Infomocracy is cyberpunk-amazing wrapped in a unique premise that’ll reel you in and shake you up.
Synopsis: It’s the second half of the 21st century. War is passé. Nations, as we understand them, no longer exist and prosperity is on the rise. Information, the behemoth search engine monopoly, ushered in global micro-democracy. Centenals – voter groups of 100,000 – elect an international, corporate-tied, party that controls the globe.
It’s been two election cycles, and the world is 20 years into a new “international world order.”
The same corporate coalition, Heritage, has taken the last two elections. Everything is on the line this time because the supermajority isn’t secure.
It’s shaping up to be the election of the century
Putting Older’s experience and knowledge to its best use
The plot follows the paths (and pasts) of three different characters. Ken, a hopeful political operator working for Policy1st, one of the major political parties hoping to secure the supermajority. Domaine, a disaffected man, has an allegiance to a shadowy purpose other than the status quo. Mishima, an agent for Information, tasked with keeping the system running and its influence on every aspect of life uninterrupted.
Infomocracy uses three dynamic and motivated actors to build its picture and carry things forward. You’ll go around the world and back again as this unlikely trio races to unravel the real puzzle behind the fervor surrounding this election.
Older sets the wheels of intrigue spinning from the first page. This story only continues to gain momentum. It took me a little while to get used to the story’s rhythm. The best political thrillers never neglect to build tension. Once you’re comfortable with Older’s style, you’re in for one heck of a thrill ride. I keyed into the action and subtext as they played out no problem.
You don’t need to be obsessed with elections and the ins-and-outs of the process. Just immerse yourself in this world and its quirks. Even if elections are your thing, Older’s worldbuilding presents the process with wit, cynicism, and a realism about democracy, corporate influence, participation, and corruption that elevates this entire storyline.
Infomocracy, thankfully, isn’t easy or light reading
This book makes you think about power, elections, and the impact of information dissemination in new and often unsettling ways, all while taking you on a gripping ride toward an ending where you’ll be happy you put in the time to work it all out. It’s practically begging to be a book club selection. You’ll enjoy having reading partners to bounce theories off of each other and commiserate at the reconstruction of your entire worldview.
The integrity of the voting process has been on my mind
With midterm (and many state and local) elections just around the corner, I’ve looked at party platforms, talking points, voting histories, donor rolls, and corporate affiliations. I never vote for someone I’m not sure I can stomach until their next “performance review.” Getting rid of an idiot is always harder than trying to avoid hiring one in the first place.
Elections happen in a climate rife with deliberate roadblocks and obstacles intended to disenfranchise and trip up the citizenry. Voters worry about all types of manipulation of the process. Hell, DEFCon’s Vote Machine Hacking Village demonstrated just how easy gaining admin control over many in-use voting machines and no one is likely to forget the issues related to hand-counted vote inconsistencies.
And just when I thought just thinking about the electoral process couldn’t possibly get any scarier, I read Malka Older’s gift to political-thriller fans, Infomocracy.
If you’ve managed to make it to this point in life avoiding the damage of election tampering and the privatization of information, then prepare for those blinders to be permanently removed.
This book isn’t just thought-provoking; it’s perspective-changing. I’m a sucker for a good spymaster, and Mishima is one-of-a-kind. I never saw the twists coming and the climax blew my mind. You’ll pick sides, change your mind, and then give in and let the story take you where it will.
Just remember:
Don’t be afraid to look up what you don’t know (Google accepts new friends 24/7) because the more themes you understand, the more you’ll respect (and fear) the sneaky agendas and angles as they appear.
Buckle up and learn things that’ll change how you think about the actual world even as you unravel one hell of a mystery.
Older’s debut novel is an avant-garde, political thriller that will have you questioning the dominant paradigm, taking a harder look at the loyalties of those tasked with governance, and religiously checking your voter registration status–all before you realize that this is the first in a series.
Infomocracy released June 7, 2016. It is Book One of the Centenal Cycle.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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[coffee]
