This is a little different from the other book I read by this author, because it has none of the supernatural element and it focuses on an ensemble of characters rather than a single protagonist. It is solidly in the techno-thriller class of books set in or close to the present time with a malevolent computer that enslaves people as the Big Bad. I tried to set aside what I knew about computers and networking but it was a little hard going to set aside all of my disbelief especially as the more outlandish revelations of the nature of the adversary began to be known.
The premise behind the group of protagonists is kind of a Suicide Squad setup: they are all hackerish types who have had some involvement on the wrong side of the law, so when the authorities rope them in they offer to enlist their services as white-hat crackers in return for a chance to stay out of prison. They are overseen by a taciturn tough guy by the name of Hollis Copper who has his own fraught backstory to add more spice to the mix. Once we are intriduced to the core group, the author proceeds to tighten the screws by means of interpersonal tensions, sadistic guards, relentless surveillance and regimentation, and a series of mysterious missions where we begin to learn about each member's capabilities. There's a fair bit of physical menace along with psychological abuse for those who flout the rules. I think I liked this part of the book the best because of the interesting way these individuals were brought into focus through their words and actions. Over the course of time, the team begins to catch a whiff of something not quite right and they begin freelancing to get answers about the underlying basis of the cyberstate. Pretty soon, the whole thing falls apart, the inmates have gained their freedom, and there are all sorts of bad guys coming after them as they crisscross the country.
There are vignettes illustrating the ruthlessness of the major players who are pulling the strings of our heroes. The main framing story, set on a train in Siberia, I never quite placed in relation to the rest of the action; I think I just missed the clues I needed to understand when this fit in with the rest of the story. The secondary characters who either help or hinder the good guys as they beat the odds against taking down the monster AI are for the most part drawn pretty well too.
The second book in the series is set in the same world but with different characters. I might pick it up sometime when I am looking for this kind of thrill ride.