Daemon

By: Daniel Suarez

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Daniel Suarez's New York Times best-selling debut high-tech thriller is “so frightening even the government has taken note” (Entertainment Weekly).

Daemons: computer programs that silently run in the background, waiting for a specific event or time to execute. They power almost every service. They make our networked world possible. But they also make it vulnerable....

When the obituary of legendary computer game architect Matthew Sobol appears online, a previously dormant daemon activates, initiating a chain of events that begins to unravel our interconnected world. This daemon reads news headlines, recruits human followers, and orders assassinations. With Sobol’s secrets buried with him, and as new layers of his daemon are unleashed, it’s up to Detective Peter Sebeck to stop a self-replicating virtual killer before it achieves its ultimate purpose - one that goes far beyond anything Sebeck could have imagined....

©2009 Daniel Suarez (P)2009 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A riveting debut.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“This thrill-a-nanosecond novel is certainly faithful to the techno-traditions of Michael Crichton and should delight not only readers of the 'science gone awry' genre, but general adventure readers as well.” (Booklist)

“Suarez's not-just-for-gamers debut is a stunner.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Awesome fiction story

It is science fiction set in the present. A unique premise paired with great story telling.

Fun little thrill ride

This book is a well written unique story without the formulaic plot usually seen in this genre - it's fast moving and well read. I will be continuing with the series and expect to be reading/listening to this again. The book deals heavily with technology and the future of mankind. If your looking for an exciting quasi Sci-Fi/fantasy/ mildly dystopic book - this is a good read for you.

Awesome story wth an awesome story teller!

Loved the story and the story teller did an awesome job of conveying the characters of the book. Well done!

Very Good

I really enjoyed this book. The story and narration were both excellent.

Best novel I've read so far

It would have given it a 5 star rating if those 2 unnecessary sex/club chapters were removed.

Perfect First Audio Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I had several failed attempts at getting into audio books but this one grabbed me by the ankles yanking both feet out from under me and drug me into it from the beginning.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pete Seabeck for the honest human flaws in him that made him the right man for the job

What does Jeff Gurner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

audio depth that separates the characters and keeps it interesting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book brought me excitement and dread in different points and the ending of the next book made tears well up in my eyes.

Any additional comments?

Buy it and clear your schedule

Ominously prescient!

Considering that this book was originally published back in 2006, it feels very futuristic as if events described in the novel may occur within our real world in the next few years.

The main plot involves a billionaire computer guru, Matthew Sobol, who dies from a terminable disease and unleashes a malevolent artificial intelligence (the daemon) that begins to infiltrate various corporations, government agencies, and military organizations. It takes over these entities via its own programming, coercion, or utilizing personnel within those organizations.

As the plot moves along, it switches to different perspectives such as those who are trying to stop the daemon and those who are assisting the daemon. Detective Peter Sebeck and a military operative, Merritt, are among those attempting to shut the daemon down, while a young programming guru, Gragg, and and a convict, Mosley, are those that work for the daemon for various promised rewards or prestige. There are other side characters, but those I've mentioned are the most prominent and the most interesting.

The author is obviously very knowledgeable of the tech industry as his descriptions of programming and IT related details are greatly detailed and provide a high plausibility to the story; but not overwhelmingly so.

The few quibbles I have with the overall plot is the cliche billionaire tech genius who goes mad and decides that he needs to force his own ideals upon the world (in the form of Sobol). It's too easy to have the billionaire character drive the entire reason for the plot (think Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark in the Marvel Universe) and too contrived. Additionally, one of the main targets of Sobol seems to be rather silly.

The finale of this book (it's book 1 of 2) was quite action packed and exciting; but with a few overly dramatic moments.

The narrator is quite talented being able to voice a wide variety of characters and accents.

Overall, if you like high tech and the threat of artificial intelligence overtaking the world, this would be a great listen.
Definitely recommended!

Unexpectedly Gripping

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would absolutely recommend this book. It provides a shocking glimpse into a dark side of technology through a great story line. In our modern world where every piece of information about you and your life is now instantly available for your convenience, it is also there for the tech savvy who know how to grab it and use it for their own purpose. The author made me realize that most of us are blind to the real dangers of the Internet and that we trade information security for ease of access every day. Personally, I increased the complexity of every password I use however after listening to this book I still feel naked and vulnerable in the cold digital world.

What did you like best about this story?

The story flows very well and I thought it was very believable. I do not have a tech background so I am sure that there are parts of the storyline that the knowledgeable would say "couldn't happen" etc, but for me it was eye opening and riveting.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Gurner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Jeff Gurner but I am already a big fan. Great job Jeff!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

There is a Daemon loose and he owns your digital soul.

A serious predecessor to RPO.

Make sure you read Freedom TM as it is the 2nd half of the story and together these 2 books are awesome.

I couldn't get enough!

Loved this story! I had an amazing time listening to it. The thing I loved most was how descriptive and fasr-paced the action sequences were and the amount of detail the writer put into everything that was happening throughout the story. Even complicated explanations for certain technology and interactions was so well written that I felt as though anyone could keep up and easily understand. Great narration and use of so many different voices for all the characters. The only thing I wish was better was that at times conversations between characters oftentimes felt like monologues; as if that particular character was just talking and talking and talking with the person they are supposed to be talking with merely interjecting with some type of brief word or two. It wasn't like that all the time but it definitely happened enough to annoy me at times. (especially conversations between Seabeck and Ross). All in all, this was a superb listen that I would recommend to anyone who likes fiction with a hint of realism, thrillers, technology, gaming, or for that matter great stories in general. I can't wait to read the sequel! (Freedom TM)