The Dark Net

The Dark Net follows several characters whose lives intersect in Portland, Oregon as they confront supernatural forces emerging from the internet's shadowy underbelly. A 12-year-old girl who is losing her eyesight, a journalist investigating digital black markets, and a former child evangelist find themselves caught in an ancient battle between good and evil. Technology and occult horror merge as demonic entities exploit both the dark web and human weakness to gather strength in the physical world. The story moves between gritty urban settings and virtual realms where malevolent forces lurk behind seemingly ordinary online interactions. The characters must work together to stop an impending apocalyptic threat, drawing on both modern tools and age-old methods of fighting darkness. Their personal struggles and past traumas become relevant to the larger conflict as they race against time. Percy's novel explores how ancient evils adapt to and exploit modern technology, while examining themes of human connection versus isolation in a digitally-mediated world. The story raises questions about the price of progress and the persistence of primal forces in contemporary society.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced horror thriller that blends technology themes with supernatural elements. The book maintains suspense but some find the ending rushed. Readers appreciated: - Fresh take on classic horror themes - Strong character development, especially the 12-year-old blind girl - Portland setting details - Technical accuracy around dark web concepts Common criticisms: - Plot threads that don't fully connect - Uneven pacing in final act - Some character decisions feel unrealistic - Horror elements become predictable Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (180+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "The tech aspects feel authentic without getting bogged down in jargon" - Goodreads reviewer "Started strong but lost focus halfway through" - Amazon reviewer "Characters make questionable choices just to move the plot forward" - LibraryThing review "Great atmosphere but the ending didn't deliver on the build-up" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson This cyberpunk novel links ancient Sumerian mythology with computer viruses through a story of hackers fighting to prevent digital and biological catastrophe.

Infomocracy by Malka Older This novel follows operatives who navigate a world where democracy functions through a global information network that faces an impending systems breakdown.

Feed by M. T. Anderson This story presents a future where people's brains connect directly to the internet through implants that make them vulnerable to a devastating viral attack.

Void Star by Zachary Mason This tale connects three characters through artificial intelligence and neural implants in a near-future world where technology bridges consciousness and digital realms.

Runtime by S.B. Divya This narrative follows a young woman who competes in a cyborg race while confronting the dark implications of human-computer integration.

🌐 Author Benjamin Percy crafted this techno-thriller while battling his own digital anxiety, particularly his concerns about his children's relationship with technology and social media. 🔮 The book blends elements of horror and cyberpunk with contemporary fears about technology, drawing inspiration from William Gibson's Neuromancer and Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. 👾 Percy consulted with hackers and cybersecurity experts while researching the novel to ensure technical accuracy in his portrayal of the dark web. 🦇 The story incorporates elements of H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror, reimagining ancient demons as digital entities that spread through modern technology. 🎮 The novel's climactic scenes take place in Portland, Oregon, where Percy lived while writing the book, and he incorporated real locations and landmarks into the story's supernatural landscape.