If you are the type of person who doesn't like books that are not "realistic", then you shouldn't read this book, as the whole thing is really over the top. However, if you enjoy a ballistic plot, highly original characters and lots of fun and laughs along the way, then you should definitely read it. Chet is just an "ordinary" guy who gets accidentaly mixed up in a life and death struggle against the Cineese mafia, putting himself and his friends at risk. What follows is some fast and furious action that is fun but borders an the absurd at times. Eventually the battle moves to cyberspace, and another foe - MP Phred joins the mix. Somewhere along the line the plot gets muddled with too many bad guys and too much going on, but plows forward on sheer adrenalin. The characters are very original and there are lots of funny exchanges between them throughout. The writing style is very fresh and enthusiastic adding to the fun. So yes, it does have its flaws, many courtesy of its over-enthusiasum but it is also that same enthusiasum that makes for an exciting, fun, original experience.

This was a solid bit of thriller audio-fare. The main character is a hacking-addicted roller-blader who was caught when he was a Jeuvie, and now faces life without a machine. But the ache to hack is rising in him.

When he roller-blades as a courier, Chet Griffin is handed some really harsh information, and when something goes wrong, he, the girl he's falling for, and pretty much anyone he contacts is marked for death. Corrupt cops, internet-police, and the mafia all come racing after Chet, who might just have found "the Ultimate Rush" after all - if only he can survive it.

Anthony Rapp's voice is familiar to anyone who has heard the "Rent" CDs from the musical - he's Mark. So his voice took a little getting used to as a hip, anti-establishment roller-hacker phone phreak. It did carry well, and his slight accents for other characters didn't dissolve into terrible stereotype. Like many abridged audios, this one was really hectic in pace, and I'm tempted to go grab the book itself now.

'Nathan

Oh my god, what a ride! The genius of what "Joe Quirk" has done is all the more amazing when you consider the fact that this book actually got published. I was beginning to think it was impossible to find a book by a contemporary author about characters other than the disillusioned middle and upper classes. As far as I know there has never been a book about this particular iteration of the nihilist fringe element in our society. The author doesn't let up on those of us who are unschooled in the jargon of "badass" bladers, skate boarders, etc. and I couldn't have been happier. READ it for its originality and for the love the author put into it even if you don't think you have anything in common with people with blue hair and pierced bodies. It has been a revelation. I could go on and on, this book excites me so, but I'll just try to chill and wait for Mr. Quirk's next book.