2024: Attack on America

Enter Demiurge

Fiction - Science Fiction
296 Pages
Reviewed on 08/22/2024
Buy on Amazon

Author Biography

Sasha Zarustin is an IT professional with a keen understanding of technological evolution, gained from a career spanning multiple countries and languages. This international exposure has nurtured his fascination with human psychology and the various cultural and educational filters that shape personal identities.

For the past fifteen years, Sasha has resided in Washington, D.C., a city renowned for its diverse population and rich cultural mosaic. His life in the capital has enabled him to forge connections with individuals from all sectors of society, including those within prominent government agencies. Despite his extensive network, Sasha remains down-to-earth, perpetually curious, and eager to learn from every encounter.

In his leisure time, Sasha is either experimenting with cutting-edge technology or engrossed in books across a wide spectrum of disciplines. His passion for knowledge is rivaled only by his enthusiasm for sharing insights with others, one byte at a time.

Engage with Sasha and explore his literary world by subscribing to his newsletter or following him on Twitter @SashaZarustin

    Book Review

Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers' Favorite

“Expect the unexpected, or you won’t find it,” and this is especially true in Sasha Zarustin's novel 2024: Attack On America: Enter Demiurge. Reaper drones out of control, ransomware attacks, expert-level fake news, and fraudulent government correspondence are part of the job for CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) agent Gabriel Brinkerhoff. When a series of impossible hacking attacks jeopardize national security, Gabe and his lifelong friend Dexter must find the culprit before catastrophe ensues. As if this insurmountable task were not enough, Gabe must also contend with a deteriorating marriage and a secret from the past. With the stakes as high as they can be for the country and himself, Gabe will have to realize that all living things evolve, and who they were in the past may have nothing to do with who they are in the present.

Sasha Zarustin's 2024: Attack On America is a high-tech mystery thriller with a human touch. The novel features dual plots, focusing on the search for a criminal mastermind and a man's struggle to understand and nurture his family life. Engaging themes of true loyalty and friendship while reconciling our evolving social norms with a more traditional and common sense approach are also explored. The characters were a blast. Dexter is a good-natured goofball who is as deadly as any man can be, and Gabriel is relatable and familiar. However, Agent D had me completely engrossed, and his development was outstanding. A superbly written tale with a mesmerizing pace, this book is not only fresh and unique, it's like a drowning man finally reaching the surface for air.

K.C. Finn

2024: Attack on America, Enter Demiurge is a work of fiction penned by author Sasha Zarustin in the science fiction, thriller, and action genres. It is best suited to mature adult readers. In this gripping novel, we meet Gabriel Brinkerhoff, a seasoned cybersecurity expert at CISA, who is thrust into a crisis that jeopardizes national security. As cyber-attacks intensify and advanced drones are commandeered, Gabriel must decode intricate threats involving the NSA, FBI, CIA, and the enigmatic Deep State. His mission is complicated by personal challenges that test his moral compass and resolve. Amidst the technological warfare and political intrigue, Gabriel strives to balance his tumultuous professional life with efforts to reconcile with his estranged wife, all while navigating a world of high-stakes espionage and complex ethical dilemmas.

Author Sasha Zarustin utilizes every drop of tension to craft an exhilarating sci-fi novel, immersing us in a world where cutting-edge technology and geopolitical tension intersect with cataclysmic effects. The fast pace and intricate plot kept me on edge, reflecting the high stakes of modern cyber warfare with a palpable tension that permeates from the characters into readers’ minds. Gabriel Brinkerhoff's character will be deeply relatable to those who identify with a strong, gritty male lead, and his personal struggles added a compelling human element to the technological drama that made it all feel so much more real and relevant. The vivid descriptions of cyber-attacks and drone hijackings were both thrilling and terrifying, etched in cinematic detail that highlighted the vulnerabilities of our digital age. The interplay between different intelligence agencies added layers of intrigue and realism, making the story feel grounded in contemporary global politics, and this was delivered with engaging dialogue so that it never slowed the pace of the action. Overall, 2024: Attack on America, Enter Demiurge is a superb novel for fans of cyber thrillers.

Rabia Tanveer

Sasha Zarustin's 2024: Attack on America - Enter Demiurge is a thrilling science fiction novel that will keep you entertained for hours. The story follows CISA cybersecurity expert Gabriel Brinkerhoff as he tries to make sense of his latest case. A crisis is on the horizon and national security is hanging in the balance. When a series of cyber-attacks continue to threaten the nation, Gabriel must decode the threats that seem to involve the CIA, FBI, NSA, and even the Deep State. To make matters worse, Gabriel’s personal life was in shambles. Before he knew it, Gabriel had to make some difficult decisions, find a balance between his personal and professional life, and make sure national security stayed intact as he figured out where the threats were coming from and who was behind them. Would Gabriel be able to do it all? Or was he supposed to sacrifice his personal life for his duty?

Author Sasha Zarustin did a fantastic job of keeping readers focused on the story. I loved the plot, and the intensity of the action, and I definitely enjoyed Gabriel. The narrative skillfully blends political intrigue, technological suspense, and military action. I loved how Gabriel is portrayed as a skilled and driven professional, but also as a flawed individual struggling with personal demons. I enjoyed his character development and how he was able to find a way to protect his relationship with his wife while also figuring out who was behind the cyber-attacks. The pace was fast, the descriptions were vivid, the narrative was packed with action, and the overall plot was entertaining. This is definitely for adult readers and fans of politics, action, and thrillers will love this novel.

Essien Asian

A series of disturbing cybersecurity breaches has government officials spooked. Fearing a possible attack by a foreign nation, the CISA gets the green light to counter this threat. Gabriel Brinkerhoff, a security analyst, has the onerous task of hunting down the source of these attacks and bringing the perpetrators to justice. He sets about his assignment while utilizing the advice of long-time friend and fellow agent Dexter Banfield. Gabriel rapidly realizes that the only way to find this mysterious hacker and beat them at their game is to set aside interagency bickering, but can he achieve this while grappling with a major crisis on the home front? Only time will tell in Sasha Zarustin's 2024: Attack On America.

Sasha Zarustin crafts an intriguing cast of characters with distinctive qualities and a theme that centers on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in the battle against international terrorism. Gabriel Brinkerhoff perfectly embodies the stressed-out family man who struggles to live up to social expectations. Simultaneously, Zarustin skillfully imbues Dexter Banfield with the characteristics of the ideal playboy—one who shies away from relationships but takes his business seriously—creating characters that readers will find instantly relatable. Zarustin's unique delivery style is evident in Dexter and Gabriel's banter as they recount their escapades. His use of dark humor to counterbalance the characters' conversations about the developments in digital warfare, the Deep State, and the Skynet scenario will captivate readers as they search for the subtly placed clues in this fast-paced adventure. Zarustin deserves praise for remarkable attention to detail, notably when Gabriel displays his vulnerability when investigating his wife's past. Action and espionage fans will enjoy Zarustin's blend of drama, comedy, and end-to-end action in 2024: Attack On America, a riveting read packed with thought-provoking questions.

Christian Sia

In 2024: Attack on America - Enter Demiurge by Sasha Zarustin, seasoned cybersecurity expert Gabriel Brinkerhoff faces a national crisis as cyber-attacks threaten the security of the United States. Tasked with unraveling a web of espionage involving the NSA, FBI, and the elusive Deep State, he navigates a treacherous landscape where one wrong move can destroy the country. As Gabriel confronts ethical dilemmas in his professional and personal life, he seeks balance amidst relentless action and suspense in this thrilling exploration of modern warfare. Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn, this action-paced thriller resonates with its finely drawn setting and thematic development.

Sasha Zarustin's 2024: Attack on America has much for readers who enjoy relevant contemporary themes such as cybersecurity, strong personal conflict, and the sociopolitical landscape of today’s America. Set against a fictional yet alarmingly familiar reality, the novel grips readers from the prologue, which introduces a catastrophic military incident involving rogue drones, driving home the fragility of national security in a digitally interconnected world. The characters are well-developed, and Gabriel Brinkerhoff, the protagonist, is confronted with professional responsibilities at CISA while dealing with family obligations and the pressures of masculinity. His relationships underscore the broader themes of disillusionment and connectivity in the 21st century, especially as he grapples with the demands of his role as a husband and father amidst an escalating national crisis. His wife, Mary, is an elaborately sculpted character, and Gabriel's connection with her is deftly accomplished. The narrative also sheds light on cybersecurity's ethical dimensions through the “VoltGuard” operation, reminiscent of real-world incidents like the Colonial Pipeline hack. The intertwining of personal and national stakes becomes increasingly perceptible as the story progresses. The intelligently developed relationships allow the emergence of characters in which we can see ourselves. If you enjoy suspense and guessing what comes next in a thriller, this book is for you.