Review by Mailis -- Superhighway by Alex Fayman

[Mailis]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Alex Fine is extraordinary eighteen-year-old with an amazing ability to transport himself through the intricate maze of the Internet. Inside the digital web, Alex can travel to any destination in the world that has internet connection. He can also download endless amount of information into his brain, manipulate crypted data including bank balances and search through all the archives of existing digital knowledge.

Before becoming one of the richest people alive, with virtually limitless financial power thanks to his unusual ability, Alex lives in an orphanage where he discovers his rare gift after trying out the new computer set. Seeing the opportunity to make a change, Alex decides to distribute the wealth of the world, stealing from psychotic and dangerous criminals to aid his philanthropic goals. But even the best laid plans have the tendency of falling apart.

Now let's be honest, when I was reading the book, there was more than one moment where I wanted to take Alex by the shoulders and shake some sense into him, B. A. Baracus style, „Stop it, you fool!“. But then I had this thought, that if I care about the character enough to be mad at him for his irrational behavior or reckless actions, then it’s actually a good thing, this means I’m not exactly indifferent to his plight, which would be considerably worse in my opinion.

I also seem to have pitted Alex unfairly from the start against my more mature (let’s just say I’m a teeny tiny bit older than him) and obviously different set of personal moral standards, where use of recreational drugs, driving under influence and casual (unprotected) sex is not something to take lightly or part of the overall entertainment that life offers.

Maybe it’s the carefree regard towards all the weed-smoking going on, where in every stressful situation the solution seems to be lighting up a spliff and washing it down with some heavy duty alcohol. Maybe it’s the various hypnotizing descriptions of how that lovely combination of high makes Alex feel. Maybe it’s the instant connection he has with his new hip friends over sharing some weed. But I would slap a PG warning on the book so no-one looks at the description and the minimalist book-cover and thinks this is a going to be a good clean YA read.

I think Superhighway has foremost appeal to someone in their 20’s, who loves the idea of glittering and glamorous fame and fortune lifestyle, instant gratification in every turn through endless supply of money, flashy expensive brands, latest and greatest in technology, fast cars and sexy half-naked girls. But because of the more serious moments it offers, it might be hopefully taken as a bit of cautionary tale too.

In the end Alex seems to be just an emotionally adrift young guy who tries his best. He has his faults but they are mostly balanced out by his strong desire to be a good person and help others who are less fortunate. He engages in philanthropy in all different possible levels, sets up his own billion dollar charity movements and hands out money to everyone he likes. One of the most redeeming qualities he exhibited in my opinion, was his emotional honesty in his longtime relationship with Eva, where he considers lying to her to maintain the status quo of the relationship, but in the end can’t go through with it, because in his eyes it would be the ultimate betrayal to take away her choice in the matter.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because it was a fast-paced and gripping read and I look forward to reading more of the upcoming adventures. I also definitely recommend it as a something to read if you love the movie „Jumper“. It has the same equally intense action scenes and different beautiful and exotic locations to immerse yourself into. And although it has many similarities, it luckily has also many additional aspects that keep the story nicely fresh and unpredictable.

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Superhighway
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[Dragonfly6]

This review is a very helpful one for me because even though I assumed from the title and cover that it had something to do with computers, I wouldn't have guessed it was a computer-linked to gifts. Although I like the idea of the stealing from the thieves and the rich to help who he wants or deems needy, I will probably not read this book because of the story line where he is indulging in the stereotypical hedonistic behaviors of youth. Thank you!