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Foundry
This is a story about two spies locked in a room with a gun.
This is a story about how semiconductors are refactoring 21st century geopolitics.
This is a story about the greatest of games, the game that subsumes all other games, the only game that really matters: power.
This is a story about finding yourself before they find you.
This story is a trap.
This is a story about how semiconductors are refactoring 21st century geopolitics.
This is a story about the greatest of games, the game that subsumes all other games, the only game that really matters: power.
This is a story about finding yourself before they find you.
This story is a trap.
- GenresFictionScience Fiction
248 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2023
3 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Eliot Peper
14 books356 followersEliot Peper is the author of eleven novels, including, most recently, Foundry.
He's helped build technology businesses, survived dengue fever, translated Virgil's Aeneid from the original Latin, worked as an entrepreneur-in-residence at a venture capital firm, and explored the ancient Himalayan kingdom of Mustang.
The best way to follow Eliot's writing is to subscribe to his newsletter.
He's helped build technology businesses, survived dengue fever, translated Virgil's Aeneid from the original Latin, worked as an entrepreneur-in-residence at a venture capital firm, and explored the ancient Himalayan kingdom of Mustang.
The best way to follow Eliot's writing is to subscribe to his newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 11, 2023
Eliot is a brilliant writer. I've been reading, and supporting his writing, from his first book and he gets better with each one.
This is a new style for him, with a bunch of wonderful twists along the way. The background settings are extremely detailed and delightful, but don't get in the way of the story.
It's a one-flight (or one evening) type of read. You pick it up, start, and don't put it down until you are finished!
And, I love the title (self-referential comment made because, well, I love the title.)
This is a new style for him, with a bunch of wonderful twists along the way. The background settings are extremely detailed and delightful, but don't get in the way of the story.
It's a one-flight (or one evening) type of read. You pick it up, start, and don't put it down until you are finished!
And, I love the title (self-referential comment made because, well, I love the title.)
November 5, 2023
Really enjoyed this one. I've read all of Peper's books, and this one had a different style since it was in first person. I think it was perfect for the story. Good story, reads quickly and enjoyably. And, as usual, a fitting tale for our times (there are already claims or at least theories this is happening).
October 19, 2023
I love Eliot Peper so I got this book twice. Autographed copy that arrived the afternoon before release and borrowed e-book so I could read it without marring my autographed copy.
This is probably my favorite of Peper's books so far. It can be a quick read, but I forced myself to take it slowly, because there is a lot of detail that deserves attention.
The narrator is a snarky, egotistical, patriotic, lying, crafty spy who should have his picture next to entry for "unreliable narrator" in an English 101 glossary. From the opening I wanted to hate him. He is so full of himself and leading you where he wants you to go and then yanking the rug out from under you. All the while he drops little gems about career tracks, semiconductor technology, international politics and human nature.
As my own work goes through performance evaluation season, I couldn't help but compare Peper's description of the difference between field agents and their handlers with my own experience of individual contributors and managers in a software (or probably any other) business.
I still wanted to hate the narrator, but deep down I love him. Or do I?
In the end, Peper resolution of the primary plot tension and the narrator's (or is it really Peper's?) observation “Over the long run, all games are collaborative.”
This is probably my favorite of Peper's books so far. It can be a quick read, but I forced myself to take it slowly, because there is a lot of detail that deserves attention.
The narrator is a snarky, egotistical, patriotic, lying, crafty spy who should have his picture next to entry for "unreliable narrator" in an English 101 glossary. From the opening I wanted to hate him. He is so full of himself and leading you where he wants you to go and then yanking the rug out from under you. All the while he drops little gems about career tracks, semiconductor technology, international politics and human nature.
As my own work goes through performance evaluation season, I couldn't help but compare Peper's description of the difference between field agents and their handlers with my own experience of individual contributors and managers in a software (or probably any other) business.
I still wanted to hate the narrator, but deep down I love him. Or do I?
In the end, Peper resolution of the primary plot tension and the narrator's (or is it really Peper's?) observation “Over the long run, all games are collaborative.”
January 17, 2024
This is the sixth Eliot Peper book I’ve read and I’ve loved each one. Peper writes books that rely on a lot of real science, great writing, lots of action, and believable characters plus some politics mixed in. While Foundry is a bit different than his other books, Peper continues to write science fiction stories that could easily appear in tomorrow’s headlines.
Let me start at the afterword where Peper explains that this book began in a dream he had. He woke up, scribbled a note on some paper about his dream, and then went back to sleep. In the morning he read his note which said, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” This became the opening line of his latest book, Foundry.
I’ll skip over the armchair psychoanalysis of what this dream means and focus on his decision to write a book based on this line. As he explains, in order to to see where the story went he had to write the book. I’m sure there is some fancy term like “stream of consciousness writing” to explain this style. All I know is that it resulted in a seat of your pants, spy novel. Foundry is in the science fiction category because it takes place only a few years in the future. Of course, with Peper all of this could be happening right now.
Taiwan in in the news a lot lately with the social, political, and economic policies about its existence shaping the relationship between the USA and China. Focusing his near future spy story on Taiwan makes Peper’s novel even more relevant and timely.
Once I started Foundry, I could not put the book down. It is short, under two hundred pages so, even if you have only a few hours, you can quickly immerse yourself into the suspense. I loved the plot, storyline, writing style, and characters. My only objection was that it had a bit two much of a “happy every after” ending. This type of ending is a recurring theme with Peper. I guess that leaving the reader with a little bit of hope, after painting a dark and dismal view of future science and politics, keeps his books out of the dystopian camp.
Let me start at the afterword where Peper explains that this book began in a dream he had. He woke up, scribbled a note on some paper about his dream, and then went back to sleep. In the morning he read his note which said, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” This became the opening line of his latest book, Foundry.
I’ll skip over the armchair psychoanalysis of what this dream means and focus on his decision to write a book based on this line. As he explains, in order to to see where the story went he had to write the book. I’m sure there is some fancy term like “stream of consciousness writing” to explain this style. All I know is that it resulted in a seat of your pants, spy novel. Foundry is in the science fiction category because it takes place only a few years in the future. Of course, with Peper all of this could be happening right now.
Taiwan in in the news a lot lately with the social, political, and economic policies about its existence shaping the relationship between the USA and China. Focusing his near future spy story on Taiwan makes Peper’s novel even more relevant and timely.
Once I started Foundry, I could not put the book down. It is short, under two hundred pages so, even if you have only a few hours, you can quickly immerse yourself into the suspense. I loved the plot, storyline, writing style, and characters. My only objection was that it had a bit two much of a “happy every after” ending. This type of ending is a recurring theme with Peper. I guess that leaving the reader with a little bit of hope, after painting a dark and dismal view of future science and politics, keeps his books out of the dystopian camp.
October 21, 2023
"Foundry" by Eliot Peper is a thrilling near-future novel that takes readers on a high-stakes espionage journey filled with wit, action, and intrigue. Narrated by the author in the audiobook, the story grabs your attention right from the start with guns pointed at the heads of the two spies, Caroline and Aiden.
The first-person perspective of the story is delivered with plenty of snark, which adds a layer of humor and personality to the protagonist. As the plot unfolds, the reader is treated to a masterclass in strategy and brinksmanship, with multiple spies engaging in psychological jujitsu tactics to outwit their adversaries.
One of the highlights of "Foundry" is the flirtatious vibe between Caroline and Aiden. Their chemistry and banter make for an enjoyable dynamic. The short book is filled with fast-paced chapters that keep the tension and excitement at a constant high, but some readers might have preferred a quicker introduction to the semiconductor plot.
Peper skillfully weaves in interesting asides and meditations on secrets, and the characters' use of humor as a coping mechanism in suspenseful situations. Fans of Peper's previous novels, like "Bandwidth," will appreciate the occasional connections and references to prior work.
Throughout the story, the characters resolve to follow their own consciences, which is a trademark of Peper's writing. The occasional fourth wall breaks add an enjoyable meta twist to the narrative. One minor disappointment was my desire for a more direct showdown with the villain. I wonder whether Adrian and Carolyn will feature in future books, leaving room for further exploration of their characters.
In summary, "Foundry" is a fast-paced and entertaining near-future spy thriller with memorable characters, sharp wit, and a thought-provoking exploration of geopolitics and power. Eliot Peper's storytelling keeps you engaged from start to finish, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
The first-person perspective of the story is delivered with plenty of snark, which adds a layer of humor and personality to the protagonist. As the plot unfolds, the reader is treated to a masterclass in strategy and brinksmanship, with multiple spies engaging in psychological jujitsu tactics to outwit their adversaries.
One of the highlights of "Foundry" is the flirtatious vibe between Caroline and Aiden. Their chemistry and banter make for an enjoyable dynamic. The short book is filled with fast-paced chapters that keep the tension and excitement at a constant high, but some readers might have preferred a quicker introduction to the semiconductor plot.
Peper skillfully weaves in interesting asides and meditations on secrets, and the characters' use of humor as a coping mechanism in suspenseful situations. Fans of Peper's previous novels, like "Bandwidth," will appreciate the occasional connections and references to prior work.
Throughout the story, the characters resolve to follow their own consciences, which is a trademark of Peper's writing. The occasional fourth wall breaks add an enjoyable meta twist to the narrative. One minor disappointment was my desire for a more direct showdown with the villain. I wonder whether Adrian and Carolyn will feature in future books, leaving room for further exploration of their characters.
In summary, "Foundry" is a fast-paced and entertaining near-future spy thriller with memorable characters, sharp wit, and a thought-provoking exploration of geopolitics and power. Eliot Peper's storytelling keeps you engaged from start to finish, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
October 11, 2023
Eliot's done it again, but this time it hits different. Foundry is fast and fun -- a story that's tightly told, but with a loose freewheeling energy. There's punchy prose (“Discreetly disposing of a dead body is harder than you think”), mind-blowing settings, and two characters that dance along the knife's edge of trust. Highly recommend.
October 15, 2023
Yet another time Eliot knocks it out the park. Full review to come.
October 13, 2023
A departure for Peper from his previous novels and it’s a fun one! I’ve described it to friends as an espionage fever dream. As another reviewer mentioned, it’s a book you’ll likely devour in one evening or perfect for a flight. I always eagerly anticipate Peper’s books and I was not disappointed!
October 19, 2023
A smart, witty, fun spy thriller. “Foundry” is reminiscent of Terry Hayes’ “I Am Pilgrim” but better because it is more concise and suspenseful and has a more dynamic and likable protagonist. Guaranteed to make you break your promise of “just one more chapter” and to teach you something about silicon fabrication.
October 31, 2023
I do like an Eliot Peper book! This was a very different style to usual. Very short chapters written as first person narration. It worked really well and I flew through this. As usual some superb writing and some very nice Easter eggs for those who have read the other books. Excellent!
August 13, 2023
Recent Reads: Foundry. Eliot Peper's upcoming novel follows in the footsteps of his Analog trilogy, into the politics of technology, this time, silicon. Two spies are in a room, and as we find out how and why, we learn about the making of a Trojan Horse. Futurist fiction at work.
October 11, 2023
Hotel rooms are these sanitized chambers where we expect anything can happen, unnoticed by the world. Eliot’s latest world is created in one such room, launching a political-fiction reading storm unlike his prior sci-fi stories. We aren’t kept in the dark about dalliances, negotiations, spy vs spy, or many of the other areas of intrigue found in clandestine hotel rooms. The stories spiral from coffee snobbery to drug deals and (seemingly) illicit sexual relationships and all-knowing bosses, slowly revealing the real story.
Off the western coast of Scotland is an infamous whirlpool whose name is shared by a monstrous Scotch. Corryvrekan refers to this mythical sea creature that hides deep underwater, much like the germ of the idea that makes this story. While the world was struggling with deliveries, vaccines and anti-vaxxers, loneliness and new craft hobbies during the pandemic, Eliot seems to have found the very depth of the whirlpool, the seismic event unfolding and affecting global supply chains, to create a story of espionage and political (dare I say) terrorism. I won't reveal the plot here, obviously, as your own discovery is warranted through his imagery and intrigue.
The book moves quickly, swallowing chapters and pages, introducing characters that live with us rather than being quickly disposed. There is much illustrated in Eliot’s words, pictures painted and dissolved at a rapid pace. I felt like I was in the book, constantly switching between the third and fourth wall (maybe we were pushed between the two).
The entire book felt like a conversation between the protagonist and me, sometimes sliding into the author and me. A conversation fueled by what felt like a LSD trip (if I actually knew what that was). I felt like I was staring into the gun’s barrel at one juncture and into an abyss in the other. The book is alive with allegory. My favorite line from the book
There were more red flags than a CCP parade.
This is a fun book to read, quite different from Eliot’s priors but just as interesting and exploration-seeking. A must read for Eliot fans.
Stars are for a personal, purchased copy.
Off the western coast of Scotland is an infamous whirlpool whose name is shared by a monstrous Scotch. Corryvrekan refers to this mythical sea creature that hides deep underwater, much like the germ of the idea that makes this story. While the world was struggling with deliveries, vaccines and anti-vaxxers, loneliness and new craft hobbies during the pandemic, Eliot seems to have found the very depth of the whirlpool, the seismic event unfolding and affecting global supply chains, to create a story of espionage and political (dare I say) terrorism. I won't reveal the plot here, obviously, as your own discovery is warranted through his imagery and intrigue.
The book moves quickly, swallowing chapters and pages, introducing characters that live with us rather than being quickly disposed. There is much illustrated in Eliot’s words, pictures painted and dissolved at a rapid pace. I felt like I was in the book, constantly switching between the third and fourth wall (maybe we were pushed between the two).
The entire book felt like a conversation between the protagonist and me, sometimes sliding into the author and me. A conversation fueled by what felt like a LSD trip (if I actually knew what that was). I felt like I was staring into the gun’s barrel at one juncture and into an abyss in the other. The book is alive with allegory. My favorite line from the book
There were more red flags than a CCP parade.
This is a fun book to read, quite different from Eliot’s priors but just as interesting and exploration-seeking. A must read for Eliot fans.
Stars are for a personal, purchased copy.
June 16, 2024
I really liked other books by Eliot Peper, but this one lacks a well-thread story.
Its name drops too many times, which seems to be an attempt to show off knowledge from different areas. Like names of trendy bike names, etc.
I do like that it's an attempt to tell a story about a very important topic, but I'd rather read Chip wars to know about the importance of semiconductors.
Its name drops too many times, which seems to be an attempt to show off knowledge from different areas. Like names of trendy bike names, etc.
I do like that it's an attempt to tell a story about a very important topic, but I'd rather read Chip wars to know about the importance of semiconductors.
December 26, 2023
An oddly wholesome (and creative) spy thriller. Had a lot of fun reading this.
March 18, 2024
Just OK. Decent plot, good details on the chip industry, but he lost me on the F16 landing on a carrier. Please research these details!
October 17, 2023
A Solid Spy Novel
Foundry by Eliot Peper is another intriguing addition to his ever-expanding repertoire of tech-driven novels. For those familiar with Peper's work, diving into one of his books is always an exciting experience, and Foundry is no exception. It offers a unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds from his previous stories, making it a compelling read.
Peper's prose in Foundry often takes on a poetic quality. There's a sense of "waxing poetic" that lends depth and richness to the narrative. He uses literary devices skillfully to explain the complex technological aspects, allowing the reader to appreciate the beauty of the writing as well as the story itself.
Foundry offers a fascinating plot but might not grip you in the same way as some of Peper's previous works. While still an enjoyable read that you'll breeze through, it lacks the technological punch that some of his other books, like "Reap3r" and the Analog series, deliver. While semiconductors play a role in the narrative, this story leans more towards being a pure thriller with technology elements sprinkled in.
Comparatively, Foundry might be seen as more of a "spy vs. spy" story rather than a full-fledged technothriller. It's important to approach it with an open mind, as your expectations can influence your perception. If you consider it as a spy novel with some tech twists, your overall opinion might be different. Remember that I'm going into this with around 10 other Peper Technothrillers under my belt.
The audiobook is narrated by Eliot Peper himself, and while his performance is generally good, there are moments when you might find yourself wishing for an external narrator. The reasons for this preference are difficult to articulate, as it's a somewhat subjective feeling. Nevertheless, the narration doesn't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I looked up my review of Reap3r because I knew that was his first narration and I agree with my own sentiments. I can tell he got coaching and took it seriously. I think that with each new book, he'll continue to get better.
Overall, Foundry is an enjoyable read that showcases Eliot Peper's talent for storytelling and his unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds. While it may not be your favorite Peper book, it's still a worthwhile addition to his body of work. The book might deviate from the typical tech-driven narrative, but it remains a satisfying journey from beginning to end.
Foundry by Eliot Peper is another intriguing addition to his ever-expanding repertoire of tech-driven novels. For those familiar with Peper's work, diving into one of his books is always an exciting experience, and Foundry is no exception. It offers a unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds from his previous stories, making it a compelling read.
Peper's prose in Foundry often takes on a poetic quality. There's a sense of "waxing poetic" that lends depth and richness to the narrative. He uses literary devices skillfully to explain the complex technological aspects, allowing the reader to appreciate the beauty of the writing as well as the story itself.
Foundry offers a fascinating plot but might not grip you in the same way as some of Peper's previous works. While still an enjoyable read that you'll breeze through, it lacks the technological punch that some of his other books, like "Reap3r" and the Analog series, deliver. While semiconductors play a role in the narrative, this story leans more towards being a pure thriller with technology elements sprinkled in.
Comparatively, Foundry might be seen as more of a "spy vs. spy" story rather than a full-fledged technothriller. It's important to approach it with an open mind, as your expectations can influence your perception. If you consider it as a spy novel with some tech twists, your overall opinion might be different. Remember that I'm going into this with around 10 other Peper Technothrillers under my belt.
The audiobook is narrated by Eliot Peper himself, and while his performance is generally good, there are moments when you might find yourself wishing for an external narrator. The reasons for this preference are difficult to articulate, as it's a somewhat subjective feeling. Nevertheless, the narration doesn't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I looked up my review of Reap3r because I knew that was his first narration and I agree with my own sentiments. I can tell he got coaching and took it seriously. I think that with each new book, he'll continue to get better.
Overall, Foundry is an enjoyable read that showcases Eliot Peper's talent for storytelling and his unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds. While it may not be your favorite Peper book, it's still a worthwhile addition to his body of work. The book might deviate from the typical tech-driven narrative, but it remains a satisfying journey from beginning to end.
July 10, 2024
I’ve been reading Eliot Peper’s books since 2016 when I picked up “Cumulus”. I often compare Peper’s style to that of Michael Crichton, master of the “near future” science fiction story. I had been looking for a replacement to that genre of book, my favorite genre, since Crichton’s death in 2008.
It’s hard to pick a favorite Eliot Peper book, but “Foundry” is near the top. In some cases, this book is a departure from Peper’s previous work in that it is not so “near future”. I have no problem believing that everything that happened in “Foundry” is likely happening somewhere in the world today. Even the high technology in “Foundry” is likely 100% possible.
At its heart, “Foundry” is a spy thriller. It is narrated in the first person (another departure from Peper’s previous works) by Adrian, a cocky, snarky, American spy who from the first line of the book makes you want to love him, or punch him in the face. He starts the book with, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” That first line set the tone for the entire book. It is a series of delightfully unexpected conceptions and misconceptions from beginning to end.
The best part about “Foundry” is that it is a series of layered webs of intrigue. Adrian, the narrator sets his, while his foil in this story, Caroline, sets her own, that have her showing up regularly at unexpected times. Leia, Eliot’s overly ambitious and ruthless boss, also sets webs (plural), the most consequential of which has massive global geopolitical implications. Peper clearly researched this element deeply. That would be of no surprise to any of his long-time readers. The intricacy of this major plot point was frightening in its believability, and was a masterfully laid out “trap” by Peper (his word, not mine). Overall, the story itself was an alluring dance between Adrian and Caroline amidst a high stakes background. And it was fun.
Finally, one of my favorite things about Peper’s writing is that Eliot does not believe that “more is better”. He writes enough to tell a great story. Sometimes I buy books that are 400-500 pages long and they intimidate me before I even turn the first page. Peper’s books are always the perfect length, and often more well-developed than some of the “more is better” crowd. . “Foundry”, coming in at 229 pages, with very short chapters, would be a perfect book for a week at the beach.
It’s hard to pick a favorite Eliot Peper book, but “Foundry” is near the top. In some cases, this book is a departure from Peper’s previous work in that it is not so “near future”. I have no problem believing that everything that happened in “Foundry” is likely happening somewhere in the world today. Even the high technology in “Foundry” is likely 100% possible.
At its heart, “Foundry” is a spy thriller. It is narrated in the first person (another departure from Peper’s previous works) by Adrian, a cocky, snarky, American spy who from the first line of the book makes you want to love him, or punch him in the face. He starts the book with, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” That first line set the tone for the entire book. It is a series of delightfully unexpected conceptions and misconceptions from beginning to end.
The best part about “Foundry” is that it is a series of layered webs of intrigue. Adrian, the narrator sets his, while his foil in this story, Caroline, sets her own, that have her showing up regularly at unexpected times. Leia, Eliot’s overly ambitious and ruthless boss, also sets webs (plural), the most consequential of which has massive global geopolitical implications. Peper clearly researched this element deeply. That would be of no surprise to any of his long-time readers. The intricacy of this major plot point was frightening in its believability, and was a masterfully laid out “trap” by Peper (his word, not mine). Overall, the story itself was an alluring dance between Adrian and Caroline amidst a high stakes background. And it was fun.
Finally, one of my favorite things about Peper’s writing is that Eliot does not believe that “more is better”. He writes enough to tell a great story. Sometimes I buy books that are 400-500 pages long and they intimidate me before I even turn the first page. Peper’s books are always the perfect length, and often more well-developed than some of the “more is better” crowd. . “Foundry”, coming in at 229 pages, with very short chapters, would be a perfect book for a week at the beach.
October 26, 2023
What can I say Eliot Peper did it again with this book! From the moment it started the whole story was a fast-paced, entertaining, and almost too close-to-reality near-future spy novel. Needless to say, I could not put the book down or stop listening to it when I was away from the physical book. I really enjoyed how this book (compared to his others) took a different style in approach by being written in first person and I even found when listening to it (also appreciated it was his voice) was like someone was telling me a story as we sat across a table drinking a cortado.
I think this book was the perfect way to do such a thing and as always allowed for all the twists and turns as the bigger story unfolded. As always, I enjoy hearing easter eggs from prior books as he might reference places and technology but you would not have had to read those books before to enjoy this one. The attention to all details between the characters and the scenery made me feel like I was part of the overall storytelling journey.
Eliot does such a great job of writing these types of near-future stories like these where the plot and things that happen are very realistic and not so far-fetched to what we hear in the news. However, I think it also goes to show the detail in which he researches various technologies and topics to ensure it has that real feel to the story. This is found in how he describes places, food, drinks, and technology. Overall, this is another great book put out into the world by Eliot! I am sure he is sick of hearing this from me but… I can’t wait for the next one!
I think this book was the perfect way to do such a thing and as always allowed for all the twists and turns as the bigger story unfolded. As always, I enjoy hearing easter eggs from prior books as he might reference places and technology but you would not have had to read those books before to enjoy this one. The attention to all details between the characters and the scenery made me feel like I was part of the overall storytelling journey.
Eliot does such a great job of writing these types of near-future stories like these where the plot and things that happen are very realistic and not so far-fetched to what we hear in the news. However, I think it also goes to show the detail in which he researches various technologies and topics to ensure it has that real feel to the story. This is found in how he describes places, food, drinks, and technology. Overall, this is another great book put out into the world by Eliot! I am sure he is sick of hearing this from me but… I can’t wait for the next one!
October 11, 2023
Foundry is Eliot Peper’s 11th novel and I’ve read them all for a good reason. I’ve enjoyed his characters and the plots. While that’s true about this book too, this one is remarkably different. Eliot reports that he awoke from a dream with the beginning of a story, and he decided he would use those lines to write his next book.
The author wrote, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” This is a spy story, two spies, Adrian and Caroline. The two of them are locked in a room together but there’s only one gun. It’s a story about how semiconductors are changing 21st century geopolitics.
Rather than have an outline prepared for where he would start the book and where he would take the story, in a Stephen King sort of writing system (and I’m not really a fan of Stephen King), Eliot started at the beginning of a dream and let the story develop from there. It was as if this incredibly creative man allowed himself to unleash that creativity in a way he had never done before, which led him to this fantastic story. It’s obvious from his writing that the author fully enjoyed the writing process in a way he had not with his prior 10 books. This novel gets my highest recommendation. If you’ve not read Eliot Peper, it’s time to get to it.
The author wrote, “It wasn’t that she was holding a gun to my head. It was that I could see the safety was still on. She thought I was completely at her mercy, which was what put her at mine.” This is a spy story, two spies, Adrian and Caroline. The two of them are locked in a room together but there’s only one gun. It’s a story about how semiconductors are changing 21st century geopolitics.
Rather than have an outline prepared for where he would start the book and where he would take the story, in a Stephen King sort of writing system (and I’m not really a fan of Stephen King), Eliot started at the beginning of a dream and let the story develop from there. It was as if this incredibly creative man allowed himself to unleash that creativity in a way he had never done before, which led him to this fantastic story. It’s obvious from his writing that the author fully enjoyed the writing process in a way he had not with his prior 10 books. This novel gets my highest recommendation. If you’ve not read Eliot Peper, it’s time to get to it.
May 22, 2025
> I felt detached, untethered.
This statement by the main character is also how I felt about most of this book. I don't think it was particularly bad, but for some reason, I found it hard to care about most of the plot beats. Maybe because it felt like the protagonist didn't either.
One explored concept is the potential impact of hardware backdoors and our reliance on a relatively brittle supply chain. To me, this mostly felt too real to be entertaining fiction, yet not explored deeply enough to be informative.
What I wasn't expecting is for this tech-y spy thriller to start giving "This Is How You Lose the Time War" vibes (to be fair, I didn't expect it from that book either). The writing style is less overtly poetic but somehow still had similar energy at times, hidden inside a more grounded narrative style. Maybe as if El-Mohtar's book was crossed with one of Kim Stanley Robinson's half-essay near-future sci-fi explorations (while thankfully staying closer to the first in verbosity).
The afterword by the author made me feel like even though this book might not have been the best fit for me, it might still be worth trying another.
This statement by the main character is also how I felt about most of this book. I don't think it was particularly bad, but for some reason, I found it hard to care about most of the plot beats. Maybe because it felt like the protagonist didn't either.
One explored concept is the potential impact of hardware backdoors and our reliance on a relatively brittle supply chain. To me, this mostly felt too real to be entertaining fiction, yet not explored deeply enough to be informative.
What I wasn't expecting is for this tech-y spy thriller to start giving "This Is How You Lose the Time War" vibes (to be fair, I didn't expect it from that book either). The writing style is less overtly poetic but somehow still had similar energy at times, hidden inside a more grounded narrative style. Maybe as if El-Mohtar's book was crossed with one of Kim Stanley Robinson's half-essay near-future sci-fi explorations (while thankfully staying closer to the first in verbosity).
The afterword by the author made me feel like even though this book might not have been the best fit for me, it might still be worth trying another.
December 29, 2023
"It’s strange how the world can turn on dimes this banal. If history had any sense of propriety, exciting things would happen in exciting settings, preferably scored by John Williams."
I got into this eventually, although trying to read whilst a lot of festive things happens around one with a story of such breathtakingly short chapters with so cleverly put-together words is a struggle. I've enjoyed Peper's other works a lot and getting into the mindspace of the lead proved a bit of a jump here, but I'm very glad I did and am ready to pick up more of the books to see where things go, or have been. I caught the nod to Reap3r and found this a clever noir look into Peper's world.
I got into this eventually, although trying to read whilst a lot of festive things happens around one with a story of such breathtakingly short chapters with so cleverly put-together words is a struggle. I've enjoyed Peper's other works a lot and getting into the mindspace of the lead proved a bit of a jump here, but I'm very glad I did and am ready to pick up more of the books to see where things go, or have been. I caught the nod to Reap3r and found this a clever noir look into Peper's world.
August 7, 2023
A knockabout spy adventure that takes a few unexpected turns and sticks a landing that had me cheering. Truly a lot of fun - I inhaled it in one sitting. As always, it's deeply researched, but the detail only ever adds to the entertainment. (Without spoiling anything, I'm very familiar with some of the settings and cultural overtones, and they rang completely true.)
There are knowing callbacks to some of Eliot's earlier work, but this stands alone - and could be the start of a new series that I would gladly read the hell out of.
There are knowing callbacks to some of Eliot's earlier work, but this stands alone - and could be the start of a new series that I would gladly read the hell out of.
September 2, 2024
Main idea is so basic and obvious. Even if there are a lot of unnecessary details where, I guess, author is trying to show his knowledge in different topics, there isn't enough meat about the main topic, putting back doors into semiconductors. On top, storytelling has no structure and is hard to read. Narrator switches the point of its view a few times, in a sense it doesn't know what its goal/plan is.
March 18, 2024
The author says in the afterword that he didn't know where he was going with this when he wrote it, and it shows. If he'd actually planned the plot out in advance, maybe there would have been more to it. There were a few cool ideas here, but they were strung together with so much inconsequential babbling that it ended up a meandering mess that was beyond irritating to read.
July 12, 2024
I enjoyed the book but I also didn’t. I enjoyed the short chapters, but I also didn’t. I kind of wanted MORE, but I was happy to finish it. The writing was fine, the story entertaining, the writing at times dare I say corny. But I can’t give it three stars, because I couldn’t put the book down. But to go from this back to Proust 2 will certainly take my brain for a trip
November 3, 2025
This is my first of his book — heard about him via a shout out in one of Craig Modʼs newsletters — and this was interesting enough that I now definitely want to explore more of his writing. I’m a sucker for a spy story, and this was certainly unlike any spy book I’ve read. It’s also a breezy read, and so something that I enjoyed reading during my daily commute.
January 21, 2024
Love his novels and they keep getting better. This one was a surprise to find and a great read. Foundry is punchy and fast paced with a great story the bounces around in a pleasant way, a la Fight Club. It ended and I wanted more.
July 12, 2025
chapter 52 was good and the rest didn't measure up to the synopsis and first few chapters (which were v good hooks! but alas)
alternatively: literally the beginning of spy kids 1 lol where the mom is telling the story of how she met the dad
alternatively: literally the beginning of spy kids 1 lol where the mom is telling the story of how she met the dad
October 11, 2023
Is it possible that authors can get better with each new novel? Peper is evidence that is.
Foundry is funny, quick and enjoyable.
Read Foundry today. (I read an advance copy)
Foundry is funny, quick and enjoyable.
Read Foundry today. (I read an advance copy)
March 21, 2024
So in sync with current geopolitical events it'll make you feel like you're living in two parallel realities
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