Spark Paperback – Illustrated, July 7, 2015

The program that The Brethren/Tabula developed to track their employees, is now applied to the population at large.I don't think it will spoil anything to mention that the protagonist is a high-functioning autistic who needs photos on his handheld unit to recognize people's emotions. He also suffers from Cotard's syndrome (which I had never heard of), so he thinks is already dead. Definitely a help if you are a paid hit man. His employer though ups the paranoia factor.The Vast Machine is even vaster now, but it's not an ancient organization of people that want to control humanity by removing randomness. The operators of The Vast Machine ups the paranoia factor.I admit there may be a halo factor at work here. But if I choose to read a book vice get the sleep I need, that usually ends up in a five star review.So introduce more randomness into your life, get an untraceable cell phone, install tor.com on your computer, lock the doors, and read this book.Hopefully John Twelve Hawks will build a whole franchise around this guy, à la Preston and Child with Agent Pendergast.

I really like this novel, difficult to put it down. I read all of John Twelve Hawks other books. I like his books because you really can't guess what is going to happen next. Expect the unexpected. "Spark" is different from any book I have ever read besides maybe, "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden". The difference is his interjection of real technology that the public may or may not know exists and how it can be used for good and evil and ethical and unethical purposes. The book allows us to reach down and ask ourselves, what is really important in life and what makes us tick?

If you're a fan of distopian novels, you'll be a fan of John Twelve Hawks. He puts together compelling characters and fast-paced plots. I read all three books in the Fourth Realm Trilogy and could barely put any of them down. I picked up Spark as soon as it was available and was not disappointed. While there are no parallel universes there's plenty of grit and near-reality to make you contemplate. I usually turn my finished books over to my local thrift shop or hand them over to friends but I've kept this one (and the Trilogy) because I'll be reading them again in the future.

The book starts very well - a dark vision of society increasingly run by bots and corporations, Spark with his quirky mental illness. Unfortunately, the plot turns into the standard brilliant but troubled guy gets straightened out, wildly illogical plot twists to steer the action, heartfelt rebels battling the corrupt establishment, and the sadistic villain with a razor blade, even the captured young woman figuratively tied to the railroad track.Numerous details led to head-scratching. Particularly troublesome was the concept of returning a computer file, as though it was a physical object that could never be copied or transmitted electronically.Lots of good details and some clever action, but in the end a disappointing adherence to a formulaic and unconvincing plot.

Easlily read, fluid and to begin with a new and interesting plot. Good drive to the story thru two thirds. Unfortunately the writer succumbs to the trivial plot twist towards the end, where the story goes all politically correct. There seems to be a lot more to this cold, mechanical assassin, and it would have suited the story to have explored this further. I get Twelve Hawks' agenda from his other books. This one has the potential to go even darker and more dystopic, but it falls short in that capacity.

Prescient, written as a novel in 2014, with warnings about artificial intelligence. Clearly explaining distinctions between human and artificial intelligence characteristics. Loved this book in 2014 and, upon reread in 2020, have been gobsmacked by relevance today. John Twelve Hawks is a beautiful and informative read.

This is not really a very good exploration of a psychiatric syndrome, but who cares. It is instead the story of a man who is profoundly neurologically damaged, and who seems little more than a machine initially, being changed by his experiences, becoming more hand more human. It's also a very enjoyable story, well-plotted.

This unusual book features a fascinating assassin protagonist who thinks he is dead. Set in a post-apocalyptic near future, the story follows a Ludlum like intrigue plot that pits a global consortium of corporations, banks, governments, and data surveillance networks against ragtag rebels and ordinary folk. The writing is sparse and I'm not keen on the 'shell and spark' meme throughout, but very much worth the read.

Spark is a novel novel. In the not too distant future where technology has replaced many, but not all, human jobs, an unfeeling hitman and a girl meet. Take it from here and enjoy the ride.

I loved the Fourth Realm series but this is better. Still in that universe of cctv and surveillance but with an extraordinary main character and a superb setting. Amazon should pay proper UK taxes based on UK sales.

Same review as last time. Thoroughly enjoyed the book will definitely be reading more of this authors work when available

Excellent story line by a favourite author !Well recommended !

A very thought provoking read. I found myself fully immersed in the transition of Jacob, and his final transition back too living once more.