I remember now why I usually avoid reading other reviews before writing my own: because if you stumble upon a really great one, what the heck is left for you to say?

So, I’ll leave it at that—I’m not writing anything else because those 5 stars say quite enough... plus, you should definitely check out Xavi’s review of Nexus by Ramez Naam, which I agree with completely. If you’re looking for a must-read sci-fi book recommendation, this is it.

When drugs don't mean perdition, but rather quicker and better human evolution, you still haven't done the math if you aren't considering the potential side effects.These modern technothriller authors—blending action, philosophy, and subtle innuendo—are one hell of a ride. Writers like Ramez Naam, Daniel Suarez, and Marcus Sakey truly know their audience. They let science, near-future scenarios, cool settings, and badass characters drive these fast-paced, cliffhanger-filled novels that have come...

Nexus is a (programmable) operating system layer for the brain that lets people reprogram their minds—imagine downloading a 'Bruce Lee' skill package—and communicate directly with the thoughts of others. The plot follows a scientist protagonist desperate to release this technology for the greater good, pitted against a government agency determined to halt, or at least significantly delay, its progress out of fear of the unintended consequences.I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building in this sci-...

“There is a war coming. A world war. Not between China and America. Between humans and posthumans. You see it all around you. The humans are doing everything they can to prevent the posthuman transition from occurring. While we are struggling to be free of their controls.”I think that sums up Nexus by Ramez Naam quite well, though this book doesn’t exactly feature massive armies of humans and posthumans clashing on a battlefield. The conflict is primarily between the “Emerging Risks Directorate”...

Pick up a near-future sci-fi book and you will typically encounter familiar themes regarding the moral dilemmas of technological advancement, particularly in the field of human enhancement. Often, you’ll see the regression of supposedly democratic governments toward fascism, desperate to curb personal freedom in their attempts to stop such progress—or to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. By "wrong hands," of course, they mean anyone but themselves.Nexus by Ramez Naam is no different ...

I listened to the audio version of Nexus and let me tell you, it was 13 hours of nerdy, brilliant fun! This sci-fi thriller features an intricate plot set in the not-too-distant future, where technology has surpassed anything we could have imagined. The story centers on a new nano-drug called Nexus, which links human minds together—a development that is both highly feared and strictly illegal. Young, up-and-coming scientist Cade is caught improving the drug and is forced to work for the governme...

I have nothing but praise for this novel. I was forced to stay up way too late to read it, and I skipped other plans just to finish it. Did I get completely sucked into the concept of a transhumanism emergence? I think so.At least with Nexus, it's definitely my favorite Linux distro. I've already got about a dozen ideas for apps I'd like to write—assuming I can't find them in open source, of course.I want my new OS!As for potential complaints about evil governments... come on. Has anyone actuall...

Nexus is an ambitious techno-thriller from \"professional technologist\" Ramez Naam. With his background in AI, nearly twenty patents to his name, and a history of writing extensively on post-humanism—most notably in More Than Human: Embracing the Promise of Biological Enhancement—Naam definitely knows his stuff. When I cracked open this book, I was expecting that intellectual thrill that hits the spot for any sci-fi nerd.So, why did I find myself cringing so much while reading Nexus? This is a ...

Executive Summary: Fascinating, enticing, thrilling, terrifying.Audiobook: It's narrated by Luke Daniels. If you don't already know that means it’s a high-quality production, you’ve been missing out. Nexus by Ramez Naam has been on my radar for a while, and I already owned the ebook. The fact that Luke Daniels narrated the audio version and there was an affordable Whispersync upgrade finally got me to pull the trigger. Yet another reason to thank Luke Daniels!Full ReviewI wish there were more bo...

A cyberpunk, speculative fiction thriller set in the year 2040. Nexus is a drug that uses nanotechnology to rewire the brain, allowing users to connect their minds with other Nexus users. It can even accept software, pushing the boundaries of what it truly means to be human.The first half of the book was just okay, but the second half shifted into breakneck speed. It’s a wild mix of secret agents, high-tech electronic warfare, monks, and—somehow—Bruce Lee, all mashed together into a tech-heavy, ...