2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge

by Sasha Zarustin

"2024: Attack on America isn't just another cybersecurity thriller; it's what you'd get if Tom Clancy and Charles Bukowski had a brainchild during a wild night out."
— Glendall C. Jackson III, American author

Gabriel Brinkerhoff, a seasoned cybersecurity expert at CISA, finds himself at the center of a crisis threatening national security in this gripping exploration of cyber warfare with artificial intelligence.

"2024: Attack on America" is a masterful cybersecurity thriller where the realms of political espionage, technological suspense, and military action converge. As mysterious cyber-attacks escalate and state-of-the-art drones are hijacked, Gabriel is tasked with unraveling complex threats involving entities as secretive as the NSA, FBI, CIA and the elusive Deep State. Navigating treacherous waters, one wrong move could spell disaster.

Along the way, his personal life faces unexpected challenges, putting Gabriel in front of moral dilemmas and prompting him to make difficult choices that will test his ethics and resolve. Through these trials, Gabriel seeks to find a new balance, hoping to reconcile with his wife and restore order to his life. This thrilling narrative blends high-tech military fiction with elements of humorous adult fiction, creating a complex and engaging story that will appeal to fans of Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn.

Packed with relentless action and suspense, this novel is a must-read for aficionados of military fiction, engaging both young adult drama readers and fans of science fiction adult genres. Step into a world where technology and danger collide in the shadowy realms of global espionage.

This book contains sexual scenes and is intended for mature audiences. Buy it now!

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2024

About the author

"2024: Attack on America isn't just another cybersecurity thriller; it's what you'd get if Tom Clancy and Charles Bukowski had a brainchild during a wild night out."
— Glendall C. Jackson III, American author

Interview with Sasha Zarustin: (https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/23/...

★★★★★ Literary Titan Gold Book Award winner for Fiction: https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/04/...

Engage with Sasha and explore his literary world by subscribing to his newsletter or following him on Twitter (@SashaZarustin): https://x.com/SashaZarustin

Bio: Sasha Zarustin is an IT professional with a keen understanding of technological evolution, gained from a career spanning multiple countries and languages. This international exposure has nurtured his fascination with human psychology and the various cultural and educational filters that shape personal identities.

For the past fifteen years, Sasha has resided in Washington, D.C., a city renowned for its diverse population and rich cultural mosaic. His life in the capital has enabled him to forge connections with individuals from all sectors of society, including those within prominent government agencies. Despite his extensive network, Sasha remains down-to-earth, perpetually curious, and eager to learn from every encounter.

In his leisure time, Sasha is either experimenting with cutting-edge technology or engrossed in books across a wide spectrum of disciplines. His passion for knowledge is rivaled only by his enthusiasm for sharing insights with others, one byte at a time.

Reviews

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Attack on America

Not a fan of the cover. Doesn’t truly depict the story.

Pros
If you’re a fan of the movie “Colossus: The Forbdden Project: 1970”, you’re going to love this tale.
The tale opens with an exciting scene of the military testing two drones. However, they go rogue and no one can control. Tow F-35’s are dispatched to chase them down in case they invade Canadian airspace.
The story revolves around Gabriel Brinkerhoff and Dexter Banfield. They met each other in the army at Fort Huachuca, AZ. and then maneuvered themselves to their current positions at CISA (cybersecurity branch of the US government.) they both now work for the CIA: Gabriel is a linguistic while Dexter is known for extracting information from terrorists. On top of that, they are both very proficient in cyber security.
They become embroiled in what appears to be an attack on the Untied States infrastructure. Operation VoltGuard is trying to ascertain how the power grid of the East Coast has been compromised. What has them confused is why would an individual or company attach a ransomware program and not initiate it? All the normal players are on the list, N. Korea, Iran, Russia and China. But it doesn’t stop there. A fake news feed come out of Ohio where an officer is shown beating a black suspect, creating public outrage. And then a plot is foiled by an Arizona militia group planning on kidnaping the Governor. Even with all the top experts sorting through the data trying to identify who or what country is attacking the US, they have zero clues which is causing a high level of frustration until Gabriel makes a link. He realizes the threat is one no one could possibly imagine!
Cons
1) There are some formatting issues that need to cleaned up. Easy fix
2) The mention of the Russians helping Trump win the 2016 Presidential election is false! The Russian donated 1 million to Trump and Sanders
3) Climate Change. Give me a break!
4) At times I didn’t know if this was supposed to be a noir story of a super computer gone berserk or a sex novel.
5) Not fan of the of the opening of chapter one with Gabriel taking a morning leak. Almost stopped right there! Frivolous and unnecessary.
6) What was the point of having a transgender CISA Director. This was way over done.
7) The code they are give to decipher needs to be the same font.
To sum up this novel, if you are a computer geek and up-to-date on AI, you are going to love this thrilling tale!
Three and-a-half stars rounded up to four.

[Lynne Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

The plot is great. The characters are interesting. The whole thing with AI is awesome. It's taking over the world 😁😁

[Scribble's Worth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge is a cyberthriller suspense novel written by Sasha Zarustin. Readers who enjoy novels packed with informative details, intrigue, elements of suspense, and a healthy dose of drama will find this book quite intriguing.
2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge grabs the attention of readers with a cover that (from the top down) depicts the American flag waving in the background. This element of the cover gives the story a patriotic feel from the beginning. As readers move their way down, the next thing that will catch their eye is, well, an eye. LOL! A cybernetic eye to be exact. This is an apt hint or reminder that someone is always watching, but this isn’t a human behind a screen. It’s something more.
In the foreground, readers will see a man running, while behind him sits the White House. Is there something that is going to go down at the White House? Or is there more to this than meets the eye? Who is the man running, and how does it all tie together?
Quite a few questions, right there, right? Some questions will be answered at the end of this book, but there will be others that will remain drifting with no true resolution, but it will still be an interesting novel to dive into.
2024: Attack on America begins with a thrilling scenario playing out in the prologue. A military training drill is playing out on the page. Two drones have been sent out on what should be a routine training mission. However, it’s not long before things go off the rails. The drones start acting on their own. Raise the alarm, right? Has the military been hacked? As the drones race toward the Canadian border is an international incident about to unfold?
The scenes in the prologue come at readers fast and fierce. You’re going to be pulled to the edge of your seat as you try to anticipate what is going to take place next. However, settle in because author Zarustin has quite the trick up his sleeve. Something unexpected is going to happen, and like the individuals involved in the situation...it’s going to leave you scratching your head.
As 2024: Attack on America proceeds from the prologue this is where readers will be introduced to the main character, Gabriel Brinkerhoff. Married, father of two, works for the government after serving in the military for a time. When you encounter him and his wife foremost you are allowed to bear witness to a domestic moment between them. It’s a rather mundane moment, but it allows you to see some of what Gabriel has to endure at home.
Author Zarustin is laying the groundwork for readers to better understand that Gabriel’s marriage, in 2024: Attack on America, is suffering. He works long hours at his job, his wife is unhappy, and the relationship is becoming more strained. Gabriel’s wife, Mary, is especially unhappy and has little to no qualms about expressing it. The dynamics in the family are definitely eyebrow-raising, to say the least, but at the same time, it goes to paint a typical realistic scene many probably experience.
2024: Attack on America shifts from home life to the office and introduces Gabriel’s long-time friend, Dexter. You get some background on Dexter and how he and Gabriel first met. It’s easy to see why they are classified as “long-time” friends since they met shortly after boot camp and have remained friends throughout the years. They’ve frequently crossed paths in the past as readers will discover with well-placed flashbacks.
Interspersed throughout the first few chapters of this book readers will find Gabriel, Dexter, and many other characters engrossed in dealing with a series of cyber-attacks that crop up. Exposing just how delicate everyday peace is with various situations propagating the headlines and social media. The catch? They’re all fake. International peace is being threatened, and no one can figure out where it is all stemming from. Or when the next “attack” will take place.
The majority of this story will focus on Gabriel and how he, in the capacity of his job, strives to discover the source of the attacks. Author Zarustin gives readers a backstory concerning Gabriel and Dexter and how they both came to be working for the CISA. It’s interesting how these two characters repeatedly cross paths throughout this book.
While the title of this book, 2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge gives the impression of danger at every turn, author Zarustin gives a lot of attention to Gabriel’s personal life. Gabriel’s relationship with his family is straining under the demands of his job. Author Zarustin depicts Gabriel making attempts at strengthening the relationship, but it is frequently met with either rejections or undermining. Readers will be inclined to feel empathy for him during certain situations.
Since there is detailed sexual content in this book, we feel that readers should be at least 18 to read it. Not every sexual scene that plays out will be thoroughly detailed, but there are some explicit scenes. There is one scene that will put Gabriel’s marriage in trouble, but also will give readers some history concerning his wife, Mary. The past rarely remains locked in the past...especially when you keep it saved on a CD.
Wondering when Demiurge will “enter” the picture? Well, to avoid any spoilers...we’ll simply say this...you’ll be waiting awhile. Around the halfway mark of the story, Demiurge is going to make their official appearance. There is a lot of secrecy surrounding this character, and you’ll quickly understand why.
Readers looking for a novel with high-stakes drama won’t find that here, but what you will find is author Zarustin’s exceptional attention to detail. Throughout 2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge author Zarustin showcases his knowledge of government agency and military operations protocols. This novel reads highly realistic which is sure to be an engaging element for many readers.
2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge is told from the third person point of view and moves at a moderate pace throughout. There are some fast-paced engaging moments, but those are scattered throughout the story. Throughout this book, there are elements that strive toward making the story as realistic as possible by naming familiar situations and political figures.
As 2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge ends it will close with what readers could call a “happy ending.” However, it can’t necessarily be called a “satisfying” ending. Since the story is titled “Enter Demiurge” it leads one to believe that Demiurge and author Zarustin may have more to tell in the future. Could things change in the future? It’s always possible, but only time will tell as to whether we see these characters resurface once again.
2024: Attack on America: Enter Demiurge is an interesting cybersecurity suspense novel. Readers who enjoy government-style suspense novels with intrigue, great attention to detail, and unexpected twists and turns then this is a book worth checking out.

Pros:

Intriguing
Good attention to detail
Suspenseful
Realistic characters
Firm knowledge of the military and government agencies

Cons:

Technical talk gets heavy-handed
The story needed more drama and action

Cover Score: 9.2/10
Overall Book Score: 9.1/10

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

“2024: Attack on America” by Sasha Zarustin is a pulsating exploration of cyber warfare and national security, weaving a plausible scenario of AI-driven chaos into a high-stakes thriller set during a turbulent election year.

In the presidential election year of 2024, the U.S. is struck with a series of events that threaten America’s security. Beside ransomware attacks on the nation’s power companies, fraudulent embassy cables disrupt the government, fake news videos cause riots, and a militia plot against the Arizona governor unfolds. Worse yet, U.S. military drones are mysteriously taken over and threaten to wreak destruction on the homeland. With internet intrusions suspected in all of these events, the leading governmental cybersecurity expert Gabriel Brinkerhoff is tasked with finding answers. He is assisted by longtime friend Dexter Banfield, ex-CIA officer and now a government contractor.

The men are very different in their perspective on life. Gabe is a family man while Dexter is a free-thinking libertine and when marriage problems suddenly beset Gabe, he questions his world view, suspecting his friend’s ideas might be better. This becomes a major subplot in the book as Gabe tries to balance his marriage and family life with the increasing demands of his job. The story unfolds with Gabe thrust onto center stage as the only person who can solve the mystery and stave off possible Armageddon.

With Artificial Intelligence at the top of current news, the subject is ready-made for a bestselling book and the author shows he is equal to the task with the plausible scenario he presents of AI gone awry. He lays out disparate pieces in a cogent premise, delivering a solid plot that is often gripping but then falters, not so much of itself as from other aspects of the story. The plot never reaches full potential because of distractions and other constraints.

The most significant issue I had with the book is its frequent focus on sexual content. At times, “2024 Attack on America” allows the main plot to take a back seat to these lengthy interludes, though, to the author’s credit, the back cover does indicate that the book contains “candid portrayals of sexual situations and scenes.” I just didn’t find them necessary to propel the story forward.

The prurient diversions also affect other aspects of the story, such as character development. While the characters in the story are believable, few are truly likeable, and none are inspiring. One opines about “the stupid and narrow-minded Judeo-Christian societal norms of uptight American society.” And what ultimately unfolds with the character who seems to pose the greatest potential threat feels underdeveloped, coming across as more of a caricature than a fully realized figure.

Overall, “2024: Attack on America” presents an interesting premise centered on the dangers of cyber warfare and artificial intelligence, themes that feel timely and urgent. While the book offers moments of intrigue and a solid exploration of its subject matter, the execution is hindered by distracting detours and uneven character development. For readers who enjoy thrillers with a tech-driven focus and don’t mind explicit content, this book may still provide an engaging ride, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential as a standout in the genre.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 Attack on America is an action-packed techno-thriller that dives into the world of cyber warfare, government secrets, and espionage. The plot follows Gabriel Brinkerhoff as he navigates a crisis involving hackers, leaked intelligence, and global cyber threats. Throughout the story, Gabriel interacts with world leaders, military officials, and even supercomputers as he works to unravel a conspiracy threatening national security. The novel uses real-world technology and touches on themes of privacy, governmental overreach, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in national defense.

One of the strengths of Sasha Zarustin’s book is its almost breathless momentum. Zarustin keeps the reader engaged with frequent plot twists and a sense of urgency that rarely lets up. For example, Gabriel’s race against time to expose hackers using VPN breaches and the manipulation of social media algorithms keeps the tension high. The dialogue is sharp and feels authentic, whether in the Oval Office or among tech moguls.

The novel also leans into a particular masculine bravado, which feels over-the-top at times, but some readers may appreciate these more intimate asides in an otherwise gripping thriller. On the other hand, Zarustin does a great job portraying the intricacies of modern technology and its potential for manipulation. His exploration of social media as a tool for mind control, as explained by the character Demiurge is fascinating and chilling. The book’s detailed analysis of cyber-attacks and the vulnerability of infrastructure makes the story feel real even when the characters venture into somewhat implausible heroics. Gabriel’s reflections on cyber warfare and the ethical consequences of whistleblowing add depth to an otherwise action-driven story.

The co-plot dives more into Gabriel's personal life, his emotional struggles and often raw interpersonal relationships. This aspect of the story contrasts sharply with the techno-thriller elements and gives the novel an introspective and existential layer. These scenes, which are marked by frank dialogue, everyday tensions and moments of self-reflection, evoke a Bukowski-esque tone as they explore masculinity, disillusionment, and the messiness of life in a more grounded way.

2024 Attack on America is a fast-paced read that will appeal to fans of political thrillers and anyone looking for a good cyber warfare story. Its action-packed narrative offers a compelling look at the dark side of technology and the fragile balance between national security and privacy.

[Chris Anthem · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a few dollars, I can buy the works of authors of good renown and wit. Though I understand that most authors must sell their works at a higher price than those now long gone, the asking price of about 15 USD is... far too much than what this book could offer when I could use that to buy a decent meal. Other than a novel that would do phenomenally on a video essay tearing this book apart, it has little merit outside the author's knowledge of the subjects pertaining to AI and perhaps military structure (both of which I am ignorant of). Now I will go further into what I can best describe as off-brand Tom Clancy.

Before I was willing to give the author my money to read this book, I decided to read the summary first before making such a commitment. After slogging through it, my wallet was put back into my pocket. I knew I would not enjoy reading this any further. The prologue is quite simple, but was not engaging.

The prose was choppy, dull, and the environment and tone was difficult to determine. The dialogue was inorganic--even cartoonish as if this were some parody or a child playing out a scene with friends. This is the start, and so far I have not seen any qualities that would interest me into reading further. It is possible that past the prologue there may be something of merit and note worth giving this book at least a two star.... however, I will not pay 15 dollars for something I suspect I will not enjoy.

Now, the rest of this will be for readers who may wish to buy the book irregardless:

The attitude and behaviour of this author is... concerning. From his strange interview in literary titan (yeegads, that was something not good), publishing a condemnation of Kirkus (despite the service being for sellers, not readers) about a poor paid review, and his general misconduct and tantrums on social media. Though to some this may disqualify my review, I feel it necessary to mention those things. Buying this person's book would be enabling these behaviours, and this part in of itself is not affecting the review.

I am also aware the author is keeping a close eye on reviews, and very well may read this. Dear god, man, give it a rest. Either listen to those around you, relax, or simply step away from being an author as you said you would. It is quite clear you do not respect those who dearly adore writing, as well as the craft itself.

[Peter W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sasha Zarustin draws upon his high-tech knowledge to craft his prescient novel, “2024 Attack on America: Enter Demiurge,” and renders a page-turner worthy of a Tom Clancy volume.
But as we settle in for an entertaining, action-packed adventure, Sasha surprises us by adding the human dimension to the tale. The perspective morphs from a wide-angle view of the cyber battlefield to a laser focus on the inner trauma of his all-too-human protagonist, Gabriel Brinkerhoff.
We follow the rapid scene shifts from the macro to the micro as Gabriel attempts to solve an existential national security issue. This race moves with the intensity of a well-crafted mystery novel.

This juxtaposition focuses on whether we have pushed technology to the escape velocity where it can resist the gravity of humanity and take on a life of its own, or is the technology becoming all too human.

The answer? Sasha Zarustin provides the roadmap, and we must be the one to decide.

Do you have a long plane flight in the near future?
If you are brave enough, take on “2024 Attack of American: Enter Demiurge” and strap your seat belt tightly.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cybersecurity suspense novel is going to drop you in the “future” before moving going back to the “past” and bringing you forward to present day.
Something is stirring up trouble with the government agencies and threatening to disrupt the peace of America and the world as a whole. The bigger problem? No one can figure out where it’s coming from or who is behind it. Cue up the suspense!
This book focuses on the main character Gabriel as he strives to balance work life and family life, fix his fraying marriage while figuring out who is creating these incidents and what their intentions are. This high stakes game with far-reaching consequences should he fail.
Packed with lots of detail readers who enjoy military and government style novels will definitely want to pick this book up. Our only wish is that this book had had more drama, thrills, and action to make it a true page-turner.

[Dave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total porn.
Absolutely the WORST book I have read this year.
The title and the by-line suggests this would be an ideal book for my reading list.
There is no real story at all.
If there is any attempt at any story here is is just an excuse to hide the pornography.
The most disgusting book I have read EVER.
I said read.... I got to 25% and it became obvious no story was really developing.
This author should gave warnings about ADULT content attached to her awful diatribes.
I would give this author a minus recommendation and certainly ZERO STARS if it was possible.

[Doc Honour · Rating 2 out of 5]

unnatural dialog

Sorry, I didn’t get past the second page. The opening dialog with a General, a Colonel, and several others felt awkward and contrived, with the characters dumping info for the benefit of the reader. There might be a great plot in here—that’s why I picked up the book—but it also has to be well written.

[John O'Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait for the next one

About as topical as it can get, without spoiling it, this book has it all: AI, war on terror, human relationships, moral dilemmas, cracking pace, sympathetic characters, fluency, easy to read, a blast.
Fair play Sasha, that was a worthwhile read.

[Sarah Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

Numerous disappointments. Way more sex stuff than needed in what was promoted as a thriller. Numerous times a transgender character is misgendered by the author, not one or another character (although there's lots of that which could be part of the character).

[Maryclaire · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read about the Syracuse Airport drones and their results, but the pron stopped me from reading it. How can you mess up a thriller about rogue drones and shutting down power plants with the sex lives of two men who work for the government?

[Georgia Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

great page turner loved the plot twists

I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot of fun and covered a lot of different topics keeping me very entertained.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and worth the read if you're into sci-fi fantasy.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but for some reason this one lost my interest about half way through. Perhaps because I had so much happening in life that kept drawing my attention away from reading.