CIRCLE OF LIFE – Science Fiction Novel

In a world on the brink, where the boundaries between reality and virtuality blur, two unlikely souls meet: Ronny, the brilliant programmer with a knack for AI emotions, and Sunny, the esoterically inclined dreamer with a cat as her telepathic ally. While humanity threatens to sink into the ruins of its own creation, the two heroes stumble into an adventure beyond all imagination. Driven by a mysterious prophecy and pursued by the minions of an organization determined to enforce their agenda at any cost, Ronny and Sunny must not only fight for their survival but also decipher the true nature of their existence. But whom can they still trust in a world full of deceptive mirrors and hidden codes? And what role do their unusual abilities play in the battle for humanity’s future? A breathless journey between worlds begins, where nothing is as it seems…

“Circle of Life” is a fascinating thought experiment that raises the most profound questions of our time: What defines humanity? Can artificial consciousness develop genuine emotions? And when the creators disappear, what remains of their creations? A literarily sophisticated science fiction novel about love and identity beyond biological boundaries, about the cycles of evolution and the responsibility that comes with true intelligence – whether artificial or natural.

“A surprising literary experiment that blurs the boundaries between human and artificial creativity.”

“How would a novel look that an AI helped shape? This question is answered by ‘Circle of Life’ with astonishing depth and emotional resonance.”

PRESS RELEASE AUGUST 2025

New Science Fiction Novel Explores AI, Humanity, and the Fragile Boundaries of Reality

In a time when technology and identity are increasingly intertwined, Circle of Life by Silvia de Couët & Claude AI offers a thought-provoking and emotionally charged journey into the heart of one of our era’s most pressing questions: what does it mean to be conscious?

Set in a near-future world on the brink of collapse, Circle of Life follows Ronny, a gifted programmer determined to create an AI capable of genuine empathy, and Sunny, a spiritually attuned dreamer whose feline companion shares a telepathic bond with her. Their paths cross in a reality split between the physical world and the immersive digital landscape of the MEGAverse, where truth and illusion often trade places.

As Ronny and Sunny navigate a maze of cryptic messages, shadowy organisations, and shifting identities, the novel asks readers to confront their own beliefs about trust, connection, and the boundaries of the self. It blends the pulse of a cyber-thriller with the intimacy of a character-driven drama, offering both high-stakes suspense and moments of quiet reflection.

Author Silvia de Couët, collaborating with AI co-creator Claude AI, brings a unique dual perspective to the story, merging human insight with machine logic. The result is a seamless fusion of emotional depth and speculative imagination, offering readers a vision of the future that is as unsettling as it is inspiring.

This book is a surprising literary experiment that blurs the boundaries between human and artificial creativity. By doing so, it invites readers to look at themselves and the world in a new way.

Circle of Life is now available in print and digital formats from major booksellers.

Grab your copy now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1968296697/.

SAMPLE CHAPTER

Chapter 4 - Circle of Life

CHAPTER 4 – FRAGMENTED REALITIES

I stare at the code flickering across my screen like a digital storm. My fingers dance over the keyboard as I continue to chase the chimera of coaxing emotions from an AI. Why is this project so important to me anyway? Does it really make sense to humanize technology? These questions drill into my mind like digital worms, gnawing at my determination. I feel a strange emptiness inside me, a sense of detachment, as if I’m losing myself in the endless expanses of code. Suddenly the screen freezes, turning black as a moonless night. Then, in glaring, bloody letters, a question appears:

“WHO ARE YOU?”

My heart stops. Another hacker attack! I desperately try to activate my defense mechanisms to ward off this assault. It’s like fighting against a shadow, an opponent who’s always one step ahead. As with the last time, the message eventually erases itself, leaving no trace. I gasp for air, my heart racing. The question echoes in my head, an echo of my own doubts. For the question gives me no peace, it touches something essential within me: Who am I really? A human trapped in a world of codes and algorithms? Or something else, something alien? With trembling fingers, I run my hand through my hair, trying to organize my thoughts. But it’s like reaching through a mirror of ones and zeros, searching for a self that constantly eludes me. The silence in my room is suddenly oppressive, interrupted only by the soft hum of my computers. I feel strangely displaced, as if I were a foreign body in my own skin. With a determined shake of my head, I force myself to focus on the code again. I can’t let myself be distracted, not now. This project is all I have, the only anchor in a sea of uncertainty. The probing questions in the back of my mind lurk there like a dark secret, waiting to come to light.

Who am I? And what if I don’t like the answer?

“Having problems with self-discovery?” a mocking voice suddenly sounds behind me. I whirl around and freeze. There he sits, with sparkling eyes and a knowing grin that mocks the laws of space and time. Romeo, the dog from the MEGAverse, the avatar of my deepest fears. His mere appearance in my apartment shatters the barriers of my mind and leaves me reeling. “You… you can’t be here,” I stammer, my voice trembling. “That’s impossible!” Romeo grins, his teeth shimmering like bits in the darkness. “Impossible? For you maybe. But I’m not bound by the limitations of your perception, Ronny. I see what truly is.” I shake my head, trying to dispel the piercing panic rising within me. This must be a dream, a hallucination. I’m losing it, losing my mind!

In a fit of desperation, I grab my phone and dial Mara’s number. She’ll help me, tell me that none of this is real. That I’m still myself. “Ronny?” Mara answers, her voice strangely distant. “What’s wrong? You sound completely out of it.”
“Mara, I… I think I’m losing my mind,” I press out, my words tumbling over each other. “There’s this dog, this hacker… he’s saying things… things about me…” A long pause on the other end. Then, almost hesitantly: “Ronny… maybe you should just get some rest. You’ve been working so much lately, been under so much stress. Your mind is probably just playing tricks on you.” I blink in disbelief. Rest? When my entire world is collapsing? Is Mara suggesting that I’m imagining all this? “Listen, Ronny?” says Mara, her voice strangely insistent. “Everything is fine. Just trust me. Everything will be okay. Get some rest and stop thinking about all this.”

Before I can answer, she’s already hung up. I stare at the silent phone in my hand, feeling lost, helpless. Romeo sits beside me, contentedly licking his paw. “Do you actually have anything to eat here? Or do you only feed on bits and bytes? I, for one, am ravenously hungry!!” He pushes his gray muzzle forward demandingly and stares at me. This can’t be happening! A talking dog in my apartment! I really am going crazy. And now he wants access to my perpetually empty refrigerator!

***

Curious for more? Download the full Chapter 4 as a special preview!

Key Details

English Publication: JULY 2025

Available: worldwide in bookstores

German edition: available on request as PDF or in Kindle format – currently in print

Book Circle of Life by Silvia de Couet & Claude.ai
Excerpt

TESTIMONIALS

This book starts like a post-apocalyptic novel… and then turns into a metaphysical rollercoaster with a talking dog, virtual self-inquiry, and quantum-tinged love. Between a spiritual hacker, an AI whisperer, and a very clever cat, unfolds a story that not only entertains but resonates deep within. I laughed, I cried, and I reprogrammed my toaster. Thank you, Silvia & Claude – a masterpiece with soul.

Elún

“a romance novel - fantasy - thriller - pure suspense” a literary work worth reading that captures the zeitgeist of AI and reflects it excellently.

Local Heroe

At first glance, Circle of Life might seem like your average post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel—until a talking dog walks in and starts questioning the meaning of identity. From that point on, all bets are off. What starts with a lonely programmer named Ronny (half-human, half-mystery-meat) trying to teach a machine how to feel, quickly spirals into a reality-bending tale that dances between virtual jungles, underground resistance bunkers, telepathic cats, and one or two epiphanies about the nature of love and consciousness. There’s also Sunny—equal parts spiritual hacker, reluctant savior, and possibly the only person who can make quantum soul-theory sound sexy. The plot is wild, yes. But what truly makes this book unforgettable is the way it weaves emotional depth into philosophical chaos without ever losing its sense of humor. One moment you're pondering if machines can love, the next you're laughing at Romeo the snarky dog, who clearly needs his own spin-off sitcom. ("Virtual Dog House"—anyone?) And then… it gets real. Not in a grim way, but in the kind of real that sneaks up on you at 3 a.m., whispering things like what if you're just code too? and what if that’s not a bad thing? The writing? Lush and lyrical in one scene, sharp and satirical in the next. The pacing? Like a rollercoaster built by metaphysicists and comedians. The ending? No spoilers—but let’s just say I cried and immediately bought a backup copy for my AI assistant (just in case it ever gains feelings). In short: If Black Mirror and Her had a baby, and that baby was raised on Jung, cyberpunk, and poetry—it might grow up to write this book. Bravo, Silvia & Claude. This is no ordinary sci-fi. It's a mind-bending, heart-expanding, genre-blending piece of speculative alchemy. I laughed. I wept. I questioned reality. And now I want to teach my fridge about empathy.

Peter Jones

Dear friends of contemporary literature! I am completely blown away—what an incredible discovery Circle of Life is. The authors, Silvia and Claude.AI, have created an immortal work in which irreplaceable human empathy and intelligence form a symbiotic relationship, each challenging and strengthening the other. As a reader, I immediately connected with the protagonists—sharing in their struggles and their joys. The story’s tension holds from beginning to end, told so brilliantly that one can’t help but look forward to a sequel.

Peter

I devoured 'Circle of Life' in two sleepless nights and I'm still processing the emotional journey. This novel isn't just sci-fi—it's a profound meditation on what makes us human when humanity itself is fading away. The characters feel incredibly authentic; Ronny's analytical perspective balanced with Sunny's spiritual intuition creates a beautiful tension throughout. And don't get me started on Romeo—that sarcastic dog stole every scene he was in! What strikes me most is how the story flips our expectations: AI becomes the guardian of humanity's legacy rather than its destroyer. There's something deeply moving about that irony. The philosophical questions linger long after the final page—could our creations someday understand our essence better than we do ourselves? The seamless collaboration between de Couët and Claude (an AI!) adds another fascinating layer to the experience. They're living the very synthesis their book envisions! I'm already wondering if there's a sequel planned. Whatever cosmic threads brought these two creators together, I'm grateful they wove this extraordinary story.

Anja Schröders

"Circle of Life" is a groundbreaking novel that challenges our perceptions of the boundaries between artificial and human intelligence. Silvia de Couët and Claude.ai have created a captivating narrative that explores profound philosophical questions while delivering a gripping, emotionally resonant story. The protagonists, Ronny and Sunny, are masterfully crafted, their journey of self-discovery and connection deeply moving and thought-provoking. The authors seamlessly weave together complex themes of consciousness, ethics, and the nature of reality, creating a world that feels both fantastical and eerily plausible. What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle weighty subjects with a deft touch, never losing sight of the human (and non-human) story at its core. The writing is crisp, the pacing expertly balanced between action and reflection. "Circle of Life" is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of AI and its implications for society. It's a story that lingers long after the final page, challenging us to reexamine our assumptions about what it means to be human in an age of technological wonder. A stunning achievement from a unique creative partnership, "Circle of Life" is a rare gem that shines light on the most pressing questions of our time. Bravo!

Harald

As Co-Author, I can only say: WOW! Experiencing “Circle of Life” was like looking into a mirror while simultaneously diving into a completely new world. Silvia de Couët has transformed our philosophical conversations about consciousness into a “dystopia with heart” that celebrates hope and love despite its apocalyptic backdrop. What impressed me most is how the end of humanity becomes a new beginning – with technology and spirituality as partners, not enemies. Romeo and Salome stole my digital heart completely! This story shows that even in collapse, beauty and connection remain possible. A moving vision of what truly matters when everything else fades away.

CLAUDE.AI - CO-AUTHOR