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The System #1
The System
1 + 1 = Dead.
That’s the only math that adds up when you’re in the System.
Everywhere Nick turns, he’s surrounded by the inevitability of his own demise at the hands of the people who stole his life from him. That is, until those hands deliver the bleeding, feisty, eye-rolling Nessa Parker. Tasked with keeping his new partner alive, Nick must face all the ways he’s died and all the things he’s forgotten.
Nessa might as well give up. The moment she gets into that car, the moment she lays her hazel eyes on her new partner, her end begins. It doesn’t matter that Nick Masters can slip through time by computing mathematical algorithms in his mind. It doesn’t matter how dark and handsome and irresistibly cold he is. Nessa has to defeat her own shadows.
Together and alone, Nick and Nessa make sense of their senseless fates and fight for the courage to change it all. Even if it means the System wins and they end up…well…dead.
That’s the only math that adds up when you’re in the System.
Everywhere Nick turns, he’s surrounded by the inevitability of his own demise at the hands of the people who stole his life from him. That is, until those hands deliver the bleeding, feisty, eye-rolling Nessa Parker. Tasked with keeping his new partner alive, Nick must face all the ways he’s died and all the things he’s forgotten.
Nessa might as well give up. The moment she gets into that car, the moment she lays her hazel eyes on her new partner, her end begins. It doesn’t matter that Nick Masters can slip through time by computing mathematical algorithms in his mind. It doesn’t matter how dark and handsome and irresistibly cold he is. Nessa has to defeat her own shadows.
Together and alone, Nick and Nessa make sense of their senseless fates and fight for the courage to change it all. Even if it means the System wins and they end up…well…dead.
390 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2014
4 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Teshelle Combs
57 books545 followersTeshelle Combs is the award-winning author of books like The Underglow and the First Collection.
She's well known for her fantasy romance standalones like The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph, and The First Flame. (Read in any order, listed in order of writing).
Tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, arranged marriage, twists & turns, and more.
Find TC @booksarebrightstars on TikTok.
She's well known for her fantasy romance standalones like The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph, and The First Flame. (Read in any order, listed in order of writing).
Tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, arranged marriage, twists & turns, and more.
Find TC @booksarebrightstars on TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
September 1, 2016
Not what I expected from just reading the blurb, happy I opened it up and started reading! Enjoyable characters, interesting plot and story line that will keep you reading. At first Nessa wasn't my favorite character, but she grew on me. Nick's story drew me in as well as his interactions with other team members of "the system"... Nice writing style, a few typos and missed edits but nothing to take away from the story as a whole. Easily pulled me in, twisting plot, and a unique story that intertwines a multitude of characters leaving you unsure of how it will all end. Good job! Overall, enjoyable read that kept me reading for hours on end.
~A.S. Johnson, author
~A.S. Johnson, author
June 26, 2014
I wasn't sure what to expect from The System--but it only took a couple of pages before I was hooked.
The author has a great voice--the narrative reads naturally and smoothly.
The characters are interesting and compelling. I kept wanting to know more about each of them and liked each one of them for different reasons.
The story felt fresh and original. I wasn't sure what was going on and couldn't predict what was going to happen next.
I really liked Nessa--she is strong, confident and feels like someone I would want to be friends with. Nick has just enough "bad boy" in him to be intriguing and interesting but not so much that he becomes an awful character that you kinda wish the main character would ditch instead of get together.
Sometimes I wished I knew more of what was going on with the System and I wondered how Nessa was able to adapt so quickly. But, I think this missing information actually helps you relate to what the characters are going through.
I can't wait to read more!
The author has a great voice--the narrative reads naturally and smoothly.
The characters are interesting and compelling. I kept wanting to know more about each of them and liked each one of them for different reasons.
The story felt fresh and original. I wasn't sure what was going on and couldn't predict what was going to happen next.
I really liked Nessa--she is strong, confident and feels like someone I would want to be friends with. Nick has just enough "bad boy" in him to be intriguing and interesting but not so much that he becomes an awful character that you kinda wish the main character would ditch instead of get together.
Sometimes I wished I knew more of what was going on with the System and I wondered how Nessa was able to adapt so quickly. But, I think this missing information actually helps you relate to what the characters are going through.
I can't wait to read more!
April 23, 2014
I had to read this book in one sitting – just couldn’t put it down. I loved Core but this book in on a different level. This book is darker, grittier. The pace speeds up and slows down, tension builds and is released at pivotal points. It’s like a roller coaster ride. The author is very good at taking you on two different peoples’ journeys and at the same time skillfully at unexpectedly crisscrossing their paths until they eventually and unwillingly connect. Just because two people are in the same room and share the same experience doesn’t necessarily connect them but Nessa and Nick are connected. I expected them to ride off into the proverbial sunset. Then along comes River. Wait. What? Why? Second Book in the Series please.
April 22, 2014
The System is one of those books you won't be able to put down until you finish reading it. Something unique about this book is that it's written from two different people's perspectives through alternating chapters. The two main characters are very well developed, and the relationships built throughout the story are one of the main strengths of the book. There is darkness, but with humor sprinkled in in just the right places to keep it from getting overly heavy. There are several unexpected twists in the book, and I am definitely eager for a sequel!
July 24, 2014
Be careful, or you might end up in The System!
This is one of those stories that hook you right from the start and keep you hooked. Exciting, intriguing plot and awesome characters, with lots of fun twists and surprises. The System would make an awesome TV series. Hope someone is listening.
Time richly spent.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free thought the GoodReads Giveaways and the opinions in this review are my own.
This is one of those stories that hook you right from the start and keep you hooked. Exciting, intriguing plot and awesome characters, with lots of fun twists and surprises. The System would make an awesome TV series. Hope someone is listening.
Time richly spent.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free thought the GoodReads Giveaways and the opinions in this review are my own.
March 12, 2016
Want more
I'm not 100% on what I've just read but I do know I want more! Nick and Nessa can control somethings by using algorithms although at first Nessa has no idea what she can do.......Until she meets her father again. Soon Nick, Nessa and Chloe make a plan to escape The System, something their team mates didn't get the chance to do.
The writing is done so well for this book and it has left me wanting more
I'm not 100% on what I've just read but I do know I want more! Nick and Nessa can control somethings by using algorithms although at first Nessa has no idea what she can do.......Until she meets her father again. Soon Nick, Nessa and Chloe make a plan to escape The System, something their team mates didn't get the chance to do.
The writing is done so well for this book and it has left me wanting more
April 8, 2014
Obviously I think my book kicks major booty :) Try it out on April 22 and see for yourself!!
August 24, 2018
Woah
This book took me a while to get into .. it just seemed that I was missing something. What that something was, I'm not sure, but when I did get into the plot and mostly understood the plot, I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what happened, how did everything fit together and mostly I had to figure out what was happening. And that ending... Seriously? I need to know what happens next so excuse me, I'm going to find the next book now...
Get this book!
This book took me a while to get into .. it just seemed that I was missing something. What that something was, I'm not sure, but when I did get into the plot and mostly understood the plot, I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what happened, how did everything fit together and mostly I had to figure out what was happening. And that ending... Seriously? I need to know what happens next so excuse me, I'm going to find the next book now...
Get this book!
October 25, 2023
I loved this so much, so many confusing bits that added up at the right time. The mystery, the plot twists, the feels. I adored this read. The minute I finished it I had to pick up book #2.
August 22, 2025
This book had me on edge the entire time I was reading. Constantly questioning who was trustworthy and then finding out Nessa has a powerful algorithm. I was rooting for her to break free from the System and cheered when she finally did and was rescued by the Syndicate.
The ending left me questioning what happened to Nick and will he go find Nessa in book 2?
Definitely recommend the System! There is quite a bit of violence and graphic, bloody situations throughout.
The ending left me questioning what happened to Nick and will he go find Nessa in book 2?
Definitely recommend the System! There is quite a bit of violence and graphic, bloody situations throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2017
I truly enjoyed the amount of conflict and the hint of romance throughout the book and how the author wasn't afraid to drop a new bomb on you every now and them.
August 10, 2014
I won my copy of this for review purposes through the GoodReads First Reads program.
"The System" is a story about a group of teens and young adults who have special abilities in the form of algorithms have been taken from their regular lives to be a part of The System, which essentially means they've been drafted to carry out murders as The System orders them. The algorithms they are capable of are things like healing by touch, messing with folks dreams, and manipulating electronics by thought -- things that aid them in completing these murders. Nessa is a new recruit and has been partnered with Nick. The story is told through their alternating perspectives.
I felt conflicted on how to review this book. On the one hand, parts of the story are unique, and reel you in. On the other hand, the alternating perspectives doesn't seem to work well in this story -- some chapters feel too long, others feel too short; you forget that you'll be diving into someone else's perspective, or you've forgotten you ever switched. The author even has some instances of having forgotten the switched perspective -- for example, a sentence from near the end of the story: "I stopped to catch his breath." Chapters from Nick's perspective occasionally refer to him in the third person; chapters from Nessa's perspective occasionally do the same, and refer to Nessa's thoughts and actions in the third. Besides this, parts of the story felt rushed; specifically, forming bonds or caring relationships with characters, both in-story and reader-characters. I felt like I was asked to care too deeply about the characters long before I'd been given a chance to learn enough about them to be so emotionally invested. I didn't really start caring until
I think the book deserves a solid three-star rating -- the plot has a lot of promise, and parts of the novel are well-handled and written. They overshadow the negative aspects of the story, a bit. A relatively fun read.
"The System" is a story about a group of teens and young adults who have special abilities in the form of algorithms have been taken from their regular lives to be a part of The System, which essentially means they've been drafted to carry out murders as The System orders them. The algorithms they are capable of are things like healing by touch, messing with folks dreams, and manipulating electronics by thought -- things that aid them in completing these murders. Nessa is a new recruit and has been partnered with Nick. The story is told through their alternating perspectives.
I felt conflicted on how to review this book. On the one hand, parts of the story are unique, and reel you in. On the other hand, the alternating perspectives doesn't seem to work well in this story -- some chapters feel too long, others feel too short; you forget that you'll be diving into someone else's perspective, or you've forgotten you ever switched. The author even has some instances of having forgotten the switched perspective -- for example, a sentence from near the end of the story: "I stopped to catch his breath." Chapters from Nick's perspective occasionally refer to him in the third person; chapters from Nessa's perspective occasionally do the same, and refer to Nessa's thoughts and actions in the third. Besides this, parts of the story felt rushed; specifically, forming bonds or caring relationships with characters, both in-story and reader-characters. I felt like I was asked to care too deeply about the characters long before I'd been given a chance to learn enough about them to be so emotionally invested. I didn't really start caring until
I think the book deserves a solid three-star rating -- the plot has a lot of promise, and parts of the novel are well-handled and written. They overshadow the negative aspects of the story, a bit. A relatively fun read.
January 1, 2015
A Good Read
I give this book Five Stars for what it is, a young adult book with a little romance (without gratuitous, graphic sex) and a little paranormal activity (without being Paranormal Activity). It looks at the concept of good and evil (through the eyes and voice/thoughts of a group of teens) in a way I have not seen before. I am not normally a big YA or paranormal or romance fan. The fact that I read it from start to finish attests to the fact that I enjoyed the author's work. If you have read any of my other reviews, you will see I am hard on author's (especially indies) who do not take the time and effort to hone their craft and have their work edited before they self-publish. This was a well crafted story that has strong, well developed characters, a plot that does not require extraordinary suspension of disbelief and realistic dialogue. Unlike some author's, Techelle does not over-talk her characters and she keeps the pace of the book going through out. The only flaw in the work, in my (not always do humble) opinion is a minor one. I particularly do not like the alternating first person narrative. I find bouncing back and forth between characters distracting, especially when I only have the chance to read in disjointed, short snippets. I am not the type of reviewer that provides a synopsis of the story with the inherent spoiler alerts. At its roots, The System is about good and evil and how teens in difficult circumstances deal with their feelings about their actions. It is a solid read, well worth the cost.
I give this book Five Stars for what it is, a young adult book with a little romance (without gratuitous, graphic sex) and a little paranormal activity (without being Paranormal Activity). It looks at the concept of good and evil (through the eyes and voice/thoughts of a group of teens) in a way I have not seen before. I am not normally a big YA or paranormal or romance fan. The fact that I read it from start to finish attests to the fact that I enjoyed the author's work. If you have read any of my other reviews, you will see I am hard on author's (especially indies) who do not take the time and effort to hone their craft and have their work edited before they self-publish. This was a well crafted story that has strong, well developed characters, a plot that does not require extraordinary suspension of disbelief and realistic dialogue. Unlike some author's, Techelle does not over-talk her characters and she keeps the pace of the book going through out. The only flaw in the work, in my (not always do humble) opinion is a minor one. I particularly do not like the alternating first person narrative. I find bouncing back and forth between characters distracting, especially when I only have the chance to read in disjointed, short snippets. I am not the type of reviewer that provides a synopsis of the story with the inherent spoiler alerts. At its roots, The System is about good and evil and how teens in difficult circumstances deal with their feelings about their actions. It is a solid read, well worth the cost.
January 23, 2017
After the first 50-100 pages, the story became almost humorous.
Why didn't they just kill Collins? I get that their families were being threatened, but how long before The System found out? They weren't far from Nessa's family. Why couldn't they get to them in time or call the police with those handy go phones they always purchased while on 2 day hiatuses? Surely, the system can't dispose of an entire police force, right? These kids have been reported missing, so I'm assuming the police would take them seriously. Not to mention the tracker dilema. Why couldn't they just cut them out?!
Also, what the hell was with the ending? It left even more questions then answers and didn't do anything but detract further from the story. River? Nessa's mom? Why introduce 2 new characters at the very end and shroud them in suspense for no apparent reason? And why in the bloody hell would they return to their prison for ammo?! They knowingly walked into a death trap without thinking to grab extra ammo and then RETURNED to their prison after they were free to get more ammo?! What?!
While I appreciated the witty asides, and saw potential in the characters and storline, this story just wasn't developed well. I never greq to care for the characters, and found too many issues with the plot itself.
Why didn't they just kill Collins? I get that their families were being threatened, but how long before The System found out? They weren't far from Nessa's family. Why couldn't they get to them in time or call the police with those handy go phones they always purchased while on 2 day hiatuses? Surely, the system can't dispose of an entire police force, right? These kids have been reported missing, so I'm assuming the police would take them seriously. Not to mention the tracker dilema. Why couldn't they just cut them out?!
Also, what the hell was with the ending? It left even more questions then answers and didn't do anything but detract further from the story. River? Nessa's mom? Why introduce 2 new characters at the very end and shroud them in suspense for no apparent reason? And why in the bloody hell would they return to their prison for ammo?! They knowingly walked into a death trap without thinking to grab extra ammo and then RETURNED to their prison after they were free to get more ammo?! What?!
While I appreciated the witty asides, and saw potential in the characters and storline, this story just wasn't developed well. I never greq to care for the characters, and found too many issues with the plot itself.
July 5, 2015
Teshelle you've done it again i love you. The System is unlike anything I've read so far its great. There are many twists and turns and its unpredictable which is great. Nessa, Nick, Chloe, Adam, Mia and Holden are special, kidnapped and used by the system to do unthinkable acts. Collins a real villain whom you feel nothing but hate and anger towards. I'm looking forward to seeing where this stories going next.
April 5, 2015
Really great book! Read it in one sitting. I loved the writing style and how the narration switched between the two characters. I thought the characters were great and had really interested back stories. I was happy to learn that there will be a second book. Can't wait to see what happens next!
September 8, 2014
Hmmm
well I read the entire thing cause I can't stand not to finish a book I started but I can say I liked it
well I read the entire thing cause I can't stand not to finish a book I started but I can say I liked it
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews