Gemini Gambit

Gemini Gambit #1

by D. Scott Johnson

Kimberly Trayne is in hiding. Accidentally-but-sort-of-on-purpose flash-freezing the son of a drug kingpin tends to require it. Unfortunately the transition from international computer-hacking badass to night manager at Taco Bell has left her life… wanting. The virtual combat realm of Warhawk lets her take out her frustrations with a sniper rifle, and with gun, she travels. Then the impossible happens. A complete stranger knocks on her virtual door, accidentally thrusting her into the spotlight where private security firms, the FBI, the Bolivian mafia, and her mom can find her. Stuff always happens, they say. It usually happens to her.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

D. Scott Johnson has been an IT professional since 1988, and currently works as a software developer. Aside from writing, he also mucks around with the ridiculous world of hi-fi audio, and just barely keeps his two classic Alfa Romeos on the road. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, daughter, and however many pets they have managed to sneak in to the house at any one time.
No, Ellen, you can’t have one.

Reviews

[Laura Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was truly unique, at least in my personal experience. Set in the near future, tech has advanced to the point of being almost incomprehensible to me. Much like a lot of the tech based futuristic novels, the internet has advanced to a point that life "inside" is almost as tangible and definitely as important as life "outside"... Computers have consciousness and souls and, in one case, can upload themselves into human bodies.
I really enjoyed this story, at least when it wasn't being SO futuristic and techy that I had only a tenuous grasp of what was even happening. Nevertheless, I pushed through those parts and came out the other side at least understanding the bigger picture if not the finer details. Is this the authors fault for assuming too much of his readers? Or my own fault for attempting a book so far beyond my grasp? Either way, it gets 3 stars from me.

[Anthonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was different, but i enjoyed reading it. The book is dividing by the characters point of view and it is well written and thought out. The characters, plot, theme, action, and story line is well developed. A must read for any and all book lovers everywhere.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this a while back in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the first thing I've read by the author.

This book started out real strong and hooked me right off the bat. The majority of the book has a great flow and a nonstop pace. The humor and pop culture refernces are great. The downside was there were some chapters towards the end that I had trouble making sense of. The book was also about 5 chapters longer than it needed to be.

[Jessica Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be believable - even Spencers dumb reactions - he is a teenager for goodness sake. I do feel there were some confusing oarts that I had to reread, but I think this was due to this book being very different and unusual. It requires a suspension of disbelief - that this technology is so advanced, and the Kim can manipulate it so well that it seems like magic.

I appreciate the length of the book as well. I feel other authors would have wrapped up a few plots lines and cut the book in two just to make money. I love that the author did not do this. The book was fast paced - a lot happened!

I can't wait for the next book.so we can learn more about Kim's affliction, and see where the story goes from here!

[Ellen Carozza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I liked the book. I will admit a lot of the computer/cyber language was confusing, but I still understood the story and it worked!

Would I want to be friends with Kim? No. I find her annoying at times. Mike is a clueless idiot learning about the real world and Spencer pulls the characters together. I adored him. He reminded me of River Pehonix in Stand By Me.

Loved the Black Adder references too with Edmund.

I personally liked how he went into detail on outfits that were worn. If you are an avid fan of SIMS or WOW, the costume building and character building is 75% of the fun!

The book is big, but it's a fast and fun read! Highly recommended!

[Robin Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I didn't understand some of the computer jargon...Maybe because it was futuristic. At least I hope that was why. I loved Kim. But I have to admit that I loved Mike even more. All of the characters were well-written. I wanted to go on the journey with them, and I wanted them to succeed. I did find myself mentally yelling at them a time or two. I didn't have any trouble following the threads, but there were a few things I didn't understand. However, this didn't detract from my being able to follow the story or understand what was happening. If this is the future of the internet, and I think it is very possible, it is kind of scary. I hope there will be Angel Rage's out there to protect us from the worst predators. I will be very interested in seeing where the author takes us with the continuation of the story. I am hoping to find out what is behind Kim's disability...I have an idea, but I can't imagine how it came about, so I'm looking forward to Scott's explanation. If anyone can resolve it, I think Mike can...or perhaps Mike and Spencer. At least I hope Scott brings Spencer back in the second book...and Tonya. I did see some historic parallels in the treatment of the AI's. Maybe it was just me, but I thought the AIs seemed more human than many of the human characters. Some of the characters were catching up. We'll see if the rest do by the end of the series.

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I was surprised that I liked this one. The strong point to me was the two main characters. One is a mixture of strength and fragility that is rare to see, and hard to pull off, but worked well. The other, well, I'll just say he was interesting. The storytelling was a bit convoluted at times, and the worldbuilding felt a little incomplete, but I still enjoyed it enough to read it in one sitting.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the synopsis made it sound like I'd love this, I didn't. On the plus side, it's very well written with quirky characters that are easy to differentiate. The problem for me was that the plot digs deep, and I mean REALLY deep, into virtual gaming and artificial intelligence. I do a little online gaming, but this went far beyond my level of knowledge. I didn't make it halfway before giving up.

Won in a Goodreads giveaway. My thanks to the author and publisher.

[Kevin Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

High data rate, high octane!

This book is filled with great characters that engage from the start. The protagonists aren't made deliberately stupid, the author actually works for his story, involves himself with their problems and allows them to be intelligent with the issues intelligent people have. First class work in an exciting piece . Beware, it need thought and to be properly read!

[Anne Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book

It's wonderful. It's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo meets Ready Player One. It's funny in the right places. The characters are fantastic. Read it now. Just do it.

[Kent Dallmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Carl Warren Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow something different.

1984? No, more like 2084. This is big brother in spades. If you liked Orwell's 1984 you will absolutely love Gemini Gambit.

[Mary Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually loved reading this book. For anyone who loves sci-fi than this will be a great read. In this book Kim ( Angel Rage ) is a cyber hacker on the run to save her life . She is wanted as a cyber terrorist. She has been on the he run for the past five years. Mike is a one of a kind AI that came into existence in the EI. Mike notices something weird going on in the EI and needs help to save the EI. Mike finds a way to transfer himself into realspace and and meets Kim face to face. They end up on an adventure of a lifetime with a few friends along the way. Thanks to goodreads, the author , and publisher for the chance to read this book.

[Ayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it, even though I wasn't sure if we were in real space or realm space half the time.

I did not like the character Mike's comments about Kim's attire. if she is so beautiful, who cares what she is wearing? Why does it matter? I will have to chalk it up to him being a dumbass AI as he was talking through an evil villian's dumbass body.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, at times I liked this. At times, I didn't. I felt like the writing could have matured and I could tell a dude wrote this book because of all the comments about the main character's looks. I was confused about some of the plot lines and how they came about. But, in the end, kudos to any book this long I can clear in 2 days.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent first novel! interesting characters that are at once fanciful AND believable. Plot weaves into and out of reality seamlessly
while the action never seems to let up, leading to a thunderous conclusion. nice work!

[Tena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a kindle version #GoodreadsGiveaway

[KarnagesMistress]

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is a Kindle book.