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[Following is a volunteer review of "Superhighway" by Alex Fayman.]

Superhighway by Alex Fayman


We’ve all had those days. When the computer decides it despises us and we have to break down and mess with the cords to see if by some miracle we will be able to fix it ourselves. This is how it starts for Alex Fine. Instead of getting the computer back up and running though, he finds himself transported from the orphanage he grew up in, to Hawaii. From there Alex discovers himself bumbling along as he learns to travel on the Information Superhighway. As well as becoming a modern day Robin Hood, stealing from the corrupt to give to the poor.


Superhighway is a coming of age story in essence. In this instance, the principal character demonstrates this extraordinary ability to travel online. The author doesn’t say “Ok, Alex is an orphan. The End.” Alex Fayman goes into detail about the leading character’s life, as he grew up in an orphanage. Also, why he chose to stay at the orphanage rather than go through the “foster parent lottery.” The imagery is masterfully written. Making Alex’s story all the more heart-wrenching.


Much of this story is about how Alex earns his money, after being unable to afford food or a place to sleep on one of his excursions. In the beginning, Alex hears about a gangster and sets his sites on robbing the man. I enjoyed the fact that Alex researched who his target would be. Trying his best to make sure that the person was truly despicable and then he turned around and donated most of his money to people who were in need. The author showing Alex’s conscientious side gave this book an added depth. Knowing the main character’s background and seeing the kindness he displays, made Alex a much more enjoyable character. Alex is flawed and does make mistakes, but that is all part of the process of growing and changing.


Once Alex discovers he is able to travel through computers he spends most of his time trying to master his ability and see what else he can do. In most stories where a person finds out they have unusual powers. The main character spends most of the first book trying to find out how they became the way they are. This book is extraordinary and fascinating. Alex doesn’t seem to mind why he develops this ability. His focus is on learning how to exercise his power and how to earn money. This is completely unlike anything I have read before and it's refreshing.


This book is a brilliant set up for a series. From the character development in this book alone, I have high expectations of where Alex Fayman takes Alex Fine from here. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced techno-thriller. When all is said and done I couldn’t put this book down so it gets a four out of four-star rating from me. I look forward to what else Alex Fayman has in store.

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Superhighway
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Like HGreenfield04's review? Post a comment saying so!

I just finished reading and reviewing this one too, and I feel like we read different books. While I liked the idea of elctroportation, I thought Alex was one of the worst examples of a hero ever. He's a self-absorbed, arrogant jerk who doesn't seem to be learning from his mistakes at all. And as for his charitable donations, he only sets up his funds when he feels a tiny twinge of guilt for getting a girl killed. What do you think will happen to those charities when someone discovers that the funds originally came from organized crime and terrorist organizations? It won't be pretty.