In the Shadow of Humanity

A Novel

Cover image of the science fiction novel

What if A.I. had a soul? Could it find redemption?

In a near-future where entire worlds spring from thought, minds struggle to define reality—and claim it. Human colonization of the Metaverse brings us face-to-face with a new class of artificial being, made in our image and yet utterly unknown.

What is a person? Our answer will reshape the universe.

The answer will also reshape a family.


Two brothers stand on opposite sides of the deepest possible divide: Jon is alive, and Nat is dead but not gone. As each sets out to build his own future, their unraveling relationship becomes the battleground for the fate of the Metaverse—and of humanity itself.

In the Shadow of Humanity explores what it truly means to be human, challenging our assumptions about family, love, justice, death, faith, and the nature of reality.

This stimulating and intimate debut novel from N. John Williams brings together the epic scale of Asimov and the spiritual intensity of Dostoevsky, with a seriousness and style heralded as “reminiscent of the old days” of science fiction.

Read it now, and step into our future.

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What people are saying…

“… [a] transcendent journey.”

The BookLife Prize

“A cleverly constructed, futuristic novel. Highly recommended.”

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

“… it almost seems as if N. John Williams is a time traveler who simply wrote down what he saw in the future.”

Readers’ Favorite

“… reminiscent of the ‘old days’ [of science fiction].”

Bibliobloggityboo.com

“… this story will take over your mind…”

Mary on Goodreads

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About the Author

N. John Williams studied computer science, linguistics, and philosophy at Stanford University before working on DARPA-funded research in A.I. and then later in private enterprise. He has presented papers at academic conferences around the country on topics in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Ethics.

He writes as an open invitation, seeking engagement and discussion not on the issues of the day, but on the issues of tomorrow. “Story” will likely play a more important role than “argument” in grappling with these issues, and that is why he wrote his first novel, In the Shadow of Humanity. That story is meant to be a beginning, however, and not an ending.

N. John Williams lives in Southern California with his beloved wife and their infant son.

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