DAEMON: Die Welt ist nur ein Spiel

Daemon is the great techno-thriller for the wired generation

Daemon was a perfect storm for me, as a reader. I grew up on science fiction, but I now prefer a realistic thriller. I enjoy the effortless pleasure of reading make-believe, yet prefer thought provoking non-fiction. I am an avid gamer and a worshiper (albeit rarely a purchaser) of consumer electronics. This novel touched on so many passions, and sated them all. Even when the plot disappointed me at times, it was a devious sham that Suarez teased me with, then made up for it in the end. Rarely do I put down a great read like I did tonight and have the urge to call friends and family to share the experience with them, but that is how Daemon made me feel. It isn¿t just a great book; it is an important book.<BR/><BR/>Check out a great interview with Daniel here:<BR/>http://www.crimecritics.com/2009/01/interrogating-daniel-suarez-author-of-daemon/

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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great book......it almost turns the pages itself

I loved this book. after finding myself slogging through several books that had to be called forced reading I opened the pages of Daemon and it almost read itself to me. the plot could be called scary in these "information age" times. all your worst fears of technology over running the humans and taking over (with help from devious persons with a bloodthirsty gaming mindset that have lost touch with reality after too many hours spent in online gaming)

I've never been one for online gaming myself.....not that I am opposed to it on any moral grounds....I've just found that for myself I am easily addicted to computer games and never had the time to get lost inside a computer game (maybe it is the fear that I will get lost.....or the knowledge that I WILL be easily lost in the pixels of an artificial reality)

whatever the reason I found the subject and presentation of this book an amazing read that entertained and was thought provoking as well. I loved it and couldn't recommend it more.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Sophisticated adventure based on turning fantasy game into reality.

Suarez obviously understands information technology and the inner workings of all computer based animation, games and links. What makes this particular fantasy/adventure appealing is his ability to hold the interest of technophobes and technophiles alike. His descriptions are crisp and rich in visual detail. His writing style is similar to Caleb Carr's as he is just as comfortable with supporting detail as he is with dialogue and plot twists. He creates several major characters and weaves their stories together in an intricate web of illusions. The base story requires a stretch of the reader's imagination but Suarez is so strong in his command of description that the fantastic becomes real enough to be scarey. This is a fast read. You'll be out of breath more than once.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Scary, in a thriller sort of way

This is a must read for those who have a technical background, or for those who just love a thriller. The scariest thing is that the author writes this is such a way as to make it seem totally plausible. Personally, I could see no flaw in the logic applied, and if there arose anybody who could put this altogether society would certainly be in big trouble.

I found that once started, it was very difficult to put this book down, and I finished it in my spare time over the course of just a few days. Letting my brother borrow, he ended up being "mad" at me, because he too got sucked up in the suspense and found himself staying up way too late at night, eager to reach the conclusion. I can't wait to see how the author finishes the story in his sequel due 2010.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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a fabulous futuristic AI technology thriller

At thirty four years of age, Matthew Sobol, the genius behind successful CyberStorm Entertainment dies from brain cancer. However, the brilliant game maestro would not allow something as petty as death preveng him from causing global havoc from the grave. He somehow kicked off a war from cyberpsace against mankind.<BR/><BR/>Concerned authorities enter Sobol's mansion in Thousand Oaks, California only to find themselves under attack in spite of the fact that no human is inside or on the grounds; the police suffer several deaths as they retreat. Sobol has left behind the greatest weapon of mass destruction ever created; his daemon computer processor has taken control of most of the world¿s major computer systems and has signed up brilliant quisling humans as foot soldiers to carry out the plan for world domination.<BR/><BR/>DAEMON is a fabulous futuristic AI technology thriller as the twisted but brilliant late computer game creator Sobol sets in motion a doomsday machine after he dies. The story line is fast-paced from the onset even with complex vernacular as Daniel Suarez assumes his audience can do more than breath and chew gum refusing to dumb down his tale. Readers will relish this superb science fiction book with a great finish that sets up AI part two.<BR/><BR/>Harriet Klausner

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Amazing Book

The first thriller I've read in a long time that could fit in the category, "Entirely Possible."

Really enjoyed this. The pacing, the characters, the structure, the relevance to today's digital word -- it's a very cinematic piece of escapism and page-turner. I really applaud the author, especially as it is a first-time effort.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Unforgettable Technothriller

Okay, maybe you don't understand sentences like "His function was hard-coded to use the encrypted string he got from the Monte Cassino map along with any key he entered here as an argument for the function". Most of the book keeps the action moving right along in spite of these interludes of cyperspeak. The story centers around the takeover of the world's technological components - which is just about everything we do today - by a malevolent viral daemon. It's packed with enough car chases, murder, and mayhem to make the reader wonder if author Suarez was composing his screenplay ahead of time. There's lots of screaming as scores of people are mowed down when they attempt to stop the daemon. The author is working on a sequel, which I won't hesitate to read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Amazing!!

Honestly the best book I have ever read. It is well written, and has unforgettable characters. I can not wait until the squeal comes out!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Presents a compelling vision of the future and is a fun, quick read.

The internet and pervasive computing might actually change everything. In action packed thriller form, DAEMON shows just how DARPA inspired technologies really could upend the standing world order hegemonies.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Action-packed hi tech thriller

Fascinating premise in a fast-paced thriller with lots of plot twists and even more wild chase scenes. A really fun read that leaves you with some provocative questions when you're finished reading it.

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Original techno thriller

Suarez, is agood writer and does an excellent job developing charactors and exploring the menace of everyday technology when used to control, kill and self perpetuate. Really good storey.

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the daemon

This is one of the most hard to put down books I have read. Its characters are compelling and it kept my attention riveting. It is hard to put down as the action comes together seamlessly. If you are into computer games ,you will find it a great escape.I heartily recommend this book.The author does a remarkable job for his first book. go read this book! niner dave

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Great Read

A book that never lets up. A fun, informative read. I keep recommending it to all my friends!

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Like flying through a fiberoptic cable at warp speed

Every single page of this book feels plausible and real world and I have no doubt that large portions of the technology are already in effect around the globe. <BR/>A highly readable and fast paced book !<BR/>Prior knowledge of geek/l33t/gamer terminology is definitely a plus !<BR/>This book kicks @$$ !!

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This book gets into your head and drags you into the future.

This is a great book. It is unsettling at times but this is the point. The reader's presuppositions are challenged and the plot doesn't necessarily go where our brains tell us it must. This is the beauty of it. Suarez was able to understand today's technologies and sociopolitical trajectories in order to fast-forward to an unfamiliar place. Perhaps the unsettling part is that it isn't that unfamiliar after all.

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Says It All

One of the most fascinating books I've read in a long while. However, I would only recommend it to those people who have an in-depth knowledge of computers. The author throws a lot of IT terminology at the reader and if the reader is not astute in computer technology he/she would not really appreciate the author's attempt to take the reader into the world of extreme possibilities. If you have an IT background or love the world of computer games - this [is] the book for you.

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Barely Tolerable, barely!

After reading a few of the previous reviews and some of the editorial reviews, silly me thought I was picking up a classic. Wrong. How much do those people get paid to review these books? This book was just ok. Actually is was barely ok. The ending? Why bother. Go ahead - read it. You'll see. Big waste of time.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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