Into the Fire

If you've never read a Steven James novel, here's what you can expect: an absolute thriller chocked full of evil, fear, intensity, intelligent characters, deep and complex plots, morality issues, faith references and examples mostly in the undertone of critical decisions involving the threat of death, and stellar writing with his Master Storyteller credentials fully exposed. No shortcuts, no triviality, no pedestrian prose or dialogue. Always an intriguing end to a fully exhausted story.

Jevin Banks is a famous illusionist (often referred to as a magician which he refutes) who plays the Las Vegas Strip at a big casino owned by a billionaire. His friend and partner, the kooky Xavier, his assistant and love Charlene, a body double for him and Charlene, his friend and computer genius Fionna, single mother of four brilliant children, compose the basic entourage of Jevin Banks' group. He, Xav, and Charlene are in the Philippines to watch another of their young illusionist/protégé friends (Emilio) perform a "buried alive with Cobras" trick in Emilio's homeland when suddenly it all goes terribly wrong. Almost immediately after learning of Emilio's fate, Jevin and Xav realize Emilio's been murdered, but they can't convince anyone there to follow up on their realization. They bury their friend in his homeland and return to Vegas determined to find out why.

What happens during their search involves piranhas, robotic accessories, human experimentation, the notorious Area 51, a feared pimp named Solomon, a cartel drug lord named Jesus, a sociopathic call girl named Calista, and a psychopath who likes to be called Akisanya.   

Singularity is the second Jevin Banks novel in Steven's new series, the first being Placebo. I'm not even going to attempt to explain the meaning of "singularity" in this story. You'll learn more about robotic access and control than you'll care to know. And fused with the plethora of possibilities for manipulation of robotic replacements, you'll find yourself in the emotional, physical, and spiritual quandaries of merging man and machines to replace aging and making decisions.

Jevin Banks is challenged at every level of his humanity in this story and makes strides in his personal recovery from losing his wife and twin boys. Packed with action and philosophizing, the pure evil and the attempted good of humanity clash and wrestle to a satisfying but leading conclusion.

Singularity is a step up from Placebo, but I recommend you begin the series at the beginning and proceed to Singularity. If you want detailed and unusual, thought-provoking literature, grab and devour a Steven James thriller. 

Father, I ask your continued blessings upon Steven James. You've given him such intelligence and talent in storytelling. I pray he persists in using it for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.