James Hider

This is near future post human science fiction. The premise is that humanity works out how to upload consciousness to virtual worlds and this results in amazing breakthroughs of scientific knowledge and an effective end to death. Almost everyone chooses to join the exodus from fleshy existence to living eternally in the comfort of virtual worlds.

The story is set several hundred years after the break through. Told from multiple points of view, including flashbacks to the pre uploading memories of one of the protagonists. It takes a while to build to sound engagement because you need to get engaged with each of the viewpoints, but when you get there you really are engaged.

There is a clear sense of a believable future world, it sort of makes sense given the technology. To relieve boredom a very small number of the Eternals re-manifest in flesh either to maintain things or to reproduce, offspring only come in the old fashioned way. There are also descendants of those that chose not to be uploaded still on Earth. Lastly, there are also those that have been thrown out of the Orbiters for criminal activity.

The story mainly revolves around a single character who was involved in the original research on uploading as a test subject. Choosing to stay on Earth with a phobia of the virtual worlds he is forced out of his backwoods life (in Dorking) and driven into London where he comes to the attention of the authorities. He is very much a reluctant hero, doing the right thing but forced to act either by the authorities or by some shadowy agents of another power that remains anonymous most of the way through the story.

This was an interesting read and it made me think a little when I was reading it. Not least of which I wondered where the power and maintenance of the orbiters was coming from. However, that isn't relevant for the story. There is a god story in here and one that continues past the end of the book. I know that there is a sequel in progress and I will look out for it.… (mais)

Can we control our conscious state, eventually harness it, perhaps recreate it? Even if we developed such a power, do we have the right to play God? These moral questions and many others surface during the reading of "Cronix." This novel spans the scope of many lives but manages to do so within the same characters, all while explaining a lofty Science Fiction concept and its damaging effects on Earth society. Though such ideas have been attempted before in books and movies alike, this novel remains unique in its scope and perspective. There are echoes of Neil Stephenson in the beginning; you find yourself immersed in a world that as a reader you do not fully understand. It is worth the trouble to stick through the confusion, as it quickly becomes intrigue and then thrill once you comprehend the situations the main character must attempt to overcome. Another enjoyable subtlety is the fact that even the main character is no hero, as he is riddled with poor judgement and thrust into situations that he cannot control and perhaps should have avoided completely. Like all good Science Fiction, this novel will have you questioning humanity as well as our moral (and mortal) limits.… (mais)

This is one of the most extraordinary books on current events that I've read in years. Investigative reporter James Hider gives an inside view of wars in the Middle East -- Palestine in part, but Iraq in particular. It's a view from the ground, written in the first person by a reporter who puts himself at considerable risk from all sides in the conflicts. Hider has a sharp eye and keen wit, and his expose is irreverent, frightening, and hilarious. This is not "gonzo journalism" (as the cover blurb maintains) -- the reportage is real, not fantasy. However, it does offer an unflinching view full of dark humor and irreverent observation. The Spiders of Iraq is as close as most readers will ever get to the wars in question and ever want to get. My copy of this book is underlined, full of marginal comments and turned- down page corners, and I just may turn around and read it again. I never would have picked this book up if not for the Early Reviewers program, and am glad to recommend it strongly.… (mais)