Would you take a drug that turns your brain into a computer that lets you access other's minds, but would also let them access your mind? In the near future where such a drug is available the government is trying to suppress it at all cost. Kaden Lane has managed to make this drug and its effects permanent and Samantha Catares is a special agent who is working for the Emergeng Risks Directorate (ERD -an organization that came as an overreaction to an event where several lives were put at risk because of technology giving the government carte blanche to do what it wants with suspects of technological warfare- think Patriot Act for technology). Samantha is looking to use Kaden's technology for the benefit of the ERD, against others like Chinese scientist Shu, who may already have access to such technology or more an dwhom they fear will use it against the U.S. 
 The concept was made even more fascinating when I learned that technologies that are on the cusp of what this book presents are already happening. As the book progresses who the "good and bad guys" are becomes more and more murky and Kaden finds himself wondering who to help and the very heavy outcome of his actions. The books brings to the forefront questions about where the lines for safety over freedom begin and end. Ramez Naam seems to have a finger on the pulse of the problems that our technology is hurling us towards. And it brought to mind questions about morality, religion, liberty, and persecution that we may soon have to face in the world. 
 The book itself is very well written with perhaps too much action scenes, but so well done, that I rather enjoyed them. It's perhaps true to assume Ramez meant to write this to be a movie, and becasue of this its tempo was quick, making it a zippy read. However, the content and greater questions it poses have made this a book that I would absolutely recommend.