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tarar's review against another edition
5.0
It was horrible and I loved it.
I've been fascinated by the deep web for a while, but too scared to download encrypted browsers or search up anything questionable, so I'm grateful that the author essentially gave up her social identity to do this valuable research.
It is excellently written, with a journalist's eye for detail.
The frequent switching between codenames and legal names was confusing at times, so it would have been great to have had an appendix to refer to.
I've been fascinated by the deep web for a while, but too scared to download encrypted browsers or search up anything questionable, so I'm grateful that the author essentially gave up her social identity to do this valuable research.
It is excellently written, with a journalist's eye for detail.
The frequent switching between codenames and legal names was confusing at times, so it would have been great to have had an appendix to refer to.
markazarnie's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting read. The first section I was aware of through the media, the second section a bit of an eye opener of which I had seen rumours of in the media, and the third section repulsed me and I have a hard time comprehending how people like the ones here live with themselves
reading_rhi's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
This book is very heavy, but also very informative. Be conscious of your mental health when going into this book.madamegeneva's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - christ the “darkest” chapter was hard to read. Please please do not read the last chapter if you are easily distressed by disturbing content
erinstewart's review against another edition
5.0
The fact that so much of our lives is played out online provides an interesting challenge for writers: how do you make a text engaging when many key events involved someone typing onto their computer and/or accessing websites? It's not exactly a captivating image. But this book is super-engaging, Eileen Ormsby has found a way for the virtual to be rendered undoubtedly real and compelling.
The book focuses on some very dark stories from the dark web (sorted into dark, darker, and darkest, and given that 'dark' involves kill for hire schemes and the workings of an online drug empire, you better believe that the stuff discussed in both 'darker' and 'darkest' are truly dark). It's an impressive book: the amount of work that would have been involved in researching these stories and fashioning them into clear narratives is astounding. Plus, it's important ground to cover. Not many people know about the workings of the dark web, but given its applications in all kinds of crime, we probably should be better informed.
The book focuses on some very dark stories from the dark web (sorted into dark, darker, and darkest, and given that 'dark' involves kill for hire schemes and the workings of an online drug empire, you better believe that the stuff discussed in both 'darker' and 'darkest' are truly dark). It's an impressive book: the amount of work that would have been involved in researching these stories and fashioning them into clear narratives is astounding. Plus, it's important ground to cover. Not many people know about the workings of the dark web, but given its applications in all kinds of crime, we probably should be better informed.
midlifehedgewitch's review against another edition
5.0
I've got a fairly strong stomach. Living in the outback means I've hit kangaroos whilst driving and had to euthanise them rather than let them suffer.
I'll also admit I read this book mainly for ideas for my own fiction.
It was well written, expertly researched and told in a story-like narrative.
However, I'm still in shock after reading the final 'Darkest' chapter of this book.
I don't want to write about it.
It's simply too distressing.
I'll also admit I read this book mainly for ideas for my own fiction.
It was well written, expertly researched and told in a story-like narrative.
However, I'm still in shock after reading the final 'Darkest' chapter of this book.
I don't want to write about it.
It's simply too distressing.
roach's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.0
We will be streaming this astounding event via the TOR network with our high capacity servers at 1080p, which is the minimum screen resolution required to fully appreciate death and dying.
Eileen Ormsby is a crime journalist and dark web expert who has written about true crime for many years now. The Darkest Web introduces three prominent aspects of crime on the dark web and thoroughly chronicles some significant events in each of the three chapters.
The subject matter gets more harrowing with each of those chapters.
The book begins with the story of the infamous Silk Road born out of a novel goal to build a safe space for recreational drug use as an alternative to shady dealers in the park after midnight and the page's eventual downfall. The second chapter uncovers the rumors of murder-for-hire sites on the dark web and tells the story of the notorious scam project, the Besa Mafia, while not leaving out the terrible casualties caused on the sidelines.
Both of these chapters deliver very engaging twists and turns in these real-life cases full of interesting people, backstabbing left and right, skewed morals, and misguided ideals. Even better that the author herself has immediate interactions with many of the people involved and can deliver various in-depth points of view on the respective situations.
Some moments are even humorous when self-righteous criminals send hilariously pompous message board posts or a whole organization goes down the drain because of a ridiculous detail. But it never takes away from the bitterness of the real loss of life due to awful people doing awful things in the midst of all this cyber crime.
It's been an incredibly engaging read and I enjoyed every page of it.
Then there is the third and final chapter, the darkest of the book pointing at the most depraved part of true crime organized through the dark web. Fittingly, this chapter has the most down-to-earth and serious tone. While the other two chapters had moments of entertainment and spectacle, this chapter is a purely educational warning and it's not for the faint of heart. The text is graphic as it deals with "snuff films" and organized child abuse, to put it in the vaguest way possible.
Again, Ormsby picks a notorious case to educate about an infamous aspect of the dark web and chronicles it with clear structure and insight. It is undoubtedly hard to read but the book doesn't dwell on it more than it has to and manages to clear up some misconceptions as well as include the aftermath and conviction of these crimes.
If you are into cyber crime, I highly recommend the two first chapters of the book as they are very thorough and well-written accounts of two incredibly interesting and somewhat infamous stories on the dark web. Though I'd only recommend venturing into the final chapter if you are sure you want to or can handle the retelling of truly depraved crimes. (See content warnings.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, and Rape
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Racism, and Suicide
Most content warnings regard the final chapter of the book.hikio123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
If you read this, do take into account that the content does get pretty dark. From Silk Road to CP, everything is explained in a way to relay how disgusting people can get when having access to a place on the internet that allows nearly perfect anonymity. It doesn't try to be the most disgusting stories, but really a real description of what the dark web, instead of the rumors and urban legends that are shared as fact. Really interesting book.
tomjackson's review against another edition
5.0
when I started reading this book I was maybe a little callous, thinking that I had a strong enough stomach to handle the contents. I was not correct.
the first section is a discussion and history of the Silk Road, and it’s interesting to see how behind the bluster and bravado, the tough guys we’re just kinda nerdy dipshits
in the second chapter, the tough guys turned out to be nerdy dipshits, except for the nerdy dipshit who turned out to be extremely cold blooded
the last chapter is, bluntly, an indictment on the human race. it’s a very, very hard read. to quote the author
“Nevertheless it is safe to say that I never want to return to that part of the dark web again. I wish I could say that I exaggerated the horrors but if anything, I sanitised them”
the first section is a discussion and history of the Silk Road, and it’s interesting to see how behind the bluster and bravado, the tough guys we’re just kinda nerdy dipshits
in the second chapter, the tough guys turned out to be nerdy dipshits, except for the nerdy dipshit who turned out to be extremely cold blooded
the last chapter is, bluntly, an indictment on the human race. it’s a very, very hard read. to quote the author
“Nevertheless it is safe to say that I never want to return to that part of the dark web again. I wish I could say that I exaggerated the horrors but if anything, I sanitised them”