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Zero Alternative
Framed.
Hunted.
Betrayed.
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play - DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay?
ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the heart of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
Hunted.
Betrayed.
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play - DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay?
ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the heart of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
386 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2014
1 person is currently reading
982 people want to read
About the author
Luca Pesaro
1 book14 followersLuca Pesaro was born in Italy in the early seventies, but has spent most of his adult life in the US or UK. After long years gaining a degree and masters in the pseudo-science that is Economics he got bored, jumped the gun and became a derivatives trader in financial markets with several investment banks. Now reformed, he is writing full-time.
Zero Alternative is his first novel, and he is hard at work on his second thriller.
He lives in London, is married to an awesome Italian lady and has two children who always manage to annoy, surprise and delight beyond any reasonable expectation.
Zero Alternative is his first novel, and he is hard at work on his second thriller.
He lives in London, is married to an awesome Italian lady and has two children who always manage to annoy, surprise and delight beyond any reasonable expectation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 29, 2015
Review: Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro Published by: Three Hares Publishing (22nd April 2014)
Source: Author
Rating: 3*
Synopsis:
Framed, hunted, betrayed…
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play – DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay? ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the base of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
Review:
This isn't your ordinary thriller, as it's set in the world of financial trading. As I know nothing about this, I found some parts a bit hard to follow. I did look up a few of the terms to give me a better understanding, but this made the reading rather jolted.
Scott Walker is a fairly interesting character, albeit somewhat one dimensional. Other characters are quite developed, without being complex enough to give them that edge. Character interaction is good and these parts did hold my interest well.
Although I liked the premise, I found myself skimming during some of the financial parts, the concept of DeepSpace was fascinating. It's not hard to imagine the impact technology such as this could have on the world as we know it so, for that, I must give the author kudos.
I received a digital copy of this book via the author, in return for an honest review.
Source: Author
Rating: 3*
Synopsis:
Framed, hunted, betrayed…
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play – DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay? ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the base of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
Review:
This isn't your ordinary thriller, as it's set in the world of financial trading. As I know nothing about this, I found some parts a bit hard to follow. I did look up a few of the terms to give me a better understanding, but this made the reading rather jolted.
Scott Walker is a fairly interesting character, albeit somewhat one dimensional. Other characters are quite developed, without being complex enough to give them that edge. Character interaction is good and these parts did hold my interest well.
Although I liked the premise, I found myself skimming during some of the financial parts, the concept of DeepSpace was fascinating. It's not hard to imagine the impact technology such as this could have on the world as we know it so, for that, I must give the author kudos.
I received a digital copy of this book via the author, in return for an honest review.
April 24, 2014
Zero Alternative by debutant author Luca Pesaro is a fast-paced and tantalizingly crafted action-packed conspiracy suspense thriller that takes you into the dizzying world of intrigue and machination of the global financial market, criss-crossing London in England, Sardinia, Siena and Rome in Italy, New Mexico in United States and Lugano in Switzerland. Weaving a thoroughly fresh story with plot twist that will keep you totally absorbed, Luca Pesaro’s debut novel may perhaps end up as the thriller debut of the year.
Luca Pesaro was once a derivative trader in real life and is familiar with the world of Zero Alternative where greed, skullduggery, sleaze and manipulation rule. The main protagonist, Scott “Yours” Walker, is an investment banker who with the help of tech-savvy friend created DeepShare program - a silicon oracle that could predict a slice of the future, quickly turning him into a multi-millionaire. With such a money-machine in existence, can trouble be far behind? Walker got bundled out through the calculated move of an unknown enemy. But his problem is far from over. As the story unfolds, he must uncover a web of mystery and deceit if he is to keep DeepShare safe.
But that is easier said than done. With government agents, greedy billionaires, crazy criminals and sharp hitmen on his tail, Walker’s immediate task is to stay alive. To make matter worse, he can’t even trust the woman he love. If his life is to regain a semblance of normalcy that he once knew, his gut instinct know that greater dangers lie in wait. Whatever the consequence, he must tear apart a corrupt international bank that has been hunting for him. Now it is time for the hunted to become the hunter.
Zero Alternative is not only a refreshing read but an innovative story with the global financial market with all its huge imponderables as the backdrop of a story that is scary, stunning and simply absorbing. Luca Pesaro is a fine storyteller and he has the gift to emerge as one of the foremost writers of our time. Having said that, the novel at times appears a bit raw, which is a trait most visible in first-time authors. But that should not take anything away from a novel with exotic locales, amazing characters and a storyline that has real depth and could become a reality in the near future.
Luca Pesaro was once a derivative trader in real life and is familiar with the world of Zero Alternative where greed, skullduggery, sleaze and manipulation rule. The main protagonist, Scott “Yours” Walker, is an investment banker who with the help of tech-savvy friend created DeepShare program - a silicon oracle that could predict a slice of the future, quickly turning him into a multi-millionaire. With such a money-machine in existence, can trouble be far behind? Walker got bundled out through the calculated move of an unknown enemy. But his problem is far from over. As the story unfolds, he must uncover a web of mystery and deceit if he is to keep DeepShare safe.
But that is easier said than done. With government agents, greedy billionaires, crazy criminals and sharp hitmen on his tail, Walker’s immediate task is to stay alive. To make matter worse, he can’t even trust the woman he love. If his life is to regain a semblance of normalcy that he once knew, his gut instinct know that greater dangers lie in wait. Whatever the consequence, he must tear apart a corrupt international bank that has been hunting for him. Now it is time for the hunted to become the hunter.
Zero Alternative is not only a refreshing read but an innovative story with the global financial market with all its huge imponderables as the backdrop of a story that is scary, stunning and simply absorbing. Luca Pesaro is a fine storyteller and he has the gift to emerge as one of the foremost writers of our time. Having said that, the novel at times appears a bit raw, which is a trait most visible in first-time authors. But that should not take anything away from a novel with exotic locales, amazing characters and a storyline that has real depth and could become a reality in the near future.
May 16, 2014
Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro is an action packed conspiracy thriller. Scott Walker is a stock broker that is very good at his job. He almost made enough money to retire. Unfortunately, his good friend, DM is working on a computer system not only to make a lot of money, but could potentially control the world’s economy.
When DM is tortured and killed, Scott is shocked into another realm of existence. He is set up to take the fall. Scott has to find out who killed DM and is after the system DM was working on. Scott is played for a patsy by a pole dancer who really is working for his enemies, or is she? Scott never knows whether to trust her. Neither does the reader. You read how skilled the author, Pesaro is, in the way he interweaves the chase through Europe. It is a real old fashioner thriller that will keep you on the edge.
The beginning is an introduction to the world of finance. At first the economic jargon was confusing, but people are people and the characters are people that hold your interest. Soon enough you fall into the plot and are running with Scott. There is violence but that’s not part of the story. The read is fast and gripping. The reader will enjoy Zero Alternative. This story will make a great movie.
I received a free copy of Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro, from Tribute Books. No other compensation was received and my review is my honest evaluation.
When DM is tortured and killed, Scott is shocked into another realm of existence. He is set up to take the fall. Scott has to find out who killed DM and is after the system DM was working on. Scott is played for a patsy by a pole dancer who really is working for his enemies, or is she? Scott never knows whether to trust her. Neither does the reader. You read how skilled the author, Pesaro is, in the way he interweaves the chase through Europe. It is a real old fashioner thriller that will keep you on the edge.
The beginning is an introduction to the world of finance. At first the economic jargon was confusing, but people are people and the characters are people that hold your interest. Soon enough you fall into the plot and are running with Scott. There is violence but that’s not part of the story. The read is fast and gripping. The reader will enjoy Zero Alternative. This story will make a great movie.
I received a free copy of Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro, from Tribute Books. No other compensation was received and my review is my honest evaluation.
March 20, 2014
Will not talk plot points, no spoilers here thankfully.
Different, but different really good. To be honest the subject matter is of little interest to me as finance and banking/trading are (largely) destructive tools to constructing wealth in a shallow society.....but that is another topic!
That being said, there is more to this story than the typical formula of protagonist meets obstacle, chase begins, reveal truth, overcome obstacle, turn plot on head followed by swift resolution. Instead the author chose to focus a lot on characterization, which is cool as there are some really memorable and quirky ones and I believe the finance world itself houses an insane number of odd people, so it's a gem of insight into that!
The story is a straight read (linear) packed with dramatic turns and intrigue interwoven with terminology ignorants like myself would shrug at; luckily the author cleverly clarifies the meaning without patronizing the reader. So I did learn about this strange alternate universe, despite my aversion to it, and had a rollicking good ride doing so!
I give it 4 stars, reserving 5 for if and when I find that book......
Different, but different really good. To be honest the subject matter is of little interest to me as finance and banking/trading are (largely) destructive tools to constructing wealth in a shallow society.....but that is another topic!
That being said, there is more to this story than the typical formula of protagonist meets obstacle, chase begins, reveal truth, overcome obstacle, turn plot on head followed by swift resolution. Instead the author chose to focus a lot on characterization, which is cool as there are some really memorable and quirky ones and I believe the finance world itself houses an insane number of odd people, so it's a gem of insight into that!
The story is a straight read (linear) packed with dramatic turns and intrigue interwoven with terminology ignorants like myself would shrug at; luckily the author cleverly clarifies the meaning without patronizing the reader. So I did learn about this strange alternate universe, despite my aversion to it, and had a rollicking good ride doing so!
I give it 4 stars, reserving 5 for if and when I find that book......
May 17, 2014
Fast-paced and thrilling:
‘Zero Alternative’ starts off with a bang and got me hooked straight from the beginning. With its fast pace and rapidly developing storyline, this book had me pulled in so quickly that before I knew it I was racing towards the end. Completed in one day, this was a totally satisfying read and for a debut English novel, I look forward to seeing what Pesaro has to offer next.
I don’t read thrillers very often and have in the past found them to be a little predictable. ‘Zero Alternative’ certainly was not this. I love the world of stock trading and have always been fascinated when I have seen characters in films desperately trading before the market closes. I still don’t properly understand this environment and how it all works and whilst ‘Zero Alternative’ is set in this industry, my lack of understanding did not hinder my enjoyment of the story. There is enough explanation behind the premise of the story and the new technology that Walker is being hunted for, but without it coming across as patronising or dull. This definitely appealed to me and helped me get into the story.
Walker’s character comes across as a typical broker – lots of money, reckless, with plenty of alcohol and women. At first I thought I would despise his confidence (almost arrogance) but as he quickly finds himself in a game of cat and mouse, I was rooting for him to find someone he could trust and rely on to escape the danger. The narrative follows Walker (nick-named “Yours” because of his reputation as a trader, which, I must admit, was a little annoying and confusing when I read this and thought there were typos!) but often switches to the mysterious bad guys. This change in focus was refreshing because not only did we find out how close they are to Walker, you are given enough clues to speculate who it might be. That said, when the pieces were finally put together, it wasn’t a character I had suspected – another bonus for this read.
There are some gory scenes in this book but don’t let this put you off. Whilst I don’t like reading graphic scenes of torture, I was so amazed by what I had read I just couldn’t help but repeat it to my husband and literally cringe at what was happening! It is all part of the story and is not just an added-in feature to give more substance to the story. It reflects the danger of Walker’s situation and made me even more keen that he reach safety.
This was a great read and I feel so lucky to have been able to review it. I really enjoyed it because it was so different to other books I have come across recently and, with the subject matter focusing on something I don’t know much about, it made this all the more enjoyable. I’m excited to see what Pesaro writes next.
This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
‘Zero Alternative’ starts off with a bang and got me hooked straight from the beginning. With its fast pace and rapidly developing storyline, this book had me pulled in so quickly that before I knew it I was racing towards the end. Completed in one day, this was a totally satisfying read and for a debut English novel, I look forward to seeing what Pesaro has to offer next.
I don’t read thrillers very often and have in the past found them to be a little predictable. ‘Zero Alternative’ certainly was not this. I love the world of stock trading and have always been fascinated when I have seen characters in films desperately trading before the market closes. I still don’t properly understand this environment and how it all works and whilst ‘Zero Alternative’ is set in this industry, my lack of understanding did not hinder my enjoyment of the story. There is enough explanation behind the premise of the story and the new technology that Walker is being hunted for, but without it coming across as patronising or dull. This definitely appealed to me and helped me get into the story.
Walker’s character comes across as a typical broker – lots of money, reckless, with plenty of alcohol and women. At first I thought I would despise his confidence (almost arrogance) but as he quickly finds himself in a game of cat and mouse, I was rooting for him to find someone he could trust and rely on to escape the danger. The narrative follows Walker (nick-named “Yours” because of his reputation as a trader, which, I must admit, was a little annoying and confusing when I read this and thought there were typos!) but often switches to the mysterious bad guys. This change in focus was refreshing because not only did we find out how close they are to Walker, you are given enough clues to speculate who it might be. That said, when the pieces were finally put together, it wasn’t a character I had suspected – another bonus for this read.
There are some gory scenes in this book but don’t let this put you off. Whilst I don’t like reading graphic scenes of torture, I was so amazed by what I had read I just couldn’t help but repeat it to my husband and literally cringe at what was happening! It is all part of the story and is not just an added-in feature to give more substance to the story. It reflects the danger of Walker’s situation and made me even more keen that he reach safety.
This was a great read and I feel so lucky to have been able to review it. I really enjoyed it because it was so different to other books I have come across recently and, with the subject matter focusing on something I don’t know much about, it made this all the more enjoyable. I’m excited to see what Pesaro writes next.
This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2014
Zero Alternative grabs your attention from the very first line. It’s quick to capture the reader’s interest with it’s wording and it doesn’t lose it throughout the book. While at first there seems to be quick changing between different people and times, it settles down as reader’s progress throughout the book. It doesn’t detract from the book although it can make things a little more difficult at first.
Also, don’t let the fact that the main character is in the financial business keep you from reading this book. Luca Pesaro makes you feel the ups and downs that the main character, Walker experiences in his job before finding himself on the run from bad guys and the law alike. The descriptions of everything throughout the book is superb and Luca Pesaro really paints an amazing picture, one the reader can see in their minds eye easily.
Zero Alternative also gives you little glimpses into different people’s perspectives, most notably the bad guys that Walker is on the run from but you also don’t get enough to figure out who they are or what they are after until Walker himself discovers them. It’s interesting to see. Not to mention there are several twists throughout the book that blindside readers. They were unexpected and not what you thought could or would happen.
The characters were also wonderfully created. Walker seems to be like many men at some point in their life, questioning what he is waiting for and how he can create a better future. Not to mention why he’s still in the finance world when he’s finding it less than great as of late. And Layla is engaging with her feisty spirit, and holding certain things close to her chest, not sharing her secrets in any way, shape or form unless forced to.
Zero Alternative was an engaging, interesting, and attention-grabbing book. One that I had trouble putting down from the very first page.
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
Also, don’t let the fact that the main character is in the financial business keep you from reading this book. Luca Pesaro makes you feel the ups and downs that the main character, Walker experiences in his job before finding himself on the run from bad guys and the law alike. The descriptions of everything throughout the book is superb and Luca Pesaro really paints an amazing picture, one the reader can see in their minds eye easily.
Zero Alternative also gives you little glimpses into different people’s perspectives, most notably the bad guys that Walker is on the run from but you also don’t get enough to figure out who they are or what they are after until Walker himself discovers them. It’s interesting to see. Not to mention there are several twists throughout the book that blindside readers. They were unexpected and not what you thought could or would happen.
The characters were also wonderfully created. Walker seems to be like many men at some point in their life, questioning what he is waiting for and how he can create a better future. Not to mention why he’s still in the finance world when he’s finding it less than great as of late. And Layla is engaging with her feisty spirit, and holding certain things close to her chest, not sharing her secrets in any way, shape or form unless forced to.
Zero Alternative was an engaging, interesting, and attention-grabbing book. One that I had trouble putting down from the very first page.
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
May 16, 2014
Scott Walker is one of the top traders for his company, but burnout is right around the corner. It is time to call it a career. With a computer program that scans current events and can give probabilities of future ones, Walker almost has an unfair advantage against the competition. Just one more big hit, and walker can sit on the beach with his biggest worry being what drink to order next.
When the DeepOmega program predicts a market collapse, Walker makes millions in a matter of minutes by short selling the market.
As they say, knowledge is power. And when you have big knowledge and make big money with it - well you are going to attract some big enemies who are willing to kill to know what Scott Walker knows.
After an explanation of how short selling works, the action picks up at a feverish pace and doesn't stop until the end. With all of the countries that Walker and his sidekick, Layla, travel to - it almost feels like you are getting an Economic & Geography lesson wrapped around evading the bad guys, murders, and close calls.
I don't want to give too much away and be a spoiler, but this has been one of the better action books that I have reviewed.
Strengths
- Very strong characters, writing, and plot. It is obvious that the author did his research and knows his stuff.
- Characters that you slowly grow to like, just like making a fine wine, the end is worth the wait.
- I found myself thinking about the next move I would make as I read - only to find out that it would have been the wrong one most of the time! Nothing obvious, which kept it enjoyable.
When the DeepOmega program predicts a market collapse, Walker makes millions in a matter of minutes by short selling the market.
As they say, knowledge is power. And when you have big knowledge and make big money with it - well you are going to attract some big enemies who are willing to kill to know what Scott Walker knows.
After an explanation of how short selling works, the action picks up at a feverish pace and doesn't stop until the end. With all of the countries that Walker and his sidekick, Layla, travel to - it almost feels like you are getting an Economic & Geography lesson wrapped around evading the bad guys, murders, and close calls.
I don't want to give too much away and be a spoiler, but this has been one of the better action books that I have reviewed.
Strengths
- Very strong characters, writing, and plot. It is obvious that the author did his research and knows his stuff.
- Characters that you slowly grow to like, just like making a fine wine, the end is worth the wait.
- I found myself thinking about the next move I would make as I read - only to find out that it would have been the wrong one most of the time! Nothing obvious, which kept it enjoyable.
August 9, 2014
Disclaimer--I received a free copy of this book for purposes of review. All opinions are 100% my own.
If you're in the mood for a conspiracy thriller, you need to give this novel a peek. Fast-paced, intelligently written and the author's not hard on the eyes, either. Oops. Did I say that out loud? Come on, we are ALL guilty of peering at the author's pic on the dust jacket more than once while reading a book. Sometimes, i look at his or her pic and try to get inside their mind and figure out how they came up with the plot. Maybe I'm just weird. Anyhoo...
I am so close to finishing this book (within 30 pages) and didn't want to stop even to write this review. But, I loathe to miss a deadline. So, here I am.
I recommend this book highly to anyone who likes a story you can really bite into, a story where you forget all about the real world around you, a story that (figuratively speaking) hijacks your mind and free will. And it will. I just can't seem to put it down. I stayed up until almost dawn reading it. Then overslept my alarm and was late for work. And it was totally worth it -- with the exception that I didn't get to finish it. The characters are captivating, the plot is interesting, and the story just flows. What else can I say?
Well, I can say, "Buy it!" You will not be disappointed in the least. I promise. I wish I could give this book 10 stars. :0)
If you're in the mood for a conspiracy thriller, you need to give this novel a peek. Fast-paced, intelligently written and the author's not hard on the eyes, either. Oops. Did I say that out loud? Come on, we are ALL guilty of peering at the author's pic on the dust jacket more than once while reading a book. Sometimes, i look at his or her pic and try to get inside their mind and figure out how they came up with the plot. Maybe I'm just weird. Anyhoo...
I am so close to finishing this book (within 30 pages) and didn't want to stop even to write this review. But, I loathe to miss a deadline. So, here I am.
I recommend this book highly to anyone who likes a story you can really bite into, a story where you forget all about the real world around you, a story that (figuratively speaking) hijacks your mind and free will. And it will. I just can't seem to put it down. I stayed up until almost dawn reading it. Then overslept my alarm and was late for work. And it was totally worth it -- with the exception that I didn't get to finish it. The characters are captivating, the plot is interesting, and the story just flows. What else can I say?
Well, I can say, "Buy it!" You will not be disappointed in the least. I promise. I wish I could give this book 10 stars. :0)
May 5, 2014
I love thrillers, and when I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it, I was not disappointing I love Scott, he is the main character in this book, strong, likable and fighting to stay alive, not sure who he can trust, not even the woman he loves.... and protect his best friends invention.
Lets take a small step back, Scott Walker works at the trade market he is very good at it, then imagine your friend invents a program that can tell you what the best trades are to make. Perfect right?? So perfect and priceless that everyone wants it, Criminals, government, billionaires you name it. When Scott's friend is killed, Scott knows he has to run and hide and protect the invention, he a,so needs to proof the corruption in banking world. Will he be able to stay alive and save the world??
Great thriller, packed with action and fast paced, I promise you want to keep reading just to see what twist is around the next corner. Buy the book, sit down with drinks and snacks and be prepared that you want to read it in one sit!! that happened to me, This is one of the best debut books I ever had my hands on and I can't wait to read more by Luca Pesaro.
Lets take a small step back, Scott Walker works at the trade market he is very good at it, then imagine your friend invents a program that can tell you what the best trades are to make. Perfect right?? So perfect and priceless that everyone wants it, Criminals, government, billionaires you name it. When Scott's friend is killed, Scott knows he has to run and hide and protect the invention, he a,so needs to proof the corruption in banking world. Will he be able to stay alive and save the world??
Great thriller, packed with action and fast paced, I promise you want to keep reading just to see what twist is around the next corner. Buy the book, sit down with drinks and snacks and be prepared that you want to read it in one sit!! that happened to me, This is one of the best debut books I ever had my hands on and I can't wait to read more by Luca Pesaro.
August 10, 2014
This fast paced and electrifying thriller is sure to have you at the edge of your seat and sweating. The twists and turns will keep you coming back for more, again, and again.
You could really begin to believe that this world Walker lives in, is in a not too distant future, and will have you second guessing everything and everyone.
I love that you get a sense of not only Walkers state of mind but of every indelible character that he stumbles across.
Get ready to delve into a world of action, conspiracy, and corruption. A must read for anyone who loves, thrills, chills, and survival. Not to mention losing a few fingernails in the process
*Disclaimer, I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
You could really begin to believe that this world Walker lives in, is in a not too distant future, and will have you second guessing everything and everyone.
I love that you get a sense of not only Walkers state of mind but of every indelible character that he stumbles across.
Get ready to delve into a world of action, conspiracy, and corruption. A must read for anyone who loves, thrills, chills, and survival. Not to mention losing a few fingernails in the process
*Disclaimer, I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2014
I love to read debut books from new authors and after reading the blurb I knew I was going to enjoy Zero Alternative. A fast pacing thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and a totally unique storyline.
The characters are well developed and I loved that London was a part of the book as well as other countries that are not mentioned much in the books I have read recently.
Luca Pesaro has done a fantastic job with his first published book and I could definitely see it being make into a film. My husband would definitely watch it.
I will be looking out for more of his work in the future.
The characters are well developed and I loved that London was a part of the book as well as other countries that are not mentioned much in the books I have read recently.
Luca Pesaro has done a fantastic job with his first published book and I could definitely see it being make into a film. My husband would definitely watch it.
I will be looking out for more of his work in the future.
August 7, 2014
This book had me from when I first read the synopsis. I was really excited to start reading this book the moment I read the synopsis as this is my kind of book. I got hooked straight away and the book was not one that you could just put down and forget about. You couldn’t just put it down you HAD to keep turning those pages. It is beautifully written and very interesting. 5 star read. I will be looking out for more of Luca’s work.
May 8, 2014
A conspiracy thriller that delves deep — and I mean deep! — into the ins and outs of financial trading.
I received a Kindle copy from the author.
My Take
The first third of this was totally confusing with all the money stuff — probably why I don’t have any! But it also sets the mood and the background for Zero Alternative. After that, it is a series of mad chases and cloak-and-dagger antics with fake ID as he peels back more and more of the corruption behind how our world works.
Pesaro includes explanations that make sense to me. Hey, if I can understand it, it’s gotta be easy! How people screwed up the world of finance. Sure, bankers are easy to blame. God knows they do enough stupid stuff, and they make a convenient scapegoat, but Pesaro’s reasoning makes perfect sense, and when you get further into the story, oh boy. Makes you wish there really were a DeepOmega with a band of do-gooders behind it! Then there’s his analogy of morphine, how it can make a patient appear to be on the mend. His point about today’s finance simply playing with money, using money to make money, that “real wealth is production, resources, innovation” also makes perfect sense.
Pesaro’s protagonist is not someone you want to like — he’s a trader, part of the conspiracy even if he doesn’t know it. And yet, Pesaro makes him likable even as he’s letting the little head do his thinking, lol! That whole scene in the strip club sent me into the world of who cares what happens to him. I mean, after all of DM’s paranoia, well, if you’re gonna be stupid enough to fall for that trick…
Sure, he and DM are part of the problem, so to speak, but I like that they're also working on the solution. His reactions are those of a decent man caught up in more than he understands, and still he pushes through. He’s even nice to Falena after all he learns! And DM…poor baby. A super smart guy with all that IQ’s social inability and little practical application as evidenced by his not even thinking of personal security. It did make me wonder how anyone can possibly function on that much dope…
Why bother feeding DeepShareBeta into DeepAlpha? Sure, Pesaro explained this as a maneuver for DM to hide further work on DeepOmega, but…why? Why not retire DeepAlpha and use DeepShareBeta?
Oh, please. If I were Walker, I’d insist on Fontaine’s promise in writing. I do love Walker’s solution to Fontaine’s demand — YES! And Hackernym’s ability to gather information is quite practical. Bad, but useful.
It seems as if bureaucracy is the deadweight of a country right along with everyday bribery. Too many laws equals more and more bureaucrats with too much of the collected taxes going to pay their salaries. Then the bribery. Have you noticed how those countries where bribery is so prevalent right down to man-on-the-street levels are the same ones which seem to be in the worst financial shape? Think about it.
Layla is a piece of work, and as much as I want to trust her, I can’t. I do appreciate all the soul-searching she goes through, but she’s just too shifty for me. It’s always something more, she never stops. At the airport, why didn’t she think of a tracker? She’s been quick enough to leap all over anyone else for being unprofessional.
How did Blackspring get to Mosha so fast if Layla was wearing the bug?
I love the ending. It’s like the movie Dave but on hypersteroids. Pesaro will keep you on your toes and railing at the world with this one.
The Story
Japan and Greece are gone, Spain is a German protectorate, and the continuing existence of the European Union is very much in question. The coming Italian elections will determine whether the world collapses into another Great Depression and if Yours can retire in comfort or get tossed out on his ear.
Betrayals, however, will force Yours to learn more than he wants of the true nature of finance and how it runs the world, even as Yours must run to survive and take down the men behind the world’s economy.
The Characters
Scott “Yours” Walker is a 36-year-old trader in London enjoying the good life and planning to leave this frenetic and greedy pace behind him. DM Khaing, the head of Dorfmann’s IT department, is a brilliant mathematician with incisive insight into computer algorithms. Hey, he designed and built DeepShare, a software program that datamines the Internet for everything and then makes connections, predicting the future! DeepAlpha is the first version and used by Dorfmann Brothers to plot their buying and selling. DeepShareBeta is the next version while DeepOmega is the super-secret version that only Yours and DM know about. They thought. Tsun, based in Hong Kong, is one of DM’s head quants. Jiwa-Sai Khaing is DM’s older brother and a colonel in the Swiss Army.
Dorfmann Brothers
Dorfmann Brothers is an investment bank. Stephane Buvier is a junior trader working under Yours. Anna Guarzelli is part of the bank’s risk management team. Jack Morden is one of Walker’s bosses. Gander is another junior trader. Chris “Beano” Friedman is the CEO of the London office with a harsh reputation. Olivier Fontaine is Yours’ other boss. A backstabbing Belgian with no morals or conscience; he’s head of all the dealers for Dorfmann. Mendes and Thomas Setter are two of Dorfmann’s most senior Volatility traders. Ralph House is a Flow trader while the sexy Alice Cramer is one of the salespeople.
Luigi Seu is an Italian over-the-counter broker and a good friend of Walker’s, who is godfather to Luigi’s three-year-old Lia. Susan is Luigi’s wife. Thank god they’re on vacation. Paolo Seu is his brother with some scary connections. Mosha Micovich is a Serbian friend and a hedge fund manager for the Mob family he married into.
The Dancing Snake is a high-end strip club where George is the manager. Falena is the most incredible stripper with a mission.
Layla is an independent contractor — ever since she fled her Mexican minders. Anton is Layla’s fixer. Rafa was the younger son of a Chiapas drug baron, a boy with dreams of a better, more normal life who still loved his papa.
Hackernym
Hackernym are cyber-pirates. Mention them at a casual gathering and watch the faces of the high and mighty close down. Mira is small time, the one with audio proof of who’s behind the dogs chasing Walker. Bill is the Old Man’s assistant while he’s Gerard Saffet, a financial legend.
Blackspring is a vicious mercenary group. François Pienaar is a psychopathic, murdering butcher who really enjoys his work and is either Australian or Zimbabwean. Sprague is one of their operatives.
Frankel Schwartz is THE godfather of investment banks and the rumors about them fly in conspiracy circles. Jim Zhu was DM’s deputy; now he’s turned up at Frankel Schwartz in a major role. Wendell Welsh is American and a main powerbroker.
Rossini is one of the presidential candidates in this Italian election, running on a promise to pull Italy out of the European Union. Officer Tarelli of the Ticino Police investigates a murder.
ORK is the electronic dealing system traders use to buy and sell shares, futures, and options. A quant is an expert at analyzing and managing quantitative data.
The Cover
I love the cover with its binary background of 0s and 1s in a black type against charcoal gray. The author’s name is in white while the title is a colonial blue with a man on the run on a wet street in the R and O.
The title is what Walker wants to give to the big boys — Zero Alternative.
I received a Kindle copy from the author.
My Take
The first third of this was totally confusing with all the money stuff — probably why I don’t have any! But it also sets the mood and the background for Zero Alternative. After that, it is a series of mad chases and cloak-and-dagger antics with fake ID as he peels back more and more of the corruption behind how our world works.
Pesaro includes explanations that make sense to me. Hey, if I can understand it, it’s gotta be easy! How people screwed up the world of finance. Sure, bankers are easy to blame. God knows they do enough stupid stuff, and they make a convenient scapegoat, but Pesaro’s reasoning makes perfect sense, and when you get further into the story, oh boy. Makes you wish there really were a DeepOmega with a band of do-gooders behind it! Then there’s his analogy of morphine, how it can make a patient appear to be on the mend. His point about today’s finance simply playing with money, using money to make money, that “real wealth is production, resources, innovation” also makes perfect sense.
Pesaro’s protagonist is not someone you want to like — he’s a trader, part of the conspiracy even if he doesn’t know it. And yet, Pesaro makes him likable even as he’s letting the little head do his thinking, lol! That whole scene in the strip club sent me into the world of who cares what happens to him. I mean, after all of DM’s paranoia, well, if you’re gonna be stupid enough to fall for that trick…
Sure, he and DM are part of the problem, so to speak, but I like that they're also working on the solution. His reactions are those of a decent man caught up in more than he understands, and still he pushes through. He’s even nice to Falena after all he learns! And DM…poor baby. A super smart guy with all that IQ’s social inability and little practical application as evidenced by his not even thinking of personal security. It did make me wonder how anyone can possibly function on that much dope…
Why bother feeding DeepShareBeta into DeepAlpha? Sure, Pesaro explained this as a maneuver for DM to hide further work on DeepOmega, but…why? Why not retire DeepAlpha and use DeepShareBeta?
Oh, please. If I were Walker, I’d insist on Fontaine’s promise in writing. I do love Walker’s solution to Fontaine’s demand — YES! And Hackernym’s ability to gather information is quite practical. Bad, but useful.
It seems as if bureaucracy is the deadweight of a country right along with everyday bribery. Too many laws equals more and more bureaucrats with too much of the collected taxes going to pay their salaries. Then the bribery. Have you noticed how those countries where bribery is so prevalent right down to man-on-the-street levels are the same ones which seem to be in the worst financial shape? Think about it.
Layla is a piece of work, and as much as I want to trust her, I can’t. I do appreciate all the soul-searching she goes through, but she’s just too shifty for me. It’s always something more, she never stops. At the airport, why didn’t she think of a tracker? She’s been quick enough to leap all over anyone else for being unprofessional.
How did Blackspring get to Mosha so fast if Layla was wearing the bug?
I love the ending. It’s like the movie Dave but on hypersteroids. Pesaro will keep you on your toes and railing at the world with this one.
The Story
Japan and Greece are gone, Spain is a German protectorate, and the continuing existence of the European Union is very much in question. The coming Italian elections will determine whether the world collapses into another Great Depression and if Yours can retire in comfort or get tossed out on his ear.
Betrayals, however, will force Yours to learn more than he wants of the true nature of finance and how it runs the world, even as Yours must run to survive and take down the men behind the world’s economy.
The Characters
Scott “Yours” Walker is a 36-year-old trader in London enjoying the good life and planning to leave this frenetic and greedy pace behind him. DM Khaing, the head of Dorfmann’s IT department, is a brilliant mathematician with incisive insight into computer algorithms. Hey, he designed and built DeepShare, a software program that datamines the Internet for everything and then makes connections, predicting the future! DeepAlpha is the first version and used by Dorfmann Brothers to plot their buying and selling. DeepShareBeta is the next version while DeepOmega is the super-secret version that only Yours and DM know about. They thought. Tsun, based in Hong Kong, is one of DM’s head quants. Jiwa-Sai Khaing is DM’s older brother and a colonel in the Swiss Army.
Dorfmann Brothers
Dorfmann Brothers is an investment bank. Stephane Buvier is a junior trader working under Yours. Anna Guarzelli is part of the bank’s risk management team. Jack Morden is one of Walker’s bosses. Gander is another junior trader. Chris “Beano” Friedman is the CEO of the London office with a harsh reputation. Olivier Fontaine is Yours’ other boss. A backstabbing Belgian with no morals or conscience; he’s head of all the dealers for Dorfmann. Mendes and Thomas Setter are two of Dorfmann’s most senior Volatility traders. Ralph House is a Flow trader while the sexy Alice Cramer is one of the salespeople.
Luigi Seu is an Italian over-the-counter broker and a good friend of Walker’s, who is godfather to Luigi’s three-year-old Lia. Susan is Luigi’s wife. Thank god they’re on vacation. Paolo Seu is his brother with some scary connections. Mosha Micovich is a Serbian friend and a hedge fund manager for the Mob family he married into.
The Dancing Snake is a high-end strip club where George is the manager. Falena is the most incredible stripper with a mission.
Layla is an independent contractor — ever since she fled her Mexican minders. Anton is Layla’s fixer. Rafa was the younger son of a Chiapas drug baron, a boy with dreams of a better, more normal life who still loved his papa.
Hackernym
Hackernym are cyber-pirates. Mention them at a casual gathering and watch the faces of the high and mighty close down. Mira is small time, the one with audio proof of who’s behind the dogs chasing Walker. Bill is the Old Man’s assistant while he’s Gerard Saffet, a financial legend.
Blackspring is a vicious mercenary group. François Pienaar is a psychopathic, murdering butcher who really enjoys his work and is either Australian or Zimbabwean. Sprague is one of their operatives.
Frankel Schwartz is THE godfather of investment banks and the rumors about them fly in conspiracy circles. Jim Zhu was DM’s deputy; now he’s turned up at Frankel Schwartz in a major role. Wendell Welsh is American and a main powerbroker.
Rossini is one of the presidential candidates in this Italian election, running on a promise to pull Italy out of the European Union. Officer Tarelli of the Ticino Police investigates a murder.
ORK is the electronic dealing system traders use to buy and sell shares, futures, and options. A quant is an expert at analyzing and managing quantitative data.
The Cover
I love the cover with its binary background of 0s and 1s in a black type against charcoal gray. The author’s name is in white while the title is a colonial blue with a man on the run on a wet street in the R and O.
The title is what Walker wants to give to the big boys — Zero Alternative.
January 18, 2015
Honestly, when I first started this book, I wasn't into it much at all. I don't know if I would have continued reading if I hadn't committed to a review. The intro material was over my head. But after a short bit into the story, it completely turned around for me. I really started to be drawn to the storyline. The plot sucked me in. It's super fast-paced and very entertaining. I guess it's classification would fall under Techno-thriller. Zero Alternative put me in the mindset of a mix of The Pelican Brief/The Bourne Identity/The Net except more current and with a focus on the stock market.
The settings are all over the world, and not much in the U.S. like so many books.
First off, the author is a genius with economics, finance markets, etc. It's definitely supremely better to have a story written by someone who knows what they're talking about. Nothing ruins a story quicker than an writer that doesn't understand the subject matter they're writing.
The main character is Scott Walker, a brilliant yet still human trader in a greed-only workforce. He possesses sole knowledge causing him to become desirable number one, to be framed for the murder of his best friend and to live on the run from those wanting to control the world economy which translates to ruling the world. He has to plan on the go.
Scott has a couple of close friends he can call in his time of need and several iffy characters popping up along the way. You never quite know if some of them are good or not through most of the book.
With so much landing on him, so much at stake, he feels that maybe he can make up for his previous inactiveness and get justice for the ones already taken down for a chance at possession of what he has.
Watching it all play out, sometimes solving the problem just seems like a lost cause.
Sometimes the answer is just to reach rock bottom and go from there.
Once I got into this book, I was so keyed up that I couldn't put it down. I read it straight through, all day. I lapped up every word, and now I'm recommending it to you. If you like lots of action, behind the scenes government, global economic issues, this is for you.
*Contains sex scenes and torture scenes (sparingly).
***ARC was given by author for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
The settings are all over the world, and not much in the U.S. like so many books.
First off, the author is a genius with economics, finance markets, etc. It's definitely supremely better to have a story written by someone who knows what they're talking about. Nothing ruins a story quicker than an writer that doesn't understand the subject matter they're writing.
The main character is Scott Walker, a brilliant yet still human trader in a greed-only workforce. He possesses sole knowledge causing him to become desirable number one, to be framed for the murder of his best friend and to live on the run from those wanting to control the world economy which translates to ruling the world. He has to plan on the go.
A little trap that might also give him an alternative, the zero one.
Scott has a couple of close friends he can call in his time of need and several iffy characters popping up along the way. You never quite know if some of them are good or not through most of the book.
'You look like an angel. A fallen one, maybe, but still an angel.'
With so much landing on him, so much at stake, he feels that maybe he can make up for his previous inactiveness and get justice for the ones already taken down for a chance at possession of what he has.
It was impossible to tell if things might have turned out different, though. You can't change your own history. But he guessed the future was still up for grabs.
Watching it all play out, sometimes solving the problem just seems like a lost cause.
'You can tell them I've run it a billion times, of course. It's like watching a computer play chess against weaker copies of itself. The strongest one always wins.'
Sometimes the answer is just to reach rock bottom and go from there.
It was time for everyone to try again.
Once I got into this book, I was so keyed up that I couldn't put it down. I read it straight through, all day. I lapped up every word, and now I'm recommending it to you. If you like lots of action, behind the scenes government, global economic issues, this is for you.
*Contains sex scenes and torture scenes (sparingly).
***ARC was given by author for an honest review***
FULL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND AT http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.bl...
November 4, 2017
A story of a banker who sinks deep in the hidden and dangerous game of the big boys. He survives only because his luck and wit. "Better lucky than good."
The plot is rather childish with an omnipotent computer algorithm, alcoholic-workaholic traders and powerful international hacker groups. However, the locations are well described and I enjoyed the travel around Europe with the main character, trader Scott Walker.
A nice, simple read.
The plot is rather childish with an omnipotent computer algorithm, alcoholic-workaholic traders and powerful international hacker groups. However, the locations are well described and I enjoyed the travel around Europe with the main character, trader Scott Walker.
A nice, simple read.
February 16, 2020
Confusing at times, but a good read for the most part. Scott Walker falls in and out of character, and the plot is decent.
July 7, 2014
As a former banker myself, I found the opening chapters riveting as Scott Walker preps for the biggest London trading day of his life. Scott has invested his whole life into playing the markets and being the one person his European counterparts come to for inside advice. But the real advice he's kept close to the chest. This day could be the single biggest payout of his career if all goes according to plan. Then Murphy's Law comes into play, where anything and everything that could go wrong - does.
First a power failure. Then the computer connections won't come back online before the opening bell. The only option Scott has available is to connect through a line meant only for a rival.
But Scott will do whatever it takes to ensure DeepShare's success.
DeepShare is a system designed and perfected by the great and powerful DM, Scott's mathematics genius buddy. The Alpha version performed remarkably well in predicting outcomes within a two week span. But this is the big test of the Omega version - and it's success rate of market predictions months in advance is set to be tested on the outcome of the forthcoming Italian elections. If Omega is to be believed, the new Italian Prime Minister will be broadcast that very morning and will announce plans to withdraw from the Euro, shocking and surprising markets across the globe.
All except Scott.
But Scott and DM have targets placed on their backs. Someone else knows about DeepShare and is desperate to get their hands on the Omega version - and the psychos will do whatever it takes to gain the upper hand.
Like I mentioned before, I loved the energy on the trading floor in the opening sequences, the hours of preparation and build-up prior to market opening, the heart-stopping moments where I held my breath along with Scott, waiting for the newscast announcement of the Italian elections outcome. The tension crackled.
Then when all you-know-what broke loose, the thrills and the chase began as Scott raced across the continent in his effort to escape the unknown enemies hiding in every dark alley and seemingly around every corner.
Then we have Layla, a stripper Scott meets and ogles as he celebrates victory in his own twisted way. But is stripping really her night job, or is she something more?
Layla was a strange addition to the picture for me. There was absolutely no consistency to her as a character. An agent of seduction, it's difficult to know which side she's on - and that was okay. But with Layla we have this highly trained agent who rarely ever acts in a manner worthy of her training. Her motivations and emotions became a muddled mess and she devolved from a kick-butt character into a sappy, rather wimpy disaster as the story progressed. I found her to be rather unlikable in her hot and cold reactions. This character simply dragged Scott's story down.
Her recommendations to Scott also call into question his own motivations. When a terrible tragedy occurs, Layla encourages Scott to run away even though he had nothing to do with said tragedy (I'm really trying not to give away too much here). There was no contemplation of stay and investigate what really happened. It was all simply run away. So he did.
Along the way, Layla introduces Scott to some seedy characters and Scott introduces Layla to more seedy characters. They both make really obvious choices that nearly get them caught several times, and what started initially as an interesting and thrilling story became a convoluted hodgepodge where no character stayed true to themselves, where motivations were muddled, situations grew repetitive and tiresome, and no one really possessed any real redeeming qualities. The essence of the main storyline became lost within a crumbling tower with little hope of being rebuilt.
Showing instead of telling was decent. Point-of-view shifts were almost negligible and properly delineated by a scene or chapter break. There were quite a few instances of extra words or missing words as the story progressed (to to or missing a conjunction) and it could use a little more editing, but this wasn't too disruptive to the story.
Words of caution for those easily bothered - Zero Alternative contains quite a bit of rough language, a few sexual situations, and graphic torture scenes. Definitely not for those under 18.
What started out as a potentially thrilling novel ended up leaving me feeling rather ho-hum about both the characters and the overall convoluted plot situations. But for the fairly clean structure, I'll give Zero Alternative a three and a-half star rating.
First a power failure. Then the computer connections won't come back online before the opening bell. The only option Scott has available is to connect through a line meant only for a rival.
But Scott will do whatever it takes to ensure DeepShare's success.
DeepShare is a system designed and perfected by the great and powerful DM, Scott's mathematics genius buddy. The Alpha version performed remarkably well in predicting outcomes within a two week span. But this is the big test of the Omega version - and it's success rate of market predictions months in advance is set to be tested on the outcome of the forthcoming Italian elections. If Omega is to be believed, the new Italian Prime Minister will be broadcast that very morning and will announce plans to withdraw from the Euro, shocking and surprising markets across the globe.
All except Scott.
But Scott and DM have targets placed on their backs. Someone else knows about DeepShare and is desperate to get their hands on the Omega version - and the psychos will do whatever it takes to gain the upper hand.
Like I mentioned before, I loved the energy on the trading floor in the opening sequences, the hours of preparation and build-up prior to market opening, the heart-stopping moments where I held my breath along with Scott, waiting for the newscast announcement of the Italian elections outcome. The tension crackled.
Then when all you-know-what broke loose, the thrills and the chase began as Scott raced across the continent in his effort to escape the unknown enemies hiding in every dark alley and seemingly around every corner.
Then we have Layla, a stripper Scott meets and ogles as he celebrates victory in his own twisted way. But is stripping really her night job, or is she something more?
Layla was a strange addition to the picture for me. There was absolutely no consistency to her as a character. An agent of seduction, it's difficult to know which side she's on - and that was okay. But with Layla we have this highly trained agent who rarely ever acts in a manner worthy of her training. Her motivations and emotions became a muddled mess and she devolved from a kick-butt character into a sappy, rather wimpy disaster as the story progressed. I found her to be rather unlikable in her hot and cold reactions. This character simply dragged Scott's story down.
Her recommendations to Scott also call into question his own motivations. When a terrible tragedy occurs, Layla encourages Scott to run away even though he had nothing to do with said tragedy (I'm really trying not to give away too much here). There was no contemplation of stay and investigate what really happened. It was all simply run away. So he did.
Along the way, Layla introduces Scott to some seedy characters and Scott introduces Layla to more seedy characters. They both make really obvious choices that nearly get them caught several times, and what started initially as an interesting and thrilling story became a convoluted hodgepodge where no character stayed true to themselves, where motivations were muddled, situations grew repetitive and tiresome, and no one really possessed any real redeeming qualities. The essence of the main storyline became lost within a crumbling tower with little hope of being rebuilt.
Showing instead of telling was decent. Point-of-view shifts were almost negligible and properly delineated by a scene or chapter break. There were quite a few instances of extra words or missing words as the story progressed (to to or missing a conjunction) and it could use a little more editing, but this wasn't too disruptive to the story.
Words of caution for those easily bothered - Zero Alternative contains quite a bit of rough language, a few sexual situations, and graphic torture scenes. Definitely not for those under 18.
What started out as a potentially thrilling novel ended up leaving me feeling rather ho-hum about both the characters and the overall convoluted plot situations. But for the fairly clean structure, I'll give Zero Alternative a three and a-half star rating.
May 9, 2016
From the recession of 2008 was born a litter of woes. Mortgage defaults. Foreclosures. Cram downs. Lay-offs. Furlough days. Stagnant wages.
Was the recession caused by exotic financial instruments like mortgage-backed securities? Was it the result of excessive pressure from the federal government on banks to issue home loans to borrowers who couldn’t pay the bills? Or just the boom and bust of the business cycle?
That’s not the way that the main character Scott “Yours” Walker (surely, an unintentional homonym with no relation to the governor of Wisconsin) sees it. Walker, an investment banker with a skeptical mind, inhabits a darker world, where friends and enemies alike work for larger, shadowy entities pulling strings behind the scenes.
The story begins with a banner performance by Walker, making millions in one day of trading when everybody in London but him predicted the worst. It’s all downhill for Walker from there. Walker’s friend D.M., who is just finishing the creation of a powerful predictive analytics software that can anticipate ups and downs in the market, is murdered. The killer attempts to frame Walker, who has the next most knowledge of the software.
Walker goes on the lam with a hired gun on his tail. Hired by a rival investment bank, perhaps. The sexy woman at his side, Layla, was working for the hired gun, after she quit working for a foreign spy agency. While on the run with her, Walker must trust her when she says she’s working for herself now. They travel from London to France to Switzerland to Italy to the U.S., facing close shaves at every turn and doubting but seducing each other along the way.
The computer program is valuable enough to kill for. While Walker isn’t above using the program to make money for himself or his allies while in hiding, he mainly wants to use the application to bring down an odious investment bank. This is his act of rebellion against the too-big-to-fail financial system which is rigged to make money for itself regardless market direction or morality. The adventure of Zero Alternative is in Walker’s personal, international life-and-death cage match against overwhelming forces of greed. Whether Walker’s his pursuers will steal the computer program, whether he will be able to use the program against the financial system, and the question of Layla’s reliability, are compelling elements.
There is stock market terminology and information technology jargon in the book, but it is not excessive. The movement of Walker and Layla across the borders of Europe into Italy are plausible for a man of Walker’s resources. Where things get a little shaky are the oracle-like foresight of the computer program. It might have been more plausible if the application occasionally predicted the wrong outcome, required input of more data in order to make a prediction, or if it had a lot of bugs to be worked out. Also, the politics—the allegation that the recession is mainly the result of corporate greed—is not for all tastes. But the excitement of the international chase and the tense romance make up for that. Recommended.
Was the recession caused by exotic financial instruments like mortgage-backed securities? Was it the result of excessive pressure from the federal government on banks to issue home loans to borrowers who couldn’t pay the bills? Or just the boom and bust of the business cycle?
That’s not the way that the main character Scott “Yours” Walker (surely, an unintentional homonym with no relation to the governor of Wisconsin) sees it. Walker, an investment banker with a skeptical mind, inhabits a darker world, where friends and enemies alike work for larger, shadowy entities pulling strings behind the scenes.
The story begins with a banner performance by Walker, making millions in one day of trading when everybody in London but him predicted the worst. It’s all downhill for Walker from there. Walker’s friend D.M., who is just finishing the creation of a powerful predictive analytics software that can anticipate ups and downs in the market, is murdered. The killer attempts to frame Walker, who has the next most knowledge of the software.
Walker goes on the lam with a hired gun on his tail. Hired by a rival investment bank, perhaps. The sexy woman at his side, Layla, was working for the hired gun, after she quit working for a foreign spy agency. While on the run with her, Walker must trust her when she says she’s working for herself now. They travel from London to France to Switzerland to Italy to the U.S., facing close shaves at every turn and doubting but seducing each other along the way.
The computer program is valuable enough to kill for. While Walker isn’t above using the program to make money for himself or his allies while in hiding, he mainly wants to use the application to bring down an odious investment bank. This is his act of rebellion against the too-big-to-fail financial system which is rigged to make money for itself regardless market direction or morality. The adventure of Zero Alternative is in Walker’s personal, international life-and-death cage match against overwhelming forces of greed. Whether Walker’s his pursuers will steal the computer program, whether he will be able to use the program against the financial system, and the question of Layla’s reliability, are compelling elements.
There is stock market terminology and information technology jargon in the book, but it is not excessive. The movement of Walker and Layla across the borders of Europe into Italy are plausible for a man of Walker’s resources. Where things get a little shaky are the oracle-like foresight of the computer program. It might have been more plausible if the application occasionally predicted the wrong outcome, required input of more data in order to make a prediction, or if it had a lot of bugs to be worked out. Also, the politics—the allegation that the recession is mainly the result of corporate greed—is not for all tastes. But the excitement of the international chase and the tense romance make up for that. Recommended.
August 13, 2014
Did I enjoy this book: I was really excited in the beginning. Pesaro has a strong hook and a fast-paced, interesting story.
Then I got to about 30% where the fast-paced action screeches to a halt for a strip joint scene that goes on for about ten pages.
“Her breast were larger than you would expect from her slim frame, with wide aureoles,” (yes, he used the word aureoles. I’d never heard the word outside of breastfeeding class) “nipples pointing upwards in the lightly chilled air.”
I was still hanging in there at this point – but feeling a little creeped out. The woman continued to remove all her clothes and dance. After she ends the dance, our main character tells the manager of the strip joint, “I’d like to book a private dance with Felena.”
The manager informs him, “She’s at top rate . . . and there’s a few in front of you.”
I grabbed a bucket. The one that I put next to the children’s bed when they’re home sick with the stomach flu, and soldiered on.
Main character: “I’ll give her five hundred quid for half an hour. And two hundred for you, but I’m not waiting.”
He pays for the the woman. She dances for him, performs oral sex on him, throws him down and screws his brains out, then drugs him and steals his money. Am I the only one confused here? Why not just drug him and take the money? Why the ten pages of graphic sex first?
Gratuitous perhaps? Let’s read on.
Then she saves his life. (I know you’re confused now, too.)
***
He does (kind of) fall in love with the overly large breasts with the slim frame and wide aureoles. They reunite later in the story:
“Walker could see the fear in her eyes but he kept his voice cold. ‘No. I still need your help, if you’re ready. And I think you are now.’
‘How do you know, when I can’t even be sure of myself?’
She was shaking and he stopped himself from taking her hand. ‘Everyone deserves a second chance. This is yours – don’t f— it up.’”
It’s really hard not to hate this guy. He takes being a jerk to levels I didn’t know existed.
Basically, we have a good story that’s ruined by an arrogant, sexist, and really creepy protagonist.
Would I recommend it: I’m sure there’s an audience out there somewhere for this book, and frankly, that scares me. I won’t read it again.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/07/re...
Then I got to about 30% where the fast-paced action screeches to a halt for a strip joint scene that goes on for about ten pages.
“Her breast were larger than you would expect from her slim frame, with wide aureoles,” (yes, he used the word aureoles. I’d never heard the word outside of breastfeeding class) “nipples pointing upwards in the lightly chilled air.”
I was still hanging in there at this point – but feeling a little creeped out. The woman continued to remove all her clothes and dance. After she ends the dance, our main character tells the manager of the strip joint, “I’d like to book a private dance with Felena.”
The manager informs him, “She’s at top rate . . . and there’s a few in front of you.”
I grabbed a bucket. The one that I put next to the children’s bed when they’re home sick with the stomach flu, and soldiered on.
Main character: “I’ll give her five hundred quid for half an hour. And two hundred for you, but I’m not waiting.”
He pays for the the woman. She dances for him, performs oral sex on him, throws him down and screws his brains out, then drugs him and steals his money. Am I the only one confused here? Why not just drug him and take the money? Why the ten pages of graphic sex first?
Gratuitous perhaps? Let’s read on.
Then she saves his life. (I know you’re confused now, too.)
***
He does (kind of) fall in love with the overly large breasts with the slim frame and wide aureoles. They reunite later in the story:
“Walker could see the fear in her eyes but he kept his voice cold. ‘No. I still need your help, if you’re ready. And I think you are now.’
‘How do you know, when I can’t even be sure of myself?’
She was shaking and he stopped himself from taking her hand. ‘Everyone deserves a second chance. This is yours – don’t f— it up.’”
It’s really hard not to hate this guy. He takes being a jerk to levels I didn’t know existed.
Basically, we have a good story that’s ruined by an arrogant, sexist, and really creepy protagonist.
Would I recommend it: I’m sure there’s an audience out there somewhere for this book, and frankly, that scares me. I won’t read it again.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/07/re...
May 7, 2014
*I was provided with a free copy of this book through Goodreads
DO YOURSELVES A FAVOUR AND GO GET THIS BOOK NOW. IT WAS AMAZING! A. M. A. Z. I. N. G.
OK, so what is this book about?
This book is an exciting thriller, crime and mystery novel. A little mix of James Bond action and 'Bonnie and Clyde' -esque romance. This book follows the adventure of the ex-Banker Scott "Yours" Walker and his quirky and funny Spanish stripper, mercenary, spy, tech geek, sidekick Layla.
When the new elections in Italy come around, the financial state of the whole world could be ruined if the wrong man is elected. 4 weeks before this election, a software name DeepOmega predicts the outcome, correctly down to the percent. All is good until it's creator, DM, is tortured and killed. Leaving only one person that could have a chance of accessing this software; Walker.
Chased across Europe by a murderous criminal, Walker must make sure the software doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Can he succeed?
The Review
Characters
The characters in this book are relatively realistic. Who am I kidding? They were almost walk off the page believable! That's what made me love this book so much. Luca manages to create such realistic characters in Walker and Layla. I swear, I was screaming at Walker for more than half the book! The way that Luca manages to entwine them in a web of love without making this book become chick-lit astounds me. Believe me, when you read this book you will understand what I mean.
Plot
The plot in this book was well written. It was not rushed at any point in the book, Luca always manages to keep it at a pace where the reader is still interested but slow enough so we don't have to flip back a couple pages to remember who the heck Pinaar is and what the heck he had to do with the story (a lot.) I am glad that the ending for this book was mostly conclusive instead of a sloppily written chapter tacked onto the end. I myself was a little disappointed with the outcome of the book but C'est la vie!
The Verdict.
I give this book a 4.5/5 because while this book is awesome and everything, the repetitive killing gets a little... Repetitive. Do not read this book if you have a weak stomach! Read this book when you're in a mood for something a little more than the traditional love story.
DO YOURSELVES A FAVOUR AND GO GET THIS BOOK NOW. IT WAS AMAZING! A. M. A. Z. I. N. G.
OK, so what is this book about?
This book is an exciting thriller, crime and mystery novel. A little mix of James Bond action and 'Bonnie and Clyde' -esque romance. This book follows the adventure of the ex-Banker Scott "Yours" Walker and his quirky and funny Spanish stripper, mercenary, spy, tech geek, sidekick Layla.
When the new elections in Italy come around, the financial state of the whole world could be ruined if the wrong man is elected. 4 weeks before this election, a software name DeepOmega predicts the outcome, correctly down to the percent. All is good until it's creator, DM, is tortured and killed. Leaving only one person that could have a chance of accessing this software; Walker.
Chased across Europe by a murderous criminal, Walker must make sure the software doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Can he succeed?
The Review
Characters
The characters in this book are relatively realistic. Who am I kidding? They were almost walk off the page believable! That's what made me love this book so much. Luca manages to create such realistic characters in Walker and Layla. I swear, I was screaming at Walker for more than half the book! The way that Luca manages to entwine them in a web of love without making this book become chick-lit astounds me. Believe me, when you read this book you will understand what I mean.
Plot
The plot in this book was well written. It was not rushed at any point in the book, Luca always manages to keep it at a pace where the reader is still interested but slow enough so we don't have to flip back a couple pages to remember who the heck Pinaar is and what the heck he had to do with the story (a lot.) I am glad that the ending for this book was mostly conclusive instead of a sloppily written chapter tacked onto the end. I myself was a little disappointed with the outcome of the book but C'est la vie!
The Verdict.
I give this book a 4.5/5 because while this book is awesome and everything, the repetitive killing gets a little... Repetitive. Do not read this book if you have a weak stomach! Read this book when you're in a mood for something a little more than the traditional love story.
June 30, 2014
Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Zero Alternative' by Luca Pesaro.
Power comes in many forms and seems to always follow the money. With the Banking system now so intricate and many vying for ways to find just a few more dollars through the market, there is bound to be shenanigans of the very worst kind.
In Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro, we are taken deep into the money markets, and many of the secrets they keep. Scott walker is one of those who play the market and understand the rules. He has friends in many places, and a few enemies as well. One of his friends has been building a program that can help them to know things ahead of time. There is only on problem with that. Someone else is aware of the work and is willing to do whatever it takes to be the owner. Whoever holds the information would be able to keep their thumb on the pulse of the world.
As people around him begin to die in brutal fashion, Scott begins calling in favors. Without the access to the same types of assets, he still knows enough people that can help him. Yet suddenly it seems that he is the focus, and those he is closest to are no longer safe. Even those who feel they can take care of themselves. With the death of his friend who built the program, can he find the bits and pieces that have been lost before it is too late?
As he races ahead of his enemies, he has no idea who to trust. A Morass is opening that he may well disappear into unless he can find the answers.
Pesaro has done an amazing job of taking you deep into the money trenches of the markets. He is very knowledgeable, and while deep, the information is amazing. He has taken his own knowledge of how things work and twisted it all into a sinister cycle. His characters are very interesting and pretty realistic. The crux of the story rings true and you wonder just how much is real.
If you enjoy suspense and thrillers you will enjoy this work. There is also a bit of romance and travel that seals the deal. The infrastructure he builds his story around is both exciting and pervasive.
This would be a great book for a reading group with theories and events that will generate some very interesting dialogue. Pesaro is an author to watch for.
Power comes in many forms and seems to always follow the money. With the Banking system now so intricate and many vying for ways to find just a few more dollars through the market, there is bound to be shenanigans of the very worst kind.
In Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro, we are taken deep into the money markets, and many of the secrets they keep. Scott walker is one of those who play the market and understand the rules. He has friends in many places, and a few enemies as well. One of his friends has been building a program that can help them to know things ahead of time. There is only on problem with that. Someone else is aware of the work and is willing to do whatever it takes to be the owner. Whoever holds the information would be able to keep their thumb on the pulse of the world.
As people around him begin to die in brutal fashion, Scott begins calling in favors. Without the access to the same types of assets, he still knows enough people that can help him. Yet suddenly it seems that he is the focus, and those he is closest to are no longer safe. Even those who feel they can take care of themselves. With the death of his friend who built the program, can he find the bits and pieces that have been lost before it is too late?
As he races ahead of his enemies, he has no idea who to trust. A Morass is opening that he may well disappear into unless he can find the answers.
Pesaro has done an amazing job of taking you deep into the money trenches of the markets. He is very knowledgeable, and while deep, the information is amazing. He has taken his own knowledge of how things work and twisted it all into a sinister cycle. His characters are very interesting and pretty realistic. The crux of the story rings true and you wonder just how much is real.
If you enjoy suspense and thrillers you will enjoy this work. There is also a bit of romance and travel that seals the deal. The infrastructure he builds his story around is both exciting and pervasive.
This would be a great book for a reading group with theories and events that will generate some very interesting dialogue. Pesaro is an author to watch for.
May 30, 2014
I won this book as part of Goodreads' Giveaways.
I'm going to start by just saying that this isn't my type of book, so many of things I find faulty may not be faulty for everyone.
I think this book would be slightly better with better formatting. The underlining instead of nice formatting to separate the chapters into parts seems a little simple, and I wasn't really digging the italics for other people's points of views. I just felt like the formatting could be a little better.
About the first six chapters almost lost me completely. The Finance lingo was overwhelming, and I struggled to find meaning in any of it. I read some other reviews that said similar things, so I think if it was just simplified it might help readers stay engaged from beginning to end.
The author definitely has potential. He really manages to write suspense well. Although I found the book could have been easily slimmed down, the suspenseful parts were good and kept me on my toes. He also does description well, and I could easily imagine this book as a movie of some sort.
I had an issue with some of the characters, as I found them hard to visualize or keep straight at times. It just feels like all the bad guys are bad guys and all the good guys are bros, without much differentiating them other than what country they're from. I wish that there had been more to them so I could actually imagine them other than a looming shadow following the main characters around.
There is a lot of writing about cigarettes, and the first couple of chapters I felt like Scott lit more cigarettes than he put out! Also, I really disliked the nickname 'Yours.' It was just awkward. There was also a part near the end where their rental is described as a Chevy, then it was a Ford, and then it was a Chevy again.
Overall, it is a good and suspenseful book, but it just didn't do it for me. The Financial talk was above my head, and half the time I didn't know what things meant. It's clear the author knows his stuff though! I feel like he's going to be an up-and-comer author, even if this book in particular wasn't really for me.
I'm going to start by just saying that this isn't my type of book, so many of things I find faulty may not be faulty for everyone.
I think this book would be slightly better with better formatting. The underlining instead of nice formatting to separate the chapters into parts seems a little simple, and I wasn't really digging the italics for other people's points of views. I just felt like the formatting could be a little better.
About the first six chapters almost lost me completely. The Finance lingo was overwhelming, and I struggled to find meaning in any of it. I read some other reviews that said similar things, so I think if it was just simplified it might help readers stay engaged from beginning to end.
The author definitely has potential. He really manages to write suspense well. Although I found the book could have been easily slimmed down, the suspenseful parts were good and kept me on my toes. He also does description well, and I could easily imagine this book as a movie of some sort.
I had an issue with some of the characters, as I found them hard to visualize or keep straight at times. It just feels like all the bad guys are bad guys and all the good guys are bros, without much differentiating them other than what country they're from. I wish that there had been more to them so I could actually imagine them other than a looming shadow following the main characters around.
There is a lot of writing about cigarettes, and the first couple of chapters I felt like Scott lit more cigarettes than he put out! Also, I really disliked the nickname 'Yours.' It was just awkward. There was also a part near the end where their rental is described as a Chevy, then it was a Ford, and then it was a Chevy again.
Overall, it is a good and suspenseful book, but it just didn't do it for me. The Financial talk was above my head, and half the time I didn't know what things meant. It's clear the author knows his stuff though! I feel like he's going to be an up-and-comer author, even if this book in particular wasn't really for me.
May 2, 2014
Zero Alternative by Luca Pesaro
Print Length: 387 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1910153087
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Three Hares Publishing (April 22, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
My Review~~~~
I received this book in exchange for a honest unbiased review. With that being said I would like to comment on the intriguing cover. I love seeing the figure running in the 0. I also like the type of "Matrix" code in the background. The cover to me instantly screams action, suspense, and thriller. True to the identity of the cover this book gives you all of those elements. There wasn't a dull moment in it. Very fast paced read full of twists, turns, shady deals, and more.
I highly enjoyed this and that is saying something since I haven't found a crime novel that I care for. This one delivered all I could ask for. This is one book that once you start you can't stop until the ride is over. If you enjoy crime novels, this is your book! Very well written with an awesome character Scott. I'm not going to give any spoilers because it would ruin the ride. Are you up for it?
Amazon Book Description~
Framed, hunted, betrayed…
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play – DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay?
ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the base of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
Print Length: 387 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1910153087
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Three Hares Publishing (April 22, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
My Review~~~~
I received this book in exchange for a honest unbiased review. With that being said I would like to comment on the intriguing cover. I love seeing the figure running in the 0. I also like the type of "Matrix" code in the background. The cover to me instantly screams action, suspense, and thriller. True to the identity of the cover this book gives you all of those elements. There wasn't a dull moment in it. Very fast paced read full of twists, turns, shady deals, and more.
I highly enjoyed this and that is saying something since I haven't found a crime novel that I care for. This one delivered all I could ask for. This is one book that once you start you can't stop until the ride is over. If you enjoy crime novels, this is your book! Very well written with an awesome character Scott. I'm not going to give any spoilers because it would ruin the ride. Are you up for it?
Amazon Book Description~
Framed, hunted, betrayed…
Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play – DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay?
ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the base of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.
May 20, 2014
Suspense novels often fall into one of two traps. Either the story is obviously written as a movie script and is therefore not an enjoyable read or the author goes over the top with descriptions. Pesaro has managed to avoid both traps and written an enjoyable, but suspenseful novel. Zero Alternative is an enjoyable, fast-paced, thrilling read. Although I had a hard time sympathizing with the main character, Scott Walker, his character was very realistic although I don’t think I could continue to function let alone work with that amount of alcohol cruising through my veins. There is a lot of background information about the world of finance, but a cursory knowledge of finance is sufficient to understand the story. I especially liked how realistic the story was. It’s not hard to imagine a story like this being true – which is the sign of a great novel, of course.
Unfortunately in a novel such as this in which the main character is running around the world following clues, the devil is in the details. In this regard, Pesaro falls short. The switch from imperial to metric system is one example. Another example that surprised me – given Pesaro’s European nationality – was the entry into Switzerland. Suffice it to say that when traveling by car, the only thing the Swiss care about is the vignette, which proves the car has paid the road tax. I probably shouldn’t complain that London City doesn’t have direct flights to Vegas as most readers will not be married to pilots that regularly fly into the airport (but apparently I couldn’t stop myself).
I recommend this novel to all lovers of a good, suspense novel.
Unfortunately in a novel such as this in which the main character is running around the world following clues, the devil is in the details. In this regard, Pesaro falls short. The switch from imperial to metric system is one example. Another example that surprised me – given Pesaro’s European nationality – was the entry into Switzerland. Suffice it to say that when traveling by car, the only thing the Swiss care about is the vignette, which proves the car has paid the road tax. I probably shouldn’t complain that London City doesn’t have direct flights to Vegas as most readers will not be married to pilots that regularly fly into the airport (but apparently I couldn’t stop myself).
I recommend this novel to all lovers of a good, suspense novel.
May 16, 2014
I got this book from Luca Pesaro and “Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock” in exchange for an honest review.
Scott Walker is a successful investment banker. He has made millions with his gut instinct and the help of his tech friend who created the coveted DeepShare program. The story follows Walker through his journey to keep the program safe while uncovering the web of mystery and deceit that is following him.
The book began a little on the confusing side, but this may be due to my lack of finance knowledge. As I started to get into the storyline, I found myself really liking Walker and his gritty side. Although he was extremely smart and sexy, he had a haunted past that gave him an edge of appeal.
As the plot thickened, I found my head spinning with the amount of action packed into the story. This made for a fast read that kept me captivated from the very beginning. Luca’s writing is flawless. His ability to suck you into a story was just fantastic!
For some reason, I just could not stand Layla. I felt she made poor choices and that really got under my skin. I am not really interested in thrillers in general, but Luca did an amazing job of making the book more than just that. He had well developed characters, a bit of romance, and a lot of action.
This book is definitely suited for a more mature audience because of the risky situations and bad language. All in all, I thought this book was a strong 4 fangs.
~A
Scott Walker is a successful investment banker. He has made millions with his gut instinct and the help of his tech friend who created the coveted DeepShare program. The story follows Walker through his journey to keep the program safe while uncovering the web of mystery and deceit that is following him.
The book began a little on the confusing side, but this may be due to my lack of finance knowledge. As I started to get into the storyline, I found myself really liking Walker and his gritty side. Although he was extremely smart and sexy, he had a haunted past that gave him an edge of appeal.
As the plot thickened, I found my head spinning with the amount of action packed into the story. This made for a fast read that kept me captivated from the very beginning. Luca’s writing is flawless. His ability to suck you into a story was just fantastic!
For some reason, I just could not stand Layla. I felt she made poor choices and that really got under my skin. I am not really interested in thrillers in general, but Luca did an amazing job of making the book more than just that. He had well developed characters, a bit of romance, and a lot of action.
This book is definitely suited for a more mature audience because of the risky situations and bad language. All in all, I thought this book was a strong 4 fangs.
~A
April 20, 2014
I received an ARC from the author and "Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock" for an honest review.
Let me start off by saying this is nowhere near my normal genre, however I will write an objective review.
Scott Walker, "Yours", is a successful investment officer, and a fugitive. He's always been lucky in the finance world by going with his gut. However the exact opposite is true in his personal life.
This story started off extremely slow and frankly boring. I struggled to keep reading through all the financial technical jargon the author expects every one to know and understand. The book finally picked up around 40% of the way through with some graphic torture scenes. This book is on par with many action filled conspiracy theory gotta save the world stories. Similar in intensity to the Bourne Series. This story uses just enough real life events to keep any conspiracy theorists paranoia burning hot. Funny enough, there's plenty of graphically detailed torture and blood but the author fades to black when it finally came to sex.
If your into action/thriller/suspense stories full of twists and betrayal this story is for you. If you know something about the finance world it will be an added bonus.
I give this book 3 fangs.
Let me start off by saying this is nowhere near my normal genre, however I will write an objective review.
Scott Walker, "Yours", is a successful investment officer, and a fugitive. He's always been lucky in the finance world by going with his gut. However the exact opposite is true in his personal life.
This story started off extremely slow and frankly boring. I struggled to keep reading through all the financial technical jargon the author expects every one to know and understand. The book finally picked up around 40% of the way through with some graphic torture scenes. This book is on par with many action filled conspiracy theory gotta save the world stories. Similar in intensity to the Bourne Series. This story uses just enough real life events to keep any conspiracy theorists paranoia burning hot. Funny enough, there's plenty of graphically detailed torture and blood but the author fades to black when it finally came to sex.
If your into action/thriller/suspense stories full of twists and betrayal this story is for you. If you know something about the finance world it will be an added bonus.
I give this book 3 fangs.
April 24, 2014
What would happen if someone had a tool – software – that would allow them to predict the market? Would someone kill to get their hands on that tool? Oh yeah; you betcha! It’s called DeepShare. Scott Walker, once marvelously successful on Wall Street’s trading floor, is fighting to stay alive because of DeepShare. The creator of the software and Scott’s best friend has been killed. Scott takes international flight; so do ‘they’. How can they continue to track him as careful as he’s been? It is also a story of trust, as in who can I …? Scott meets Layla fairly early in the story, but can he trust her or not?
This novel describes the human nature very well – the greed that becomes us as we get and want more and more money. Zero Alternative is a thriller with futuristic overtones. It does have considerable sex and violence within. Zero Alternative does provide quite a bit of detail of the trading market. I think many people just trying to read for pleasure may struggle through the beginning as it is quite extensive in the market and its industry. Once you get past that, the novel becomes very fast-paced. This is Luca Pesaro’s debut novel but certainly not his last. I rated it 3 out of 5.
Review as posted on FictionZeal.com
This novel describes the human nature very well – the greed that becomes us as we get and want more and more money. Zero Alternative is a thriller with futuristic overtones. It does have considerable sex and violence within. Zero Alternative does provide quite a bit of detail of the trading market. I think many people just trying to read for pleasure may struggle through the beginning as it is quite extensive in the market and its industry. Once you get past that, the novel becomes very fast-paced. This is Luca Pesaro’s debut novel but certainly not his last. I rated it 3 out of 5.
Review as posted on FictionZeal.com
September 21, 2015
I found this novel very hard to get into, since I know nothing about share trading. I was about to give it away, but persisted, and I'm glad I did. Zero Alternative is the kind of book we should all be reading; It is cutting edge fiction.
Pesaro reveals a global financial market on the verge of collapse, and beset by all manner of intrigue, corruption and mystery. Scott Walker, our 30 something protagonist, lives and breathes the stock market through a haze of alcohol and nicotine. After the torture and death of his best friend DM, Walker flees the UK in search of Deep Share which is a computer software program capable of monitoring every bit of information on the net. Deep Share has the power to create and the power to destroy. Walker meets the gorgeous and resourceful Layla, originally his foe, and the romance begins. But can Layla be trusted?
Walker and Layla are chased by a big and sadistic Australian, across France to Switzerland, on to Sardinia, Italy and finally the USA where the real story unfolds.
Zero alternative has it all: sex, drugs, romance, torture and murder. But definitively it heralds the coming of the future.
A highly recommended read. 5 plus!
Pesaro reveals a global financial market on the verge of collapse, and beset by all manner of intrigue, corruption and mystery. Scott Walker, our 30 something protagonist, lives and breathes the stock market through a haze of alcohol and nicotine. After the torture and death of his best friend DM, Walker flees the UK in search of Deep Share which is a computer software program capable of monitoring every bit of information on the net. Deep Share has the power to create and the power to destroy. Walker meets the gorgeous and resourceful Layla, originally his foe, and the romance begins. But can Layla be trusted?
Walker and Layla are chased by a big and sadistic Australian, across France to Switzerland, on to Sardinia, Italy and finally the USA where the real story unfolds.
Zero alternative has it all: sex, drugs, romance, torture and murder. But definitively it heralds the coming of the future.
A highly recommended read. 5 plus!
April 22, 2014
This slick and stylish thriller is a pleasure to read, fast-paced as it is. I’ll try to avoid spoiling plot turns and the surprising, gut-wrenching ending... Greed is everywhere, the world is not what it seems and world-changing decisions and events are often being shaped by powers that are difficult to understand, or control. With this premise, Pesaro takes us on a journey full of unexpected twists and shocking developments. His hero, Scott Walker, is a cynical, jaded trader in financial markets whose world implodes with terrifying speed. He doesn’t know who to trust or how he could possibly survive, but he does have a secret weapon, if he can figure out how to use it before he gets killed. ZA is a great action read, written in a fluid style by someone who knows his locations, and Italy, very well. Dialogue is cool and snappy.If you like your thrillers smart and pacy, you should definetely try this one.
May 9, 2014
Zero Alternative was a fast paced thriller. Luca Pesaro takes you on a rollercoaster ride trough the shady and dangerous world of banking. Scott Walker (Yours) and his friend DM have a program with the ability to predict the market. With a resource so accurate and powerful many people want to get their hands on that program by any means. The beginning was a little slow because of the introduction of the banking world and the financial jargon but Pesaro does an excellent job of explaining concepts without making the reader feel as though they are sitting in a classroom. The characters are well thought out and quirky. The things one character does in the story is so twisted and cringe worthy you will be squirming in your seat. Betrayal, murder, sex, and espionage are all served up on a platter and fed to you in a decadent feast! I recommend this with no hesitation. There is zero alternative to buying this 5/5 rated thriller.
This review and more found at www.th3bookworm.wordpress.com.
This review and more found at www.th3bookworm.wordpress.com.
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