Reviews

This is a book that preaches to the choir. If you understand everything Doctorow writes about here in terms of cybersecurity and government ops and private industry-as government, then it's a mostly fun ride through the chaos of modern warfare and political force while watching the narrator develop a conscience, or at least kind of a conscience. If you don't know much about this, then you might find this hard going. It could be educational, which I think is one of Doctorow's motives in publishing it, but you'll still need other sources on ethical hacking and related topics.

killito12's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

garland's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny informative tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jaytongue's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is a sort of "Ender's Shadow" version of the Little Brother narrative. In addition to a different narrator, the tone of the book is also different. It's much grittier and darker, both in the characterization of the world as well as the voice of the narrator. However, this book is just as brilliant as what made the other books of the series brilliant. At times, it's technological stance is a little on the nose, but also explores many other issues.

oliveralve's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

More...