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Joe is Online
Once Joe is online the world begins to change, and not for the better.
The story weaves between Joe's gradual transition from a disturbed and lonely teenager to the orchestrator of an online cult, and the efforts of Penny Hunt, a cyberterrorism expert, to track him down and stop him.
Spanning continents and decades, in 'Joe is Online' you'll meet a nefarious internet psychic, a evangelical tele-atheist and glimpse a world which seems just around the corner.
The story weaves between Joe's gradual transition from a disturbed and lonely teenager to the orchestrator of an online cult, and the efforts of Penny Hunt, a cyberterrorism expert, to track him down and stop him.
Spanning continents and decades, in 'Joe is Online' you'll meet a nefarious internet psychic, a evangelical tele-atheist and glimpse a world which seems just around the corner.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2011
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47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 10, 2011
Political editor for the Huffington Post, Chris Wimpress, has recently self-published the modern-aged epistolary novel Joe is Online. It clearly uses instant messages, diary entries, and blog posts to track the world and the lives of mastermind hacker Joe Brady and terrorism analyst Penelope Hunt. Joe is Online is set between England, Scotland, and partially the United States. It follows Joe’s sad and abusive childhood and how his material conditions shaped him into a powerfully manipulator using the Internet. But more importantly, Wimpress’ novel does more than cleverly use social media to tell a story; he examines the political implications of how people use the Internet: to communicate; for work; or how some use it to take advantage of others. Joe is Online mainly examines how the Internet is abused and how it may harbor cult-like groups and ringleaders. Several cultish groups are examined within the novel, but even the “good” cult figurehead seems rather disturbing by the end as well. Wimpress’ novel wonderfully explores the politics and psychology behind terrorism and does so by taking both race and culture out of the equation. Joe is Online draws the reader in by its fast-paced action; the constant action kept the pages moving and curiosity growing. Also, the exhibitionist-like position the read is placed in helps with the readers’ need to continue reading. I, at times, felt like I was reading a 48 Hours or Dateline investigation show about cultish terrorism.
I enjoyed reading Chris Wimpress’ Joe is Online and the use of the social media as the medium to tell the story. I give Joe is Online four shots of espresso because I couldn’t stop reading, but I wish there was a frame for the story. Some of the diary entries that showed up in the book did not seem clear as to how they had become available. I wanted to know who found these IMs and diary entries besides Penelope? Who put the book together? Also, I am aware that the use of IMs and blogs might keep some readers away because they are uncomfortable with social media. To those weary readers, it would be wrong to not consider reading it because of this spin on the epistolary novel. This creative move—to use social media instead of the out of date letters—is admirable and makes the reading more interesting. Using social media allowed Wimpress to more accurately critique and examine society as a whole. Go download Joe is Online!
I enjoyed reading Chris Wimpress’ Joe is Online and the use of the social media as the medium to tell the story. I give Joe is Online four shots of espresso because I couldn’t stop reading, but I wish there was a frame for the story. Some of the diary entries that showed up in the book did not seem clear as to how they had become available. I wanted to know who found these IMs and diary entries besides Penelope? Who put the book together? Also, I am aware that the use of IMs and blogs might keep some readers away because they are uncomfortable with social media. To those weary readers, it would be wrong to not consider reading it because of this spin on the epistolary novel. This creative move—to use social media instead of the out of date letters—is admirable and makes the reading more interesting. Using social media allowed Wimpress to more accurately critique and examine society as a whole. Go download Joe is Online!
June 4, 2011
Article first published as Book Review:Joe is Online by Chris Wimpress on Blogcritics.
A novel written solely using e-mails, journal entries, IM and other computer-generated conversations, Joe is Online by Chris Wimpress, is a scary bit of work dealing with the machinations and use of the internet. In this case, the internet is used to create both drama and hysteria using messages to targeted groups of people by working on their own insecurities.
With computer technology, we follow the lives of Joe Brady and Penelope Hunt as they make their way through school and life. Set in England and Scotland, both individuals’ live entirely different lives, with the everyday drama of existence sending them spiraling in two total separate directions.
Unaware of each other, nevertheless they will play an important part in the final showdown of the terror perpetrated in the name of the Intercession.
Joe’s lot in life is formed by the interplay at his school as well as the abuse suffered at the hands of his stepfather. Always the odd one out, he is smarter than most of those around him and as such, is also a figure of ridicule by the bullies in the school system. Due to his penchant for trouble and the constant bullying, he is allowed to miss recess and use the library computer. This begins his lifelong love of the intranet and his deep distrust of the world around him. This becomes worse when his stepfather sexually abuses him. With only one friend, he withdraws even further into himself, and manages to disappear from all existence at the age of 13 years. Using his skills with the internet, he sets himself up with a credit card to begin selling porn. He then uses those funds to pay off the card and after careful continuation is able to disappear and hide in London, living off the largesse that he has discovered.
Yet there is a darkness in Joe, a need to punish that will not go away. He uses the internet to build a terrorist organization, preying on those who have nothing to lose. Many have lost loved ones and their lives are shattered. He uses a con woman, a medium to both bilk them of money and to guide them to his organization, the Intercession. The true work of the Intercession is unknown by its members, and Joe bides his time over the years building a trust and deepening his terrorist activities, waiting to spring his trap and punish those he feels responsible of the evil of the world.
Penelope Hunt too is an extremely intelligent person and while she also has problems with her family, she finds herself also drawn to terrorism but as a foil, a counterpart to the evil it brings. She is on a path that will bring her into the shadow of Joe’s organization. As she realizes the stakes and her friends are methodically murdered, she only now realizes the power wielded by this one man. His footprint is so deep and planted for so long even the government finds it hard to believe he is real. Can Penelope find the answers and stop the continued madness from spreading. There is only one other group in the know of what Joe is capable of. Can she find them in time? Is this new group what they seem or are they just another terrorist cell?
The use of the computer medium is well done and set in such a way that it appears almost in story form. It is set in a timeline of correspondence that takes you along the tortured path of Joe and his decline into the madness that begins to consume. You follow Penelope as she lives and learns to deal with life’s lessons and the direction she takes to become who she is. It is an intricate and uneasy story that begins to develop and it holds you enthralled.
Like watching drama unfold by peeking into the private lives of others, it creates a form of voyeurism, reading the secrets of the lives of the people involved. Uncomfortable and yet intriguing, the continuation of the work keeps you both interested and appalled. Reading the private correspondence seems almost sinful.
If you enjoy technology and suspense, this story will titillate your pleasure. It is both different and unique but carries all of the drama of a thriller. Wimpress has written a fascinating story of the dark decline created by the unsavory nurture of a young student. It is a story of extremes and yet with realism that makes you wonder. This would be a great book for a reading group, creating a discussion on the merits of care and nurture.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
A novel written solely using e-mails, journal entries, IM and other computer-generated conversations, Joe is Online by Chris Wimpress, is a scary bit of work dealing with the machinations and use of the internet. In this case, the internet is used to create both drama and hysteria using messages to targeted groups of people by working on their own insecurities.
With computer technology, we follow the lives of Joe Brady and Penelope Hunt as they make their way through school and life. Set in England and Scotland, both individuals’ live entirely different lives, with the everyday drama of existence sending them spiraling in two total separate directions.
Unaware of each other, nevertheless they will play an important part in the final showdown of the terror perpetrated in the name of the Intercession.
Joe’s lot in life is formed by the interplay at his school as well as the abuse suffered at the hands of his stepfather. Always the odd one out, he is smarter than most of those around him and as such, is also a figure of ridicule by the bullies in the school system. Due to his penchant for trouble and the constant bullying, he is allowed to miss recess and use the library computer. This begins his lifelong love of the intranet and his deep distrust of the world around him. This becomes worse when his stepfather sexually abuses him. With only one friend, he withdraws even further into himself, and manages to disappear from all existence at the age of 13 years. Using his skills with the internet, he sets himself up with a credit card to begin selling porn. He then uses those funds to pay off the card and after careful continuation is able to disappear and hide in London, living off the largesse that he has discovered.
Yet there is a darkness in Joe, a need to punish that will not go away. He uses the internet to build a terrorist organization, preying on those who have nothing to lose. Many have lost loved ones and their lives are shattered. He uses a con woman, a medium to both bilk them of money and to guide them to his organization, the Intercession. The true work of the Intercession is unknown by its members, and Joe bides his time over the years building a trust and deepening his terrorist activities, waiting to spring his trap and punish those he feels responsible of the evil of the world.
Penelope Hunt too is an extremely intelligent person and while she also has problems with her family, she finds herself also drawn to terrorism but as a foil, a counterpart to the evil it brings. She is on a path that will bring her into the shadow of Joe’s organization. As she realizes the stakes and her friends are methodically murdered, she only now realizes the power wielded by this one man. His footprint is so deep and planted for so long even the government finds it hard to believe he is real. Can Penelope find the answers and stop the continued madness from spreading. There is only one other group in the know of what Joe is capable of. Can she find them in time? Is this new group what they seem or are they just another terrorist cell?
The use of the computer medium is well done and set in such a way that it appears almost in story form. It is set in a timeline of correspondence that takes you along the tortured path of Joe and his decline into the madness that begins to consume. You follow Penelope as she lives and learns to deal with life’s lessons and the direction she takes to become who she is. It is an intricate and uneasy story that begins to develop and it holds you enthralled.
Like watching drama unfold by peeking into the private lives of others, it creates a form of voyeurism, reading the secrets of the lives of the people involved. Uncomfortable and yet intriguing, the continuation of the work keeps you both interested and appalled. Reading the private correspondence seems almost sinful.
If you enjoy technology and suspense, this story will titillate your pleasure. It is both different and unique but carries all of the drama of a thriller. Wimpress has written a fascinating story of the dark decline created by the unsavory nurture of a young student. It is a story of extremes and yet with realism that makes you wonder. This would be a great book for a reading group, creating a discussion on the merits of care and nurture.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
May 4, 2011
Ok, the first thing that I will say about this is, after reading it I profusely hugged my computer. I shuddered and experienced cold sweats while reading, and this is the reason: cyberterrorism. I think my fragile mind wouldn't make it through another story on this topic, at least not in the near future, it’s almost too frightening to even think about.
The novel is written in a very original and, dare I say, charming way. While reading it I got hit several times by a strange wave of guilt, like just by reading I was this semi-potent cyberterrorist myself, reading personal files and snooping into conversations and privy to personal information about the characters themselves. This read was an emotional roller-coaster, and by the end of it I feel sort of dazed.
Before actually starting to read, I wasn’t sure a sequence of emails, blogs, chatroom logs, websites and diary entries would actually blend well enough to tell me a story; they don’t blend well, they blend marvelously. One thing I will say about this novel, it will incite and require true intellectual commitment – it’s not the sort of read you want to do while lazing about and looking for a pass-time. The topic itself, the way you’re introduced to the characters, the mixed feelings you’ll surely have about them, they’ll all keep you on the edge of your seat from start to end. And when the ride is over, you just might feel, as I do, that you’re crystal clear but so deeply unsure about it all. Is Joe really the bad guy? Is Penelope really one of the ‘good guys’? Is there such a thing?
The plot spans over a considerable amount of time, without clogging your arteries with minute, meaningless details of the characters’ life every step of the way. No easy stereotype-pass to mapping out the characters here, you’ll just have to accept and embrace them with their faults and their beauties, or you’ll be horrified by them perhaps, but they won’t make it easy for you one way or the other; I know Penelope, sadly I know potential Joe-s as well, I feel like tomorrow morning I just might run into them at the coffee shop or maybe later this week at the store. This sense of presence is both marvelous and utterly disturbing, for me at least; the realization that any number of potential Joe-s are out there is something I am sure I’ll ponder on for quite a while, and I don’t just mean the potential cyberterrorist, but the victim, the neglected and abused child, the uncared for brilliant mind. Another issue that plagued me throughout reading the novel is my own startling dependency on my computer, on my files, on the illusion of my virtual privacy. It poked at me relentlessly, leaving me truly terrorized once Joe’s plot set into motion.
For me, this novel does a thing of beauty; my read of it at least left me ruffled, but strangely happy. Through all the pain, the doubt, the anticipation, the fear and dread here and there, the sadness and the relief, I was constantly reminded of the most precious of rules: each coin has two sides, and there are no absolutes. No-one is completely right and no-one is completely wrong, there are always many, many sides that need to be known and heartily considered before making up your mind on any topic, any subject, no matter how uncomfortable or indeed terrorizing it may be.
I feel this work is one of real substance, delivering delicious chunks of food for thought. It is special, quite special, and I am truly happy that I have had the chance to read it. It’s original, refreshing, strong, of substance and character, and quite simply put, I love it!
The novel is written in a very original and, dare I say, charming way. While reading it I got hit several times by a strange wave of guilt, like just by reading I was this semi-potent cyberterrorist myself, reading personal files and snooping into conversations and privy to personal information about the characters themselves. This read was an emotional roller-coaster, and by the end of it I feel sort of dazed.
Before actually starting to read, I wasn’t sure a sequence of emails, blogs, chatroom logs, websites and diary entries would actually blend well enough to tell me a story; they don’t blend well, they blend marvelously. One thing I will say about this novel, it will incite and require true intellectual commitment – it’s not the sort of read you want to do while lazing about and looking for a pass-time. The topic itself, the way you’re introduced to the characters, the mixed feelings you’ll surely have about them, they’ll all keep you on the edge of your seat from start to end. And when the ride is over, you just might feel, as I do, that you’re crystal clear but so deeply unsure about it all. Is Joe really the bad guy? Is Penelope really one of the ‘good guys’? Is there such a thing?
The plot spans over a considerable amount of time, without clogging your arteries with minute, meaningless details of the characters’ life every step of the way. No easy stereotype-pass to mapping out the characters here, you’ll just have to accept and embrace them with their faults and their beauties, or you’ll be horrified by them perhaps, but they won’t make it easy for you one way or the other; I know Penelope, sadly I know potential Joe-s as well, I feel like tomorrow morning I just might run into them at the coffee shop or maybe later this week at the store. This sense of presence is both marvelous and utterly disturbing, for me at least; the realization that any number of potential Joe-s are out there is something I am sure I’ll ponder on for quite a while, and I don’t just mean the potential cyberterrorist, but the victim, the neglected and abused child, the uncared for brilliant mind. Another issue that plagued me throughout reading the novel is my own startling dependency on my computer, on my files, on the illusion of my virtual privacy. It poked at me relentlessly, leaving me truly terrorized once Joe’s plot set into motion.
For me, this novel does a thing of beauty; my read of it at least left me ruffled, but strangely happy. Through all the pain, the doubt, the anticipation, the fear and dread here and there, the sadness and the relief, I was constantly reminded of the most precious of rules: each coin has two sides, and there are no absolutes. No-one is completely right and no-one is completely wrong, there are always many, many sides that need to be known and heartily considered before making up your mind on any topic, any subject, no matter how uncomfortable or indeed terrorizing it may be.
I feel this work is one of real substance, delivering delicious chunks of food for thought. It is special, quite special, and I am truly happy that I have had the chance to read it. It’s original, refreshing, strong, of substance and character, and quite simply put, I love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2011
I’m a sucker for a story that takes place largely in cyberspace like "Joe is Online." Most of us have seen examples of how online behavior differs from the “real world.” The internet has revolutionized the way people socialize and interact, making it possible to have “friends” you’ve never met on the other side of the world – friends you interact with more than your next door neighbor. This social change has given rise to two issues that seem to contradict each other. We don’t always truly know who we’re dealing with online (“on the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog”) yet the internet also makes invading your privacy easy. The intersection of cyberspace and real life provides a lot of opportunity for authors and their stories.
"Joe is Online" is a story told entirely through a series of emails, chat transcripts, blog posts, web pages, and diary entries stored as word processing documents. This is different, but could easily have turned into a very dry read. Wimpress saves the book from this by cheating a little on what I see as the concept (having everything be an artifact of online interaction). In the “diary entries,” which aren’t online artifacts, the various characters relate what happened to them in much greater detail than a diarist would typically use. These diary entries even include extensive dialog, which is limited in the other kinds of entries.
The story begins in the mid-1990s and doesn’t end until 2020. The technology depicted doesn’t advance much beyond what is currently available, definitely not at the speed it has over the last several years. This didn’t feel unnatural, but it could for some readers.
The presentation is also a gimmick. It helps the story along, but the story still has to be good enough to stand on its own. I believe it does. The character of Joe, a social misfit who is a whiz with computers, is familiar and believable. Some suspension of belief might be required, although given the stories of what young computer hackers have actually done, not that much.
Since the title mentions Joe, you might expect the story is about him as well. It is, however Joe is not the protagonist, at least as I usually view the definition. Penelope Hunt is the main character the reader will empathize with and be rooting for, while Joe is the antagonist, the character that “opposes” Penelope.
Penelope’s story is more normal than Joe’s. We follow her through university, where she studies International Relations, and eventually to Scotland for her PhD, specializing in the study of terrorism. As Joe’s crimes escalate, his and Penelope’s paths cross in cyberspace. When the timeline of "Joe is Online" progresses into the future, we enter the realm of speculative fiction, as Wimpress builds on the themes of cyberspace, cults, and terrorism, theorizing what the future might hold were someone to combine the worst of each of these areas.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
"Joe is Online" is a story told entirely through a series of emails, chat transcripts, blog posts, web pages, and diary entries stored as word processing documents. This is different, but could easily have turned into a very dry read. Wimpress saves the book from this by cheating a little on what I see as the concept (having everything be an artifact of online interaction). In the “diary entries,” which aren’t online artifacts, the various characters relate what happened to them in much greater detail than a diarist would typically use. These diary entries even include extensive dialog, which is limited in the other kinds of entries.
The story begins in the mid-1990s and doesn’t end until 2020. The technology depicted doesn’t advance much beyond what is currently available, definitely not at the speed it has over the last several years. This didn’t feel unnatural, but it could for some readers.
The presentation is also a gimmick. It helps the story along, but the story still has to be good enough to stand on its own. I believe it does. The character of Joe, a social misfit who is a whiz with computers, is familiar and believable. Some suspension of belief might be required, although given the stories of what young computer hackers have actually done, not that much.
Since the title mentions Joe, you might expect the story is about him as well. It is, however Joe is not the protagonist, at least as I usually view the definition. Penelope Hunt is the main character the reader will empathize with and be rooting for, while Joe is the antagonist, the character that “opposes” Penelope.
Penelope’s story is more normal than Joe’s. We follow her through university, where she studies International Relations, and eventually to Scotland for her PhD, specializing in the study of terrorism. As Joe’s crimes escalate, his and Penelope’s paths cross in cyberspace. When the timeline of "Joe is Online" progresses into the future, we enter the realm of speculative fiction, as Wimpress builds on the themes of cyberspace, cults, and terrorism, theorizing what the future might hold were someone to combine the worst of each of these areas.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
November 6, 2011
Could one man bring down world governments by hacking into the global computer systems? Could one man wreak havoc by persuading hundreds of people to blow themselves up and commit carnage for no apparent reason? Maybe. Could this one man have begun his reign of terror from a young age by being a precocious yet ungovernable schoolboy with deep resentments and abiding hatreds, and a phenomenal gift with computers? Perhaps. Joseph Brady is not a normal 11-year-old. The brightest kid in his school, he is also the worst-behaved. Placed in isolation in the art room at lunchtimes, it doesn't take Joe long to work out how to use the art room computer. In 1997 Joe finds a way of getting the art room computer online. The safety of the world is in the palm of his hand. Twenty years later, Joe orchestrates highly co-ordinated terrorist attacks, beginning in the online world, but very quickly spreading into the offline world. Nobody can trace their source until a quiet, shy professor in terrorism called Penelope Hunt discovers a link to Joe. She finds herself sucked into a world-threatening conspiracy. With only a radical tele-atheist to help her, Penny decides to shut down Joe's activities, placing her own life in grave danger in the process.
In an unusual literary device, this story is told entirely through emails, blogs, chat room logs, websites and diary entries. Although I found the first part of the novel slow because of this format, the threads gradually join up, linking various characters over a long period of time, drawing them into the exact moment where Joe Brady’s world must either explode, or be shut down. The computer-style narration is interesting in that the reader is privy to a far more intimate portrait of each character than normal. The author puts the reader right into each character’s head, and ‘reads’ their minds. The idea behind the plot is frightening: in a world where global connections run through the heart of society, it is impossible to live under the radar, and anyone with a knack for computers can become a terrorist. With a surprise ending, this exciting story will keep cyber fans captivated.
In an unusual literary device, this story is told entirely through emails, blogs, chat room logs, websites and diary entries. Although I found the first part of the novel slow because of this format, the threads gradually join up, linking various characters over a long period of time, drawing them into the exact moment where Joe Brady’s world must either explode, or be shut down. The computer-style narration is interesting in that the reader is privy to a far more intimate portrait of each character than normal. The author puts the reader right into each character’s head, and ‘reads’ their minds. The idea behind the plot is frightening: in a world where global connections run through the heart of society, it is impossible to live under the radar, and anyone with a knack for computers can become a terrorist. With a surprise ending, this exciting story will keep cyber fans captivated.
Read
December 5, 2011Joe is Online by Chris Wimpress is a clever and adroit book, at times cynical and disturbing (by design), but always intriguing and absorbing. The novel is a cyber-thriller, an unsettling dissection of today’s society and technology.
The book is written as a series of online emails, chats and personal electronic documents from the point of view of several people, all of whom eventually tie together in a terrorist/conspiracy scenario. It is an attention-grabbing book that utilizes today’s reliance on technology as its backdrop.
I loved how this novel plays out, slowly and in pieces, through these bits of electronic correspondence. It is an intriguing way to build the narrative and gives the reader both an intimate and limited point of view into the characters. It also gives the novel a nice backbone of tension and suspense as the shadowy manipulations of one of the characters unfolds.
The contemporary, everyday tone of the book does turn with the revelations of the plotline, taking on a more sinister aspect, and a post-apocalyptic quality which splits the flow of the book. I found this slightly jarring, but it was an effective method of conveying the sudden societal shift from events depicted. Also, for a short time I was wondering where one of the subplots was going, but the author manages to tie all the disparate threads together into an unexpected ending. The book’s denouement is unusual and I found it very interpretive. I enjoyed the speculative finish, but it might not be to all tastes.
I recommended Joe is Online as a great book and a fascinating techno-thriller.
The book is written as a series of online emails, chats and personal electronic documents from the point of view of several people, all of whom eventually tie together in a terrorist/conspiracy scenario. It is an attention-grabbing book that utilizes today’s reliance on technology as its backdrop.
I loved how this novel plays out, slowly and in pieces, through these bits of electronic correspondence. It is an intriguing way to build the narrative and gives the reader both an intimate and limited point of view into the characters. It also gives the novel a nice backbone of tension and suspense as the shadowy manipulations of one of the characters unfolds.
The contemporary, everyday tone of the book does turn with the revelations of the plotline, taking on a more sinister aspect, and a post-apocalyptic quality which splits the flow of the book. I found this slightly jarring, but it was an effective method of conveying the sudden societal shift from events depicted. Also, for a short time I was wondering where one of the subplots was going, but the author manages to tie all the disparate threads together into an unexpected ending. The book’s denouement is unusual and I found it very interpretive. I enjoyed the speculative finish, but it might not be to all tastes.
I recommended Joe is Online as a great book and a fascinating techno-thriller.
April 30, 2011
I was rather intrigued by the premise of using email, internet chats, blogging, etc. to progress the story rather than using a standard narrative. At first it took a little bit of getting used to, but I found this format very compelling and I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded through the various online interactions.
The characters are all well written and very diverse, in fact at first it is hard to see how all these different characters will be brought together. This however is one of the very things that makes the novel so enjoyable, they are brought together in a fascinating plot that keeps you guessing and trying to work out the links yourself.
Overall, I found "Joe is Online" to be a cracking first person thriller told in a novel and inventive manner that helped to keep it fast paced and moreish. I look forward to seeing what else Chris Wimpress may bring out in the future.
A more detailed review can be found at my blog : Books & Things - http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com
The characters are all well written and very diverse, in fact at first it is hard to see how all these different characters will be brought together. This however is one of the very things that makes the novel so enjoyable, they are brought together in a fascinating plot that keeps you guessing and trying to work out the links yourself.
Overall, I found "Joe is Online" to be a cracking first person thriller told in a novel and inventive manner that helped to keep it fast paced and moreish. I look forward to seeing what else Chris Wimpress may bring out in the future.
A more detailed review can be found at my blog : Books & Things - http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com
February 27, 2012
The formatting of the novel took a little while to get used to but the formatting suited the style of the novel very well.I really enjoyed how the novel unfolded using the various online interactions and I feel this helped bring a sense of uniqueness to the novel.
All the characters were well thought out however at times I felt there was to many characters and that each did not serve an individual purpose within the novel. I was kept guessing on what was going to happen next throughout the novel and I enjoyed this.
Overall this is a well written first person thriller. I look forward to seeing what Chris Wimpress does next.
A copy of this novel was received for free and all thoughts are my own through reading it.
This review was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
All the characters were well thought out however at times I felt there was to many characters and that each did not serve an individual purpose within the novel. I was kept guessing on what was going to happen next throughout the novel and I enjoyed this.
Overall this is a well written first person thriller. I look forward to seeing what Chris Wimpress does next.
A copy of this novel was received for free and all thoughts are my own through reading it.
This review was first published on http://everybookhasasoul.wordpress.com
May 26, 2014
Interesting?
I had a difficult time getting into this book. The concept was interesting however the writing style was confusing and left me wondering what exactly was going on. Email communication and web posts were going back and forth from different people that made it slow to catch on what the premise of the story was. It want until midway through the book that I realized that this was about terrorism and how all these characters that were going on and on in the beginning half were going to be connected at a later time. The theory about cyber terrorism is actually very current and a real threat for today but that message was a little lost between all the various communication within the book. I almost gave up early on but I plugged on hoping for some clarification soon. Slow going but the near end was exciting until the last pages where the writing was cryptic.
I had a difficult time getting into this book. The concept was interesting however the writing style was confusing and left me wondering what exactly was going on. Email communication and web posts were going back and forth from different people that made it slow to catch on what the premise of the story was. It want until midway through the book that I realized that this was about terrorism and how all these characters that were going on and on in the beginning half were going to be connected at a later time. The theory about cyber terrorism is actually very current and a real threat for today but that message was a little lost between all the various communication within the book. I almost gave up early on but I plugged on hoping for some clarification soon. Slow going but the near end was exciting until the last pages where the writing was cryptic.
February 15, 2014
This books starts out with a bright grade schooler who is bullied at school, abused by a step father at home and has one safe refuge - the computer in the schools art room. This kid is so bright and so misunderstood. He has so much potential but because the deck is so stacked against him things turn into a totally different direction. By the time Joe is in high school he is running away from home and creating a life for himself with his ability to hack into things on his computer. Woven through Joe's life story are others who are also not blessed with a happy life. Cyber terrorism, suicide cults, hope, despair all happening over the internet. This is a book that will make you think. This is a book that will make you feel. Add it to your tbr list.
November 25, 2016
This had a pretty good premise and I enjoyed the e-mail/online diary format. But the execution just didn't deliver for me.
Joe is a brilliant young computer savant but is also a very bad boy. He grows up to be a cyber-terrorist and wreaks havoc upon the world by tapping into the dark depths of gullible conspiracy theorists online and getting them to do his bidding.
It ends with some sort of strange missive from what appears to be a cult, apparently well into the future, living in a post-cyber apocalypse world...? I dunno.
There is surely a great cyber apocalypse novel out there. This isn't it.
Joe is a brilliant young computer savant but is also a very bad boy. He grows up to be a cyber-terrorist and wreaks havoc upon the world by tapping into the dark depths of gullible conspiracy theorists online and getting them to do his bidding.
It ends with some sort of strange missive from what appears to be a cult, apparently well into the future, living in a post-cyber apocalypse world...? I dunno.
There is surely a great cyber apocalypse novel out there. This isn't it.
January 31, 2012
This author uses the device of telling the story through a succession of electronic records - emails, blogs etc. I wasn't sure at first but it works really well and the story develops and becomes quite compelling. I'd like to see more from this writer.
February 6, 2014
Wierd
The story was very long. It was interesting though and I wanted to see how it would end. I read the ending twice and just don't really understand it which is disappointing. I would not recommend taking the time. Good writing though.
The story was very long. It was interesting though and I wanted to see how it would end. I read the ending twice and just don't really understand it which is disappointing. I would not recommend taking the time. Good writing though.
June 11, 2013
Struggled to get into it at first with all the emails it was a bit confusing... But soon got used to the writing style & really enjoyed the book.
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