diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
In the future, Nexus is the new popular nano-drug that allows humans to temporarily connect minds & share thoughts with other current Nexus users. Kade Lane, young scientists, in his experiments radically improves Nexus. Not only he managed to make the Nexus influence/presence in human brain permanent, he also installed OS to Nexus nano-bots. So Nexus users can install addons/applications to help them in using their body (just like we now do on our phones). Don Juan app, Bruce Lee app,... (I think you can guess what they can do.) Uses and abuses of Nexus are infinite.
Such ground-breaking discovery, of course, stir-ups a lot of trouble. Politicians say that Nexus is a threat to humanity, army describes it as security risk, criminals see it as source of easy earnings... Which side will Kade pick when neither choice is a good one?
Some people described [b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] as sci-fi spy thriller. I can not disagree with them, the label fits, there sure is a lot of action, chasing, fighting etc. But that is not my favorite aspect of this book. The best thing about [b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] is that [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] poses a lot of intriguing questions. This is a great novel to be read in a book club because there will certainly be a lot of good subjects for discussion:
Is government wiser than humanity? Whose place is to choose what we can and what we cannot use? If some invention that is made for good can also be used for bad purposes, is that reason enough to censor & block it - or should we always take the chance? What is the thing that makes us human - when will we stop being human and become something else?
[b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] by [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] reminds me of my favorite science fiction authors: [a:Cory Doctorow|12581|Cory Doctorow|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212526024p2/12581.jpg] with dystopia/government conspiracy theme, [a:Michael Crichton|5194|Michael Crichton|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1189723729p2/5194.jpg] with unexpected twists and action/adventure, [a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1193516744p2/7779.jpg] because everything [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] described has a scientific background. There is a short article at the end of the book and also a separate non-fiction book [b:More Than Human: Embracing the Promise of Biological Enhancement|274638|More Than Human Embracing the Promise of Biological Enhancement|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173329534s/274638.jpg|266308] where theoretical background and scientific progress so far are explained in details. [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] predicts:
"The next few decades will be more full of wonders than even the greatest science fiction."
I agree and I cannot wait. :)
Altough there is no cliffhanger, the ending leaves us wondering - how will use of Nexus change humanity.
"Would they still be human at the end of this? Might they be something more?"
We will have to wait until September 2013 and [b:Crux|15997527|Crux (Nexus, #2)|Ramez Naam|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21757503], the next book in Nexus series, to find out!
I recommend this book to fans of: science fiction with a lot of action, spy thrillers set in future, genetic engineering theme, dystopian novels about repression of human liberties.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on Amazon and my blog.
Such ground-breaking discovery, of course, stir-ups a lot of trouble. Politicians say that Nexus is a threat to humanity, army describes it as security risk, criminals see it as source of easy earnings... Which side will Kade pick when neither choice is a good one?
Some people described [b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] as sci-fi spy thriller. I can not disagree with them, the label fits, there sure is a lot of action, chasing, fighting etc. But that is not my favorite aspect of this book. The best thing about [b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] is that [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] poses a lot of intriguing questions. This is a great novel to be read in a book club because there will certainly be a lot of good subjects for discussion:
Is government wiser than humanity? Whose place is to choose what we can and what we cannot use? If some invention that is made for good can also be used for bad purposes, is that reason enough to censor & block it - or should we always take the chance? What is the thing that makes us human - when will we stop being human and become something else?
[b:Nexus|13642710|Nexus (Nexus, #1)|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347149654s/13642710.jpg|19257521] by [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] reminds me of my favorite science fiction authors: [a:Cory Doctorow|12581|Cory Doctorow|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212526024p2/12581.jpg] with dystopia/government conspiracy theme, [a:Michael Crichton|5194|Michael Crichton|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1189723729p2/5194.jpg] with unexpected twists and action/adventure, [a:Arthur C. Clarke|7779|Arthur C. Clarke|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1193516744p2/7779.jpg] because everything [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] described has a scientific background. There is a short article at the end of the book and also a separate non-fiction book [b:More Than Human: Embracing the Promise of Biological Enhancement|274638|More Than Human Embracing the Promise of Biological Enhancement|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1173329534s/274638.jpg|266308] where theoretical background and scientific progress so far are explained in details. [a:Ramez Naam|160069|Ramez Naam|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1353488211p2/160069.jpg] predicts:
"The next few decades will be more full of wonders than even the greatest science fiction."
I agree and I cannot wait. :)
Altough there is no cliffhanger, the ending leaves us wondering - how will use of Nexus change humanity.
"Would they still be human at the end of this? Might they be something more?"
We will have to wait until September 2013 and [b:Crux|15997527|Crux (Nexus, #2)|Ramez Naam|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|21757503], the next book in Nexus series, to find out!
I recommend this book to fans of: science fiction with a lot of action, spy thrillers set in future, genetic engineering theme, dystopian novels about repression of human liberties.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on Amazon and my blog.
sirbijan's review against another edition
5.0
Exactly the type of sci-fi that I love, the events are palpable and don't seem impossible; you can feel the story and he doesn't get himself caught in a dead end and thus, does not need to raise a new character/power to get himself out!
The philosophy of open sourcing the technology and looking through the aftermath from the views of different parties involved is very mature as well.
Also the explanation of the current break throughs in neuroscience and the little pieces human could already put together and test is really nice and eye opening.
The philosophy of open sourcing the technology and looking through the aftermath from the views of different parties involved is very mature as well.
Also the explanation of the current break throughs in neuroscience and the little pieces human could already put together and test is really nice and eye opening.
marklpotter's review against another edition
4.0
The overall concept, a drug that links peoples' brains together, isn't an easy concept to write about. At least I figure it wouldn't be. Couple that with the story being set at, essentially, the discovery of this drug it drops a ton of ethical issues in to the mix. Naam handles both of these really well. His writing flows and I really felt the characters' struggles. I can even forgive Naam for being employed by Microsoft because he's written such an amazing piece here. (Yes, that's sarcasm).
senf's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome science fiction about networked minds and trans-humanism.
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
Super fun book! It's way better than I though it was going to be. Distinct characters, solid world, interesting plot (we'll see how book 3 ends), and decent writing. A solid read that has drawn me in!
Fair warning, the audio books change readers each book, which is annoying.
Fair warning, the audio books change readers each book, which is annoying.
docpacey's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of great near future speculative neuroscience and post-human ideas in a fast-paced thriller.
I enjoyed that the characters constantly battled with the morality of the tech, both as individuals and as citizens of nation states battling for control of said tech.
I also enjoyed the light philosophy.
On the whole, the thing holding this book back is that it's a pretty canned action thriller, long on brutal fight scenes and quick healing characters, short on development of strong interpersonal relationships. the seeds are there, so the rest of the series might be worth a go.
I enjoyed that the characters constantly battled with the morality of the tech, both as individuals and as citizens of nation states battling for control of said tech.
I also enjoyed the light philosophy.
On the whole, the thing holding this book back is that it's a pretty canned action thriller, long on brutal fight scenes and quick healing characters, short on development of strong interpersonal relationships. the seeds are there, so the rest of the series might be worth a go.
ashpaj's review against another edition
2.0
I progressively felt more "meh" about this book as I kept reading. Somehow I limped to the end where I felt great relief at not having to continue reading this any further.
The premise is interesting, Nexus, a drug that connects peoples friggin BRAINS together. The writing is a little clunky, but in the beginning it carries along alright. Until, that is, we start hitting every single character and plot cliche we could possibly hit.
Naive scientist creates something he thinks will make the world better when it obviously will lead to massive complications when it easily (and inevitably) falls into the wrong hands, CHECK.
Slightly mysterious female badass with traumatic past torn between the two sides until she ultimately loses her shit? CHECK.
Reformed mercenary now believing in the cause after he found some spiritual guidance that ultimately sacrifices his self for the cause? CHECK
Sacrificial child character that is obviously only there to die in an effort to show the past repeating and drive another character batty? CHECK.
I really could go on (Okay one more - Another naive scientist believing that 'if only the public knew about this governmental corruption and oppressive laws! It would change everything!"... Check.)
It just got so boring and obvious at what would happen that I lost interest almost halfway through. On top of that, the main character seemed, for all his 'brilliance', to be extremely stupid at what Nexus would actually be used for.
Maybe you will like it, loads of other people do, for me it just didn't blow my skirt up.
The premise is interesting, Nexus, a drug that connects peoples friggin BRAINS together. The writing is a little clunky, but in the beginning it carries along alright. Until, that is, we start hitting every single character and plot cliche we could possibly hit.
Naive scientist creates something he thinks will make the world better when it obviously will lead to massive complications when it easily (and inevitably) falls into the wrong hands, CHECK.
Slightly mysterious female badass with traumatic past torn between the two sides until she ultimately loses her shit? CHECK.
Reformed mercenary now believing in the cause after he found some spiritual guidance that ultimately sacrifices his self for the cause? CHECK
Sacrificial child character that is obviously only there to die in an effort to show the past repeating and drive another character batty? CHECK.
I really could go on (Okay one more - Another naive scientist believing that 'if only the public knew about this governmental corruption and oppressive laws! It would change everything!"... Check.)
It just got so boring and obvious at what would happen that I lost interest almost halfway through. On top of that, the main character seemed, for all his 'brilliance', to be extremely stupid at what Nexus would actually be used for.
Maybe you will like it, loads of other people do, for me it just didn't blow my skirt up.
tcgoetz's review against another edition
5.0
Writing is good, but not great. 5 stars for a great concept and an exciting read.
maddieden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nilsherzig's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5