Kill Decision by Daniel Suarez is a techno thriller that delves into the world of autonomous combat drones and the consequences of advanced technology in warfare. The plot follows an entomologist whose research on ant behavior is stolen to develop a drone army, leading to a high-stakes mission to stop the use of drones in warfare. The writing style is described as fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with realistic bleeding-edge technology that creates a believable and thrilling plot. The author, Daniel Suarez, is praised for his ability to spin tech tales that sound plausible and grasp the technology he writes about.

Characters:

The characters function primarily as archetypes in a high-stakes environment, with a focus on their roles in action rather than complex personal narratives.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is dynamic and fast-paced, with a blend of technical information and thriller elements, aimed at keeping the reader engaged and informed.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around military drones capable of operating autonomously, exploring the consequences of this technology through an action-packed adventure involving theft, rescue, and a race against time to prevent further attacks.

Setting:

The setting reflects a near-future environment impacted by advancing military technologies and real-world concerns about surveillance and warfare.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast, with moments of slower exposition that serve to build context before quickly returning to high-octane action.

From eight thousand feet the rescue workers looked like agitated ants as they scurried around the wreckage of a car bomb. An MQ-1B Predator drone zoomed its cameras in for a close-up. Debris and body ...

Notes:

The novel centers around the concept of autonomous military drones, programmed to operate without human intervention.

Professor Linda McKinney, a myrmecologist, develops an algorithm that predicts the behavior of African weaver ants.

The stolen algorithm prompts deadly drone attacks that put Professor McKinney in danger.

The protagonist, Odin, is a secret operative tasked with uncovering the source of drone attacks in the US.

The government tries to cover up these drone attacks to avoid public panic, falsely labeling them as terrorist actions.

The book highlights the real and growing technological capabilities of drones, raising concerns about future warfare.

Daniel Suarez combines military action, political intrigue, and advanced science, creating a gripping techno-thriller.

Readers noted that the writing includes a lot of technical terminology, which can be confusing but adds to the suspense.

The story features elements of paranoia, as it portrays a dystopian world where no one feels safe from drones.

While the book is filled with action and unrelenting suspense, some readers felt it lacked depth in character development.

Kill Decision has been compared to Tom Clancy novels for its thrilling plot and technological insights.

The premise of autonomous drones capable of making 'kill decisions' raises ethical questions about warfare and technology.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violent scenes, drone warfare, and themes of assassination and conspiracy.

From The Publisher:

A scientist and a soldier must join forces when combat drones zero in on targets on American soil in this gripping technological thriller from New York Times bestselling author Daniel Suarez.

Linda McKinney studies the social behavior of insects-which leaves her entirely unprepared for the day her research is conscripted to help run an unmanned and automated drone army.

Odin is the secretive Special Ops soldier with a unique insight into a faceless enemy who has begun to attack the American homeland with drones programmed to seek, identify, and execute targets without human intervention.

Together, McKinney and Odin must slow this advance long enough for the world to recognize its destructive power. But as enigmatic forces press the advantage, and death rains down from above, it may already be too late to save mankind from destruction.

Ratings (5)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (6)

2 comment(s)

StephB

It Was OK

3 months

Listened to audiobook w/hubby. The narrator was great. He did a multitude of accents and had good distinction between male and female voices. The overall story was good. The main female character was frequently annoying with her inability or refusal to accept those protecting her knew best.

jortup295

It Was OK

8 months

2.5/5 - This one was just fine. Cool idea, but the execution was a little rough.

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About the Author:

Daniel Suarez is the author of the New York Times bestseller Daemon, Freedom(TM), Kill Decision, Influx, and Change Agent. A former systems consultant to Fortune 1000 companies, his high-tech and sci-fi thrillers focus on technology-driven change. He lives in Los…

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Kill Decision

Daniel Suarez