Crux: Nexus, Book 2

Mind, blown.Exceedingly appropriate given the direction of this story.I have had books one and two sitting in my queue since December 28, 2014. They were pushed back as projects came up or authors asked me to read their works. Finally, I had a moment to look at books which had been waiting for a while and I began book 1, Nexus.I was devoured.Immediately starting on this, the second as I finished the first, I began to wonder, would there be more? I filed a mental note that my review would start with the longing for more of this tale. As I finished book two today, my Kindle app kindly prompted me to purchase the third in what was now a trilogy! I shall be abed early this night.To the story itself. So many real emotions initiated in the whorls of my brain. To say that I cared for the characters and story wouldn't do justice to how I felt.The book runs the gamut of love, hope, wonder, excitement, fear, dread, terror, horror, helplessness, betrayal, determination. I could go on but I shan't blather you into boredom.The concept is at once fascinating and frightening because we already see real world progress and trials on what is being covered here. Fascinating for what we could achieve, frightening for what could be done with it. One doesn't have to be familiar with the Star Trek Borg to see both sides of this weighty coin but it would help.And the minds! Such beautiful, staggeringly bright and wondrous moments are richly described. The author is surely a genius.Our protagonists are layered and complex, bright, wounded, jaded, programmed, oops, there I go again. My mind is reeling with the number of adjectives I could throw at these books.I've already gone past my typically short (and usually but not always sweet) review so I shall end here by saying this will likely achieve a spot in my all-time favourite series.Now I must rest my wrung out neurones and nodes.Highly recommended.

Every once in a while, I read a book whose vision of the future makes me sit back and think Ah yes, this is how it will be. Accelerando by Charles Stross dealt with the acceleration of technological development. Daemon by Daniel Suarez depicted how a computer can manipulate the world around it.Nexus and Crux, the two techothrillers from Ramez Naam, do that for neural implants, technology that provides an interface between our brains and the outside world.I read an advance review copy of Naam's Crux, a sequel that follows tight on the heels of Nexus. Both books revolve around a technology called Nexus, a nanotech drug that interfaces with the human brain. It allows a user to run apps in their brain, to exercise conscious control over their mood, augment their intelligence, and communicate telepathically with other Nexus users.But even as this all-powerful technology improves the lives of millions by fixing debilitating mental illnesses, helping monks meditate, by facilitating more powerful group consciousness and thought, it is also restricted by governments, abused by criminals, and leads to power struggles.Crux is an adrenaline filled ride through the near-term future. Set on a global stage in a near-future world where the United States tries to tight restricts technology through shadowy intelligence organizations, Nexus and Crux run the gamut of post-human technology: human-brain uploads, military body upgrades, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, but the definite star of the show is the Nexus drug and its impact on increasing the power of the human mind.I recommend both books, although Crux won't make sense without the setup of Nexus, so go read both. You'll be left realizing the future will look much like Ramez Naam's books, full of both beautiful and very scary possibilities.

This is one of the most imaginative sci-fi stories I have ever read, and yet it is very believable. The author's narrative is very readable and flows freely. His action scenes are exciting enough that I found I often had to take a break to calm down after reading an extended action scene. The science part of the the sci-fi is based upon accurate and current technology and it convincing enough to believe the expanded mind and the evolved human characters could actually be in our future. The basic premise of the story is based upon a drug, Nexus, which expands the human mind so much to allow mental communications human to human and human to computer network. The possibilities this unleashes, both good and bad, are as extreme as you might imagine and the issues that are inherent in the story line reflect many of the issues current in our society today: drugs, corporate greed, government controls and over reach, religion, racial prejudice, etc. and yet they are woven masterfully and subtly into the plot. Mr. Naam's story telling skills are very impressive! I have also read and enjoyed the sequel, "Nexus", and plan to acquire the third and final volume, "Apex".

What a fantastic series the Nexus Trilogy is! I bought all three in one go which is unusual for me but I figured at 99p each I was getting excellent value for my money if the story turned out to be a good read. A good read it certainly is. Not a quick read, as there is plenty to get your teeth into. The science in it is so believable. In fact, at the end of each book Mr Naam tells you about the science that influenced his trilogy and what scientists around the world have actually achieved so far. That alone is worth the 99p.I found this middle book to be just as fascinating. We now see many changes in our key characters, as they face the many questions, opportunities and challenges this new science brings. A hard read at times but something I like in a well written book.I see one reviewer's view is that there are many typos. I usually spot those a mile off so either I have to disagree or conclude I was so engrossed I didn't spot any!I was so caught up in the trilogy that I went straight from book to book. I was a bit disappointed there were only three but the ending is a good one and it does the trilogy justice.I thoroughly recommend this second book and of course the other two, Nexus and Apex.

Builds on the ideas introduced in Nexus and develops them well.There is enough action to keep you turning the pages but it makes you think which is what really makes a book interesting.

You will love this!! Nexus and Crux are both brilliantly realised books. All you could want from a techno thriller- conspiracy, new technology, evil criminals, mind jacking and some quality set piece battles. This and the predecessor should be movies now!! Bring on the next part of the epic!

Looking forward to the final episode. Well with reading. His non fiction books sound good too so will get one of those next.

The sequel to Nexus is just as compelling as the first installment. Fast paced, interesting some weired science and great action. This is reading at its best. Probably would make a great film as well.