Hello everyone and welcome to my stop on the Escapist Book Tours virtual book tour for Alexandra Almeida’s Literary Science Fiction novel Unanimity! Today, I am excited to help kickoff the tour by sharing an interview with the main character from the book!
You can find our Q&A below, along with all of the info about the book, the author, and links to purchase a copy of Unanimity for yourself! Also, be sure to take a look at the schedule here or at the top of the post and follow along to see the stops from our other awesome hosts!
Book Information:
Unanimity by Alexandra Almeida
Series: Spiral Worlds
Genre: Literary Science Fiction
Intended Age Group: Adult
Pages: 440
Published: October 18, 2022
Publisher: Spiral Worlds (Self Published)
Blurb
Shadow is a reluctant god with a broken mind and a death wish. He used to be Thomas Astley-Byron, an affluent young screenwriter whose creativity and idealism saved a world from the brink of collapse. Together with Henry Nowak, an AI expert, Tom created heaven on earth by inventing a Jungian simulated reality that helps humans confront their dark sides. The benevolent manipulation platform turned the two unelected leaders into beloved gods, but now everything is failing. The worlds suffer as a sentimental Tom descends into his own personal hell, becoming the embodiment of everything he despises and a shadow of his former self.
His journey from an optimistic, joyful Tom to a gloomy Shadow is paved with heartache and sinister interference from emerging technology. Humans and bots fight for his heart, but their aims differ: some want to own it, some to dissect it, and others to end its foolish beat. Estranged from the love of his life— the activist poet Nathan Storm—Tom fails to realize the biggest threat comes from within. None of the sticky stories that steer his life end well.
Now, a young goddess—Estelle Ngoie—has been appointed to replace him, and unlike Shadow, Stella takes no prisoners, and her heart bleeds for no one.
Who’s pulling on Shadow’s heartstrings? Are their intentions malign or benign? It’s all a matter of perspective, and Shadow has none left.
The Series
An epic tale spanning across six days—one per book—and forty past decades of life lived across ten worlds and two universes.
Weaving hard sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, Spiral Worlds explores the nature of consciousness and how it’s connected to a not-so-secret ingredient— story. As software consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course.
If you’re looking for perfect heroes and clear villains, move right along. There is no black or white in this story about a contrast-making machine.
Book Links:
Universal Link: https://storyoriginapp.com/universalbooklinks/0a04dbd2-42df-11ed-996c-eb7abcc4a480
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62835573-unanimity
Character Q&A
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Shadow. I’ve been dead twice, but I’m alive again, unfortunately.
What music do you listen to?
The revolutionary poetry slams of my ex-boyfriend. The beats and the words together are worlds’ shattering. Truly.
What are 3 items you can’t live without?
Who says I want to live?
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing you’d like to have with you?
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. All the wisdom and entertainment one needs to survive adults and deserted islands.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Resurrection?
What do you do in your free time?
What’s that?
What makes you want to get out of bed in the morning?
On the second day of my third life, it was a glitch. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Every single one I didn’t follow. Too many to count.
What do you carry in your bag?
I don’t have one, but I used to carry a medal around my neck. It was my most cherished possession.
What’s your favorite animal?
A golden retriever.
What do you think about Sibyl?
I wonder how far back zir machinations started? Was zie just an app back then, decades ago? When did zie become sentient and start interfering with our lives? I get goosebumps just thinking about it, but I can’t dwell on it for longer because of the deadly storms.
Do you have favorite saying?
“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?” – A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
What is your favorite holiday?
What’s that?
If you could go anywhere in [the book’s world], where would you go and why?
My life started and ended at The Albertine, on 972 Fifth Avenue, in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. You should visit the bookstore. It’s lovely. Don’t worry, I’m not sharing any spoilers…or am I?
What do you do to relax?
What’s that?
What is your favorite food?
A spoon full of Spaghetti All’Arrabbiata always brings me some bitter-sweet memories.
What is your favorite season?
Fall in the Upper East Side.
How would you define happiness?
Waltzing through Central Park, with the love of my life, humming a revolutionary song.
What are you passionate about?
Freedom, love, equity, privacy, creativity, empathy—in no particular order. Oh, and a certain rebellious poet.
How do you feel about your government?
Oh, we took care of the government three decades ago. All fixed. Maybe. For now?
If you could change one thing about [the book’s world], what would it be?
I would have never built it.
What’s your biggest secret?
I’m not allowed to have secrets. Zie knows everything because I live within zir.
What do you hate?
Have I mentioned resurrection?
What’s your biggest fear?
I’m living it, so, you’ll need to read the books. All six of them.
What do you think your best quality is?
I have created hell, so I have none. I’m a failure.
How would you describe the world you live in?
Which one? How long do you have? Hellish?
About the Author
Alexandra Almeida has over 25 years of experience in technology, strategy, and innovation. In her role as Chief Transformation Officer, she acts as a senior advisor to enterprise executives. Alexandra is an experienced speaker at events such as SXSW, Gartner Symposium and the Women in Tech Series.
Social Media: https://linktr.ee/spiralworlds
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