In April 2013, when President Barack Obama announced the launch of the BRAIN Initiative, (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) it was hailed as America’s next moonshot, a bold, ambitious endeavor, and the final frontier of modern science.
Billions of dollars were allocated with the goal of finding not only a cure for debilitating diseases, but also to investigate the possibilities of neural implants which could increase intelligence, and even accelerate reflexes.
Within the national security community however, people began having serious misgivings when the potentially dangerous aspects of the developments were reported:
“Brain Researchers Open Door to Editing Memory.”
“Moral Judgments can be Altered by New Technology.”
“Scientists Create False Memories in Mice.”
“How Human Brains Can Be Hacked.”
December, 2020
Doctor Ava Kelvin — a PhD in neuroscience and an intelligence officer of the CIA — poured herself another coffee, her gaze fixed on her multicolor drawing on the wall. Her lips were moving in silence as she spoke to herself.
It’s a serial killer, or rather serial killers . . . it’s possible to turn happy and rich people into murderers . . . the people pulling the triggers aren’t the real killers—they are being controlled like puppets.
They are manufacturing killers on demand—killers who have no idea what they are doing . . . their minds belong entirely to someone else.
As the reality dawned on Ava she started shaking slightly as she whispered, “My God. . . they’ve weaponized the human brain.”
SIGMA WAVE, the first book in the thought-provoking Brainstorm series is a full-length novel. It is a nail-biting suspense-thriller with unexpected twists, mind-bending science, and captivating concepts which readers will be mulling over long after they've read the last page.
Not often enough do I find books of this caliber! SIGMA WAVE, #1 in J. C. Ryan's BRAINSTORM series, is an electrifying bioengineering/neuroscience suspense tale. The premises are so plausible and near-future (perhaps even contemporary!) as to be vividly realistic. Of course I hope this kind of process is not occurring already, but one never knows, and certainly there is a plethora of events, situations, mind controls, and sociopathic researchers in this story to fuel multiple conspiracy theories. Imagine if Dr Victor Frankenstein could be transported to the 20th-21st century, with the sociopathy of Josef Mengele, and unlimited research funds and secrecy. That will give you a hint as to the enormous pressure involved in this story line, a plot which could really exist--soon (or even now). I cannot wait to read Book 2 in this extraordinary series!
’s no secret, I am a JC Ryan fan. Read all his books so far and enjoyed every one of them. Sigma Wave is the first book in his new series, Brainstorm. When I saw the cover and the description I thought I was in for a hard science fiction story. But I forgot that JC Ryan is the master of blending real science with fiction in such a way that it is at times impossible to distinguish between the two.
As always, Ryan did his homework, the research that went into this book must have been massive. Combined with Ryan’s vivid imagination the result is a masterful plot, an excellent story, and believable science. At times it's outright scary to realize just how much of what Ryan has weaved into this story is true and real—scientists are really working and succeeding in editing memories, altering moral judgment, creating false memories, and hacking into people’s brains.
Sigma Wave is an excellent setup for what I believe is going to be an exhilarating series.
An interesting look at the new scientific exploration on the workings of the human brain and bringing that into a thriller, with use of implants, magnets, or even memory manipulation. A Doctor who can see colours when she reads words and this makes it easier for her to see patterns. Three siblings with immense talent in scientific experimentation, who already found out how dangerous a small experiment of theirs could be to mankind. Others are not quite so ethical.
People are being killed. Often by the person they most trust. Killings are escalating and are now being targeted at more politically important targets. It seems someone has decided to use unsuspected people as mind controlled killers. Making working out who is a killer nigh impossible. This person and their group of followers are weaponising the human brain and making killers out of normal people.
Those in the government’s security agencies must get together a group of experts in this specialised field and find some way of counteracting the mayhem happening now around the world. A really good story, that takes the use of science and neuro technology to the next level, but in an easily readable manner. This was book one in the Brainstorm series and I can’t wait to read the next book, Mind Switch. I would recommend this series and author to everyone. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am excited to read more of their books. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Ryan has the broadest vision in the various series of books he writes. This series illustrates such talent again. My only sadness is knowing there is only one more book to read. It has been years since a writer has been able to retain my undivided attention really to the detriment of my daily responsibilities. And more so every day I wish I could please sit down with a hot or cold drink and be granted a few hours discussion. There are a couple of subjects would love to discuss. I feel like he has a similar mind to a friend I lost. I appreciate Ryan's contributions. This is a great book. I am not a spoiler. My high rating is to read the book asap!!!!
I received a copy of this book to review. This story was full of suspense and was very intriguing. After the death of their father the three Tanner siblings continued to pour themselves into higher level science experiments. Throughout the story other things were happening that were not clearly tied into the story until near the end of this book. Then without warning you are left waiting for book two.
As up-to-date as today's science news, this Ryan novel is a riveting adventure tale. If anything, the story understates government interest in "mind control". I actually found myself checking names and techniques, and most of them are correct -- I couldn't find a few... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED