Book Review: Infoquake

Infoquake

By David Louis Edelman

Jump 225 Trilogy, Book 1

Published: 2006 Pyr Books, 2008 Solaris Books

    David Edelman shows us that even a new author can be a master. His first published novel, Infoquake, journeys through a cyber future steeped in realism rather than artistic glamour. The characters are all people we've worked with, the story is one pulled straight from wall street and the setting is radical, honest and frighteningly possible.

    The big idea of Infoquake is bio/logic, the science behind nanotechnology in the human body. It's the driving force behind much of the free market, a scientific development melding physics, biology, engineering and computer programing into one industry. It's a powerful tool, and potentially a very dangerous one.

    Public government, secular religion and private corporations have also drastically changed in the aftermath of armageddon. Citizens join autonomous governments based either on region or political ideology, effectively abolishing the need for nation-states, though these civic groups still report to a central Defense and Wellness Council. Religion has been commonly replaced by Creeds, representing ethos and sets rules such as honor, liberty and selfishness. Finally, much of the business world consists of the bio/logics industry, made up of private and publicly funded memecorps and the free market driven fiefcorps.

    Natch is the master of one such fiefcorp. He is a cutthroat business man and remarkable programmer, using black-mail, viruses, and fraud as he climbs his way to the top. He is a cunning and charismatic young man with a terrible past and he wants only one thing: a new challenge.

    Natch is drawn into a political and ideological struggle concerning the mysterious phoenix project, begun by the creator of bio/logics hundreds of years ago. Natch draws the ire of the authoritarian Defense and Wellness Council, as well as rivals and enemies from over the years, as he tries to create a program that may free humanity from the oppression of reality.

    The characters of this novel are superbly crafted, taking realistic personalities from the modern computer industry and making them three dimensional. Natch isn't just some corporate backstabber - he's developed a conviction for success since he was a child. Horvil, a software engineer, has led a comfortable and complacent lifestyle and falls under the relative safety of Natch's lackey, but has his own aspirations and social outlets. Meanwhile, Jara is a fiefcorper that evolves throughout the novel, gradually building a backbone to Natch's daring schemes, but still indebted to the man for the chance he gave her.

    Technology in Infoquake is progressive and achievable. High speed trains web the entire world and travel to other worlds is done by either shuttle or, for the very wealthy, teleportation. The internet now revolves around bilogics, with cyberspace and bloggers as part of everyday life. New technologies of destruction exist, dart guns with black code and disruptors against cyber-projections, still being used against the few dissenters outside of society.

    Infoquake is the best book I read in 2008. It has everything required of great science fiction: technology, psychology and an enthralling story. Anyone that reads science fiction should pick this up, even if you don't prefer hard sci-fi. The concepts are simple enough for anyone to recognize in this age, the plot has enough closure to make it stand alone, and the pay-off for reading this book is immense.

Book Review: Fortress Draconis

Fortress Draconis

By Michael A. Stackpole

The DragonCrown War Cycle, Book 1

Published: 2002 Bantam Spectra

    Fortress Draconis, like much of Stackpole's work, is a mixing pot of history, classic literature and the more pulp days of fantasy. The author puts his effort into both prose and research, creating not only a fantastic world but realistic events and reactions.

    The story of Fortress Draconis is set on a continent in turmoil. A violent warlord from the north, an enchantress of immeasurable power, has besieged the the scattered nations of the south for a quarter century in search of the shattered DragonCrown. The kings and nobles have squandered their time as a new offensive is launched against them and warriors from a new generation, as well as the old, must rise up to fight. The novel explores both war and politics in this turbulent time, using the point of view of three intriguing characters.

    Will is a simple thief thrust into extraordinary events, taken from the streets as a cutpurse to the heights of the ivory tower. His character presents an interesting foil to another, his mentor Kedyn's Crow. Will enters the story with energy, charisma and conviction - elements that Crow has begun to lose. Will's story is one of growth, but not the common coming of age tale. He's already matured, living a harsh life in the slums, now adapting to newer, even more hostile environment.

    While the events of the book certainly cast Will as the main character, two other points of view are commonly used. Alyx, the princess-general of an exiled nation, rides with an army to free her homeland lost over a generation ago. Alyx soon finds herself dragged into the politics of the free nations, forcing her to accept a role as both warrior and diplomat. Her change does not end there as she finds herself initiated into a strange brotherhood that only meets in her dreams. Likewise, Kerrigan Reese has trouble with everything in his life except for magic. In fact, he's the most powerful magician in the south. Despite his regality, the young wizard shows readers the simpler and more mundane side as he writes letters for soldiers and helps with healers.

   One of the coolest features of the setting is the amazing races that inhabit the world. Stackpole takes great pains to create unique and interesting species that have their own logical niche in the world. Frostclaws take the idea of dinosaurs as birds and apply them to a fantasy setting, while the common enemy gibberers have a logical name and understandable viciousness. The ur-zrethi are an underground race with the ability to mold their limbs at will. Finally, there's the elves, who are unlike those of any other fantasy series. Separated into three different nations, the elves are more natural than magical and are understandably grim in their war-torn land.

   What really sets Fortress Draconis apart from other fantasy novels is the immense support Stackpole has put into it. First, Fortress Draconis and the rest of the DragonCrown War series are preceded by Dark Glory War, a novel that sets the stage with the war a quarter century ago. The author also started a free podcast reading of the novel (which he promises to finish!). Finally, the author has additional material for sale on his website, $1.00 PDFs on three races and one of the main characters.

   Fortress Draconis is a great start for new and veteran fantasy readers, but requires some maturity. Fans of Tracy Hickman, Robert Jordan and R.A. Salvatore will love these books. I especially recommend them to fans of George R. R. Martin that are waiting for the next book in his series - three lengthy novels, an optional novel, and some bonus material should be enough to keep them occupied.