The author blurb at the back of "Assemblers of Infinity" claims that the writers are almost uniquely well qualified to tackle the scientific aspects of this story. I can't comment about the feasibility of nanotechnology as they describe it since that's not my area of expertise. I can say, however, that their depiction of how the scientific community works and responds to events is completely off base. To begin with, the story is set about twenty years in the future, when researchers on the Moon discover a gigantic construction being built inside a crater. They soon discover that it is the work of alien "nanocritters", tiny self-replicating machines sent by an extraterrestrial civilization. Authorities on earth recruit a scientist and send her to the Moon to investigate. Now here's one major problem. If we ever did encounter a working alien artifact like this, it would be a huge discovery and an enormous group of researchers from around the world would be convened to study it. Many science fiction authors seem to love the idea of a solitary brilliant scientist who single-handedly solves all the major problems in their story but folks, that's just not the way it works. There are other mistakes in this book as well, such as a different researcher who endangers the entire world by inexplicably ignoring basic security measures. Real scientists know better.

Other than that, I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad attempt at hard science fiction, just a really mediocre one. Most of the cast of characters is passable, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Rather than trying to end each chapter on a high note, the authors instead usually break with a character chatting or brushing their hair or something. Most of the dialogue doesn't really sound like people who are actually facing a dangerous crisis. However, I can't deny that the central idea of alien nanotechnology is pretty cool, and the climactic sequence is well written, although some of the mysteries set forth earlier aren't really explained satisfactorily. I'm feeling generous today, so three stars.

This was a very fun story. Nanotechnology has always been a fascinating topic.. the potentials are amazing. Harnessing a story around the technology is sure to be a lot of fun.

And Anderson/Beason do not disappoint. Their basic approach is that mankind is on the edge of understanding nanotech, but not there yet.. and this can lead to disastrous consequences. When they are presented with alien nanotech.. and these aliens DEFINITELY know what their doing.. our ignorance and initial fumblings create a uninterrupted tension.

I'm a sucker for conclusive endings.. and this story doesn't have one... and I applaud them for it. It fits the story. You'll
enjoy the story, don't worry.

Good physics. Good biology. Solid Science in general. Heck of a story too. Page turner. Could not put it down.

In shock and grief the last remnants of the human race watched from space as the holocaust of war raged across the face of the Earth. Now the future rested in the hands of three fragile space colonies: Aguinaldo-- The Phillippine L-5 colony whose brilliant biochemist had engineered a limitless supply of food. Kibalchich-- the Soviet space exploration platform that harbored a deadly secret. Orbitech 1-- the American space factory whose superstrong weavewire could be a lifeline to link the colonies-- or a cutting-edge weapon of destruction. As allies, they could unite to rebuild a better world. As enemies, they could destroy mankind's last hope for survival. ---Back Cover

Despite the fact that some of its history has turned out to be wrong, this is a good novel of an impossible situation and is thrilling in its exexcution.

Sure, there are a few loose ends but it is still a highly entertainig read.

Anderson and Beason try unsuccessfully to combine the particle physics subject matter of hard sci-fi author Gregory Benford with the "I'm just a good-old FBI agent" narrative approach of Tom Clancy.

While the story successfully presents a mystery involving high-energy particle physicists, there is very little technical content to go along with it. Besides having predictable 1-dimensional characters (just like Clancy) the book has its share of other aggravations. For starters, it contains a critical overuse of the unheard of term, "towelhead", describing East Indians that wear turbans. And let's not forget the "sepia-eyed" nurse whose too often quoted expression is that she "never felt this helpless since Chernobyl" and did we mention that she was "sepia-eyed"? Oh yes and just in case you didn't get it before, her eyes are the color of, what's that, oh yes "sepia". ARRGGG!! And what in the world is so special about a checkered tablecloth turned 90 degrees?

Terribly unsatisfying read.

Having read Beason and Anderson's other books with the same characters, I found "Lethal Exposure" a bit of a dissapointment. While the characters were fairly well developed, and the idea had merit, the actual execution left something to be desired.

For instance I did not believe for one minute that Baretti could be that clueless as to the Indian's true motives. I had it figured out as soon as they sat down to talk the first time.

As another example, Kriedent should have been able to discern the cause of the explosion a lot sooner than he did. He had all the clues and specialized knowledge in front of him. Why it took me 3/4s of the book to figure out is beyond me. Again This was so obvious that it was practially shoved in the reader's face and I was able to determine the cause when they first met Dumenco and learned what he was working on.

All in all I'd give this book a read, if you are on a plane and there is nothing else to read. Otherwise skip it.

I have always thought the X-files was a good idea taken to far. This FBI thriller has a reality based X-Files approach, but the quality of a Tom Clancy Novel. Don't judge this book by it's cheesy cover.

Imagine a world in which petroleum products suddenly disappeared, along with all the machines and gadgets that use them. This would include gasoline, oil, and all plastics. That's the premise of this imaginative novel. It's just a shame that the authors couldn't quite flesh it out. It's an unusual techno-thriller in that there's virtually nothing military about it, which was refreshing. However, Ill Wind suffers from a typical failing of techno-thrillers, cardboard cut-out characters and painfully stilted dialogue, especially between men and women. It seems as if the authors learned their dramatic skills from watching canned television mini-series rather than reading real literature. The concept is enough to get you about halfway through the book, but then it just gets tedious and you find yourself praying for a nuclear war to just put an end to the whole thing.

That seems to be true of this book as well. Ill Wind is the story of the chaos that results when a tailored microorganism destroys the world's petrochemical products. I found the descriptions of the collapse of civilization to be interesting, but found the scientific basis not quite believable. The jump from an organism that just destroys octane to an organism that destroys all oil- and plastic-based products is just too great.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book. Other reviewers have mentioned that it follows the standard "disaster format" of multiple characters and plotlines, but this works for me. I found each of the characters to be engaging (with the possible exception of Connor Brooks, who was just too whiney for belief).

I admit that I initially picked up this book because I enjoy biotech thrillers, but I'm glad I did.

It has been a while since I read this, but my recommendation to an English teacher brought it to the forefront of my memory. The book starts with the conflict between the wayward sailor and the ship's captain which ultimately results in the oil spill. The story really begins with the spraying of the antipollution microbe which begins to destroy civilization as we know it by "eating" anything and everything that is petroleum based. The characters are believable, as is the setting; although, I had a problem with trout fishing in Arizona. The government plays an interesting role, especially through the General(?) who becomes a hindrance to the satellite solution to the energy generation problem. (Petroleum based products are no more.) I couldn't put it down

OK, folks. I know the book had many cliches and predictable plot twists. Actually, I didn't know until after I finished the book that it was being made into a movie, but while I was reading, the similiarities between Ignition and any number of action movies did cross my mind. However, when I picked up the book I knew I wasn't picking up a particularly cerebral book, but an action thriller, just like the cover said. I liked the way the book took us on a virtual tour of (a somewhat deliberately modified version of) the KSC, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Lots of action, even if it did get somewhat predictable. I felt the Jacques-Yvette incest thing was pretty pointless, didn't contribute anything to the story, and probably should have been axed by the editor. Still, I'd recommend the book for anyone looking to have some fun reading a book.

The space shuttle Atlantis is nearing the final countdown before lifting off into space. Since a decade has passed since the Challenger accident, the public has become complacent towards the shuttle program and there is no reason to believe that this lift off will any different from those of any other shuttle in the nineties. However, unbeknownst to American and Russian astronauts on board waiting for the final IGNITION, and the millions watching on TV around the world, this trip has been aborted. A team of terrorists has seized control of the launch center. ...... The leader, Mr. Phillips will sell the shuttle back to America for a case filled with gems and a helicopter within four hours or else. Only one man might be able to abort the upcoming disaster. Colonel "Iceberg" Friese was the former commander of this particular mission until he broke his foot. He knows his crew is in deep trouble unless he can not stop Phillips and his gang. If he fails, the degree of the disaster could match that of the Challenger or perhaps even worse. ....... IGNITION is a by the book thriller that provides no new twists and has an action hero that has been seen in many a novel and movie. Yet the Anderson and Beason collaboration still grabs the reader by the throat and never lets up until the tale is finished. Anyone who enjoys action packed thrillers like the DIE HARD series or the space program (the insight into NASA by two former insiders is intriguing) will find this novel immensely satisfying. .......Harriet Klausner

Ignition is the "Diehard" of this spring. Kevin Anderson and Doug Beason have proved once again that they are the masters of the techno-thriller. Terrorists have taken over the space shuttle holding it for ransom as the our accidental hero "Iceberg" was in the right place at the wrong time, just like the trilogy of "Diehard" movies. The action is fast and believable with lots of unexpected twists and turns that made me race through the book. I highly recommend this fine volume and other Anderson/Beason works like "Virtual Destruction" and their other recent work "Fallout."

Considering the inside knowledge the authors claim to have, the sci-fi-elements of this story are incredible superficial and naive. The plot is one exasperatingly slow buildup, which in the end falls completely apart. Consider it some kind of crime-mystery rather than sci-fi.

This book contains what you'd come to expect of the Anderson/Beason team. A story that appears to well researched with good attention to detail and a pace that doesn't let you get bored easily. These are the high points. Unfortunately there's one big flaw that really couldn't keep me feel disappointed at the end. I figured out "whodunnit" before I was even halfway through. I kept hoping I had missed something that was going to reveal itself at the end, a wicked twist or something to make the whole read worhtwhile. Alas, for something that could've been a fun mystery/adventure turned out to be way too obvious and left me feeling a little shortchanged. As prolific as Kevin J is I sometimes wonder if his sheer volume of work sometimes makes his quality of work suffer.

Kevin Anderson and Doug Beason expertly take us into the depth of virtual reality. The story is a gripping tale of how technology can go wrong. Agent Kreident, the main character, is a computer savy FBI agent who specializes in high tech cases. He teams up with the young Paige Mitchell who helps spice up the plot a bit with undertones of innocent sexuality. This reviewer did find the Paige Mitchell character's usuage of the term, "Kay-O" (ie: okay), to be a bit annoying and over used. Overall, I'd rate the book as a great read, however.

This book should not have been sold under the Sci-Fi Tag. It might be ok sold as action adventure, but in no way or form was it sci-fi.

I was very disappointed with this one. You should run away from this book, and never look back

The writers of Kevin Anderson and Doug Beason team up again with the characters, Agent Kreident and gal pal, Paige Mitchell. The character of Kreident continues to be a steady, serious FBI agent with a talent for high tech. The character of Paige is sharpened up a bit from the previous book "Virtual Destruction." She no longer has some of the previous childish mannerism portrayed in VD.

The plot thickens and continues to keep you reading through the whole book. The twist and turns entice you to beg for more. This reviewer had to go and hunt down the other books in the series with Agent Kreident after finishing the brillantly written, Fallout.

There's not much to say about this book. Simply put, it is the best book I have ever read. For those people who enjoy these kinds of books, you will love this one. It kept me up reading all night. I couldn't get my mind off of it. I was always wondering what would happen. I really enjoyed this book.