After this read, I feel smarter.
Apart from murder-mysteries another category of novels I genuinely love to read is techno-thrillers. Truthfully, not everyone can come up with an engaging plot for a techno thriller novel, which is why I was excited when I started reading this book (after ignoring it for ages). Digital Fortress, is a cutting edge techno- thriller novel, you wouldn't want to put down.
Through this novel, Dan Brown, who is by the way is one of my favorite authors, teleports readers to the world of cryptography and code breaking. What made this novel such an amazing read, was the artistic way it was written, such that, even if you're not a computer enthusiast, you're compelled to just read on and on.
Just like code breaking, I love the way Dan Brown made this novel so complicated, that it took about 500 pages to tell a story of a just twenty-four-hour time span. And he told this story, in such a way that you wouldn't be able to put this book down until the very last page.
Plot
The novel begins when Susan Fletcher, brilliant and beautiful head of cryptography at the NSA, is called in by her boss, Trevor Strathmore, on her day off, and the day she is meant to jet off on a trip with her fiancé. Though surprised, everything seems normal to her, until her boss tells her that the NSA's super code breaking computer, that has never taken long to decipher a code, has been stuck on a piece of code for hours. It gets interesting, because the name of the code is Digital Fortress, which is where I suppose the author got the inspiration for the title from.
The code was developed by one of their former colleague, Ensei Tankado, who holds them to ransom, by demanding a list of things before he can give them the key to unravelling the code. Else, posting it on the internet, and exposing the NSA to breach of security by the whole world would be his next move.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, and that the US intelligence system stands a risk of being exposed, the NSA sends David Becker, Susan's fiancé to get the ring, which contains the key to unravelling the code from Tankado, who surprisingly turns up dead on the other side of the world.
Would David succeed in bringing back the code? and does the NSA have a hand in the impending downfall?
While Susan fights to save the agency she loves, she must also battle with the secrecy, lies and betrayal that plague the NSA.
Not only must she fight to save the agency she believes in, she must fight to save her country, the man she loves and in extension, her life.
The plot looked like something straight out of a movie for me, and I appreciated how fast paced the author made the novel.
My Opinions
There were many things that stood out in this novel, and one of the things that stood out is the characterization. The characters are not only very suitable for their roles, they are also very interesting. My favorite character was Susan Fletcher and perhaps her fiancé, David. Their chemistry in the novel was electrifying, and it added some human touch to the novel.
Another character that stood out for me was Ensei Tankado. He is the character from Japan, who is disfigured by the events of Hiroshima, which I must add, has always been of great interest to me.
Another thing I absolutely loved about this novel, was the attention to details the author paid. From the underground hallways of the NSA, to the towering cathedral of Spain, and even the skyscrapers in Tokyo, you'll almost feel like you're a part of the fast paced race to cracking the mystery code.
There have been a number of criticisms that the plot was overpopulated by characters, but I believe that every character served their purpose in the novel, even if only a few stood out for me.
However, this book also had me wondering a lot. What would happen, if every person, and nation with a computer, could access every top secret file in the government? While this was what Susan and her fiancé were fighting to avoid by figuring out the code, I was also eager to find out what kind of chaos would ensue if they couldn't.
Dan Brown has written so many other action novels and techno-thrillers. I have read a few of them courtesy of a friend's recommendation and frankly, this novel is just as good of a read as the rest. This novel is written in the same style as all the others, full of suspense and engaging. This leads me to say that without a doubt, ‘Dan Brown knows his onions’.
For the non- computer enthusiast, worry not, this novel is written in such a way that you do not only suddenly develop an interest in code breaking, but that you also look forward to the climax where the code is eventually figured out.
If you're worried about getting bored, Dan Brown has ensured that with all the twists and turns and suspense and actions, you wouldn't even realize how far into the novel you've gone. It's an absolute page turner.
However, there was something I didn't like about the novel. I believe in a balance in characters in a novel and it appears that 'Digital Fortress', has just two major female characters. It didn't help that almost all the male characters wanted to be with Susan, despite knowing she had a fiancé.
Recommendation.
All of the Dan Brown books I've come across are top tier but this one is on the top of the list. Whether you have any knowledge of computers or not, you will learn more about them. It is a thrilling ride of twists and turns from beginning to end!
Do I recommend? Yes, I wholeheartedly do. This is one of those books that take you out of a reading slump. You just cannot go wrong with a Dan Brown book.
Images are screenshots from my e-library except stated otherwise.
Love🤍
I like Dan Brown. It is a book that I need to read by the author.
It would certainly be a nice read.
Nice way you review, flow what you read. Like post. Thank you.
Thank you for reading
"Dan Brown knows his Onions"
Sister ughhhh. Sister Ughhhh 😭😭😂
That sounds so bad😭😂😂
Who is this😂😂😂😂
But he does though 🌚. Don't you agree?
Sister urggh😭😭😭
😂
I love your review about the book, makes me want to read it tho I have so many things to do now😩.
The book sounds very interesting, but the cover doesn't look all that attractive
It's the book cover that kept me from reading it for a while but like they say, do not judge a book by its cover😂
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Really 😂, I guess I'm not the only one😂. And yes don't judge a book by it's cover,but for me that's my number one 😂, I'll judge.
I think book covers have a huge part to play while looking for a book to read.