It's scary because it's true.  Or could be true..  I found this novel difficult to read.  Not because it was poorly written or uninteresting.  Mainly because I could envision it all to be actually happening in the world.  I would put the book down, but not stop thinking about it.  Watching the news, reading the headlines, talking to friends, the characters and situations in the story would pop into my head. Worth the read, if you can handle the aftermath!