Freedom (TM)

The debut "Daemon" was a riveting story that challenged us to consider the cyber-world we now enjoy. While some of the elements of Sobol's game world were a little outside the realm of reality, it is not hard to imagine. Indeed, today we take for granted things like the internet and cell phones when in the 1950's they were the stuff of Flash Gordon. The point being that what today seems far-fetched sometimes becomes everyday.And so it continued with the sequel, "Freedom". We are reintroduced to the main characters and the story continues. But in a slowly developing twist, we learn that the evil we see in Sobol's "darknet" turning out to be nothing more or less than a redefinition of a culture and society.The story challenges the reader to consider the world as it had become in the story - not really much different than the world really has become - and what might happen through the effects of a computer-based alternate reality where participants decide what flies and what dies.At times the story is graphically violent in ways that border on gratuitous. Yet I found an uneasy sense that justice was being dispensed, though at times it was difficult to know which "side" to cheer on. That was the point though, to skew the reality just enough to raise questions about what's really wrong and right.In the end it's hard to give too much away in a review without spoiling the story, but suffice to say that this is a powerful work of fiction that doesn't stray too far from reality and perhaps give us all a wake-up call about where we're going with our value systems, the forces that might really be driving them, and an alternate view about how we might end up.As a technologist involved in several aspects of the computer world that is presented I can say that nothing presented here is hard for me to image in reality. Indeed nearly all the technology described is already reality. Less computer savy people might take comfort in thinking that most of the high-tech stuff going on is make-believe. Those in the business however will find chilling reminders of real life and how our wonderful technology-based lifestyle could be turned against us!

** This is a sequel to "Daemon" **It's a pretty good, very imaginative vision of a near-future world where people begin rising up bit by bit against the old regime of corporate domination. The central premise of this book is rather heavy on the "conspiracy theory" mind-set, the almost cliche idea now that major multi-national corporations are actually the puppet masters of everything, even large aspects of the government, and that, if threatened, they would do anything to retain that power. Note that if you've read Suarez's first book, this is a significant departure in theme ... in fact, other than a carry-over of characters, places, and ideas, "Freedom" is nothing like the initial premise of "Daemon". This is not necessarily a bad thing; where "Daemon" made the deceased Sobol and his pet computer project out as the ultimate protagonists, "Freedom" does something of a 180 flip and now portrays the Daemon as a sort of protector of the people and a game changer.I can't say much more about the plot without ruining it, but suffice to say, one needs to read both "Daemon" and "Freedom" to get the full nature of the tale that Suarez is spinning. Ignoring the nearly paranoid conspiracy aspect of "Freedom", and willfully suspending some sense of disbelief resulting from this, Saurez spins a masterful tale of suspense overlaid on a message about modern economics, society's detachment from the political process, and the real sense of helplessness when it comes to controlling your personal data and what companies know about you. The story is a masterful combination of quick-paced action and intelligence, the likes of which any Michael Crichton or Marcus Sakey fan will appreciate.As with the first book, the reason I can't QUITE bring myself to rate this 5 stars is that the author goes beyond near-future sci-fi a little too much and into the raised-eybrow territory of educated supposition and wild extrapolation. Between the heavy "corporations control everything" aspect, the use of technology that is either bleeding edge prototype (or drawing board stage) in large quantities, and the unexplainable way that much of what happens regarding Darknet operatives is even possible is a bit hard to swallow. Further, towards the end of the novel, society has gotten to the point where fuel is said to be $18 a gallon ... EIGHTEEN DOLLARS A GALLON ... and yet the government has apparently done little about it, entire cities are becoming slums, there's only a 33% unemployment rate, and someone there's still a functioning economy ... that was a bit much for me to accept, given how heavily the government subsidizes alternative energy technology every time fuel prices go up.

A great ride and as always with Daniel Suarez educational. We are certainly living in interesting times and it seems that our collective destiny may be determined by an intelligence other than our own.

Daniel Suarez gives us a brilliant story between DAEMON & FREEDOM. There is way too much plot to break it down, so I'll just say if you like great books by highly intelligent writers, and you like beautiful storytelling, read this 2-book series.

It's a great part 2. There is a lot going on and you have to remember details. Great good vs evil book.

Strong characters, great tech and a poweful and entertaing story. Read “Daemon” first in order to follow the plot and the character development.

Very thought provoking book. Just finished reading 2nd time. Hard to put down. Highlights the issues of current society in intriguing manner.

Engancha desde el primer momento y la situación que plantea es bastante interesante. A mí me ha gustado incluso más que el primero. Esperando con ganas al siguiente...

Read it. Just read it. The best. Read it read it read it read it read it read it read it

本作『 Freedom 』は、著者ダニエル・スアレースのデビュー作『 Daemon 』の続編。前作で描かれたバーチャルリアリティの世界。現実の世界に寄生するだけの存在だったバーチャルリアリティが、リアルの経済にも影響を及ぼし始めます。この世界を創造したのは天才的ゲームデザイナー、マシュー・ソボル。彼は何を思い描いていたのか。前作の主役はそれをなぞるように旅を続けるのが本作『 Freedom 』。バーチャルリアリティの世界そのもには良し悪しはなく、使う人間次第。ツール/インフラをどのように使うのかを問い続けてくれる作品かもしれません。「（民主主義）（資本主義）」ではなく、"民主的な在り方" が問われているようにも思うのでした。２作目は世界が広がり、並び立つキャラクターたちはがっちりと物語の支えます。各キャラクターの心情まで描ききっていて、読後はさわやかさすら覚えました。