Wildfire

Criminal Utopia #2

by J. Arthur Squiers

Lacy tries to make a normal life for herself, but it doesn't last long. Someone out there knows about the wildfire program she created (and later destroyed), which could bring the world of computers to its knees. She soon discovers she is being hunted by people who want her to develop wildfire again. As she attempts to run away, Lacy finds that she has enemies around every corner. Nobody can be trusted. She is chased across the country in a frantic non-stop scramble for survival. But Lacy does have a few friends—a group that forms such a close bond, they are willing to sacrifice their lives for each other. Their devotion is put to the ultimate test. Criminal Utopia Wildfire is the second book in the Criminal Utopia series, following Fear The Hacker.

332 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2017

About the author

J. ARTHUR SQUIERS writes suspense fiction from his Minnesota home, using the vast forests and dreamy lakes as inspiration for the dark and mysterious mood found in his novels.

With his extensive background in technology and software, J. Arthur Squiers created the first book in his Criminal Utopia series, called CRIMINAL UTOPIA: FEAR THE HACKER. Following its release, Fear The Hacker generated a frenzy of glowing reviews, as J. Arthur went on "The Tom Barnard Show" to talk about how he accurately portrayed the nightmare a genius hacker could inflict upon a person's life.

In addition to writing novels, J. Arthur Squiers lives an active lifestyle, enjoying running, water sports, and weight lifting. One of his favorite things to do is stay in Walt Disney World with his wife and two daughters.

INSTAGRAM: j.arthur.squiers_author
WEBSITE: jarthurbooks.com

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. Arthur Squiers strikes again with a fast-pace, can't put this book down thriller. Wildfire is the sequel to Criminal Utopia: Fear the Hacker and it was just as amazing as that one! It's so hard to follow up with a book that's as hard hitting as the first, and he definitely delivers. Wildfire is darker, grittier, and meaner. For those who haven't read the first book, I don't want to give away too many details, but here we go.

We pick up where the first book left off. Lacy is trying to enjoy her fresh start with a new job and still surrounded by her friends, Jim, Emily, and Charlie. Lacy's world is flipped upside down when there are multiple attempts at kidnapping her - she manages to escape and fall off the grid. Jim, Emily, and Charlie are determined to find her and help her. Along the way, they discover this goes all the way up above the government's reach. This group wants Lacy, and they want her now. Word got out about her Wildfire program and they want her to make it again for their use.

We go on a cross-country chase that keeps your heart pounding the entire time! The mesh of thriller, technology, and action is the perfect storm. It's crazy how technology can be used against you if the wrong people have the power. Using camera footage from anywhere in the country to track you, being able to track your movements by using satellites - just crazy! It's a very real situation. Once again, I read it in one sitting. Squiers does a great job building the characters - you love them and you hate others. You want them to get away and but you want to know what will happen if they don't.

I won't give away anything about the ending, but it's a great book from start to finish! If you want a thriller that doesn't stop and if you love technological thrillers, then this is the book for you!

I give this 5/5 stars!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criminal Utopia was amazing but Criminal Utopia II: Wildfire was absolutely fantastic! J. Arthur Squiers did an exquisite job of combining computer hacking and the conspiracy theory of an organization that controls the government and brought the two together in an extremely intense and realistic story! His writer's voice is beyond amazing and completely immerses you to the point of feeling like you are the one running from this organization and trying to fight for you and your friends' lives! I give his book an enthusiastic two thumbs up!

[Mark Cargill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Even better than the first!

I really enjoyed this second book in the series when will a third be published? Please? The characters are so much more rounded now. It would be a great pity to leave it there!!

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I get into my thoughts on this book I just want to say thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ok, so Wildfire pretty much starts off where Criminal Utopia: Fear the Hacker ended. Lacy is trying to move on with her life after everything she went through in the first book along with her friends Jim, Emily, and Charlie but someone has different plans for them.

It’s so hard to come out with a follow up book that’s as good if not better than the first one. A lot of times in series there is what is called the second book slump, which I am sure you have all heard of, I was worried this was going to fall into that category. After reading and loving Criminal Utopia: Fear the Hacker I didn’t think it could get any better but boy was I so wrong!

This book was fast paced, action packed, and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, a lot like the first book did, but Wildfire brought so much more to the table.

Wildfire goes down a much darker path than Criminal Utopia did. The bad guys seemed so much more ruthless in Wildfire and there is more gore in this book which gives the book that darker feeling.

J. Arthur Squiers has an uncanny ability to draw me in and make me feel like I am the one who is running for her life.

Squiers pulled everything together in the end and didn’t leave anything unanswered. However, I wasn’t happy with where a character ended up. It’s not necessarily a bad thing I just think this person deserves a better ending then they got. That being said I am hoping there’s going to be another book. Fingers crossed for that one!!

Overall I loved this book and I highly recommend you read it. If you haven’t read Criminal Utopia: Fear the Hacker definitely read that one and then read this one you want regret it.