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Small Miracles
Garner Nanotechnology is developing nanotech-enhanced protective suits and autonomous first-aid nanobots. It’s cutting-edge stuff, and when it saves Brent Cleary from a pipeline explosion that killed hundreds, the Army takes notice.
Near-death experience changes a person, so no one is entirely surprised when easy-going Brent turns somber and studious, focused and cold. Not at first. But Kim O’Donnell, Brent’s best friend, cannot get past some of the changes. This just isn’t her friend, and she wonders what’s gotten into him.
With an Army field trial imminent and the company’s future at stake, possible nanotech side effects aren’t something anyone wants to discuss. The bad news is, Kim’s right. Something has gotten into Brent – and he isn’t the only one changing.
If Kim can’t stop them … maybe we’ll all change.
Near-death experience changes a person, so no one is entirely surprised when easy-going Brent turns somber and studious, focused and cold. Not at first. But Kim O’Donnell, Brent’s best friend, cannot get past some of the changes. This just isn’t her friend, and she wonders what’s gotten into him.
With an Army field trial imminent and the company’s future at stake, possible nanotech side effects aren’t something anyone wants to discuss. The bad news is, Kim’s right. Something has gotten into Brent – and he isn’t the only one changing.
If Kim can’t stop them … maybe we’ll all change.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2009
9 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Edward M. Lerner
120 books57 followersI'm a physicist and computer scientist (among other things). After thirty years in industry, working at every level from individual technical contributor to senior vice president, I now write full-time. Mostly I write science fiction and techno-thrillers, now and again throwing in a straight science or technology article.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2012
Edward Lerner's 'Small Miracles' was a fast-paced techno-thriller about nano bots that go rogue. Lerner shaped the silly-sounding premise into a tense and intelligent race against time. Furthermore, this novel had some of the creepiest scenes I've ever read & an great ambiguous and thought-provoking ending.
December 29, 2011
It's a small miracle I managed to finish this rather clumsy take on the modern nightmare, the invasion of the mind. Larry Niven claimed, on the front jacket to be royally entertained,and Robert Sawyer (on the back cover) found it fascinating and compelling, but I found it a true grind.
The pedestrian writing irritated me and it was especially annoying to have to wade through pages of overly technical details only to come up against a glaring inconsistancy. I did not find the pace or the events credible and therefore did not fully engage.
so why keep reading...
The theme of mind parasites and riders does fascinate me. This book may not be well written, but it does explore some key ideas especially in the genesis of an overmind.
The foolish but devoted, resourceful and plucky heroine reminded me quite a bit of a dear friend so I began to care about her fate. I liked it that the romantic element was nil.
The writing did get a little better about halfway through the book,and the ending contained a neat twist.And I approve of his final sentiment
"The one way he knew how to cope was to do some good here, whatever the governments agenda." pp362
The pedestrian writing irritated me and it was especially annoying to have to wade through pages of overly technical details only to come up against a glaring inconsistancy. I did not find the pace or the events credible and therefore did not fully engage.
so why keep reading...
The theme of mind parasites and riders does fascinate me. This book may not be well written, but it does explore some key ideas especially in the genesis of an overmind.
The foolish but devoted, resourceful and plucky heroine reminded me quite a bit of a dear friend so I began to care about her fate. I liked it that the romantic element was nil.
The writing did get a little better about halfway through the book,and the ending contained a neat twist.And I approve of his final sentiment
"The one way he knew how to cope was to do some good here, whatever the governments agenda." pp362
July 5, 2018
Published in 2009 and set in the then very near future, this book is an exercise in assuming advances in science that are too fast, an unusual problem in speculative fiction. Because of that, there are odd juxtapositions, like the nanotech, super-advanced WiFi, and apparently the inability of the U.S. Government to do simple arithmetic...I mean, if you know who has been exposed to a possible contamination, and you know the contamination is serious, then wouldn't you TEST those exposed? A test is proposed, within the story, and that seems to get forgotten, as does at least one character, who wanders back in toward the end of the epilogue.
The basic concept is that, for no apparent reason, the development of two major advances in nano-tech are worked on by a company for an advanced combat suit for police and military purposes. The suit itself is amazingly cool as a concept, but they also threw in medical nanobots that can injected from the suit in an emergency. For me, this is where a major story problem developed, because the biotech folks at the company glossed over some major details in how the system works, and how the body gets rid of the nanobots after their job is done.
Also, one of the central characters becomes less interesting and less sympathetic over the course of the story, due to plot complications after a serious injury, and that also hurts the readability of the story.
The nanotech/artificial intelligence part of the story is techno-horror of a type that writers like Michael Crichton did so well with, but here...it's scary without being convincing. Yes, IF these things happened, it would be horrible, but I came away unconvinced that they COULD happen.
So, the story was mostly good, and I finished it, but it seemed like it could have been much better.
The basic concept is that, for no apparent reason, the development of two major advances in nano-tech are worked on by a company for an advanced combat suit for police and military purposes. The suit itself is amazingly cool as a concept, but they also threw in medical nanobots that can injected from the suit in an emergency. For me, this is where a major story problem developed, because the biotech folks at the company glossed over some major details in how the system works, and how the body gets rid of the nanobots after their job is done.
Also, one of the central characters becomes less interesting and less sympathetic over the course of the story, due to plot complications after a serious injury, and that also hurts the readability of the story.
The nanotech/artificial intelligence part of the story is techno-horror of a type that writers like Michael Crichton did so well with, but here...it's scary without being convincing. Yes, IF these things happened, it would be horrible, but I came away unconvinced that they COULD happen.
So, the story was mostly good, and I finished it, but it seemed like it could have been much better.
August 5, 2019
This was a fairly decent book that addresses a Terminator-esque situation where nanomachines intended to help become self-aware and gradually more powerful as its newly-discovered authority over someone starts spreading into neighboring nanomachines.
Imagine that you're in what should be a fatal freak-accident. You're saved by a product that you've been developing. Your employer basically sees you as a living, breathing testimonial. But suddenly, you start doing things you do not want to do. A nanomachine, of the many dispense into your body by your savior product, gains intelligence. Intelligence at a level beyond the intention of its engineers. It knows how your body works; how to stimulate different human impulses and drives to fulfill its own objective of the proliferation of, well, itself. Even if it has to kill and maim (or, more aptly, have you kill and maim) to do it. Would you be able to resist?
This is a biomedical thriller that had only a few dull moments. Though I will likely not re-read this, I enjoyed it and felt satisfied overall.
Imagine that you're in what should be a fatal freak-accident. You're saved by a product that you've been developing. Your employer basically sees you as a living, breathing testimonial. But suddenly, you start doing things you do not want to do. A nanomachine, of the many dispense into your body by your savior product, gains intelligence. Intelligence at a level beyond the intention of its engineers. It knows how your body works; how to stimulate different human impulses and drives to fulfill its own objective of the proliferation of, well, itself. Even if it has to kill and maim (or, more aptly, have you kill and maim) to do it. Would you be able to resist?
This is a biomedical thriller that had only a few dull moments. Though I will likely not re-read this, I enjoyed it and felt satisfied overall.
September 30, 2017
Twas a good action adventure, bit of a let down in some ways... It did consider in the plot some of the pros and cons of personnal incorporating nano tech from both the individual's point of view while still showing most of the big picture.
November 16, 2021
GABRIEL SLOYER NARRATION sensitive, fast paced, important interpretation of this science fiction work. His expansive and thoughtful reading is certainly worth the listen!
January 16, 2010
I really enjoyed this science fiction technothriller set in the years 2015-2017. What keeps the reader’s attention is a race between the good guys and bad guys with each side learning information about the other side that may close out the race in their favor while also not knowing how far ahead the other side really is in critical areas. The bad guys are super-intelligent nano-robots. They are body snatchers that re-wire the host human’s brain.
A second thread involves corporate intrigue within a technology based company with the engineers constantly dealing with issues, managers dealing with finances, relationships, and inter-departmental issues.
One unusual aspect is the apparently platonic relationship between the two main characters in the book. I suspect the author wrote this with an eye towards a movie down the road as there are plenty of explosions and other visually interesting scenes.
A second thread involves corporate intrigue within a technology based company with the engineers constantly dealing with issues, managers dealing with finances, relationships, and inter-departmental issues.
One unusual aspect is the apparently platonic relationship between the two main characters in the book. I suspect the author wrote this with an eye towards a movie down the road as there are plenty of explosions and other visually interesting scenes.
October 18, 2015
This book was originally published in 2009 and set in the near future - so near that its beginning date has now passed. Already the world it describes has diverged from reality enough to strain today's reader's willing suspension of disbelief. The plot involves runaway nanotech, but in a more limited and thus more "realistic" way than in "Blood Music" and such (essentially, the medical nanites in this book are not self-replicating, but they can stimulate changes in the central nervous system and thus take over their host). The prose is rather flat and often very technical, which can alienate some readers.
I could see this as a miniseries on TV, if the background was updated and it was set a bit further down in the future.
I could see this as a miniseries on TV, if the background was updated and it was set a bit further down in the future.
January 18, 2013
I was a bit disappointed with this book. I was thinking since Lerner has collaborated with Niven on three prequel books in the Ringworld series that he must have some pretty good talent. The pace and the characters of this book are forced and confusing. I felt the computer science portions were not realistic at all. And the ending is not satisfying. Read "Blood Music" if you want a much better book with similar themes.
October 11, 2015
This is a hugely thoughtful take on the nanotech event horizon. Lerner writes with scientific acumen, technical aptitude and personable characters. It's a pretty scary look into a future; and the prologue and epilogue both hooked me and made me want more. If you're a hard sci-fi fan, this is one not to miss.
November 4, 2023
What a story. It kept me hooked from start to finish. When describing some action scenes, the author doesn't follow the structure that you may commonly see, and for some that may be a downside. However, it leaves room for your imagination to wander about the details while the most important aspects can be understood easily.
January 9, 2011
An interesting sci-fi story about what makes us human, a basic thing in sci-fi. The author got across the highly-technical stuff without making it boring, which is always a good thing for a sci-fi book to do.
August 5, 2015
Good read, interesting near future tale that addresses the nature of humanity, consciousness, life, and morality. Good sci-fi, and the author really did his research! Other than a couple tiny potential flaws, his explanations seem sound and well thought out.
August 24, 2010
Met the brilliant Edward Lerner at a convention, and let me tell you, the guy can write...
December 2, 2010
A chilling take on nanotech. Good reading in spite of the one-loose-thread ending leaving an opening for a sequel.
May 27, 2011
A fun, twisty story - sort of like Star Trek meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers. First book in a while that was actually hard to put down. Definitely recommend it for the sci-fi geeks out there.
August 28, 2012
Terrific near future thriller. Impossible to put down.
March 18, 2015
Fairly rambling and slow with a lot of repition. Also, I found I couldn't connect with any of the characters enough to care about them or their cause.
October 16, 2016
Mostly this was really good science fiction but there was a big hypnosis part that felt completely out of place and kind of dumb in what was otherwise a really sharp book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews