Foundry

By: Eliot Peper

Narrated by: Eliot Peper

This is a story about two spies locked in a room with a gun.

This is a story about how semiconductors are refactoring 21st century geopolitics.

This is a story about the greatest of games, the game that subsumes all other games, the only game that really matters: power.

This is a story about finding yourself before they find you.

This story is a trap.

©2023 Eliot Peper (P)2023 Eliot Peper

Excellent spy thriller

Foundry is a spy thriller that dives into a world that we all touch on a daily basis but rarely think about. Where are the chips that power our daily lives, our phones, computers, TVs, cars, and indeed many of our utilities made. How are they made and how does that filter into the jiu jitsu match of global politics.

Excellent read, believable characters with depth and a storyline that is quite possibly playing out in real life.

Looking for a too near-future spy novel that you just can’t put down? Look no further.

What can I say Eliot Peper did it again with this book! From the moment it started the whole story was a fast-paced, entertaining, and almost too close-to-reality near-future spy novel. Needless to say, I could not put the book down or stop listening to it when I was away from the physical book. I really enjoyed how this book (compared to his others) took a different style in approach by being written in first person and I even found when listening to it (also appreciated it was his voice) it was like someone was telling me a story as we sat across a table drinking a cortado. I think this book was the perfect way to do such a thing and as always allowed for all the twists and turns as the bigger story unfolded. As always, I enjoy hearing easter eggs from prior books as he might reference places and technology but you would not have had to read those books before to enjoy this one. The attention to all details between the characters and the scenery made me feel like I was part of the overall storytelling journey.

Eliot does such a great job of writing these types of near-future stories like these where the plot and things that happen are very realistic and not so far-fetched to what we hear in the news. However, I think it also goes to show the detail in which he researches various technologies and topics to ensure it has that real feel to the story. This is found in how he describes places, food, drinks, and technology. Overall, this is another great book put out into the world by Eliot, and sick as he hears me tell him… I can’t wait for the next one!

A Solid Spy Novel

Foundry by Eliot Peper is another intriguing addition to his ever-expanding repertoire of tech-driven novels. For those familiar with Peper’s work, diving into one of his books is always an exciting experience, and Foundry is no exception. It offers a unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds from his previous stories, making it a compelling read.

Peper’s prose in Foundry often takes on a poetic quality. There’s a sense of “waxing poetic” that lends depth and richness to the narrative. He uses literary devices skillfully to explain the complex technological aspects, allowing the reader to appreciate the beauty of the writing as well as the story itself.

Foundry offers a fascinating plot but might not grip you in the same way as some of Peper’s previous works. While still an enjoyable read that you’ll breeze through, it lacks the technological punch that some of his other books, like “Reap3r” and the Analog series, deliver. While semiconductors play a role in the narrative, this story leans more towards being a pure thriller with technology elements sprinkled in.

Comparatively, Foundry might be seen as more of a “spy vs. spy” story rather than a full-fledged technothriller. It’s important to approach it with an open mind, as your expectations can influence your perception. If you consider it as a spy novel with some tech twists, your overall opinion might be different. Remember that I’m going into this with around 10 other Peper Technothrillers under my belt.

The audiobook is narrated by Eliot Peper himself, and while his performance is generally good, there are moments when you might find yourself wishing for an external narrator. The reasons for this preference are difficult to articulate, as it’s a somewhat subjective feeling. Nevertheless, the narration doesn’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I looked up my review of Reap3r because I knew that was his first narration and I agree with my own sentiments. I can tell he got coaching and took it seriously. I think that with each new book, he’ll continue to get better.

Overall, Foundry is an enjoyable read that showcases Eliot Peper’s talent for storytelling and his unique blend of technology and interconnected worlds. While it may not be your favorite Peper book, it’s still a worthwhile addition to his body of work. The book might deviate from the typical tech-driven narrative, but it remains a satisfying journey from beginning to end.

Interesting

At first I was unsure then I thought this is interesting at the end I thought I’m glad I listened. It is a fun work of art that makes some interesting observations that I was able to see as true in my life.