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PeaceMaker #2
Unholy Domain
A decade after a lethal computer virus called PeaceMaker roared across the internet leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead, a war is raging between science and religion, the world wallows in a global depression, and the United States government is paralyzed, unable to intervene. The secretive and powerful Domain is poised to take humankind to the next level of evolution through artificial intelligence, and the fanatical Church of Natural Humans has marshaled their forces to stop them. David Brown, the son of PeaceMaker's creator, believes that his father was set up to take the fall for the catastrophe, and was murdered to keep him quiet. Determined to clear his father's name and avenge his killers, David stumbles into the war between the rival factions. Hunted by both sides, he unravels his father's secrets and discovers a genetic capability within himself that may change the path of human evolution. This fast-paced, techno thriller depicts a world of violent extremes, where religious terrorists and visionaries of technology fight for supreme power.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Dan Ronco
3 books62 followersBorn into a tough neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey, I learned powerful lessons about family, friendship and violence. My escape was fiction, and I spent many hours reading in the local library. My passion was technology and I went on to gain a BS in Chemical Engineering from NJIT. Not enough challenge. Always fascinated by new technologies, I was awarded a full fellowship at Columbia University and gained a MS in Nuclear Engineering. Although I designed submarine nuclear reactors for three years, I discovered that I enjoyed computer technologies more than reactor design, so I changed career direction and achieved a second MS; this one in Computer Science from RPI.
Fascinated by virtually all areas of software development, my expertise grew to include development, design, project management, quality improvement and finally, general management. My niche was software consulting and my team assisted many large corporations and governmental organizations. Always looking for the latest challenge, I built and managed several consulting practices. I'm especially proud of two accomplishments – assisting AT&T greatly improve the quality of the first commercial UNIX release and helping Microsoft to create a world class consulting organization. Positions held during my consulting years included Senior Principal with an international accounting/consulting firm, President, Software Technology Management Inc. and General Manager with Microsoft.
Several years ago I decided to leave consulting and concentrate on a long held desire to write fiction. A successful engineer and businessman, I had the breath of experience to understand and synthesize rapidly evolving strands of technology. It became clear that fundamental change would turn our society upside down within the next few decades. Humans will have to adapt rapidly to gain the advantages of these changing social and technological innovations. Indeed, we will have to adapt rapidly just to survive.
I scoped out a trilogy of novels to expose three oncoming challenges; computer viruses enhanced with artificial intelligence (set in 2012), the oncoming clash between religion and technology concerning what it means to be human (2022), and the beginnings of the integration of human and artificial intelligence into a network entity (2031). Each novel is written as a thriller – packed with adventure, sex, greed and romance – as well as realistic science and technology. The three leading characters – Dianne Morgan, a female mega-billionaire obsessed with power; Ray Brown, her onetime lover and a brilliant software architect; and David Brown, Ray’s genetically gifted son – are fascinating and all too human.
PeaceMaker, my first novel, was released in August, 2004 with outstanding feedback by critics, authors, and most importantly, by customers. As one critic wrote, " If you enjoy techno-thrillers, you’re going to enjoy Peacemaker." If you prefer reading on-line, PeaceMaker has been posted to my website as a free serial novel.
My second novel, Unholy Domain, was released the spring of 2008 by Kunati Publishing. The response was excellent, and several reviewers compared my writing to that of Philip K. Dick. That might be a stretch, but I'm not complaining.
My third novel, 2031: The Singularity Pogrom, was released at the end of August, 2010.
Fascinated by virtually all areas of software development, my expertise grew to include development, design, project management, quality improvement and finally, general management. My niche was software consulting and my team assisted many large corporations and governmental organizations. Always looking for the latest challenge, I built and managed several consulting practices. I'm especially proud of two accomplishments – assisting AT&T greatly improve the quality of the first commercial UNIX release and helping Microsoft to create a world class consulting organization. Positions held during my consulting years included Senior Principal with an international accounting/consulting firm, President, Software Technology Management Inc. and General Manager with Microsoft.
Several years ago I decided to leave consulting and concentrate on a long held desire to write fiction. A successful engineer and businessman, I had the breath of experience to understand and synthesize rapidly evolving strands of technology. It became clear that fundamental change would turn our society upside down within the next few decades. Humans will have to adapt rapidly to gain the advantages of these changing social and technological innovations. Indeed, we will have to adapt rapidly just to survive.
I scoped out a trilogy of novels to expose three oncoming challenges; computer viruses enhanced with artificial intelligence (set in 2012), the oncoming clash between religion and technology concerning what it means to be human (2022), and the beginnings of the integration of human and artificial intelligence into a network entity (2031). Each novel is written as a thriller – packed with adventure, sex, greed and romance – as well as realistic science and technology. The three leading characters – Dianne Morgan, a female mega-billionaire obsessed with power; Ray Brown, her onetime lover and a brilliant software architect; and David Brown, Ray’s genetically gifted son – are fascinating and all too human.
PeaceMaker, my first novel, was released in August, 2004 with outstanding feedback by critics, authors, and most importantly, by customers. As one critic wrote, " If you enjoy techno-thrillers, you’re going to enjoy Peacemaker." If you prefer reading on-line, PeaceMaker has been posted to my website as a free serial novel.
My second novel, Unholy Domain, was released the spring of 2008 by Kunati Publishing. The response was excellent, and several reviewers compared my writing to that of Philip K. Dick. That might be a stretch, but I'm not complaining.
My third novel, 2031: The Singularity Pogrom, was released at the end of August, 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 11, 2008
Rare is the book that can capture one’s attention right from the start, without any warning. Such is Dan Ronco’s Unholy Domain.
Set in the years following the destruction of the Internet and technology (see Peacemaker, Ronco’s first book), a couple of factions arise to try to ultimately take control of the world’s power and rebuild a crumbling or crumbled economy. There is the “Church of Natural Humans” and the “Domain”.
The Church of Natural Humans is waging a Holy War, a Jihad, against the “Technos”, those who created and control the Domain. The Domain is responsible for keeping technology alive, and created androids that can interface with humans. It is this technology that the Church wants to destroy as being the Antichrist.
There is a hidden factor in David Brown, the son of Ray Brown, the man who was responsible for unleashing “Peacemaker”. As people become aware of him, things start to happen to make the Domain sit up and take notice. David’s search for answers about his father and the events leading up to his death will bring him into the notice of the Domain.
At the beginning of each chapter is a quote that gives a little bit of insight into the mind of a specific character. It describes Dianne Morgan, one of Ronco’s main characters, via a “biography”, as well as First Minister Adam Jordan, the leader of “The Church of Natural Humans”. There is an ongoing power struggle between the Church and the Domain, much like the power struggles that are currently evidenced in today’s society. It’s a classic good vs. evil, religion vs. technology power play that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
While this reader hasn’t read Mr. Ronco’s Peacemaker, Unholy Domain is easily read as a stand-alone book. Nothing is lost in the story. Mr. Ronco creates some highly believable characters and builds a convincing story. This reader would recommend it to anyone who likes a fast paced read that keeps them guessing about the identity of different characters.
Marguerite Nico
(c)
May 11, 2008
Set in the years following the destruction of the Internet and technology (see Peacemaker, Ronco’s first book), a couple of factions arise to try to ultimately take control of the world’s power and rebuild a crumbling or crumbled economy. There is the “Church of Natural Humans” and the “Domain”.
The Church of Natural Humans is waging a Holy War, a Jihad, against the “Technos”, those who created and control the Domain. The Domain is responsible for keeping technology alive, and created androids that can interface with humans. It is this technology that the Church wants to destroy as being the Antichrist.
There is a hidden factor in David Brown, the son of Ray Brown, the man who was responsible for unleashing “Peacemaker”. As people become aware of him, things start to happen to make the Domain sit up and take notice. David’s search for answers about his father and the events leading up to his death will bring him into the notice of the Domain.
At the beginning of each chapter is a quote that gives a little bit of insight into the mind of a specific character. It describes Dianne Morgan, one of Ronco’s main characters, via a “biography”, as well as First Minister Adam Jordan, the leader of “The Church of Natural Humans”. There is an ongoing power struggle between the Church and the Domain, much like the power struggles that are currently evidenced in today’s society. It’s a classic good vs. evil, religion vs. technology power play that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
While this reader hasn’t read Mr. Ronco’s Peacemaker, Unholy Domain is easily read as a stand-alone book. Nothing is lost in the story. Mr. Ronco creates some highly believable characters and builds a convincing story. This reader would recommend it to anyone who likes a fast paced read that keeps them guessing about the identity of different characters.
Marguerite Nico
(c)
May 11, 2008
January 12, 2011
I won this book through the Goodreads First-reads giveaway program, so again a big "Thank You!" to goodreads and Mr. Ronco for the book.
This is book 2 of a series that begins with PeaceMaker and ends(?) with 2031: The Singularity Pogrom. I have been reading this series in the reverse order and will be reading PeaceMaker last. That has taken nothing away from the enjoyment I've gotten out of each of the 2 books I've read.
Unholy Domain is another smart, fast paced thriller from Dan Ronco who has quickly become a "must read Author" for me and I can't wait for more books from him in the future. In this book we see the inevitable battle between religion & science as science continues to push the envelope as to what humanity is capable of. It's nothing short of a battle for absolutely everything.
This is book 2 of a series that begins with PeaceMaker and ends(?) with 2031: The Singularity Pogrom. I have been reading this series in the reverse order and will be reading PeaceMaker last. That has taken nothing away from the enjoyment I've gotten out of each of the 2 books I've read.
Unholy Domain is another smart, fast paced thriller from Dan Ronco who has quickly become a "must read Author" for me and I can't wait for more books from him in the future. In this book we see the inevitable battle between religion & science as science continues to push the envelope as to what humanity is capable of. It's nothing short of a battle for absolutely everything.
August 5, 2008
This is a great piece of near-future science fiction that reminds me of works from Neal Stephenson and William Gibson. Set in a realistic vision of a world where things have somewhat broken down and the corporations continue to grow in power while the federal government wanes. Many interesting characters that fit together well in the overall story. The protagonist is a very interesting and likable character. I liked the fact that the religious nuts are christians and not muslims.
I was left wondering what happened in the prequel, PeaceMaker, and what happens next in the overarching story. I will have to pick up PeaceMaker and I hope the author writes the next one soon.
I was left wondering what happened in the prequel, PeaceMaker, and what happens next in the overarching story. I will have to pick up PeaceMaker and I hope the author writes the next one soon.
November 28, 2007
another good book I'm told.
August 5, 2008
A fast paced techno thriller that doesn't pull any punches. The graphic nature of some sequences may not be to everyone's tastes but there's a lot of material to chew on in this book.
July 19, 2011
‘Unholy Domain’ can be best described as a science fiction techno-thriller combined with speculative fiction. This is the second book in a trilogy, set between ‘Peacemaker’ and ‘2031: The Singularity Pogrom’. I have to date not read the other two in the series, but did not find this a hindrance while reading this book. References are made to ‘Peacemaker’, yet they are fairly self-explanatory.
Set in a highly believable Gibson-style dystopian future where humanity is fighting itself over the use of technology: this novel brings into focus long held fears of what would happen to humanity if technology went too far. Or if we lost our access to technology and reverted back to a time before we were so reliant on it. There are classic Marxist similes in this novel and it is easy to see the disparity between rich and poor, religious and capitalist etc. This novel creates a future that is not so different from human history and some nations at present and utilises themes that are likely to follow humanity for many more centuries.
The world is a very different place from our own, society and its infrastructure are falling into disrepair. Humanity is split and there are two battling factions (the Domain and the Church of Natural Humans) who are not too perturbed over the body count they create. Religion and science are pitted against each other both fighting for control of the people. The American government is weak and the public are confused and afraid.
Ten years previously the PeaceMaker virus crippled the internet, left thousands of people dead and the world in its greatest depression. In response to this governments put a hold on technological advancement and left the people with crumbling services and cities. Technology is only available to those who can afford black market prices and everyone else only has access to technology from prior to the PeaceMaker attack, which is speedily becoming irreparable.
David Brown is the son of the man accused of creating the PeaceMaker virus and has spent his life haunted by his father’s crime and victimised for believing in technology. He is swept into the war between science and religion upon the receipt of a time delayed email from his dead father. In an attempt to find out more about his father he contacts the few people left alive who knew him and quickly gets the top spot on the both factions’ hit lists. It is up to David to find out who caused the PeaceMaker virus, avenge his father’s murder and clear his name. In doing so David discovers that he has a gift that could change the path of human evolution and bring us all closer to technology.
This is a gripping tale that reminds us of our dependency on technology and reaffirms fears of what would happen if terrorists were able to affect the internet and consequently financial markets and our own personal electronic data. A highly recommended read.
Set in a highly believable Gibson-style dystopian future where humanity is fighting itself over the use of technology: this novel brings into focus long held fears of what would happen to humanity if technology went too far. Or if we lost our access to technology and reverted back to a time before we were so reliant on it. There are classic Marxist similes in this novel and it is easy to see the disparity between rich and poor, religious and capitalist etc. This novel creates a future that is not so different from human history and some nations at present and utilises themes that are likely to follow humanity for many more centuries.
The world is a very different place from our own, society and its infrastructure are falling into disrepair. Humanity is split and there are two battling factions (the Domain and the Church of Natural Humans) who are not too perturbed over the body count they create. Religion and science are pitted against each other both fighting for control of the people. The American government is weak and the public are confused and afraid.
Ten years previously the PeaceMaker virus crippled the internet, left thousands of people dead and the world in its greatest depression. In response to this governments put a hold on technological advancement and left the people with crumbling services and cities. Technology is only available to those who can afford black market prices and everyone else only has access to technology from prior to the PeaceMaker attack, which is speedily becoming irreparable.
David Brown is the son of the man accused of creating the PeaceMaker virus and has spent his life haunted by his father’s crime and victimised for believing in technology. He is swept into the war between science and religion upon the receipt of a time delayed email from his dead father. In an attempt to find out more about his father he contacts the few people left alive who knew him and quickly gets the top spot on the both factions’ hit lists. It is up to David to find out who caused the PeaceMaker virus, avenge his father’s murder and clear his name. In doing so David discovers that he has a gift that could change the path of human evolution and bring us all closer to technology.
This is a gripping tale that reminds us of our dependency on technology and reaffirms fears of what would happen if terrorists were able to affect the internet and consequently financial markets and our own personal electronic data. A highly recommended read.
December 20, 2012
Part two of a trilogy that would be best read together, this book was cohesive and had a story all its own, but I kept feeling that I would have gotten more out of it had I read its predecessor, PeaceMaker, first. At the end, some conclusions were drawn but the story was far from over, this story’s climax being saved for the third in the trilogy.
This story takes place in the near future, ten years after a computer virus was unleashed on the world, throwing everything into chaos when the most simple to the most complex computer programs simply stopped working across the globe. Over a million died in the resulting chaos, and ten years later, the United States is debilitated by a depression. The government has put strict regulations on all technology, exacerbating the problem, and two strong factions are about to go to war. Since the disaster, the bloody Church of Natural Humans has gained power and has gone on a reign of terror against the Technos, the faction that promotes and believes in the integration of humans and artificial intelligence. The technology market is now in the hands of the mob, since the production and trade of anything new and innovative are illegal. And, unknown to the world at large, a dark and powerful force, the Domain, is poised to take control out of the chaos.
Young David Brown is at the center of it all, since it was his father who unleashed the deadly PeaceMaker virus onto the world. Or did he? A time-released e-mail from his dead father has David questioning everything he thought he knew, and sends him out to question his father’s former associates to find the truth. Too late, David realizes that everyone he talks to is now in danger. His special ability to communicate with artificial intelligence keeps him doggedly moving on in his quest, however, as well as the shocking answers he finds.
All the truly interesting characters in this novel are beautiful women, and though the author seems a bit obsessed with large breasts, none of them are bimbos. Most are strong-bodied, deadly assassins and one is a megalomaniac bent on controlling the world. The male characters, no matter their role, fade into the realm of also-rans. If I have one complaint, it is that the technology alluded to is rather vague, as if that aspect of the story was far less important than the drama it inspired between the characters. I could have also done with a slightly clearer picture of the world at large outside the sphere of the main characters. The world away from the action seems a bit vague, but Ronco earns extra points for his innovative and dramatic approach to a science fiction thriller. Every character has a point of view, moving the story along through both interaction among them and an abundance of action scenes. I look forward to reading the other chapters in this trilogy.
This story takes place in the near future, ten years after a computer virus was unleashed on the world, throwing everything into chaos when the most simple to the most complex computer programs simply stopped working across the globe. Over a million died in the resulting chaos, and ten years later, the United States is debilitated by a depression. The government has put strict regulations on all technology, exacerbating the problem, and two strong factions are about to go to war. Since the disaster, the bloody Church of Natural Humans has gained power and has gone on a reign of terror against the Technos, the faction that promotes and believes in the integration of humans and artificial intelligence. The technology market is now in the hands of the mob, since the production and trade of anything new and innovative are illegal. And, unknown to the world at large, a dark and powerful force, the Domain, is poised to take control out of the chaos.
Young David Brown is at the center of it all, since it was his father who unleashed the deadly PeaceMaker virus onto the world. Or did he? A time-released e-mail from his dead father has David questioning everything he thought he knew, and sends him out to question his father’s former associates to find the truth. Too late, David realizes that everyone he talks to is now in danger. His special ability to communicate with artificial intelligence keeps him doggedly moving on in his quest, however, as well as the shocking answers he finds.
All the truly interesting characters in this novel are beautiful women, and though the author seems a bit obsessed with large breasts, none of them are bimbos. Most are strong-bodied, deadly assassins and one is a megalomaniac bent on controlling the world. The male characters, no matter their role, fade into the realm of also-rans. If I have one complaint, it is that the technology alluded to is rather vague, as if that aspect of the story was far less important than the drama it inspired between the characters. I could have also done with a slightly clearer picture of the world at large outside the sphere of the main characters. The world away from the action seems a bit vague, but Ronco earns extra points for his innovative and dramatic approach to a science fiction thriller. Every character has a point of view, moving the story along through both interaction among them and an abundance of action scenes. I look forward to reading the other chapters in this trilogy.
September 18, 2010
Checkout the stunning video trailer on my website www.danronco.com.
It’s 2022, a decade after a devastating computer virus was unleashed upon America and the world. Civilization has crumbled in an economic collapse that rivals the Great Depression of the previous century. During this harsh decade, the schism between those who think technology will save the world and those who believe it to be the tool of Lucifer has reached a boiling point. The Church of Natural Humans, led by the charismatic ADAM JORDAN, is determined to roll civilization back to a pre-computer era. His beautiful African-American lover, MOESHA JEFFERSON, leads the Army of God, a cult of fanatics within the Church, in a series of murders of anyone they consider a technologist.
DAVID BROWN, the gifted but troubled son of one of the most hated of criminals, receives a delayed email from his long dead father, the software genius RAY BROWN. The world believes that David’s father unleashed the computer virus that caused the death of more than 100,000 people and led to the global depression, but the email suggests that his father was on the trail of the real criminals. David has grown up in a hostile atmosphere due to his father’s crimes, so he resolves to discover who his father was, and if he really was to blame for the virus. His only memories are of a man made erratic by too much alcohol and driven by his passion for technology.
DIANNE MORGAN is a ruthless woman. She leads the Domain, a secret society of technologists developing Sentinel, an artificial intelligence with the ability to seize control of the Internet and all other computers. Needing money and muscle to achieve her obsession for power, Dianne enters into a partnership with organized crime, led by MARIA VITULLO. Vitullo, it is rumored, seized power within the Families by murdering her uncle, the former Don. Vitullo controls the technology black market for the Domain, as well as providing soldiers in the war against the Army of God.
As David tracks through his father’s startling history, he stumbles into this hidden war. Fearing that he will expose the Domain, Dianne orders Vitullo to kill him. However, Moesha has her own plan: to keep David alive so she can follow his trail to the Domain and then eliminate all the technologists. Hunted by killers from both organizations, David unravels his father’s secrets, comes to terms with his own life, and then falls in love with a woman from his father’s past.
Unholy Domain
It’s 2022, a decade after a devastating computer virus was unleashed upon America and the world. Civilization has crumbled in an economic collapse that rivals the Great Depression of the previous century. During this harsh decade, the schism between those who think technology will save the world and those who believe it to be the tool of Lucifer has reached a boiling point. The Church of Natural Humans, led by the charismatic ADAM JORDAN, is determined to roll civilization back to a pre-computer era. His beautiful African-American lover, MOESHA JEFFERSON, leads the Army of God, a cult of fanatics within the Church, in a series of murders of anyone they consider a technologist.
DAVID BROWN, the gifted but troubled son of one of the most hated of criminals, receives a delayed email from his long dead father, the software genius RAY BROWN. The world believes that David’s father unleashed the computer virus that caused the death of more than 100,000 people and led to the global depression, but the email suggests that his father was on the trail of the real criminals. David has grown up in a hostile atmosphere due to his father’s crimes, so he resolves to discover who his father was, and if he really was to blame for the virus. His only memories are of a man made erratic by too much alcohol and driven by his passion for technology.
DIANNE MORGAN is a ruthless woman. She leads the Domain, a secret society of technologists developing Sentinel, an artificial intelligence with the ability to seize control of the Internet and all other computers. Needing money and muscle to achieve her obsession for power, Dianne enters into a partnership with organized crime, led by MARIA VITULLO. Vitullo, it is rumored, seized power within the Families by murdering her uncle, the former Don. Vitullo controls the technology black market for the Domain, as well as providing soldiers in the war against the Army of God.
As David tracks through his father’s startling history, he stumbles into this hidden war. Fearing that he will expose the Domain, Dianne orders Vitullo to kill him. However, Moesha has her own plan: to keep David alive so she can follow his trail to the Domain and then eliminate all the technologists. Hunted by killers from both organizations, David unravels his father’s secrets, comes to terms with his own life, and then falls in love with a woman from his father’s past.
Unholy Domain
November 11, 2008
In Unholy Domain, author Dan Ronco takes us on a fascinating adventure that pits the dark side of technology against the forces of fanatical religious zealots with the rest of humanity caught in the middle.
Ronco leads us to explore the possibility of a world where black market technology is a more valuable commodity than drugs or weapons and organized crime bosses are eager to make their millions by assisting the devious and unscrupulous techno group known at Domain in the distribution of this technology which includes highly sophisticated artificial intelligence in the form of human looking robots. Not possible, you say. Consider, if you will, that today we are living in a world of hybrids (everything from corn to cars) and artificial intelligence is a matter of fact. When you examine what is currently happening in the world of technology, you you will find it is not such a big leap to Roncos vision of "techno-humans"(part man- part machine).
Ronco's rendering of the not too distant future (2020) is part suspense thriller, part horror story. We are told that ten years earlier a deadly computer virus disrupted the worlds infrastructures causing the death of over a million people. How, you say, could this be possible. Ponder, as Ronco has, our dependence on computers. They control our power generation, transportation, government and educational facilities, personal information, law enforcement, food distribution and a multitude of other aspects of our lives.
The characters in this tale are believable, well developed and very "human". Each believes in their own cause and no one involved truly believes that they are doing anything wrong.
One can almost see this tale played out as a metaphor for our world situation today. The "Technos"(United States government ) are pitted in a war against the "Army of God" (religious Muslim fundamentalists) in an apocolyptic fight for dominance. Or metaphor number 2, the "Technos" (read Supreme court decisions) versus the "Army of God" (the religious right). Roncos book lends itself to an abundant variety of interpretations not the least of which is, "Will our dependence on computer technology eventually lead to our downfall."
Reading Unholy Domain is akin to watching a plane crash. The thought of the outcome is terrifying, but we cannot force outselves to look away. So it is with this book.....it provides a story so engrossing you will not be able to put it down.
Ronco leads us to explore the possibility of a world where black market technology is a more valuable commodity than drugs or weapons and organized crime bosses are eager to make their millions by assisting the devious and unscrupulous techno group known at Domain in the distribution of this technology which includes highly sophisticated artificial intelligence in the form of human looking robots. Not possible, you say. Consider, if you will, that today we are living in a world of hybrids (everything from corn to cars) and artificial intelligence is a matter of fact. When you examine what is currently happening in the world of technology, you you will find it is not such a big leap to Roncos vision of "techno-humans"(part man- part machine).
Ronco's rendering of the not too distant future (2020) is part suspense thriller, part horror story. We are told that ten years earlier a deadly computer virus disrupted the worlds infrastructures causing the death of over a million people. How, you say, could this be possible. Ponder, as Ronco has, our dependence on computers. They control our power generation, transportation, government and educational facilities, personal information, law enforcement, food distribution and a multitude of other aspects of our lives.
The characters in this tale are believable, well developed and very "human". Each believes in their own cause and no one involved truly believes that they are doing anything wrong.
One can almost see this tale played out as a metaphor for our world situation today. The "Technos"(United States government ) are pitted in a war against the "Army of God" (religious Muslim fundamentalists) in an apocolyptic fight for dominance. Or metaphor number 2, the "Technos" (read Supreme court decisions) versus the "Army of God" (the religious right). Roncos book lends itself to an abundant variety of interpretations not the least of which is, "Will our dependence on computer technology eventually lead to our downfall."
Reading Unholy Domain is akin to watching a plane crash. The thought of the outcome is terrifying, but we cannot force outselves to look away. So it is with this book.....it provides a story so engrossing you will not be able to put it down.
September 5, 2008
Dan Ronco's "Unholy Domain" is the sequel to "Peacemaker", although for some reason publishers Kunati Inc. didn't think this worth putting on the cover. I wasn't aware it was a sequel while reading, but it might have been useful to know, as it explains why so much of the book is taken up with references to obscure events. So I pass this on to anyone who's considering this book--consider reading "Peacemaker" first!
In this post-PeaceMaker world, humanity is divided between those who consider technology to be the tool of the devil, and those who still think it has a useful role to play in our lives. The battle between these two camps is fought with deadly force. Meanwhile, David Brown, son of the man blamed for unleashing the PeaceMaker computer virus on the world, is struggling to clear his dead father's name. But both sides in the conflict have their own reasons for keeping the truth from becoming known.
There are some great moments in the book--like when David has to buy back his own car, with the 'help' of an accomplice of the thief in bargaining down the price. There are some nice twists, and the book does a good job of keeping the reader guessing about who can be trusted and who can't. It's not as fast-paced as perhaps a techno-thriller ought to be, though. It throws the reader into the action immediately, but there's a lot of faddling around before it gets to the final conflict. At least there are some surprises when we get there.
Inevitably, perhaps, the technology takes precedence, knocking characterisation into second place. The narrative tries to differentiate the characters, but they have a bad habit of turning into representations of their side of the argument, rather than into people. More show and less tell overall, but particularly with regard to David, might have drawn the reader in and made for a more exciting read.
Each chapter starts with a quote--some from the past or present, and some from the future--and collectively they illustrate the thinking behind this book. It's a great way to get the reader thinking before plunging them into the next phase of the narrative. It's clear that a lot of thought and care has gone into crafting this novel, and the ruminations on what our technological future will be are the most interesting aspect.
Thought-provoking, even if it doesn't quite live up to the blurbs on the back cover.
In this post-PeaceMaker world, humanity is divided between those who consider technology to be the tool of the devil, and those who still think it has a useful role to play in our lives. The battle between these two camps is fought with deadly force. Meanwhile, David Brown, son of the man blamed for unleashing the PeaceMaker computer virus on the world, is struggling to clear his dead father's name. But both sides in the conflict have their own reasons for keeping the truth from becoming known.
There are some great moments in the book--like when David has to buy back his own car, with the 'help' of an accomplice of the thief in bargaining down the price. There are some nice twists, and the book does a good job of keeping the reader guessing about who can be trusted and who can't. It's not as fast-paced as perhaps a techno-thriller ought to be, though. It throws the reader into the action immediately, but there's a lot of faddling around before it gets to the final conflict. At least there are some surprises when we get there.
Inevitably, perhaps, the technology takes precedence, knocking characterisation into second place. The narrative tries to differentiate the characters, but they have a bad habit of turning into representations of their side of the argument, rather than into people. More show and less tell overall, but particularly with regard to David, might have drawn the reader in and made for a more exciting read.
Each chapter starts with a quote--some from the past or present, and some from the future--and collectively they illustrate the thinking behind this book. It's a great way to get the reader thinking before plunging them into the next phase of the narrative. It's clear that a lot of thought and care has gone into crafting this novel, and the ruminations on what our technological future will be are the most interesting aspect.
Thought-provoking, even if it doesn't quite live up to the blurbs on the back cover.
July 20, 2008
I remember in mid 1998, businesses were being warned about the upcoming chaos that would be caused when the computer clocks ticked over to 2000 and all those older programs that only had two digits stored would assume it was 1900. We were told to expect a mortgage meltdown (that came later but not from computer error), massive power outages and other chaos. None of that materialized except maybe in small isolated cases. Y2K as it came to be known was a source of stories, including a funny episode of Sports Night for those last couple of years.
Unholy Domain by Don Ronco feels like a bit like a Y2K story even though the year 2000 is never mentioned. It has many of the same themes: our dependence on computer technology, the potential dangers if our modern technology suddenly failed, how dependent our economy is on technology to name the three main ones. There is truth to all three of those observations but what's missing is just how much legacy technology we still have in our day to day lives. The world of Unholy Domain, though terribly broken, is too far advanced to be only twelve years in the future.
In fact, the book's timeline its biggest flaw. For a world with AIs, human looking robots, lasers, pocket computers and holograms to be fully developed and destroyed between now and 2020 requires a huge suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader. Had the book taken place in 2120 instead of 2020 (much as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward takes place in 2105 and has all of the same technology and urban problems), I would have spent a lot less time shaking my head and saying "No way!" every time a date was mentioned.
Take away the unbelievable time line (where the hero, David Brown is only 3 years older than my son) and Unholy Domain is an entertaining techno-thriller set in a world struggling in the middle of a new great depression brought on by a destructive and deadly computer virus known as PeaceMaker. The son of man blamed with unleashing the virus goes on a quest to clear his father's name after receiving a mysterious message from him. In his search he finds himself in the middle of a three sided tug of war. Ignore the improbable set up and enjoy the ride.
Unholy Domain is the second in the series. The first is PeaceMaker.
Unholy Domain by Don Ronco feels like a bit like a Y2K story even though the year 2000 is never mentioned. It has many of the same themes: our dependence on computer technology, the potential dangers if our modern technology suddenly failed, how dependent our economy is on technology to name the three main ones. There is truth to all three of those observations but what's missing is just how much legacy technology we still have in our day to day lives. The world of Unholy Domain, though terribly broken, is too far advanced to be only twelve years in the future.
In fact, the book's timeline its biggest flaw. For a world with AIs, human looking robots, lasers, pocket computers and holograms to be fully developed and destroyed between now and 2020 requires a huge suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader. Had the book taken place in 2120 instead of 2020 (much as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward takes place in 2105 and has all of the same technology and urban problems), I would have spent a lot less time shaking my head and saying "No way!" every time a date was mentioned.
Take away the unbelievable time line (where the hero, David Brown is only 3 years older than my son) and Unholy Domain is an entertaining techno-thriller set in a world struggling in the middle of a new great depression brought on by a destructive and deadly computer virus known as PeaceMaker. The son of man blamed with unleashing the virus goes on a quest to clear his father's name after receiving a mysterious message from him. In his search he finds himself in the middle of a three sided tug of war. Ignore the improbable set up and enjoy the ride.
Unholy Domain is the second in the series. The first is PeaceMaker.
October 28, 2008
I recently had the pleasure of reading the futuristic techno-thriller Unholy Domain by Dan Ronco. This story moves along at a break-neck pace as we follow the life and times of the son of the man who nearly destroyed the world (or at least that’s what The Domain would have you believe) on his journey to discover the truth about his past and come to grips with his role in humanity’s uncertain future. After the world is brought to its knees by a particularly nasty computer virus, Peacemaker, technology is held in contempt. Two distinct factions (the religious extremist, Church of the Natural Humans and the technos) rise from the aftermath and struggle to assert their dominance and beliefs on the country. Each claims to have humanity’s best interest at heart, but neither will make the world a better place.
Unholy Domain is hands-down the best techno-thriller I’ve read in recent years and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Ronco’s work. I highly recommend this book to one and all.
Synopsis
A deliberately staged IT catastrophe leaves the world sunk into depression and the US government ineffectual. The secretive and powerful Domain, using organized crime to spread its technology, seeks to take humankind to the next level of evolution through artificial intelligence. The fanatical Army of God battles to stop them. Dan Ronco’s fast-paced techno-thriller depicts a world of violent extremes, where religious terrorists and visionaries of technology fight for supreme power.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
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Unholy Domain is hands-down the best techno-thriller I’ve read in recent years and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Ronco’s work. I highly recommend this book to one and all.
Synopsis
A deliberately staged IT catastrophe leaves the world sunk into depression and the US government ineffectual. The secretive and powerful Domain, using organized crime to spread its technology, seeks to take humankind to the next level of evolution through artificial intelligence. The fanatical Army of God battles to stop them. Dan Ronco’s fast-paced techno-thriller depicts a world of violent extremes, where religious terrorists and visionaries of technology fight for supreme power.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
February 12, 2009
A vicious computer virus tore across the internet and before anyone could stop it; more than a million people had died. Now a decade later, civilization is rebuilding its self. Everyone is rebuilding their lives and trying to survive with new life. The one thing the virus did was to split the civilization. There are now those who believe technology is the future and those who believe it is the work of the devil. The ones that believe it is the devil’s work are out to destroy the makers.
The one person who knows best what really went wrong so many years ago is dead. David Brown, son of the virus creator wants to set things right. He does not believe his father is guilty of killing so many people. David sets out on a mission to find the truth about what really happened.
Unholy Domain is a great high-tech, sci-fi, techno-thriller. I can’t believe I just said that. I usually stray away from these types of books, only because I have tried reading this genre before and usually find that these books don’t excite me much. With this book I did not have to worry about this happening to me. In fact my hands and eyes were glued to every word till the every last page. I have Mr. Ronco to thank for writing this savvy thriller. I can now once again get my feet wet and give this genre another try. What I liked so much about this novel is the fast pace and the question of what if…what if this really did happen, what would we do? Would we fear technology or accept it. That is the question. I recommend anyone who is looking for something new to read to pick up a copy of Unholy Domain today.
The one person who knows best what really went wrong so many years ago is dead. David Brown, son of the virus creator wants to set things right. He does not believe his father is guilty of killing so many people. David sets out on a mission to find the truth about what really happened.
Unholy Domain is a great high-tech, sci-fi, techno-thriller. I can’t believe I just said that. I usually stray away from these types of books, only because I have tried reading this genre before and usually find that these books don’t excite me much. With this book I did not have to worry about this happening to me. In fact my hands and eyes were glued to every word till the every last page. I have Mr. Ronco to thank for writing this savvy thriller. I can now once again get my feet wet and give this genre another try. What I liked so much about this novel is the fast pace and the question of what if…what if this really did happen, what would we do? Would we fear technology or accept it. That is the question. I recommend anyone who is looking for something new to read to pick up a copy of Unholy Domain today.
September 27, 2009
Sometimes curious concepts and interesting characters smash against the wall of a terrible plot point and lose their connection with the reader. This is much the case with Dan Ronco’s novel, a thriller that pits fundamentalist religion against technology in a near-future Earth.
I actually enjoyed the first seventy or so pages of this novel. While the concepts being introduced would have benefited from stronger world building and more thorough examinations of the characters, the story at least kept moving forward and was interesting. But characterization is precisely what dies in this piece. The relationships feel hackneyed at best, particularly for the main character, who magically falls in love with a woman he’s only met once. That’s not to say that such things don’t happen, but the way it was approached in Unholy Domain made the characters seem flat. The “love” came out of nowhere and seemed exceptionally trite.
There were other issues too, though less glaring ones that the sudden, depth-less romance (they’re both magically in love, having exchanged little more than five sentences between one another). Some of the religious elements were over-the-top, to the point of being ridiculous. I managed to move past these, but they were relatively relentless, and this made for a story that lacked depth, power, and cohesiveness.
These are all my personal opinions, though. If the book sounds like something you might like, then buy it and give it a read. For me, though, it was the kind of book that literally made me roll my eyes while reading it. That’s too much for me.
I actually enjoyed the first seventy or so pages of this novel. While the concepts being introduced would have benefited from stronger world building and more thorough examinations of the characters, the story at least kept moving forward and was interesting. But characterization is precisely what dies in this piece. The relationships feel hackneyed at best, particularly for the main character, who magically falls in love with a woman he’s only met once. That’s not to say that such things don’t happen, but the way it was approached in Unholy Domain made the characters seem flat. The “love” came out of nowhere and seemed exceptionally trite.
There were other issues too, though less glaring ones that the sudden, depth-less romance (they’re both magically in love, having exchanged little more than five sentences between one another). Some of the religious elements were over-the-top, to the point of being ridiculous. I managed to move past these, but they were relatively relentless, and this made for a story that lacked depth, power, and cohesiveness.
These are all my personal opinions, though. If the book sounds like something you might like, then buy it and give it a read. For me, though, it was the kind of book that literally made me roll my eyes while reading it. That’s too much for me.
January 19, 2009
It's Fiction; But For How Long?
Throughout the history of the science fiction genre authors have have crafted a story that seems completely unbelievable and remain fiction for only so many years.
Dan Ronco has crafted an energetic and fast paced thriller about the, in my opinion, inevitable collision course of technology and what it means to be a "human." UNHOLY DOMAIN ramps up the plot ten years after the cataclysmic events in PEACEMAKER, the first book in Ronco's series. Enter a world in the middle of global depression and a divided culture (sound familiar already?).
The characters, while not overly deep, are compelling in their actions and their individual encounters. Ronco excelled in crafting a world where there are those fighting for science and technology, those fighting for religion, and those in between just fighting to get by.
I think the most important facets of this novel are the themes and the ideas that will only come more prevalent as we progress as a society, and reading this book makes it that much more obvious that the potential for the "fiction" may only be "fiction" for so long.
A highly recommended techno-thriller.
Good reading,
J.Stoner
http://plantsandbooks.blogspot.com
Throughout the history of the science fiction genre authors have have crafted a story that seems completely unbelievable and remain fiction for only so many years.
Dan Ronco has crafted an energetic and fast paced thriller about the, in my opinion, inevitable collision course of technology and what it means to be a "human." UNHOLY DOMAIN ramps up the plot ten years after the cataclysmic events in PEACEMAKER, the first book in Ronco's series. Enter a world in the middle of global depression and a divided culture (sound familiar already?).
The characters, while not overly deep, are compelling in their actions and their individual encounters. Ronco excelled in crafting a world where there are those fighting for science and technology, those fighting for religion, and those in between just fighting to get by.
I think the most important facets of this novel are the themes and the ideas that will only come more prevalent as we progress as a society, and reading this book makes it that much more obvious that the potential for the "fiction" may only be "fiction" for so long.
A highly recommended techno-thriller.
Good reading,
J.Stoner
http://plantsandbooks.blogspot.com
August 7, 2008
Ray Brown was the world’s most infamous person. To the world, he was the monster that created PeaceMaker, a lethal virus like none before. To those who worked with him, Ray was a genius who shifted between extreme brilliance and intense darkness. To his family, he was simply an absentee father.
But who was the real Ray Brown? Ray’s son David has lived his life paying for his father’s inheritance. David receives a mysterious email about the true creator of PeaceMaker, supposed sent from his father years before. Not really knowing if he believes his father’s innocence, he seeks to find out more about this man. However, while David is opening doors to the past, someone is closely watching his actions, making sure that he doesn’t stumble upon the truth.
It took a few chapters for me to really get into Unholy Domain. First, I had to figure out who was who in a somewhat large and complex cast of characters. It was once I started to zero in on David’s portion of the story that I began to settle into reading. Then, the rest fell into place.
But who was the real Ray Brown? Ray’s son David has lived his life paying for his father’s inheritance. David receives a mysterious email about the true creator of PeaceMaker, supposed sent from his father years before. Not really knowing if he believes his father’s innocence, he seeks to find out more about this man. However, while David is opening doors to the past, someone is closely watching his actions, making sure that he doesn’t stumble upon the truth.
It took a few chapters for me to really get into Unholy Domain. First, I had to figure out who was who in a somewhat large and complex cast of characters. It was once I started to zero in on David’s portion of the story that I began to settle into reading. Then, the rest fell into place.
December 31, 2010
Ooh, I didn't even realize I won this book (via First Reads) until I got it in the mail. My odds were: 5 copies available, 681 people requesting. The author signed the book too. Looking forward to reading it.
The story is quite interesting, but I don't find it particularly realistic, and the villains on either extreme are just too evil. So basically, I have trouble suspending disbelief, always aware that this is fiction.
There's no resolution at the end. I knew from other reviews that this is a followup to another book, but nobody said that there's no resolution of the plot. Just setting up for the next book, I guess.
The romance in the book seemed a bit superficial. The hero met this person for a day and they "fell in love"; almost immediately he discovers something the love interest done in the past, and assumes the worst. But he finds out he was wrong and returns to her at the end... Meh. It was kinda shallow.
The story is quite interesting, but I don't find it particularly realistic, and the villains on either extreme are just too evil. So basically, I have trouble suspending disbelief, always aware that this is fiction.
There's no resolution at the end. I knew from other reviews that this is a followup to another book, but nobody said that there's no resolution of the plot. Just setting up for the next book, I guess.
The romance in the book seemed a bit superficial. The hero met this person for a day and they "fell in love"; almost immediately he discovers something the love interest done in the past, and assumes the worst. But he finds out he was wrong and returns to her at the end... Meh. It was kinda shallow.
May 21, 2011
This is a novel that really causes the reader to take a step back, look out the window, and think. A possible prophetic message, the author crafts a realistic future for mankind. Do we depend on technology too much? Do we use technology as a crutch? The author creates a very realistic novel, the computer technology appears all to real and the reader cannot dismiss the valid questions and facts discussed in the book. A disconnect in communication for the people on this Earth currently would be disastrous, and yet, technology itself is a fairly new development. The characters are fresh and help to draw the reader in, the plot is by far one of the best this reader has come across in the science fiction genre, and the overall book is both enjoyable and disturbing. The novel is very fast-paced, contains intrigue and action, and is a guaranteed good-read for anyone (young adult-adult) who enjoys science fiction.
October 7, 2013
The devastating effects of the computer virus Peacemaker has brought the world to its knees, and two opposing underground organizations seek to usurp power and dominate. Meanwhile, the son of the alleged creater of Peacemaker finds himself caught between the warring factions in his efforts to prove his father's innocence. Dan Ronco's UNHOLY DOMAIN delivers all the excitement of a technological thriller while also delving into provocative themes: the bioethics of genetic engineering, the question of what limit (if any) should be placed on technology, the problem of reconciling faith in God and respect for his creation with the technological promises of artifical intelligence, and the age-old issue of family ties and the loyalty of a son to his father. An engrossing and enjoyable read.
October 27, 2010
This fast- paced thriller by Dan Ronco had me turning pages until late into the night! The recent genre of techno -thriller is not usually what I would reach for for recreational reading, but I was intrigued quickly. What had me from the first page, was the futuristic realism of a Great Depression, was not only scary, but also plausible! There3 was more than enough to keep me turning pages, long after when I should have been asleep for the night! A solid 3 stars! and leaning to 4! Bravo! I throughly enjoyed this book.! I have to say that I received this book for review through LibraryThing Early reviewer program, but I am not obligated to give a favorable review.
October 24, 2010
This book by Dan Ronco is obviously only the first of a series of at least one other book because the story stops in mid stride. The book is compelling, interesting and has a vision of the future that is engaging.
The characters are understandable and real. The story is gripping. I would read another book by this author, bring it on!
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'".
The characters are understandable and real. The story is gripping. I would read another book by this author, bring it on!
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'".
January 28, 2011
I won this book through the Goodreads First-reads giveaway program,"Thank You!" to goodreads and Dan Ronco for the book!!The book had me turning pages until late into the night! Unholy Domain is a great high-tech, sci-fi, techno-thriller! What I liked so much about this novel is the plausibility of the story and likable characters! I recommend this book!!Unholy Domain is a real page-turner. A great read!!!♥ :)♥♥~♥ ♥~♥♥~♥
May 6, 2011
Set a few years in the future Dan Ronco's "tech thriller", Unholy Domain, is a real page turner with characters you find yourself liking and caring about. [return]The plot itself is fast paced, exciting, and extremely plausible. [return]The only reason that I am giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 is the ending. It left me wanting more. Look forward to reading more by Mr. Ronco.[return]I say pick this one up, you won't be disappointed!
November 3, 2011
Review of member giveaway ebook
This techno-thriller starts a few years after the events in ‘Peacemaker’ but works well as a stand alone novel. Set in a world drastically altered by the chaos caused by the rogue AI attack. With fanatical anti-technology religious sects and shadowy manipulation by the covert organisation Domain; Dan the son of the main protagonist in ‘Peacemaker’ tries to uncover the truth about his father.
This is a fast paced entertaining read.
This techno-thriller starts a few years after the events in ‘Peacemaker’ but works well as a stand alone novel. Set in a world drastically altered by the chaos caused by the rogue AI attack. With fanatical anti-technology religious sects and shadowy manipulation by the covert organisation Domain; Dan the son of the main protagonist in ‘Peacemaker’ tries to uncover the truth about his father.
This is a fast paced entertaining read.
January 13, 2009
I started reading this book, but the under-developed characters and the inadequately nuanced treatment of a future "church" left me frustrated enough to quit reading.
Maybe, as some readers suggested, if I had known this was a sequel, I would have appreciated more. But I doubt it...
Maybe, as some readers suggested, if I had known this was a sequel, I would have appreciated more. But I doubt it...
January 23, 2009
In theory, the premise interested me. However, the characters, I felt, were under developed for me to really care about them. If the story was told completely by the main character, it might have been a bit more interesting, but instead I found the whole thing to be trite.
June 19, 2008
another book i couldn't get into.
October 21, 2009
Good, entertaining read. Grapples with the conflict between radical religion and advanced technology.
Want to read
December 15, 2010Looks great. Can’t wait to read it.
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