Caverns of Socrates

This book is one of my all-time favorite novels. I have read and re-read this book sundry times, and each time I enjoy it at least as much as the previous one. Caverns of Socrates blends a sci-fi adventure with a virtual reality fantasy epic almost seamlessly. The sci-fi remains interesting throughout the story due to a philosophic storyline that some other reviewers on this site seem to not appreciate. It involves some very interesting questions regarding the nature of reality vs. illusion, bring to bear some very influential philosiphers, just as the title suggests. The fantasy side is also very entertaining, though it does get a bit graphic at times. However, this is justified through the story and actually adds to the plot. It kept me interested all the way through the first time and every time thereafter (upwards of ten times). What really makes this book work is the philisophical questions that are posed by the author through the characters. If you are simply looking for a boring, scripted fantasy novel, this is probably not the book for you. On the other hand, if you are interested in philosophy about a story and don't mind a little real thinking, pick this book up now and read it. It will be worth your time.

i loved it it has great imagery and a fantasically loriginal stor

Mckiernan beautifully blends a riveting tale of science fiction with classic fantasy. This book was an interesting change from Mckiernan's usual fantasy universe, and I applaud his creativity. However, the fantasy storyline could have been slightly more developed, and I found the character Mark Perry rather annoying. Yet, overall, this was an amazing book, and I would recommend it to any fan of science fiction or fantasy. I greatly enjoyed the philosophical questions woven into the plot, and the scientific conjecture provided a perfect foundation from which this captivating story could be launched.

Dennis L. McKiernan's finest work to date! This is a tale which blends futuristic Virtual reality and masterful fantasy. The book starts out in the near future. Technology is on a comeback. A group of scientist create an Artificial Intelegence unlike any that the world has seen before, its named Avery. Its first task is to create a V.R. realm, that is as realistic as possible. One that when entered will seem to be 'true' reality. To test this world, the scientist call in the best V.R. gaming team in the world, The Black Foxes. The Black Foxes, enter this masterful world of V.R. One so real that they have a hard time determining it from there own reality. In this realm they are given a quest, a dangerouse quest. A quest that soon becomes a fight just to survive. Caverns of Socrates is a masterful story that is well researched in the fields of Virtual Reality, and the development, both physically and psychological aspects of the science, blended with a well created, and in depth realm of fantasy. The characters have a depth to them, that is rarely seen in many books. The story line is flowing, and enthralling. Making this book hard to put down. Caverns of Socrates is a must have for any Sciencefiction/fantasy reader.