loved the characters.
Couple twists I didn't see coming so that's always good.
Ending was the best but seems like there wont be another book but hopefully the author will keep writing awesome stuff like this.
December 26, 2025
An entertaining story with an intriguing, conspiracy-driven plot that keeps you guessing. The narrative flows well, staying engaging throughout. I found the technology aspect intriguing and plausibly futuristic in parts. I loved the happy ending!
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