Kill Decision

By: Daniel Suarez

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The shocking techno-thriller that cements Daniel Suarez's status as the heir to Michael Crichton and Tom Clancy - a terrifying, breathtaking, and all-too-plausible vision of the world's near future.

Unmanned weaponized drones already exist: they're widely used by America in our war efforts in the Middle East. In Kill Decision, best-selling author Daniel Suarez takes that fact and the real science behind it one step further, with frightening results.

Linda McKinney is a myrmecologist, a scientist who studies the social structure of ants. Her academic career has left her entirely unprepared for the day her sophisticated research is conscripted by unknown forces to help run an unmanned - and thanks to her research, automated - drone army. Odin is the secretive Special Ops soldier with a unique insight into the faceless enemy who has begun to attack the American homeland with drones programmed to seek, identify, and execute targets without human intervention.

Together, McKinney and Odin must slow this advance long enough for the world to recognize its destructive power, because for thousands of years the "kill decision" during battle has remained in the hands of humans - and off-loading that responsibility to machines will bring unintended, possibly irreversible, consequences.

But as forces even McKinney and Odin don't understand begin to gather, and death rains down from above, it may already be too late to save humankind from destruction at the hands of our own technology.

©2012 Daniel Suarez (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Good Thriller

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

Brings the characters to life very quickly and helps capture the exciting moments.

Also great at making the characters easy to follow by changing his voice and doing it in a way that was not annoying!

Awesome read. Very educational!

Would you listen to Kill Decision again? Why?

Yes, as the author (an entrepreneur & technologist in his own right) has researched in depth the technologies already in existence or within the realms of the technically feasible in the foreseeable future.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The special forces protagonist for his understanding of war and politics beyond the rhetoric of headquarters and think tanks (while he clearly is smart enough to grasp those complex theories as well. Well crafted character with depth.

Which scene was your favorite?

The discovery of the cargo ship working as the formicary of the robotic weaver ants.

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

Yes. Capitvating & addictive.

Any additional comments?

Even as someone not listening to fictional literature at all, for its educational value I enjoyed it as the first piece of fictional literature I have read in 10 years.

I loved this cutting edge technology story!

What made the experience of listening to Kill Decision the most enjoyable?

The narrator was terrific as he knew how to change the pitch and tone from character to character. Odin was my favorite character in the story especially when you found he had a soft side despite hs violent life. Definatley one of the best heroes I've ever read and I feel like I know this guy!

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

The woman studing insect behavoir was facinating. Then the drones based on her work had be wanting more, more! So the minute Suarez finishes the sequal I will jump on it and finally find out who the hell is behind this evil plot. Hurry up Daniel, don't make me come down there!

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

The narrator was terrific as he knew how to change the pitch and tone from character to character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

That would be a spoiler so I won't comment.....ok ok it was when they found the tanker crawling with thousands on the automatomic drones.

Any additional comments?

No, just get it.

Insights into Industrial War Complex

Great weaving of captivating plot and tech in a modern context. Would love a sequel

Daniel Suarez writes what I like to read/listen to

What did you love best about Kill Decision?

I think the authors ability to transport the reader into the story. I can see in my mind the exciting story taking place as though I am there.

What other book might you compare Kill Decision to and why?

Demon and Freedom are similar style and just as exciting. The same narrator read these books and did a phenomenal job on those books too.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many favorites for me but the HALO jump and the final approach on the cargo ship probably are most memorable.

Not his best work, but good none the less.

His D@emon and Freedom are in a class of their own and this book does not come close to being as engaing.

What it does have is a more "where we are now in tech" approach. It lives in the realm of possibility in 2012 which makes it interesting.

But it drags on too much.

Had it been 1/2 as long it would be worth 4 stars.

Good Very Good

The story isn’t as far-fetched as you would think. First I want to thank the narrator, you are Absolutely marvelous. Kill Decision was a very good story. It had nice twists and turns. It also had a nice Rhythm to it. Thank you for the satisfying entertainment ………The first two books that this author has written I would run out and buy them.Which was why I chose this book. The first two books is a world wind story.

Not his best, went off the rails

Big fan of the author’s commitment to detail and deep character development. This book is no different, but I started rolling my eyes in the 2nd half of the book. Suspension of disbelief flew out the window like one of his ravens.

Good, wraps up too quick though.

Jeff Gurner is Daniel Suarez's voice. He does a good job at lending each character a distinct voice, Though, from one Daniel Suarez novel to another, you will hear a 'voice' repeated, that's not a problem.

Some of the story is reminiscent of Michael Crichton's Prey, though this has more action.

Check it out, it's worth a credit IMHO.

Well worth a credit.

If you could sum up Kill Decision in three words, what would they be?

Modern. Gripping. Accurate.

What other book might you compare Kill Decision to and why?

Any good techno-thriller such as the Tom Clancy books.

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

Great character acting and good pace.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not a particular moment I can identify. What moved me is that fact that drones are not the future any longer. Drones are now.

Any additional comments?

Good book well worth the price or a credit.