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The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev
For fans of Neal Stephenson, Andy Weir, and Liu Cixin comes a novel reviewers describe as "a great Black Mirror episode" with the "page-turning pacing of Michael Crichton."
The year is 2100. The lack of trust that characterized the early Internet era is long behind us. Mathematical proof ensures neural implants can't be hacked, and the Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading.
When undergraduate Sergei Kraev, who dreams of becoming a professor, is accepted into the Technion's computer science graduate program, he throws himself into his research project: making it possible for neural implants to transmit information directly to the brain. If he succeeds, he'll earn a full professorship.
But Sergei falls under the influence of Sunny Kim, the beautiful and charismatic leader of a K-pop dance cult. Sergei believes in Sunny's good intentions and wants to protect her from critics, leading him to perform a feat of engineering that leaves billions of brains vulnerable to attack.
With the clock ticking towards catastrophe, can Sergei see the truth about Sunny and undo what he's done?
Weaving together compelling characters and spanning decades and continents, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is a classic tale of love, ambition, and self-interest building to a shattering finish.
The year is 2100. The lack of trust that characterized the early Internet era is long behind us. Mathematical proof ensures neural implants can't be hacked, and the Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading.
When undergraduate Sergei Kraev, who dreams of becoming a professor, is accepted into the Technion's computer science graduate program, he throws himself into his research project: making it possible for neural implants to transmit information directly to the brain. If he succeeds, he'll earn a full professorship.
But Sergei falls under the influence of Sunny Kim, the beautiful and charismatic leader of a K-pop dance cult. Sergei believes in Sunny's good intentions and wants to protect her from critics, leading him to perform a feat of engineering that leaves billions of brains vulnerable to attack.
With the clock ticking towards catastrophe, can Sergei see the truth about Sunny and undo what he's done?
Weaving together compelling characters and spanning decades and continents, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is a classic tale of love, ambition, and self-interest building to a shattering finish.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2021
252 people are currently reading
6025 people want to read
About the author
Eric Silberstein
3 books75 followersEric Silberstein is a software engineer, company founder, and novelist. After receiving his bachelor's in computer science from Harvard, he founded Idiom Technologies, a pioneer in translation management software. He then went on to co-found and serve as CEO of TrialNetworks, a software platform to accelerate medical research. His first novel, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev, was published in 2021, and his second novel, In Berlin, will be released on August 5, 2025. Eric enjoys creating, learning, early morning swims, and writing at his local library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
February 21, 2022
The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev by Eric Silberstein is one of those books that feels too smart for you, or maybe that is just me, but then the meat of the story completely surprises you and is easy to understand. And the fact that this is a debut just completely blew me away considering how complex it is. It is very technology focused and I would say falls completely into the science fiction category. In some ways, it reminded me a bit of Dark Matter which is still my favorite book of the genre, but still an original storyline and plot, with a world all its own. The fact that Silberstein was able to create such an interesting, advanced universe really impressed me, and even though this is a longer book, none of it felt unnecessary to me. Some parts did end up being a little confusing to me, but I understood the big picture and I was really into the story.
This book does have mentions of Covid-19 and one part actually made me chuckle a little bit in terms of social distancing. It wasn't a large part of the plot though which I appreciated, since I still don't love seeing it in my books. The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is also on audio and I think it is a really enjoyable way to read it. Peter Berkrot is a new-to-me narrator, but I thought he was the perfect person to read the book, and I loved listening to him. I will say that even though the synopsis makes it sound like Sergei is the main character, there are actually a lot of different viewpoints, and I don't think he gets as much attention as the title or synopsis would lead you to believe. However, I really liked all the different viewpoints, and they helped with the slower pacing of the book. This was a really strong debut from Silberstein and one that I would recommend to anyone who likes Sci-Fi.
Thank you to the publisher and Get Red PR for my advanced reader copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
This book does have mentions of Covid-19 and one part actually made me chuckle a little bit in terms of social distancing. It wasn't a large part of the plot though which I appreciated, since I still don't love seeing it in my books. The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is also on audio and I think it is a really enjoyable way to read it. Peter Berkrot is a new-to-me narrator, but I thought he was the perfect person to read the book, and I loved listening to him. I will say that even though the synopsis makes it sound like Sergei is the main character, there are actually a lot of different viewpoints, and I don't think he gets as much attention as the title or synopsis would lead you to believe. However, I really liked all the different viewpoints, and they helped with the slower pacing of the book. This was a really strong debut from Silberstein and one that I would recommend to anyone who likes Sci-Fi.
Thank you to the publisher and Get Red PR for my advanced reader copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
November 7, 2021
This is an engaging book that holds a mirror to humanity and, while it might be found wanting in certain aspects, ultimately gives hope that we can survive the faults that makes us human. In his debut novel, Eric Silberstein takes us on a trip into the not too distant future and shows us what we are already becoming aware of--technology can be addicting to the point of taking over our lives. Just try being without an Internet connection for a few hours or days and see how much it impacts your entertainment, news sources, communications or job.
In 2100, technology has evolved to the point where through brain implants most of the world's population is constantly connected to the Internet. Virtual reality has become a reality and a way of life from the earliest days of a person's life. Then, on April 17, 2120, there is what appears to be a catastrophic failure in the system and sets the stage for this story.
Twenty years before April 17, 2120, at a prestigious university in Israel, three doctoral students, Sergi, Daniel and Karima are given a project to expand the brain implants to include an olfactory interface At the same time, in the unified country of Korea, a young girl sets her life's goal to become the most popular member of an exclusive dance group that has captured the world's attention. The story now follows these characters over the next twenty years as we, the readers, see the events unfolding that puts all four characters on a collision course that will change the world.
I don't think one needs to be a science fiction enthusiast to enjoy this book. The plot is realistic, the pacing excellent and the characters entirely believable. Even though my background is computer science, I don't feel the computer-speak in this fiction is beyond the casual reader. The story itself is compelling enough to grab a reader and suck them in.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book. It was published in August, 2021.
In 2100, technology has evolved to the point where through brain implants most of the world's population is constantly connected to the Internet. Virtual reality has become a reality and a way of life from the earliest days of a person's life. Then, on April 17, 2120, there is what appears to be a catastrophic failure in the system and sets the stage for this story.
Twenty years before April 17, 2120, at a prestigious university in Israel, three doctoral students, Sergi, Daniel and Karima are given a project to expand the brain implants to include an olfactory interface At the same time, in the unified country of Korea, a young girl sets her life's goal to become the most popular member of an exclusive dance group that has captured the world's attention. The story now follows these characters over the next twenty years as we, the readers, see the events unfolding that puts all four characters on a collision course that will change the world.
I don't think one needs to be a science fiction enthusiast to enjoy this book. The plot is realistic, the pacing excellent and the characters entirely believable. Even though my background is computer science, I don't feel the computer-speak in this fiction is beyond the casual reader. The story itself is compelling enough to grab a reader and suck them in.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book. It was published in August, 2021.
November 5, 2021
So, I usually choose not to read science fiction because I rarely understand what's going on and that's on me, not the books. But I couldn't resist this one when I read the synopsis.
The math and science part was well explained, so well explained that I was able to absorb it really well.
I found the concept quite original, interesting and captivating. The characters were very well built, as well as the universe and the scenarios. I liked it a lot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The math and science part was well explained, so well explained that I was able to absorb it really well.
I found the concept quite original, interesting and captivating. The characters were very well built, as well as the universe and the scenarios. I liked it a lot.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2021
Eric Silberstein’s debut novel is a highly original and fast-paced imagining of where wiring our brains and senses to the internet might take us. Quantum computing, dance troupes, mathematical proofs and randomized clinical trials all cleverly intersect in a story that you think you can predict, but which will twist in unexpected ways. “The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev” is a credible and realistic view of the near future, with a warning that the fallibility of human beings will always trump technological progress.
I’ve read thousands of sci-fi stories, and the thing that stands out for me here is the originality - it doesn’t quickly fall into some typical genre or pay tribute to some other great novel. This made it especially enjoyable … it deserves to be read and enjoyed widely!
I’ve read thousands of sci-fi stories, and the thing that stands out for me here is the originality - it doesn’t quickly fall into some typical genre or pay tribute to some other great novel. This made it especially enjoyable … it deserves to be read and enjoyed widely!
September 19, 2021
Eric Silberstein has created a world that is futuristic and intriguing but also eminently plausible, and so all the more unsettling.
I was so curious to see when and how these characters from different corners of the earth would cross paths!
And I’m no mathematician, but he presents the scientific/technical ideas in a way that even us laypeople can understand and appreciate, but without “dumbing” them down.
An awesome read.
I was so curious to see when and how these characters from different corners of the earth would cross paths!
And I’m no mathematician, but he presents the scientific/technical ideas in a way that even us laypeople can understand and appreciate, but without “dumbing” them down.
An awesome read.
March 12, 2022
K-pop is evil. A debut novel that never delivers on its promise.
Let's face it, "Insecure Mind" is doing gangbusters on Amazon, mostly because it's been on sale for .99 cents since time began. It's got great cover art and sounded like an intriguing Neal Stephenson//Michael Crichton high concept near future SF techno-thriller mashup. Unfortunately, it's far less than that and feels more like the "Insecure Pen" of author Silberstein.
The book begins with a letter from one of the survivors of a global disaster that caused some sort of massive brain death (unclear what) and then flashback to an event minutes before said disaster featuring characters we don't know, and then we flash FURTHER back (double flashback?) to several years to what is, I guess, the actual start of the story.
Unfortunately, the promise of that intriguing Stephenson/Crichton mashup bogs down into a fairly sloggy trip where it's unclear who the protagonist is (if any), an origin story of a villain that is cartoonish in the extreme, and a far deeper look into the mind of a modern simp (the titular Sergei Kraev) than seems comfortable.
Essentially, Sergei is a brilliant computer scientist who, along with fellow graduate students Karima and Daniel, try to develop some kind of olfactory add-on for the ubiquitous brain implants that this future society runs on (think Smell-O-Vision for the Google Glass set). So, while there's lots of talk of algorithms and mathematical proofs and chapters that are clearly designed to give the reader the "Eureka" sense of discovery, it never works.
The comparison to Stephenson and Crichton is apt only insofar as the latter two both did their research AND were able to convey highly complex technical concepts to a lay reader in a way that explained the science and helped the reader appreciate (from a technological AND narrative perspective) why what the characters were doing/seeking/accomplishing was so significant.
But here, Sergei and Co never really *do* the math. They talk about it; they agonize over it, but then it just kind of "happens" - there's no dramatic build or real narrative drive. It's a little like when Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame tries to solve the time travel paradox: he looks at a 3D hologram for about 7 seconds and exclaims, "Holy shit! I've got it!" It works there because time travel is a plot device that gets us to fight Thanos. Here, Smell-O-Vision *is* the plot.
Or it would be if we didn't spend WAY too much time on the "Awkward Love Life of Sergei Kraev." See, Sergei quickly falls in love with the exotic Karima. But, despite being an adult male, this is "love" in the most pathetic and simp-tastic way. Sergei's repeated declarations of love for Karima would make a Twitch subscriber say, "Dude, tone it down a bit." So when Karima (invariably) hooks up with (and marries) the more gregarious Daniel, we are mercifully spared Sergei's story for a while.
Unfortunately, we then delve far too deeply into the strange world of Korean Dance Pop. This is the origin story for our villain Sunny Kim. A member of a K-Pop dance troupe "100M" who is kicked out of the group and forms her own group named "1Billion" (it's like 9/11 times a million!) And because this makes sense, 1Billion ends up becoming a global cult where people have to record and a video of themselves dancing naked before being allowed to join (oh, and please sign over all your income). A third of the way through the book, we get this gem:
"That a dance studio is threatening the peace and prosperity of the entire planet is ridiculous and would be amusing if it weren’t true.”
Unfortunately, it's not that amusing. It's just ridiculous. Sunny Kim isn't a character so much as a Snidely Whiplash who lurches from overly westernized ("You suck! Grow some balls!") outbursts to unconvincing manipulation with her coterie of in-on-the grift-yet-still-enamored inner circle. It's never convincing, just supremely ridiculous, despite some overt parallels to other modern money-sucking cults.
Eventually, 1Billion hatches a plan to do....something and gets one of their followers to seduce Sergei, marry him, and bring him into the fold to further their nefarious plan of something-ning. The Seduction of Sergei is just as awkward and cringeworthy as his previous chapters but it works and he does his computery stuff which may or may not bring about the end of the world in the last thirty pages.
So to the extent there is a positive here, it's in those last thirty pages where we get our "third act ticking time bomb" section as people rush to and fro to try to stop "the thing from happening." These are the best scenes in the book, but given the scene at the very beginning of the book (47 flashbacks before), we know the thing DOES happen... and the book ends. Ok.
Overall, I was hopeful for "Sergei Kraev" but it reads very much like a debut novel that could have used stronger characters, a stronger editor, better plot pacing and structure, and a more discerning eye regarding how actual human beings interact with each other.
Let's face it, "Insecure Mind" is doing gangbusters on Amazon, mostly because it's been on sale for .99 cents since time began. It's got great cover art and sounded like an intriguing Neal Stephenson//Michael Crichton high concept near future SF techno-thriller mashup. Unfortunately, it's far less than that and feels more like the "Insecure Pen" of author Silberstein.
The book begins with a letter from one of the survivors of a global disaster that caused some sort of massive brain death (unclear what) and then flashback to an event minutes before said disaster featuring characters we don't know, and then we flash FURTHER back (double flashback?) to several years to what is, I guess, the actual start of the story.
Unfortunately, the promise of that intriguing Stephenson/Crichton mashup bogs down into a fairly sloggy trip where it's unclear who the protagonist is (if any), an origin story of a villain that is cartoonish in the extreme, and a far deeper look into the mind of a modern simp (the titular Sergei Kraev) than seems comfortable.
Essentially, Sergei is a brilliant computer scientist who, along with fellow graduate students Karima and Daniel, try to develop some kind of olfactory add-on for the ubiquitous brain implants that this future society runs on (think Smell-O-Vision for the Google Glass set). So, while there's lots of talk of algorithms and mathematical proofs and chapters that are clearly designed to give the reader the "Eureka" sense of discovery, it never works.
The comparison to Stephenson and Crichton is apt only insofar as the latter two both did their research AND were able to convey highly complex technical concepts to a lay reader in a way that explained the science and helped the reader appreciate (from a technological AND narrative perspective) why what the characters were doing/seeking/accomplishing was so significant.
But here, Sergei and Co never really *do* the math. They talk about it; they agonize over it, but then it just kind of "happens" - there's no dramatic build or real narrative drive. It's a little like when Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame tries to solve the time travel paradox: he looks at a 3D hologram for about 7 seconds and exclaims, "Holy shit! I've got it!" It works there because time travel is a plot device that gets us to fight Thanos. Here, Smell-O-Vision *is* the plot.
Or it would be if we didn't spend WAY too much time on the "Awkward Love Life of Sergei Kraev." See, Sergei quickly falls in love with the exotic Karima. But, despite being an adult male, this is "love" in the most pathetic and simp-tastic way. Sergei's repeated declarations of love for Karima would make a Twitch subscriber say, "Dude, tone it down a bit." So when Karima (invariably) hooks up with (and marries) the more gregarious Daniel, we are mercifully spared Sergei's story for a while.
Unfortunately, we then delve far too deeply into the strange world of Korean Dance Pop. This is the origin story for our villain Sunny Kim. A member of a K-Pop dance troupe "100M" who is kicked out of the group and forms her own group named "1Billion" (it's like 9/11 times a million!) And because this makes sense, 1Billion ends up becoming a global cult where people have to record and a video of themselves dancing naked before being allowed to join (oh, and please sign over all your income). A third of the way through the book, we get this gem:
"That a dance studio is threatening the peace and prosperity of the entire planet is ridiculous and would be amusing if it weren’t true.”
Unfortunately, it's not that amusing. It's just ridiculous. Sunny Kim isn't a character so much as a Snidely Whiplash who lurches from overly westernized ("You suck! Grow some balls!") outbursts to unconvincing manipulation with her coterie of in-on-the grift-yet-still-enamored inner circle. It's never convincing, just supremely ridiculous, despite some overt parallels to other modern money-sucking cults.
Eventually, 1Billion hatches a plan to do....something and gets one of their followers to seduce Sergei, marry him, and bring him into the fold to further their nefarious plan of something-ning. The Seduction of Sergei is just as awkward and cringeworthy as his previous chapters but it works and he does his computery stuff which may or may not bring about the end of the world in the last thirty pages.
So to the extent there is a positive here, it's in those last thirty pages where we get our "third act ticking time bomb" section as people rush to and fro to try to stop "the thing from happening." These are the best scenes in the book, but given the scene at the very beginning of the book (47 flashbacks before), we know the thing DOES happen... and the book ends. Ok.
Overall, I was hopeful for "Sergei Kraev" but it reads very much like a debut novel that could have used stronger characters, a stronger editor, better plot pacing and structure, and a more discerning eye regarding how actual human beings interact with each other.
July 22, 2022
Spoiler Free: The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is a novel that thinks it’s smarter than it really is. If you are drawn in by the description of the story, you’ll be disappointed to find out it delivers on very little. The story is a very slow crawl, with a very rushed payoff. Sure this is a Sci-fi novel, but the book feels like the product of someone with little to no imagination trying their hand at fiction for the first time.
I can’t completely tear this book a part, because it was well written for the most part. The sci-fi elements in the book were realistic, grounded and felt attainable. Lastly, the book kept my attention long enough for me to realize how ridiculous, shallow, and terrible the story is overall. I hated it.
SPOILER REVIEW: Okay, I have been waiting to share my thoughts on this book and truthfully I want to do it unfiltered so fair warning before I absolutely shit all over this story.
The story takes place over the span of 20 years at the start of the 22nd century. Everyone has some Oculus/ Neurolink chip in their head instead of cell phones and computers. Emotional expressions? Apparently not a thing because everyone just uses emoji’s to express something. You know what is still a thing though? Gangnam Style, I shit you not. The fucking Gangnam Style dance is still around.
Now as for the start of the book, it opens with a family having lunch and then the parents drop dead. What happened? Don’t worry about it. You literally won’t get an answer until the last two chapters.
Sergei, the title character, goes to school to become a professor for math and algorithms or whatever. Leaves his girlfriend behind. Starts school, meets a girl, thinks she’s hot, but wait, he’s insecure. What happens next? He’s rejected. She bangs his roommate. He drops out of school cause sad. Then we don’t hear from him again for 16 fucking chapters. The title character is missing for a third of the book.
During this time we learn about how his friends are working on an algorithm to improve their brain chips and cut a corner. Meanwhile, we are introduced to uneducated, superficial, K-Pop star that is also extremely cunning and manipulative who starts a dance cult…. A cult… who’s mission is to unify the world…. Through dance.
Well, said K-pop star ends up being black balled, cancelled, whatever you want to call it, for essentially being fake news and toxic. So she comes up with a plan to recruit somebody to hack this universal system so that she can continue to recruit people, get money and spread her message…. Of dancing or some shit. Enter title character.
Here’s the issue, we, the reader, already know of this whole scheme. When Sergei starts catching on and it is revealed to him that his wife was sent to seduce and recruit him, it holds no weight whatsoever. The main character learns what we learned in the middle of the book nearly towards the end and it makes him look like a fucking idiot. How am I supposed to believe that this man who is literally called a genius in the book, can’t even see that he’s been sucked into a cult when it is so blatantly obvious.
Now, by the back half of the story, Sergei manages to come up with a “computer” virus that infects everyone’s brain chip but because of his old friends cheated their way to success by not proving their algorithm, his virus instead kills most of the humans on earth. Full circle. Book is over.
If this were an episode of Black Mirror it would 100% be one that you would either skip or never revisit
We do get a nice nod to that viral picture of the blue and black dress that some people thought was white and gold from 2015 so that’s nice?
I can’t completely tear this book a part, because it was well written for the most part. The sci-fi elements in the book were realistic, grounded and felt attainable. Lastly, the book kept my attention long enough for me to realize how ridiculous, shallow, and terrible the story is overall. I hated it.
SPOILER REVIEW: Okay, I have been waiting to share my thoughts on this book and truthfully I want to do it unfiltered so fair warning before I absolutely shit all over this story.
The story takes place over the span of 20 years at the start of the 22nd century. Everyone has some Oculus/ Neurolink chip in their head instead of cell phones and computers. Emotional expressions? Apparently not a thing because everyone just uses emoji’s to express something. You know what is still a thing though? Gangnam Style, I shit you not. The fucking Gangnam Style dance is still around.
Now as for the start of the book, it opens with a family having lunch and then the parents drop dead. What happened? Don’t worry about it. You literally won’t get an answer until the last two chapters.
Sergei, the title character, goes to school to become a professor for math and algorithms or whatever. Leaves his girlfriend behind. Starts school, meets a girl, thinks she’s hot, but wait, he’s insecure. What happens next? He’s rejected. She bangs his roommate. He drops out of school cause sad. Then we don’t hear from him again for 16 fucking chapters. The title character is missing for a third of the book.
During this time we learn about how his friends are working on an algorithm to improve their brain chips and cut a corner. Meanwhile, we are introduced to uneducated, superficial, K-Pop star that is also extremely cunning and manipulative who starts a dance cult…. A cult… who’s mission is to unify the world…. Through dance.
Well, said K-pop star ends up being black balled, cancelled, whatever you want to call it, for essentially being fake news and toxic. So she comes up with a plan to recruit somebody to hack this universal system so that she can continue to recruit people, get money and spread her message…. Of dancing or some shit. Enter title character.
Here’s the issue, we, the reader, already know of this whole scheme. When Sergei starts catching on and it is revealed to him that his wife was sent to seduce and recruit him, it holds no weight whatsoever. The main character learns what we learned in the middle of the book nearly towards the end and it makes him look like a fucking idiot. How am I supposed to believe that this man who is literally called a genius in the book, can’t even see that he’s been sucked into a cult when it is so blatantly obvious.
Now, by the back half of the story, Sergei manages to come up with a “computer” virus that infects everyone’s brain chip but because of his old friends cheated their way to success by not proving their algorithm, his virus instead kills most of the humans on earth. Full circle. Book is over.
If this were an episode of Black Mirror it would 100% be one that you would either skip or never revisit
We do get a nice nod to that viral picture of the blue and black dress that some people thought was white and gold from 2015 so that’s nice?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2021
I have been reading science fiction for more years than I am willing to admit publicly, and I fell in love with SF because of the wonderfully imaginative world-building and speculation about what the future holds , as Robert A Heinlein said, “ If this goes on….” Eric Silberstein’s debut novel reminds me of the best of classic SF in his very creative speculations about how political and governmental world winds might shift in the next 100 years (Hint: the book takes place primarily in Korea and Israel). He is equally imaginative (without engaging in technodumps ) in thinking about what might be the challenges of neural implants. It was fun to learn that olfaction, smelling, could be a special challenge because of the way the process of smell is tied to our limbic system and to hear about the excitement the first day the world could wake up to the smell of virtual coffee! There is even a full list of the program for a professional conference, with topics like “Sleepless in Sweden: is implant-induced micro napping a sufficient replacement for traditional sleep?” Given the depth of detail Silberstein has worked out about this future it was no surprise to read in the Author’s Note at the end of the book that he read nineteen books, including books on music and dance, for his research.
But enough about the speculative aspects of the fiction: how is it as a novel? The plot is exciting, with a nice denouement; the pace really keeps the reader’s attention; and the characters seem like people you might know, with believable human faults and desires. It is no surprise that a lot of the characters are scientists, but there is a nice contrast added by the music and dance troupe that are also prominent, not to mention a cult that reminded me of similar groups in our recent history. I could even imagine recommending the book to friends who do not normally read science fiction but might not be averse to imagining the future in an interesting way.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel. I am REALLY looking forward to seeing what this author does next!
A delightful debut from the imaginative mind of Eric Silberstein
But enough about the speculative aspects of the fiction: how is it as a novel? The plot is exciting, with a nice denouement; the pace really keeps the reader’s attention; and the characters seem like people you might know, with believable human faults and desires. It is no surprise that a lot of the characters are scientists, but there is a nice contrast added by the music and dance troupe that are also prominent, not to mention a cult that reminded me of similar groups in our recent history. I could even imagine recommending the book to friends who do not normally read science fiction but might not be averse to imagining the future in an interesting way.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel. I am REALLY looking forward to seeing what this author does next!
A delightful debut from the imaginative mind of Eric Silberstein
October 9, 2021
It';s 2100 but it could easily be now, The world has wholeheartedly adopted neural implants that allow brains to directly access the internet. Multiple points of view offer the parallel stories of Sergei, a mathematical genius, his colleagues Daniel and Carima and an up and coming K-pop start name Sunny Kim. The novel shoots from Israel to Singapore, to Russia and reunified Korea seamlessly. Flashback provide the history behind what is sure to be an international disaster as the unhackable neural implants may in fact hold a back door.
I can't believe this is Eric Silberstein's first novel! The storyline is well thought out and quick moving, all of the characters are likeable and interesting. Best yet, there is plenty of "math talk' that someone like me can follow. I feel smarter, exhilarated and a little bit scared for the human race. If. you like thrillers, techno-thrillers, lite syfy, cult novels or just great character studies then The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is for you! Highly Recommended! Thank you to #NetGally for the Arc in exchange for a fair review #TheInsecureMindOfSergeiKraev
I can't believe this is Eric Silberstein's first novel! The storyline is well thought out and quick moving, all of the characters are likeable and interesting. Best yet, there is plenty of "math talk' that someone like me can follow. I feel smarter, exhilarated and a little bit scared for the human race. If. you like thrillers, techno-thrillers, lite syfy, cult novels or just great character studies then The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is for you! Highly Recommended! Thank you to #NetGally for the Arc in exchange for a fair review #TheInsecureMindOfSergeiKraev
January 28, 2022
This is the kind of science fiction novel that both fascinates me and freaks me out! The technology of neural implants is really not that far-fetched, but as Eric Silberstein so aptly displays, when dealing with people, greed and self-serving must always be factored into the equation.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐢 𝐊𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐯 begins with a cataclysmic event in the year 2120. The rest of the story is a ticking countdown until that fateful day, unfolding details down to the last minutes. The world has advanced away from computer screens to neural implants, people are virtually connected all the time, in all ways.
It’s interesting to see how the author portrays a future in a world like this, where we project our clothing, we stream our feelings in emojis, and we can virtually travel, all through the implant in our heads.
But through the insecure computer scientist Sergei Kraev, who falls prey to the alluring Korean dance cult leader Sunny Kim, we see the downsides of this advanced technology. Such as having to need an interventionist for when your mind begins to get lost in the virtual, and, of course, what if the implant is hacked?
With a pop culture villain and geeky hero, I highly recommend this thrilling glimpse into the technological future.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for this gifted copy.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐢 𝐊𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐯 begins with a cataclysmic event in the year 2120. The rest of the story is a ticking countdown until that fateful day, unfolding details down to the last minutes. The world has advanced away from computer screens to neural implants, people are virtually connected all the time, in all ways.
It’s interesting to see how the author portrays a future in a world like this, where we project our clothing, we stream our feelings in emojis, and we can virtually travel, all through the implant in our heads.
But through the insecure computer scientist Sergei Kraev, who falls prey to the alluring Korean dance cult leader Sunny Kim, we see the downsides of this advanced technology. Such as having to need an interventionist for when your mind begins to get lost in the virtual, and, of course, what if the implant is hacked?
With a pop culture villain and geeky hero, I highly recommend this thrilling glimpse into the technological future.
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for this gifted copy.
October 25, 2021
I read the NetGalley ARC. This is my review:
What an annoyingly detailed novel, just interesting enough that I finished reading it--but only because I started skimming all the descriptions and the awful Sunny speeches and so on. In the end, I wish I'd bailed, because ultimately it's a tech hubris/manipulations/detective story with too many characters I didn't care about. It all hangs together well enough, it all feels plausible enough although I think the science is destined to be much slower in the real world. The bad guy (Sunny) is awful and that's good, but I hated her sections. The three stars are for writing a readable novel. Some people will love it, and I hope those readers find it.
What an annoyingly detailed novel, just interesting enough that I finished reading it--but only because I started skimming all the descriptions and the awful Sunny speeches and so on. In the end, I wish I'd bailed, because ultimately it's a tech hubris/manipulations/detective story with too many characters I didn't care about. It all hangs together well enough, it all feels plausible enough although I think the science is destined to be much slower in the real world. The bad guy (Sunny) is awful and that's good, but I hated her sections. The three stars are for writing a readable novel. Some people will love it, and I hope those readers find it.
August 23, 2021
I stayed up way too late reading this book - both the interim drafts (full disclosure: I was an early beta reader!) and the final published edition that you should read. "You should sleep," I'd tell myself, "but NO I need to find out what happens next!"
Great original story, well-paced, balance of pure science "what if" and human behaviors.
Great original story, well-paced, balance of pure science "what if" and human behaviors.
December 23, 2021
Really enjoyed this. A dystopian but plausible near future and a ticking tomb bomb of a plot that you know from the first pages will end in calamity. Engrossing.
May 3, 2022
"He is moved. Normally he has an aversion to grand visions. But this is different. It's not some corporate goal, false national ideology, or unproven piece of religious fanaticism. It's a simple and elegant idea, that people the world over would be better off if they danced together."
This was an absolute page-turner. Silberstein does an incredible job of explaining complex algorithmic science in a way that doesn't make you feel stupid. It felt like the Fahrenheit 451 or Brave New World for the 21st century. The concept is not necessarily new – the near-distance future, brain implants, an interconnected society – but the approach was fresh, looking in-depth into the security of implants and what apparent flaws there could be. The worldbuilding isn't extensive, and it didn't have to be. The main issues of the book are closely tied to digital security and scientific ethics, and I don't have complaints on that end of the delivery.
However, at times it felt like there were too many POVs. Depending on how you count, there are four or five main characters (admittedly, I would forget about Linette for some stretches until her POV popped up again). While their plots are all interconnected and make sense in the end, there were moments when it felt like there was a bit too much going on. Not a single character is one-dimensional, and not a single one of them is flawless. Silberstein does a great job of establishing their motivations and morals (which are often very questionable).
Given the time I was reading this and the clear influences of Covid and modern-day politics on the book, I couldn't help but wonder how different the story would've been if it were being written right now, particularly the recruiting scenes. It's almost maddening to think that had I read it a few months earlier, my thoughts would've been very different.
This is a wonderful work of contemporary science fiction, although the epilogue did leave me feeling a little hollow.
Thanks to NetGalley for the access.
This was an absolute page-turner. Silberstein does an incredible job of explaining complex algorithmic science in a way that doesn't make you feel stupid. It felt like the Fahrenheit 451 or Brave New World for the 21st century. The concept is not necessarily new – the near-distance future, brain implants, an interconnected society – but the approach was fresh, looking in-depth into the security of implants and what apparent flaws there could be. The worldbuilding isn't extensive, and it didn't have to be. The main issues of the book are closely tied to digital security and scientific ethics, and I don't have complaints on that end of the delivery.
However, at times it felt like there were too many POVs. Depending on how you count, there are four or five main characters (admittedly, I would forget about Linette for some stretches until her POV popped up again). While their plots are all interconnected and make sense in the end, there were moments when it felt like there was a bit too much going on. Not a single character is one-dimensional, and not a single one of them is flawless. Silberstein does a great job of establishing their motivations and morals (which are often very questionable).
Given the time I was reading this and the clear influences of Covid and modern-day politics on the book, I couldn't help but wonder how different the story would've been if it were being written right now, particularly the recruiting scenes. It's almost maddening to think that had I read it a few months earlier, my thoughts would've been very different.
This is a wonderful work of contemporary science fiction, although the epilogue did leave me feeling a little hollow.
Thanks to NetGalley for the access.
February 6, 2022
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The first aspect that stood out for the story is how futuristic the author designed it. I felt I was getting a glimpse of a realistic future that intimidated me how technology became an integral part of our lives. I was so impressed that this was the author’s debut because he beautifully executed the story!
Moreover, I enjoyed how the author depicted the characters.
Initially, it was interesting to see the dynamics between Sergei, Karima, and Daniel on the one hand and Sunny’s lavish lifestyle on the other hand. In the beginning, Sunny’s storyline drew me into the book and her life at 100M with Yo Kyeong. However, all the characters and storylines absorbed me into the author’s world, and I found it fascinating, even Lynette.
Another nice part of the book is how the author writes the characters’ emotions well, who we can root for, even if it seems like they are from another world and time. Some of my favorite moments are when Karima faces betrayal at Uncle Gadi’s farm, Sunny’s conflict with Sang-Chul and Fernando, or Sergei’s feelings for Nadya. The plot gets so twisted towards the climax that you wonder what will happen to everyone. Moreover, I love the creative way the author gets personal with the tale. For instance, the narrator, Leon, breaks the story in places to insert blog posts from various decades that give the story a vintage look.
Perhaps the book’s only criticism is that it took me a good few chapters to get into the groove. The author toggles between different timelines and locations between branches, from Korea to Singapore to Israel that took me time to adjust.
Overall, I thought “The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev” was a brilliant debut, and I can easily see a movie adaptation.
February 12, 2025
This was a very compelling novel of corporate espionage, cults, unrestricted abuse of power, and a speculative look a the future of technology, government oversight, and censorship.
The majority of the novel follows the working of the 1billion "dance" movement and how their leader manipulates those around her to get what she wants, including the namesake of this novel, Sergei Kraev. So much of the novel was dedicated to this portion of the story, that Sergei was only in about 25% of the novel. Did it ultimately hurt the novel: no. But I certainly thought about stopping this novel to read something else since the synopsis seemed off. I did stick with it and was rewarded with a 2nd half of the story that was very interesting. There is a whole lot of math in this novel too, so be prepared for that lol
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and think the implications of the technology that it introduced could really lead to changes in the world as outlined in the novel, which is both fascinating and scary.
The majority of the novel follows the working of the 1billion "dance" movement and how their leader manipulates those around her to get what she wants, including the namesake of this novel, Sergei Kraev. So much of the novel was dedicated to this portion of the story, that Sergei was only in about 25% of the novel. Did it ultimately hurt the novel: no. But I certainly thought about stopping this novel to read something else since the synopsis seemed off. I did stick with it and was rewarded with a 2nd half of the story that was very interesting. There is a whole lot of math in this novel too, so be prepared for that lol
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and think the implications of the technology that it introduced could really lead to changes in the world as outlined in the novel, which is both fascinating and scary.
July 24, 2022
Well done novel of our possible not too distant future. Everyone has implants that help them with daily living, jobs, and relationships.
The novel begins when it is apparent that something serious has gone wrong in the implant system. Relationships between colleagues and family members are shown for their value.
Lonely people still join cults to find a sense of belonging. The lust for money and power create societal problems.
Sergei, Daniel, and Karima are mathematicians and neuroscience researchers who work the highly complicated math needed to create implants.
Sunny is a figure of the personality cult who loves luxury and seeks to manipulate people through any means possible to maintain her status.
Quick read, very entertaining
The novel begins when it is apparent that something serious has gone wrong in the implant system. Relationships between colleagues and family members are shown for their value.
Lonely people still join cults to find a sense of belonging. The lust for money and power create societal problems.
Sergei, Daniel, and Karima are mathematicians and neuroscience researchers who work the highly complicated math needed to create implants.
Sunny is a figure of the personality cult who loves luxury and seeks to manipulate people through any means possible to maintain her status.
Quick read, very entertaining
September 21, 2025
Catastrophes, science break-throughs, first loves, and Kpop - this one had a lot of interesting elements. Unfortunately for me, it just didn't quite pull me in. From the start, there is a flashback to a flashback to an event. It was jarring and I never seemed to get settled into the story from there. I found so many parts slow, especially the love story. I found the Kpop storyline a little silly and, although I liked the sci-fi elements and found them interesting, I felt like it bogged the story down at times, especially with all our POV. I wish I'd liked this one more but I think it just wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 17, 2021
Review of eBook
Fast forward to 2100. Having survived the virus pandemic of 2020, humanity willingly accepts the implants scientists have created, implants that allow them to interface directly with the internet. The majority of the world’s population has received these implants and, as a result, can seamlessly communicate with others, can interface with media, and can experience enhanced learning.
With the Board of Reality Overseers keeping false information in check, the populace feels safe in its continual interfacing and secure in the knowledge that a mathematical proof promises them that implant hacking is impossible. As always, scientists champion continued development and seek greater enhancements.
Meanwhile, others seek their own power. Dancer Sunny Kim auditions for 100M, a pop dance troupe; when that dancing experience doesn’t work out as she’d expected, she creates her own troupe, 1Billion, and begins to see dance with a new vision.
Unknown danger lurks in everyone’s fragile future. How can a dancer threaten humanity? And can Sergei find the desperately needed solution?
The characters here are well-drawn and nuanced; the mathematics heavily sprinkled throughout the telling of the tale makes sense within the plot [and, at the same time, refrains from making the reader feel doltish]. Three storylines . . . Sergei, his colleagues Daniel and Karima, and pop dancer/star Sunny Kim . . . all charge headlong toward a stunning convergence that may well spell disaster for all that they know.
Anchored by a strong sense of place and an inescapably riveting plot, the unfolding story weaves a captivating web of intrigue as it reveals human foibles and vulnerabilities. Love, intellectual challenge, and desire mix with driving ambition, self-absorption, and a fair amount of insolence to create a disparate playing field where even the best of intentions may precipitously turn into a catastrophic event.
Plot twists keep the story moving along; the underlying tension creates a sense of uneasiness in the reader that impels a fervor of anticipation. The pace is swift and relentless; the technology both familiar and futuristically innovative.
As with most narratives, the unfortunate inclusion of an underlying political agenda does nothing to enhance the telling of the tale and may well serve to alienate readers who seek profound stories rather than opinionated posturing.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Liu Book Group and NetGalley
#theinsecuremindofsergeikraev #NetGalley
Fast forward to 2100. Having survived the virus pandemic of 2020, humanity willingly accepts the implants scientists have created, implants that allow them to interface directly with the internet. The majority of the world’s population has received these implants and, as a result, can seamlessly communicate with others, can interface with media, and can experience enhanced learning.
With the Board of Reality Overseers keeping false information in check, the populace feels safe in its continual interfacing and secure in the knowledge that a mathematical proof promises them that implant hacking is impossible. As always, scientists champion continued development and seek greater enhancements.
Meanwhile, others seek their own power. Dancer Sunny Kim auditions for 100M, a pop dance troupe; when that dancing experience doesn’t work out as she’d expected, she creates her own troupe, 1Billion, and begins to see dance with a new vision.
Unknown danger lurks in everyone’s fragile future. How can a dancer threaten humanity? And can Sergei find the desperately needed solution?
The characters here are well-drawn and nuanced; the mathematics heavily sprinkled throughout the telling of the tale makes sense within the plot [and, at the same time, refrains from making the reader feel doltish]. Three storylines . . . Sergei, his colleagues Daniel and Karima, and pop dancer/star Sunny Kim . . . all charge headlong toward a stunning convergence that may well spell disaster for all that they know.
Anchored by a strong sense of place and an inescapably riveting plot, the unfolding story weaves a captivating web of intrigue as it reveals human foibles and vulnerabilities. Love, intellectual challenge, and desire mix with driving ambition, self-absorption, and a fair amount of insolence to create a disparate playing field where even the best of intentions may precipitously turn into a catastrophic event.
Plot twists keep the story moving along; the underlying tension creates a sense of uneasiness in the reader that impels a fervor of anticipation. The pace is swift and relentless; the technology both familiar and futuristically innovative.
As with most narratives, the unfortunate inclusion of an underlying political agenda does nothing to enhance the telling of the tale and may well serve to alienate readers who seek profound stories rather than opinionated posturing.
Recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Liu Book Group and NetGalley
#theinsecuremindofsergeikraev #NetGalley
January 11, 2025
This book is like your brain on quantum physics: occasionally confused, frequently amazed, and so so so entertained. Sergei Kraev, a neurotic genius navigating the murky waters of AI ethics, feels like your tech-obsessed friend who knows too much about everything—and you're here for the ride.
Silberstein’s narrative is sharp, witty, and packed with enough philosophical dilemmas to make your head spin faster than a particle in a collider. Sure, the science sometimes veers into “wait, what?” territory, but the humor and heart keep you grounded.
It’s part thriller, part existential crisis, and part “should I even trust my toaster anymore?” A smart, hilarious, and slightly paranoid read for anyone who’s ever wondered if their Roomba is plotting against them.
Silberstein’s narrative is sharp, witty, and packed with enough philosophical dilemmas to make your head spin faster than a particle in a collider. Sure, the science sometimes veers into “wait, what?” territory, but the humor and heart keep you grounded.
It’s part thriller, part existential crisis, and part “should I even trust my toaster anymore?” A smart, hilarious, and slightly paranoid read for anyone who’s ever wondered if their Roomba is plotting against them.
April 30, 2022
i’d like to think that in 80 years we’d have advanced beyond the folded hand emoji, but maybe 🙏 will stand the test of time like a mathematical proof.
i really wanted to like this more but felt it was too long.
i really wanted to like this more but felt it was too long.
November 30, 2021
I thought this would be an interesting book. It was not. It was way too long. It starts with the end and then goes back and tells the story of how we got to the end and it was painful. It was too long and not very many likable characters. When it finally culminates to the end (which we already read at the beginning) there isn’t anything to add.
September 18, 2022
Actual rating 3.7.
This book was slow burn good. While I could see where it was going I was still on the edge of my seat waiting to see how everything unfolded. I enjoyed the book.
This book was slow burn good. While I could see where it was going I was still on the edge of my seat waiting to see how everything unfolded. I enjoyed the book.
February 4, 2022
Thank you to Suzanne at @suzyapprovedbooktours and Eric Silberstein for my copy of The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev.
While I am not a major fan of science fiction novels, I really enjoyed reading about this world set 100 years in the future.
It’s 2120, and something has gone awry with the implant in Leon Levy’s father. What though? For that, we must go back many years. Told from alternating POVs, we learn about how brain implants came about, and all that they have done to boost society and forward progress. Everything we do now (in 2022) is obsolete and everything is now done wirelessly through a chip in the brain; meetings, homework, video games, you name it.
But one thing that hasn’t been created yet is how to mimic smells. This is what Sergei, Karima, and Daniel are told to work on while attending school in Israel. It seems impossible though, as no one has perfected it in the time that implants have been around.
Halfway around the globe, Sunny Kim is a dance student with little talent, but a force to be reckoned with. When she eventually founds the dance cult, 1Billion, she realizes she’ll need help if she wants a bigger following surrounding her. This is where Sergei comes into play.
All eventually leading up to one pivotal moment, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev explores a world where America is fractured, the Board of Reality Overseers act like a global fact checking system, and implants are the way of life for nearly every person alive.
There’s always a cost with technology, and the people will pay dearly for it.
I really loved reading about this new type of world, and hearing about the “old ways” which are just how we live life right now. It felt realistic and feasible, maybe not 100 years from now, but in general. I also enjoyed all of the POVs. Sunny is an evil character that developed well over the years. Sergei never really changes, which is his biggest fault, and Karima and Daniel made one huge mistake that I kept hoping they would fix. Overall, if you enjoy sci-fi and math, I think this is the book for you!
The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is available now!
While I am not a major fan of science fiction novels, I really enjoyed reading about this world set 100 years in the future.
It’s 2120, and something has gone awry with the implant in Leon Levy’s father. What though? For that, we must go back many years. Told from alternating POVs, we learn about how brain implants came about, and all that they have done to boost society and forward progress. Everything we do now (in 2022) is obsolete and everything is now done wirelessly through a chip in the brain; meetings, homework, video games, you name it.
But one thing that hasn’t been created yet is how to mimic smells. This is what Sergei, Karima, and Daniel are told to work on while attending school in Israel. It seems impossible though, as no one has perfected it in the time that implants have been around.
Halfway around the globe, Sunny Kim is a dance student with little talent, but a force to be reckoned with. When she eventually founds the dance cult, 1Billion, she realizes she’ll need help if she wants a bigger following surrounding her. This is where Sergei comes into play.
All eventually leading up to one pivotal moment, The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev explores a world where America is fractured, the Board of Reality Overseers act like a global fact checking system, and implants are the way of life for nearly every person alive.
There’s always a cost with technology, and the people will pay dearly for it.
I really loved reading about this new type of world, and hearing about the “old ways” which are just how we live life right now. It felt realistic and feasible, maybe not 100 years from now, but in general. I also enjoyed all of the POVs. Sunny is an evil character that developed well over the years. Sergei never really changes, which is his biggest fault, and Karima and Daniel made one huge mistake that I kept hoping they would fix. Overall, if you enjoy sci-fi and math, I think this is the book for you!
The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev is available now!
November 6, 2021
The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev by Eric Silberstein is a highly recommended speculative/science fiction novel set in 2100.
Neural Implants are now a normal part of life and people are connected all the time with each other, and the media. The Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading through the implants. In this future world, graduate student Sergei Kraev, along with two other students, Karima and Daniel, are given the task of writing code that will work with neural implants to provide an olfactory experience. When Karima turns down Sergei's advances and starts a relationship with and later marries Daniel, Sergei leaves the program early for the private sector. At the same time Sunny Kim (think K-pop star) is a spoiled, self centered, evil dancer whose family pays for her acceptance into a popular dance troupe. She is later forced to leave and starts her own group/cult, which Sergei is tricked into joining.
Good news and bad news: The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev opens with a horrifying, shocking event called the 4-17 apocalypse. This event, which is actually foreshadows the climax of the book, will keep you reading to discover the backstory of what happened and why. The bad news is that the opening event might have had an even greater impact had it followed the backstory leading up to the terrifying event. The plot is set mainly in Israel, Korea, and Singapore. The narrative is told through the point of view of several different characters and there are several twists along the way.
The cast of characters is truly diverse and international. All the characters are well developed and portrayed as individuals with distinct voices and personalities. Their actions and reactions tell the story of the events that lead up to 4-17, which means well developed characters are essential for the story.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/1...
Neural Implants are now a normal part of life and people are connected all the time with each other, and the media. The Board of Reality Overseers blocks false information from spreading through the implants. In this future world, graduate student Sergei Kraev, along with two other students, Karima and Daniel, are given the task of writing code that will work with neural implants to provide an olfactory experience. When Karima turns down Sergei's advances and starts a relationship with and later marries Daniel, Sergei leaves the program early for the private sector. At the same time Sunny Kim (think K-pop star) is a spoiled, self centered, evil dancer whose family pays for her acceptance into a popular dance troupe. She is later forced to leave and starts her own group/cult, which Sergei is tricked into joining.
Good news and bad news: The Insecure Mind of Sergei Kraev opens with a horrifying, shocking event called the 4-17 apocalypse. This event, which is actually foreshadows the climax of the book, will keep you reading to discover the backstory of what happened and why. The bad news is that the opening event might have had an even greater impact had it followed the backstory leading up to the terrifying event. The plot is set mainly in Israel, Korea, and Singapore. The narrative is told through the point of view of several different characters and there are several twists along the way.
The cast of characters is truly diverse and international. All the characters are well developed and portrayed as individuals with distinct voices and personalities. Their actions and reactions tell the story of the events that lead up to 4-17, which means well developed characters are essential for the story.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2021/1...
February 25, 2022
In its early pages, THE INSECURE MIND OF SERGEI KRAEV is difficult to fathom. I say this not as a criticism but as an observation. This did not, however, keep me from reading to the end.
The Prologue tells us that what is to follow is the family saga of what occurred one hundred years before April 14, 2220. After that, each chapter begins with an invocation of 4-17 starting twenty years before some catastrophic event. This inevitably made me thing of 9/11 and 1/6 and the horrors those dates signify.
2220 doesn't seem very near future, however, the events leading up to the calamitous event are not-so-concealed mirrors of those things happening in the world today. Once I was able to see the parallels between characters and real persons, the point of the story became crystal clear.
THE INSECURE MIND OF SERGEI KRAEV must be read without any preconceived notions. Its premise seems not only possible but probable. Sergei Kraev is the future everyman. His insecurities are recognizable; his actions are understandable. The politics of 2210 are the politics of 2019. Nothing changes until everything changes.
The Prologue tells us that what is to follow is the family saga of what occurred one hundred years before April 14, 2220. After that, each chapter begins with an invocation of 4-17 starting twenty years before some catastrophic event. This inevitably made me thing of 9/11 and 1/6 and the horrors those dates signify.
2220 doesn't seem very near future, however, the events leading up to the calamitous event are not-so-concealed mirrors of those things happening in the world today. Once I was able to see the parallels between characters and real persons, the point of the story became crystal clear.
THE INSECURE MIND OF SERGEI KRAEV must be read without any preconceived notions. Its premise seems not only possible but probable. Sergei Kraev is the future everyman. His insecurities are recognizable; his actions are understandable. The politics of 2210 are the politics of 2019. Nothing changes until everything changes.
February 20, 2023
This was gripping. I struggled a little in the beginning, the lack of a focus on the Western World viewpoint we’ve all come to expect from this class of fiction was jarring to start with, and I think because it wasn’t set off-planet in some futuristic diaspora, recognizing that there are cultures other than our own so much a part of the world was interesting and derailed me some from the message.
It didn’t last, of course, culture shock can only last so long, and I found myself flipping pages with feverish intensity as the time ticked down and bad things were about to happen. I enjoyed the character dynamics, the maths, the ideas of an engaged and implanted world coupled with the respect for the Pre, even the cautionary tale of the implants creators all added layers to a very engaging and powerful story.
It didn’t last, of course, culture shock can only last so long, and I found myself flipping pages with feverish intensity as the time ticked down and bad things were about to happen. I enjoyed the character dynamics, the maths, the ideas of an engaged and implanted world coupled with the respect for the Pre, even the cautionary tale of the implants creators all added layers to a very engaging and powerful story.
February 17, 2022
This unique read is set in the near future, a future that involves neural implants and feels much more possible than I’d like to admit. It’s a little bit sci-fi, a little bit thriller, a lot relatable dystopian, and every time I go to write a review for it I come up short because I want to share everything and also believe that you should go in as blind as possible.
Let’s just say I loved how Silberstein took some of today’s societal problems and explored how they could shape the future. I loved the focus on greed, but what I really loved is that it reminds me so much of how I feel about my favorite book, Brave New World. While the books are very different, there are some overlapping deeper themes and this one is definitely on my favorites list now, too.
Let’s just say I loved how Silberstein took some of today’s societal problems and explored how they could shape the future. I loved the focus on greed, but what I really loved is that it reminds me so much of how I feel about my favorite book, Brave New World. While the books are very different, there are some overlapping deeper themes and this one is definitely on my favorites list now, too.
April 1, 2022
The idea is interesting. Very modern and connecting with the fears of today's technologists. This justifies why a number of technologists I know enjoyed the book.
But the story is full of barely credible situations or reactions. There are so many things that could be discussed, so many naive attitudes and bizarre, unjustifiable reactions, that I can't fully like it. The characters are not really well described, one can't follow their mental processes. And some elements, like the big 2020 pandemic or the situation in the US in the 21st century (trying to avoid the spoiler) are opportunistic and probably unrealistic.
Anyway, a nice divertimento to spend some time, for instance on the beach.
But the story is full of barely credible situations or reactions. There are so many things that could be discussed, so many naive attitudes and bizarre, unjustifiable reactions, that I can't fully like it. The characters are not really well described, one can't follow their mental processes. And some elements, like the big 2020 pandemic or the situation in the US in the 21st century (trying to avoid the spoiler) are opportunistic and probably unrealistic.
Anyway, a nice divertimento to spend some time, for instance on the beach.
March 21, 2022
I just would like everyone to please read this book so we can talk about it.
1984 meets The Circle.
1984 meets The Circle.
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