Alex

I found this book to be mildly entertaining, with few OK puns that were greatly diluted by the mediocre ones. This sci-fi is pretty low on "sci" and not too high on original "fi". The most annoying recurring phrase was "he was right...". It repeated too many times throughout the book and tasted like yet another spoonful of sugar in the same cup of tea. I was somewhat bored. However overall, it is not the most horrible piece of literature I was exposed to.

It lacks new ideas, draws on the old, beaten up 'paranoia of the global control' thoughts. If you like paranoid, get this book. It does not help that this author is a mediocre writer. What else can I say? Well, he does not quite excel in the "bad writer" department. There are ones worse than him out here.

Thoroughly enjoyable despite the narrator, Barret Whitener. Mr. Whitener has a highly annoying habit of reading phrases with an unwarranted ascending intonation. It adds an effect reminiscent of moaning and howling. Fortunately, thanks to the book's content, I was able to ignore it. Presently, as we are offered no choice of narrators, we should be happy to hear this book as offered. Sequel is implied. I look forward towards Audible providing us with other Niven books. (Even if they are read by Whitener.)