Decision Point

Rating:
Summary: A successful blending of characters and plot.
Review: "Decision Point" by Steven Daniel falls somewhere between a solid yarn and a Tom Clancy novel. In a near future of "on-line" virtual reality, Daniel introduces a world where political powers and maneuvering have been altered by technological and geological changes. This works on the one hand, while providing a nagging distraction on the other. "Decision Point" isn't alive with the same sort of "behind the scenes" intimacy that a Clancy novel generates simply because Daniel has replaced current political and technological issues with those of a future that is slightly askew. The results are well-drawn characters but an absence of truly feeling privy to secret meetings and political intrigue. Nonetheless, "Decision Point" still works very well, and is an entertaining and engrossing read. Much like a Clive Cussler novel, the pace and story line readily makes up for minor shortcomings. I think Steven Daniel has done a great job and upon the strength of this novel, I would purchase future Daniel works (especially those involving "Decision Point's" protagonist, President Duncan Miller).