Book Review – ‘Network Effect’ (#5 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

The best team-up in the universe…

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 350

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you’re a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you’re Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.

—

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot’s human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

I just love Murderbot, and in my past reviews for the previous novellas in this series I was hoping ‘Network Effect’ would be a Murderbot/ART team-up that involved some sort of contact with alien remnants, or a first contact scenario, maybe not quite that but this novel was everything I could have dreamed of.

As fast and easy a read as ‘Network Effect’ was (and the pacing fairly standard throughout) it read a lot like a longer version of the serialised novellas. So there were moments where the pacing dropped off a little. The format Murderbot Diaries has been following in the novellas does not work as well in a full length novel… you need more than one or two twists/reveals, and you need a lot more character development and exploration of secondary characters and their arcs. ‘Network Effect’ did manage this successfully, but it wasn’t a home run. I still had so many unanswered questions. But this is a part of an on-going plot that is continuing on for another four confirmed sequels. So rather than look at this as a standalone novel, or a novel in the traditional sense, I’m viewing it as another novella addition/episode… that happens to be a ‘big’ novella.

Murderbot gets put through the ringer again and we see him get shot, maimed, and suffer forced reboots. It’s become standard that Murderbot will sustain some sort of damage in each adventure; all while pondering its existence, meaning, and relationships.

The snarky/abusive banter between ART and Murderbot is up front and centre in ‘Network Effect’ and added much needed comic relief – and this time some of the humans get let in on the jokes. But in this episode we see the human-type failings of the personalities from both Murderbot and ART.

I wanted a few bigger twists and reveals from ‘Network Effect,’ for some reason the plot did not feel big enough for what I’ve expected from the series to date. But the concept of Abandoned/Reclaimed colonies and seeing the effects of actual alien remnants was a joy. It’s been hinted at for so long in the series, it was so much fun to have a front row seat to an encounter…. well not for the characters in the story, but definitely for the reader.

We start to see a real jump in the expanding universe of Murderbot and I am excited for the possibilities.

The story was mostly predictable with the exception of final reveal – but it wasn’t too shocking, so I think that’s where the slightly underwhelming feeling come from.

Wells does a brilliant job of constructing the world of the Colony, space, and constructs (AI/bots), as well as that of an alien threat. I was completely engrossed and not pulled from the narrative once.

I also loved the discussion of what a friendship or relationship means/is for an artificial construct. Though it’s not defined, ‘Network Effect’ takes some solid steps in that direction. Now I’m totally amped up for the next in the series ‘Fugitive Telemetry.’

Overall feeling: Everything, everywhere, all at once.

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – ‘Home, Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory’ (#4.5 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

How other people see Murderbot… does it deserve autonomy?

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 19

There’s not a lot to review with this short. It’s really just a scene from Dr. Mensah’s point of view as she ponders the Companies predicament, and Murderbot’s issues regarding autonomy, rights, and humanity: and how to relay that to the rest of the board…. and how Murderbot has a sense of humour, loyalty and compassion of their own.

A great little glimpse into Dr Mensah’s mind and the issues Murderbot faces – even in this new more accepting environment.

That’s about all I can say.

Overall feeling: Cool.

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – ‘Exit Strategy’ (#4 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

Is Murderbot becoming more human or is it a glitch in its programming…

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 172

Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right?

Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah — its former owner (protector? friend?) — submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who’s going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue?

And what will become of it when it’s caught?

Another gut-punching action packed fast paced adventure with an intelligent protagonist with a dry sense of humour still learning about its human side. But I love that it did not want to be human. Humans are flawed, and Murderbot is something different – a new species.

Wrapped up many plot points. Less about who Murderbot is and more about what Murderbot wants (to do). Like he was graduating high school and facing an uncertain future with possibilities. He suddenly had friends, choices.

Murderbot is showing courage, bravery, loyalty and self-sacrifice… and sarcasm. He is more complex and developed that many other protagonists I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing in my reading journey. Hat’s off the Martha Wells for crafting such a wonderful character and addictive series.

I kind of get a sense of a small crush between Mancha and Murderbot – whether it be friendship or a one-sided romantic crush. But I like it. She seems to respect Murderbot in all its expression of existing. I really want this pairing to grow and develop even more. They have chemistry.

On a side note: I want a Murderbot and ART team up again, and I want to meet some aliens, or at least get into some alien archaeological sites/tech. I hope that is in the future. I mean as well as passing a law for higher level artificial intelligences/bots for independence.

I’m always left with a satisfied smile and a hunger for more when I complete one of these books.

Extremely highly recommended – this seems to draw this part of the novellas to a close, next is a short ‘Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory’ followed by a full length novel ‘Network Effect’ which I am really looking forward to.

Overall feeling: Sci-fi satisfaction.

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – ‘Rogue Protocol’ (#3 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

A mission for Murderbot the shows him humanity in the unlikeliest of places – another robot.

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 158

SciFi’s favorite antisocial A.I. is again on a mission. The case against the too-big-to-fail GrayCris Corporation is floundering, and more importantly, authorities are beginning to ask more questions about where Dr. Mensah’s SecUnit is.

And Murderbot would rather those questions went away. For good.

Another all-consuming instalment in the Murderbot Diaries. I love how Murderbot is still growing – questioning his own motivations and analysing how others treat him and Miki (a human shape bot that ends up being his sidekick) on this mission to uncover evidence against GrayCris.

There is action galore and I did not want to put the book down. I did feel like it ended a little abruptly and there are some issues raised that are going to have to be addressed in the next instalments, though I wish there would have at least been some acknowledgement at the end of ‘Rogue Protocol…’ Murderbot seemed to be a bit all over the place emotionally, and his processing power is stretched to its limits, so it really did seem like we were missing bits. I think that’s why this is my lowest ranked book in the series so far.

I loved the human interactions with a new group on this mission, though there was less of an emotional bond on the surface as there was in previous books. Murderbot seemed to take a backward step as he switched back into the SecUnit role, rather than that of Consultant.

Miki was a great contrast for Murderbot, and provided the reader, and Murderbot, with a nifty lens to show a path that is open, an identity that can be crafted, oh the possibilities. But we only get fleeting glimpses of it because Murderbot stays on task and moves on once the mission is complete.

I like that these novellas are fairly unpredictable in the sense that you never know what wrench is going to be thrown into the storyline, but predictable enough in that it is episodic by nature. I’m still really excited to pick up the next book in the series, but am trying to pace myself out because I am so thoroughly enjoying the Murderbot Diaries.

Martha Wells knows how to craft a story, set a cracking pace, and possesses an ironic tone in her writing style that is endearing and engaging.

Still highly recommending this series. Next up: ‘Exit Strategy.’

Overall feeling: cute, but all over the joint.

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – ‘Artificial Condition’ (#2 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

Murderbot makes a friend, sort of…

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 158

It has a dark past – one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot”. But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more.

Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue.

What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks…

This had everything I want in a novella. It was engaging, allowed me to be dragged into the sci-fi world with little effort – which says a lot for Well’s writing style. There were interesting and complex characters, mystery, and plenty of surprises. I’m finding that Wells loves to jump right into the action, gets right to the heart of the story fast and then lets it resonate with the reader while it moves towards the end, only to leave us with a few more zingers.

Definitely an episodic read, but one that has me addicted.

Murderbot is definitely evolving. Through internal probing and influences from external sources. A true representation of how we grow as humans. The ship AI was an intriguing character and I have no doubt we will be finding out a lot more in some future book in the series.

I will say that the price point for this novella is extremely high. But I notice TOR does that, other titles like Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series are charging a similar price. I’m a little insulted as a consumer about this, production of a novella this size does not cost as much as that of a full-length novel, and certainly the formatting/editing cost would be lower too. I’d like to see their justification for charging such a high price point. Do the authors actually get a larger kick-back? Maybe I wouldn’t grumble so much if I knew the bulk of the proceeds went to the creator instead of being assumed into the publishing machine… but still it’s an issue that irks me.

I loved the internal monologue about Murderbot having conflict about appearing more human. Like it shouldn’t have to alter its image to fit into society and have autonomous rights. It has colours of women gaining the vote, people of colour fighting for equality, and transgender individuals struggling equal access to facilities and medical procedures.

Does Murderbot have sympathy for the humans it helps, or is it a simple Pavlovian reaction of its programming… as we get further in the series I can see how it will explore what it truly means to be a compassionate individual being.

This tops my recommendation list. I fell in love with this, instantly and hard.

Overall feeling: Instant favourite!

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – ‘All Systems Red’ (#1 The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

Introducing Murderbot, the killing machine you’re going to fall in love with.

Genre: Science Fiction

No. of pages: 149

“As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure.”

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

What an incredible start to the series. ‘All Systems Red’ is a wonderful surprise. I was instantly sucked into Murderbot’s world and did not come out until I finished this novella. It has a distinct tone and voice that really adds to the narrative and perspective. Plus, Murderbot is hilarious without even trying. This was such a pleasurable reading experience in a genre I adore.

We hit the ground running as our protagonist Murderbot is on the job making sure the human employers are not harmed or killed in a precarious occupation from competitive companies that will do anything for a profit. Wells manages to weave in story, character development, and humour in a minimal number of pages; I am totally envious of her writing skill. The undertone of the discovery of self and identity is a slow building one, but something that grounds the story and makes it relatable.

I got surprises. I got my sci-fi fix. I got interesting characters and a cracking pace! All wrapped up in a quick read, in the form of a novella.

Not a lot I can say without giving away too much of the story – and this is more of an episodic plot, each book in the series builds the world more and more. All I can say is- read the book! Am already excited to read as much of the series as I can! Next up ‘Exit Strategy.’

Overall feeling: Brilliant!

© Casey Carlisle 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

#bookquotes

I can sympathise with Murderbot – sometimes I can’t function properly when I’m around other humans…

#bookporn #coverlove

I’ve fallen in love with Murderbot and this series… it’s one of the best sci-fi collection I’ve read in a while. Still have The Expanse series lined up to tackle next, but does anyone have some great recommendations for awesome sci-fi series?