Daemon (Daemon, #1) in The Sword and Laser

Sep 26, 2012 Eric rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, science-fiction, cyber-punk

This book's premise, that a genius-programmer/Nega-Steve-Jobs named Matthew Sobol dies and leaves behind malicious code that corrupts the world, was mind-blowing. It was current, original, well thought out, and flawlessly executed -- but (insert record scratch here) the further Daemon got from Sobol's death, the more and more unbelievable it became, almost to the point of sparkling vampires, which in this book's case was self-driving samurai sword wielding motorcycles.

Even before the book devol ...more

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Feb 06, 2009 Otis Chandler rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ai, thriller, geek

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 20, 2009 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it liked it

Shelves: read2009, sword-and-laser, sci-fi-fantasy

I had a hard time getting into this because at first the crime fiction element strongly outweighed the cyberpunkness of the book, and I just am not a fan of crime fiction despite my best efforts. I loved some of the techie elements, found the story to be pretty believable, but I wanted to know more about the characters, particularly Sobol and Loki. I see that there is a book coming out in 2010 that is supposed to pick up the story, so perhaps the author will explain more at that point. An intere ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 21, 2012 Brian rated it liked it · review of another edition

(3.0) Entertaining, but even more juvenile at times than I expected

Would've been much cooler if we actually learn specifics of the test that Gragg is given before being welcomed into the Faction. Instead, we get a brief summary, telling not showing.

"Nice algorithm" in response to virtual rat scurrying. Not a realistic response.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 29, 2013 travelgirlut rated it really liked it

Shelves: computers

I almost put this down after reading the first bit of it. There was a scene at a rave that I think was completely unnecessary to the rest of the book. There were other ways to show how not nice the not nice guy was. But I carried on, and I'm glad I did. The idea of d-space is pretty cool, but having the failings of our economy and government laid out the way it was in the book is kindof scary. As soon as I finished the first book I had to get the next one since it leaves you right in the middle ...more

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Apr 21, 2009 Jlawrence rated it really liked it

Shelves: sword-and-laser

Very compelling techno-thriller in which a genius programmer sets up a web of automated processes (collectively known as the Daemon) to carry out a vast and deadly plan after his death. A truly fascinating page-turner, and Suarez had obviously done a lot of research into the modern-day technologies that are employed throughout the book. Some interesting political/social analysis is thrown in, too.

My one disappointment is that is not a self-contained story - the ending is instead a set-up for a s ...more

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