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Systemic
For generations, a sentient AI has watched over the world and solved all of humanity’s problems. It was an era of objectivity, social equality, and ecological recovery.
It should have been a golden age.
Now, three strangers are on a pilgrimage through the arid lonely sagelands and underpopulated cities of the Systemic era on their way to the seemingly innocuous town of Prower. There, they will uncover the secrets that lay buried beneath the town and learn the truth about their half-remembered pasts. In the end, they must choose between their sanity or solving humanity’s final and most intractable problem.
Systemic is a refreshingly optimistic version of an AI-fueled dystopian future. It’s like watching an episode of Black Mirror without having to drink yourself to sleep.
It should have been a golden age.
Now, three strangers are on a pilgrimage through the arid lonely sagelands and underpopulated cities of the Systemic era on their way to the seemingly innocuous town of Prower. There, they will uncover the secrets that lay buried beneath the town and learn the truth about their half-remembered pasts. In the end, they must choose between their sanity or solving humanity’s final and most intractable problem.
Systemic is a refreshingly optimistic version of an AI-fueled dystopian future. It’s like watching an episode of Black Mirror without having to drink yourself to sleep.
487 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2020
29 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Chris Lodwig
2 books9 followersChris is the author of two speculative fiction novels: Systemic and Host with a third on the way.
He lives in Seattle with his wife, daughter, and dogs. In addition to writing, he loves music, NPR, fly fishing, and he makes a mean Manhattan.
He has spent the last twenty-five years at technology companies in the greater Seattle area.
He has degrees in both Comparative History of Ideas and Communications from the University of Washington.
He lives in Seattle with his wife, daughter, and dogs. In addition to writing, he loves music, NPR, fly fishing, and he makes a mean Manhattan.
He has spent the last twenty-five years at technology companies in the greater Seattle area.
He has degrees in both Comparative History of Ideas and Communications from the University of Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 7, 2020
Loved writing it.
July 17, 2021
Thouroughly enjoyable, with a fantastic style that really draws you in.
The novel takes place in a near future where an AI takes care of all our needs, and we live in an era of absolute truth. But rather than taking the dystopian approach, the book is rather... utopian? The AI seems benevolent, or at the very least, putting our needs rather than our wants first. I enjoyed that change to the ordinary trope we see.
Systemic explores ideas of purpose and humanity when our drive for survival is no longer a part of our lives. It’s got this beautiful, calm tone that’s really introspective without being heavy. I absolutely loved it.
The novel takes place in a near future where an AI takes care of all our needs, and we live in an era of absolute truth. But rather than taking the dystopian approach, the book is rather... utopian? The AI seems benevolent, or at the very least, putting our needs rather than our wants first. I enjoyed that change to the ordinary trope we see.
Systemic explores ideas of purpose and humanity when our drive for survival is no longer a part of our lives. It’s got this beautiful, calm tone that’s really introspective without being heavy. I absolutely loved it.
October 2, 2022
Chris Lodwig is a new author to me. When I heard that he had a new book coming out, I decided to read Systemic, so I could read the new book in sequence when it comes out. I'm so glad I did.
This book revolves in a seemingly utopian future world around 4 main characters: Maik, who is in love with a rather elusive and mysterious woman known as LAFS. His story and the journey become our intro to the Systemic era and world. Then there are three and a half other main characters, and the book really revolves around their stories: Eryn is looking to hike across a desert to go visit her mom. Lem is happily married to a wife who wants a baby when we start. And Thomas, who lives as a hermit in the desert and ends up saving Eryn. The half character is Sadie, Thomas's dog. And I'm not counting the AIs or the System itself, which could be considered characters in their own right.
Chris Lodwig has a very cerebral and emotional writing style, in which we know what the characters think and feel from their own perspectives. Not necessarily the reality of what is happening, but we know what they experience. The book starts a little slow and takes a while to gain momentum. Trust me, though, it is well worth the wait, and the action and the intrigue pick up after the opening chapters with Maik, and they never stop after that. It becomes a real page-turner.
When we meet Eryn, everything changes. To the point where, after you finish the book, you may want to go back and read it again, now knowing what all the secrets, intrigue, and mysteries lead to. Don't even bother trying to second-guess the characters or the author, there is absolutely no way to figure out what will happen next. You have to read it to find out! That is my favorite kind of book, and Lodwig really delivers the goods.
The book's premise is an all-powerful and controlling AI-based system that runs every aspect of human life. But people are no longer challenged, struggling, or threatened, everything is nice, and everyone is happy and hopefully content. Then why are suicides becoming an epidemic? Why is the pervasive drug Kumfort such a problem? You'll have to read Systemic to find out, as nearly anything and everything I say here will be a spoiler.
Suffice it to say that you will not expect the way the book goes, the truth of our heroes, and definitely not how it ends. I highly recommend this book. Chris Lodwig's intriguing and creative, the inventive premise is more than enough to build this world.
My litmus test for a new author (to me) and a book is threefold: Does it entertain me and provide a good story and a good escape? Is it well written with few errors grammatically and linguistically? Would I want to read the next book in the series, and would I recommend it? The answer to all these questions is an emphatic YES for Systemic, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to almost any reader, whether you like futuristic, sci-fi, dystopian, or just a good read.
This book revolves in a seemingly utopian future world around 4 main characters: Maik, who is in love with a rather elusive and mysterious woman known as LAFS. His story and the journey become our intro to the Systemic era and world. Then there are three and a half other main characters, and the book really revolves around their stories: Eryn is looking to hike across a desert to go visit her mom. Lem is happily married to a wife who wants a baby when we start. And Thomas, who lives as a hermit in the desert and ends up saving Eryn. The half character is Sadie, Thomas's dog. And I'm not counting the AIs or the System itself, which could be considered characters in their own right.
Chris Lodwig has a very cerebral and emotional writing style, in which we know what the characters think and feel from their own perspectives. Not necessarily the reality of what is happening, but we know what they experience. The book starts a little slow and takes a while to gain momentum. Trust me, though, it is well worth the wait, and the action and the intrigue pick up after the opening chapters with Maik, and they never stop after that. It becomes a real page-turner.
When we meet Eryn, everything changes. To the point where, after you finish the book, you may want to go back and read it again, now knowing what all the secrets, intrigue, and mysteries lead to. Don't even bother trying to second-guess the characters or the author, there is absolutely no way to figure out what will happen next. You have to read it to find out! That is my favorite kind of book, and Lodwig really delivers the goods.
The book's premise is an all-powerful and controlling AI-based system that runs every aspect of human life. But people are no longer challenged, struggling, or threatened, everything is nice, and everyone is happy and hopefully content. Then why are suicides becoming an epidemic? Why is the pervasive drug Kumfort such a problem? You'll have to read Systemic to find out, as nearly anything and everything I say here will be a spoiler.
Suffice it to say that you will not expect the way the book goes, the truth of our heroes, and definitely not how it ends. I highly recommend this book. Chris Lodwig's intriguing and creative, the inventive premise is more than enough to build this world.
My litmus test for a new author (to me) and a book is threefold: Does it entertain me and provide a good story and a good escape? Is it well written with few errors grammatically and linguistically? Would I want to read the next book in the series, and would I recommend it? The answer to all these questions is an emphatic YES for Systemic, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to almost any reader, whether you like futuristic, sci-fi, dystopian, or just a good read.
July 31, 2020
Loved this book.
The future tech was spot on, as was the research that went into the world building and character development of the system/Ai. There's something special created when an author is able to build such a convincing world as was done with Systemic. The author did such a good job that I honestly felt completely sucked into this world. The narration of this book ( if that is how you choose to enjoy this story) does Systemic justice. The narrator uses a variety of voices and made me quite nostalgic for similar futuristic books like the silo series. Definitely adding this book to my favorites list and keeping an eye out for more books from this author.
To the author: Thank you for this story. Your idea of a possible future for humanity is equal parts horrifingly unsettling and uniquely beautiful.
The future tech was spot on, as was the research that went into the world building and character development of the system/Ai. There's something special created when an author is able to build such a convincing world as was done with Systemic. The author did such a good job that I honestly felt completely sucked into this world. The narration of this book ( if that is how you choose to enjoy this story) does Systemic justice. The narrator uses a variety of voices and made me quite nostalgic for similar futuristic books like the silo series. Definitely adding this book to my favorites list and keeping an eye out for more books from this author.
To the author: Thank you for this story. Your idea of a possible future for humanity is equal parts horrifingly unsettling and uniquely beautiful.
January 15, 2021
This Novel is a thinking piece. It poses multiple ethical, moral, and philosophical questions. Written in multi-close-third POV, the narrative pieces itself together much like a patchwork quilt. The Pieces seemingly random and unrelated, but when viewed in their finished form, taking on a complete and greater meaning, superior to the sum of the parts.
Its very much a human interest story, light on action or any sort of sensationalist draws, so if your looking for excitement, this probably is not your cup of tea.
For sum, this work may fill you with existential dread. Others, I am sure, will find the writing positively systemic.
This book was written to be made into an audio book. It is the first book I have ever consumed as an audio book, and it has raised my opinion on audio books considerably.
You can check out my interview with the author on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872DD...
Its very much a human interest story, light on action or any sort of sensationalist draws, so if your looking for excitement, this probably is not your cup of tea.
For sum, this work may fill you with existential dread. Others, I am sure, will find the writing positively systemic.
This book was written to be made into an audio book. It is the first book I have ever consumed as an audio book, and it has raised my opinion on audio books considerably.
You can check out my interview with the author on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872DD...
March 15, 2021
Though every story arrives at a thrilling climax (which this book definitely did!), what I enjoy about a story is the characters themselves. Getting to know these characters, who they are, what drives them, and learning about their experiences that led them to where this story begins... This is where a story can fill out, or drag on. While this part of Systemic is lengthy, the book is better for it. These people which carry us through the story are so well developed that, by the end, you can almost know how they will behave in the climactic sequences. Almost.
A great balance of letting you in on just enough, but not too much. As the characters journeys converge, the excitement ramps up. A jaw dropping reveal and a high-paced final act makes me wish I had the next one to start on immediately! Can't wait!
A great balance of letting you in on just enough, but not too much. As the characters journeys converge, the excitement ramps up. A jaw dropping reveal and a high-paced final act makes me wish I had the next one to start on immediately! Can't wait!
Read
July 30, 2023Written by a friend of a friend +1 / -0. The novel uses what I call a technocratic to show us some consequences of a quasi-benevolent AI system which starts running humanity. If you happened to be watching Tara Hernandez's 'Mrs. Davis' at the same time (like I was) you would understand this sub-genre of sci-fi pretty well. You also might find yourself wondering, 'Minority Report' style, whether the average benefit of such a system is worth the occasional downside. I sometimes find this style of story telling for the purpose of moral philosophy a little stupid, but if you don't, and you've just read 2000 pages of Derek Parfit and wish it were 3000, then you probably can't get enough of this stuff. My own perspective on this - if life was mostly good but some people got bored and committed suicide, would this be better or worse than a world where millions of people die every year of starvation and war and still have lots of suicides. Hrm. So you kind of think you have an answer, but Lodwig asks the next question of how would a superintelligent being trying to keep a system running behave if the system was starting to fail some people, and thinks that maybe it would start to fail a lot of people, but couldn't come up with a solution and there were lots of people who still like the system and don't see it as tearing itself apart. It's fun, but in the end it's a religious argument - if God let us all live in paradise and then we kind of got totally bored, or if God viewed us as not having enough purpose, maybe God would kill themselves out of a sense of personal failure, or maybe just introduce sin. Plus hard sci fi. It's front and center in Mrs. Davis but merely inescapable subtext here as it would be for any story around omniscience. Lodwig introduces some fun memory alteration concepts to explain all this, and there's plenty of fun hard sci fi and even some actiony bits in Systemic to keep you entertained...
But I say technocratic because Lodwig goes to great lengths to explain the plausibility of these concepts, often letting these descriptions lead us through the novel, while taking turns with the actual plot. It bothered me a great deal, since these details can often lead to logical traps and disagreements with the author that are a distraction from the concepts and excitement. Lodwig is in the good company of Neal Stephenson, whose writing annoys me for a similar reason.
But I say technocratic because Lodwig goes to great lengths to explain the plausibility of these concepts, often letting these descriptions lead us through the novel, while taking turns with the actual plot. It bothered me a great deal, since these details can often lead to logical traps and disagreements with the author that are a distraction from the concepts and excitement. Lodwig is in the good company of Neal Stephenson, whose writing annoys me for a similar reason.
June 28, 2021
The Kind of book you'd read twice - interwinding characters, AI and ominous hints at what's real and what's a mirage. Underneath it all - it's a learning experience - how far would you go to lose those unpleasant memories? How many times before you recognize that déjà vu and act to change it. Yet, it's optimistic, adventurous and fully captivating.
March 29, 2022
Narration was pretty good, but not great.
So I basically knew what I was getting coming into this story after exchanging a few emails with the author. As advertised, this is a "just straight up, earth-bound, nothing super-natural, AI, mind control sci-fi" that I requested less for the entertainment value and more for "exploring the human condition and/or our evolution as well as any vision into how our tech might evolve." On this the author delivers a solid, well researched story with four (4) converging POVs (including the AI itself). The first part of the book is really setting the stage and world building. This is where a lot of authors get the tech so wrong it interferes with the story ... not here. There was just enough to impress, but not enough to bore; however, the story may seem to drag here for some readers/listeners because of the limited action (it is a long build-up). What was really interesting was how the AI/System evolved into the ultimate arbiters of the truth (surprisingly apropos in our current politcal climate). The second half of the book certainly picks up the pace until you get a fantastic (and somewhat unexpected) ending that requires you to think about what the AI's role ultimately was (and who were the good guys and who were the bad guys). This book is designed from the start to make you think about things ... which is why I really enjoyed it.
This title is also currently available on Kindle Unlimited ...
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#feeaudiobookcodes #audiobookboom #systemic
So I basically knew what I was getting coming into this story after exchanging a few emails with the author. As advertised, this is a "just straight up, earth-bound, nothing super-natural, AI, mind control sci-fi" that I requested less for the entertainment value and more for "exploring the human condition and/or our evolution as well as any vision into how our tech might evolve." On this the author delivers a solid, well researched story with four (4) converging POVs (including the AI itself). The first part of the book is really setting the stage and world building. This is where a lot of authors get the tech so wrong it interferes with the story ... not here. There was just enough to impress, but not enough to bore; however, the story may seem to drag here for some readers/listeners because of the limited action (it is a long build-up). What was really interesting was how the AI/System evolved into the ultimate arbiters of the truth (surprisingly apropos in our current politcal climate). The second half of the book certainly picks up the pace until you get a fantastic (and somewhat unexpected) ending that requires you to think about what the AI's role ultimately was (and who were the good guys and who were the bad guys). This book is designed from the start to make you think about things ... which is why I really enjoyed it.
This title is also currently available on Kindle Unlimited ...
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#feeaudiobookcodes #audiobookboom #systemic
September 1, 2020
Genius.
Would you choose to live in a systemic world, without disease, no crime, always feeling content? As an AI, dystopian and utopian genre-bender book.
I enjoyed how the book was thought provoking about what a humanity’s future could possibly look like with AI’s. The stories of each character were funny, relatable and pulled you into their though process and world with each a plot twist all ending up intertwined. I’ve never read a book with the format it was written in and I really enjoyed the fresh change, especially being a new way to read through a book, very clever.
I would absolutely reread this book, which I don’t normally reread a book, but the authors details were very defined, well written. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy AI sci-fi,
dystopian and utopian genre.
Would you choose to live in a systemic world, without disease, no crime, always feeling content? As an AI, dystopian and utopian genre-bender book.
I enjoyed how the book was thought provoking about what a humanity’s future could possibly look like with AI’s. The stories of each character were funny, relatable and pulled you into their though process and world with each a plot twist all ending up intertwined. I’ve never read a book with the format it was written in and I really enjoyed the fresh change, especially being a new way to read through a book, very clever.
I would absolutely reread this book, which I don’t normally reread a book, but the authors details were very defined, well written. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy AI sci-fi,
dystopian and utopian genre.
June 15, 2020
Thought provoking and timely book
I enjoyed the theme and story. How much control do we want to give to our devices and information/computer systems? I would recommend to people who enjoy science fiction, drama, and dystopian fiction
I enjoyed the theme and story. How much control do we want to give to our devices and information/computer systems? I would recommend to people who enjoy science fiction, drama, and dystopian fiction
January 11, 2023
An interesting take on a possible AI controlled future.
April 24, 2024
Book 17 in 2024 is Systemic by Chris Lodwig.
If you like puzzles, this is the book for you. From start to finish, Systemic is one giant puzzle that grabs you and pulls you in until you finish the book. It is written in such a way that both teens and adults will enjoy. There is so much in this book. I want to rave about it but also don't want to give anything away! This book makes you think. I loved it. It's probably considered science fiction, but with all the new scientific and technological advances happening everyday, it might actually just be fiction and less science finction... Looking forward to more by this author.
#bookreview #2024 #AI #puzzle #thriller #fivestars
If you like puzzles, this is the book for you. From start to finish, Systemic is one giant puzzle that grabs you and pulls you in until you finish the book. It is written in such a way that both teens and adults will enjoy. There is so much in this book. I want to rave about it but also don't want to give anything away! This book makes you think. I loved it. It's probably considered science fiction, but with all the new scientific and technological advances happening everyday, it might actually just be fiction and less science finction... Looking forward to more by this author.
#bookreview #2024 #AI #puzzle #thriller #fivestars
October 31, 2023
I've got to be honest - I'm on the fence about this particular book.
I think the actual writing is ok, but hopefully will be refined in future books as the author grows. It took quite a bit to get going.
I think the ideas contained herein are absurd, but also apt, and maybe terrifying.
I'm not sure I liked any of the characters. Although this might be okay? and I'm not sure I followed everything, which felt a bit complicated, but this might also be okay?
I think the actual writing is ok, but hopefully will be refined in future books as the author grows. It took quite a bit to get going.
I think the ideas contained herein are absurd, but also apt, and maybe terrifying.
I'm not sure I liked any of the characters. Although this might be okay? and I'm not sure I followed everything, which felt a bit complicated, but this might also be okay?
March 28, 2024
Just WOW !!
I don't usually steer towards sci fi but before I was even halfway through chapter 1, I was hooked. If you are looking for a story that truly makes you stop and think about what our future could become, I highly recommend. Chris Lodwig knows how to pull a reader in and not let go. What a thrill ride! Starting Book 2 tomorrow and hoping this story continues on and on.
I don't usually steer towards sci fi but before I was even halfway through chapter 1, I was hooked. If you are looking for a story that truly makes you stop and think about what our future could become, I highly recommend. Chris Lodwig knows how to pull a reader in and not let go. What a thrill ride! Starting Book 2 tomorrow and hoping this story continues on and on.
August 30, 2020
Ok, my problem with this book was that it was supposed to be about AI and there were ZERO sexy robots in it, and if I know anything about AI (from watching Ex Machina and Westworld) that’s like the whole point. Honestly though, the book was great. Creative, unpredictable, and a lot of fun to read. Great job, Chris!
March 31, 2023
Hi Chris, Read both of your first two books and will reread them before the third comes out.
Great storytelling and wordsmithing.
Waiting with anticipation for the next one.
Great storytelling and wordsmithing.
Waiting with anticipation for the next one.
December 17, 2023
One possible future of AI, great read!
Great read! Thanks for the suggestion JJJ. Loved the plot, characters the way the chapters were laid out. Gonna start on the sequel now!
Great read! Thanks for the suggestion JJJ. Loved the plot, characters the way the chapters were laid out. Gonna start on the sequel now!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews