Welp, that was pretty amazing. I don't even regret owning 2 copies. I bought my first copy in paper because a new bookstore had opened in my hood and I wanted to be supportive. However, I just couldn't finish it until I had an ebook. The trade paperback probably weighs about 3 lbs which is a hell of a lot to try and manage while also not falling over on the subway.

Anyway, once I got the digital copy, where it had taken me a month and some to get through the first 300 pages, I managed to finish the 700 or so pages in 2.5 days, which was pretty intense. Can I say that I love Zula? Because I totally love Zula. Also, Yuxia. And Richard. Basically, everyone that wasn't a terrorist or Peter, because seriously, fuck Peter. I wasn't 100% with the epilogue, it felt a little forced, but overall, hell yes, Neal Stephenson. As this is the year of the sci-fi challenge for myself, [b:Anathem|2845024|Anathem|Neal Stephenson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488349209s/2845024.jpg|6163095] is next on the list. I admit to cheating a bit on my personal challenge here since I'm basically reading all of the Stephenson stuff I haven't gotten to yet, plus whatever China Miéville stuff fits. ( )

After listening to a few hours of this, and being bored to tears by an argument about where apostrophes go in a made up language, I knew it was time to give it up.

Not his best but worth the time. Got a bit bogged down with superfluous details, but as always, challenging and interesting. ( )

I really loved this book. My opinion may be influenced by the fact that I've been into computers and associated technology from almost the beginning (started with punched cards), but if you are reasonably knowledgeable about current technology, I think you will like the book.

Computer gaming plays a big part in this story, but you don't need to be a game player to enjoy it. I don't play computer games at all now, but I guess I know enough about them to follow everything. It also helps that I know a little about digital currency; the action starts out with hackers who created a virus spread via the game that encrypts certain of the user's files, then uses "ransomware" to get the key to unencrypt the files. Something similar to this actually happened not long ago; using digital currency to make it difficult to track the money.

Unfortunately for the hackers, they encrypted the wrong person's file - a person who was basically crazy and and out for revenge. From there, it escalated to total craziness involving the FBI, RCMP,, Chinese authorities, crazy Russians, Muslim terrorists, US ultra pratriot gun lovers, etc.

The action skips around betwee China, the Philippines, US, and Canada. It got so exciting that I regretted finishing the book - I didn't want it to end. Considering how big the book is, I was surprised at how quickly I finished. But it was the audiobook version, so I was able to read a lot.

The audiobook was very well done, by the way. I recommend it for this story, and there aren't really that many different characters to make it difficult to follow. But it does switch contexts a lot from place to place, and character to character. ( )

I must admit I struggled to continue reading in the middle of this book. I picked it up again and did manage to finish it. The end is action packed and did make the effort worthwhile.

There are some elements of the techno-thrillers Stephenson wrote in the 90's, but they are overshadowed by a slightly implausible plot involving terrorists.

( )