SQL RNNR

Not too long ago, I blogged about a Book called Daemon.  Freedom is the sequel to Daemon.

I enjoyed reading this book.  The story continues from Daemon, but in a largely different direction.  I like the direction the book took, for the most part.  I was hoping that there would be more tech talk and not so much of the sci-fi tek.  I liked the sci-fi tek, I just thought it would have been more down to earth to keep it closer to reality.

Daemon was scarily real.  The exploits were real, the danger seemed real.  In Freedom, I felt it made a big reach.  When looking at both books together though, it seems like a natural progression.

I like the plot.  The story culminates with a confrontation at a compound in Texas.  I really thought that the confrontation was a huge let-down.  I really expected more conflict at that point.  Everything was mounting to that, but the ultimate goal was to demonstrate that the group of people from the darknet still could think for themselves.

In the end, it was a good story.  I would like to have some of the technology.  I must also admit that Freedom was harder to put down than Daemon for me.  I found myself rooting in favor of the Daemon.  I started rooting for the Daemon at the end of the first book.

At the recommendation of Jorge Segarra (Blog | Twitter),  I got the book Daemon.  Well, I actually got that about a year ago as a gift – but it was on my list of books to read because Jorge recommended it.

I have finally finished reading it and will be starting Freedom very shortly.  I am glad I bought Freedom prior to finishing Daemon since the ending leaves to many open story lines.  I really hate to finish a book on a cliff hanger and then have to wait for the next book.

While reading the book, you sit there and wonder if your servers are patched.  You also wonder if the network has been properly secured against intrusion.  But in the end, you accept that it doesn’t matter how secure the network is because the most successful way to hack a network is via social engineering.

Reading the book from an IT perspective, you understand that much of it is plausible.  You also find yourself slobbering over some of the tech that is described.  I really want some of those security systems, at least two AutoM8s, and an omnipresence stereo system (for lack of a better term).  A Razorback would be interesting to own too.

I really enjoyed the book.  There was plenty of talk of databases, data security, and data breaches.  There was also a nice mix of espionage, treason, and mystery.  The plot seems to continue to twist and turn – which kept me involved.  At many points, you are also greeted with cold hard reality with some of the decisions that must be made and with regards to how politics work.

Go get this book and read it.  I’m off to read Freedom now.  I find myself expecting a myriad of possible conclusions while hoping for a better conclusion.

Finally, I have completed another book.  I took the opportunity while traveling to catch up on some reading.  Better yet, I was able to do this while testing out my Kindle.

The book I just finished is “Throne of Fire” by Rick Riordan.  This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles series and is very similar to the popular series about Percy Jackson (by the same author).

Sadly, some of my dislikes about the Percy Jackson books are present in this series as well.  I can get past some of that because the story is good (grammar and spelling mistakes throughout).

The two Kanes (Carter and Sadie) embark in this book to awaken the sleeping crazy Zeus.   The meet new friends and new challenges.  There are bumps and twists throughout the book.  And the one thing that kinda bugs me is that the climax is at the end of the book – creating a cliffhanger.  Now I am stuck waiting for the next book to be published – arghhh.

I liked the story.  I thought it was entertaining.  I would certainly let me children read the book.  It is a nice adventure and a good escape from the daily stresses.

Check it out sometime.

It has been a looooong time since I wrote a little book review.  It’s nice to take time out with a little fantasy to ease and please the brain.

Just because I haven’t written a review in a long time doesn’t mean that I stopped reading books.  I actually have a queue of books finished that could have a review written.  For now, I’ll just write a review on the latest book completed and probably never get around to the others – though they would be worthwhile.

Beyonders is the name of the book I recently completed.  This is a fantasy novel that is the first in a three book series.  For now, I am somewhat stuck waiting for book two.  Knowing that the book is part 1 of 3 can help you assume that this book ends in a cliff hanger.  That is somewhat frustrating – I was into the book and really wanted to reach the finale much sooner than the anticipated two years for the remaining tomes.

In Beyonders, two earth children get “warped” to an alternate dimension.  The are transported to a place that is void of heroes.  In this world, magic reigns supreme.  These two children must solve an enigma and become heroes in order to be able to return to earth.

These kids meet interesting people along the way, make several friends, and make even more enemies.  There is plenty of peril along the way.  The kids must solve the puzzle by gaining pieces to a word along their quest.  This word can defeat the wizard and restore peace to the world.  By the end of the first book, the kids have retrieved all the syllables to this word.  Shortly after completing the word the book ends and you must wait until the next book to continue the quest.

The plot had plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.  It also portrayed these youth quite well as longing to return to their families and friends  Neither of them knew each other prior to being sucked into this new world.  Both show a lot of concern for the other as the book progresses and their friendship forms.

I would recommend reading this – especially if you have teenagers into these types of stories.