Plot Synopsis: Michael, his wife Lauren, and their son Luke live in a friendly apartment in New York City. Their neighbor and good friend, Chuck (who lives with his wife, Susie, and their baby girl), is a prepper and keeps tabs on the news, just waiting for Armageddon. Lucky for Michael, Chuck is prepared when things begin to go downhill. And they go downhill quickly. There are reports of bird flu outbreaks in the city. The internet stops working. Is it hackers? Then the power goes out...is it due to the hackers? And later, so does the water. All this happens while two heavy snow storms pummel the city. Meanwhile, tensions mount in Michael's apartment as neighbors are forced to come to grips with the best way to manage Chuck's stockpiled supplies. Will Michael and neighbors survive the CyberStorm?
Literary Analysis/Personal Reaction: This book made me think about how crucial the internet is to the infrastructure of our modern world. Everything is computerized these days and the openness of the internet is a benefit and a curse at the same time. All it takes is someone malicious or perhaps just "curious" to send a virus or some other "attack" on one of the computers that regulates electricity or water pressure and then we'd have a serious problem on our hands. This is the theme of CyberStorm. The novel beautifully reveals the effects of a lack of communication as the internet, cell phone towers, electricity, and water supply abruptly end. It explores our morality - how willing are you to give out your own supplies to see that others survive?
There were a few flaws with the story. First, Michael is wayyy too happy to be a father. It's creepy. I know, you love your son, but ugh, I don't really think men are that attached to their children. Second, Michael is too willing to help out. I'm not sure how many people in NYC would be willing to volunteer to help at the snap of NYPD's fingers. But I guess it is a means of moving the story along by providing information as gathered by Michael from the police. So I'll forgive it. My last gripe is that the story ends rather abruptly. I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, but I will say that about 4 months are unaccounted for completely as things "wrap up." The ending is okay, but simplistic. For all the great details for 90% of the book, the ending may be disappointing to some readers.
Final Rating: 8/10. This book has a great plot that'll make you think about whether doomsday preppers are really all that crazy and how you should befriend one :-) A few points taken off for the rushed ending and Michael's annoying tenderness toward babies and the helpless.
