Frequencies

Rating:
Summary: One of the best genre SF novels of its kind
Review: I highly recommend this book. Like 1984, Atlas Shrugged, and Brave New World, it considers one possible future based upon trends in both politics and technology. Unlike those stories, however, it makes its point without being particularly heavy handed. The oppression of the frequencies-monitored society is part of the richly-developed back story; it is not a part of a sermon.

((frequencies)) works on several levels. On the surface, it's a sci-fi action story with chases, gadgets, and intrique galore. The novel features several excellently developed characters, and the writing conveys a great deal of compassion as well as irony, humor, and loss.

As I mentioned, the subtext also presents a great deal of food for thought with regard to human nature, the imperatives of committees, and the balance of benefit vs destruction that accompany any technological advance.

Mr. Ortega's greatest strength is developing great characters and putting them into readily understandable situations. The bad guys are not 100 percent evil, and the good guys (with one notable exception) are not completely untarnished. This makes them incredibly interesting and compelling.

Alas, the ending is just a bit open-ended for my tastes. It's very clear that this isn't the end of the story; that at least one (more likely, two) installment will be necessary to tell the complete tale. Assuming the writing is at least as good in the next book, however, I think I can live with that. I definitely want to read the next installment(s)....

So, buy this book, and make it compelling for Mr. Ortega to finish the next one soon!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I just finished the book and thought it was fantastic. There were Gibsonian elements (Neuromancer,Idoru) in it, though it often made me think of Rudy Rucker (The Hardware Trilogy). Nonetheless, while I'm reminded of this author or that, Ortega has a unique style of his own, which is quite interesting and lends itself to a good read. I think the best part of this book was the fact that it became more of an art form; the entire section related to the delta symbol is a unique concept in writing and it made the impact convayance of situation much more intense. I look forward to reading Ortega's next book.

Rating:
Summary: terrible - rotten - stinky
Review: I thought this book was quite a bad read because when the ideas weren't cliche they were dumb and the characters were poorly developed and unbelievable... and most of all because the author cannot write his way out of a paper bag. If you want an "unknown" pulpy cyberpunk book that actually is a good read try Jennifer Government or the When Gravity Fails series instead...

Rating:
Summary: I don't think so
Review: I've read better dystopic views of the future. This view of the future is just not that plausible - except for the idea that virtually unlimited money can buy unlimited power and influence. "Ordosoft" is a thinly veiled and somewhat contrived evolution of Microsoft. In addition, the bad grammar (not in dialog, but in the narration) is jarring and not excusable. I'd take a pass on this one - or borrow it from the library if you must read it.

Rating:
Summary: Surprising
Review: It begins like a cross between Mickey Spillane and Jules Verne quickly finding a unique and interesting voice. The novel is full of invention and creativity. You'll rarely guess where it is going or what the author is going to do next. It takes chances and most of them pay off. It's not a novel that goes too far out there to merely confuse or dazzle. You won't want it to end, and there looks to be a sequel in store.

What a fun, exhilarating read. There's plenty to consider and chew on as well. Discover it soon.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Lives on in Your Mind
Review: Jashua Ortega sets you in a futuristic world in Seattle that continues to live in your mind long after you finish reading the book. The characters continue to grow as the plot develops and you begin to understand how their minds work. Reading this book feels more like watching a really good movie because the writing is so alive and well crafted. This book is too good to put down.

I look forward to reading other works by Jashua Ortega. I am glad this young, hard-working author is receiving such well deserved support.

Rating:
Summary: Troy Is Burning.
Review: Josh Ortega is no Cassandra --people are believing him. The future he warns us of is even now setting our walls on fire. Down there on the beach waits the wooden horse. His best characters are despicable -- the rich pretending to be in it for our good and the good of the planet. That next book is going to be more evil than our fate, if we don't pay attention. I want.

Rating:
Summary: Frequencies
Review: Joshua Ortega has created an incredible futuristic Seattle without changing it into complete science fiction. His innovative creations of federal agencies and everyday life makes you think....could these things really happen? Some of his predictions have already begun to come true. Freeky! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a different view of the future - one that we can't imagine, yet we are moving toward. Be careful what you think - control your frequencies.....

Rating:
Summary: No Holds Barred
Review: Mr. Ortega has shed light onto the future of privacy (or the lack there of), the evolution of OUR governments attempt to enter our homes, our work place, and our internet. Frequencies demonstrates ?OUR? governement's fierce and desperate battle for control over our minds while also demonstrating Mr. Ortega's wonderful gift of storytelling. Frequencies is a page turner that does not compromise because it does not have to. It is a self-published work of love from an author stepping forth from the wilderness and bringing the word. Stamped with the Omega Point. Can you dig it?

Rating:
Summary: Differences of opinion
Review: Obviously there are a number of people who enjoyed this book. It got positive reviews, not just in places not necessarily familiar with SF (like the Seattle Times) but also in places that are familiar with the genre (like Talebones magazine). Tastes vary. For myself, I don't find satire on negative social trends and positive visions of change sufficient by themselves to make a good novel. Joshua Ortega has some very apt observations here: a Redmond-based company called Ordosoft pretty much runs the world; voters anxious for social order after a period of violence agreed to have themselves electronically monitored to such an extent that a special division of the FBI can even track whether your thoughts are in the socially acceptable frequency range (placid and accepting); when a riot is touched off by cops beating three children to death, the rioters and their entire neighborhood are wiped out but the cops are only reprimanded. However, many things mar the book, like too much description and not enough action; a nit-picking attention to irrelevant details like each step of lighting a cigarette; inconsistency (he has a nice little gimmick of putting ® and TM and © after brand names of things being consumed, but doesn't do it all the time); a general stiffness and heavy-handedness in writing. I am glad that more people are self-publishing, and that the market isn't totally dominated by big publishing houses. One of the advantages of a publishing house, however, is that somebody else edits you. Ortega needs a much tougher editor before he publishes the sequels he has in mind.