Wyrm

The title and cover art caught my eye initially, having never heard of Mark Fabi. The wyrm is a central theme expressed many times over in various forms. The story isn't only for compter nerds; I pride myself on knowing only enough about computers to write papers and use the Web, and it didn't detract from the book. The fantasy aspect becomes engrossing, so much so that when it switches back to high-tech it sometimes threw me for a moment. There are surprises here and there, and a happy ending, which can be expected in the Millenium-scare genre. Overall, I'm glad I own this book and I'll be rereading it every few years.(Oh, and eventually I'll photocopy the crossword and see if I can do it myself...)

You, the reader of these reviews, will mostly see two types of reveiw: Good or terrible. That's because this book is aimed at a particular audience. Namely, computer nerds. To those of you who are computer literate, in the areas of tech stuff and games, this is a great read. It's comical, adventurous, full of little one-liners that generate more-than-your-average-one-liner laughter. It switches from real-reality to virtual reality, which at some points elevates the book, and at others points gets really annoying. But save the slightly unrealistic romance area of the plot, it's a great book. Again, this book isn't for everyone, but that doesn't mean only computer geeks can read it. I reccomend picking it up no matter who you are.

My friend and I picked this up intending to read thistogether... two days later I get this cryptic e-mail to READ NOW! Ipicked it up, and couldn't put it down. If you know your DA and your MUDs, computers and other things which fall into "geekdom" status, the one liners will kill you :) About half way through the book I looked up only to find my pot of coffee empty, I'm out of cigarettes and I was SUPPOSED to go to work the next hour. Ten seconds of thought later I've called in sick, made another pot of coffee and broke out the spare pack. The intermittent play on "geek" ideas and stereotypes kept me giggling and always wondering where he will go next. Put it down? Oh I so think not! Of course that employer thought otherwise.Definitely a great read to be had, but I caution you NOT to make any plans for at least a day... and that includes online time, or time spent with the family. :)

Wyrm, by Mark Fabi, is simply put one of the best novels I've ever read. I don't say that lightly, either. Wyrm combines romance, technology (complete w/ computer jargon, and explinations!!!!), fantasy, and action. Some of the most interesting parts of the story take place INSIDE a CRPG (computer role-playing game)!!! All of the characters (which, by the way, are fanstastically developed) become characters in a RPG played over the internet, much like a AD & D game. Wyrm is an excellent book. While it is Sci-fi, it reads as quick as a adventure book. I couldn't put the thing down. Now - where's that sequel? An excellent first novel by Mark Fabi. I'd reccomend it to anyone.

Mark Fabi's first novel is entertaining, fast-paced, and more timely than today's news! His main character, Michael Arcangelo, is a professional computer virus hunter, a sort of geek detective protecting powerful, yet all too vulnerable programs from damage and destruction by malicious hackers. Arcangelo encounters a super-virus that has invaded the latest development in Artificial Intelligence, a chess program that is poised to beat the world champion. (Like I said, it's timely!) As Arcangelo discovers, the virus has entered the Internet, and poses a threat that makes the Year 2000 Problem look like a bad crossword puzzle. Speaking of crossword puzzles, the author includes a *really good* crossword puzzle in the middle of the book for his characters (and readers) to solve. I started to work on it, but "WYRM" is such a compelling story that I really could not wait to find out what happened next. "WYRM" compares favorably with William Gibson's "Neuromancer" and Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash". Fabi writes with confidence and wit, and has a delightful sense of humor. I especially enjoyed the seamless transitions from the Real to the Virtual. I enthusiastically recommend this book, and I look forward to Fabi's next effort.