Book Review: Change Agent by Daniel Suarez
A Rapid Review
Publisher: Dutton Books| | April 2017
Format: Hardcover (eGalley) | 416 Pages | Rating: 5 stars
New York Times bestselling author Daniel Suarez delivers an exhilarating sci-fi thriller exploring a potential future where CRISPR genetic editing allows the human species to control evolution itself.
What’s it about . . .
It’s the year 2045. Genetic editing has been perfected.
Kenneth Durand works in Interpol’s genetic crime division where he and his team hunt down black market labs who perform illegal edits on human embryos. But Durand has been targeted by one of the cartels. They attacked him and injected him with a “change agent”, a new technology that replaced his DNA causing his physical appearance to be altered. When he wakes up in the hospital, he finds he now appears to be one of the criminal he was pursing. As this technology is not known to exist, no one would believe him.
Durand escapes but now finds himself to be a fugitive. He must find out how to restore his DNA before the police and his former team catch up with him.
What did I think . . .
This is an exciting, engaging techno-thriller. Part scifi and part police procedural, this is a well-written novel set in a possible future.
There is a bit of necessary science and world building in the first few chapters. In 2045, the US is no longer a technological leader; Singapore took over sometime between ratification of the UN Treaty on Genetic Modification and the second wave of moon landings. By the dawn of the Gene Revolution, the technological crown had shifted from America. But the reader doesn’t need to understand DNA sequencing or have a science background to enjoy the story. Non-science types should not be discouraged from trying this novel — it quickly turns into a fast-paced thriller.
I loved this book, but this is my kind of novel. It’s in the same vein as early Crichton thrillers; maybe even a little faster paced. If you like science-based thrillers, be sure to read this one.
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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
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Under My Apple Tree 
I do like those old Crichton books so I’d try this.
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hmm, interesting combo. I don’t think i have ever read this genre before, a science-fiction thriller. If I were to try Crichton, which book would you recommend?
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I have loved all of his books.
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