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Reflecting the Diversity of Our World
In Glitches of Gods, an engineer grappling with his father’s death is propelled into an alternate timeline and a new life following a mysterious technical glitch. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I began with a set of themes I wanted to explore: the multiverse, AI, virtual worlds, memes, and leadership. Don’t ask me why these particular themes – I don’t have a logical explanation. I felt they would create an intriguing combination. I then employed the Save the Cat method to outline the story structure and develop story beats until I had a compelling narrative. As a test, I narrated the entire story to some friends to gauge their reactions. Only after that did I begin the actual writing process.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
The protagonist, Julien, is my favorite character to write. He begins as a likable yet irresponsible individual who doesn’t take anything seriously, but throughout the story, he gradually evolves into the responsible person he needs to become. As an author, crafting this transformative journey was incredibly rewarding. Of course, there’s also Zha-Zhar, who seems to be a fan favorite among my readers. She was definitely enjoyable to write as well, though as a supporting character, her personal growth wasn’t as central to the narrative.
I can’t recall struggling significantly with particular characters, though some were easier or more enjoyable to write than others. To be clear, I’m fond of each character in my novel. However, just as in real life, some personalities are more challenging to engage with.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Glitches of Gods?
Human diversity is a central theme in my work. While I’m unsure if some groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, are still underrepresented in contemporary fiction (they certainly were for many decades), I consciously try to ensure they have significant representation in my novel. I believe in creating a rich tapestry of characters that reflects the diversity of our real world.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2? Where will it take readers?
I plan to take readers to another world in the Playspheres saga. This time, it will probably be a bit more fantasy-oriented than the first one. But the plan is to continue the larger thread that I started with the first one.
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Julien feels utterly miserable. Creator of the AI that killed his father, the brilliant engineer deftly evades work on the world’s first human-level android, dodging the off-chance of snuffing out more lives. Instead, Julien much prefers bickering with his virtual assistant, crafting memes with his quirky friends, and shagging dates across a broad spectrum of genders. Yet, due to a maddening jump across timelines, he grudgingly faces his greatest dreads: raising a family and leading his team to win the AI race.
Drowning in new duties, Julien aims to avoid a second AI disaster. But when a mysterious technological infection wreaks havoc on the city, Julien flip-flops between shielding his loved ones and leading his team as he battles it out with broken robots, idiot protestors, and a rather sinister cat. Learning he got himself involved in a war between gods, should Julien save his new family or finish his team’s android to prevent an AI apocalypse?
Glitches of Gods is the extraordinary first book in the Playspheres epic science fantasy series. If you like cynical sentients, wacky worlds, and plenteous profanity, then you’ll love the kick-off of Jurgen Appelo’s bewildering and humorous dystopian sci-fi saga.
Buy Glitches of Gods and choose sides in a super-sentient war!
Glitches of Gods (Playspheres Book 1)
Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo’s debut sci-fi novel, Glitches of Gods, offers an exhilarating journey through a troubled future where advanced AI, virtual worlds, and reality-warping “gods” intertwine. The story centers on Julien, a brilliant yet tormented engineer burdened with guilt over an AI malfunction that led to his father’s death. The narrative takes off when a mysterious technical glitch disrupts Julien’s city, propelling him into an alternate timeline. Suddenly, Julien finds himself a single father of twin boys and the leader of a quirky tech team. As he grapples with broken bots, misguided protestors, and an escalating conflict among “gods,” Julien’s world becomes increasingly chaotic.
Delving deeper into the novel’s unique plot risks spoilers, but suffice it to say that Appelo’s writing embraces a mix of genres. Glitches of Gods seamlessly blends science fiction, family drama, and fantasy, creating a disorienting yet compelling read—much like the experience of being thrust into an alternate reality. One of the book’s standout features is its world-building. Appelo crafts a vividly imaginative universe filled with intricate details ranging from futuristic technology to a diverse cast of supporting characters. The sections set in virtual reality are particularly mesmerizing, offering a trippy, immersive experience.
Julien is a captivating protagonist—a complex and flawed hero who evolves from a cynical, self-loathing individual into a natural leader. His journey is organic and unrushed, making him an easy character to root for despite his stubborn and melancholic tendencies. The supporting characters, including Julien’s precocious children and his eccentric interdimensional housekeeper, add depth, humor, and warmth to the story. The plot is well-paced, brimming with twists and turns that grow increasingly bizarre as the narrative progresses. Although the story can become challenging to follow, especially towards the end, the effort is well worth it. Appelo’s tone shifts dramatically throughout the novel. He deftly moves from sharp satire on corporate greed to slapstick comedy and even touches on existential horror. While this tonal variety can cause some whiplash, it underscores Appelo’s commitment to his unique vision. Beyond its entertaining plot, the novel delves into profound philosophical themes. It explores the moral implications of creating advanced AI, simulation theory, and the tension between destiny and self-determination. Appelo weaves these themes into Julien’s journey without becoming overly didactic.
Glitches of Gods is an ambitious and thrilling debut novel. Appelo’s work is highly recommended for readers who appreciate a genre-blending, thought-provoking adventure.
Pages: 526 | ASIN : B0D5NPZY8Y
LITERARY TITAN 