The Kraken Project

Wyman Ford, Book 4

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Wyman Ford is back again in The Kraken Project, the thrilling new novel from New York Times best-selling author Douglas Preston.

NASA is building a probe to be splashed down in the Kraken Mare, the largest sea on Saturn’s great moon, Titan. It is one of the most promising habitats for extraterrestrial life in the solar system, but the surface is unpredictable and dangerous, requiring the probe to contain artificial intelligence software. To this end, Melissa Shepherd, a brilliant programmer, has developed "Dorothy", a powerful, self-modifying AI whose true potential is both revolutionary and terrifying. When miscalculations lead to a catastrophe during testing, Dorothy flees into the Internet.

Former CIA agent Wyman Ford is tapped to track down the rogue AI. As Ford and Shepherd search for Dorothy, they realize that her horrific experiences in the wasteland of the Internet have changed her in ways they can barely imagine. And they’re not the only ones looking for the wayward software: The AI is also being pursued by a pair of Wall Street traders, who want to capture her code and turn her into a high-speed trading bot. Traumatized, angry, and relentlessly hunted, Dorothy has an extraordinary revelation - and devises a plan. As the pursuit of Dorothy converges on a deserted house on the coast of Northern California, Ford must face the ultimate question: Is rescuing Dorothy the right thing? Is the AI bent on saving the world…or on wiping out the cancer that is humankind?

©2014 Splendide Mendax, Inc. (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Great story line.

I really enjoyed the story line in that the AI program was not the villain and did good in the end.

I love Douglas Preston, but this was pretty lame.

I've read or listened to almost every book that Douglas Preston has written. This definitely was one of the worst. The action was good, but the exploration of strong AI, and it's powers and pitfalls was quite thin. Wyman Ford seems rough and tough in other novels, but here it just felt like he was along for the ride. I still give the story a C+.

Unfortunately it was butchered by the narrator. Often, when I start a new audio-book, I don't like the narration at first, but then it grows on me. That was not the case with this book. So many annoying, awkward pauses!

Overall worth the read for Preston/Child fans, but just barely.

Yes! Yes to this whole series

This book is timely and riveting.

It is a good ride into the near future.

Kraken is not crackin' good

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. I would not read it. Preston fans are going to like it regardless, but honestly this is not a very good book. I felt like I had mistakenly picked a YA novel to read. Wyman Ford is little more than a cardboard character, something that Preston and Child seem to have also done in "White Fire" with Pendergast recently. Good fiction of this genre pushes credulity but does not break it. "Kraken" crushes credulity with an unbelievable 2 gigabyte automaton who seems magically able to move its code around at will. And her pet code-dog. If you want to read a well-done code intelligence gone awry novel, read Daniel Suarez's "Daemon" and its sequel "Freedom."

Would you ever listen to anything by Douglas Preston again?

Probably not.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Scott Sowers?

Possibly. When his reading becomes animated, he is entertaining, and his voice has a raspy quality that makes it interesting. This reading suggests that Sowers might have studied at the Scott Brick School of Awkward Pauses.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It won't be a movie. If it were, I would defer to Sharknado 3.

Fun Read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Kraken Project to be better than the print version?

Wouldn't have a clue.....Why would I bother reading it, now I have listened to it?

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kraken Project?

When Dorothy becomes Charlie.

What about Scott Sowers’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance. Gives all the characters life and their own individual personality.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Definitely a feel good book. At times I felt sad and at other times it made me smile.

Any additional comments?

I would re-classify this book as a young readers book, although suitable for all those who are young at heart. Don't expect your usual Douglas Preston in this book, it's a much lighter story than his other works. It does however contain important messages for humanity.

Wonderful!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book because it has all the best elements of storytelling: a compelling set of characters, a believable plot, elegant word use and structure.

What did you like best about this story?

This is the kind of story I wan to go on and on. I loved it....I rooted for the AI character. I hated the "bad guys." I loved the human heroes, who, far from perfect, nevertheless did what was right because it was right.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene I will call the "resurrection," without saying more.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn't stop listening.

Any additional comments?

Get this book. If you have only one new book this month, this is a good one to buy.

Sub par book

Another one of those books that starts off so good and draws you in and then it becomes predictable and somewhat unreasonable.

Ok

good book, but Jacob was a douchebag he almost ruined the book could have been longer

slow start, but keep listening great ending

as with most of these longer books it takes a bit to get rolling into the story. Douglas Preston always tries to weave the truth and fiction in a fine line of reality, making me think a bit deeper on what could truly be the future of AI. The message this book gives is a bit of frighnting truths with an optimistic and surprise ending. stick with this one, its really worth it in the end!

Not what I expected

This story creates an interestingly AI "frankenstein" exploring the relationship between creator and creation, creation and the world, and what it means to be human. As a Information Technology person, I found the story fascinating in combining imagination with technology, and action with good character development expected of Douglas Preston.

Being an regular reader of Preston and Child's books, the title made think that story would be an adventure with a sea monster. Obviously, I did not read the general sales info before getting the book. Based on the writer, I knew it would be good and was reminded again not to judge a book by its cover.