Frequencies [Paperback]

Joshua Ortega (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001

Seattle. 2051. Cars and cities float in the sky. People's thoughts are monitored as electromagnetic frequencies. Nanotechnology, androids, and human cloning are a part of everyday life. Through a compelling narrative filled with fascinating characters and breathtaking concepts, author Joshua Ortega explores the world of tomorrow in a bold and uncompromising way, crafting a tale which critics have described as "profound," "prophetic" and "amazing."

The Seattle Times calls ((FREQUENCIES)) "a cult hit." Find out what the buzz is all about...

((The future is now))

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Joshua Ortega's first novel, ((Frequencies)), the citizens of the technologized nations of A.D. 2051 can have bio-"gengineered" body parts and modems in their brains, but jaded Agent McCready, whose job is to investigate frequency emissions violations, prefers 20th-century sensibilities. When he signs on to protect the family of a wealthy tech-magnate, he gets more than he bargained for: skeletons (or clones) in the closet, the magnate's beautiful daughter, potentially lethal informational infections, life-threatening danger and a cherry 1957 Chevy.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Just 40 years after the Frequency Emissions Act authorized the microchipping of humans in order to control their violent tendencies, a rash of "freekers" individuals driven insane by their microchips threatens the stability of society. Ortega's first novel portrays a 21st-century society on the verge of breakdown or transfiguration. Combining straightforward storytelling with experimental prose, this eccentric tale of conspiracy and cosmology belongs in large sf collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Omega Point Productions (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967112028
• ISBN-13: 978-0967112022
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,202,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best genre SF novels of its kind, February 21, 2000

By 

Allan Rousselle (Somewhere along I-90, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frequencies (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book. Like 1984, Atlas Shrugged, and Brave New World, it considers one possible future based upon trends in both politics and technology. Unlike those stories, however, it makes its point without being particularly heavy handed. The oppression of the frequencies-monitored society is part of the richly-developed back story; it is not a part of a sermon.

((frequencies)) works on several levels. On the surface, it's a sci-fi action story with chases, gadgets, and intrique galore. The novel features several excellently developed characters, and the writing conveys a great deal of compassion as well as irony, humor, and loss.

As I mentioned, the subtext also presents a great deal of food for thought with regard to human nature, the imperatives of committees, and the balance of benefit vs destruction that accompany any technological advance.

Mr. Ortega's greatest strength is developing great characters and putting them into readily understandable situations. The bad guys are not 100 percent evil, and the good guys (with one notable exception) are not completely untarnished. This makes them incredibly interesting and compelling.

Alas, the ending is just a bit open-ended for my tastes. It's very clear that this isn't the end of the story; that at least one (more likely, two) installment will be necessary to tell the complete tale. Assuming the writing is at least as good in the next book, however, I think I can live with that. I definitely want to read the next installment(s)....

So, buy this book, and make it compelling for Mr. Ortega to finish the next one soon!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frequencies, May 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Frequencies (Hardcover)

Joshua Ortega has created an incredible futuristic Seattle without changing it into complete science fiction. His innovative creations of federal agencies and everyday life makes you think....could these things really happen? Some of his predictions have already begun to come true. Freeky! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a different view of the future - one that we can't imagine, yet we are moving toward. Be careful what you think - control your frequencies.....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Today's "Neuromancer", May 16, 2003

By 

Kaylin A. King "EastsideGirl" (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frequencies (Hardcover)

This is one of the best SciFi Books I've read in a long time. I'd even venture to say this is the most original in concept and voice since Gibson's "Neuromancer". The concepts and events are very timely to the direction things seem to be moving that it was almost chilling to read. Great characters! Great Voice! Definitely a talent to watch!
Can't wait for the sequels Josh! Or the Movie!