As someone involved in IT for most of my life, it was very refreshing to see a writer who knew how things really worked. Who understood how networks, databases, and other pieces of infrastructure that runs our daily lives really functioned. Daniel Suarez, is the thriller writer I’ve been waiting for: Someone who actually has a clue what really is happening behind the computing curtain.

All to often, I’ve found that most writers who write science fiction and techno-thrillers have no experience whatsoever with technology and love to throw terms and ideas out in order to cover their ignorance. This was one of the first books of fiction I’ve read where I saw the writer knew exactly what he was talking about and wasn’t depending on a subscription to Wired for all of his technical information.

As a novel, I found it enjoyable and frightening at the same time. Since I know about the technology he talks about in his books, I can easily see some of the things that happened actually occur. As one reviewer on Amazon had said, “This isn’t a novel so much as it is an object lesson in what can happen.” What I found fascinating was looking at all the reviews, people who really didn’t understand the technology involved, or people who think they do (listening to CNET podcasts and what not does not count as “knowing about computers and the internet”) did not like this novel as much as people who really do know the way things work in the internet.

In some ways, Daniel has limited his audience to very technical people, but to be honest those in the later generations are more technical than the previous ones and it is very refreshing to read a book where they author isn’t dumbing down the novel in order to keep people who aren’t technically inclined happy. Its like the author is saying to his readers, “If you can understand, great take a seat and hold on to the pull bar for a wild ride. If you can’t, then STFU and find yourself a Grisham book”. I like that. I like it very much.

To sum things up, if you’re in IT or involved anyway in computer technology, you should read Daemon. If you really understand what Daniel is talking about, it should both excite and scare you. This is definitely a thriller for our generation, and I sure hope to see more like these popping up in the near future.