We've done it! We've pushed earth beyond the brink. There are too many people and many have to die. Those deemed as useful live in a ectopia with all the benefits that advanced technology can offer while those who are seen as less essential are left behind.

The worldbuilding was really cool and the impacts of overpopulation on how life works are all too believable, but overall it was just okay. Some things felt like they were too convenient and I didn't care all that much about most of the characters. I know this is the start of a series though and the ending was interesting so I might give it another chance and pick up the next book. ( )

I'm in two minds over this book. I might continue the series or might not. There are other much more enjoyable books out there to read. The violence, blood and gore in this book first shocked me, then after a while I became so desensitized to it that it almost became funny, and I find that scary. There were no characters to like, no character development, so for somebody who likes to invest in a character, I found it difficult to turn the pages and to finish the book because there was not one character I cared about. He could have killed off almost everyone in the book (which he almost did), and I would have been fine with it. I found it very difficult to visualize all the tech stuff, maybe there were too many things described. It took really long to read this book. The political pieces were interesting and even relevant if you look at today's political views. However, it might have been the only thing I've enjoyed in this book. Maybe the follow up books will get better concerning the characters and their development, but I'm not sure if I will continue to find out whether it is so or not. ( )

Another fantastic series opener from Asher. I am just a third through this first book in the series, and I can tell that I will really enjoy the full series. Lots of action, lots of future speculation, lots of high-end technology gone rogue. It is actually pretty scary, as I can see where the nasty future depicted could very well happen. Asher poses philosophical questions to stimulate the reader's interest beyond the story/plot itself. Can't put this one down. I am already ordering the next two books in the series.

I also thoroughly enjoy his Ian Cormac books and I will be diving into the Rise of the Jain series as well.

Certainly a terrific page turner, since I took just two days to get thru about 500 pages.
I'm hoping the next in the series will flesh out the characters a bit more than the monochromatic morality that was understandingly used in this first establishing book. ( )

I was kind of interested in this book, but when it started with a political statement along the lines of Russian propaganda: "all alliances and states working together is just corrupt politicians trying to stomp on normal people" I got a bad taste and decided to skip this book.