Dark Genius

Dark Genius is an interesting techno-thriller, with no weapons (except the very end). While the overall plot was expected, it definitely has a couple good red herrings.

Andrew Lawrence is a genius that got to MIT at 14, but he had a nervous breakdown and basically flunked out of every class because his parents started fighting, one wanted him free for his pursuits, the other believed he wasn't pushed hard enough. When his parents divorced, he was the weapon they wielded on each other. Eventually, his grandma took him in and sent him to Stanford. Years later, he's back at MIT, studying theoretical physics, and came to know a young woman, also a doctoral candidate, working on quantum computers connected to CERN, as he needed the data to prove his updated string theory.. When CERN's quantum computer was hacked, Andrew somehow became the person of interest. Now Andrew had to perform some serious sleuthing... Or be blamed for something he definitely did not do...

The language did get somewhat technical, but it wasn't crucial to the plot. I guessed who's the culprit about halfway through the book, though I couldn't find the reason until the revelation. I enjoy the book overall, but the theoretical physics jargon almost turned me off near the beginning. Once I got through that, and the "framing" began then it becomes a bit more exciting.

Andrew Lawrence returns to MIT to continue his research and re-conciliate with professor Prost. On his first day on campus he runs on Emma Franklin with whom he will become involved not only erotically but scientifically, too. Prost is fuming for his return and he is obsessed that Lawrence will ruin him and his plans. So though he accepts him in his team he burdens him with tons of work leaving no time for his research. Will Lawrence stand all this burden - workload and psychological pressure? Things will become more complicated when Lawrence will be accused for being involved in a cyber attack to the CERN quantum system as a hacker. Is he indeed innocent? Will he be able to prove his innocence?

An amazing fast-paced sci-fi thriller around the scientific community. I cannot but comment positively how plausible it was the story and the world around which the plot was evolved. The author really captured the competition between universities and professors in the academic research field, the exploitation of Phd candidates, even the wold of computer science in the field of algorithms and artificial intelligence.

I was impressed how true it all seemed. Great research on the area by the author and great depiction of this world into a fictional story. I assume if you are studying, working or simply you are acquainted with computer science and physics you will enjoy this book.