Book Review: Host by Chris Lodwig

I like reading sequels to books, because sometimes I know precisely what I’m getting into and am thrilled, and other times I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen and am still thrilled. Chris Lodwig’s Host, the second book in the Systemic novels, was a case of the latter. And, oh, my, did it work well.

1. Thoughts on the plot

This book takes place a couple hundred years after the events of book one, where the System (technology, AI, etc.) was powered down. The world continues under the care of the Professors who teach the System to villages under their care. Reyan is a girl who doesn’t quite fit into her village and goes with the Professors when they come on their annual trip. But as she starts learning about the System, she discovers that things are not quite what they seem, and maybe what’s being taught isn’t quite right.

This book’s plot was fascinating to me. I honestly could not predict what was going to happen moment to moment, and yet everything flowed well and made perfect sense. Reyan’s unique experiences really illustrated the world, and the events fit in with that distinct world view with drama and intent. And THAT ENDING! AAAAAAHHHHH!

2. Thoughts on the characters

I really, really liked Reyan as a character. She was very clearly neurodiverse, and as someone ND as well, it was something I intimately understood. The particular issues she had, the quirks, the way of seeing the world were all very well described without being “othering” as often happens with ND representation. I liked that she was described as a girl just trying to find her place in a world that she didn’t quite understand, and that didn’t quite understand her. 

I also liked the other characters, and how they interacted with the world as seen through Reyan’s eyes. There were a few other POV segments, and those worked well for the story, but I liked viewing the characters from Reyan’s perspective, because they felt more real somehow.

3. Favourite part

That ending! AAAaAAAAAHHHhhhhhh!

4. Critique

My only real critique is that some of the description of the Systemic requirements (such as decision matrices) were a little vague as to be almost throwaway details, despite being central to the story. I understand that giving mathematical analyses is not always possible in fiction, especially when it’s complicated maths, but I would have liked a little more clarity on how it worked. It’s a very small detail, though, and really doesn’t detract from the story at all.

Overall, I would say that Host is a fantastic second book and I would highly recommend it, and the whole series.