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Gridlinked by Neal Asher
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Gridlinked (2001)

by Neal Asher

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Polity: Ian Cormac (1), Polity: Universe (2001)

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Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)
About 85% done according to Kindle: a brawny, masculine book about an insensitive super agent. The story is more about action than sense or motivations. Characters are introduced and killed without compassion. A cold book that reminds me of action movies such as Mission Impossible or Captain America, where the entertainment is in the blasting, furious activity, tantalizing the eyes but light on the humanity and eminently forgettable.

I realize that Asher wrote many books in the same universe and maybe they would have more heart than this. But am somewhat disappointed since I started this having the notion that the book would be comparable to Haldeman's Forever War, but instead its a chase story filled with sf gadgetry. Perhaps others would find this mind-blowing and fun, but sorry to say, I am not so thrilled.

Addendum: Just finished the book. On hindsight, Asher has style and this helped move the book along. Maybe I'll try another of his books later. ( )
  ricaustria | Apr 5, 2013 |
I thought that this book was excellent. It was a great exciting read and a reasonable look into our far future. The story is about a Ian Cormac, an agent who has spent the last 30 years 'gridlinked' or constantly connected to a network of AI's. He has access to all available information almost before he evens asks for it.

However, most humans are disconnected from the grid after 20 years because of the chance of permanent psychological problems. Now it's time for Cormac to be unplugged. He's also being sent on one of his most important missions of his 70 year career. Unfortunately, during is last mission he made an enemy of a rich psycho who wants nothing more than to kill Ian for revenge and is willing to do what ever it takes to accomplish this. It makes his difficult mission that much more so.

Excellent book, I plan to continue reading the series. What I find interesting is that it kind of resembles a sci-fi version of David Eddings work. ( )
  readafew | Mar 1, 2013 |
An interesting debut book that I borrowed on a whim at the library. ( )
  timothyl33 | Jul 23, 2011 |
The title of this book is somewhat misleading. The central character begins the novel ‘gridlinked’ that is, connected permanently and wirelessly to the Internet of the future. However for reasons of his own health he is advised to disconnect and does so. A fair amount of the book details his slow reintegration after spending such a long time hooked up... http://icantstopreading.blogspot.com/2008/02/gridlinked-by-neal-asher.html
  lorelorn_2008 | Jan 5, 2011 |
Sometimes you just need a thriller, as I knocked off this novel in basically one day. I'm well aware of the critiques regarding the limitations of Asher's work, but there are the things that he does really well. His settings always have a tactile quality to them, even if you might wish for a little more emotional depth in his characters. His villains and aliens are creative; the former reminding you as to how alien how people can be from each other. And Asher does keep the action moving along; a particular joy after the last Jane Austen wannabe disguised as fantasy I slogged through. I also like Asher's concept that in a society of relative plenty the violent protestors would be those frustrated at not being able to exploit their fellow man. ( )
1 vote Shrike58 | Mar 30, 2010 |
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» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Neal Asherprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Rawlings, SteveCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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To my family for keeping my feet on the ground while allowing my head to stay in the clouds. What a stretch.
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A blue snow was falling on the roof of the embarkation lounge, where it melted and snaked across the glass in inky rivulets.
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Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0765349051, Mass Market Paperback)

Gridlinked is a science fiction adventure in the classic, fast-paced, action-packed tradition of Harry Harrison and Poul Anderson, with a dash of cyberpunk and a splash of Ian Fleming added to spice the mix.

Cormac is a legendary Earth Central Security agent, the James Bond of a wealthy future where "runcibles" (matter transmitters controlled by AIs) allow interstellar travel in an eye blink throughout the settled worlds of the Polity. Unfortunately Cormac is nearly burnt out, "gridlinked" to the AI net so long that his humanity has begun to drain away. He has to take the cold-turkey cure and shake his addiction to having his brain on the net.

Now he must do without just as he’s sent to investigate the unique runcible disaster that's wiped out the entire human colony on planet Samarkand in a thirty-megaton explosion. With the runcible out, Cormac must get there by ship, but he has incurred the wrath of a vicious psychopath called Arian Pelter, who now follows him across the galaxy with a terrifying psychotic killer android in tow. And deep beneath Samarkand's surface there are buried mysteries, fiercely guarded.

This is fast-moving, edge-of-the-seat entertainment, and a great introduction to the work of one of the most exciting new SF talents in years.

(retrieved from Amazon Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:47:20 -0400)

(see all 5 descriptions)

Thousands have been killed on Samarkand and a terraforming project has been destroyed. Cormac must reach it by ship to begin an investigation. But he has incurred the wrath of an evil psychopath called Peter, who follows him across the galaxy.

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