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 with what they believe. 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 … 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 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.
Praise for Synapse:
“Perfectly timed and thought-provoking, Synapse is a smart, intense thriller that keeps the suspense building until the final page. Steven James once again delivers a perfect amalgam of character and plot, totally immersing the reader in an irresistible narrative.” –Simon Gervais, international bestselling author of Hunt Them Down
“Next-level suspense that keeps the pages turning, combined with next-level writing on par with the great literary masters . . . Synapse is not merely a thriller you should read–as 5G approaches and advances in AI snowball, it is the thriller you can’t afford not to.” –James R. Hannibal, award-winning author of The Gryphon Heist
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In Synapse, Steven James creates a world of naturals (humans), artificials, and plussers (humans with AI enhancements) thirty years in the future. As readers are plunged into a world ripe with technological advances, political unrest centered around the artificials, and an imminent attack, they will also be challenged to examine their own hearts and faith.
The perspectives of multiple characters give readers a 360 view while keeping them in the dark as to who the mastermind behind the attack is. I especially connected with Kestral and Jordan in this book.
James doesn’t shy away from one of the most difficult faith questions. If God is God, then why do people suffer? As Kestrel, who is a minister, struggles with her own faith after experiencing a painful loss (in the first chapter), Jordan examines the questions of faith with child-like curiosity and wonder.
If that’s not enough to convince you, James weaves a tale that is concise and engaging, making it difficult to set the book down until the final word is read.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Christian Mass Effect? Religious Deus Ex? Fair warning on this book: It is explicitly Christian Fiction – and it is pretty damn heavy handed on the preaching. If that isn’t your thing, you don’t want to read the first sentence of this thing. The story itself is decent enough, but the hyper preaching aspects drag what could have been a pretty awesome scifi tale that could challenge some of the Golden Age masters into just another book that likely won’t reach much beyond your local (dying) Christian Bookstore. Instead of a subtle exploration of whether robots could have souls ala Blade Runner, you get what amounts to mini sermons – which is theoretically appropriate, with the central character being a preacher. Overall a solid story that could have been so much more, and recommended if you can withstand the preaching.
Synapse is a fabulous read that is chock full of all the things I love about Steven James’ storytelling!
I’ve read all but one of this author’s books and really enjoyed them all! As soon as I saw the cover of this book I knew I wanted to read it, before I even knew what it was about, because I knew it would be awesome and it totally and completely was! I don’t often read futuristic stories, but this book absolutely fascinated me and I was enthralled with its story world! I really liked main character, Kestrel, she was both relatable and inspiring, and her journey was a powerful and suspenseful ride that was heartbreaking at the same time it was incredibly hope filled! Jordan was also a great character and the parts of the story that were told from his perspective were fascinating! Nick was also awesome, and I loved the tiny bit of romance between him and Kestrel!
While this book is a bit outside my comfort zone I absolutely loved every minute of it and did not want to stop reading! The faith story in this book is wonderful, engrossing, and thought provoking, and will leave you with feelings of awe and renewed hope!
I highly recommend Synapse, and I am eagerly anticipating Steven James’ next book!
(5 Stars!)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
Synapse, by Steven James, is an intriguing book set in the not too distant future that deals with Artificial Intelligence. Never having read any books by this author, I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by this futuristic story. It is a book that makes the reader think about how the future just might enfold, with Naturals, Artificials, and Plussers too. With characters that are vibrant and have emotions and reactions that resonate well with readers and a plot full of twists and turns and edge-of-the-seat action, Synapse easily kept my attention. The author not only writes a good story but gives the reader things to think about regarding ethics and morality as well as spiritual issues. I enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense and futuristic fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
When I received the email from NetGalley approving my request to read Synapse, I did a little happy dance in the order line at Subway. (My daughters were mortified.) I have read several of James’ thrillers and was excited to have been approved for this one.
To me, this book was a bit different from his Patrick Bowers novels. While Bowers does think and talk about his Christian faith, he’s a FBI agent on the bloody trail of various devious killers: he doesn’t have much leisure time for debates about God’s existence or goodness.
Kestrel, on the other hand, is a minister. Dealing with questions about God and spiritual matters comes with the job description. However, in this case, Kestrel struggles with her own questions, not just other people’s.
The novel opens in second person point of view (“you”) as Kestrel delivers a stillborn baby girl. It is a compelling, emotional scene that broke my heart. I teared up. Soon we learn that she’s a single woman, a minister, who decided to have a child on her own (presumably by artificial means). Now she faces a crisis of faith: her own faith.
Can she continue to love God? Where was he when her daughter died? Why has he stopped talking to her? And the central question that haunts the novel and minds of many people, fictional or not: Was any of it real?
What’s real and what’s artificial are central concerns in this story.
In this futuristic society, Artificials have inalienable rights. They can exist. They have the right to die. They can have hope, too. The CoRA, tech company Terabyne’s mainframe computer system’s secure location, stores the essence of each Artificial after it suffers a “terminal event.” (Translation: it dies.)
This last part worries Jordan, Kestrel’s Artificial; his “mother” has died, and like many humans wanting assurance about their loved ones’ afterlife, he wants assurance that she is safely in the CoRA. His concerns run parallel to Kestrel’s and she grapples with what assurance she can give him.
For me, Jordan is the highlight of the novel. When James takes us into his point of view, it’s fascinating to see how Jordan describes things. It’s like he is awakening to what it’s like to be human: all those maddening, paradoxical aspects of our being that give us depth, if only we have the courage to examine them. Not everyone has that courage. But Jordan, an advanced Artificial, has both the courage and curiosity to explore them.
I appreciate how James has Kestrel and others wrestle with some contradictory ideas that are difficult, if not impossible, to resolve. This is unusual in a thriller. The characters openly discuss many spiritual and philosophical and moral issues. I like characters who wrestle with difficult concepts.
Unfortunately, that sometimes slows down the pace of the story. I’m not sure that all of the discussions were necessary, nor am I certain that they serve the story as well as they could.
The story feels like a paradox itself: is it a fast-paced thriller or is it a slower-paced science fiction novel that explores spiritual matters? In trying to be both, the story suffers. There are a lot of different point of view characters, which helps the suspense. However, this makes it less likely for us to care as much about Kestrel’s crisis of faith, which is central to the emotional core of the story.
Even so, I was on edge in anticipation of how things would work out between the terrorist Purists and tech company Terabyne. As always, James knows how to plot a thriller. Agendas collide, battle lines are drawn, tensions build–and build–and build until they explode in a catastrophic climax that leaves some dead and everyone else bruised, battered, and possibly wiser for the experience. (I hope!)
James did a great job blurring the lines between good and bad. The Purists have legitimate concerns. The tech gurus aren’t all on the up-and-up. Artificials and humans alike are devious (or not), helpful (or not), and morally complex. It’s hard to know who or what to root for.
Despite my reservations about the pacing, I enjoyed Synapse. I think James was trying to do something a little different than some of his previous fiction. (At least the books I’ve read.) There’s a lot to enjoy here, and even more to ponder. And isn’t that what great books are supposed to do?
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Steven James did a great job with world building
Isaac Asimov meets Thomas Moore in this thought-provoking near-future thriller. After witnessing a terror attack against the world’s premier developer of AI, a pastor who has just lost her child is pulled into a web of danger and conspiracy. She takes an unlikely sidekick along for the ride—an advanced AI robot sent to her by her estranged brother. Steven James allows us to see the world, it’s dangers, and questions of God, faith, and existence through the eyes of an artificial being. This is next-level storytelling with real implications for the very near future. I’m grateful to the author and Thomas-Nelson for the opportunity to read an early copy.