Zeroes

Zeroes

2015 • 432 pages

Ratings58

Average rating3.7

15

Some minor spoilers may follow.

A mysterious government agency puts together a team of five black-hat hackers and forces them to work on secret projects. (What could go wrong, right?) They come to call themselves “Zer0es”.
The members of this team mostly aren't very likeable, at least not at first. (They are criminals after all.) But, they do tend to grow on you as the story develops.
The story starts slowly, introducing the individual Zer0es and their situation. But once it gets going, we get lots of action – gunplay, explosions, chases, escapes, and do-or-die situations.
For the antagonist, Wendig introduces a unique (to me at least) take on the concept of a rogue AI. It calls itself Typhon, and it is one particularly nasty beastie. Typhon has a rather revolting way of spreading itself. It physically bores into peoples skulls, implants in their brains, and takes over their minds -- making them zombie-like extensions of itself. I was reminded somewhat of the Borg and of the massed minds of Frederik Pohl's Heechee.
In the end the Zer0es have to save – well everything. They combine their individual unique talents in a good slam-bang finish. Things are finally wrapped up nicely, but with a hint that there might be more to follow.
Pretty good book. 3.5 stars rounded up.

November 13, 2018