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moragscot's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it. The story was good, the pace was fine, but the characters were awful stereotypes. Brody, the main character, was pretty well written but he was the only one. I'd go so far as to say that the 3 execs were just caricatures. I kept reading though, probably because this is a novella. I don't think I would have put up with them for a full novel. Happy to try another of Sutherland's work.
ajlindner's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ophelianox's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this although i am not sure i would describe it as a thriller, more mystery than thrill.two stories interweave between Brody's personal and private life with not all going as it should. Some of the storyline can be predicted from the early stages but overall it was an enjoyable short read.
anovelstart's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book free from the author because I followed him on Twitter. It wasn't given in exchange for a review, but I review all the books I read, so why not? :)
Ok, I never would have picked up this book in a million years. It's not my genre, I don't do thrillers *hugs teddy bear* I needed a short book for my blogs Monday book review, this book was to hand... again, why not? The fact is I loved it. I give it full marks for pace, storyline, character development, and knowledge.
Lets start with the pace. Brilliant, I was kept in suspense the whole time. I had to continue reading because there was always something happening. What I liked about the pacing was it was broken up like a diary. One moment we're in the present, the next we're going back to x-weeks ago. The past affects the present. We're constantly trying to work out how it all ties in and I loved that.
Storyline, loved it. It wasn't scary *whoop!* there were bits that had me blanching a little bit, but nothing major. I'd say teenagers and older could read this book. The storyline is constantly progressing. I love how the author has such knowledge about hacking and how he incorporates it into the story, I actually learnt a thing or two about its uses! I even know some new terminology too! I love it when a book does that.
The characters were fantastic; they're relatable and very realistic. Each character has their own flaws - very realistic flaws! It could very easily have been you or me. The character development is excellent too. The characters grow as the story progresses, we watch as they learn new weaknesses and how to overcome them. We see them becoming stronger as people. Again, another love of mine.
I'd definitely recommend this book, I'm also left wanting to read the next one. I'm definitely going to buy it, it's just a matter of when I can find the time to read it! If you like computers, hackers, sneaky private-eye type action (techno style!) then I'd recommend this book to you :)
If you liked my review, please visit my book blog at: http://www.anovelstart.com
Ok, I never would have picked up this book in a million years. It's not my genre, I don't do thrillers *hugs teddy bear* I needed a short book for my blogs Monday book review, this book was to hand... again, why not? The fact is I loved it. I give it full marks for pace, storyline, character development, and knowledge.
Lets start with the pace. Brilliant, I was kept in suspense the whole time. I had to continue reading because there was always something happening. What I liked about the pacing was it was broken up like a diary. One moment we're in the present, the next we're going back to x-weeks ago. The past affects the present. We're constantly trying to work out how it all ties in and I loved that.
Storyline, loved it. It wasn't scary *whoop!* there were bits that had me blanching a little bit, but nothing major. I'd say teenagers and older could read this book. The storyline is constantly progressing. I love how the author has such knowledge about hacking and how he incorporates it into the story, I actually learnt a thing or two about its uses! I even know some new terminology too! I love it when a book does that.
The characters were fantastic; they're relatable and very realistic. Each character has their own flaws - very realistic flaws! It could very easily have been you or me. The character development is excellent too. The characters grow as the story progresses, we watch as they learn new weaknesses and how to overcome them. We see them becoming stronger as people. Again, another love of mine.
I'd definitely recommend this book, I'm also left wanting to read the next one. I'm definitely going to buy it, it's just a matter of when I can find the time to read it! If you like computers, hackers, sneaky private-eye type action (techno style!) then I'd recommend this book to you :)
If you liked my review, please visit my book blog at: http://www.anovelstart.com
ireadwhatuwrite's review against another edition
4.0
Brody Taylor is the “Social Engineer.” Though to be honest, I had never heard that term before, it fits the situation nicely. He can be described as most the characters from the TV show Leverage rolled into one very clever person (without the thieving bonus for the most part) His job is to penetrate high security systems any way he can. Though an excellent computer hacker, he finds most often people are easier to hack to find a back way in. In this particular story he finds himself running a penetration test at pharmaceutical company, besieged by animal rights protesters, and under a warning that its secrets are in danger of being stolen by Chinese computer hackers. His job is find the holes in the system before sensitive information falls into the wrong hands,
I thoroughly enjoyed the reveal as he gives the results of his work to company executives. Most of this story was just plain fun. However, the cover of this book asks the question, “Would you trust a computer hacker?” Unfortunately my answer to that question highlights my biggest issue with this superbly written short story. The catalyst for this adventure leaves me flat. I would have to agree with Mel that Brody went about it all wrong, because yes, yes I would. In an increasingly digital world where hackers in the shadows are spilling information about everything from Hollywood sexting and ingredients of fast food items to eyes only government information, there has to be a first line of defense and it stands to reason that those people are going to be hackers at heart.
I was glad to see that this is not a single story, as with most excellent short stories, for me it just wasn’t enough. I hope in subsequent novels Brody doesn’t feel he needs to engineer his reality quite so much. I am looking forward to reading more about him.
I thoroughly enjoyed the reveal as he gives the results of his work to company executives. Most of this story was just plain fun. However, the cover of this book asks the question, “Would you trust a computer hacker?” Unfortunately my answer to that question highlights my biggest issue with this superbly written short story. The catalyst for this adventure leaves me flat. I would have to agree with Mel that Brody went about it all wrong, because yes, yes I would. In an increasingly digital world where hackers in the shadows are spilling information about everything from Hollywood sexting and ingredients of fast food items to eyes only government information, there has to be a first line of defense and it stands to reason that those people are going to be hackers at heart.
I was glad to see that this is not a single story, as with most excellent short stories, for me it just wasn’t enough. I hope in subsequent novels Brody doesn’t feel he needs to engineer his reality quite so much. I am looking forward to reading more about him.
kesnit's review against another edition
3.0
The idea behind this book was really good. I like the way the author told the interlocking stories through the use of flashback. The twists were amusing. And yet, this book lacked any real tension. Brody is too...perfect. It's hard to get in his head when everything he does is exactly right and everything always works the way he wants it to. (I admit, one major thing does go wrong at the end, but it does not seem to bother him all that much.)
I will likely read more books in this series because I did like the book, and feel a full-length novel will give me the "meat" that was missing here.
I will likely read more books in this series because I did like the book, and feel a full-length novel will give me the "meat" that was missing here.
rincondejoss's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
And I should said it was an interesting and very thoughfull short read, it gave me a lot to think about social engineering itself and everything that it implies.
It was pretty immersive for a 2 hours read actually, so I will recommend it to all techy lovers to give it a try.
And I should said it was an interesting and very thoughfull short read, it gave me a lot to think about social engineering itself and everything that it implies.
It was pretty immersive for a 2 hours read actually, so I will recommend it to all techy lovers to give it a try.
davidallen's review against another edition
4.0
A solid start to a series...
Ian Sutherland takes a well known but little defined aspect of espionage and shines a black light upon it.
Social engineers basically hack machines and people using knowledge of technology, systems, and psychology. Some of it is legal, some of it is not.
The story bounces back and forth between our main character trying to lead some semblance of a romantic life while pulling off one of his most daring gigs yet.
The narrative style often goes to a series of revelations made through the main character talking to an unawares board of directors. This distances us from the action while taking away any element of danger we may have felt for the protagonist. That being said, the style also keeps you in the dark as the main character reveals each step of his process in Sherlock Holmesian fashion. It is mystery meets spy novel.
I think the author would have done well to draw us closer into the character by having more revelations and problems solving in the moment rather than explained to a shocked board of directors after the fact. But I understand why the decision was made. Now that this early novel, in what I hope is a series, has explained the process of social engineering, Sutherland has the freedom he needs to up the stakes and truly explore the dangers that could be present in such an interesting profession.
Ian Sutherland takes a well known but little defined aspect of espionage and shines a black light upon it.
Social engineers basically hack machines and people using knowledge of technology, systems, and psychology. Some of it is legal, some of it is not.
The story bounces back and forth between our main character trying to lead some semblance of a romantic life while pulling off one of his most daring gigs yet.
The narrative style often goes to a series of revelations made through the main character talking to an unawares board of directors. This distances us from the action while taking away any element of danger we may have felt for the protagonist. That being said, the style also keeps you in the dark as the main character reveals each step of his process in Sherlock Holmesian fashion. It is mystery meets spy novel.
I think the author would have done well to draw us closer into the character by having more revelations and problems solving in the moment rather than explained to a shocked board of directors after the fact. But I understand why the decision was made. Now that this early novel, in what I hope is a series, has explained the process of social engineering, Sutherland has the freedom he needs to up the stakes and truly explore the dangers that could be present in such an interesting profession.