SPECIAL REVIEW: My Debut Sci-Fi Novel “The System”

It is only natural that those who are avid readers will long to pen their own works sooner or later, for the combined experience of both their life and reading serves as an irresistible impetus to contribute to the wealth of knowledge from which they have so benefited. In my opinion, self-published authors deserve much praise (except for those flooding Amazon with AI-generated slop, of course), particularly for their determination to pull through the project in the first place, and for the risks -including the significant outlay – they must take to bring their creations to life.

But that is not to say you should read my novel on the basis that it’s self-published. Rather, it should be read for its merits alone!

Book Review #20: The System by Christine Le

A spoiler-free synopsis (basically the blurb, but it’s so well written that I don’t dare replace it):

“THE GREAT AI RACE IS LONG PAST, AND THE YEAR IS NOW 2065.

Intellectuals have been rendered defunct, genuine bonds erased, and the smart ring SERA now rivals beauty itself in its grip over the masses. Life is stripped of meaning, but that is a fact universally trumpeted—a fact the algorithms have approved.

No matter how perfect the façade seems to those too close to see it for what it truly is, Jeannine and Navi, two young people from opposite worlds, divided by class and opportunity, question the order of things. Torture and execution, online or not, loom over them as a constant, foreboding threat. And yet, they persevere, seeking liberation and, through it, truth—if such a thing still exists in this world.

Against the system and the metaphysical thread it has rooted in everyone’s mind, Jeannine and Navi will have to confront a truth that every rebel, dreamer, and naysayer must: the change they seek demands more than mere hopefulness.”

An overview of themes and characters:

Why these two elements in particular? When I started out, they formed the foundation of my story and how it unfolded, and so I think it proper to elaborate on them here.

About themes:

From hyperconsumption to technological domination, misinformation to mind control, and overemphasis on physical appearance to shallow personal relationships, these are all looming threats in our current society that, in my prediction, will come to a head by 2065 – the year in which my novel is set. I am incredibly proud of the themes, since not many books, in my reading experience at least, focus on this particular combination of factors that have come to affect our lives more than ever.

About characters:

It pained me during the writing process to come up with, then discard, then tweak the different character arcs, but the results satisfy me to no end: the characters, including the two deuteragonists, are realistically flawed and multidimensional. They all have issues and unique personalities (an inferiority complex, brutal pragmatism, and, of course, youthful idealism found in many young people). Drawing on my real-life observations and introspection, I hope this diverse and very human cast will successfully give credence to this speculative world for you.

To wrap it up,The System is an original speculative novel that examines the future trajectories of some of the most prevalent yet often ignored developments in our society. Hopefully its themes and cast of characters will make it an exciting (and chilling) read for you all!