Influx Hardcover – February 20, 2014

As a big fan of Mr Suarez’s earlier works, he takes his exploration of technology and its intersection with mankind to the next level, examining the impact of advanced technologies and how the unrestrained progress of the 21st century could be dragging us towards oblivion. The organization he imagines, the Bureau of Technology Control (BTC, the acronym often used for BitCoin) is as ominous as it gets, rolling together a pervasive surveillance state, “special ops”-style raids and assaults in the continental United States, and extraordinary rendition, detention, and interrogation at a unique black site.Pre-9/11, this would come off more as an examination of how our republic’s government seeks to shape the conversation and shackles for what a small cabal decides, with no accountability or oversight, is the greater good. Cold War-era themes of great power competition amongst nearly-equal organizations underscores the arms race that takes place largely outside of but in the background of the story.In the shadow of the 9/11, however, the novel feels more like an indictment of the national security apparatus. It’s fair to say that accountability and transparency are joined by a push for civilian oversight, led of all organizations by the newest department, Homeland Security (DHS). This may strike some readers as comical, given DHS’ continued efforts against transparency, accountability, or oversight from the ground level to the senior policymakers implementing programs like family separation and targeted deportation in suburban environments, which disturbingly mirror some tactical situations in the novel. The head of the fictions BTC is fearsome and driven, seeing his role as a duty that transcends international and national laws and treaties, grossly violating human rights, and concealing his programs from the lawful US government, by which he claims to be chartered. Clearly, as dots are connected, and new tentacles of the sinister BTC exposed, we are not meant to identify with this rogue organization that does what it believes is in the interest of the nation yet off-book and unaccountably.To some who read this in the federal government, it could be taken as a blunt criticism of the rendition, detention, and interrogation team, the operation of overseas “black sites”, media manipulation, global surveillance, and the perpetually-alleged suppression of life-saving/changing technologies by various “three-letter agencies”, as the author terms them at one point. I would have enjoyed a more through elucidation of the way this BTC split from its parent, its legal mandate, how the organization interfaces with the rest of the government (beyond a handful of throwaway sentences about providing intelligence), and most importantly the legal basis for its various extraordinary programs under US law. How does is surveillance authorized vis-à-vis warrants of any stripe? How can a vehicle secure diplomatic or government plates while so divorced from normal functionaries like the GSA? Do any of these shadowy operatives receive an income, pay taxes, or have a passport (not once mentioned even for a particular long-serving agent previously in the US military)?I adore Mr Suarez’s works, having read this one in a six-hour marathon, and while I have further questions, I cannot give this less than five stars for his conscientious examination of the impact of advanced technologies on humankind. His science is accurate, as real as possible, and touches on explaining even advanced theoretical concepts when it makes sense for characters to do so (since they are so often theoreticians or engineers thereof). His characters reflect a deep understanding of what makes extraordinary people in extraordinary situations tick, and his plot is once again a tightly-woven tapestry of diversity and human decency meeting the worst impulses of our kind. Bravo, sir!

"Influx" was OK. That's not bad. It's not deep, but it's there.The conceit is that the federal Bureau of Technology Control corrals geniuses who may upset the status quo with their discoveries. They can cooperate or pay the price. So let me give you an example of the depth of this book.Hero: Hay I thought I was dying but I woke up here???Hendricks: Yeah, you're not dead. But look at all this cool stuff we have. You need to join us.Hero: No.Hendricks: Kay, I did my best, it's off to high tech jail for you!The military bad guy telegraphs right out of the gate how bad he is immediately thereafter; the narrator might as well have had him twist his mustache and cackle."Influx" is chock full of deuses (deii?) ex machina, coincidence, and improbable plot twists. I found it to be much more entertaining if I pictured evil Hendriks, the head of the BTC, as Scientology leader David Miscavage, with the Cotton character being Philip Seymour Hoffman and Grady, our hero, as a generic Portland hipster.Still, for all that, it's a decent disposable read that you will forget about entirely 3 days later.For more interesting works regarding a "breakaway civilization" within our own, the interested reader may wish to look into the words of Joseph Farrell or Richard Dolan.

Daniel Suarez has always had my interest with the technological thrillers that he's written. When I first was introduced to Daemon, it was an adventure that caused me to read the book in a very short period of time.In all his books, there's always been a hint of bleeding edge technology driving the story line, with "humanity" as a topic in tow. And this book is no exception, however Arthur C. Clarke's third law seems to apply here.As a person reads this book, the first couple of chapters really sets up a situation where someone would have to take the information as a leap of faith. The real story doesnt really occur until maybe 30% into the book. This has deterred some people in the reviews, and I dont fully disagree with them. But now that I've read the whole book, I wouldnt really change a word.The use of "magical" science dictates the need for an explanation of the science, which means.... a dry first 1/3 of the book. The beginning really sets the book up to be more of a sci-fi novel than a thriller, but the key to this book is the turn and the finish.Unlike the beginning, the middle and end of the book is the rest of the roller coaster ride. The book can, in no way, be described as anything other than a thriller. And a fun one to boot.So my advice to anyone who starts to read Influx, start and push through. And you'll eventually feel drawn in, like gravity.Enjoy the ride. :-)

This was an exciting read. I read it in one day. Didn't want to put it down! It's smoothly written, intelligently plotted, and well paced.It's chock full of action and suspense, and Daniel Suarez is not at all reluctant to torment his characters (which is a good thing). Earth-shaking events occur, which is always fun - it feels like a summer blockbuster action movie.I was genuinely freaked out by the superhuman powers of the high-tech bad guys - they seem like supervillains from a Marvel movie, especially Magneto - and the tactics the good guys use against them are plausible, fitting, and fun.I think my favorite thing was watching the main character, Jon Grady, utterly refuse to do what he's told. It's a trait I admire. :-) I also loved the character of Cotton, though you definitely won't understand that the first time you meet him...!There is some scientific and technical talk so detailed I can't follow it... but it's mostly confined to the first scene.All in all, I recommend it!