Influx

By: Daniel Suarez

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

What if our civilization is more advanced than we know?

The New York Times best-selling author of Daemon - "the cyberthriller against which all others will be measured" (Publishers Weekly) - imagines a world in which decades of technological advances have been suppressed in an effort to prevent disruptive change.

Are smartphones really humanity's most significant innovation since the moon landings? Or can something else explain why the bold visions of the 20th century - fusion power, genetic enhancements, artificial intelligence, cures for common diseases, extended human life, and a host of other world-changing advances - have remained beyond our grasp? Why has the high-tech future that seemed imminent in the 1960s failed to arrive?

Perhaps it did arrive…but only for a select few.

Particle physicist Jon Grady is ecstatic when his team achieves what they've been working toward for years: A device that can reflect gravity. Their research will revolutionize the field of physics - the crowning achievement of a career. Grady expects widespread acclaim for his entire team. The Nobel Prize. Instead, his lab is locked down by a shadowy organization whose mission is to prevent at all costs the social upheaval sudden technological advances bring. This Bureau of Technology Control uses the advanced technologies they have harvested over the decades to fulfill their mission.

They are living in our future.

Presented with the opportunity to join the BTC and improve his own technology in secret, Grady balks, and is instead thrown into a nightmarish high-tech prison built to hold rebellious geniuses like himself. With so many great intellects confined together, can Grady and his fellow prisoners conceive of a way to usher humanity out of its artificial dark age?

And when they do, is it possible to defeat an enemy that wields a technological advantage half a century in the making?

©2014 Daniel Suarez (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"You'll hear a lot of reviewers compare Suarez to [Michael] Crichton, including me for his previous book Kill Decision. And Suarez deserved the honor in the truest sense...he had achieved a truly Crichton-level of storytelling. But with Influx, Suarez becomes the master, and Crichton is the one who is honored by the comparison." (Stephen L. Macknik, Scientific American)

"[Influx is] done with the dazzling sophistication, the play of ideas, the hints of a new understanding almost within our grasp that characterize sci-fi in the cybertronic age." (The Wall Street Journal)

“With this terrifying thriller, Suarez provides further support for the proposition that he’s a worthy successor to the late Michael Crichton… Suarez once again mixes science and fiction perfectly.”(Publishers Weekly, starred review)

INSCRUTABLE DEVICES, MACHINE PARTS, INSIGNA

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW, UNTIL WE KNOW
Once I got through the first two chapters, which was full of pseudo sounding science talk, I loved most of the book. It was very entertaining, shifts gears a lot, and a reminder of many classics.

I WILL HELP YOU, BUT I WILL ALSO HAVE TO TRY AND KILL YOU.
The story has lots of elements of classic Science Fiction. While listening there were times when I was reminded of the following: This Island Earth, From Here To Eternity, Prisoner, Project 731, Buck Rogers, Colossus, Mary Poppins, and even Anime. The book does change gears a lot, and the book in the end does not sound like the same book it was in the beginning. I believe this did throw some readers who were enjoying one type of experience to have it replaced with another totally different experience. I will admit toward the end it started to turn into a sort of Marvel Comics super hero theme, which I am not crazy about. The story is never very believable, although an interesting theme, which was well explored. Many times it gave cause for thought. Then toward the end there was the usual, chase, explode, and go a little over board stuff, but all in all I really loved it as a whole and want to read more from Suarez. MY HISTORY IS NOT YOUR FUTURE.

A WISE COWARD IS MORE VALUABLE THEN A BRAVE FOOL
The story if full of advance science, including super fluids, robots, AI's, positron gun, etc.

THE THREE LETTER GROUPS
Besides all the science, there is a secret government bureau, which even the president is unaware. They are so powerful, that the FBI, CIA, Home Land Security, etc. don't mess with them. There is also a plot to take over the world.

BETTER TO BEG FOR FORGIVENESS, THEN ASK FOR PERMISSION
This is my second Suarez book and I will getting lots more. If your a SCI/FI fan you have to give him a try.

Don't give up on this book!!

I loved all of Daniel Suarez's previous books. They were brilliant techno-thrillers based on technologies that are not far removed from reality. Anyone who enjoyed "Daemon" now looks at Google Glass from a different perspective. He's a brilliant author. That's why I was worried when "Influx" was too techie for me, a 30-year veteran of the high-tech industry. Suarez introduces the technology in his story with a degree of accuracy and information that can overwhelm the casual reader or listener. DO NOT LET THIS TURN YOU AWAY!

Very quickly, the engineering lesson is over and a first-rate thriller emerges. This is a very entertaining story if you can get past the initial lecture. I feel this story will not be as popular as his previous books because some people will be turned off by first few chapters. That's too bad, because "Influx" has all of the brilliance we've come to expect from Daniel Suarez.

Intriguing concept, decent plot, poor execution

Daniel Suarez' Influx started with an engaging concept that a secret government agency, the BTC, has been withholding major scientific breakthroughs to prevent inevitable social disruption. The plot centers on a physicist, Grady, who develops a gravity mirrors. What follows is an adjustment bureau like scenario. Grady resists and must endure torture and imprisonment until rescued by other inmates in the prison who cannot escape. Grady is released to assist BTC, but manages to escape and attempts to take them down.

The sci-fi elements are a combination of physics, biology, and computers, although nothing novel or unique. The story construction is a bit awkward with some detailed infodumps, such as learning how to use gravity boots, occurring late and out of place. The BTC splinter groups were thrown in, but hardly used. Ultimately, the BTC devolving into an organization run by a megalomanical lunatic with a sadist for their only henchman who has been cloned, a professional thief who understands advanced science better than most, and only one female enhanced for maximum pheromone release just made little sense. Grady also possessed an interesting brain in the way he saw colors and numbers, but this was rarely used to advance the story. Combined with the senseless killing of solid supporting characters and the cheezy end homecoming scene, the story simply doesn't live up to the potential of the plot resulting in the feel of poorly made for TV movie.

The narration is quite respectable with a solid range of voices and good pacing.

Ah, something different

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

This is Daniel Suarez' 4th book. I am at Chapter 15 of 22. For some reason I have an easier time believing in a lone Time Lord from Gallifrey traveling the universe in a TARDIS than I do with the plot line of Influx.

What was most disappointing about Daniel Suarez’s story?

Written with typical Suarez style and grace. I might revise this once I finish the last 2 hours and 24 minutes. In the meantime I call this a noble effort and a rather long execution, not the equal to the first 3 books.

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

Mr Gurner and Daniel Suarez need to be joined at the hip for all future efforts. One needs the other.

Was Influx worth the listening time?

It's different and the plot is more fantasy than science fiction, IMHO. Worth listening to, yes. A plausible plot and story, not yet.

Any additional comments?

Mr Suarez is 3 for 4. I look forward to #5.

There is a feeling when you listen to a new author

That feeling when you know you are about to purchase and binge listen to everything they have ever written? This book is awesome. Couched in what feels like real science...which for me is something I need in order to completely suspend my belief in what is happening in the story. When your characters can fly and cast sleep spells in a context that is feels like it's only a few years away from being reality, then you can be assured I'm going to be interested in what's happening...do that and have a gripping story to boot? then you, sir ....get 5 stars.

Wow!!!

Amazing! Mind blowing! Whirlwind adventure! I absolutely loved this book! One that I couldn’t put down. Wonderful character development, exquisite descriptions of everything happening as well. Didn’t want it to end. Well worth cost or credits, I’m hungry for more.

Amazing!

Brings reality to a completely different dimension.

The story is told in a way that feels as real as if you're in it yourself. Breathtaking! Full of emotions - I had to exclaim several times - No way! -, in amazement.

The reason I chose to try the book was because I read a review where someone mentioned its AI resembles Portal (the game). He was so right! There was a specific part in the book where it reminded of Portal a LOT - an amazing part, I might add - could've been longer.

The book reminds me of 2 TV Shows in one -- S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nikita. Technologies like in SHIELD, rogue agency like in Nikita.

Great premise but ending fell flat

started out great but fizzled out by the third quarter, like a newbie marathoner that started out very strong only to faceplant 5 klicks before the finish line. Narration is good. Good listen overall.

Gravity (and Anti-Gravity) Always Wins

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

Yes. The production was great, the narrator superb and there were some audio "special effects" that added to my overall enjoyment. Well done.

What other book might you compare Influx to and why?

"Steelheart" by Brandon Sanderson. It is a direct story, with some social commentary. Strong, likeable characters and a mass market style that I enjoy sometimes. I could see his being made into a movie at some point. I view this literary approach as a "beach read" at some level. This is not a criticism. This book was written to be entertaining and Suarez hit the mark.

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

I have never listened to him before, but he did a great job. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to him again. Very well done.

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

Not sure its that type of book, though there were some scenes when the lead character is imprisoned that were a bit uncomfortable. Nothing extreme, or salacious and it is needed to set up the remainder of the plot. Parts of the book felt a little bit like YA (Young Adult) to me. This book is written in a fast paced style, where action is more important than emotional impact at some level.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend it. I enjoy reading contemporary Sci Fi and this is a good example of the current genre. It focuses on physics, which I found intriguing to think about (and do a little physics research on the side), so in that way it was thought provoking.

A Must Read SciFi Book!!!

This book was surprisingly good. This is a modern SciFi book with good scientific writing to really explain how these amazing technologies work unlike many other books these days. I couldn’t stop listening to this book once I started it and stayed up way too late listening; it was that good!