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Nick Hall #2
BrainWeb
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Science Fiction (2015)When the Academy Awards become the target of a brutal terror attack, only one man can stave off massive bloodshed.
MIND'S EYE, the novel that introduced Nick Hall, was a runaway Kindle bestseller. Now Hall returns in a riveting stand-alone thriller, set in an Internet future that is just around the corner. From the New York Times bestselling author of WIRED.
Nick Hall, an unwilling recipient of brain implants, can surf the Web with his thoughts and read minds. And while this makes him one of the most formidable men on earth, he is determined to stay off the grid.
But when terrorists seize control of the Academy Awards and vow to butcher the world's most beloved stars, one by one, in front of an international television audience, Hall is forced to reveal his astonishing capabilities.
Now, power players around the world will stop at nothing to capture him. And as the secretive group working with Hall begins to unravel, he is sure of only two things: he has been betrayed by someone close to him. And the stakes he is playing for could not be any higher . . .
Based on actual research on thought-controlled Web surfing, BrainWeb is a smart thriller that raises a number of intriguing possibilities about a future that is rapidly approaching.
"Richards is a worthy successor to Michael Crichton." (SF Book.com)
"Richards is a tremendous new talent" (Stephen Coonts) "who can keep you turning the pages all night long." (Douglas Preston)
MIND'S EYE, the novel that introduced Nick Hall, was a runaway Kindle bestseller. Now Hall returns in a riveting stand-alone thriller, set in an Internet future that is just around the corner. From the New York Times bestselling author of WIRED.
Nick Hall, an unwilling recipient of brain implants, can surf the Web with his thoughts and read minds. And while this makes him one of the most formidable men on earth, he is determined to stay off the grid.
But when terrorists seize control of the Academy Awards and vow to butcher the world's most beloved stars, one by one, in front of an international television audience, Hall is forced to reveal his astonishing capabilities.
Now, power players around the world will stop at nothing to capture him. And as the secretive group working with Hall begins to unravel, he is sure of only two things: he has been betrayed by someone close to him. And the stakes he is playing for could not be any higher . . .
Based on actual research on thought-controlled Web surfing, BrainWeb is a smart thriller that raises a number of intriguing possibilities about a future that is rapidly approaching.
"Richards is a worthy successor to Michael Crichton." (SF Book.com)
"Richards is a tremendous new talent" (Stephen Coonts) "who can keep you turning the pages all night long." (Douglas Preston)
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
2503 people are currently reading
3871 people want to read
About the author
Douglas E. Richards
77 books1,723 followersWrite to Doug at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and visit the author's website to be notified of new releases.
Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science-fiction thrillers that have sold more than three million copies (see list below). Richards has been celebrated for his gripping, thought-provoking works that blend cutting-edge scientific concepts with heart-pounding narratives.
Richards burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, WIRED, published in 2010. The novel garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenious combination of scientific speculation and thrilling storytelling. This success set the stage for a series of bestselling novels, each marked by meticulous research, riveting plots, and characters that resonate with readers.
Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging narratives, Richards has become a go-to author for readers seeking an intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-fueled reading experience. His works delve deeply into the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific breakthroughs and the potential impact of technology on society.
A former Director of Biotechnology Licensing at Bristol Myers Squibb and a former biotechnology executive, Richards earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
The author has two grown children and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and dog.
Richards loves hearing from readers, and always replies, so feel free to write to him at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and address him as "Doug". You can also Friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, or visit his website, where you can sign up to be notified of new releases.
SCIENCE FICTION THRILLERS BY DOUGLAS E. RICHARDS
SERIES
WIRED (Wired 1)
AMPED (Wired 2)
MIND'S EYE (Nick Hall 1)
BRAINWEB (Nick Hall 2)
MIND WAR (Nick Hall 3)
UNLEASHED (Nick Hall 4)
SPLIT SECOND(Split Second 1)
TIME FRAME (Split Second 2)
THE ENIGMA CUBE (Alien Artifact 1)
A PIVOT IN TIME (Alien Artifact 2)
STANDALONE NOVELS
QUANTUM LENS
GAME CHANGER
INFINITY BORN
SEEKER
VERACITY
ORACLE
THE IMMORTALITY CODE
UNIDENTIFIED
PORTALS
THE CURE (To become KU eligible for the first time in 2023)
THE BREAKTHROUGH EFFECT
Kids Science Fiction Thrillers (9 and up, enjoyed by kids and adults alike)
TRAPPED (Prometheus Project 1)
CAPTURED (Prometheus Project 2)
STRANDED (Prometheus Project 3)
OUT OF THIS WORLD
DEVIL'S SWORD
Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science-fiction thrillers that have sold more than three million copies (see list below). Richards has been celebrated for his gripping, thought-provoking works that blend cutting-edge scientific concepts with heart-pounding narratives.
Richards burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, WIRED, published in 2010. The novel garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenious combination of scientific speculation and thrilling storytelling. This success set the stage for a series of bestselling novels, each marked by meticulous research, riveting plots, and characters that resonate with readers.
Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging narratives, Richards has become a go-to author for readers seeking an intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-fueled reading experience. His works delve deeply into the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific breakthroughs and the potential impact of technology on society.
A former Director of Biotechnology Licensing at Bristol Myers Squibb and a former biotechnology executive, Richards earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
The author has two grown children and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and dog.
Richards loves hearing from readers, and always replies, so feel free to write to him at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and address him as "Doug". You can also Friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, or visit his website, where you can sign up to be notified of new releases.
SCIENCE FICTION THRILLERS BY DOUGLAS E. RICHARDS
SERIES
WIRED (Wired 1)
AMPED (Wired 2)
MIND'S EYE (Nick Hall 1)
BRAINWEB (Nick Hall 2)
MIND WAR (Nick Hall 3)
UNLEASHED (Nick Hall 4)
SPLIT SECOND(Split Second 1)
TIME FRAME (Split Second 2)
THE ENIGMA CUBE (Alien Artifact 1)
A PIVOT IN TIME (Alien Artifact 2)
STANDALONE NOVELS
QUANTUM LENS
GAME CHANGER
INFINITY BORN
SEEKER
VERACITY
ORACLE
THE IMMORTALITY CODE
UNIDENTIFIED
PORTALS
THE CURE (To become KU eligible for the first time in 2023)
THE BREAKTHROUGH EFFECT
Kids Science Fiction Thrillers (9 and up, enjoyed by kids and adults alike)
TRAPPED (Prometheus Project 1)
CAPTURED (Prometheus Project 2)
STRANDED (Prometheus Project 3)
OUT OF THIS WORLD
DEVIL'S SWORD
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
September 11, 2016
You know how a particular kind of novel, say, anything by Jane Austen, is casually referred to as 'chick-lit?' Let's call the fiction written by Douglas Richards "dick-lit." This is a spy-tingling--if not spine-shattering--sci-fi spy thriller, right down to the Mexican cartels, the special Black Ops units, brain implants allowing thought to surf the internet with no need for small electronics, a spectacular, and spectacularly brilliant, guy who can read minds within a radius of six miles--and romance, far more simplistic AND mushy than most chick-lit can tolerate.
At the end of the book, which was not totally a waste of time, especially since it included many detailed, if laughingly erroneous, references to your reviewer's very own hometown, the author graciously includes a list of suggested reading, from which many of his ideas came. He explains what was true, and what pure fiction, on a variety of subjects. Before we get to the actual story, I'd like to challenge Mr. Richards to a bit of truth-telling on two subjects whose veracity, or lack thereof, appears to have been deliberately omitted. The result is, Mr. Richards appears to have included a bit of brainwashing for the men who read this book.
Regarding the first issue, he goes on a tangent several times in different places and at considerable length. He unambiguously states that income disparity between men and women in the USA is a lie exaggerated to provoke the unthinking hordes into demanding equality "which already exists." He justifies his thesis by claiming statistics lump all pay on either side into a single mix; he postulates this would of course tilt the disparity against men, because men choose careers that pay better than women, i.e., S.T.E.M. jobs as opposed to say, teaching or service-sector jobs usually assumed by women. He further goes on to insist that gender pay disparity is "already illegal." Both points are woefully incorrect and do absolutely nothing to move his story in any direction. Clearly Mr. Richards has an axe to grind. He writes:
"A number of newspapers and online news sites pointed out that if there was a gender-based income gap, it wasn't nearly as large as portrayed, and that there was no pending legislation to correct it if one did exist, since this kind of discrimination was already against the law."
Of course, Breitbart's successor might have reported that, but that's a radical right-wing site. Here are the actual facts:
"It's true that women tend to cluster in certain fields and men in others, and the ones women dominate usually pay less. But in virtually every job category tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average woman earns less than the average man. Women only make more in three occupations for which there is adequate data to compare men’s and women’s earnings — they lose out in about 115 others. Even in those low-paid jobs that tend to be dominated by women, such as nurses, teachers, and secretaries, men earn more. And even in male-dominated industries like manufacturing, finance, construction, mining, and agriculture, women earn less." --excerpt, http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014...
Women earn less because of discrimination. And while white women earn 77 cents for every dollar a white man does, a black woman earns 64 cents and a Latina, only 55 cents. Women earn less, too, because they are forced to balance between career and family, while men don't face the same hurdles.
The Lily Ledbetter Act of 2009 merely reinstated settled law, again allowing plaintiffs 180 days from the most recent discriminatory paycheck to file a claim in court. The ultra-conservative Roberts Supreme Court had overturned that law to allow only 180 days from the first discriminatory check for a suit to be filed. This was essentially unfair because, in the Ledbetter case, Goodyear had forbidden its employees to discuss wages, and Ledbetter had been on the job some 13 years before receiving an anonymous note showing three male managers at her same level earned 40% more.
What's more, plaintiffs' recovery of lost wages is still limited to just two years. The Ledbetter Act did nothing to extend that.
Nor does the Ledbetter Act make disparate pay illegal; it merely reinstates the previous statute of limitations for discovery of the disparity. It hopes to encourage employers to do the right thing VOLUNTARILY.
Moreover, of those women who receive less pay for equal work, only 1% have the means (read: money) to access relief through the courts. Women, not employers, still bear the burden of proof, and they must do so one plaintiff at a time.
The Supreme Court retaliated against the 2009 act in 2011, restricting it by making it impossible for discrimination of gender pay to be tried as national class action suits:
"The issue before the Supreme Court was whether female employees as a group could be certified as a single class, suing Wal-Mart at a single trial. Lawyers for the women introduced evidence showing that female employees held two-thirds of the lowest-level hourly jobs at Wal-Mart, but only one-third of the management jobs, and that women overall were paid on average $1.16 per hour less than men in the same jobs, though the women had more seniority and higher performance ratings.
Writing for the five-member court majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said that in order to sue as a single class, the women would have to point to a discriminatory policy that affected all of them, and they could not do that. Indeed, Scalia noted that the company has a specific corporate policy against discrimination." --excerpt, http://www.npr.org/2011/06/20/1372967...
If poor working women cannot sue as a class, they have no access to the courts because they are prevented from cobbling together their limited financial resources.
So here's a challenge for Mr. Richards: come clean and let your readers know your sexist rants about the non-existence of gender-based pay discrimination is pure fiction.
The second issue is written:
"The U.S. is truly vast, and has far larger stretches of untouched nature than most people could possibly guess. And the criminal element knows how to take advantage of this wilderness. Mexican cartels have any number of marijuana and opium poppy fields in America, complete with runways and helipads, in places so isolated they hadn't seen humans in centuries before the cartels arrived."
Oh my--it's those pesky illegals. Again. This is also suggestive of an intent to brainwash men into discrimination against an entire class of people. The fact is, there would be no cartels if the USA didn't have an insatiable addiction to drugs. Prescription drugs constitute the current greatest misuse of drugs across the nation; only 4% of the population shifts from Oxy, Percocet, and Vicodin to heroin! http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/p...
Let's not blame another country for the devil that dwells within--and we're talking young, suburban whites, here--not hardworking Americans of Mexican descent. Those referred to commonly as 'illegals' have in fact committed no crime, but have only violated a civil statute by being here without papers.
Finally, a word or two about the story. It starts with an incredibly sophisticated terrorist plot by an Islamist jihad (naturally) to murder everybody at the Oscar Awards ceremony as the world watches on TV. The first star they plan to execute on live broadcast will be Scarlett Johansson. The author continues with a list of Hollywood stars in order of popularity as published somewhere online. It's a good enough story; reading the book was not entirely unpleasant and had a few fine moments. But somehow it's just not quite kosher to throw in genuine names to heighten the effect, and this author peppers the entire book with real names, which suggests he didn't think his work would be sufficiently popular on its own without them. This reviewer finds that distasteful. It's even more distasteful when he overtly suggests President Obama, by name, is continuing the felonious doctrine of rendition--the order of torture to be committed on foreign soil--by fudging around the law and having such interrogations done aboard U.S. ships in foreign waters. This is another issue whose veracity or fiction the author fails to address.
In short, Mr. Richards does an awful lot of politicking in his fiction. Shouldn't guys know better than to be brainwashed by dick-lit? Or does Mr. Richards simply think so little of male intelligence?
P.S. A minor quibble, but "coronated" is not a word.
At the end of the book, which was not totally a waste of time, especially since it included many detailed, if laughingly erroneous, references to your reviewer's very own hometown, the author graciously includes a list of suggested reading, from which many of his ideas came. He explains what was true, and what pure fiction, on a variety of subjects. Before we get to the actual story, I'd like to challenge Mr. Richards to a bit of truth-telling on two subjects whose veracity, or lack thereof, appears to have been deliberately omitted. The result is, Mr. Richards appears to have included a bit of brainwashing for the men who read this book.
Regarding the first issue, he goes on a tangent several times in different places and at considerable length. He unambiguously states that income disparity between men and women in the USA is a lie exaggerated to provoke the unthinking hordes into demanding equality "which already exists." He justifies his thesis by claiming statistics lump all pay on either side into a single mix; he postulates this would of course tilt the disparity against men, because men choose careers that pay better than women, i.e., S.T.E.M. jobs as opposed to say, teaching or service-sector jobs usually assumed by women. He further goes on to insist that gender pay disparity is "already illegal." Both points are woefully incorrect and do absolutely nothing to move his story in any direction. Clearly Mr. Richards has an axe to grind. He writes:
"A number of newspapers and online news sites pointed out that if there was a gender-based income gap, it wasn't nearly as large as portrayed, and that there was no pending legislation to correct it if one did exist, since this kind of discrimination was already against the law."
Of course, Breitbart's successor might have reported that, but that's a radical right-wing site. Here are the actual facts:
"It's true that women tend to cluster in certain fields and men in others, and the ones women dominate usually pay less. But in virtually every job category tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average woman earns less than the average man. Women only make more in three occupations for which there is adequate data to compare men’s and women’s earnings — they lose out in about 115 others. Even in those low-paid jobs that tend to be dominated by women, such as nurses, teachers, and secretaries, men earn more. And even in male-dominated industries like manufacturing, finance, construction, mining, and agriculture, women earn less." --excerpt, http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014...
Women earn less because of discrimination. And while white women earn 77 cents for every dollar a white man does, a black woman earns 64 cents and a Latina, only 55 cents. Women earn less, too, because they are forced to balance between career and family, while men don't face the same hurdles.
The Lily Ledbetter Act of 2009 merely reinstated settled law, again allowing plaintiffs 180 days from the most recent discriminatory paycheck to file a claim in court. The ultra-conservative Roberts Supreme Court had overturned that law to allow only 180 days from the first discriminatory check for a suit to be filed. This was essentially unfair because, in the Ledbetter case, Goodyear had forbidden its employees to discuss wages, and Ledbetter had been on the job some 13 years before receiving an anonymous note showing three male managers at her same level earned 40% more.
What's more, plaintiffs' recovery of lost wages is still limited to just two years. The Ledbetter Act did nothing to extend that.
Nor does the Ledbetter Act make disparate pay illegal; it merely reinstates the previous statute of limitations for discovery of the disparity. It hopes to encourage employers to do the right thing VOLUNTARILY.
Moreover, of those women who receive less pay for equal work, only 1% have the means (read: money) to access relief through the courts. Women, not employers, still bear the burden of proof, and they must do so one plaintiff at a time.
The Supreme Court retaliated against the 2009 act in 2011, restricting it by making it impossible for discrimination of gender pay to be tried as national class action suits:
"The issue before the Supreme Court was whether female employees as a group could be certified as a single class, suing Wal-Mart at a single trial. Lawyers for the women introduced evidence showing that female employees held two-thirds of the lowest-level hourly jobs at Wal-Mart, but only one-third of the management jobs, and that women overall were paid on average $1.16 per hour less than men in the same jobs, though the women had more seniority and higher performance ratings.
Writing for the five-member court majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said that in order to sue as a single class, the women would have to point to a discriminatory policy that affected all of them, and they could not do that. Indeed, Scalia noted that the company has a specific corporate policy against discrimination." --excerpt, http://www.npr.org/2011/06/20/1372967...
If poor working women cannot sue as a class, they have no access to the courts because they are prevented from cobbling together their limited financial resources.
So here's a challenge for Mr. Richards: come clean and let your readers know your sexist rants about the non-existence of gender-based pay discrimination is pure fiction.
The second issue is written:
"The U.S. is truly vast, and has far larger stretches of untouched nature than most people could possibly guess. And the criminal element knows how to take advantage of this wilderness. Mexican cartels have any number of marijuana and opium poppy fields in America, complete with runways and helipads, in places so isolated they hadn't seen humans in centuries before the cartels arrived."
Oh my--it's those pesky illegals. Again. This is also suggestive of an intent to brainwash men into discrimination against an entire class of people. The fact is, there would be no cartels if the USA didn't have an insatiable addiction to drugs. Prescription drugs constitute the current greatest misuse of drugs across the nation; only 4% of the population shifts from Oxy, Percocet, and Vicodin to heroin! http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/p...
Let's not blame another country for the devil that dwells within--and we're talking young, suburban whites, here--not hardworking Americans of Mexican descent. Those referred to commonly as 'illegals' have in fact committed no crime, but have only violated a civil statute by being here without papers.
Finally, a word or two about the story. It starts with an incredibly sophisticated terrorist plot by an Islamist jihad (naturally) to murder everybody at the Oscar Awards ceremony as the world watches on TV. The first star they plan to execute on live broadcast will be Scarlett Johansson. The author continues with a list of Hollywood stars in order of popularity as published somewhere online. It's a good enough story; reading the book was not entirely unpleasant and had a few fine moments. But somehow it's just not quite kosher to throw in genuine names to heighten the effect, and this author peppers the entire book with real names, which suggests he didn't think his work would be sufficiently popular on its own without them. This reviewer finds that distasteful. It's even more distasteful when he overtly suggests President Obama, by name, is continuing the felonious doctrine of rendition--the order of torture to be committed on foreign soil--by fudging around the law and having such interrogations done aboard U.S. ships in foreign waters. This is another issue whose veracity or fiction the author fails to address.
In short, Mr. Richards does an awful lot of politicking in his fiction. Shouldn't guys know better than to be brainwashed by dick-lit? Or does Mr. Richards simply think so little of male intelligence?
P.S. A minor quibble, but "coronated" is not a word.
March 9, 2015
Like the first one, this is a good, entertaining read. It's not a great read, however. The prose continues to be utilitarian and uninspiring. Also, this book comes across as much more "preachy" than the others. The author spends too much time *telling* the reader what the pros and cons of the BrainWeb technology is when he should be focused on *showing* the reader through the story. There's even an entire chapter devoted to a made-up artifice of an interview, the entire point of which is to take the reader on a point/counterpoint narrative.
Another detractor -- the author starts to get a little Twilight-y as he develops the love story between Nick and Megan. It starts to get over the top and, frankly, unrealistic. That two people cannot function or bear to be apart from one another is saccharin sweet at best.
All that said, where the author focuses less on preaching and more on developing the plot, that part is interesting and engaging. Additionally, the premise is unique and makes you think (at least when we're not being told what to think)
Another detractor -- the author starts to get a little Twilight-y as he develops the love story between Nick and Megan. It starts to get over the top and, frankly, unrealistic. That two people cannot function or bear to be apart from one another is saccharin sweet at best.
All that said, where the author focuses less on preaching and more on developing the plot, that part is interesting and engaging. Additionally, the premise is unique and makes you think (at least when we're not being told what to think)
March 26, 2015
I read 55 pages of this book. If someone bought this book for you they hate you. If it is between reading this book or rotting your brain watching a reality tv show, your brain is better off with TV. If I ever meet the author I will kick him in the knee. If you want an example of absolute garbage this is it. This is probably only the 4th book in 10 years I have not finished, yes it is that bad. -7 stars.
September 5, 2018
You'll either love it, hate it, or hate-read it.
The bad guys in this novel are a Mexican, a Muslim and a sociopathic Democrat. The women are props for humble genius heroes they unrelentingly adore. If you're of a certain age, "the professor and Maryanne" will pop unbidden into your head. It's that bad, but still compulsively readable. I'm loathing myself while downloading the sequel!
The bad guys in this novel are a Mexican, a Muslim and a sociopathic Democrat. The women are props for humble genius heroes they unrelentingly adore. If you're of a certain age, "the professor and Maryanne" will pop unbidden into your head. It's that bad, but still compulsively readable. I'm loathing myself while downloading the sequel!
March 1, 2015
Thrill ride for the mind!
I've been reading books by Douglas E Richards since I was lucky enough to stumble upon "Wired" sometime last year in my search for an author that came close to an all time favourite of mine, Michael Crichton.
After many an hour becoming engrossed in his absolutely endearing characters, their struggles, shortcomings and triumphs throughout the action packed fictional worlds that sometimes seem all too real, I was elated to see that Nick Hall and his cohorts were back for their second adventure in "Brain Web".
Needless to say, I was not let down!
"Brain Web" begins in what I would describe as the single most action packed sequence of events I have ever read in the first chapters of a speculative/techno/adventure fiction novel.
Not only that, but the writing, in both content and flow, as always with Richards work, will have you hooked in no time at all!
Fortunately though, it doesn't stop after the opening credits! Throughout it's entirety, Nick, Megan, Alex, Heather and their military friends in Girdler and Campbell, will take you on such an awesome ride through a world of "Black Ops", mind reading, telepathically and technologically enhanced thrills (and evil psychopaths hell bent on domination, destruction or both!) that I guarantee you will not want to put the book down!
Also, as usual, there are so many twists and turns that you are sure to be engaged in your own game of "Cluedo" right up until the very end!
Richards continually manages to include enough hard science in his novels, that the extra mile he takes the reader will always leave you wondering "is there a possibility that someone in the real world has these abilities or can do this?" ...or at the very least, you'll be turning your computer off and unplugging it from the power supply nightly!
If you haven't yet read a book by Douglas E Richards, I suggest you do so, as you really don't know what you are missing!
If you've already read the prequel to "Brain Web", you surely will not be disappointed with the second of the Nick Hall series. I can only now look forward to a third!
I've been reading books by Douglas E Richards since I was lucky enough to stumble upon "Wired" sometime last year in my search for an author that came close to an all time favourite of mine, Michael Crichton.
After many an hour becoming engrossed in his absolutely endearing characters, their struggles, shortcomings and triumphs throughout the action packed fictional worlds that sometimes seem all too real, I was elated to see that Nick Hall and his cohorts were back for their second adventure in "Brain Web".
Needless to say, I was not let down!
"Brain Web" begins in what I would describe as the single most action packed sequence of events I have ever read in the first chapters of a speculative/techno/adventure fiction novel.
Not only that, but the writing, in both content and flow, as always with Richards work, will have you hooked in no time at all!
Fortunately though, it doesn't stop after the opening credits! Throughout it's entirety, Nick, Megan, Alex, Heather and their military friends in Girdler and Campbell, will take you on such an awesome ride through a world of "Black Ops", mind reading, telepathically and technologically enhanced thrills (and evil psychopaths hell bent on domination, destruction or both!) that I guarantee you will not want to put the book down!
Also, as usual, there are so many twists and turns that you are sure to be engaged in your own game of "Cluedo" right up until the very end!
Richards continually manages to include enough hard science in his novels, that the extra mile he takes the reader will always leave you wondering "is there a possibility that someone in the real world has these abilities or can do this?" ...or at the very least, you'll be turning your computer off and unplugging it from the power supply nightly!
If you haven't yet read a book by Douglas E Richards, I suggest you do so, as you really don't know what you are missing!
If you've already read the prequel to "Brain Web", you surely will not be disappointed with the second of the Nick Hall series. I can only now look forward to a third!
Read
April 14, 2018I don't really care for stories where the villains are Islamic fundamentalists, or any religious fanaticism for that matter. Richards disguised that aspect of the first Nick Hall book until near the very end so it didn't bother me too much since it was just about over. This time it started in almost the first paragraph, so I gave it a pass.
March 20, 2015
Hoping this never happens!
Totally believable but hopefully will never happen. However, everyday we get closer to this reality!
Modern day characters bring home the devastation that could be wrought with brainwave.
Totally believable but hopefully will never happen. However, everyday we get closer to this reality!
Modern day characters bring home the devastation that could be wrought with brainwave.
did-not-finish
March 10, 2018Three years ago, I accepted this kindle promotion based on the description and some reviews. Now, I realize that my distaste for plots based on super-powers has solidified. I didn't even give this book a chance; so I won't rate it.
I simply leave this note, as a reminder to my future self.
I simply leave this note, as a reminder to my future self.
November 28, 2024
Just Awesome!
The plot and characters were all believable. The team went through very exciting twists and turns. Kept me interested all the way through.
The plot and characters were all believable. The team went through very exciting twists and turns. Kept me interested all the way through.
June 5, 2017
A great continuation of the series
As I've written in numerous other reviews, Douglas E. Richards is a master of his craft. In my opinion, he writes technothrillers better than anyone else writing today. BrainWeb was no different.
Picking up where Mind's Eye left off, we are once again in the midst of someone who can surf the web from his head and read other people's minds if they get too close. While this may sound insane, the way that Richards writes the story had me tripping over every word to get to the end.
Nick Hall is a really great protagonist. He's incredibly likable and understands that what he has is a gift. He tries to only use his powers for good and tries not to use them against his friends and colleagues.
The opening scene had me glued to my seat. The fictional attack that Richards writes about drew me in so quickly that I didn't even know an hour had passed before I felt like I took a breath.
What ends up happening to Nick and his friends in BrainWeb is thriller writing at it's finest. Every scene showed just how fragile the system that they were using was and it felt like there were bad guys lurking around every corner.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first Nick Hall book, I would almost guarantee that you'll enjoy this one. If you like a good technothriller, check out the first book first and then come back to BrainWeb for more.
As I've written in numerous other reviews, Douglas E. Richards is a master of his craft. In my opinion, he writes technothrillers better than anyone else writing today. BrainWeb was no different.
Picking up where Mind's Eye left off, we are once again in the midst of someone who can surf the web from his head and read other people's minds if they get too close. While this may sound insane, the way that Richards writes the story had me tripping over every word to get to the end.
Nick Hall is a really great protagonist. He's incredibly likable and understands that what he has is a gift. He tries to only use his powers for good and tries not to use them against his friends and colleagues.
The opening scene had me glued to my seat. The fictional attack that Richards writes about drew me in so quickly that I didn't even know an hour had passed before I felt like I took a breath.
What ends up happening to Nick and his friends in BrainWeb is thriller writing at it's finest. Every scene showed just how fragile the system that they were using was and it felt like there were bad guys lurking around every corner.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first Nick Hall book, I would almost guarantee that you'll enjoy this one. If you like a good technothriller, check out the first book first and then come back to BrainWeb for more.
January 22, 2018
Ok, so after a bit of debating with myself I've decided to go with two stars vice four stars for this review for various reasons. The Idea behind Brain Web is phenomenal (4 star worthy) and I think had the author changed how he'd written the book, he would have garnered greater reviews. The characters lacked depth and when they dialogued, it felt as though they were all reading a part of the same passage. None of the characters felt...REAL. The part that pained me the most were the overly poetic prose 'telling' everything which was happening vice 'showing'; that really made it hard to finish the book.
February 26, 2016
Thrilling read, really kept me on my toes throughout with the usual twists. Action packed novel including terrorist plots, espionage, back stabbing and much more to keep you interested.
June 3, 2016
Quite predictable but still enjoyable read.
October 11, 2017
Action and Sci-fi are Mr Richards strong suit, not character banter or romance.
January 28, 2025
"BrainWeb" by Douglas E. Richards, narrated by Adam Verner, the 2nd book in the Nick Hall series, is a thrilling descent into a near-future where technology and humanity's darker impulses collide with dramatic consequences. Released in 2015, this audiobook stands out as a compelling addition to the science fiction thriller genre, blending high-stakes action with thought-provoking ethical dilemmas.
The plot kicks off with an intense setup: the Academy Awards become the target of a terror attack, and only Nick Hall, the protagonist with extraordinary brain implants, can prevent massive bloodshed. This book follows up on Richards' earlier novel, "Mind's Eye," where we first met Nick Hall, who was endowed with the ability to surf the web using his thoughts and read minds. "BrainWeb" dives deeper into this premise, expanding the scope and stakes of Hall's abilities.
Richards crafts a narrative where technology isn't just a tool but a pivotal character. The concept of thought-controlled web surfing, based on actual research, serves as the backbone for exploring both the potential and the peril of such advancements. The story is set in an internet future that feels eerily plausible, raising questions about privacy, control, and the ethical use of technology that resonate with contemporary issues.
One of the key highlights of "BrainWeb" is its pacing. Richards maintains a relentless drive from the opening scene where the terror at the Academy Awards unfolds. The narrative structure is divided into distinct parts, each escalating the tension and broadening the implications of Hall's capabilities. The plot twists are well-executed, keeping listeners engaged and guessing, although some reviewers have noted that the transitions between these parts can feel somewhat disjointed, as if they are separate stories rather than a continuous narrative.
Adam Verner's narration deserves special mention. His performance adds significant depth to the characters, especially Hall, whose internal conflict and moral dilemmas are conveyed with nuance. Verner's ability to switch between action-driven scenes and introspective moments enriches the listener's experience, making the audiobook not just heard but felt. His voice work is pivotal in maintaining the suspense and emotional resonance of the story.
Character development is another strong aspect. Hall's journey from a man trying to avoid detection to one forced into the limelight is compelling. His relationships, particularly his evolving dynamic with Megan, provide a humanizing counterpoint to the technological themes. Yet, this subplot leans towards melodrama, detracting a little from the sci-fi thriller's core.
In summary, "BrainWeb" is a riveting listen for fans of techno-thrillers who enjoy a good mix of science fiction with a realistic twist. It's a tale that not only entertains but also encourages pondering over the future of human enhancement and digital ethics.
The plot kicks off with an intense setup: the Academy Awards become the target of a terror attack, and only Nick Hall, the protagonist with extraordinary brain implants, can prevent massive bloodshed. This book follows up on Richards' earlier novel, "Mind's Eye," where we first met Nick Hall, who was endowed with the ability to surf the web using his thoughts and read minds. "BrainWeb" dives deeper into this premise, expanding the scope and stakes of Hall's abilities.
Richards crafts a narrative where technology isn't just a tool but a pivotal character. The concept of thought-controlled web surfing, based on actual research, serves as the backbone for exploring both the potential and the peril of such advancements. The story is set in an internet future that feels eerily plausible, raising questions about privacy, control, and the ethical use of technology that resonate with contemporary issues.
One of the key highlights of "BrainWeb" is its pacing. Richards maintains a relentless drive from the opening scene where the terror at the Academy Awards unfolds. The narrative structure is divided into distinct parts, each escalating the tension and broadening the implications of Hall's capabilities. The plot twists are well-executed, keeping listeners engaged and guessing, although some reviewers have noted that the transitions between these parts can feel somewhat disjointed, as if they are separate stories rather than a continuous narrative.
Adam Verner's narration deserves special mention. His performance adds significant depth to the characters, especially Hall, whose internal conflict and moral dilemmas are conveyed with nuance. Verner's ability to switch between action-driven scenes and introspective moments enriches the listener's experience, making the audiobook not just heard but felt. His voice work is pivotal in maintaining the suspense and emotional resonance of the story.
Character development is another strong aspect. Hall's journey from a man trying to avoid detection to one forced into the limelight is compelling. His relationships, particularly his evolving dynamic with Megan, provide a humanizing counterpoint to the technological themes. Yet, this subplot leans towards melodrama, detracting a little from the sci-fi thriller's core.
In summary, "BrainWeb" is a riveting listen for fans of techno-thrillers who enjoy a good mix of science fiction with a realistic twist. It's a tale that not only entertains but also encourages pondering over the future of human enhancement and digital ethics.
November 8, 2021
Stronger Story than Even Book 1 but you should still start there.first.
Thus follow up to the first book is even better. There's a more flushed out story with even more believability - as long as yoh accept the Science Fiction delivered in the first story. Nick Hall is a Mind Reader. He didn't develop this or scam it as a palm reader but as the direct results of illegal experiments done on him and a coup!e dozen others who didn't survive the experiment. Nick's ESP comes as a result of brain implants that allow him to surf the web, store what he sees, hears and reads in the cloud. Now that his secret is known to the Nations Security Council, he's become the target of any who wish to get dirt on the competition. Now who in Washington doesn't want that? Exactly what happens to Nick as he is kidnapped and exploited to get dirt on Presidential candidates to support uncouth candidate who's psychopath of the worst kind. As he's kidnapped so is his love, Megan and their trusted friend and brilliant scientist, Alex.
Thus follow up to the first book is even better. There's a more flushed out story with even more believability - as long as yoh accept the Science Fiction delivered in the first story. Nick Hall is a Mind Reader. He didn't develop this or scam it as a palm reader but as the direct results of illegal experiments done on him and a coup!e dozen others who didn't survive the experiment. Nick's ESP comes as a result of brain implants that allow him to surf the web, store what he sees, hears and reads in the cloud. Now that his secret is known to the Nations Security Council, he's become the target of any who wish to get dirt on the competition. Now who in Washington doesn't want that? Exactly what happens to Nick as he is kidnapped and exploited to get dirt on Presidential candidates to support uncouth candidate who's psychopath of the worst kind. As he's kidnapped so is his love, Megan and their trusted friend and brilliant scientist, Alex.
November 4, 2016
This is the 6th book I've read by this author--and as with all the others it kept me enthralled and reading. The scenarios portrayed could be all too real and somewhat frightening. He is a master at writing science fiction thrillers-I kid you not! With all that is going on with terrorists these days and all the crooked politicians surrounding us (from both parties!!) this is one of those book scenarios that could possibly happen. If this series isn't made into a movie I will be very surprised. This can be read as a stand alone but I suggest you read book 1-there is a continuation here. I already have book 3 and will get to read it soon. I really want to know if the 6 major players are able to -------oops--can't give that away!
One other thing I would like to sat-You will never again look at the internet or the cloud in the same way again!
BrainWeb
One other thing I would like to sat-You will never again look at the internet or the cloud in the same way again!
BrainWeb
July 27, 2017
Incredible - powerful - action packed.
I read this pretty much straight through with just a few hours for sleeping last night!
I have read several of Douglas's thrillers and enjoyed and liked everyone. They grab you from the first couple pages and throw you around like a basketball. You're not exactly sure what's going on and you try to focus on what you think is happening.
But be ready to be wrong and be ready to be transported into a world of intrigue and crazy suspense.
Douglas E. Richards deals with interesting technological possibilities and always gets the reader thinking and invested in the story. Douglas is a fantastic storyteller and his action packed books are among my favorites.
I read this pretty much straight through with just a few hours for sleeping last night!
I have read several of Douglas's thrillers and enjoyed and liked everyone. They grab you from the first couple pages and throw you around like a basketball. You're not exactly sure what's going on and you try to focus on what you think is happening.
But be ready to be wrong and be ready to be transported into a world of intrigue and crazy suspense.
Douglas E. Richards deals with interesting technological possibilities and always gets the reader thinking and invested in the story. Douglas is a fantastic storyteller and his action packed books are among my favorites.
August 2, 2020
Literally, mind blowing read!
I'm rarely into "sci-fi" novels but Douglas Richards books are close enough to plausible to blow your mind. This is second in the Nick Hall series about a man with brain implants that allow him to access the Internet & read minds in real time. This roller coaster ride starts with terrorists hijacking the Oscars presentation & takes you on amazing ride through so many scenarios (more terrorists, military intelligence, scientific research, politics, & a couple of romantic asides) ending with more twists & turns than you can imagine. Loved it! Can't wait for Nick Hall #3. (And then the author tells you what's actually occurring in the real world & what's his incredible imagination. SCARY!)
I'm rarely into "sci-fi" novels but Douglas Richards books are close enough to plausible to blow your mind. This is second in the Nick Hall series about a man with brain implants that allow him to access the Internet & read minds in real time. This roller coaster ride starts with terrorists hijacking the Oscars presentation & takes you on amazing ride through so many scenarios (more terrorists, military intelligence, scientific research, politics, & a couple of romantic asides) ending with more twists & turns than you can imagine. Loved it! Can't wait for Nick Hall #3. (And then the author tells you what's actually occurring in the real world & what's his incredible imagination. SCARY!)
March 29, 2018
Enjoyed this sequel - although I liked Wired more. Possibly because it introduced the concept that is explored further in BrainWeb. BrainWeb has a spectacular opening story very relevant. It is an interesting exploration of what can occur when the human brain is connected to the internet and the ever changing expansion of online connectivity. Both the pros and cons of this potential science are explored. Additionally, the main character gains the ability to read minds along with being connected to the internet. The story also explores how much of our privacy is just an illusion and what are we willing to trade privacy for.
September 14, 2018
I enjoy thrillers with a bit near believable sci-fi. BrainWeb does exactly that. As the author explains at the end of book brain implants that can help the blind and deaf are being developed and researchers are exploring the possibility of using them to interact with the internet. ESP is still total fiction but who thought that just a few years ago we would walking around with powerful computers in our pockets. The story is fast moving with lots of twists and turns and putting a soul-less politician as the baddie is great.
April 20, 2019
Doug Richards Parks Another One
I’d give it six stars if I could. As the name pf the book implies, our mind-reading protagonist Nick Hall is at it again. Only this time the stakes are much higher. Fast paced and thrilling, author Doug Richards gives us all the risk to life and limb, technology-driven danger and the greed of politicians mixed into a brilliant plot and sprinkled with the love of deep friendships that we have come to expect from him. Another fast-ball knocked out of the ballpark!
I’d give it six stars if I could. As the name pf the book implies, our mind-reading protagonist Nick Hall is at it again. Only this time the stakes are much higher. Fast paced and thrilling, author Doug Richards gives us all the risk to life and limb, technology-driven danger and the greed of politicians mixed into a brilliant plot and sprinkled with the love of deep friendships that we have come to expect from him. Another fast-ball knocked out of the ballpark!
November 2, 2020
I’ve enjoyed this series so far but this one got a little tedious for me. You know those new couples who are so lovey dovey that nobody wants to be around them? Well this book has two such couples. I mean, come on. Even one of the other characters pointed it out! Haha. Then there was the too-good-to-be-true rescues and stuff alternating with long boring descriptions of side characters & other things that weren’t really needed. More good stuff than bad but I’m not jumping at book 3 anytime soon.
December 11, 2020
This is the second book in The : Nick Hall book series
This was another good read great story line amazing world building this Author truly knows the seedy under belly of the political world of the rich and powerful . This book was a nail biter things were happening left and right sometimes I couldn't keep up and the scary part of this series is that I can definitely see these kinds of events coming to fruition with the way the technology is evolving . All in All this is a solid series to anyone who likes this kind of genre I would definitely recommend this series .
This was another good read great story line amazing world building this Author truly knows the seedy under belly of the political world of the rich and powerful . This book was a nail biter things were happening left and right sometimes I couldn't keep up and the scary part of this series is that I can definitely see these kinds of events coming to fruition with the way the technology is evolving . All in All this is a solid series to anyone who likes this kind of genre I would definitely recommend this series .
April 25, 2023
Different but this book has great characters
I truly enjoyed this book and I even had Alexa read it to me until I went to sleep in the late night. Although by doing this I dreamed a little about this story and several times When I woke the next day I had to tell Alexa to back up a few hours so I could consciously read or hear the rest of the story.
I am really looking forward to reading the next books and series by this author. Very nice memorable read.
I think most serious sci-fi enthusiasts will enjoy these books.
RipRapter
I truly enjoyed this book and I even had Alexa read it to me until I went to sleep in the late night. Although by doing this I dreamed a little about this story and several times When I woke the next day I had to tell Alexa to back up a few hours so I could consciously read or hear the rest of the story.
I am really looking forward to reading the next books and series by this author. Very nice memorable read.
I think most serious sci-fi enthusiasts will enjoy these books.
RipRapter
May 21, 2017
The Most Suspenseful Opening Act I Have Ever Read!
Amazing job by the author!! I was literally terrified by the description of the terrorist attack on the Oscars. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put the book down. This author goes places in his brain that we dare not voice out loud. Riveting!! Give him a movie deal. I want to see Nick Hall on the big screen played by an acting no name.
Amazing job by the author!! I was literally terrified by the description of the terrorist attack on the Oscars. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put the book down. This author goes places in his brain that we dare not voice out loud. Riveting!! Give him a movie deal. I want to see Nick Hall on the big screen played by an acting no name.
July 24, 2018
Another fascinating, exciting book!
I have a confession to make... I am hooked on these Nick Hall books! I really appreciate all the work the author has put into researching the material for this book. I also very much appreciate the explanations he gives in the back of the book for the basis of some of his ideas.
These books are well worth the time spent reading them, and I find myself looking forward to the other books he has written.
I have a confession to make... I am hooked on these Nick Hall books! I really appreciate all the work the author has put into researching the material for this book. I also very much appreciate the explanations he gives in the back of the book for the basis of some of his ideas.
These books are well worth the time spent reading them, and I find myself looking forward to the other books he has written.
January 2, 2019
What a woven tale, how does he come up with this stuff? With no answers to those questions I throughly enjoyed this book. I liked the way the story wrapped around Nick Hall and his companions. It was totally off the beaten path. Our problem with terrorism is only getting worse and this book gives you a good feeling of getting to them. It doesn’t do much for helping my beliefs in politicians but rather supports what I think of them. Good Job
November 22, 2019
Fascinating
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s thoughts and ideas on future technology. Much of it we won’t see coming, as technology often takes sudden and unexpected twists. Although this is the second book in the easiest, they all read as standalone novels. I read the third book first and am really interested to know what happen to seal team six and a half and their defector. I hope there is a fourth book on the way to tie up those threads.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s thoughts and ideas on future technology. Much of it we won’t see coming, as technology often takes sudden and unexpected twists. Although this is the second book in the easiest, they all read as standalone novels. I read the third book first and am really interested to know what happen to seal team six and a half and their defector. I hope there is a fourth book on the way to tie up those threads.
January 5, 2020
Superb
This is a mind-boggling work.
With remarkable imagination and an amazing grasp of cutting edge developments in many fields, this thriller weaves a terrifyingly plausible future. And then he turns what seems to be certain destruction for us into a subtle and brilliant positive potential against the swelling tide of terrorism that is all too real in our world.
Bravo, Maestro Richards. You are splendid!
This is a mind-boggling work.
With remarkable imagination and an amazing grasp of cutting edge developments in many fields, this thriller weaves a terrifyingly plausible future. And then he turns what seems to be certain destruction for us into a subtle and brilliant positive potential against the swelling tide of terrorism that is all too real in our world.
Bravo, Maestro Richards. You are splendid!
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