I found this book, listened to in the audio form, to be stimulating in ideas and quite in line with ideas I have contemplated. I am excited about it being the first of a trilogy although it certainly can be read alone. It is a bit of a blend of science fiction, fantasy and political ideas, I think. Please try it and do listen/read the author's interview; he maintains his privacy because he wants his ideas/books to be the main source of attention rather than his persona.