Technically the first book in the Dark Future cycle, set in a dilapidated decaying alternative United States, most of which has been reduced to scorching desert, plagued by roving bands of armed gangs, with only the reconstituted US Road Cavalry keeping the highways open. There are dark forces at work, ushering in the end of the world, and as part of their plans, they unleash a demon virus on an unsuspecting Cavalry patrol. Satire, ultra-violence and lots of in-jokes follow in a fast-paced, tightly-plotted well-written chunk of sci-fi horror. ( )

Demon Download is total 'cult fiction' (for lack of a better term), sort of cyberpunk meets horror via The Road Warrior (with a lot of Spaghetti Western elements thrown in).

An undercover secret agent nun is out to stop a demonic computer virus that is attempting to take over the internet. All this in a world where religious biker cults roam the Southwest, a group of (Satanic? Worshipers of Cthulhu?) 'Mormons' run Utah (now dubbed 'Deseret') and former president Charlton Heston(!) has reformed the cavalry.

It's all silly fun that could easily collapse under its own weight, but after a shaky start the book really lives up to its promise.

Newman is a pop-culture junkie and it really shows here. His narrative is peppered with off handed references to things like Hanson’s third farewell tour. These references are usually worth a chuckle and the volume of them really worked to set the tone for the Dark Future this book takes place in. ( )