The homicidal computer program in this action-packed, cyber-thrill debut—originally self-published under a pseudonym by software developer Suarez—makes HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey seem as benign as the voice in your car’s GPS. The untimely death of brilliant computer-game-designer Matthew Sobol causes a software program, the eponymous Daemon, to be released onto the Internet, where it quickly propagates and begins to carry out his convoluted plans for humanity. The Daemon recruits disaffected techno-savvy slackers as its minions, steals cutting-edge technology (including remote-controlled motorcycles equipped with deadly rotating knives) from classified government databases, manipulates financial markets to raise the funds for its nefarious schemes, and cleverly uses the media to thwart the authorities (some of whom are just as villainous as the Daemon). This thrill-a-nanosecond novel is certainly faithful to the techno-traditions of the late Michael Crichton and should delight not only readers of the “science gone awry” genre but general adventure readers as well. Too bad it’s not being published in the summer; Daemon would certainly have qualified as a beach-read blockbuster. --Michael Gannon
Review
Suarez s riveting debut would be a perfect gift for a favorite computer geek or anyone who appreciates thrills, chills and cyber suspense. A final twist that runs counter to expectations will leave readers anxiously awaiting the promised sequel.
Publishers Weekly
Greatest. Techno-thriller. Period. Suarez presents a fascinating account of autonomous, logic- based terrorism, incorporating current and anticipated technologies to create a credible and quite clever story. Experts have long feared the Internet doomsday scenario; the Daemon is arguably more terrifying.
William O Brien, Director of Cybersecurity and Communications Policy, The White House
Daemon is the real deal a scary look at what can go wrong as we depend increasingly on computer networks.
Craig Newmark, Founder Craigslist
[Daniel Suarez] is the best author of tech fiction since Bruce Sterling and Neal Stephenson. Buy everything he writes.
John Robb, futurist & Author of Brave New War
Daemon is better than early Tom Clancy...The tech is invoked with inside knowledge, the writing is better, and deeper issues are explored with greater imagination.
Stewart Brand, Founder Whole Earth Catalog & co-founder the Long Now Foundation
An exciting book that will force you to think about where we are heading as a 'wired' society. It will keep you guessing. You will not want to put it down, and you will not want it to end. It doesn't get much better than that.
Steven Winningham, Former CIO, Gap Inc; EVP, Virgin Entertainment Group
Daemon is to novels what The Matrix was to movies. It will be how other novels that rely on technology will be judged.
Rick Klau, VP FeedBurner
A thought-provoking novel that presents real technologies in a new and terrible light. It's a hard book to put down.
Tom Leonard, Lead AI architect Half-Life 2 (Valve Software)
Someday, we may be defending our systems against automated threats that aren't just dumb viruses and the ideas in Daemon will move from the fiction to the nonfiction section.
Jim Rapoza, eWeek (Ziff Davis)
A first-class story that raced, twisting, to a conclusion that left me dying to read Mr. Zeraus's next offering. This book will change the way you look at our society.
Wurzel Parsons-Keir Co- founder, Continuous Computing
Good storytelling can be one of the best ways to wrap your head around the implications of the technological changes we are immersed in. But that depends on finding storytellers who combine talent for story with a willingness and ability to understand the pertinent technologies. Zeraus qualifies. Daemon is highly recommended.
Jim McGee, Ph.D - Harvard Business School, Director, Huron Consulting Group
Daemon pulls you in and doesn't let go. You might think you know where the story is going, but believe me: you don't. This book will surprise you countless times, and it will stay with you long after you finish it..
Frank Gallego, Lead 3D Visual Effects Artist, Digital Domain
Thought-provoking and scary even more so if you know information technology. I recommend Daemon highly.
Beata Kernan, Chicago Computer Society
Suarez has accomplished a feat I've not seen to date in a novel written by a technologist: he creates characters I care about. The technology is first rate, plausible, and timed in the very near future.
Wes Peters, BSD News
Daemon is the technology story of our time. [Daniel Suarez is] a fantastic storyteller with an eye for technical detail that goes unmatched. Think Michael Crichton but with even more research under the hood.
Eric J. Olson, Buzzfeed
Suarez's view of gaming and technology is what every gamer hopes for. Daemon is a great read that takes you on a wild and crazy techno ride. You won't be able to put this book down!
Chuck Fullerton, Founder and CEO, C W. Fullerton Institute of Analysis
The imagination Mr. Zeraus shows in assessing the current technological landscape is impressive. As I made my way through each chapter, I began to realize this was no typical hacking story. Daemon is worthy of your short list.
Donald C. Donzal, Editor in Chief, The Ethical Hacker Network
I ve got to say that I LOVED Daemon... I can t wait for the sequel.
C.C. Chapman, VP New Marketing, Crayon
Review
Suarez s riveting debut would be a perfect gift for a favorite computer geek or anyone who appreciates thrills, chills and cyber suspense. A final twist that runs counter to expectations will leave readers anxiously awaiting the promised sequel.
Publishers Weekly
Greatest. Techno-thriller. Period. Suarez presents a fascinating account of autonomous, logic- based terrorism, incorporating current and anticipated technologies to create a credible and quite clever story. Experts have long feared the Internet doomsday scenario; the Daemon is arguably more terrifying.
William O Brien, Director of Cybersecurity and Communications Policy, The White House
Daemon is the real deal a scary look at what can go wrong as we depend increasingly on computer networks.
Craig Newmark, Founder Craigslist
[Daniel Suarez] is the best author of tech fiction since Bruce Sterling and Neal Stephenson. Buy everything he writes.
John Robb, futurist & Author of Brave New War
Daemon is better than early Tom Clancy...The tech is invoked with inside knowledge, the writing is better, and deeper issues are explored with greater imagination.
Stewart Brand, Founder Whole Earth Catalog & co-founder the Long Now Foundation
An exciting book that will force you to think about where we are heading as a 'wired' society. It will keep you guessing. You will not want to put it down, and you will not want it to end. It doesn't get much better than that.
Steven Winningham, Former CIO, Gap Inc; EVP, Virgin Entertainment Group
Daemon is to novels what The Matrix was to movies. It will be how other novels that rely on technology will be judged.
Rick Klau, VP FeedBurner
A thought-provoking novel that presents real technologies in a new and terrible light. It's a hard book to put down.
Tom Leonard, Lead AI architect Half-Life 2 (Valve Software)
Someday, we may be defending our systems against automated threats that aren't just dumb viruses and the ideas in Daemon will move from the fiction to the nonfiction section.
Jim Rapoza, eWeek (Ziff Davis)
A first-class story that raced, twisting, to a conclusion that left me dying to read Mr. Zeraus's next offering. This book will change the way you look at our society.
Wurzel Parsons-Keir Co- founder, Continuous Computing
Good storytelling can be one of the best ways to wrap your head around the implications of the technological changes we are immersed in. But that depends on finding storytellers who combine talent for story with a willingness and ability to understand the pertinent technologies. Zeraus qualifies. Daemon is highly recommended.
Jim McGee, Ph.D - Harvard Business School, Director, Huron Consulting Group
Daemon pulls you in and doesn't let go. You might think you know where the story is going, but believe me: you don't. This book will surprise you countless times, and it will stay with you long after you finish it..
Frank Gallego, Lead 3D Visual Effects Artist, Digital Domain
Thought-provoking and scary even more so if you know information technology. I recommend Daemon highly.
Beata Kernan, Chicago Computer Society
Suarez has accomplished a feat I've not seen to date in a novel written by a technologist: he creates characters I care about. The technology is first rate, plausible, and timed in the very near future.
Wes Peters, BSD News
Daemon is the technology story of our time. [Daniel Suarez is] a fantastic storyteller with an eye for technical detail that goes unmatched. Think Michael Crichton but with even more research under the hood.
Eric J. Olson, Buzzfeed
Suarez's view of gaming and technology is what every gamer hopes for. Daemon is a great read that takes you on a wild and crazy techno ride. You won't be able to put this book down!
Chuck Fullerton, Founder and CEO, C W. Fullerton Institute of Analysis
The imagination Mr. Zeraus shows in assessing the current technological landscape is impressive. As I made my way through each chapter, I began to realize this was no typical hacking story. Daemon is worthy of your short list.
Donald C. Donzal, Editor in Chief, The Ethical Hacker Network
I ve got to say that I LOVED Daemon... I can t wait for the sequel.
C.C. Chapman, VP New Marketing, Crayon
About the Author
Daniel Suarez is an independent systems consultant to Fortune 1000 companies. He has designed and developed enterprise software for the defense, finance, and entertainment industries. He is an avid gamer and technologist. Daemon is his first novel.
