Amped

A Novel

By: Daniel H. Wilson

Narrated by: Robbie Daymond

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Technology makes them superhuman. But mere mortals want them kept in their place. The New York Times best-selling author of Robopocalypse creates a stunning, near-future world where technology and humanity clash in surprising ways. The result? The perfect summer blockbuster.

As he did in Robopocalypse, Daniel Wilson masterfully envisions a frightening near-future world. In Amped, people are implanted with a device that makes them capable of superhuman feats. The powerful technology has profound consequences for society, and soon a set of laws is passed that restricts the abilities - and rights - of "amplified" humans.

On the day that the Supreme Court passes the first of these laws, 29-year-old Owen Gray joins the ranks of a new persecuted underclass known as "amps." Owen is forced to go on the run, desperate to reach an outpost in Oklahoma where, it is rumored, a group of the most enhanced amps may be about to change the world - or destroy it.

Once again, Daniel H. Wilson's background as a scientist serves him well in this technologically savvy thriller that delivers first-rate entertainment, as Wilson takes the "what if" question in entirely unexpected directions. Fans of Robopocalypse are sure to be delighted, and legions of new fans will want to get "amped" this summer.

©2012 Daniel H. Wilson (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Raves for the New York Times Best seller Robopocalypse:"An ingenious, instantly visual story of war between humans and robots." (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

"Terrific page-turning fun." (Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly)

" Robopocalypse reminded me of Michael Crichton when he was young and the best in the business. This novel is brilliant, beautifully conceived, beautifully written (high-five, Dr. Wilson)...but what makes it is the humanity. Wilson doesn't waste his time writing about 'things', he's writing about human beings, fear, love, courage, hope. I loved it." (Robert Crais, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

My first Daniel Wilson listen

Complicated where it didn't need to be and yada yada where detail was needed. It is worth the listen but it left me wanting.

Awesome book wth great Movie Potential

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

Yes! Action and intelligence combine to make a fast listen.

What did you like best about this story?

The dialog and character depth.

What about Robbie Daymond’s performance did you like?

EVERYTHING!

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

I liked trying to visualize the implanted technologies retinal projections.

Any additional comments?

If this does not become a movie, Hollywood is really missing out!

Awesome Read

I found this book - both content and delivery (nararrator) excellent. What a great book and one I think I'll read again at some point in the near future. The way the nararrator reads the book - is 'right in keeping' with the main character and perfectly rendered.

The concept of the book is also excellent, because it touches on the technology we're building and the perceptions or prejudice that may result from its use in the future.

I'm glad I didn't listen to some of the other reviews (sorry guys) that downgraded the book.... as I found it to be absolutely excellent.

I recommend it.

Excellent book!

great story

I loved this story. it is very good, the plot is great and tells a good tale

A cool concept that was not taken to fruition.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It was a little slow to build interest in the “super” aspect of the main character, and once we actually made it there, it fizzled out with a rather anti-climatic ending. I felt the author could have expounded more on the traits and abilities gained from the implant to make it a more compelling work.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting: Symbotic nature of the amp, I think this could have been explored more to a greater effect. Also, I thought the laughing cowboy character was a cool crazy villain, nothing shockingly new however.

Least interesting: Slow pace of the book, and traditional set of characters: Do-gooder protagonist, Unhinged villain, Zen-like mentor for the protagonist to learn and grow, love interest that the main character feels is above his attainment, all very vanilla. An interesting little plot twist towards the end, but even that was fairly predictable (I don’t want to provide spoilers).

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It was generally well done, I have no strong opinions one way or the other.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would consider it, if they spiced the story up a little I would.

Any additional comments?

There are portions of the book that are quite interesting, it doesn't grab interest like some other works in this genre line... My favorite is Soon I will be Invincible (hard to compare the two, as Amped is meant to be serious, and Invincible is really a sarcastic and funny book). If you're looking for a serious take on altered human abilities, a brief study in psychological / sociological human behavior, and a fairly straight forward plot line, you will enjoy this, if not, I suggest the former, as well as Ex-heroes, and Ex-patriots (both a little campy, but fun). -M

Typical but Interesting

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book was good, a bit long and unresolved. Not sure which of the story I really felt good about. Sure the "Amps" were having problems -- but the non-Amps had a point

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

That it did not seem too far off from where we were headed

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

Never

Could you see Amped being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It certainly seemed to have TV show written all over it. I picture the lead character as Matthew Morrison from Glee

Any additional comments?

If you like Sci Fi and are looking forward to the Adaptation of the sequel -- it is worth a read.

Modern Discrimination Play

Where does Amped rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This ranks at the top of the list. I like the combination of technology and eternal issues like discrimination.

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

Excellent verbal performance. I like it when the voice enhances and doesn't distract. The performer should disappear as you get lost in the story. Robbie does this.

A really clever book all the way to the end.

The book started out a little slow and I felt like I was required to be a little long suffering with the main character but the resolution was well worth it. I felt like the last twenty minutes of the book made it all worth while.

The plot was clever and the characters were quite interesting. A really great read!

third time listening, still amazing

Awesome book. this is quite possibly one of my favorite listens. I keep finding it in my library and having to listen to it again. the narrator does an amazing job. I believe this would make a Blockbuster movie. I intend to seek out other titles by this author.

this book will be a movie

What did you love best about Amped?

this book will become a movie some day. its not far off from the path we are going down