Free Shit Friday - Halting State

Friday, June 3, 2011
Halting State, by Charles Stross. Hardcover.

"This brilliantly conceived techno-crime thriller spreads a black humor frosting over the grim prospect of the year 2012, when China, India and the European System are struggling for world economic domination in an infowar, and the U.S. faces bankruptcy over its failing infrastructure. Sgt. Sue Smith of Edinburgh's finest, London insurance accountant Elaine Barnaby and hapless secret-ridden programmer Jack Reed peel back layer after layer of a scheme to siphon vast assets from Hayek Associates, a firm whose tentacles spread into international economies. The theft is routed through Avalon Four, a virtual reality world complete with supposedly robbery-proof banks. As an electronic intelligence agency trains innocent gamers to do its dirty work, Elaine sets Jack to catch the poacher. Hugo-winner Stross (Glasshouse) creates a deeply immersive story, writing all three perspectives in the authoritative second-person style of video game instructions and gleefully spiking the intrigue with virtual Orcs, dragons and swordplay. The effortless transformation of today's technological frustrations into tomorrow's nightmare realities is all too real for comfort."

Please note, results will be delayed because I'm on a FABULOUS HAWAIIAN CRUISE. And not currently thinking about Free Shit Friday.

Da Rules.

12 comments:

Stacey said...

Count me in.

Thordr said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thordr said...

Not the normal stuff I read, but I would like to anyway:) Any chance you heave read James Cobbs "Choosers of the Slain"?

Nathan said...

I'll bite!

David said...

Free book? Pick me! Pick me!

Unknown said...

Oooh, I've been meaning to read that book.

WendyB_09 said...

Sounds interesting, I'm in.

When you're done watching hunky men in grass skirts swaying around.

WendyB_09 said...

Sounds interesting, I'm in.

When you're done watching hunky men in grass skirts swaying around.

Unknown said...

have a FABULOUS cruise!

Jeri said...

I'm not competing - I already have the book and it is EXCELLENT. :)

Tom said...

I'm in. Gotta be randomly picked one of these times...

vince said...

I wont' bite, but I'd still like da book.