I read this book over the New Year and I liked it so much I went straight on to Book Two. The Undernet 2. Both books got a 5* from me. These are my reviews:
Fast paced and exciting The Undernet
31 December 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author, it won't be the last. From the first page to the end it hurls you along in the fast lane. The dark web exists and it is superbly dragged to the forefront of Milt's world. The student is a geek, a game fanatic and nothing out of the ordinary. He's not a superhero, a macho man or a genius. What he does possess, is enough curiosity, courage and determination to track down the serial killer/s who violently killed his best friend. With his faithful, gutsy girlfriend by his side - the not so smart FBI, and the help of an ex-con in poor health, the young man attempts the seemingly impossible. He breaks into a depraved side of life, the underbelly of society to find justice. At what cost?
The dark world continues Azrael (The Undernet Book 2)
1 January 2019
I read the first and second book over three days. Book one got me hooked. You could imagine the stories on screen. The content is fast paced and real. Covering facts of life that sadly exist, it's good to see a team on the case. Milt is young, yet he has a passion for justice. Human trafficking is rife in the world, as are all vices that people try and ignore. The dark web or in this case the undernet and darknet are where vermin lurk. Racism is part of everyday life. The author introduces a kick ass FBI agent who deals with prejudice every day. I recommend both books. They're well written, thought provoking and cover the subject matter in a way only a good writer can...
So what are they about? The books are YA and the content itself reflects that, in the sense of refraining from bad language etc. But, don't be fooled the books are just for older teens! There is a lesson here for young people, cyber crime and being aware of the dangers lurking in the shadier forms of the internet. When a young man is violently killed due to him taking one step too far into the seedy, dangerous underbelly of the dark web, his best friend becomes involved. The deeper he searches, the grimmer things become. His girlfriend won't let him tackle it alone. As a result, they are both at risk of losing their own lives while looking for justice. Hunting those responsible for the violent killings.
Over the two books, the FBI and ex-cons play their part in trying to entrap the perpetrators; one is stored at a safe-house, the other will never see the light of day again. The lifer is locked away for crimes so hideous, only a mind like his can give them the clues for the type of people they are looking for. In a sickening world of serial murders, child trafficking, paedophiles, snuff movies and torture, young Milt uncovers the sickness that exists in our society. The couple end up with severe PTSD and suffer from shock when the hidden world becomes a reality and they are part of the grainy images the scum of the earth yearn for.
The author Frankel has written two fictional novels that are based on the sad reality of what goes on in our world today. He uncovers sickening truths in a deep depraved part of society. Very gripping reads which I highly recommend.