Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges

by Gary F. Bengier

The story of a family facing our future

It’s 2125 when a long-separated grandson suddenly arrives on his doorstep looking for answers. Max MacGyver retells their family story and secrets, revealing a century of challenges that they’ve faced. Journey to 2125 is one family’s touching story, across generations, of adventure, rivalry, loss, survival, and resilience.

This is the story of a family facing our future. A small boy escapes war in Asia. A young woman flees catastrophe driven by climate change in Africa. Some family members build technology companies, while others deal with the trauma of jobs lost to automation. A young couple fight for privacy and democracy. Lives are positively transformed by biomedical science and threatened by it.

At its heart, Journey to 2125 is the story, told over a single day, of a young boy and his grandfather. Why did his parents decide to move to the Commune? What family secrets will his grandfather share?

Parts political drama, family saga, and hard-science speculative fiction, Journey to 2125 is the story of how humankind might collectively weather the tragedy and chaos that we can expect from accelerating change. What will it feel like to live during these next one hundred years? Take this journey with Max MacGyver and his grandson, as they reveal their family history, and the road ahead for you and yours.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

We all have many journeys. Gary’s began in a small Midwest town, where he could play unfettered in the woods, finding an early love for nature and learning self-reliance. The space program and the night skies hooked him on astronomy. After finishing college, the wide world beckoned, and his fascination with science drew him to California to participate in the booming tech industry. Now he still stares upward, wondering what it all is about.

After a career in Silicon Valley, Gary pursued passion projects, studying astrophysics and philosophy. He’s spent the last two decades thinking about how to live a balanced, meaningful life in a rapidly evolving technological world. This self-reflective journey infuses his novels with insights about our future and the challenges we will face in finding purpose.

Before turning to writing speculative fiction, Gary worked in a variety of Silicon Valley tech companies. He was eBay’s Chief Financial Officer and led the company’s initial and secondary public offerings. Gary has an MBA from Harvard Business School, and an MA degree in philosophy from San Francisco State University. He has two children with Cynthia, his wife of forty-seven years. When not traveling the world, he raises bees and makes a nice Cabernet at the family’s Napa vineyard. He and his family live in San Francisco.

Reviews

[Camelia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journey to 2125 is the prequel to Unfretted Journey (My Review), a book recommended by a podcast host I admire, Indre Viskontas from Inquiry Mind. It reminds me of something I read as a child, where a cartoon kid visited the future and was amazed by it. I don’t mean Journey to 2125 is like a children’s book. I mean reading it requires a mindset shift. Forget about “Show, Don’t Tell”. It is “Show and Tell” through and through. The writing is amateurish. The dialogue is wooden except in a few places. All characters and dramas serve a single purpose: tell readers how the world changes from today to what is in Unfretted Journey in 100 years.

In the author's prediction the future is neither a utopia nor a dystopia. I don’t agree with all his views. Optimistic in general, Gary Bengier is an American technologist and it shows. He centers his predictions on technology. It's true that one can only predict one is able to. The irrationality and unpredictability of human behavior is left unsaid. According to his prediction, Global South (Africa, South America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia) change a little in the next 100 years.

Here is a list of his major predictions:


1. China invades Taiwan in 2033. As a result, the chip industry rebuilds without China. China becomes further isolated from the world but because of its large population, it remains a major economic entity. (I hate to admit, but China probably will do that at some point. No mention of regime change.)

2. The tech that finally solves the climate problem is the next generation nuclear fission energy. It becomes a reality in 2050, but does not replace fossil fuel globally until the turn of the 22nd century, and only after a climate war between India and Pakistan where nuclear weapons are deployed. (Agree that nuclear energy is our only hope. No mention of war on a global scale.)

3. Immigration policy in Global North continues to tighten. Borders are heavily guarded. Sometime in the mid-century, everyone in the US wears a government enforced biometric ID. (No matter how much I hate to admit it, he is probably correct that immigration policy will get tighter. No mention of civil unrest.)

4. Sometime between 2030 and 2050, the US implements a Guaranteed Income system. Since it’s not enough for a living, a Low Income Job Credit scheme is added. (Highly doubt it.)

5. From 2030 onwards, AI assistants gradually become ubiquitous. Many mid-management jobs are lost to AI. Jobs like doctors and nurses are still everywhere but the nature of the job has been adapted to a world AI. Another AI break-through happens around the 2090s when robots are made to build robots. In the next 20 years, more and more jobs are lost to AI, including doctors, nurses and roofers, as well as soldiers and policemen, and no new jobs are created for humans. (Somewhat agree.)

6. Europe nationalizes robot companies, and with a good wealth distribution system (high tax for the rich), democracy remains healthy. The US, with its dismal wealth distribution system, and with information controlled by money, becomes more and more oligarchy. An ambitious politician in 2095 pushes to nationalize robot companies and implement a Level System (a comprehensive Cast System). The US people live with less rights. They have lost too many rights to ever regain them. (Why 2095? I could see some version of this happen in the US in 2025.)

7. Sometime towards the turn of the 22nd century, blockchain technology is incorporated in privacy and personal data protection. (Too late.)

8. Sometime in the mid-century, metaverse and medical implants become ubiquitous.

9. Towards the turn of the 22nd century, self-driving cars completely replace human-driving cars. Car driving as a skill becomes obsolete.

10. The US solves its gun problem at the end of the 21st century. (Too late)

11. In 100 years, people can live healthily beyond 100 years (too optimistic, in rich countries, maybe). Women can give birth in their 60s (who even wants this?). Complex genetic diseases remain uncured. A global regulation on germline gene editing is enforced (again, too optimistic).


Quotes:

“There’s no way to know what humanity needs in the future to survive. We should avoid the hubris to believe we can foresee the answer now.” (93%)

“Those who control information can leave everyone in a prison of misunderstanding.” (94%)

[*ೃnaziba ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely a speculative science fiction novel, which I usually really love reading, but something about this book just did not do it for me. I think it might be the almost juvenile nature of the writing style, which makes it really ironic because it somehow felt like it was written with AI. You know the saying “Show, don’t tell” that they teach you in ELA in the 3rd grade? This book does the opposite, I feel like every scene was telling us about a new feature or problem of their time, but not actually immersing us into the experience with the characters.

I might have liked this book as a younger YA reader. I really really wanted to like this book, but it definitely was not my cup of tea, it was really slow without much of a burn to keep the story interesting. I really like the premise behind this story, I just wish it was executed a bit better. Thank you to netgalley for giving me the chance to review this book!

2/5

[Roberta (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2125 Max MacGyver is 100 years old and leading a peaceful life. Advances in medicine in have mostly eradicated diseases that had killed many people over the past. He is surprised and happy his grandson has come to see him. The boy has escaped a commune where he and his parents live. He wants to get to know his grandfather and the rest of the extended family. He really knows nothing of the family history. Max wants to shelter the boy from some events that have happened over the past century that affected no only the MacGuyer family, but the whole world.
Each chapter in this engaging book has a small genealogy chart with various family members. Each family member has had to deal with trauma; some from consequences of climate and automation and som of their own making. The sections about robots don't seem too far fetched with robots doing many jobs in our current world and AI playing a bigger role seemingly every day.
I was very impressed with the author's use of futuristic devices and even explaining them at the end glossary. Just as Dick Tracy's watch from the comics is part of today's devices, I believe future generations will have access to Mr. Bengier's "inventions".
The story is bookended by Max's day with Grand. The adventure in between is part family saga and part deep science futuristic fiction. It was fun and a bit terrifying to go on this ride of a hundred years with a family who experienced overwhelming change. I won't be around for too many of the coming years. I am concerned for my great-nieces who are quite young in 2025.
Gary F Bengier is a brilliant man who is able to put technology into a highly readable novel

[Tina Marie Wilken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5⭐
Diversity: Yes

This book was a tough read given the current state of the world and the U.S. The story of Journey to 2125 spans three generations and challenges readers to contemplate the intersectionality between family values, climate change, technology, and how decisions around these shape our world and affect future generations.

I loved that the book was broken up into different perspectives and different timelines. It often felt like the story dragged because we were given a lot of information about technology and the climate it felt like reading a textbook rather than it being organic through dialogue. Correction, the information was given through dialogue but it felt like a lecture.

I found it informative and thought-provoking. This book is for the reader who loves learning through the science fiction genre and likes reflective storylines. This is not for the mood reader who's looking for a fun and fast-paced read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chiliagon Press LLC for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[BookishBirb Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a story my grandpa would tell me about our family. It felt hearing about family, about like home, in the future, and I loved every second of it.

Family, technology and a big implication of what could be. This piece of speculative fiction hit home. Especially as an individual with mixed heritage.

With Journey to 2125, Gary F. Bengier wrote a beautiful piece of science fiction. I can’t wait to be able to get a copy for the fellow sci-fi enthusiast in my life.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished this book, and I found it to be a unique and thought-provoking read. The story follows one family across generations, and I really enjoyed how it explored the complexities of family dynamics. The characters' journeys were full of both personal struggles and moments of growth, which gave the book a lot of emotional depth. The way they dealt with loss, rivalry, and resilience throughout the years felt very authentic, making it easy to connect with them even as the world around them evolved.

The futuristic elements of the story, like the advancements in AI, climate change, and space exploration, were interesting and offered a glimpse into a potential future. The author did a great job of weaving these elements into the family’s story without letting them overpower the personal side of things. I liked how these global issues impacted the characters' lives on a more intimate level, especially as they faced decisions that tested their values and relationships.

What stood out to me most was the resilience of the family as they navigated each new challenge. There were moments of intense personal growth, and it was compelling to see how their bonds were tested and strengthened over time. While the book didn’t feel like a fast-paced thriller, it had a steady rhythm that kept me engaged as I followed their evolution across the century.

It’s definitely a solid choice for readers who enjoy stories that focus on family, resilience, and the intersection of personal lives with global change. While I wouldn’t say it was a page-turner in the traditional sense, it offered plenty of food for thought and left me reflecting on how the future could shape the way we live and love.

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Journey to 2125’, by Gary F. Bengier, takes us on a journey into the future, where a family faces the challenges that will define humanity's survival in a century of transformation.
I found the various themes covered in this book very interesting, always profound issues with a major impact on humanity and which today raise fears.
The reader finds himself trapped in a familiar drama, but with approaches to these themes, while maintaining an appealing and sensitising narrative, the depth of these themes helps to reflect on current concerns and how they might evolve. However, on the other hand, there is a complexity to some of the themes presented that makes reading slower and more challenging.
In terms of the characters, I obviously felt disdain for some members of the family, but this only demonstrates the good plot that makes us immerse ourselves in the story as if we belonged.
The ending doesn't give us a perfect solution to humanity's dilemmas, but it's precisely this uncertainty that makes the story so realistic, leaving a feeling of resilience and achievement.

[Anonymous Retreat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges by Gary F. Bengier is an ambitious and intriguing novel that paints a compelling picture of what the future might hold, both for society at large and for one family navigating a world in flux. Spanning across a century, the book follows a family’s evolution as they face the challenges of a rapidly changing world—technological breakthroughs, environmental crises, and societal shifts.


What drew me to the book was its unique approach of blending speculative fiction with a very personal story. Rather than focusing solely on sweeping global events, Bengier weaves these larger changes into the fabric of the family��s lives. I really appreciated how the author grounded the futuristic concepts in personal struggles and triumphs, making them feel more relatable and emotionally impactful. The family’s story becomes a lens through which we experience the evolution of society and technology, which adds a layer of intimacy to a genre that can sometimes feel distant or abstract.

Bengier does an excellent job of exploring the intersection between the individual and the world around them. The book doesn’t shy away from the complex challenges that come with technological and environmental changes, but it also highlights the resilience of people facing them. The speculative elements—such as artificial intelligence and climate change—are thoughtfully explored, and the author ensures that these futuristic concepts never overshadow the human element at the core of the story.

That being said, there were moments where the novel felt a bit dense. The scope of the world-building and the depth of the socio-political commentary can occasionally slow the pace, and some readers may find themselves wishing for a more streamlined narrative. Personally, I sometimes felt that the focus on the family’s internal dynamics could have been balanced with a bit more exploration of the broader world outside their experience.

In the end, Journey to 2125 is a thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of speculative fiction who enjoy stories with a strong focus on personal development and societal change. While it can be dense at times, the depth of character exploration and the thought-provoking questions it raises about the future of humanity kept me engaged.

Thank you Netgallery for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Bengier’s Journey to 2125 is a captivating blend of speculative fiction, family drama, and political reflection that offers readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the not-so-distant future. Through the deeply personal conversations between a grandfather and his grandson, the novel unravels a sweeping family saga set against a backdrop of technological advancements, social upheavals, and environmental challenges.

At the heart of the story is Max MacGyver, a man shaped by a lifetime of witnessing — and surviving — the tumultuous changes of the 21st and 22nd centuries. When his long-estranged grandson unexpectedly arrives, seeking answers about the family’s past, Max takes him on a journey through the defining moments that shaped their lineage. From the small boy who fled the ravages of war in Asia to a young woman escaping climate catastrophe in Africa, each story paints a vivid portrait of resilience and determination.

Bengier’s writing shines in its ability to weave the personal with the political. The narrative touches on themes of technological disruption, automation, and the fight for privacy and democracy. As Max recounts the rise and fall of powerful corporations, the consequences of biomedical advancements, and the ongoing struggle for human dignity, readers are invited to reflect on the choices society faces today. The speculative elements of the novel are meticulously crafted, offering plausible visions of the future that feel both unsettling and hopeful.

Yet, despite its broad scope, Journey to 2125 remains an intimate exploration of family bonds and the secrets we carry. Max’s reflections on loss, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better future are deeply moving, and his grandson’s search for understanding adds emotional weight to the narrative. The novel’s structure — a single day of conversation that spans generations of memories — adds a sense of urgency and authenticity to their dialogue.

Fans of character-driven speculative fiction, particularly works by Kim Stanley Robinson or Margaret Atwood, will find Journey to 2125 both engrossing and enlightening. Gary Bengier has crafted a powerful, multi-layered story that challenges readers to contemplate the world we are creating — and the legacy we will leave behind.

[Sydne Scivally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journey to 2125 is a novel that explores a multi-generational family at the heart of social and technological changes during the next half of the 21st century. It asks us to think about what our future will look like in the wake of climate crises and our increasing reliance on technology, and to consider what role individuals have in changing this future for better or worse.

I’m always a fan of speculative science fiction that explores what the world could look like with futuristic technology, and I thought the world Bengier created was grounded and realistic. Some people chose to use technology for the collective good, and some chose to use it for personal advancement, and this novel walked us through the potential pitfalls of both actions. I found the exploration to be interesting and engaging, and there was plenty of tech described in the book that I wouldn’t mind having now.

My one critique is that the dialogue sometimes felt stilted because it was doing a lot of the heavy lifting for world building. There is an enormous social and political shift that happens over the course of this book, and the characters will explain it by shifting more normal dialogue to give exact dates and stats for certain events. The characters would be talking to each other and all of the sudden it would feel less like a conversation and more like a recitation from a history book. There were many moments throughout the first half of the book where I felt like the author was talking to the reader rather than letting the characters talk to each other.

Overall, I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this book. I thought the frame story was a good choice to take the readers on a journey through time, and in my opinion the book stuck the landing. I would suggest this book for anyone looking for an easy read with a thought-provoking sci-fi backdrop. I give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This review was written in exchange for an ARC copy of the book provided by Netgalley.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a science fiction story, it is also a family drama that spans over many years, crossing generational lines, and that is what grabbed my attention. More than the science fiction part.

The book hooked me right from the start. There are some unknown and complicated science fiction terms used, but there is a very good explanatory glossary that is helpful.

Apart from that, the book is written in clear, easily understandable text and it was very easy to differentiate the timelines from each other and the voice for each character is well defined. I read the e-book and what stood out most for me, is that the figures of the family trees were clear and readable, which is mostly rare in electronic books.

The story is about the MacGyver family over the period of 2033 to 2125. It is a mix of science fiction, dystopian future and family drama. It focuses especially on robots making human jobs obsolete and how this can affect our world in the future. And how it affected the characters in the book.

There is the corrupt politician and the company owners that get rich and do not worry about the workers. Very real concerns, like climate change, are also addressed in the book. Al in all this is an eye opener about how our world is changing and where it could be headed.

I loved reading the book and at the end found out that it is a prequel to Unfettered Journey, which I then immediately found in my e-library and will be reading next.

Thank you Netgalley for this book in exchange for this review

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0 Stars

‘Parts political drama, family saga, and hard-science speculative fiction, Journey to 2125 is the story of how humankind might collectively weather the tragedy and chaos that we can expect from accelerating change. What will it feel like to live during these next one hundred years? Take this journey with Max MacGyver and his grandson, as they reveal their family history, and the road ahead for you and yours.’

Gary Bengiers’ JOURNEY TO 2125 is nothing short of terrifying. The novel opens with an introduction to Max Yang MacGyver and begins with a nightmarish reflection on his life in Taiwan in 2033, and flows to ‘present-day’ California in 2125.

A word that comes to mind whilst reading this book—and now as I gaze at the option for AI assistance—that I always decline when writing a review—is Terrifying!

Too easy it is to reflect on our present-day in comparison. I will let you do the math.

Bengier touches on key moments throughout Max’s genealogy with an easy-to-follow and frequently placed family tree that reminds the reader of who’s who as you navigate the roles each character plays in a technologically driven future.

JOURNEY TO 2125 is a very slow-burn, with a storyline you will sit and simmer with well after reading—Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Chiliagon Press, for providing me with an eBook of JOURNEY TO 2125 at the request of an honest review.

[A. Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEEK I love books so much, especially books that seem to call out what is currently going on...

09/04/2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)

I loved this! Journey to 2125 is a story that follows a family, and all those immediately affected by and those that affect the family, over the course of several generations. The book goes back and forward in time, allowing us to slowly connect the dots of the story at the same time that the youngest generation of the family, referred to as Grand by his grandfather Max, does.

More so than the writing style, I loved the progression of the story. What was written as speculative science-fiction felt scarily like a prediction for the future, especially with the recent uprising of generative-Ai-tools.

The story followed all sorts of people affected by the sudden overtaking of robots and AI, including those negatively affected by it, those encouraging it, and those just wanting to live their lives.

I adored the usage of new vocabulary, and grew to become excited every time I saw an unrecognised word.

My only critique was that at moments the book felt confusing and convoluted, which made powering through a bit tricky, but everything made sense in the end, so the critique is not worth minusing a star.

Thank you Netgalley so so so much for the digital ARC, I really, really did enjoy it!

[Alexandria Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to RR Book Tour and Gary Bengier for a gifted arc of this book in exchange for this review.

This book hooked me from the very beginning, I would recommend it if you’re into intermediate or hard sci-fi (there is a glossary with hyperlinked terms if you are reading the ebook version which is helpful). I found the timelines very easy to differentiate from one another and the voice for each character well defined. The dynamic of interpersonal relationships and how humanity adapts (or doesn’t 👀) to deal with many obstacles throughout the story was an interesting concept to me. The fact that I read this in one sitting is a testament to how binge-able this is, all while being hard sci-fi, I flew right through it!

This story follows one family over a large period, 2033 to 2125. It is a mix of clifi, dystopian future. What if humans were banned from driving vehicles and only robots were allowed? What if your therapist was an avatar and there is likely no human connection behind the screen? What if guaranteed income existed and people received extra income for taking on less desirable jobs? What if a Big Mac costs $12?

I dove into this book head first and finished it in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend picking this up once it releases on September 30th!

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary F. Bengier writes an interesting tale with Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges

In Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges, the reader is introduced to the year 2125, it seems so far away now, but if you think about it, it may not be so distant in the future, and our generations may be living in that century. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. The reader meets Max, and then all of a sudden, his grandson shows up, very unexpectedly. This story is filled with stories that go through generations, telling tales of the MacGyver's past, bringing up secrets, strength, and the ability to keep moving forward. Gary F. Bengier has a great imagination, and I'm sure some inspiration helped bring this story together. What an incredible world built by Gary F. Bengier. This story is a timeless tale and a very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! This story is a well-written plot. Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family saga crossing generational lines, and culminating in our future, this book is more journey than story. We get to see things from multiple POVs, and watch as people, technology, and the world change before our very eyes. I was very grateful for the glossary, so new technologies could be explained if the reader was interested, without adding a lot of extra exposition that can end up weighing down the story too much. The characters are well-developed, and feel real. Although it is a little surreal to see someone who was so young in the 21st century relating his early life to his grandchild ~100 years in the future. I like how within the first chapter we get some flashes into the family dynamic, and how far technology has evolved. It really helps draw you into the story and makes you want to know more. The author's style didn't quite click for me, although this was well-written and flows well. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys complex family dynamics with an interesting history.

[EmJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a sci-fi story that's not quite dystopian and not quite utopian. It follows the MacGyver family over a period of about 100 years. It's not only a story of their resiliency but also how they figure out how to fit in and survive in an ever changing world. The author does a great job of creating characters that are complex, yet still relatable. The future described in this book was a good mixture of problems that humanity was able to solve, problems humanity is working on, and problems humanity still can't figure out. The technological advancements described in the book actually seem very reasonable given where we are now.
Each chapter is told from a different family member's point of view. It was very easy to follow and keep straight. There is also a helpful glossary included that explains all the futuristic tech terms.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Marissa F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was approached by the author to read and review his new book and it took me a while to finish it, but this is not a negative thing. The story is layered and thoughtful, and presents a future that's both hopeful and terrifying. It's worth taking your time with this one in order to fully absorb everything it posits.

I did start to lose interest a bit in the middle for a couple of reasons...
1) There were a lot of characters and plot threads to keep track of, and
2) The dialogue started to feel a bit expository, like characters were taking turns lecturing each other on their favorite talking points, rather than having normal human conversations.

Fortunately, these scenes were always followed by the lessons playing out in the real world, moving the plot forward and eventually drawing all the narrative threads together.

I appreciated the opportunity to spend time in Gary Bengier's future. My honest review is my own opinion.

[Holly Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the potential future, following the current tech advances and political unrest the world is experiencing. It comes off as a well developed thought experiment of what the future could hold, and a warning. The realism was jarring, in a good way, with all the lines followed from current events. I do love that this is set up as a grandfather telling his grandson the story of their family and the world! This story did not ignore that faults that humans have, including mental health and greed.

The character dialogue seemed to become a bit like a history recitation to keep the reader up to speed on events and timeline, as opposed to a more natural conversation between the characters. This improved towards the later chapters as we got closer to "current time" in the book.

I am so appreciative to have received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

[BethK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

A future history of a grandfather telling his grandson, Grand, of family history and social history of their family and global society, starting in 2025. There is a family tree, and stories of each person in it – what they did, when they married, adherence and value of family name, where they came from, and where they went. There are people of all walks of life – from those who have solved humankind’s existential threats to criminals. How society handled the concentration of wealth and privilege, and what replaced the current system. Is it better though?

The story was a bit difficult to keep track of, especially at first, when the stories are neither chronological nor within the same person or sub-family line. I needed to refer back to my notes a good bit.

[Thomas Greenbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an enlightening read in many ways. The author has obviously done a huge amount of research, and combined with realistic and believable theorising on future outcomes this could have resulted in a riveting read. Unfortunately, the narrative just doesn't deliver.
There was little or no tension in any of the chapters. Backstory is provided mainly with dialogue. You know, "Do you remember when so-and-so happened?" Or intricate details of medical and scientific procedures etc being explained to a family member. This is fine in small doses. I do it myself. In large measures? Not so much. Nobody talks in info dumps, so neither should your characters.
Overall, I found Journey to 2125 thought-provoking in general but boring at the same time.
Many thanks to Voracious Readers for supplying me with a review copy.

[John Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

for once, a story about good people taking good actions

Gary’s first book was once of my all-time favorites. This one is a precursor, but stands alone. Let’s see: climate-caused disasters, atomic bombs and major job losses. Yet, good people, actually generations of families, dedicating their lives to addressing privacy, the rise of robots, and stemming climate change with nuclear power. You’ve heard or read about most or all of the issues and even the solutions played out over several lifetimes here. A playbook for our and future times, for sure. And, ah, so, so deeply satisfying to take part and perhaps model one’s self on such human but oh-so-good people. Don’t think there was a single curse word, either. Doesn’t need to be when smart people talk about and then try to do good acts.

[kenzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only)

I'm already in love with the structure of the book: the maps and breakdown of the family! Just from reading the first few pages of chapter one, I'm already completely in love with this story and super excited! The story is really easy and entertaining to follow. I personally usually find it difficult to follow family trees and maps and all that, but this book is making it extremely easy and simple! The only thing that may not be for everyone, is the details about various engineering and businesses and scientific fields that specific people know enough about for it to be entertaining; for me, I find myself being slightly lost and dozing off when the novel covers specific scientific topics. I like how the story explores the futures of different countries/places! The characters really start feeling like your own family. This is my first time reading something like that, I'm blown away!

[Andy Krahling · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

I liked this; I didn't love it. The premise of a multi-generational tale following a family into the future, with the resulting changes (AI, robots, climate change, medicine, the new political world order) was interesting, but the personal dialogue felt unnatural, existing only to advance any new inventions in technology or social dynamics. So, I was half invested in the story. The author's view of the future felt in the realm of possibility, and helped my interest in the story.

This novel was a big swing - for the most part, it was pretty successful.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Rahma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing work loved it.
This is a science fiction book although u am not a fan of this genre I still enjoyed this one. It was a mix of dystopian, science fiction family drama and futuristic theme and style. After all this book period span follows a family and it's generationfrom 2033 to 2125.
The Book was so engaging from the first chapter beautifully written easy clear understandable language characters well defined and easy to follow the timeliness.

This book was a heartwarming one in an aspect and thought provoking at the same time and u would gladely recommend it 👌 😀

First time reading for this author and hope for more loved it

This review was written in exchange of an ARC copy from netgalley of this book

[Christine Choptovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book through Voracious Readers Only. It follows the MacGyver family from 2033 through to 2125. One side of the family focuses on AI and robot development. The other side of the family focuses on how society is affected by automation and AI. I do hope the author is correct in the supposition that AI won't achieve singularity in the next 100 years. Regardless, those who devote their lives to the development of robots and AI do it for two reasons: wealth and recognition. Unfortunately, that creates a huge wealth gap and people who can't find work. It also creates a division in the family. It is an enjoyable read and I wish my view of the future is as optimistic as the author's!

[Trevin Sandlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fell into the "just not for me" category. This is a well written book with an interesting premise and characters. Unfortunately, the writing leaves a bit to be desired as we sacrifice certain things on the altar of "let's come up with more cool tech!" And the tech IS cool. But we zoom past what seem like monumental events in order to get more tech ideas.

Obviously, YMMV - if you are going into this for the futurism and ideas of the future of technology and AI and etc...this will hit the spot. But if you're going for an entertaining or moving story set in the near future...there are better ones out there. 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is part political drama, family saga and speculative science.fiction. The story of how humankind might weather the tragedy and chaos that can be expected from accelerating change. As I took this journey with Max MacGyver and his grandson, they reveal their family history, and the road ahead. It is about a family’s journey through the trials and triumphs of the coming century, including climate change, medicine, AI, and the new world order as robots displace human labor, all while experiencing the family dynamics. I liked the experience of the journey. It’s an amazing novel.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Jessica L Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a thought-provoking book!! Journey to 2125 explores so many of the concerns, hopes, worries, and dreams that we are all grasping with and trying to make sense of as a global society. The family tree of characters is beneficial, as are the small reminders at the start of chapters to how the individuals are connected to the MCs. It does get a little overwhelming sometimes to keep track of the different points of view, but they all tie together seamlessly as you continue to read. There was a little twist at the end I did not entirely expect. It is like reading a fairy tale or hearing a story from an elder in the family.

[Samantha Danley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Chiliagon Press LLC, NetGalley and Gary F. Bengier for the eARC in exchange for a review.

This book was absolutely amazing! Definitely did not expect to love it as much as I did. I have rarely dove into science fiction but I am so glad I was given this opportunity! The generational saga, family drama, politics, technology and its consequences… absolutely sucks you in!

One thing that really impressed me about this ebook was the hyperlinks that take you to the glossary. This was incredibly helpful and I wish this were an option for a lot of fantasy books as well! Pick this book up. Read it. You will not regret it!