Synapse

by Steven James

Overview

Thirty years in the future, when AI is so advanced that humans live side by side with cognizant humanoid 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 on a nearby artificial factory and is unknowingly drawn into a world of conspiracies and lies. Along with her own Artificial, Jordan, they attempt to untangle the web around them. 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 . . . questions that rock Kestrel to her very core.

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780785225256
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	10/08/2019
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	279,747
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)

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.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/12/2019

James (The Bishop) builds an intricate world grounded in robotic technology in this stimulating tale. Thirty years in the future, advanced technology has created “Artificials”—robots so closely resembling humans it is difficult to distinguish them from human beings (called “Naturals”). After suffering multiple tragedies, Kestrel Hathaway, a Methodist minister, questions her belief that God is a loving, all-powerful entity. Trevor, Kestrel’s brother and a security executive at Terabyne, the corporation that builds Artificials, gives her Jordan, the most lifelike version created to date. Despite a strong aversion to Artificials, Kestrel begins to warm to Jordan. After witnessing a terrorist attack, Kestrel becomes a primary witness and is introduced to special agent Nick Vernon, from the National Counterterrorism Bureau. When Nick reveals the possibility of a corporate conspiracy at Terabyne, Kestrel and Jordan investigate. Combined with Trevor’s insider knowledge of Terabyne and the involvement of special agent Vernon, Kestrel and Jordan duo follow twists and turns that keep suspense high to the end. While the moral components grow organically from the plot, inspirational readers should be warned that there is some intense, violent imagery. Animated by themes of hope, love, and belief in the afterlife, James’s thrilling thrilling story of greed and corruption will win over readers. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

'Synapse isn't a retread of the Pinocchio story with the character wanting to be a real boy. It's the story of a created being that asks hard existential questions. Jordan's pursuit of answers makes the reader contemplate deep philosophical questions as well. What does it mean to be truly alive? What makes someone truly human? The author has crafted a glimpse of a future when mankind and computer technology fully merge. He immerses the characters into a tense thriller, creating a unique and thought-provoking reading experience.'

Associated Press

'Suspenseful and profound. A mind-bending thriller with a taut storyline filled with the added tension of existential questions and ethical dilemmas we have no answers to today—but may find ourselves wrestling with in the all-too-near future.'

New York Times Bestselling Author of Forbidden Tosca Lee

'This is a remarkable novel, perceptive and thoughtful. Synapse challenges the reader in the same way as Isaac Asimov's I Robot or Frank Herbert's Destination Void. We don't use the comparison lightly. Steven James' provocative and landmark book reeks of becoming a classic. Simply outstanding.'

New York Times Bestselling Authors of Star Path W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear

'Synapse is a thoroughly audacious thriller that weaves both science and religion into its suspenseful plot. Steven James explores one of the most fascinating questions of our technological age - can a robot have a soul? - and answers it brilliantly.'

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Coming S Mark Alpert

'This is a remarkable novel, perceptive and thoughtful. Synapse challenges the reader in the same way as Isaac Asimov's I Robot or Frank Herbert's Destination Void. We don't use the comparison lightly. Steven James' provocative and landmark book reeks of becoming a classic. Simply outstanding.'

New York Times Bestselling Authors of Star Path W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear