Freedom (TM)

By: Daniel Suarez

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The propulsive, shockingly plausible sequel to New York Times best seller Daemon.

In one of the most buzzed-about debuts, Daniel Suarez introduced a terrifying vision of a new world order, controlled by the Daemon, an insidious computer program unleashed by a hi-tech wunderkind. Daemon captured the attention of the tech community, became a New York Times and Indie best seller, and left listeners hungry for more. Well, more is here, and it's even more gripping than its predecessor.

In the opening chapters of Freedom, the Daemon is firmly in control, using an expanded network of real-world, dispossessed darknet operatives to tear apart civilization and rebuild it anew. Soon civil war breaks out in the American Midwest, in a brutal wave of violence that becomes known as the Corn Rebellion. Former detective Pete Sebeck, now the Daemon's most powerful - though reluctant - operative, must lead a small band of enlightened humans toward a populist movement designed to protect the new world order. But the private armies of global business are preparing to crush the Daemon once and for all.

In a world of conflicted loyalties, rapidly diminishing human power, and the possibility that anyone can be a spy, what's at stake is nothing less than human freedom's last hope to survive the technology revolution.

©2010 Penguin; 2010 Daniel Suarez

Critic reviews

"Freedom™ surpasses its smart, exciting predecessor. This concluding volume crackles with electrifying action scenes and bristles with intriguing ideas about a frightening, near-future world. The two books combined form the cyberthriller against which all others will be measured.” (Publishers Weekly [starred review]

“Suarez continues his popular technothriller, and Daemon fans will be well be pleased with the exciting conclusion.” (Booklist)

"An engrossing, fast-paced tale of speculative fiction." (SF Site)

loved it! super fun listen. 5 stars for sure!

this story was perfect for me. it questions blind support of the free market, democracy, the powers that be and wraps it up into a fun story. one of my favorites so far. if you liked "daemon", you'll love the sequel.

Terrifyingly amazing

What did you love best about Freedom (TM)?

I loved the whole concept, the technology was awesome but realistic and attainable, the characters were complex and relatable, the whole story was vivid!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot absolutely kept me on the edge of my seat. There were times my wife had to come check on me because I sat in the driveway unwilling to stop the story. I just wanted to hear what happened next. Since this is a direct sequel to Daemon, I was hooked from the "This is an audible production" intro... :)

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

Jeff has an amazing way of letting you know who is speaking, and sharing the emotion that they're experiencing. It's great, he's on my short list of narrators whose participation in a title almost guarantees a download as long as the plot seem interesting.

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

"The utopian dystopia of technology", I'd watch the movie for sure!

Any additional comments?

This is the follow-up to Daemon, both are terrifying and exciting. Both also are a little depressing, I want this technology to be real, Sobel saw the evil in the world and worked to address it. This is a good example of a utopian dystopia. - Ha, just wrote the tag line!

Could not get enough

What did you love best about Freedom (TM)?
What can I say I enjoyed this book. In some ways, I may have enjoyed it more than the 1st book in the series "Daemon", okay some of the stuff is kind of unbelievable. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the story it puts a conclusion to the two-part series. It's one of those books you enjoy so much you wish it would never end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Freedom (TM)?
The interaction with the characters reuniting.

Listening to it for the third time

What did you love best about Freedom (TM)?

I love how Suarez built an alternative society via the Darknet. Very interesting concept.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Roc - because he's full of awesome.

What about Jeff Gurner’s performance did you like?

He has great vocal range, and does a great job of intonating.

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

Watch this film or you're a gigantic D-Bag full of D-Bags.

Awesome! Nice twists!

Just a well done story and the narrator is great! The story twisted and turned and never failed to entertain.

Sci fi that could be a future reality

The first book was a set up for what the book was really about in book 2. Excellent writing, thought provoking.

Real or fiction?

This is bound to happen. The people won't put
up with their decisions much longer.

A Great Sequel to Daemon

What did you love best about Freedom (TM)?

It was the perfect conclusion to Daemon. The characters developed well (and believably) over the story which made for a great listening experience.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Freedom (TM)?

I appreciated how Suarez was able to weave the actions of adversaries into a very nuanced conclusion. (I hope that sounds confusing and intriguing. When the story finishes, you'll know what I meant.)

Which scene was your favorite?

I was surprised that the digital German soldier made for the most entertaining sequences in this book.

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

A New Society Struggles to Emerge

Any additional comments?

Daemon and Freedom (TM) beg to be made into a movie or two.

Not as good as Deamon but enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to Freedom (TM) the most enjoyable?

Just a very different type of story, definitely 21st century story. I think you have to be into or appreciate the technology of today to enjoy it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Freedom (TM)?

Loved the ending.

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

He was a good narrator. Sometimes many of the characters sounded the same, especially the angry ones

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No not really. It was good but not on the edge of my seat type of listen. Very solid read though

Any additional comments?

I did not like it as much as the first one but it was still a good sequel. I think there will be more. If you like stories like this with technology, D Space then check it out

Great story read by a great narrator

This book is a continuation from Daemon, picking up then bringing closure to the characters and events of the previous work. Daemon has become one of my favorite books, though the open ending always left me wanting for more... until now.

Suarez is an excellent writer. Granted, some of his political and philosophical views are not particularly subtle, at times nearly overshadowing the rest of the work. Despite this weakness, his characters and plot are extremely well done and engaging. From a story standpoint, this book is excellent, though I doubt it would have nearly the impact on those unfamiliar with its prequel.

Gurner's reading is first rate. His rate, tone, pacing, and pitch are all very good. His voices he uses for different characters works well, and isn't distracting. I am hoping to see more readings from him in the future, as he is on my short list of best narrators I have encountered through Audible.

The two stories together follow several characters, including a police detective, an identity-stealing Russian hacker, an NSA cryptology expert, and various other military and misfit characters. At the back of these characters, driving the story, is a dead genius and his global computer virus he has unleashed. Battle lines are drawn and redrawn as governments and corporations scramble to maintain the status-quo while others, working with the dead genius' virus, seek to create a new society. Not only is who will win in question, but who should win.