Level Six
Killday Series Book 2
by William Ledbetter
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Pub Date Aug 07 2023 | Archive Date Oct 15 2023
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Description
Fifteen years after warring artificial intelligences nearly destroyed Earth, Abby, the daughter of Killday hero Leah Gibson, finds an artifact from that struggle, upsetting a delicate balance of power and dragging her into the middle of a new fight for humanity's survival.
One AI faction is working with humanity to repair a biosphere teetering on the edge of collapse, while another faction cares only about elevating itself to a higher plane of intelligence and will destroy anyone who gets in the way. As the only humans still not controlled by AIs race to build huge orbital habitats in space, a more secretive organization grows in the shadows and idolizes the man who triggered the nano-replicator attacks that nearly destroyed the world. They, too, believe the only way to stop the AIs is to annihilate everything.
In Nebula Award winner William Ledbetter’s Level Six, one woman has the power to save humanity - if she can survive long enough to use it.
Advance Praise
“If you want a novel that leaves you terrified of how easily tiny changes multiply to planet-sized problems, don't miss Level Five.” –Nerds of a Feather
“A propulsive techno-thriller that steps outside the well-established tropes of a scientist struggling to save the world from being taken over by AIs who see no further need for humanity.” –Mike Finn’s Fiction
"The cold facts of the story, the sides being drawn, the urgency as time draws near, add to the tension. The results may surprise you. It’s intense, complex, and engaging. It’s a book that hooks you—you must see where it cleverly leads." –Mystery Suspense Review Crew
"This book is filled to the brim with unique characters like artificial intelligences, programmers, engineers, special agents, terrorists, and a man who sees visions of god. It is no surprise that all of them have their own idea of whom should inherit the Earth.... Ledbetter introduces these technologies and gives us a glimpse into how they might affect our lives. He adds a refreshing element to the story, potentially dangerous innovations used for good, and an optimism about humanity’s place in space." --P.A. Kramer
An excellent but surprisingly dark near-future SF
This near-future science fiction thriller liberally mixes a number of well-trodden threats in the genre; from nuclear and biological terrorism, to unchecked artificial intelligences pursuing their agendas, to weaponizing nanotechnology. And yet, Ledbetter takes on a role of an experienced DJ, remixing these familiar things in fascinating new ways, adding in a cast of fascinating characters and experimenting with interesting technologies that manage to feel both wondrous and entirely plausible within our lifetime.
Writers who are bullish on near-future technologies in ways Ledbetter appears to be earlier in the book tend to be optimists who can't help but allow their plucky technocrat protagonists to save the day in the end. Without giving away any of the plot I must say that Ledbetter does not shy away from darker sub-plots and that even the most charismatic of his characters are no more safe from the twists and turns of the plot than the Starks in George R. R. Martin novels.
This is a strong debut novel from an already-accomplished short fiction writer, and I look forward to reading or listening to whatever book he comes up with next.
—Alex Shvartsman
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781953736208 |
| PRICE | $9.99 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Peter T, Educator
Sci-fi drama. Warring AIs and humans are in a struggle to save or destroy the world as far as humankind is concerned. A thought provoking fictional take on our AI future. Thank you to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
S T, Reviewer
I jumped at the chance to read and review "Level Six" by William Ledbetter since I totally loved the previous novel in the series. "Level Six" had all of the cool aspects that the first book in the series had, such as general purpose AI, nanobots, anti-gravity, space travel, and a pervasive cultural war between apparently well-meaning and powerful but not omnipotent AI's and those AI's that are more narrowly focused on their own survival rather than humanity's. Likewise, both novels include imperfect humans with good intent, and malevolent easy-to-hate human antagonists.
Perhaps unavoidably, "Level Six" felt a little less fresh than the previous novel, and I was also scrambling to remember who-was-who in the first couple of chapters. Fortunately, it was easy to get into the swing of the new plot and new characters, and get excited about the goals and future of the protagonist and her friends as well as exciting new applications resulting from AI controlled nanotech.
Perhaps one of the biggest contributions of this novel is the way it handled a post-Singularity Earth and provided an excellent environment to understand and explore such concepts as the soft and hard takeoff theories of the Singularity (e..g, how sudden is the development and improvement of AI) and positive vs. negative Singularity (basically, are the AI's friend or foe to humanity.)
As before, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone that liked the first novel, or appreciates topics including AI, the Singularity, nanotech, or just interesting survival SF.
I thank the author, William Ledbetter, and the publisher, Interstellar Flight Press, for sharing a temporary electronic review copy of this excellent novel with me.
Paul V, Reviewer
Nicely done. I liked this and the previous book in the series. It has an interesting premise and is laid out with good pacing. Recommended.
I really appreciate the free copy for review!!
Jay B, Reviewer
This is a fine effort in imagining a mid-future scenario involving the supposed conflicts between powerful artificial intelligences and humans. Though my scale doesn't strictly allow it, I thing this deserves 4.5 stars.
The story is situated in a post-apocalyptic earth setting, where technology run amok was the underlying cause of the apocalypse. In this context, there are AIs operating at various numbered "levels" (though the Level numbers in the story differ a bit from more common nomenclature; here, "Level 5's" are what current 2023 AI culture might term Level 3 Artificial General Intelligences. Small quibble.)
Importantly, this technology age also has a broad range of very small (nano-scale) highly-controllable machines that can be manufactured quickly in great quantities. And, the Level 5 AGIs are able to manufacture these at will, and deploy them for use.
This, then provides the setting for a story that asks the question "Will they (AGIs) be nice to us (humans)?"
The bottom line in this review: The answer to that question in the book is nuanced, multi-faceted, and intelligently-wrought. I like it.
Other comments of things that showed up for me:
- A key character stated his philosophy on AI development. (It is) "... driven by two assumptions. First, that humanity was living on borrowed time, and that someday ... (something) would wipe them out. And second, that given enough time ... the emergence of a true super intelligence was inevitable. (and ...) with proper circumstances the resulting god-like beings might be benevolent toward humanity.... If the machines were able to develop a morality similar to humans ... then humanity's chances improved greatly." Interesting.
- So, if AGIs do come into being, how do we cope? "Apparently being totally free of level fives wasn't a realistic option, so maybe it would come down to picking sides. The age-old human dilemma of having to choose the lesser of two evils."
- Another tidbit talked about the concern that AGIs might manipulate humans: "Humans have always been easily manipulated, ... and nobody is better at it than other humans ... So our (AGI) partners would manipulate us even if they didn't intend to, simply by giving their opinions or reminding us of our obligations (as humans do)." Love this.
- There was an awesome description of the feeling one has when visiting an empty place where you once made memories. "Abby stood in the living room expecting a flood of memories, but nothing looked familiar. The house had been looted long ago, or emptied, depending on who you asked, leaving little of value." And, later, "The detritus of truncated lives, Souveniers and mementos that had lost all significance that day fifteen years ago." Lovely imagery.
- There was a nice Easter Egg in mentioning that a hiding place was "...tucked between the tattered pages of a paperback copy of Snow Crash." Homage to Neal Stephenson's foundational novel.
- And finally, "Why are we like this? ... Look at those (devices). They're amazing. People can build such wonders, yet still kill each other with no more remorse than we would pulling weeds from a garden. How can we be both? I don't understand. What is wrong with us?" Followed by "It's fear. Humans and AIs are all afraid. Of death. Oblivion. The other." Really insightful writing.
So, all-in-all good stuff.
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