About the Book

Book: Synapse
Author: Steven James
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi
Release Date: October 8, 2019

Thirty years in the future, when AI is so advanced that humans live side by side with cognizant robots called Artificials, Kestrel Hathaway must come to terms not just with what machines know, but what they believe. Is hope real for them, or merely an illusion?

Soon after experiencing a personal tragedy, Kestrel witnesses a terrorist attack and is drawn into a world of conspiracies and lies that she and Jordan, her Artificial, have to untangle. With a second, more brutal attack looming on the horizon, their best chance of stopping it is teaming up with federal counterterrorism agent Nick Vernon.

But the clock is ticking—and all the while, Jordan is asking questions that Artificials were never meant to ask.

Deftly weaving suspense and intrigue into a rich, resonant tale that explores faith and what it really means to be human, Steven James offers us a glimpse into the future and into our own hearts.

Synapse is an unforgettable, gripping story of dreams shattered, truth revealed, and hope reborn.

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My Review

This here is quintessential sci-fi thriller simply put. The author grabs us in the opening with a very emotional episode, and immediately we want to follow Kestrel through the rest of her story. The way our author explained the future, the technology our characters got to use, and more really transported me to the future. What an interesting concept to bring an "Artificial" along for the ride, and see how their relationship develops while in the midst of a show-stopping terrorist attack with a plentiful supply of conspiracy theories. The flow of the book is spot on and yet shocks you like a good thriller should. Each character has their own complexity and development. The stage for the book is set brilliantly. The hope and redemption found within is relatable and inspirational. This book just really grabs you and won't let go until you finish. I recommend this one for those looking for a good thriller with purpose, or a heart-pounding sci-fi.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are entirely my own.

About the Author

Steven James is the critically acclaimed, national bestselling author of sixteen novels. His work has been optioned by ABC Studios and praised by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, the New York Journal of Books, and many others. His pulse-pounding, award-winning thrillers are known for their intricate storylines and insightful explorations of good and evil. When he’s not working on his next book, he’s either teaching master classes on writing throughout the country, trail running, or sneaking off to catch a matinee.

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Publishers Weekly STARRED review

Read my op-ed on robots and faith in the New York Times I grew up reading and loving science fiction stories. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of artificial intelligence, but as I’ve thought about it over the years, I’ve realized that our lives are not based just on what we know, but also what we believe. So, I started asking myself, “What would the world look like if machines developed artificial belief?” Within a few decades, advanced AIs might very well have consciousness and self-awareness. At that point, what will they choose to believe about the meaning of live, God, and the afterlife? All of these questions were in my mind as I wrote Synapse, a story that takes place 30 years from now in a world very much like our own. This is a cautionary tale with implications that are both chilling and revealing and I think that if you like suspense, you’ll love this near-future thriller. —Steven Learn more at stevenjames.net Facebook and Twitter: @readstevenjames Buy the book: https://www.tnzfiction.com/synapse-a-novel/