GregHowley.com

Little Brother was a fantastic book, as evidenced by the fact that I read it cover to cover in five days. I just couldn't put it down. It focuses on intelligent but otherwise normal high school kids in San Fransisco who through no fault of their own are declared terrorists by the DHS.

Obviously inspired by the U.S. government trend towards right wing fascism since 9/11, the book serves as a cautionary tale of what could happen if the American public is not vigilant. And while I like to think that Americans would never allow such a dystopian future to ever become reality, recent changes in airport security and government tracking of civilians are certainly steps in that direction.

Political rants aside, the story follows a 17-year-old named Marcus, a self-described hacker. His hacks involve building electronics, modding computers, and circumventing school safeguards - nothing harmful, and certainly nothing that most people would consider terrorism. When he and his friends end up in the wrong place at the wrong time during a terrorist attack on San Fransisco's Bay Bridge, they end up in a government-run detainment facility.

The rest of the story plays out as a fast-paced roller coaster ride. I don't want to give much away, but I was glued to the book until I finished.