Infoquake (The Jump 225 Trilogy) (v. 1) (Paperback)

by David Louis Edelman (Author)
Key Phrases: neural programmer, programming bars, multi requests, Data Sea, Serr Vigal, Sheldon Surina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Slick high-finance melodrama and dizzying technical speculation lift Edelman's SF debut, the first of a trilogy. Centuries in the future, humans rely less on machines than on upgrading their own nervous systems with nanotech bio/logic programs. Natch, a gifted young code programmer–entrepreneur obsessed with clawing his way to the top, jumps at the chance to merchandise a major new technology, MultiReal, even though he doesn't know what it is. Natch soon becomes a target for not just his business rivals but also totalitarian governmental agencies and more mysterious groups. Natch's being a borderline sociopath makes him extremely creative in business tactics and personal manipulation (and thus fascinating to read about). The world in which he operates is also fascinating, with awesome personal powers being sold on a frantic open market. Edelman, who has a background in Web programming and marketing, gives his bizarre notions a convincing gloss of detail. Bursting with invention and panache, this novel will hook readers for the story's next installment. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"A fascinating glimpse into an all too possible future of business, software, wetware, and over-powerful technocrats." -- Tobias S. Buckell, author of Crystal Rain

"David Louis Edelman's Infoquake may be a new subgenre unto itself: the science fiction business thriller." -- Chris Roberson, Sidewise Award-winning author of Here, There & Everywhere and Paragaea: A Planetary Romance

"Infoquake is a rare beast: a future history that is simultaneously convincing and wondrous." -- Sean Williams New York Times best-selling author of Geodesica: Ascent

"Inventive and provocative, with a surprisingly emotional kick. Read this book, and then argue about it." -- Kate Elliott, author of Crown of Stars

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 421 pages
• Publisher: Pyr (July 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591024420
• ISBN-13: 978-1591024422
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,066 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look in the future with a promising new author!, October 14, 2007

By	Multiverse Reviews - See all my reviews

Nowadays, many science fiction and fantasy novels are simply retelling previous ideas through new sets of eyes. Some do this well, others not so much. Therefore, it is always welcome when a sci-fi author jumps into the speculative fiction genre with a new approach, a new idea or a new sub-genre even.

In his award-winning debut novel Infoquake, David Louis Edelman attacks the sci-fi genre and infuses it with his stunning vision of humanity's future. Sure there are splashes of other sci-fi subgenres in this book, a bit of cyberpunk here, some hard sci-fi there. But honestly, this book truly follows its own path as I delved deeper into the world of "Infoquake."

Set in a not-so-near future, the world as we know it has gone through a tremendous upheaval, only to rebuild itself into a cutting edge wonder of technological advancement and global interconnectivity. Earth's population has increased by a factor of 10, to the point that humanity has orbital colonies in space as well as settlements on the moon and the Solar System's asteroid belt. Software and nanotech corporations (or 'fiefcorps' as they are called) are the main driver of the world's economy, their owners the equivalent of celebrities in the public eye.

The industry that gets the most focus is bio/logics, which allows humanity to interact with nanotechnology to better their quality and length of life. The only thing is, at this point in time, humans are utterly dependent on bio/logics and it is actually considered taboo not to have any bio/logics hardware or software in your body.

Our protagonist is an immoral, workaholic fiefcorp owner named Natch, who has no life outside of his career. Despite the small size of his company, and his horrendous treatment of his underlings, Natch's bio/logics company is on its way up to the top of the Primo charts (the equivalent of a movie box office or Billboard Hot 100 chart for music). And when he does achieve his dream, albeit through despicable and underhanded means, this attracts the attention of not only his countless enemies, but also the heir to the technological revolution that brought humanity back from the brink. The heir in question, Margaret Surina, comes from a long line of technological innovators that have shaped the direction of humanity.

Now, she claims that her mysterious new technology, MultiReal, will do the exact same thing. So she enlists the help of Natch and his fiefcorp to belt out the technology into a usable product in less than two weeks. And he has to do this before his many enemies, including the head of the world government, get their hands on MultiReal.

Let me just say that this is a wonderfully written book. It kept me engrossed and riveted, with well-written dialogue and engaging characters. In addition, as an avid fan of world building, I loved the world that Edelman created. This book carved a brand new universe using alternate history, detailed imagination and Edelman's computer programming background. Whenever he described a character's usage of a bio/logic's program to hide their shock or enhance their body's functioning in any way, it was always fascinating.

What also added to the back story of "Infoquake" were the wonderful timeline and glossary that Edelman added, so one could never get lost or confused.

The issues I had with the book were minor, and kept me from giving this gem a perfect rating. For one, there was next to no redeeming qualities or true depth to our protagonist. I liked the fact that Natch was not a goody-two shoes and that we get a lengthy chunk of chapters that described why he became the way he was, but Natch was still far too unlikable. Plus, he had no life or personality outside of his career. The one thing he did that was not completely job-related was a regular pilgrimage to the Redwoods in the northwest, but this was done to ruminate about more business strategies.

Also an issue was one of Natch's subordinates named Jara. Granted, I loved how Edelman made her this kind of pathetic person who hated Natch as a boss yet would have had no issue if he mounted her and said "Let's get it on." But her opposition to each and every idea that could have provide advancement to the company she worked for could have been lessened as it became tiresome. Lastly, there was this 3D program called See-Na-Ree, which I could have done without.

Other than that, I wholeheartedly recommend "Infoquake" for anybody and everybody. I know I am just one of many who eagerly await Edelman's follow up novel to the fantastic Infoquake.


4.5 out of 5 spaceships

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew coding software could be so exciting?, February 6, 2007

By	S. Spaulding "http://racebannon42.blogspot.com/" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Hack the body and the mind will follow."


Infoquake, the debut novel by David Louis Edelman, is the first volume of the Jump 225 trilogy. Its a financial thriller in a cyberpunk setting. Infoquake takes place several hundred years in the future, mankind has emerged from the decimation of the autonomous revolution thanks to the work of Sheldon Surina. Surina is the father of bio/logics, digital programs that work through nanobots, or OCHRES, which are spread throughout the bodies of most humans. Competition to create and sell new bio/logic programs is fierce, and Natch is one of , if not the best in the business.

The story starts out with Natch unveiling a Machiavellian plot to ascend to the top spot on Primo's list, the Fortune 500 of the bio/logic biz. This stunt works and even earns him the notice of Margaret Surina, the descendant of Sheldon. She presents Natch with the opportunity of a lifetime. She wants him to finish and sell MultiReal a bio/logic program capable of creating a near infinite number of alternate realities. The catch is that not only does every other Fiefcorp want to get their hands on this program, so does the shadowy High Executive of the Defense and Wellness Council, Len Borda.

The book is fast paced from the start, although the action is much more cerebral than physical. Plots and intrigues abound. Edelman creates a very interesting character in Natch. He has few redeeming qualities but the reader is drawn to him none the less. The supporting cast is very strong as well. I particularly enjoyed Jara, one of Natches apprentices. Edelman creates a rich narrative of a future earth. The back of the book is chock full of appendixes, which includes, a glossary, a time line, and in depth explanations of some of the most prevalent technologies. He is clearly a master at fleshing out his concepts. The story drew me in from the start, and I'm eagerly anticipation the forthcoming volumes.

8.5 out of 10

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars uses the potential The Matrix wasted, August 11, 2006

By	Eric S. Beck "literature freak and bookstore ... (Quincy, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If the Matrix hadn't been so laden down with pop psychology and pseudo psycho-babble, this is what we could have had: the kind of intelligent, interesting, futuristic look at the business and technological world that makes the future so alluring. As the start of a trilogy, it only invites you in, making you ask for more, more, more, so we can find out where this is all leading. Reminiscent of the most coherent of Phillip K Dick's novels (Androids), it is the kind of insightful social and technological commentary science fiction writers should strive for.