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 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
"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
"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
"Synapse is a snappy, savvy thriller about a future that's coming. Start sweating now." --Randy Ingermanson, author of Son of Mary
"With Synapse--a near-future thriller firmly grounded in today's realities--Steve James has accomplished that rare feat of blending phenomenal storytelling, a captivating plot, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking themes. And it doesn't stop there. At the risk of gushing (you're going to see a lot of that over this story), the action is exhilarating, the suspense nail-biting, the twists stunning and perfectly timed. Through it all, it'll have you pondering faith, the essence of God and grace, and what and why you believe. Entertaining, provocative, and intelligent, Synapse is as close to a perfect thriller you'll read this year, or any year." --Robert Liparulo, bestselling author of Comes a Horseman and the Dreamhouse Kings
"With Synapse, Steven James hurls us into a near-future where technology collides head on with what it means to have soul. A complex and riveting thriller that invites you ponder the deepest questions of existence while at the same time leaving you on the edge of your seat." --James L. Rubart, five-time Christy Award winner
"A realistic and an intelligent look into our future, Synapse takes the reader deep into the minds of the characters, both human and artificial, to smartly explore AI and eschatology. Thought-provoking and compulsive--this is a book you can't afford to miss " --Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of The Tox Files
"A thriller that left me in awe of future technology while I turned pages to see what happened next . . . and where I fit." --DiAnn Mills, bestselling author
