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

Excellent tech-thriller

This story is one that is very current for 2012 and will date as time goes on. However, this is a great story and some elements were very Michael Crichton like (Next). However, Suarez does an excellent job of making his own story stand out. If you liked his other story Daemon series then you will also like this one.
I did like the Daemon series a bit more than this one, but its still a great read.

It's like reading about the birth of SkyNet

Would you listen to Kill Decision again? Why?

This is the third book from Daniel Suarez that I've read, but it is not a continuation of the series from Freedom or Daemon. If you're into tech and like thrillers, then this is a great combination that gets all the bits right.

Lot of science, but it rocks!

Any additional comments?

You won't mind that the characterizations are little more than sci-fi shadow puppets or that the sole female character "unexpectedly" can handle a reality TV obstacle course with the best of them. The star of the show is the fast-moving narrative. I was so intrigued with the science and weaponry that I stopped the recording several times to look up references to myrmecology, weaver ants, and the latest technology in weapons, body armor, and pilotless aircraft. I was never bored. In the more fast moving scenes, the narrator's different accents sluice over each into each other, but you'll forgive the untethered tongue for the speed and engagement of the tale. A great listen. Highly recommended.

Great ending

The beginning takes a little bit to get through but really picks up at the end. Very cool sci-fi tech that is implemented throughout.

Is a drone war coming

I find it interesting that drones were originally controlled by the military. Then after 9-11 every agency it seems in Washington D.C. has its own ‘security’ force - AKA military. Now all the agency’s have drones and are using them. Secretary of State Clinton talked about using their drones. The CIA and FBI have both said they use drones plus the Department of Homeland Security is using drones in the US as well as world wide. Who is controlling all these drones? What do I see new reports of no encryption on them? Why are the people that fly these drones burning out left and right? Are we going to see a situation where some kids ‘hack’ a drone and think they’re playing a game where they attack the US? What if that happened? Are you sure you want these things flying over head? Or out of the military’s control?

The Guru of focus/understanding on technology

Any additional comments?

Ofthe 900 books in my library Daemon and sequal Freedom iare my favorites. I hope there is a sequal coming to illuminate options raisesd by the frightening situation in this book. WOW in anticipation.

Watch the skies...and the ravens!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kill Decision to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version.

Would you recommend Kill Decision to your friends? Why or why not?

Only if they are a technology/conspiracy/violence in the near future fan. Fortunately, many of them are, so yes, I woujld.

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

He is one of my favourite performers, and this is a very good one .

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

No drama, but was fascinated.

Any additional comments?

Recommended with the caveats about technology jargon and violence. Otherwise, not bad at all.

Amazing story and performance

Technology was great. Everything about this book was perfect. Suarez did not disappoint nor did Gurner.

Great story and even better narration

I’ve loved every Suarez book I’ve read so far. This one was quite enjoyable, especially the range and quality of the narrator.

Pretty good

I got 'Kill Decision' because I thoroughly enjoyed Daniel Suarez's 'Daemon' and 'Freedom' novels. And I have to say, it wasn't bad. It just didn't reach the same bar that had been set by those earlier reads.

How was it different? I'd have to say this read more like a Tom Clancy novel. And while I like Tom Clancy novels and have read quite a few, none would get more than 4 stars from my purely subjective and humble point of view.

My only objections, albeit slight objections, were....1) I feel the author indulged in a bit of cliche with the characters and premise (I'm talking in particular about the diverse yet melded, battle-worn special ops team led by a guy with a quirky affinity for ravens) and 2) the sci fi component didn't knock my socks off. I can't go into more detail about that sci fi component without spoiling something for potential readers, unfortunately - but I'm sure another source like amazon or wikipedia can elaborate if you don't mind knowing in advance.

All in all, if you share my tastes and had a choice between listening to this or nothing, I'd say it's worth it. But if there are other 5 star options available, keep this one on the back burner.