Predator / Nomad
In the twisting political thriller Predator/Nomad, a scientist and a princess are embroiled in the case of a possible murder of world-shattering proportions.
In Daniel Micko’s political thriller Predator/Nomad, a talented scientist gets involved in terrorism and violence.
Jordan is a brilliant professor and researcher who specializes in molecular genetics, especially stem cells and genetic editing, or cloning. Jordan’s greatest, most innovative creation is a drug, scopolamine, that is made from a dangerous South American plant, Devil’s Breath. With this drug, Jordan claims to have conquered all diseases. Jordan’s other program is far more dubious: she creates clone soldiers for narco-warlords and drug cartels.
Jordan’s research brings her to the attention of the Saudi royal house. Prince Faruq calls her to Riyadh, hoping to use her skills, and the scopolamine, for political purposes. But then Faruq dies. His sister, Princess Saleh Aisha, suspects that Jordan is employed by the Taliban and is responsible for his murder. Her suspicion drives the story; though Princess Saleh and Jordan have a romantic connection, the princess still investigates Jordan’s background.
The intricate plot dips into science fiction with Jordan’s research; it is also set around the time of the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks. Prince Faruq’s death is shrouded in mystery throughout, while the book’s invocations of international politics, from the dubious connections of American academics to the dark world of international terrorism in South America, Central Asia, and the Middle East, are layered. These diverse parts form a captivating whole, in which all elements are connected to Jordan.
The book’s settings, which include San Francisco and the royal palaces of Saudi Arabia, are detailed well, though the book is most concerned with the interior lives of its characters; its story is told from several of their perspectives. The most prominent voices are those of Jordan and Princess Saleh. When the focus is on Princess Saleh, her investigation leads, placing her in danger; when Jordan narrates, her voice is erratic. Her duality is apparent early on: she is compared both to Henry David Thoreau and Ted Kaczynski, and she undergoes dramatic mood changes. Tension and suspension are maintained because her true nature is kept in the shadows, leaving open the possibility that Jordan is, in fact, a dangerous criminal mastermind.
But in this engrossing book, Jordan’s true nature is only one of the major mysteries. Fun is generated from the book’s coverage of the incredible, crazy world of clone armies, weaponized illnesses, and government-backed militias and narco-terrorists. The result is an innovative tale that piques interest in the future stories of Jordan and Princess Saleh.
In the twisting political thriller Predator/Nomad, a scientist and a princess are embroiled in the case of a possible murder of world-shattering proportions.
Reviewed by
Benjamin Welton
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
