Predator

“If you’re willing to sacrifice life as a way to get what you want, then you’re a predator. If you’re willing to walk the journey to achieve your goals, then you’re a nomad.” The news of his brother’s death leaves freelance journalist Price Laurel destabilized and anxious about the next phase in his life. First, he decides to interview Dr. Roberts—a brilliant genetics specialist—and discovers some shocking secrets. Apparently, human clones are real, and they might have been created unlawfully and by challenging the idea of what is right and wrong. Price is determined to get to the root of it all, either as a predator or a nomad.

Predator/Nomad is an intriguing and unpredictable tale that keeps you eager to discover the next wild event.

The story is wound round several interesting themes: murder, drug dealing, princehood, espionage, mind control, soldiers, politics, LGBTQ+, psychology, rebellion, psychopathy, and more! The first ten chapters alternate between the viewpoints of Princess Saleh Aisha of Saudi Arabia and Dr. Jordan Roberts, albeit in different locations— like Columbia, California, Yemen, and Italy. It was exciting to find myself immersed in a sporadic tale that is set in different countries and cultures.

I especially liked how educative the book is. I learned about and was reminded of several things, from game theory and cognitive dissonance to the difference between a psychopath and a social deviant. These interesting concepts and more are embedded in the story in a way that it still retains its appeal—with engaging conversations and events. Some ideas are quite profound and thought-provoking, like the fact that creative people are usually more arrogant because “creativity itself subconsciously travels the paths that subverts social norms”. Daniel Micko’s characters are complex and realistic. I could relate to Price’s tough situation as he conditions himself to get to work while faced with uncertainty about the future. Also, I was fully immersed in the world of the book as the descriptions are vivid and easy to picture. I could almost feel the “lush green blades of grass” and the “glass windows, through which you can see the pool in the back”.

In Predator/Nomad, Daniel Micko does a great job of combining scientific innovation, intense action, deep revelations, interesting conversations, cultural diversity, political games, psychology, and more. It’s the type of book that you can read several times and discover new things every time. You should read Predator/Nomad if you wish to discover several thought-provoking ideas and wish to be yanked away from your reality to another one, with endless possibilities and little consequences.