Scorpion Hardcover – Import, 24 June 2021

Scorpion starts off with a scene that surprised me in the beginning, surprised me partway through, and then... wow, did it surprise me by the end! The book and the plot were off and running fast from the beginning.Whenever I read a book by an author that I haven't read before, it takes a little while to develop trust and assure myself that I'm in good hands. This did not take long with Scorpion. The plotting is tricky and intricate but very self-assured, and the author knows exactly where he is going (and I did not guess where he was going, at all). The writing is both easy-to-read and dense with allusions, jokes, and cyberpunk-style envisionment of a near future that fans of William Gibson and Neal Stephenson will especially enjoy. Overall a very satisfying and and stimulating science-fiction thriller.

It’s an interesting and different/original premise w a serial killer addendum. Where it excels with story it falls w interpersonal dialogue, sounding more like AI generated conversations. And final third is kind of a let down.

There was so much going on in the book that I couldn't put it down. There's a lot of high tech descriptions, but even as a non-techie, I "got" the general idea and loved it! Your imagination will be stretched, though you'll also get attached to certain people in the book. Cantrell has masterfully blended his usual high tech with humanized characters that capture your interest and keep the pages turning. I have to go now...because I'm reading it again...I know I missed some things because my mind got stuck on what had just happened and I think I may have missed something! Get ready for a ride!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are complicated with motives that are not entirely explained. You are left wondering where things will go next, in a good way. The future tech described is plausible and in some cases based on current best theories without being too over powered. The characters are what drive the story, not the gadgets and environments. This has sequel written all over it. If you like Tom Clancy mixed with Daniel Suarez you will love this.

Interesting concept. I must admit it took me a bit to get into this story, mainly because I didn’t know where it was going. In hindsight that it one of its strengths.I enjoyed that I couldn’t predict the outcome.Four stars.