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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Simple Things You Should Know about Synapse

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

Sometimes the less you tell about a book, the better it is for everyone. Synapse is one of those. The minute I try to describe it, I give too much info! via @chautonahavig

“So what’s it about?”

“Artificial intelligence and what existence really means.”

The eyebrows quirked.  “Just a little light reading then?”

I shrugged. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

“Where’d you hear of it?”

That was an easier question to answer. “I’m part of a blog tour for it.  We are offered books to read, and when we find one that interests us, we request a free copy.  They send it. We read and give our opinion.”

“So what’s your opinion of… what was it called again?”

Again, an easy answer. “Synapse.  By Steven James. But I don’t have an opinion yet.  I kind of have to read it first.”

So I did.

3 Simple Things You Should Know About Synapse

Note: links are likely affiliate links–no extra cost to you… small commission for me.

3 Simple Things You Should Know about Synapse

He’s a master of words–and points of view.  Of tenses.  Where most authors find one and stick to it, Steven James weaves several into a perfect web of connections that somehow manage not to short-circuit your brain. If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d love a book full of first, second, and third-person points of view, as well as past and present tenses, I’d have laughed.  Especially at the thought of them all in one book.

But true to form, James doesn’t just pull them off, he does it in a way that makes you feel like it couldn’t have been done any other way.

So what are those three “simple” things? 

I’m calling them simple because I’m keeping my review of them as succinct as possible.

  1. James knows characterization and story.  As far-fetched as this plot would have seemed even fifteen or twenty years ago, he makes me believe it not only can but will happen someday. He not only suspended my disbelief as I read the book–but also of what could be.
  2. This is no mindless thriller that keeps you hopping without anything to feed your soul.  I’ve complained a lot about Thomas Nelson this year–about their seeming deviation from strong faith elements in their books.  Well… Synapse gave me hope that they haven’t abandoned solid Christian fiction after all.  This book has such deep, rich faith-filled elements that I know I’ll need to read it another time or two in order to really and fully grasp all that James wired into his story.
  3. It’s almost impossible for me to talk about this book without giving away cool things that only the reader can discover for him or herself.  So, I’ll just say this.  I loved it.

Recommended for lovers of light speculative fiction (it’s not heavy sci-fi that you can’t follow if you aren’t of a scientific/nerdy turn of mind) and for lovers of well-crafted stories that make you think without turning preachy. James did a beautiful job of balancing all sides of various issues without seeming to come off as wishy-washy. I am thrilled to have received a free review copy of the book, and I’m eager to purchase a copy for a few of my friends.  I think it will be well received.

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Comments

  1. Aryn the Libraryan ? says

    October 11, 2019 at 6:32 am

    I agree! It is very hard to write a decent review of Synapse without giving it all away! It’s an awesome book, though!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Review for Synapse – Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy says:
    October 15, 2019 at 10:32 am

    […] Just the Write Escape, October 11 […]

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
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