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

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.

LEO WAS RIGHT, PART II

Long ago I found out about Audible on Leo LaPorte's TWiT netcast network. I read Daemon and Freedom(TM) and could not wait until the next work from Mr Suarez came out. Well on 7/19/12 Kill Decision was released on Audible. I wasn't scheduled for my next credit until the 28th, so I decided to go ahead and pay the member price and have instant gratification. I have yet to regret that decision as I have already read the book twice in 5 days.

Daniel Suarez is a very gifted writer that has gone from being self published (Daemon) to the heir apparent to Dan Brown. His ability to take present form technology, tweak it just a tad to keep it believable and wrap it in a layer of probable fiction is wonderful.

As with Daemon and Freedom(TM) the production standards are top notch and the narration by Jeff Gurner gives the story respect, enthusiasm and characters that not only seem real, but standing next to you.

There is a long lead time needed to get an idea into a concept and then to book form. I am guessing that this book has been evolving for a year or more. The execution of the topic of drones is well done and feels fresh and current. I think this book will have a very long shelf life before it starts to feel stale and outdated from a technology standpoint. There is a very heavy emphasis placed on the story line and technology supports the story without drowning it.

Another fine point of this author's skill set is that there is a fine line between relating what political realities are and preaching what they should be. Kill Decision strikes the right blend. I see no agenda in the story line and it makes for perfect reading in the morning, afternoon and evening.

I just hope that the people we send to Washington and the power brokers that control them are in no hurry to make this work of fiction classification into a documentary.

Now the real agony starts. What will Daniel Suarez come up with next and how long will it take to have it? In the meantime Suarez has provided us a trio of excellent techno thrillers that will be re-read with great pleasure.

A great summer listen

Any additional comments?

I knocked out the whole book in one day. This a fun action packed adventure; not as thought provoking as daemon/freedom but still worthy of your credit. Excellent narration. Daniel Suarez is fast becoming one of my favorite authors because of his ability to integrate technology into the thriller/mystery category.

Not Daemon/Freedom, but still good Thriller

Would you listen to Kill Decision again? Why?

Yes, I like the realism of Daniel's books. He is able to craft a story that makes you believe that this could really happen!

Would you be willing to try another book from Daniel Suarez? Why or why not?

Definitely!! I absolutely loved Daemon and Freedom so anxiously awaited the release of Kill Decision to Audible. Although not in the same vein as the Daemon/Freedom books still a wonderful thriller that keep me on the edge of my seat.

Which scene was your favorite?

*Spoiler Alert*Loved the chase scene with the Professor

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

Yep!

Summer Read for Geeks without the Sleaze

The new one from Daniel Suarez is like watching a blockbuster movie over Memorial Day weekend to start the summer. "Kill Decision" is not as good from his previous titles, but if you are looking a summer read for geeks without the sleaze, then get this book.

In order to better understand this author, you need to pickup Daemon, and the sequel, Freedom (TM).

The best way to describe Suarez's writing is, think of a system administrator with an action pack thriller imagination, where you feel that you are on a roller coaster, but instead of holding onto your seats, you are in a mind storm ride, waiting for the seizure to stop.

I could not stop listening to this one!

I loved Daniel Suarez's Daemon, so gave this one a try. It was so intense, I just could not stop listening. The subject is quite timely as we know drones are here to stay and even now may be doing things we don't know about. I recommend this book, great narrator and story, thirteen hours well spent! Enjoy!!

Just plain WOW

This is another Suarez masterpiece! Jeff Gurner's performance was just perfect for this story. No one can read a Daniel Suarez book as well as he can! He makes this book an awesome listen (read) as always.

I don't know anyone that did not love this book. I am always scared that an author is going to screw up on future books, but this author has yet to disappoint. 6 stars out of 5!

Another phenominally great Suarez book.

I think I can now saw Daniel Suarez is my new favorite author. Great book, great plot, great pacing, great characters. One of these books will get made into a great movie or TV series an I can't wait. Oh, the orator is pretty great also.

A Great Thriller

A good book for those interested in how technology might be misused. I highly recommend it.

Average story. Good performance

Average story with a good performance. Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word Word