Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders explores the emergence of autonomous intelligences referred to as daemones. The Ibacipla Group sought to branch out into the recreational market. Advanced Weapons Engineering was displeased with Ibacipla's expansion and dispatched a team to sabotage the company and undermine its brand before the launch. Jon and his crew had to implant a virus into Ibacipla’s system, but the entire operation ended in catastrophe; none of the team was supposed to return. Advanced Weapons Engineering feared that the team possessed sensitive information and was eager to discover what they knew and who they had informed. Advanced Weapons Engineering wanted the team to be eliminated. Nonetheless, the team managed to survive, hijacked a vehicle, and made their way to the Manhattan Hive, where they tried to find out why they had become targets.

Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders was captivating and intricate. The story was fast-paced and filled with action that began on the very first page and never stopped. It was an exhilarating journey of danger, murder, and the dynamics between humans and artificial intelligence. The writing style was compelling, and I was drawn in from the beginning. The event descriptions were vivid, making it easy to become part of the team's world. The characters felt authentic and relatable. The team resembled any ordinary group despite learning who and what they truly were. Each team member came across as just another person. The writing was exceptionally good, maintaining my interest throughout. The story exceeded my expectations, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

In the not-too-distant dystopian future, Jon, Guion, and Friedy are hiding out in the urban badlands of New York’s Five Hives. Former operatives of the largest and most insidious weapons-tech firm, Advanced Weapons Engineering (A.W.E.), they’re fighting for their lives. A.W.E. is up to no good, and as they discover its evil plan for the future, they try to figure out how to destroy it. Along the way, Friedy—the tech supergenius—managed to strike a deal with the devil, and now each of them has a passenger in the form of a demon. Jon has Steve, a demon with an insatiable appetite for junk food, and the ability to cloak Jon so he can move around anonymously. Guion has Jack, who may or may not be the demon of Jack the Ripper. Friedy’s demon is the most frightening of all. Can the three of them survive long enough to thwart A.W.E. before their demons take over? Read Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders to find out.

For a first novel, Russell Anders hits the ground running with Daemones Ex Machina. The opening scene felt like something out of Mission: Impossible, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the book. If you combined The Matrix with Blade Runner and threw in aspects of Tron, you get the idea of how this story evolves. It’s action-packed from beginning to end, and there is a lot of violence and gore. A lot! Fans of dystopian futures will get a kick out of how New York City has become The Hives, where everyone either fears or fights for their lives. Jon, Guion, and Friedy are lovable and hateable at the same time. You’re never sure whether you should be cheering for them or be infuriated by their decisions and actions. Readers with an interest in future advancements will lap up every scene in this story. With its heavy violence, blood and guts, and other adult themes, this book is best suited to mature readers.

Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders is a high-octane thriller that follows Jon and his two companions, Friedrich, a skilled hacker, and Guion, a clever strategist, after a failed sabotage mission. Their mission was straightforward: infiltrate and sabotage their employer’s competitor. But they failed. And now their employer, a powerful weapons-tech firm, wants them dead. To survive, they must lie low, but a sinister force haunts them. Retreating into New York’s Five Hives, they hope to evade their pursuers, but Jon suspects that something is changing with his companions. Thrust into a world characterized by conflict, gang fights, and an ominous power lurking in the shadows, Jon uncovers a conspiracy that can destroy the lives of everyone dear to them. Does he and his team have enough fight to fend off the encroaching dangers?

Russell Anders delighted me with the descriptive prose and the superb storytelling. He creates characters that are fully developed and navigate a world with most of the elements you want in a well-written dystopian narrative. I was fully invested in the characters, especially Jon, who is resourceful and hardened. Guion demonstrates the traits of a stoical leader with unusual intelligence, while Friedy is a skilled hacker. The author skillfully builds compelling backstories for these characters, exploring their traumas and the struggles of being caught between personal ambitions and an oppressive corporate environment. The dialogues are well-written, making you feel as though you are part of the story, silently listening. Daemones Ex Machina has an imaginative setting, and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of neon-lit city streets, underground hideouts, abandoned rooftops, and security facilities. Overall, it is an intriguing, riveting read packed with action and drama.

Daemones Ex Machina by Russell Anders is a mix of urban fantasy and gripping cyberpunk thriller set in a dystopian world controlled by corporations. When a clandestine mission to sabotage a rival weapons company spirals out of control, operatives Jon, Friedrich, and Guion become the targets of their employer, who will stop at nothing to ensure their destruction. They must do everything they can to survive, including forming pacts with powerful forces, lying low, and staying apart from each other. There are gang fights, mayhem, and threats everywhere. As Jon navigates a treacherous world of corporate espionage and demonic enchantments, he becomes increasingly disturbed by the thought that some form of evil might be controlling his friends. The revelation of a new and deadly conspiracy intensifies the risks for Jon and his companions. Can they unravel the truth in time to stop it?

Russell Anders’ imaginative, action-packed book gripped me from the very start. He brings to life a grim world where danger lurks around every corner, from the decaying streets of Rockaway's slums to high-tech corporate buildings. While the worldbuilding with images of abandoned high-rises, gang violence, and covert black ops creates an immersive setting, the characterization impressed me the most. From Friedy, the hacker with a dangerous secret, to Guion, Jon, and the enigmatic demon Jack, these characters are well-developed with elaborate backgrounds that motivate their actions. A lot happens in this narrative, and I enjoyed the mix of the physical challenges the characters face and the quest to stop a demonic killer. Daemones Ex Machina features impeccable storytelling, excellent prose, and characters that stay with readers after the last page is turned. It is atmospheric and cinematic.