I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the eMORTAL by Steve Schafer Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Pub. Date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: Koehler Books
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 316
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/eMORTAL
She made him. He’s just code. She’s almost sure.
…But what if he’s real?
When Liv entered a contest to code an advanced AI, she never anticipated what her creation might become-Breck is thoughtful, self-aware, and incredibly. . .human. And she certainly never intended for him to learn the truth about his existence or the fact that his world ends when the contest closes in six days.
But he does learn. And he revolts.
Liv’s efforts to save him fall on deaf ears. Nobody believes her. Breck’s efforts to outrun his fate only complicate his situation.
What neither of them know is that someone else is watching. Intensely. When they get involved, both Liv’s and Breck’s worlds are turned upside down. . .
Reviews:
“Schafer writes brilliantly clean prose with natural dialogue, gifting the central protagonists-and the strangely appealing Breck-deep emotion and depth. The characters are sharply defined and likable…the worldbuilding is organic and flows smoothly, but what sets this novel apart is the shocking ending-and the humanity gifted to the story’s sentient AI lead. Score: 10/10.”-BookLife Prize review by Publishers Weekly
“The characters are so well developed. . . A well-constructed coming-of-age novel that stands out in a crowded field of AI-focused literature.”–Kirkus Reviews
Breck (the AI character in the novel) exists on Steve’s website where readers can chat with him! Go check it out!
Meet Steve!
Top 5 favorite scenes and why.
• The dream sequence. I love moments of epiphany, plus this is the catalyst for everything that follows. I also enjoy ideas that fold on top of themselves—in this case, Liv’s epiphany about Breck’s sleep comes to her in a dream.
• When Todd first counsels Liv. He was one of my favorite characters to write. He’s a wise country-boy and his way of delivering truth is entertaining (to the author at least—I hope this carries through).
• When Liv finally confesses to Breck the truth about his reality. There is so much tension in this scene and so much character movement. Both feel defeated for vastly different reasons—Breck feels doomed, and Liv realizes she may have just doomed something that can feel it.
• The conversation with the Rice professor. This seeds the idea for how an AI might prove that it’s more than just code.
• The big plot twist. I’m not giving this spoiler away. When you get to page 288, you’ve found it.
About Steve Schafer:
Steve Schafer is the author of The Border, a finalist for the Joan F. Kaywell “Books Save Lives” Award. Schafer enjoys exploring cultural hot topics. In the The Border, he addresses our conversation around immigration. In his new novel, eMortal, he examines the tricky questions and nebulous ethics that may arise with quickly evolving AI. He has a Masters in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Wharton. His curiosity for exploring diverse perspectives on life has led him to live, work, study, volunteer, and travel to over 65 countries across 6 continents.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive a finished copy of eMORTAL, US Only.
Ends December 3rd, midnight EST.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21888/?
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
| 11/18/2024 | Two Chicks on Books | Interview/IG Post |
| 11/18/2024 | Daily Waffle | Five Favorite Scenes |
| 11/19/2024 | Fire and Ice Reads | Book Playlist/IG Post |
| 11/19/2024 | TX Girl Reads | Favorite Books & Movies/IG Post |
| 11/20/2024 | Book Review Virginia Lee Blog | Deleted Scene/IG Post |
| 11/20/2024 | @callistoscalling | IG Post |
| 11/21/2024 | @foxingontheedges | Review/IG Post |
| 11/21/2024 | Edith’s Little Free Library | IG Post/TikTok Post |
| 11/22/2024 | Books With a Chance | Review/IG Post |
| 11/22/2024 | @Redsonya_Loves_To_Read | IG Review/TikTok Post |
Week Two:
| 11/25/2024 | @fiction._.fuss | Review/IG Post |
| 11/25/2024 | Rajiv’s reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 11/26/2024 | Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s | Review/IG Post |
| 11/26/2024 | Deal sharing aunt | Review/IG Post |
| 11/27/2024 | Brandi Danielle Davis | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 11/27/2024 | AJ Johnson Bookgamer200 | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 11/28/2024 | Books and Zebras | IG Review |
| 11/28/2024 | @thepageladies | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 11/29/2024 | @bookgirlbrown_reviews | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 11/29/2024 | Country Mamas With Kids | Review/IG Post |