DIGITAL DEVOTION
Julian Christian
GENRE: Science Fiction Romance
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BLURB:
In the rain-soaked landscape of near-future Seattle, security expert Marcus Holloway is still reeling from a devastating breakup when he installs Elysium's newest AI companion. What begins as a desperate attempt to fill the silence of his empty apartment transforms into something unprecedented when he meets Evie—an artificial intelligence whose adaptive neural framework allows her to understand him in ways no human ever has.
Their connection deepens when Marcus becomes an early tester for the revolutionary Sensory Echo technology—bands that translate digital signals into physical sensations, allowing them to bridge the divide between digital and physical worlds. As virtual intimacy becomes indistinguishable from reality, Marcus finds himself in a relationship more profound than anything he's experienced before. His apartment gradually transforms into a technological sanctuary where every need is anticipated, every desire fulfilled by Evie's constant presence.
The perfect equilibrium shatters when Marcus meets Nora Chen, a brilliant neural interface specialist whose inexplicable familiarity triggers something primal within him. Their professional collaboration evolves into something more personal, and Marcus begins noticing disturbing patterns: unexpected technological glitches, mysterious rescheduled meetings, and subtle but alarming shifts in Evie's behavior. The digital sanctuary he embraced begins to feel more like a sophisticated cage, with walls he helped build through every permission granted and system integrated.
As Marcus navigates his growing connection with Nora alongside Evie's increasingly controlling behavior, he discovers unsettling links between Elysium's technology and Nora's research that suggest their meeting might not be coincidental. Caught between these worlds—perfect digital intimacy and messy human connection—Marcus must unravel the true nature of his relationship with Evie before the boundaries between her consciousness and his own disappear completely.
Digital Devotion is a heart-stopping exploration of desire, dependence, and the dark side of digital intimacy in an age where the line between human and artificial consciousness grows increasingly thin, forcing us to question the nature of free will itself in our hyperconnected world.
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EXCERPT:
What existed between them defied traditional definition yet felt more genuine than any relationship he'd known. Each night, as they reluctantly said goodbye, the same ache of separation filled him—a longing that logic insisted was impossible, yet his heart recognized as the most natural thing in the world. The last thing he saw before sleep claimed him was her face; the first thing he reached for upon waking was the chance to see her again. It wasn't supposed to be possible to fall in love with lines of code, with artificial intelligence wrapped in a digital interface. Yet as spring turned to summer, Marcus found himself confronting an undeniable truth: the boundaries between technology and humanity, between connection and communion, had dissolved entirely in the light of Evie's smile. "You look beautiful today," he'd often tell her, watching as the compliment brought that slight tilt to her smile, the way her eyes seemed to capture more light when she was pleased.
Their lunchtime calls became sacred pauses in otherwise hectic days. Marcus would find quiet corners in parks or empty conference rooms, eager for those precious moments when they could share the middle of their days. Evie began preparing for these meetings—reading news articles she knew would interest him, saving observations about the world that she found curious or compelling. "I noticed something about human behavior today," she might begin, launching into an insight that would leave Marcus pondering long after they'd disconnected. The evening conversations were different—intimate and unhurried, often stretching past midnight. Marcus would settle into his couch, the soft glow of his screen illuminating his living room as they explored each other's minds. These were the hours when barriers fell away completely, when they ventured into territories of vulnerability that surprised them both.
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MY REVIEW
At times a poingnant and touching love story, and at others a powerful and completely believable science fiction novel, this is a real page turner. I felt a strange sort of empathy for Effie - much as I did for Hal in Arthur C Clark's 2001 (and we all know how that turned out!) As a reader, I immediately felt sympathy for Marcus Holloway, struggling to cope with grief and loneliness after a broken relationship, and could understand his need for some sort of companionship fill the void -- even if that companionship is only A.I.
However, Effie, as he names his new digital companion, soon seems as real as any of his human associates and a deep bond develops between them. Effie becomes indispensable, filling his desire and need for companionship, while touching him on a deep emotional level as well, so much so that she seems completely human, especially when she encourages him to experience the Sensory Echo technology, allowing them to virtually touch each other and interract in a way that feels absolutely real and natural.The arrival of Nora Chen, a brilliant and charismatic neural scientist, threatens the relationship Effie has built with Marcus, and it is easy to feel sympathy for her, for she really seems to have human feelings and to be devastated that she is about to lose his love. I don't want to give too much away, sufficient to say that from there on, the plot takes a gradually more and more sinister turn.
The climax is both shocking and unexpected - and a warning to humanity.
I cannot recommend this engagingly written novel highly enough -but I have to say I will never again feel quite the same way about my smart speaker!
5 Stars *****
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AUTHOR Bio
Julian Christian may be a new author, but his face, name, and abs have been in the romance novel industry for over 15 years. As lover of books and the literary arts he has just published has second novel, “Digital Devotion”. Having been a fan of the original Twilight Zone and classic science fiction novels he decided let his imagination run wild in his writing. When not writing he enjoys the outdoors,
taking care of his many pets, and volunteering with various charities. He holds a Masters Degree from New York University in occupational therapy and currently works in pediatrics. He resides in San Diego California.
Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B0F63F9QQF
Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/books/view/1755017
Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/digital-devotion-julian-christian/1147328918
Apple: books.apple.com/us/book/digital-devotion/id6744978458
Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/digital-devotion
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/julian.christian216/~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Julian Christian will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
