Brain Jack by Brian Falkner

Reviewed by Lori
Brain Jack
Title: Brain Jack

Author: Brian Falkner

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 128664

Description:  In a near-future New York City, computer genius Sam Wilson manages to hack into the AT&T network and sets off a chain of events that have a profound effect on human activity throughout the world.

Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It!

Why I Read It: Interesting write up in the catalogue and a growing interest in tech-related reading.


Notes: Sam is a seventeen-year-old Hacker, one of the best around.  So good that he is able to hack into the telecomerica head offices and order a couple of "neuro" headsets for himself and his friend Fargas.  The latest technology that allows you to directly access the computer network using only your brain.  But Sam's hacking brings down services for three days - something that will go down in history.  That's when the CDD (the cyber defence division) start watching him.  It's not long before they hack Sam back and he's arrested.  But clever Sam quickly finds a way to escape only to be offered a job with more money that he has ever imagined, working for the very people who were watching him. Now Sam has access to every network, every government system, and Sam isn't the only hacker in the system.  Someone is in the system too, watching the watchers, and no one in the world is safe.  This was a really good book.  I found the pace and writing very interesting.  Some of the technical writing was a little funny, but a good image correlation to explain what is going on in the computer systems.  While I may have liked a bit more background information on the various Hackers, they were each unique enough for me to become invested.  The idea of sentient AI is not new, but the addition of a collective conscience made it a bit more unique.  I could see this book made into a movie.

Recommended Readers: Grade 7 and Up.  Anyone interested in Science-Fiction and Technology.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movies: Matrix, Hackers, I Robot
Web: Neurotechnology
Games: PokemonGo

Inquiries and Activities: 

  • How do Sam's actions cause the shut down of America?
  • Why might hackers be hired by government agencies or corporations?
  • What might be some of the dangers of neurotechnology?
  • What happened to Sam's friend Fargas?
  • Can people become addicted to technology?
  • How do Sam, Dodge, Vienna, and Tyler bring down the system?


Comments

  1. Brian Falkner20 December 2016 at 07:25

    Thanks for a great review! But it's Falkner, not Faulkner.
    All the best
    Brian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori20 December 2016 at 11:31

      So sorry about the typo!! It has been fixed!! I really loved this book. I have been recommending it to everyone! I'm just so pleased you saw my review! I can't stop smiling!!

      Delete

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