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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 51 customer reviews )
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18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 Why robot? Jun 08, 2008
By Amanda Richards
This futuristic story pits technology against religion in an all-out bloody war, ostensibly to save the human race. The thing is, both sides have dark secrets that they'd rather stay hidden from the world, and now one uniquely talented young man is threatening to expose them all to clear his father's name.
It's 2012 -
A year of great scientific progress
Except of course for the virus
Which cripples computers
ALL the computers
ALL
OF
THEM!
Killing more than a million people
Who couldn't get food,
Water,
Gas,
Heat
Or e-mail
It's 2022 -
A year of economic depression
Some believe that the answer
Lies in Artificial Intelligence
Human-like robots
THAT
CAN
THINK
And spectacles that are
voice-activated
to give you the news
on the go
It's 2022
A year of the Church of Natural Humans
Who believe that technology
Is the tool of Lucifer
And are prepared
TO
KILL
EVERYONE
Who dares to support
Artificial Intelligence
As they have no right
To play GOD
In between, there's David Brown, son of the man who has been vilified for creating the virus, but after receiving a delayed transmission e-mail from his late father, David now thinks otherwise.
David has a unique talent when it comes to AI, and once he sets his mind to proving his father's innocence, he stirs up the vipers on both sides, and the result is an action-packed, page-turning read.
The dialogue doesn't always flow smoothly and the female characters are sometimes (ahem) overly developed, but these are minor hiccups in an otherwise well crafted story that may yet prove to be prophetic.
Amanda Richards, June 7, 2008
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
'We have met our enemy and that enemy is us' Oct 24, 2008
By Grady Harp
Dan Ronco probably didn't realize when he was writing this very excellent 'sci-fi thriller' that within months of it's writing the world would be in the crisis in which we now find ourselves. Ronco's latest UNHOLY DOMAIN may not be about the financial state of the world, but reading his sensitive (terrifyingly sensitive!) insight into the world of computers and their use and abuse and the resultant responses to the people of the universe when a deadly virus 'disconnects' our main means of communication and livelihood draws some pertinent analogies.
UNHOLY DOMAIN pits technology against religion, good against evil, and vengeance against discovery of truth The story is tightly woven by a man with a depth of expertise in computer knowledge, a fact that prevents us from dismissing the sci-fi classification: it all seems far too real. Summarizing the story line well would take more space than is allowed by the new review system here, but suffice it to say that for a fast paced fascinating read, there are few books out there that whisk the reader away on as exciting journey as this very well written book. Dan Ronco will be around for a long time with novels of this caliber. Grady Harp, October 08
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 Chilling, Violent, Ultra-realistic - the best techno novel in years May 08, 2008
By Art Tirrell - "The Vitaman Effect"
It's 2020. The Church of Natural Humans has condemned all technology and its army is conducting open warfare against the "technos," who it sees as the devil incarnate. After a devastating virus named Peacemaker knocked out the net and almost destroyed the world economy, the world's governments have outlawed the development and distribution of technology, creating a huge black market which is now run by powerful mobsters.
Into this violent climate comes David Brown, son of the notorious creator of Peacemaker. When David, who's been raised hating his father, receives a time-delayed e-mail from the man proclaiming his innocence, he knows he must investigate. Unfortunately for David, it's an investigation those who know the truth will do anything to stop.
A tight, tense, fast-paced knockout of a novel, Unholy Domain chronicles a pivotal moment in the future; the first true blending of man and computer. It's a great read. Highest recommendation.
Art Tirrell is the author of "The Secret Ever Keeps" a dashing adventure novel set on the shores of Lake Ontario.
"Simply put...the best underwater scenes I've ever read." - reviewer Meg Westley.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
entertaining futuristic cautionary thriller Apr 10, 2008
By Harriet Klausner
In 2012, the PeaceMaker virus destroyed the Internet; causing pandemic catastrophes as so much of the world was tied to cyber space with millions dead as a consequence. Over the next decade since this debacle destroyed the global economy, the government has banned the development of new technology outside of what the Feds create. The Technos strongly object to the taboo while the Church of Natural Humans want all technology outlawed.
The Domain has developed new illegal technology with the intention of a coup d'etat to take control of the government; the Church wants to expand its hold on the government. These two groups are ready to take their cold war hot. At the same time David Brown, the son of software guru Ray Brown, the person universally blamed for unleashing PeaceMaker, wants to prove his dad is innocent of these charges. He does not care one iota about the power struggle.
The second PeaceMaker tale (see THE PEACEMAKER) is an exciting follow-up warning to the premise that the destruction of the Internet will lead to many direct deaths and a global collapse exponentially worse than that of the Great Depression. The story line is fast-paced, filled with plenty of action as David (apropos first name) is a human sharing space with two five hundred pound battling gorillas. Although the rampart sexism seems unnecessarily comical and ergo out of place UNHOLY DOMAIN is an entertaining futuristic cautionary thriller.
Harriet Klausner
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
UNHOLY DOMAIN - A MUST READ !!!!! Apr 01, 2008
By Paul Nasto
Having read many "technothrillers", I can truly say that Dan Ronco has captured a view of the future which is compelling, overwhelming, and unparalleled. This second book in the series (Peacemaker was the first) delivers a story that both thrills and frightens, yet provides a spark of hope.
I received my copy on Thursday, and once I started reading I could barely put it down. Ronco's deep character development combined with a literary canvas of impressive colors provided me with a wonderful experience. Through rich use of visualizations, Ronco led me through a maze of technology which may soon be upon us and which may, someday, become a part of our everyday life.
Once into the action of the book, the story just pours from the pages and moves at a perfect pace. The intertwining storylines come alive as each character begins to interact with the others and the vision of the future of our planet is revealed. Ronco takes you into a world which is not only believable, but is beginning to become a reality!!! With every twist and turn, the thrill becomes more intense.
UNHOLY DOMAIN is a riveting read which will pique and keep your interest. I HIGHLY recommend this book and also Ronco's first book, PEACEMAKER.
See all 51 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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