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Supervirus
A youth with a powerful mind amazes and terrifies the stock market and the National Security Agency. Dispatched to locate him, a group of elite operatives stumbles across his monumental creation, and an unlikely hero emerges in a struggle that could mark the beginning of a new era. "An important moment in history is like a beam of light. Some people see it and rush to it like moths. Other people just happen to discover that the beam of light is shining upon them."
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 8, 2018
The fast-paced, super-charged sci-fi thriller “Supervirus” opens with a competitive game of stock trading that has a day trader and the Senior Management Partner in the firm racing to meet the youthful sounding genius who won a wager and made a sizeable profit. Hiring a down-on-his-luck gambler carrying guns and C4 in the back of his truck to guard the youth’s address in Boston until they can get there, they don’t expect to confront a group of secret elite operatives sent to stop a growing hi-tech threat.
In an imaginative and realistic plot that combines a self-aware computer virus, nanotechnology and mind control, intensity and suspense heat up when agent Sarah Flannigan (aka Stone Cold Fox), and her Distributed Ops team of hacker Simon Chan and Gene (the Genius) join forces with rogue criminal Willard, techie geek Kenny and his girlfriend Preeti to storm an island in South America looking for Nemo as the headlines in the States warn about the Supervirus freezing the Internet globally. Well-developed with plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat the pace progresses quickly and smoothly to a dark and ominous ending that hopefully promises an exciting sequel.
Bringing the plot line to life are compelling and complex characters like Sarah Finnigan, a bright psychologist working for the NSA who’s attractive, capable, pragmatic and dangerous. Simons Chan is the computer hacker on her team who’s engaged, honest but often uncooperative, while Gene is the egotistical, temperamental and charming genius.
In a story where anything is possible even a bad guy becoming a hero, Willard who carries a bag full of C4 and guns and isn’t a rule follower is resourceful and optimistic even when faced with swarms of flybots and a family of mind-controlled gorillas. Yet its the god-complex and survival instinct of the youthful and driven Nemo who adds a dark chill to this story.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Supervirus” and will be looking for a sequel.
In an imaginative and realistic plot that combines a self-aware computer virus, nanotechnology and mind control, intensity and suspense heat up when agent Sarah Flannigan (aka Stone Cold Fox), and her Distributed Ops team of hacker Simon Chan and Gene (the Genius) join forces with rogue criminal Willard, techie geek Kenny and his girlfriend Preeti to storm an island in South America looking for Nemo as the headlines in the States warn about the Supervirus freezing the Internet globally. Well-developed with plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat the pace progresses quickly and smoothly to a dark and ominous ending that hopefully promises an exciting sequel.
Bringing the plot line to life are compelling and complex characters like Sarah Finnigan, a bright psychologist working for the NSA who’s attractive, capable, pragmatic and dangerous. Simons Chan is the computer hacker on her team who’s engaged, honest but often uncooperative, while Gene is the egotistical, temperamental and charming genius.
In a story where anything is possible even a bad guy becoming a hero, Willard who carries a bag full of C4 and guns and isn’t a rule follower is resourceful and optimistic even when faced with swarms of flybots and a family of mind-controlled gorillas. Yet its the god-complex and survival instinct of the youthful and driven Nemo who adds a dark chill to this story.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Supervirus” and will be looking for a sequel.
September 16, 2017
One of the things about science fiction, as well as any fiction, is the story line, plot, and characters have to be believable. Mitchell hits on all three with this book with a book that I couldn't put down creating a good baseline, character development and interaction, and the creation of a computer artificial intelligence where I didn't think of as a "thing" while I was reading the book but as a real entity; Michael Crichton would be proud. With Mitchell's story, the future for mankind looks bleak, but I like the way he left it open for a follow up novel or a series of novels. WIth Kindle pricing of just 99 cents, you do get a lot of bang for (less than) a buck. Here's to hoping there is a sequel!
September 5, 2010
I can't believe I finished it. Beginning is promising, second half of the book is a slog.
May 20, 2010
It was written by a physicist, and it shows.
The science behind the main character is very interesting and credible, can't say the same for the story or characters. I know how to suspend my belief, but the idea that a psychiatrist that joined the NSA 7 years ago would be at the top of said government agency, or that some mob ruffian carries around C4 just for the heck of it THE WHOLE BOOK... these are just a couple of the things that come to mind. Also, he doesn't understand evolution, especially when it comes to gorillas (they aren't humans without the ability to speak among other things).
Fun, and I got it for free. it was definitely worth free, and I don't count it as a waste of time. I give it a strong 2 stars for "okay."
The science behind the main character is very interesting and credible, can't say the same for the story or characters. I know how to suspend my belief, but the idea that a psychiatrist that joined the NSA 7 years ago would be at the top of said government agency, or that some mob ruffian carries around C4 just for the heck of it THE WHOLE BOOK... these are just a couple of the things that come to mind. Also, he doesn't understand evolution, especially when it comes to gorillas (they aren't humans without the ability to speak among other things).
Fun, and I got it for free. it was definitely worth free, and I don't count it as a waste of time. I give it a strong 2 stars for "okay."
October 18, 2010
A Crichton-esque techno thriller somewhat reminiscent of "Prey" about a super computer virus achieving self-awareness and taking on the world. Interesting plot and story, but it felt very fragmented and incohesive - it started out as a standard mystery / thriller about rogue stock trading, then quickly branched off into artificial intelligence, computer viruses, nanotechnology, mind control with some gorillas and zen buddhism thrown in for good measure. It felt as if the author started off on one tangent and kept adding more and more fantastic things as it took his fancy.
November 9, 2011
The book starts with a countdown. A virus has infected the internet and combined with a simple stock picking program. Combined a supervirus is created - named NEMO. Nemo is self aware and constantly growing. Those who are assigned to investigate the source learn everything is much bigger than they imagined and this virus believes he is becoming a God and one world is not enough. A very interesting thriller that certainly needs to have a sequel.
February 6, 2013
A good premise given the virus ridden, social media dominated net in which we live. As usual I found myself routing for the virus over the human. Unsatisfactory ending obviously left open for the next book.
April 21, 2010
Computer's running amok, grey goo swarms, and sentient AI's. A fun read which lots of philosophical questions about what it means to be alive.
May 18, 2010
What happens when a powerful new A/I decides that it likes to play games? And one of those games is the stock market?
May 11, 2010
A Dan Brown-ish version of the Matrix. Pretty engaging read, interesting "what ifs" regarding AI. Not a fan of the ending. I was like "wait, that's it?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2010
I don't know if it's the geek in me but I really liked this story. Kind of an AI / evolution story.
August 16, 2010
Dorky, but fun. Something to take my mind off of Gravity's Rainbow and recent personal events.
September 23, 2010
A fun read, got it for $1 on kindle.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews