Rating: Summary: One of the best books I've read Review: At first I was a little sceptical about this book (especially because of its title), but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I finished it in four days!! The reason probably lies in my interrest in hacking (not to be confused with cracking), role-playing games, fantasy, and other such things. I also liked the phylosophical and psychological ideas mentioned in the book, I even wrote many of them down :-)I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in hacking, role-playing, fantasy, AI, and even psychology and phylosophy.
Rating: Summary: One book ill always remember Review: This book is by far one of the better books that i have had the pleasure to read. This may not be the case for poeple that do not know certain things about computers, but it has a very Original plot, as well as twisting into a fantasy story from a sci-fi story. It is my opinion that this book is top notch and would recommand it to any sci-fi or hacker fiction lover.
Rating: Summary: Mixed feelings Review: You, the reader of these reviews, will mostly see two types of reveiw: Good or terrible. That's because this book is aimed at a particular audience. Namely, computer nerds. To those of you who are computer literate, in the areas of tech stuff and games, this is a great read. It's comical, adventurous, full of little one-liners that generate more-than-your-average-one-liner laughter. It switches from real-reality to virtual reality, which at some points elevates the book, and at others points gets really annoying. But save the slightly unrealistic romance area of the plot, it's a great book. Again, this book isn't for everyone, but that doesn't mean only computer geeks can read it. I reccomend picking it up no matter who you are.
Rating: Summary: Lack of sleep, no problem :) Review: My friend and I picked this up intending to read thistogether... two days later I get this cryptic e-mail to READ NOW! Ipicked it up, and couldn't put it down. If you know your DA and your MUDs, computers and other things which fall into "geekdom" status, the one liners will kill you :) About half way through the book I looked up only to find my pot of coffee empty, I'm out of cigarettes and I was SUPPOSED to go to work the next hour. Ten seconds of thought later I've called in sick, made another pot of coffee and broke out the spare pack. The intermittent play on "geek" ideas and stereotypes kept me giggling and always wondering where he will go next. Put it down? Oh I so think not! Of course that employer thought otherwise. Definitely a great read to be had, but I caution you NOT to make any plans for at least a day... and that includes online time, or time spent with the family. :)
Rating: Summary: I regret the hours I spent reading this book. Review: Others have said it better in their reviews, so I'll be brief. This book is boring, tedious. There's enough creative material in it to fill out about two or three pages; the rest is dross. Save your money and your time.
Rating: Summary: Is This A Movie Script Or A Novel? Review: Not that utter lack of descriptiveness or reflective pause are this book's only problem, but I feel cheated when I spend time reading something that doesn't take advantage of the narative form of the novel. Give me cleverly worded observations, or abstract allusions, at least describe something in a sense besides sight or sound! Aside from the unambitious storytelling and the constant, inane bantering every that makes up every identical conversation, this book fails by centering around what seems to be the most boring sword and sorcery video game ever created, also worded with gross lack of originality. Instead of spicing the game sequences with effects and references that would delight gamers (like having a character glow green when poisoned, or flashing numbers with successful hits) Fabi describes his game as if he were writing a lackluster sword and sorcery novel, not distinguishing it all from the style used for the real life sequences. The main character, whose name is an infantile reworking of the angel who fought Lucifer according to Christian myth, is an annoying, macho oaf who fails to act the part of the brilliant computer wiz he is supposed to be. Fabi arbitrarily makes him a martial arts practitioner, I'm assuming to give him that sexy dangerous appeal. This book gets one star for its clever opening/closing full circle ploy, and the couple of remarkable concepts introduced but barely discussed about the title antagonist.
Rating: Summary: A fun read, especially if you know computers Review: This book was one of the monthly choices in our book discussion group, and I went into reading it with little expectation that I'd like it. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained, and went back to read it a second time. The book explored a variety of computer and FRP themes, and while there was some stereotyping, and some very predictable plot twists, on the whole it was an enjoyable read. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves computers and/or fantasy role playing.
Rating: Summary: Quite possibly the worst book *EVER* Review: Please don't even begin to compare this novel to other far worthier books in the genre (Neuromancer, Snow Crash, etc...). Mr. Fabi has attempted to take every single "in-joke" from the hacker/geek community and cram them into a single book with no regard for plot or characters. If, like me, you're a computer professional, with even a modicum of literary appreciation, you will cringe throughout the whole book.
Rating: Summary: Frustrating, Horrible, and Never Worth Reading Review: Wyrm is an absolutely horrible book. To anyone I would say,"Never read it!". As any one can figure out, the next milleniumbegins in 2001, not 2000, because there was never a year 0 and 1+2000=2001. Mark Fabi's little paragraph about how 2001 is mathematically correct, yet 2000 is agreed upon by the general population is like saying "The general population believes that 2+2=5, and so it must be true! The only thing that Mark Fabi was trying to do was show off how much he knows about computers, and how much he can stereotype every form of life on this planet, especially women. The only good stuff is in the game; he should have just cut out the rest.
Rating: Summary: Great fun. Review: While this book won't win any awards, it was an entertaining (if somewhat lengthy) read. I'm a computer professional, and most of what Fabi wrote is technically accurate, and he did a good job at making the technology in the story understandable by those who don't know what "pre-emptive multi-tasking" is. This is a story I felt I could hand to my mother and know she'd understand the story, and more about technology, when she finished it. This is an entertaining, and funny book, good for mindless escapism, but it's not really going to be thought-provoking, unless you're paranoid about Microsoft.
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