Influx in SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group

Mar 16, 2014 Mike (the Paladin) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, thriller

I didn't think (at first) that I'd be rating this one a 5 star read. It starts out with a good opening scene and draws you in. It also takes it's time setting some things up. At first I thought, "okay this will be mildly interesting". But...then an odd thing happened. It became enthralling. It was 1:00AM and I was still into it. At that point I hit a chapter change and "made myself" lay it aside and go to bed.

Then I got up this morning at 7:30 (also AM) and after doing the "morning necessaries", I didn't think (at first) that I'd be rating this one a 5 star read. It starts out with a good opening scene and draws you in. It also takes it's time setting some things up. At first I thought, "okay this will be mildly interesting". But...then an odd thing happened. It became enthralling. It was 1:00AM and I was still into it. At that point I hit a chapter change and "made myself" lay it aside and go to bed.

Then I got up this morning at 7:30 (also AM) and after doing the "morning necessaries", got back into it. I finished it just a few minutes ago. (I've also placed a library hold on another book by Daniel Suarez). This is an excellent book. Yes I recommend it.

So, what have we got here? Well, I'm going to assume you've read the synopsis. No matter your age you probably (now and then) reflect on the differences in the way we live and the way we were told we'd live. Scientific advancement was going to make everyone more prosperous, healthy and happy. Poverty would be a thing of the past, cancer and all other diseases would be defeated. Soon we'd unlock what caused aging and we'd all be able to have not only healthier lives, but longer healthier lives. Aside from that we'd have more leisure time as automation took over more and more of the labor, we'd have hoover craft.

They promised us hoover crafts.

So...how's that all working out?

Ahh....but you see all those advances were made. It's just that (like most everything else) all the ultra scientific "good stuff" is controlled by a small "elite" cadre of people. You see if "you" develop some scientific breakthrough that is..."deemed to be disruptive" you will be...recruited. That means the world in general will be convinced you are dead, you and your advance will be swept away under the control of a shadowy agency.

Don't disrepair however. Since you made the breakthrough you'll be offered a spot "among the elite". You'll be able to look down on all the Hoi polloi, the great unwashed...the starving masses. Yes, you can live in luxury as the rest of the world gets to...well you get the idea.

Oh, but you want to share your advance with the world? You think the whole world should get the cure for cancer, cheap, plentiful, clean energy...whatever? So how does it work if you don't want to, "join up"?

Well the elite have a plan for that also. You see prison has advanced also...and just maybe since you're locked away anyway you can be used for..research....

This book has a good balanced mix of "parts". there's enough here to please the "hard science fiction" buff. The characters are fully formed and involving. It has an intricate and thought out plot. With all that it has plenty of action. In a way it put me in mind of other books I've read. When our hero is "locked away" (no...no spoilers here you can find out what's that means as you read the book)...it was as involving as the prison sequence in The Count of Monte Cristo. This is no small accomplishment.

I will give this book the highest of recommendations. I think it has something for most readers and is extremely enjoyable.

Recommended, enjoy. ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller-suspense, science-gone-wrong, science-fiction, mad-scientists, audiobook, technothriller, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek, 2017-action-adventure-reading-chall, tortured-hero, action-adventure-group-read

Influx is a really different kind of read. It was selected for the Techno-Thriller group read for the Action/Adventure group on Goodreads, and it definitely fits the bill. The author conceived of a concept that is very novel, and I was immersed in this story.

What if there is a secret group that suppresses and appropriates new technology, so that things are a lot more advanced than we think? That's what happens to Jon Grady when he comes up with a device that can bend and manipulate gravity in a Influx is a really different kind of read. It was selected for the Techno-Thriller group read for the Action/Adventure group on Goodreads, and it definitely fits the bill. The author conceived of a concept that is very novel, and I was immersed in this story.

What if there is a secret group that suppresses and appropriates new technology, so that things are a lot more advanced than we think? That's what happens to Jon Grady when he comes up with a device that can bend and manipulate gravity in an extremely different way. Things quickly become horrific beyond description for Jon on the same night when he demonstrates his invention to investors. Jon goes through some events that are truly frightening and I felt deeply for him. I loved how he would never give up or in. Jon is the key to tearing the lid off this group and seeing justice done. Jon was all of us fighting for justice under impossible odds and stress. And he finds an important support system that gives him the courage and skills to keep him going.

I found this book riveting, distinctive and I was so involved in the story that I didn't want to stop listening to it. While this isn't horror, there is an aspect of horror in the idea that science can be used to such nefarious ends. I realize this is reality, with inventions like the atomic bomb and other weapons of mass destruction. But the inventions in this book are even more scary. And I tell you, AI freaks me out. This book hasn't changed that for me. In fact, I'm probably worse about it.

The characters were diverse, with a very interesting twist with one of the characters that I liked as well. Alexa starts out as someone very unlikable, and her evolution was well done.

This book does introduce some thought provoking questions. Such as should we fear the government or should the government work for us? When should the government intervene in situations such as advanced technology? Is there a happy middle ground? Technology, should it be allowed to be secluded and kept away from the public good?

I didn't care for the way the agency swoops in with this excuse about how the world could not handle having technology that advanced, so they have to protect the world by sequestering it, and of course, they benefit from it. And they can use it against people they perceive as their enemies, even the government agencies that try to rein them in. I can imagine why Jon was so angry and fixed on getting revenge.

I was on the edge this whole book, and I was pretty sure Jon was done for many times. The ending was satisfying and unpredictable. The science was really interesting and educational, without being dry. It made me want to learn more about physics.

I would recommend this to readers looking for an innovative sci-fi thriller. It's like nothing else I've read before. ...more

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Aug 16, 2013 Jeff rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Pretty good story. While the story is fiction, the premise is just beyond "wow, I can totally see this happening in real life." Makes you stop and think what we don't know. (I'm not a tinfoil hat wearer but still...) The Audible narration was great. Brought the story to life better than my imagination would. ...more

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