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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 […]

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
byChautona Havig

There aren’t enough authors willing to tackle the difficult stories. There just aren’t.  Many (guilty here!) feel inadequate to the task, want to escape the tough stuff rather than confront it–so many reasons. Listen in as I chat with D. T. Powell about what made her write, With Mercy’s Eyes.

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

 Loved chatting with Powell about her heart for those who often find it hard to interact with Christians–whose choices make others uncomfortable.  Powell shows love and compassion without ignoring Biblical truth, and the result is a powerful story we could all learn from.

With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell

He turned his back on God a long time ago. But God never forgot him.

Six months after struggling actor Lane Harris lost his husband in a tragic accident, he lands a movie role guaranteed to put him on the Hollywood map. But one producer holds the power to shut down his shot at stardom—and she’s a Christian. If she finds out he’s gay, it’s over. Lane is careful not to say too much around her.

When an alcohol-fueled tryst with his co-star ends in humiliation, and his landlord hands him an eviction notice, Lane looks for someone to talk to. He finds a confidant in the Christian producer. After a night of too little sleep and not enough coffee, he lets slip his sexual orientation. Instead of a verbal flogging, the woman recounts recently losing her own husband.

The only Christians Lane knows condemn him upon learning he’s gay. But this one is different. She doesn’t embrace his sexuality, but instead of treating him with disdain, she offers compassion. Christians are supposed to hate people like him. So, why doesn’t she? – – – – – – – With Mercy’s Eyes by D. T. Powell is an issue-facing, contemporary novel for adult churched Christians. It addresses homosexuality and same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective without falling into the trap of the extreme responses we too often see from modern churches. It holds similar views to Jackie Hill Perry, Becket Cook, Rosaria Butterfield, and Christopher Yuan.

Learn more about on WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads and BookBub.

 

withmercyseyes.com

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Episode 475: A Chat with D. T. Powell
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October 6, 2025
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