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Digital Wilderness
Edward Phillips is at the height of his career at Virton Technologies developing cutting edge software systems for government contractors. His biggest stress is dodging the growing pressure he has been getting from Gabriella, his long-time girlfriend. She wants him to settle down, get married and have kids. Life is good, but is he ready for the big commitment?
The stakes change drastically when Edward accepts a sudden promotion to the corporate headquarters in Boston, taking him away from his tough personal decisions while introducing him to the mysterious Human Augmentation Digital Interface project. At first, HADI appears to be the perfect software for the evolution of humanity, touted to help the disabled walk again, allow the deaf to hear and the blind to see.
Then, Edward meets Noc. Suddenly, he discovers that this benevolent technology has a steep price and he is thrown into a lethal game of corporate espionage that leads to a nationwide manhunt for a deadly spy, a charge his enemies are intent to pin on him.
Edward must sacrifice his freedom and risk everything he loves if he hopes to thwart Virton’s psychotic mastermind and save humanity from an insidious tool that will be able to control our very minds.
The stakes change drastically when Edward accepts a sudden promotion to the corporate headquarters in Boston, taking him away from his tough personal decisions while introducing him to the mysterious Human Augmentation Digital Interface project. At first, HADI appears to be the perfect software for the evolution of humanity, touted to help the disabled walk again, allow the deaf to hear and the blind to see.
Then, Edward meets Noc. Suddenly, he discovers that this benevolent technology has a steep price and he is thrown into a lethal game of corporate espionage that leads to a nationwide manhunt for a deadly spy, a charge his enemies are intent to pin on him.
Edward must sacrifice his freedom and risk everything he loves if he hopes to thwart Virton’s psychotic mastermind and save humanity from an insidious tool that will be able to control our very minds.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2014
2 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
F.L. Ciano
1 book8 followersF.L. Ciano is a successful Canadian entrepreneur with extensive experience in a variety of diverse, high-technology businesses across North America, ranging from video game development to telecommunications. He has previously served as CTO and CEO of both public and private sector companies. Having forged a remarkable career out of the development and deployment of new technologies, F.L. Ciano has garnered a unique perspective grounded in experiential knowledge on the impact of innovation in our personal lives and the corporate world.
Ciano also invests a substantial amount of time with the Centre for Social Innovation (a social enterprise with a mission to catalyze social innovation around the world with service locations in Toronto and New York) as a Technology and Project Development Consultant.
Born in Rome and having emigrated to Canada at a young age, Ciano enjoys traveling across the world for business and leisure. He now resides in Toronto with his wife and two children. His hobbies include cooking, scuba diving, and reading.
Ciano also invests a substantial amount of time with the Centre for Social Innovation (a social enterprise with a mission to catalyze social innovation around the world with service locations in Toronto and New York) as a Technology and Project Development Consultant.
Born in Rome and having emigrated to Canada at a young age, Ciano enjoys traveling across the world for business and leisure. He now resides in Toronto with his wife and two children. His hobbies include cooking, scuba diving, and reading.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 22, 2014
An excellent first novel, a techno thriller with plenty of soul.
July 31, 2014
Digital Wilderness is a book I can see quickly becoming a number one on the New York Times best seller list!
This is a story about Edward Phillips, a brilliant man who creates software for a company called Virton Technologies. His girlfriend Gabriella, wanting more of a commitment, is about his only stress in life. That is when he gets offered a promotion, with pay and benefits that are substantially more than what he currently received, taking him to Boston to work on Human Augmentation Digital Interface.
HADI at first seems to be a gift to mankind. Helping the blind to see, and the deaf to hear, regulating insulin for diabetics, helping emergency systems and much, much, more…. But everything is not always as it seems…
After Edward discovers some sinister intentions for the HADI, he meets Noc and begins an adventure that kept me glued to the book.
This book is highly addictive. The premise is incredibly creative, and very believable. With artificial intelligence, action, a bit of romance, corporate espionage, this is a book that I can see becoming a major motion picture. Edward’s character is brilliantly developed to a point that you find yourself cheering him on, and wishing to be a part of his and Noc’s world.
I would recommend this book to anyone that like science fiction, thrillers or just a really fun book that will capture your mind and attention for days. I would give it a five out of five!
This is a story about Edward Phillips, a brilliant man who creates software for a company called Virton Technologies. His girlfriend Gabriella, wanting more of a commitment, is about his only stress in life. That is when he gets offered a promotion, with pay and benefits that are substantially more than what he currently received, taking him to Boston to work on Human Augmentation Digital Interface.
HADI at first seems to be a gift to mankind. Helping the blind to see, and the deaf to hear, regulating insulin for diabetics, helping emergency systems and much, much, more…. But everything is not always as it seems…
After Edward discovers some sinister intentions for the HADI, he meets Noc and begins an adventure that kept me glued to the book.
This book is highly addictive. The premise is incredibly creative, and very believable. With artificial intelligence, action, a bit of romance, corporate espionage, this is a book that I can see becoming a major motion picture. Edward’s character is brilliantly developed to a point that you find yourself cheering him on, and wishing to be a part of his and Noc’s world.
I would recommend this book to anyone that like science fiction, thrillers or just a really fun book that will capture your mind and attention for days. I would give it a five out of five!
July 31, 2014
Compelling read. The "science fiction" elements are totally plausible and grounded in a sound understanding of technology and the programming world. The author not only manages to make computer programming exciting, but I couldn't put the book down. I spent several days afterward thinking about it some of the issues addressed in the story.
August 1, 2014
Once I began reading F. L. Ciano's "Digital Wilderness”, I could not put the book down. Why did I find this sci-fi thriller so captivating? Blame it on the combination of the action-packed story, a fantastic premise, and well-developed characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is fascinated by artificial intelligence.
November 16, 2014
Spoiler Free
As technology exponentially advances to new frontiers, so does the fear and threat it may impose. This is the perpetual feeling throughout Digital Wilderness. Who will be our lifeline when governments and principalities obtain the ability to control us? Will we be able to defend ourselves from the lies they feed us? Digital Wilderness portrays a future well within my life span and this terrifies me. With governmental corruption and deceit abound, now, today, 2014. This book is not far from the truth. Come join Ed and his friend Noc in their journey to annihilate those who seek to control us.
I highly recommend you read Digital Wilderness, if not just for the adventure, perhaps for a mere glimpse in our future.
F.L. Ciano had given me a free paperback copy for my honest review.Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my review and thoughts on this novel.
Genre: Technology
Ideal Age: 13+
Content: Mild Language, Brief Mention of Sex in one scene.
Page Count: 248
Previous Comments:
WOW... I just found out I won this book on First Reads. I look forward to reading this Techno Thriller about human augmentation. I am intrigued and excited, can't wait to get it in the mail. =-)
As technology exponentially advances to new frontiers, so does the fear and threat it may impose. This is the perpetual feeling throughout Digital Wilderness. Who will be our lifeline when governments and principalities obtain the ability to control us? Will we be able to defend ourselves from the lies they feed us? Digital Wilderness portrays a future well within my life span and this terrifies me. With governmental corruption and deceit abound, now, today, 2014. This book is not far from the truth. Come join Ed and his friend Noc in their journey to annihilate those who seek to control us.
I highly recommend you read Digital Wilderness, if not just for the adventure, perhaps for a mere glimpse in our future.
F.L. Ciano had given me a free paperback copy for my honest review.Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my review and thoughts on this novel.
Genre: Technology
Ideal Age: 13+
Content: Mild Language, Brief Mention of Sex in one scene.
Page Count: 248
Previous Comments:
WOW... I just found out I won this book on First Reads. I look forward to reading this Techno Thriller about human augmentation. I am intrigued and excited, can't wait to get it in the mail. =-)
Want to Read
November 17, 2014I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. After I've received mine, read it, and have form my opinions, I'll post my review. Stay tuned!
October 23, 2014
Excellent read. I look forward to more books from this author.
June 15, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Very entertaining and at times thoughtful. A nice mix of the personal and the technical with a fresh story and satisfying plot development. Looking forward to more!
February 6, 2015
Digital Wilderness' premise is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. With the advent of the experimental "HADI" device, every human on earth stands to have the capabilities of a smart phone surgically implanted directly into their head. With so much potential at stake, it would be utterly inevitable for someone to try to take over the world with it. What follows is a story about one man's quest to expose the sinister machinations of the Virton corporation; a story in which I wish there was a bit more questing and intrigue and less camping in the woods.
Wilderness is a thoughtful take on the consequences of human augmentation, but it requires quite a bit reading before Mr. Ciano presents us with the more uncomfortable questions regarding the consequences of human/electronic interfaces, rogue AIs, and other considerations for a transhuman world. Even then, I was hoping for much more exploration than what we received.
Make no mistake, though, the author clearly understands what he's writing about and the cold execution of the antagonists' scheme rings eerily plausible as our world becomes increasingly reliant on 'smart' electronics. Digital Wilderness show us that our best hope in a time of crisis may one day not rest with soldiers or action heroes, but with one brilliant software engineer.
Wilderness is a thoughtful take on the consequences of human augmentation, but it requires quite a bit reading before Mr. Ciano presents us with the more uncomfortable questions regarding the consequences of human/electronic interfaces, rogue AIs, and other considerations for a transhuman world. Even then, I was hoping for much more exploration than what we received.
Make no mistake, though, the author clearly understands what he's writing about and the cold execution of the antagonists' scheme rings eerily plausible as our world becomes increasingly reliant on 'smart' electronics. Digital Wilderness show us that our best hope in a time of crisis may one day not rest with soldiers or action heroes, but with one brilliant software engineer.
December 2, 2014
What I enjoyed is that Edward isn’t created as a one-dimensional guy, but his personal story doesn’t overwhelm the plot. As a reader, I got caught up in what was happening and frightened as Edward became frightened. It’s such an easy story to get wrapped up in and terrified by. It’s a different kind of terror — it makes you step back and look at all the devices we use to record and monitor each other, all the ways we broadcast ourselves and how that could be used against us. It’s got a 1984 vibe to it, with Big Brother looming ever closer both in this novel and in our modern society where we’re constantly recorded and documented and watched.
Digital Wilderness is the best independent novel I’ve reviewed in some time, honestly, in terms of sci-fi books. Ciano is on to something, and he managed to reinvent an old literary theme completely, to the point where it feels brand new. And, it’s a relatively short read, compared to some others out there, and reads quickly the instant you get wrapped up in the plot.
Digital Wilderness is the best independent novel I’ve reviewed in some time, honestly, in terms of sci-fi books. Ciano is on to something, and he managed to reinvent an old literary theme completely, to the point where it feels brand new. And, it’s a relatively short read, compared to some others out there, and reads quickly the instant you get wrapped up in the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2015
I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Interactive AI and its implications for the clever humans who figure it out is a fascinating playground for modern fiction authors. I think Ciano did a splendid job developing a surprisingly sweet relationship between Ed, the main character, and his AI friend Noc.
I found Ed's concerns and motivations relatable, and the technical aspects of the book sounded real enough to convince me (a non-technical person). I would recommend this book to anyone who'd like to explore the possible future of AI and its implications.
I found Ed's concerns and motivations relatable, and the technical aspects of the book sounded real enough to convince me (a non-technical person). I would recommend this book to anyone who'd like to explore the possible future of AI and its implications.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews