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Spiral Worlds
Unanimity
UNANIMITY is a literary, sci-fi novel for the fans of Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit, Alex Garland’s DEVS and Ex Machina, and Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. Weaving near-future sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, the SPIRAL WORLDS series explores the nature of consciousness and how it's connected to a not-so-secret ingredient—story. As AI consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
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 some want to own it, some to dissect it, and others to end its foolish beat. Still, the biggest threat comes from within—none of the sticky stories that steer Tom’s life end well.
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.
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.
SERIES THEMES
An epic tale spanning across six days—one per book—and forty past decades of life lived across ten worlds and two universes.
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.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"Great for fans Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit; Daniel Suarez’s Daemon." "This epic of vulnerable digital landscapes that draw readers in with its emotional punch and existential quandaries."
A Design and A A Marketing A
Booklife
___________
"Unanimity" is the first book in the Spiral Worlds series by Alexandra Almeida. The story presents an impeccable foundation in what promises to be an epic literary hard-sci-fi series. Sci-Fi devotees take this is one is special." "Almeida weaves a provocative story using commentary on economic, social, political, and cultural issues. She celebrates diversity in her characters, and features a dynamic queer romance that is the very definition of complex passion, desire, and undying love. She merges high-level scientific prose with powerful, prophetic poetry. She has a literary style that is her very own and she is fierce in her delivery." Reader Views, ★★★★★
___________
"I adored this work by Alexandra Almeida from cover to cover for its modern take on fantasy and the subversion of so many typical themes and ideas that have become tired and overdone in the genre." "The queer storytelling elements are included beautifully and never made into a gimmick or overdone for the sake of themselves, and as such, they flow naturally with the fantasy and emotional elements of the narrative. I would not hesitate to recommend Unanimity as a sensational opening novel to a very promising series." Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
___________
"This book is best described as science fiction, but it is a disservice to categorize it strictly as such. Author Alexandra Almeida masterfully weaves the past and present together, creating a story rich in depth and tragedy that seems to bloom as you read it, while leaving plenty to explore in later installments. Despite its potentially worlds- shattering premise, Unanimity has a lot of heart and manages its multiple threads well, hiding so much richness in its details that it’s worth multiple readings." Independent Book Review
___________
"Unanimity’s technology feels well-researched and thought out.
Throughout the novel, readers get more and more of a view of both the complexity of the story world and the ideology behind the virtual reality system. Almeida does a great job of making everything about this story fully believable, as if this AI afterlife could happen in the real world in the near future." Chanticleer Book Reviews, ★★★★★
___________
"Unanimity is especially recommended for those who like their sci-fi 'hard' and their stories complex and richly thought-provoking. One might thus think that the tale will prove weighty, but Alexandra Almeida adopts a spirited, lively voice that brings events to life right from the story's...
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
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 some want to own it, some to dissect it, and others to end its foolish beat. Still, the biggest threat comes from within—none of the sticky stories that steer Tom’s life end well.
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.
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.
SERIES THEMES
An epic tale spanning across six days—one per book—and forty past decades of life lived across ten worlds and two universes.
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.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"Great for fans Becky Chambers’s A Closed and Common Orbit; Daniel Suarez’s Daemon." "This epic of vulnerable digital landscapes that draw readers in with its emotional punch and existential quandaries."
A Design and A A Marketing A
Booklife
___________
"Unanimity" is the first book in the Spiral Worlds series by Alexandra Almeida. The story presents an impeccable foundation in what promises to be an epic literary hard-sci-fi series. Sci-Fi devotees take this is one is special." "Almeida weaves a provocative story using commentary on economic, social, political, and cultural issues. She celebrates diversity in her characters, and features a dynamic queer romance that is the very definition of complex passion, desire, and undying love. She merges high-level scientific prose with powerful, prophetic poetry. She has a literary style that is her very own and she is fierce in her delivery." Reader Views, ★★★★★
___________
"I adored this work by Alexandra Almeida from cover to cover for its modern take on fantasy and the subversion of so many typical themes and ideas that have become tired and overdone in the genre." "The queer storytelling elements are included beautifully and never made into a gimmick or overdone for the sake of themselves, and as such, they flow naturally with the fantasy and emotional elements of the narrative. I would not hesitate to recommend Unanimity as a sensational opening novel to a very promising series." Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
___________
"This book is best described as science fiction, but it is a disservice to categorize it strictly as such. Author Alexandra Almeida masterfully weaves the past and present together, creating a story rich in depth and tragedy that seems to bloom as you read it, while leaving plenty to explore in later installments. Despite its potentially worlds- shattering premise, Unanimity has a lot of heart and manages its multiple threads well, hiding so much richness in its details that it’s worth multiple readings." Independent Book Review
___________
"Unanimity’s technology feels well-researched and thought out.
Throughout the novel, readers get more and more of a view of both the complexity of the story world and the ideology behind the virtual reality system. Almeida does a great job of making everything about this story fully believable, as if this AI afterlife could happen in the real world in the near future." Chanticleer Book Reviews, ★★★★★
___________
"Unanimity is especially recommended for those who like their sci-fi 'hard' and their stories complex and richly thought-provoking. One might thus think that the tale will prove weighty, but Alexandra Almeida adopts a spirited, lively voice that brings events to life right from the story's...
570 pages, ebook
First published October 18, 2022
22 people are currently reading
1416 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Almeida
6 books63 followersAlexandra Almeida is the author of the award-winning sci-fi series Spiral Worlds.
Writing under several pen names, Alexandra has received the following literary awards and recognition:
- Reader Views Awards - 1st Place - Science Fiction (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- Reader’s Favorite Awards - Honorable Mention - Science Fiction (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction - First Place (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- Reader’s Favorite Awards - Gold Medal Winner - Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic (2017)
- Reader Views Awards - 1st Place - Fantasy (2017)
- CIPA EVVY Book Awards - 2nd Place - Fiction - Mythology (2017)
- B.R.A.G. Medallion Recipient (2017)
- Eric Hoffer’s Da Vinci Eye Awards Finalist for Best Cover Artwork (2017)
- The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Finalist - Books for Adults (2017)
- Awesome Indies Approved (2017)
- Shortlisted for the 2023 HARVEY CHUTE Book Awards recognizing emerging talent and outstanding works in the genre of Business and Enterprise Non-Fiction.
Writing under several pen names, Alexandra has received the following literary awards and recognition:
- Reader Views Awards - 1st Place - Science Fiction (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- Reader’s Favorite Awards - Honorable Mention - Science Fiction (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction - First Place (2023 - Unanimity, Spiral Worlds)
- Reader’s Favorite Awards - Gold Medal Winner - Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic (2017)
- Reader Views Awards - 1st Place - Fantasy (2017)
- CIPA EVVY Book Awards - 2nd Place - Fiction - Mythology (2017)
- B.R.A.G. Medallion Recipient (2017)
- Eric Hoffer’s Da Vinci Eye Awards Finalist for Best Cover Artwork (2017)
- The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Finalist - Books for Adults (2017)
- Awesome Indies Approved (2017)
- Shortlisted for the 2023 HARVEY CHUTE Book Awards recognizing emerging talent and outstanding works in the genre of Business and Enterprise Non-Fiction.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 22, 2022
This is a wonderful series so far. The ideas and world-building are well presented, and they’re fun to read about. Alexandra establishes excellent and intriguing characters and builds on them throughout. I loved the way that the narrative spirals around, introducing elements and showing how they work later, and how we learn more about the characters and the world via the past sections, and how those sections tally with the “present-day” narrative within the worlds. An epic found family story.
October 19, 2022
The story presents an impeccable foundation in what promises to be an epic literary hard-sci-fi series. Sci-Fi devotees take note: this one is special. “Unanimity” is an amazing series opener. It’s sci-fi and so much more. Almeida weaves a provocative story using commentary on economic, social, political, and cultural issues. She celebrates diversity in her characters, and features a dynamic queer romance that is the very definition of complex passion, desire, and undying love. She merges high-level scientific prose with powerful, prophetic poetry. She has a literary style that is her very own and she is fierce in her delivery. Almeida has an extraordinary gift with words and she knows how to use them. Watching the story unfold was a treat as each sentence reflected her dedication and devotion to her craft.
The manner in which the plot unfolds provides enjoyment for all the senses. With just the right doses of backstory constructed into the flow of events, the story moves at an exciting pace that keeps the reader glued to the pages without feeling rushed, confused, or over-stimulated. Do not mistake my intention behind that statement – it is by no means a novel you can glide through whimsically, but one that readers should be prepared to commit their full attention to in order to fully appreciate the brilliance of the story.
And the characters! Alternating between their digital personas and their human forms, the characters make this story. They are all well-drawn, rich, and multi-dimensional, each one with unique personalities, relatable struggles, and engaging complexities. Especially endearing is the blurring of lines between “good” and “bad.” Nothing is black and white; Almeida’s characters accurately reflecting the duality of human personalities.
The layout of the series is that each book spans the course of one day, leaving readers with five more novels to look forward to. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m completely captivated by this first book, “Unanimity” and can’t wait for the rest of the story to unfold in the upcoming books. This series will resonate highly with sci-fi enthusiasts that enjoy intricate, well-developed stories with remarkable characters, skillful world-building, and the draw of the ever-expanding role of science in our lives.
The manner in which the plot unfolds provides enjoyment for all the senses. With just the right doses of backstory constructed into the flow of events, the story moves at an exciting pace that keeps the reader glued to the pages without feeling rushed, confused, or over-stimulated. Do not mistake my intention behind that statement – it is by no means a novel you can glide through whimsically, but one that readers should be prepared to commit their full attention to in order to fully appreciate the brilliance of the story.
And the characters! Alternating between their digital personas and their human forms, the characters make this story. They are all well-drawn, rich, and multi-dimensional, each one with unique personalities, relatable struggles, and engaging complexities. Especially endearing is the blurring of lines between “good” and “bad.” Nothing is black and white; Almeida’s characters accurately reflecting the duality of human personalities.
The layout of the series is that each book spans the course of one day, leaving readers with five more novels to look forward to. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m completely captivated by this first book, “Unanimity” and can’t wait for the rest of the story to unfold in the upcoming books. This series will resonate highly with sci-fi enthusiasts that enjoy intricate, well-developed stories with remarkable characters, skillful world-building, and the draw of the ever-expanding role of science in our lives.
November 14, 2023
This book includes a range of differing characters that were a lot of fun to discover more about. I thought the characters and their development was very well done. They all had very distinct ways of thinking and talking. I loved reading about all of them, and some I loved to hate which was fun. The writing was fairly easy to read and flowed well. The world is really fascinating. The different levels of Down Below/Spiral Worlds and all the various ways that they came about and exist are really cool to think about. I really found a lot of the ideas incredibly creative and engaging as concepts and loved the way that this alternate reality had totally reshaped humanity. I enjoyed seeing the Up Above world change throughout the years during the flashbacks and how the world Down Below evolved Up Above in the present. As far as plot, it felt cohesive and nothing ever felt out of place. Questions were introduced and then they were later answered, for the most part. I can't wait to read Parity.
January 26, 2023
Unanimity is the initial book in the Spiral Worlds series, by Alexandra Almeida. It is a well-written introduction to what aims to be a long hard sci-fi series, a sort of prediction of what could happen if we don't think about the consequences of developing technology before actually creating it; and with well-developed characters to add a layer of humanity to the story.
We are going to be following the story in two different timelines, the first one of them showing how Thomas, with the help of his friend Henry, developed what will become Down Below, and how it was created with the intention of helping people to confront their problems and darkness. But as it is stated, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The second timeline, situated in the future, is about how a new goddess over Down Below, Stella, is taking the control of it, and it is bringing back Thomas (called Shadow now) to life, as she feels is the only way to solve the problems that this world is suffering, now that it has become the the-facto main world for most of the people.
Weaving hard sci-fi, with a character-driven story, Alexandra Almeida creates an excellent story about the consequences of developing technology. There are several elements that enhance the narration, such as the different worlds that form Down Below, described in ways you can almost see them; and getting to know the backstory of the gods, those programmers who created the world, and who got the responsibility of keeping it on control, making it the best for the people.
Sybil, the powerful AI that acts as the control of the metaverse is also an interesting character, pretty unique; zie has a big responsibility, but acts in ways that can confuse Stella and Shadow, sometimes making their task even more difficult, not showing zir authentic intentions. We are also shown how there are still people not believing in joining Down Below, and how they want to preserve what they consider the authentic style of life.
It's a reading that sometimes can feel confusing, due to the number of terms and concepts that get introduced during the narration, being hard on the sci-fi side; and the split timeline requires your full attention to get it. Still, I think Unanimity is a great first novel, and honestly, I wonder how this saga will continue in Parity.
We are going to be following the story in two different timelines, the first one of them showing how Thomas, with the help of his friend Henry, developed what will become Down Below, and how it was created with the intention of helping people to confront their problems and darkness. But as it is stated, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The second timeline, situated in the future, is about how a new goddess over Down Below, Stella, is taking the control of it, and it is bringing back Thomas (called Shadow now) to life, as she feels is the only way to solve the problems that this world is suffering, now that it has become the the-facto main world for most of the people.
Weaving hard sci-fi, with a character-driven story, Alexandra Almeida creates an excellent story about the consequences of developing technology. There are several elements that enhance the narration, such as the different worlds that form Down Below, described in ways you can almost see them; and getting to know the backstory of the gods, those programmers who created the world, and who got the responsibility of keeping it on control, making it the best for the people.
Sybil, the powerful AI that acts as the control of the metaverse is also an interesting character, pretty unique; zie has a big responsibility, but acts in ways that can confuse Stella and Shadow, sometimes making their task even more difficult, not showing zir authentic intentions. We are also shown how there are still people not believing in joining Down Below, and how they want to preserve what they consider the authentic style of life.
It's a reading that sometimes can feel confusing, due to the number of terms and concepts that get introduced during the narration, being hard on the sci-fi side; and the split timeline requires your full attention to get it. Still, I think Unanimity is a great first novel, and honestly, I wonder how this saga will continue in Parity.
October 26, 2022
A fascinating novel
Unanimity (Spiral Worlds Book 1) by Alexandra Almeida is a great beginning to this series and it is a fascinating reading. The author created characters that are excellently crafted and which have conversations which flow naturally.
The cover caught my attention at first sight; I loved it! This science fiction novel is a must read to everyone who likes the genre because it is very well created. Its plot is captivating and the narrative has a good pace to keep the reader entertained!
January 18, 2023
An enjoyable hard Sci fi populated with morally grey/ambiguous characters and set in the near future where a virtual world designed to help people confront their darker sides is ruled over by gods who are effectively the creators and programmers of that world. Shadow is one of those gods and he wants to die. Estelle Ngoie seeks to replace him.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I initially expected to as I wasn’t sure about the prologue, it just seemed to be overwritten and confusing or something, but once I started on chapter one I was very quickly hooked by good writing and interesting/entertaining characters.
Stella had me smiling from the start, literally on the first page we are introduced to an affronted, extraordinarily arrogant goddess confident in her beauty and ability to seduce whoever she wants. - well, if only they would appreciate said beauty and conversational skills — which just like George Costanza she has planned out in advance to show off how brilliant she is.
The book jumps around from past to present as we gradually get to know more about Shadow’s past and his relationship with Nate. I will say though that while I found the characters to be initially interesting and fun I never really advanced beyond a superficial attachment to them. I couldn’t really, really connect with them. This is probably more of a personal thing as no doubt every reader is different, but it was an issue for me nonetheless. The authors strength's are descriptions, general writing style and overall vision, her weaknesses are possibly the her characterisations, not in the superficial sense, as I said she can write a character that evokes your interest, make you smile and so forth and have you moderately engaged, but just for me they fall a little short of really, really pulling you in. And that is the only reason it falls short of a full 5 starts for me.
To sum it up, Unanimity ticks a lot of boxes if you are looking for socio-political commentary, queer romance and a solid dose of science fiction. The writing is very good throughout. Like the best science fiction it has that vibe of ‘this might be possible or coming in the future’. I give it a solid 4 stars.
Thanks to the author and TWR for my copy
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I initially expected to as I wasn’t sure about the prologue, it just seemed to be overwritten and confusing or something, but once I started on chapter one I was very quickly hooked by good writing and interesting/entertaining characters.
Stella had me smiling from the start, literally on the first page we are introduced to an affronted, extraordinarily arrogant goddess confident in her beauty and ability to seduce whoever she wants. - well, if only they would appreciate said beauty and conversational skills — which just like George Costanza she has planned out in advance to show off how brilliant she is.
The book jumps around from past to present as we gradually get to know more about Shadow’s past and his relationship with Nate. I will say though that while I found the characters to be initially interesting and fun I never really advanced beyond a superficial attachment to them. I couldn’t really, really connect with them. This is probably more of a personal thing as no doubt every reader is different, but it was an issue for me nonetheless. The authors strength's are descriptions, general writing style and overall vision, her weaknesses are possibly the her characterisations, not in the superficial sense, as I said she can write a character that evokes your interest, make you smile and so forth and have you moderately engaged, but just for me they fall a little short of really, really pulling you in. And that is the only reason it falls short of a full 5 starts for me.
To sum it up, Unanimity ticks a lot of boxes if you are looking for socio-political commentary, queer romance and a solid dose of science fiction. The writing is very good throughout. Like the best science fiction it has that vibe of ‘this might be possible or coming in the future’. I give it a solid 4 stars.
Thanks to the author and TWR for my copy
January 16, 2023
What can I say, I loved Shadow and Storm relationship and the creativity of this book. Couldn't help to cheer for Thorn and Stella for their badassery. More please!
December 27, 2022
The existential dread feels real and appropriate given the advancements in AI. The contrast between a young Tom and the Shadow he becomes is well executed so is the trauma he experiences. The strength of this book are the unique characters and their relationships and the themes explored. The girls are a lot of fun, and the queer romance an excellent representation on how to write LGBTQI characters right. The themes confronted could easily go wrong and fall into tropes, but they never do. Yes, some of the characters struggle with life, but the underlining thread that pulls this series forward is one of hope and idealism. I liked how the world building is connected with the characters and their traits, and look forward to exploring more of Spiral Worlds and its history. My only complaint is that It's a series starter, however based on book one I trust the author to answer the questions that remain open regarding the past and the five days remaining until the end of the worlds. I liked the narrative structure a lot. It''s unusual, but starting in the middle of the history and going back to fill the gaps added more weight to the backstory as we already know how things will end up.
January 24, 2023
Unanimity by Alexandra Almeida is a very imaginative sci-fi series that blends the philosophical explorations of AI consciousness in Westworld with the socio-politics and simulated reality of The Matrix.
The Spiral Worlds is on the brink of destruction. A resurrected Shadow must save the virtual reality that he created but to do so, he must somehow unite a group of people who hate each other and who are far more interested in working toward their own goals. And he’s only got six days. There are six books planned in this series, and each book spans one of these days.
I really liked the spiral design of the simulated reality and the development of the contrast. The worldbuilding was really interesting and engaging, as it included a lot of elements that were unique and I hadn’t read before. I also enjoyed how the characters were nuanced, diverse, and had their own set of goals. As it says in the blurb, “If you’re looking for perfect heroes and clear villains, move right along." Almeida does a really good job at putting herself in the heads of her characters and looking at the world from different perspectives. In addition, I really enjoyed how the technology of this world allowed the author to approach very mature and dark topics at interesting and thought-provoking angles.
My only criticism is that at times, I could not discern why a character’s name would be used compared to when their avatar's name was used in the narrative. Because both names were used so interchangeably without any seeming pattern, sometimes it paused the flow of the story as I had to continually remember who everyone was. But that could be due to my terrible memory.
This book is perfect for fans of philosophical and slow-paced hard sci-fi.
The Spiral Worlds is on the brink of destruction. A resurrected Shadow must save the virtual reality that he created but to do so, he must somehow unite a group of people who hate each other and who are far more interested in working toward their own goals. And he’s only got six days. There are six books planned in this series, and each book spans one of these days.
I really liked the spiral design of the simulated reality and the development of the contrast. The worldbuilding was really interesting and engaging, as it included a lot of elements that were unique and I hadn’t read before. I also enjoyed how the characters were nuanced, diverse, and had their own set of goals. As it says in the blurb, “If you’re looking for perfect heroes and clear villains, move right along." Almeida does a really good job at putting herself in the heads of her characters and looking at the world from different perspectives. In addition, I really enjoyed how the technology of this world allowed the author to approach very mature and dark topics at interesting and thought-provoking angles.
My only criticism is that at times, I could not discern why a character’s name would be used compared to when their avatar's name was used in the narrative. Because both names were used so interchangeably without any seeming pattern, sometimes it paused the flow of the story as I had to continually remember who everyone was. But that could be due to my terrible memory.
This book is perfect for fans of philosophical and slow-paced hard sci-fi.
January 16, 2023
Think of the Matrix combined with a considerable dose of Ready Player One and throw in a bit of Gods of Egypt, and you have Unanimity by Alexandra Almeida.
The author has created an incredibly deep and complex world. It took me a little while to fully grasp its actual depth and the multiple layers, especially because we sometimes switch between past and present, but once I got the hang of it I started to enjoy it properly. I feel like it’s a book that requires your full attention because it spins multiple threads, but when you give it that you are rewarded with an incredible story.
I loved the descriptions of the worlds and also the characterisations of the characters that made you feel like you really got to know them. They are also highly fascinating and diverse. Each of them has their own distinct and strong voice that sets them apart from the others.
The book is very ambitious with a multitude of characters and themes. It is hard sci-fi but also has strong philosophical elements throughout as well strong queer romance themes. It’s a must-read for sci-fi fans, but even that is not your usual go-to genre, do give this a try.
For my full review head over to my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
The author has created an incredibly deep and complex world. It took me a little while to fully grasp its actual depth and the multiple layers, especially because we sometimes switch between past and present, but once I got the hang of it I started to enjoy it properly. I feel like it’s a book that requires your full attention because it spins multiple threads, but when you give it that you are rewarded with an incredible story.
I loved the descriptions of the worlds and also the characterisations of the characters that made you feel like you really got to know them. They are also highly fascinating and diverse. Each of them has their own distinct and strong voice that sets them apart from the others.
The book is very ambitious with a multitude of characters and themes. It is hard sci-fi but also has strong philosophical elements throughout as well strong queer romance themes. It’s a must-read for sci-fi fans, but even that is not your usual go-to genre, do give this a try.
For my full review head over to my blog:
https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...
January 18, 2023
Thank you writereads for my copy.
Unanimity is a well written and imaginative introduction to a promising sci fi series.
The world is a simulated reality and the programmers have become gods. Thomas Astley-Byron, aka Shadow is the main creator of this universe and is one such god, but he is tired of his creation and life in general, he is a shell of his former self, and no more interest in life. Stella is the arrogant and ambitious a young goddess appointed to replace him.
The book is modern and insightful with queer romance, social commentary and detailed technological systems that are well developed and explained. The author skilfully walks a tight rope between delving into these issues, as we delved into the past, but also keeping the writing light and engaging.
There is a lot to keep track of with a large and rapidly introduced cast of characters and plot lines but Almeida largely manages to write it all in such a way that it never becomes too overwhelming. You need to concentrate, but not so hard as to be annoying. It’s fast paced and engaging and well worth picking up if you find it at a good price.
Unanimity is a well written and imaginative introduction to a promising sci fi series.
The world is a simulated reality and the programmers have become gods. Thomas Astley-Byron, aka Shadow is the main creator of this universe and is one such god, but he is tired of his creation and life in general, he is a shell of his former self, and no more interest in life. Stella is the arrogant and ambitious a young goddess appointed to replace him.
The book is modern and insightful with queer romance, social commentary and detailed technological systems that are well developed and explained. The author skilfully walks a tight rope between delving into these issues, as we delved into the past, but also keeping the writing light and engaging.
There is a lot to keep track of with a large and rapidly introduced cast of characters and plot lines but Almeida largely manages to write it all in such a way that it never becomes too overwhelming. You need to concentrate, but not so hard as to be annoying. It’s fast paced and engaging and well worth picking up if you find it at a good price.
January 19, 2023
Enjoyed the multiple POVs and seeing each character from different perspectives. I related to Tom/Shadow right from the start. Having lived through depression and being a person who is, in general, an idealist, his journey felt real, even if there is more of it to come. Second to me were Storm and Thorn. There is something about their rage that reflects the times we live in now. I want to see more of Thorn's arc going forward, but that is clearly planned given the preview of book 2. I have to say, Stella is super annoying, in an entertaining way, and I laughed every time I was in her head. I look forward to more prick and preppy confrontations and more? The worlds are vast, loved what I saw, want too see more. Thank you SFBookClub for a copy of the book.
January 6, 2023
Holy Guacamole. Ma! Send help. I just finished this book and I'm now 100% convinced that we live in a simulation and that our Universe is emotional and manipulative. Now I need to take a poetry course so that I can control it.
Roses are red, violets are blue, this book is so believable, it will scare the living daylights out of you.
Hi Sibyl! Bye Sibyl!
Roses are red, violets are blue, this book is so believable, it will scare the living daylights out of you.
Hi Sibyl! Bye Sibyl!
December 28, 2023
I LOVED the characters, all of them, with their flaws and quirks and also their conflicts. Stella comes to life on the page right from the start, and although she is not likable, I warmed up to her as we get to know her backstory and we start to understand why she does the things she does. Plus, she made me laugh with her multitasking in the middle of the battle. Some major brainy girl power going on as she killed the Domizien. We still don't know much about Rosa, but every time she appears, chaos ensues and it's soooo much fun. We need to know more about her and her story, but I'm sure that's coming in Parity. Tom's and Nate's angsty romance does everything right, and a certain memory in central park made my skin tingle. And then there's Tom and Harry's friendship and their banter that put a smile in my face every time it showed up on the page.
This is by no means a joyful book. There is angst and depression and, well, the death promised in the book's description. But even with all the drama there is always a hopeful and funny thread.
We just started exploring the worlds, and for now it's the futurist real world that takes first prize. Why is that Congolese fashion not available now? I needed it.
We are just getting started, and the arc of day one was satisfying, but I want more, now.
This is by no means a joyful book. There is angst and depression and, well, the death promised in the book's description. But even with all the drama there is always a hopeful and funny thread.
We just started exploring the worlds, and for now it's the futurist real world that takes first prize. Why is that Congolese fashion not available now? I needed it.
We are just getting started, and the arc of day one was satisfying, but I want more, now.
October 24, 2022
The story presents beautifully described characters that have real-life-like dialogues. The author has a narrative style that is outstanding; once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.
The story develops smoothly. There’s so much happening that the book is not short and it is a good idea to read it with time and all your attention. This beginning of the series is really original, I cannot wait to read book two! I recommend it to everyone who liked science fiction.
The story develops smoothly. There’s so much happening that the book is not short and it is a good idea to read it with time and all your attention. This beginning of the series is really original, I cannot wait to read book two! I recommend it to everyone who liked science fiction.
January 20, 2023
Thank you to The Write Reads and the author for providing me with a free book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.
I know I’ve mentioned how I wanted to try reading more science fiction in 2023. We all know I’m a fantasy fan, but when I first started reading for fun again, I loved and read sci-fi just as much as I loved fantasy. Lately, though, I feel like fantasy has completely taken over and sci-fi has been left on the backburner. So I’m trying to reignite my love for my old second favorite genre. That’s why I was eager to dive into this novel!
Unanimity is a book that explores a lot of different topics. The story follows a man named Tom, or Shadow when in the digital world of the Spiral Worlds. Tom is the co-creator of Spiral Worlds, a place designed to teach humans to be their best selves. Earth is now a peaceful place where humans work together instead of destroying each other and it’s all thanks to Tom and his business partner, Henryk. But the Tom that we meet at the beginning of this novel is a broken man, a Shadow, and this book explores how he reached this point.
I think the most intriguing aspect of this novel is how it explores emotions and why people make the decisions that they do. What leads them down the paths that they choose. This is a fascinating character study for all of our main characters, though there are so many of them that I felt like we didn’t get to spend as much time delving into each of them. I still thought the characters were incredibly built, nuanced and interesting, with backstories that pull you in and make you want to know more. But I never really felt connected with any of the characters because there were so many vying for my attention. That being said, this is just the first book in a series, so I imagine we’ll be spending more time with at least a few of the characters. I just wish we got a little more in this one.
The plot, however, had me completely in its clutches! The worldbuilding of this story is incredible and pulls you into the world effortlessly. I will admit to being confused during the beginning of the book, mostly because of all the time jumps, but once I settled into the story and was used to all the jumping around, I was hooked. I had to know where all this was going! I’m also loving the different levels of the Spiral Worlds and how they represent different values. I thought that was a unique touch to the story. And the fact that everything that happens (at least in the present timeline) in just one day was an interesting route to take. It kept it feeling urgent when the past timeline could slow down the pace a little bit.
I would also say definitely check trigger warnings before diving into this one because it deals with some heavy topics and it does not shy away from them.
Overall, this was a fascinating sci-fi that was a good time to read. The characters were flawed and intense and made me want to know more about them. I wish we had more time with each of them, but I still enjoyed following their stories. The worldbuilding and plot had me glued to the page, though I will admit to being confused during the first half and the past timeline could slow the pace. I still ended up enjoying this book and would be interested in reading the next in the series!
I know I’ve mentioned how I wanted to try reading more science fiction in 2023. We all know I’m a fantasy fan, but when I first started reading for fun again, I loved and read sci-fi just as much as I loved fantasy. Lately, though, I feel like fantasy has completely taken over and sci-fi has been left on the backburner. So I’m trying to reignite my love for my old second favorite genre. That’s why I was eager to dive into this novel!
Unanimity is a book that explores a lot of different topics. The story follows a man named Tom, or Shadow when in the digital world of the Spiral Worlds. Tom is the co-creator of Spiral Worlds, a place designed to teach humans to be their best selves. Earth is now a peaceful place where humans work together instead of destroying each other and it’s all thanks to Tom and his business partner, Henryk. But the Tom that we meet at the beginning of this novel is a broken man, a Shadow, and this book explores how he reached this point.
I think the most intriguing aspect of this novel is how it explores emotions and why people make the decisions that they do. What leads them down the paths that they choose. This is a fascinating character study for all of our main characters, though there are so many of them that I felt like we didn’t get to spend as much time delving into each of them. I still thought the characters were incredibly built, nuanced and interesting, with backstories that pull you in and make you want to know more. But I never really felt connected with any of the characters because there were so many vying for my attention. That being said, this is just the first book in a series, so I imagine we’ll be spending more time with at least a few of the characters. I just wish we got a little more in this one.
The plot, however, had me completely in its clutches! The worldbuilding of this story is incredible and pulls you into the world effortlessly. I will admit to being confused during the beginning of the book, mostly because of all the time jumps, but once I settled into the story and was used to all the jumping around, I was hooked. I had to know where all this was going! I’m also loving the different levels of the Spiral Worlds and how they represent different values. I thought that was a unique touch to the story. And the fact that everything that happens (at least in the present timeline) in just one day was an interesting route to take. It kept it feeling urgent when the past timeline could slow down the pace a little bit.
I would also say definitely check trigger warnings before diving into this one because it deals with some heavy topics and it does not shy away from them.
Overall, this was a fascinating sci-fi that was a good time to read. The characters were flawed and intense and made me want to know more about them. I wish we had more time with each of them, but I still enjoyed following their stories. The worldbuilding and plot had me glued to the page, though I will admit to being confused during the first half and the past timeline could slow the pace. I still ended up enjoying this book and would be interested in reading the next in the series!
October 26, 2022
I loved this story; it has it all! This book is really promising and a great beginning to this series, I am eager to read book 2 already! Unanimity has a very good plot which the author developed smoothly from beginning to end; there's no rush between scenes and the dialogues flow naturally. Characters were well created and were given enough back story so that readers can empathise with some of them. I really recommend reading it!
December 25, 2022
Utterly original and well drawn characters. Can't wait for Parity and the rest of the series.
January 21, 2023
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided with a copy of the book for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, suicidal ideation, suicide, death, death of parent, animal cruelty, war, alcohol/alcoholism, addiction, mental illness, cursing, sexual content, homophobia
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Unanimity, the thrilling first instalment of the Spiral Worlds series introduces us to a future variant of the world where an augmented reality programme has been created to help make life better on Earth. Two young minds – renowned screenwriter Thomas Astley-Byron and AI expert Henryk Nowak – created Down Below/Spiral Worlds to put humans through simulations that allow them to come face to face with the consequences of their actions, particularly those of the unsavoury kind, and the success of the technology gave the two programmers a God like status.
However, 40 years on – a fair few years since the dismal nature of the work has led to the demise of both Tom and Harry – they have been revived as their digital personas in order to stop the metaverse they have created from collapsing and destroying humanity.
With a cast of morally ambiguous characters, technology that is equally fascinating and frightening and some thought-provoking social commentary this is a fast paced and engaging story. Though it takes some time to get to grips with fully understanding the world and the predicament that the characters are facing, Almeida’s does really well at weaving a dual timeline narrative. We follow a present timeline that in this first book of the series takes place over 1 day and then chapters which lay out the past, spanning over decades and catching us up on how the characters have got to where they are.
Tom/Shadow is the principal protagonist that everything revolves around however, we follow 5 other key players too whose lives intertwine with his. The narration is ambitious with how many threads there are to follow and I will say that this made the story a little confusing at first especially with the chapters taking place in the present. We’re immediately thrown into the mix and there are a lot of names and shifting loyalties to get accustomed too but the more you read the more interesting each of these characters get.
That being said I didn’t feel like I was able to fully connect to any of the characters as despite the bouts of action and stakes of the present timeline keeping things flowing everything taking place over 1 day didn’t allow for much character development. Everyone’s decision making and motivations seemed nonsensical and some relationships that were present in the book definitely felt stronger and more fleshed out than others.
What I did really enjoy though was the concepts behind the technology, and the worldbuilding that brought it all together thus I was hooked by the chapters set in the past. The author’s background in technology really shines through but I was just as intrigued by the ethical discussions and deliberation on morality that comes into the story.
All in all this was an entertaining read that nicely sets the pieces on the gameboard for the greater “save the day” plot that is to come.
Final Rating – 3.25/5 Stars
**I was provided with a copy of the book for a blog tour with The Write Reads Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, suicidal ideation, suicide, death, death of parent, animal cruelty, war, alcohol/alcoholism, addiction, mental illness, cursing, sexual content, homophobia
--
Unanimity, the thrilling first instalment of the Spiral Worlds series introduces us to a future variant of the world where an augmented reality programme has been created to help make life better on Earth. Two young minds – renowned screenwriter Thomas Astley-Byron and AI expert Henryk Nowak – created Down Below/Spiral Worlds to put humans through simulations that allow them to come face to face with the consequences of their actions, particularly those of the unsavoury kind, and the success of the technology gave the two programmers a God like status.
However, 40 years on – a fair few years since the dismal nature of the work has led to the demise of both Tom and Harry – they have been revived as their digital personas in order to stop the metaverse they have created from collapsing and destroying humanity.
With a cast of morally ambiguous characters, technology that is equally fascinating and frightening and some thought-provoking social commentary this is a fast paced and engaging story. Though it takes some time to get to grips with fully understanding the world and the predicament that the characters are facing, Almeida’s does really well at weaving a dual timeline narrative. We follow a present timeline that in this first book of the series takes place over 1 day and then chapters which lay out the past, spanning over decades and catching us up on how the characters have got to where they are.
Tom/Shadow is the principal protagonist that everything revolves around however, we follow 5 other key players too whose lives intertwine with his. The narration is ambitious with how many threads there are to follow and I will say that this made the story a little confusing at first especially with the chapters taking place in the present. We’re immediately thrown into the mix and there are a lot of names and shifting loyalties to get accustomed too but the more you read the more interesting each of these characters get.
That being said I didn’t feel like I was able to fully connect to any of the characters as despite the bouts of action and stakes of the present timeline keeping things flowing everything taking place over 1 day didn’t allow for much character development. Everyone’s decision making and motivations seemed nonsensical and some relationships that were present in the book definitely felt stronger and more fleshed out than others.
What I did really enjoy though was the concepts behind the technology, and the worldbuilding that brought it all together thus I was hooked by the chapters set in the past. The author’s background in technology really shines through but I was just as intrigued by the ethical discussions and deliberation on morality that comes into the story.
All in all this was an entertaining read that nicely sets the pieces on the gameboard for the greater “save the day” plot that is to come.
Final Rating – 3.25/5 Stars
January 22, 2023
Cross posting from Cozy with Books
This was part of a blog tour hosted by TheWriteReads. Thank you to the tour host and author for a copy of this book! All opinions are mine.
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This was a really good sci-fi book with an interesting plot and even more intriguing world and concept that was nicely done, creating this vast world that left me with lots to explore and more to crave. Right away, the plot is intense, we have a goddess questioning herself for reviving a god who clearly did not want to be revived. Straight away, Goddess Stella, a stark contrast to the main character and previous God, Shadow, gets right into business, stating her reason for resurrecting an bringing back Shadow to being that he is needed to save the Down Below, or Spiral World and he’s the only one that can do it.
The book has some pretty complex characters that have some good amount of depth, background, flaws, and problems of their own. Each personality is vastly different from the other and many of them loathing someone else in the group, but it’s going to take a lot of cooperation if things are going to go smoothly and for the plan to work, which is mainly about keeping Shadow alive long enough to “save the worlds.” I really enjoyed the cast of characters from Sybil, the AI operating system that is sketchy through and through, to our protagonist, Shadow, and to Stella and Thorn, two seriously badass female characters. There’s also Nathan Storm, Shadow’s (Tom) soul mate as well as Twist (Henry), Tom’s best friend and co-creator of Spiral World. A colorful bunch indeed, especially as, when it comes to gods, this group seems to be the brattiest I’ve ever seen.
The writing was neat, smooth, and full FULL of dialogue. There’s a lot of talking whether it’s an interview between a talk show host and another character, a deep and intimate moment between lovers, or even in battle, there’s lots of talking. The pace was fine and the characters changed between the current timeline and the past, to give more background and information as the story moved on, which was kind of neat and besides learning more about each character and their origins, as well as their ties to each other and the plot, it’s also a small relief from the intensity of the current timeline, a small breather (although the past can occasionally get intense on its own).
I did have a couple of issues though. Sometimes, I just got lost in the plot. I could understand the overall plot and so small details could occasionally be sacrificed. Sometimes though, I might come across a section or even whole chapters where I had to reread because I was a bit lost resulting in either “oh, got it” or just leaving it because while I’m still confused, I figured it’s a small enough detail to deal with later. Then, while I loved the characters (ok, I mean I sort of hated them because it was like being the adult standing in between teenagers and their fighting) I felt a little distant from them. I couldn’t connect with them or their emotions and feelings. Both issues were quite small though and didn’t take away from the overall read. It’s just that something felt off every now and then.
Overall, a pretty good read of hard science as well as bits of philosophy with moments to think and ponder, lots of dialogue and lots of action, intense conversations and intense scenes, high on emotion and I, again, can’t emphasis enough how neat the concept of exploring the dark side of a human’s mind, the level of worlds, and the complex (and coolness) of the science of AI and bots in this dystopian world. A good read, I’d recommend it and wouldn’t mind rereading it again either.
This was part of a blog tour hosted by TheWriteReads. Thank you to the tour host and author for a copy of this book! All opinions are mine.
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This was a really good sci-fi book with an interesting plot and even more intriguing world and concept that was nicely done, creating this vast world that left me with lots to explore and more to crave. Right away, the plot is intense, we have a goddess questioning herself for reviving a god who clearly did not want to be revived. Straight away, Goddess Stella, a stark contrast to the main character and previous God, Shadow, gets right into business, stating her reason for resurrecting an bringing back Shadow to being that he is needed to save the Down Below, or Spiral World and he’s the only one that can do it.
The book has some pretty complex characters that have some good amount of depth, background, flaws, and problems of their own. Each personality is vastly different from the other and many of them loathing someone else in the group, but it’s going to take a lot of cooperation if things are going to go smoothly and for the plan to work, which is mainly about keeping Shadow alive long enough to “save the worlds.” I really enjoyed the cast of characters from Sybil, the AI operating system that is sketchy through and through, to our protagonist, Shadow, and to Stella and Thorn, two seriously badass female characters. There’s also Nathan Storm, Shadow’s (Tom) soul mate as well as Twist (Henry), Tom’s best friend and co-creator of Spiral World. A colorful bunch indeed, especially as, when it comes to gods, this group seems to be the brattiest I’ve ever seen.
The writing was neat, smooth, and full FULL of dialogue. There’s a lot of talking whether it’s an interview between a talk show host and another character, a deep and intimate moment between lovers, or even in battle, there’s lots of talking. The pace was fine and the characters changed between the current timeline and the past, to give more background and information as the story moved on, which was kind of neat and besides learning more about each character and their origins, as well as their ties to each other and the plot, it’s also a small relief from the intensity of the current timeline, a small breather (although the past can occasionally get intense on its own).
I did have a couple of issues though. Sometimes, I just got lost in the plot. I could understand the overall plot and so small details could occasionally be sacrificed. Sometimes though, I might come across a section or even whole chapters where I had to reread because I was a bit lost resulting in either “oh, got it” or just leaving it because while I’m still confused, I figured it’s a small enough detail to deal with later. Then, while I loved the characters (ok, I mean I sort of hated them because it was like being the adult standing in between teenagers and their fighting) I felt a little distant from them. I couldn’t connect with them or their emotions and feelings. Both issues were quite small though and didn’t take away from the overall read. It’s just that something felt off every now and then.
Overall, a pretty good read of hard science as well as bits of philosophy with moments to think and ponder, lots of dialogue and lots of action, intense conversations and intense scenes, high on emotion and I, again, can’t emphasis enough how neat the concept of exploring the dark side of a human’s mind, the level of worlds, and the complex (and coolness) of the science of AI and bots in this dystopian world. A good read, I’d recommend it and wouldn’t mind rereading it again either.
February 4, 2023
I can’t help but think about what is happening in the world today. AI is taking over jobs, but not the jobs we thought we would automate. Automation and AI were supposed to free us to be creative, and yet these are the jobs being automated. Unanimity is a cautionary tale about what is coming in the near-future if we don’t stop the tech bros who are thoughtlessly developing AI without thinking about its consequences. The book warns us that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and it’s like a Black Mirror episode: dark and filled with warning for a near-future just around the corner. But with all its darkness, it has a lot of heart, and fascinating characters that were once filled with hope and dreams of a better future. The plot keeps you reading and the queer love story at the center is to die for. Shadow and Storm’s star-crossed love is just perfect. It's a novel to read with your full attention because there's quite a lot of depth to it and a ton of interesting foreshadowing of things to come. Each chapter brings new revelations, shedding light on the past and posing more questions about the future. It's a first in a series, and although the ending is satisfying, I can't wait to read Parity, Spiral Worlds 2.
January 25, 2023
Hmm what to say about this one. Well, I do think it is well written, the author clearly has some writing chops. The characters are often quite funny and interesting, though with some exceptions I found it hard to really connect with them. The story itself is super complex and confusing - at least for poor dumb souls like me. The further along it went the more confused I got. Now, having said that I loved the premise, and this might be more of a reflection on me then the author, I see that most other reviewers did not have this problem!
I did like the way we went back to learn Shadow’s history, and again I think the premise of the virtual world ruled by programmer gods and NPCs and stuff is really cool, but from lack of character engagement and confusing plot brings it down a little. I think many will enjoy this though and I wouldn’t feel right giving it less than 3 stars as it is very competently written and is a very cool idea.
Thanks to the author and Write Reads Tours for my copy.
I did like the way we went back to learn Shadow’s history, and again I think the premise of the virtual world ruled by programmer gods and NPCs and stuff is really cool, but from lack of character engagement and confusing plot brings it down a little. I think many will enjoy this though and I wouldn’t feel right giving it less than 3 stars as it is very competently written and is a very cool idea.
Thanks to the author and Write Reads Tours for my copy.
January 8, 2024
Fantastic series starter. Tightly woven and full of depth. Rich worlds and characters, and interrelationships that drive politics and chaos. It's a book to consume slowly with your full attention, because every detail matters, and I suspect that as we read the rest of the series we will be coming back to discover all the foreshadowing that has been previously setup. It's that kind of book. I enjoyed discussing it with my reading buddy. The author has a vision and the layers are being peeled slowly and each one brings revelation for characters, worlds, and plot. Hard Science fiction at its best. The literary style and the gay romance somehow combine perfectly with the high tech setting. Intelligent, emotional, funny, and brilliant. Thank you to the SF Book Club and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2023
3.75/5 -- For fans of ambiguous characters, intrigue, world building, and an originally crafted story.
Unanimity presented a wealth of creativity and thought-provoking ideas. The cast of characters combined to make this a page-turner from start to finish. It did take a chapter or two to settle in and keep the characters straight– including their digital identities. The interactions between all of the characters was a huge highlight for me. Their dialogue and interaction created fluidity between scenes. The story was well paced.
I enjoyed the spiral world multiverse aspect. The world-building had to have been a daunting task to create and I applaud Almeida for a phenomenal job well done. I loved how each spiral world embodied something unique for the humans to confront. The story becomes quite immersive and exciting.
When you sit and wrap your mind around the idea of a digital world, the concept is incredibly fascinating. It was a cool take on the idea behind gods and miracles for those in the digital world.
The action starts immediately from page one and never relents as the characters are all vying for positions within this world that has the potential to bring about great change.
Unanimity presented a wealth of creativity and thought-provoking ideas. The cast of characters combined to make this a page-turner from start to finish. It did take a chapter or two to settle in and keep the characters straight– including their digital identities. The interactions between all of the characters was a huge highlight for me. Their dialogue and interaction created fluidity between scenes. The story was well paced.
I enjoyed the spiral world multiverse aspect. The world-building had to have been a daunting task to create and I applaud Almeida for a phenomenal job well done. I loved how each spiral world embodied something unique for the humans to confront. The story becomes quite immersive and exciting.
When you sit and wrap your mind around the idea of a digital world, the concept is incredibly fascinating. It was a cool take on the idea behind gods and miracles for those in the digital world.
The action starts immediately from page one and never relents as the characters are all vying for positions within this world that has the potential to bring about great change.
January 24, 2023
Unanimity immerses the reader in an alternate world that is uniquely engaging and simultaneously terrifying.
Who decides the difference between heaven and hell when souls can be resurrected to exist in an alternative digital world? I am quite sure one person's heaven can easily be another's hell.
This hard science fiction novel has a bit of a cyberpunk feel to me. I was a little slow to feel my way into this story, but I was hooked once I wrapped my head around the premise and the spiral worlds.
The characters and worlds are so well-written that Unanimity played in my mind like a movie. Every scene and every word is used to further the story, making it a mesmerizing tale that is difficult to put down.
I'm having difficulty putting my thoughts down on paper for this one. Unanimity is a story that needs to be read to understand and develop your take on it. I feel like it's a book that will mean different things to each reader. Where you are in your life journey will dictate what you think and feel about the Spiral Worlds.
Who decides the difference between heaven and hell when souls can be resurrected to exist in an alternative digital world? I am quite sure one person's heaven can easily be another's hell.
This hard science fiction novel has a bit of a cyberpunk feel to me. I was a little slow to feel my way into this story, but I was hooked once I wrapped my head around the premise and the spiral worlds.
The characters and worlds are so well-written that Unanimity played in my mind like a movie. Every scene and every word is used to further the story, making it a mesmerizing tale that is difficult to put down.
I'm having difficulty putting my thoughts down on paper for this one. Unanimity is a story that needs to be read to understand and develop your take on it. I feel like it's a book that will mean different things to each reader. Where you are in your life journey will dictate what you think and feel about the Spiral Worlds.
October 21, 2022
Unanimity is part of a two-book series, it’s the first book in the series, written by Alexandra Almeida. You follow two individuals who have practically become gods on earth after creating a Jungian Simulated Reality that helps people deal with their dark sides and solve them. Things start falling apart though, when Tom starts turning into what he hates most, and becomes a shadow of himself. It’s a sci-fi story that has a real grip to it when you’re reading it. It’s extremely well-written and shows a different perspective of humanity even when everyone is almost at peace with themselves. People will always be terrible; people will always be selfish and this book shows it perfectly. A great read!
October 25, 2022
Unanimity is a hard book to classify since it's a clear Sci-fi novel, but it also acts as a social experiment. It is one of those books that required all of my attention, because this new reality the author shares with the reader is hard to understand.
This first book of the series follows the story of Thomas, a screenwriter that creates, with the help of Henry Nowak, a simulated reality that helps people to confront their problems and darkness within. But even with good intentions, sometimes a good idea can backfire and bring chaos.
An amazing read; I really enjoyed it! The story is complex and well-written, and what I enjoyed the most is the central idea. Great work Alexandra Almeida, I´m definitely becoming a fan of the series!
This first book of the series follows the story of Thomas, a screenwriter that creates, with the help of Henry Nowak, a simulated reality that helps people to confront their problems and darkness within. But even with good intentions, sometimes a good idea can backfire and bring chaos.
An amazing read; I really enjoyed it! The story is complex and well-written, and what I enjoyed the most is the central idea. Great work Alexandra Almeida, I´m definitely becoming a fan of the series!
October 26, 2022
Unanimity is the first book in the Spiral Worlds series by author Alexandra Almeida and it delves with an intricate hard science fiction story. Here, there is an excellent mixture of action, suspense, thriller and queer romance in an engaging plot.
Also, the book is enriched by a series guide that offers details of the characters, the worlds and a timeline of the “history” that really helps to follow the whole saga.
To sum up, counting on a surprisingly relatable cast of characters and a fascinating plot that explores the edges of reality and fiction, I think it should appeal to science fiction lovers but also to readers across genres.
Also, the book is enriched by a series guide that offers details of the characters, the worlds and a timeline of the “history” that really helps to follow the whole saga.
To sum up, counting on a surprisingly relatable cast of characters and a fascinating plot that explores the edges of reality and fiction, I think it should appeal to science fiction lovers but also to readers across genres.
October 27, 2022
A must read for lovers of science fiction
This is undoubtedly a must read for lovers of science fiction. Unanimity is a great beginning to the Spiral Worlds series written by the talented Alexandra Almeida. The author’s narrative is on point and totally captivating. This sci-fi has all the elements this genre should have and more.
After finishing reading it, I am absolutely going to read the second book in the series. The characters and scenes were fully developed and there are twists which I didn’t see coming. Totally recommended!
This is undoubtedly a must read for lovers of science fiction. Unanimity is a great beginning to the Spiral Worlds series written by the talented Alexandra Almeida. The author’s narrative is on point and totally captivating. This sci-fi has all the elements this genre should have and more.
After finishing reading it, I am absolutely going to read the second book in the series. The characters and scenes were fully developed and there are twists which I didn’t see coming. Totally recommended!
January 25, 2023
What a great way to open a new sci-fi series! Looking for a queer sci-fi that captures your imagination and draws you in with unforgettable characters and an excellent plot? This is it. Almeida weaves the story around you, and before you know it, you're deep in a tale that touches on many issues that society faces today, in a way that hits home without being overwhelming. The diversity in the characters was wonderful, and is at a level that you rarely see. The plot moves along smoothly and keeps you turning pages from cover to cover. I cannot wait to see what book two has in store!
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