Stones Data: Book One. Jacob Whaler. August 2013. The
Armchair Publisher. March 2013. 553 pp. Kindle e-book ISBN #: B00EQEF2LI.
It’s
a techno-dystopian time in which the world runs by innovative gadgets like the
Mesh, a more secretive version of the Internet; a Jax phone which can be
protected from any intruder and which can track every user; and more. But the
world isn’t a better place and there are those who not only realize it but also
are attempting to do something about it.
If intentions were worth money, the antagonists in this novel would be millionaires. But what good would that do when money and technology are seen as
the enemy. Mikhal Ryzaard is one such
do-gooder. An enigma of a man, he is
over 120 years old, the possessor of a specific stone which is part of his
non-aging process. The stone when
combined with meditation enables him to predict stock trading prices and
outcomes. He has managed to not only
combine two companies into one that he now runs but also knows how to appeal to
listeners and viewers. Yes he wishes to
entrap as many as he can for training on how to live in his perfect world he is
planning to create. But now an enemy appears on the scene with another stone
and Ryzaard’s plans will come to naught unless he is able to capture this stone
and eliminate the enemy – not so easy though as each stone quickly bonds with
its owner!
Matt
and Kent Newmark are a close team. Kent
is constantly protecting his son, an automatic reflex after his wife and Matt’s
mother was cruelly assassinated for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now Matt and Kent are the object of a huge
manhunt but they are far too smart and too laden with innovative gadgets that
protect them. Yes, they have to change identities constantly but they always
keep one step ahead of the hoods who really aren’t as smart as they think.
The
stones have special qualities such as time jumping, freezing time, and
more. Matt’s stone has a special quality
which involves a woman, energy and more.
Ryzaard wants his stone and will destroy Matt to get it. But Matt is a lot more savvy than even his
father imagined. He learns more about
the stone than Ryzaard has with his own stone for years. A professor helps him
in the process and warns him to be alert to the danger lurking so close to them
both. Matt’s stone protects him but that
doesn’t mean that fierce battles occur many, many times. For Ryzaard’s goal is to “save” mankind from
its own evil and destruction; one small scene in which he shares his goal is a
flip back to Orwell’s 1984, hardly
appealing to say the least.
Matt
and his girlfriend Jen are in the middle of this battle and the reader will not
be one iota disappointed because new features of this ancient technology are
featured at pivotal, tense moments.
Stones Data is a technological thriller rich with
ancient lore, paranormal feats, and a terrific plot about how contemporary,
highly sophisticated data is merged with ancient powers. Grand read and exciting as well, especially
knowing that more will follow about this strange but exhilarating plot and
dynamic characters. Very nicely done,
Jacob Whaler! Highly recommended!
