Review by jenjayfromSA -- Superhighway by Alex Fayman

[jenjayfromSA]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Superhighway by Alex Fayman has two major strengths from the word go; a fascinating sci-fi scenario and a believable character who grows and changes through his experiences.

The Internet is part of our lives these days, even if we do not stop to think about the packets of data zipping around the world from computer to computer. Imagine flying with them, being sucked into a computer at one point, only to emerge at another. Instant transportation. Star Trek, weep, not even Scotty could beam you up so fast.

Add to that the ability to delve into all those intriguing data parcels and understand and change the information they contain. You can move bank accounts, move money, change documents, change lives. You can do anything you want to do.

It’s lonely being a superhero, especially if no one knows you are. Our hero, Alex Fine, is a teenager from a deprived background. Raised in an orphanage, he is an extremely good-looking, super-smart kid with emotional problems and no social skills. No girlfriends, no friends, but all the hormones. Add power to that mix and it’s explosive.

Give Alex credit, he tries to do the right thing. He steals from the ganglords to give to the poor; a Robin Hood of the Internet. Ganglords have hitmen, long memories and lots of nasty habits. Alex is young, naïve, confused, ignorant and arrogant. It’s not a good match.

Alex is also confused about girls. He’s interested - oh yes, definitely - but shy and insecure. He has the money to impress Miss Billionaire herself, but he can’t resist the final touch. Alex, you idiot. The fact that you want to shake him shows what a good job the author has done. He’s created a very human protagonist who makes bad life choices. It’s not his fault. Any youngster with an unlimited wallet would want a gold watch, the latest rip-roaring racer in red, or his very own island paradise in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, our Alex ripped it away from a Russian mafia boss. Oops.

The only real criticism I have is that the author’s style is very pedantic. It’s good, written English, specialising in words of three or more syllables that belong in a dictionary. There is nothing wrong with that, except that teenagers from down-town Los Angeles don’t speak good, written English. At least – my experience is limited – I don’t think they do. The tale would have been more accessible to those who, presumably, are the target market if it was racier and more colloquial. Some of the descriptions of flying with the data around the world are awesome, though.

There is plenty of action as Alex explores his abilities. The author is adept at putting him through the hoops of his strange scenario. I was even more captivated by the loneliness he manages to convey, concealed by typical teenage bravado, and the weaknesses built into the strengths.

There are questions, if not many answers, but towards the end the curtain is lifted slightly. By this stage we are as curious as poor Alex. What cursed him with such a heritage? Thank goodness, this sci-fi scenario is unlikely to materialise. Heaven help us all if it does.

There is already a sequel, Superhighway 2, and I think another is promised. I will read it. Despite his heavy writing style, this author plots well and can hold tension. I would like to see what becomes of Alex Fine. I would recommend this to teenagers, nerds and those with an interest in the Internet and a taste for strange tales.

I saw no literals or problems with the text. I give this 4 out of 4 stars.

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Superhighway
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