James Lipman Lipman itibaren Bilohryve, Sums'ka oblast, Ukraine itibaren Bilohryve, Sums'ka oblast, Ukraine

Freedom(TM) is the sequel to Daemon that patches a number of holes the writer left in the first book. The prose is tighter, the descriptions more direct, the characters are fleshed out and the plot is nicely wound down. If you enjoyed Daemon, there is no reason not to read the sequel. Writing: *The action, even combat, was easier for the reader to track. Details were left to essentials and depictions of gore and violence were in a range I enjoy. *The tech talk was less computer-centric and focused on broader families of technologies. When these new items were brought up, knowing the details of how say a Indium-Gallium-Arsenide composite was formed is a good flourish but not knowing doesn't harm you. Plotting: *The integration of MMO elements to everyday living is near masterful. A meatspace equivalent of magical items, NPCs, Area of Effect weapons, questing, and leveling are all represented in believable and non-cheesy methods. *The range of participation from the hardcore darknet participant to the friends of the darknet to dogs are done well. I expected the range of interactions to be very digital and consisting of people being "in or out" and was glad this wasn't the case. *The cloudgate quest concept was well done with the thread of the quest being not places but events. *The "hey dummies, this is what's happening" chapters were less overbearing. Problems: *The ending was too tidy. *The price of victory seemed quite low. *I think some liberties were taken with what would actually happen if gas hit $17 a gallon, unemployment hit 30%, and how international markets would be affected. *Still think the katana-wielding motorcycles were excessive.