Gridlinked

Rating:
Summary: Not Enough Grid in Gridlinked
Review: This is an exciting, action packed story, with well developed characters. It pulls no punches in describing violent outcomes, combat action, and character confrontations. If you are looking for an action novel in a futuristic setting then this would be for you.

I however was disappointed. I was expecting more science in this story. There is very little description of the technology that is employed and the "grid" that is part of society play very little role in the story. There is also a striking lack of things that might be part of the traditional `cyber punk' genre save for the withdrawal symptoms Cormac suffers when he become unlinked in the early part of the story. The theme of coming off the grid and how that affects a person should have been more fully explored. In fact the title of this book should really be something more like "un-Gridlinked"

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Again
Review: This is the second book I've reviewed by Neil Asher, and the second time I've found myself wanting to go out and buy another of his titles.
Off World Sci Fi books at times spend way too much time developing worlds, cultures and such like, and quite often the story and characters suffer for it. Not so here! Adult fiction of this kind is far too scarce and because of this both Gridlinked and the Skinner stand out from the mainstream Sci Fi and grasp the reader's attention.
Neil's style has a Sergio Leone feel to it, another reviewer mentions grit, and that's spot on. You can place yourself into character of any of the protagonists too, which can only increase the reading pleasure and experience.
To many times I've picked up a Sci Fi book and felt that it was aimed at the 13-18 age group and am left with the impression that book radiated vapidity and substance, but Gridlinked reminded me that there are books and writers out there that can cater for my escapism needs. More like this please!