System Collapse - Book Review

 

System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries #7)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast.

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.

What did I think of it:

I read and forgot to review this back in 2024.

(It was quite the year)

I couldn't really remember a lot, so when I got Platform Decay in the mail I decided to reread this before reading Platform Decay.

I know lots of people complained about Network Effect being slow, but to be honest to me System Collapse felt slow at first. I still enjoyed the story, but was waiting for things to actually start happening. (Some of this may be because it was a reread however little I remember of that first read.)

Murderbot is a mess and trying to deal with a lot of things and the way it was written was cleverly done. Still I was glad when action kicked in and the pace of the story picked up. From there on out it felt like Murderbot was back on track and found a way to move forward after the things that happened in Network Effect. I'll be picking up Platform Decay soon to see what's next for Murderbot.

All in all a great read if a bit slow at first.

Why should you read it:

Murderbot! Ehm... I mean: It's a really great SciFi read.

Exit Strategy - Book Review (Reread/Repost)

 

Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4)
by Martha Wells

What is it about:
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?

What did I think of it:
Until I read this novella Artificial Condition was my favorite of these novellas (ART!), but now it will have to share first place with Exit Strategy.

Murderbot has answers to several of its questions and is on its way to Dr. Mensah, who bought Murderbot from its corporation and thereby giving Murderbot its freedom. But things have happened while Murderbot was gone, and soon it is in the middle of dangerous politics and games.

Once again there is lots of action while Murderbot tries to save the day. There are returning characters as well, and I loved catching up with them. I read this novella in one sitting, because it was just too suspenseful to put down. I needed to know if all my favorite characters would survive.

All in all another awesome read. I'm hooked on this series!

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool SF novella


buy from amazon

Three Quick Book reviews

 

Quick Reviews

Sing by Karin Tidbeck

The biologist Petr explores the strange colony of Kiruna and meets the village outcast Aino, who seduces him unknowingly with her intoxicating singing voice. He finds comfort in her unusual way of life but soon discovers that a symbiotic relationship can be a blessing or a curse.

What did I think:

A weird, but alluring short story. I liked Aino, Petr is a bit of a tool though. I really liked the writing and the atmosphere.

Compulsory (The Murderbot Diaries #0.5) by Martha Wells

Murderbot—the sardonic, almost-homicidal, media-loving android created by Martha Wells—has proven to be one of the most popular characters in 21 st century science fiction. Everything that makes this protagonist (it would be wrong to call Murderbot a hero) beloved of fans is on display in Compulsory.

What did I think:

It's Murderbot! What's not to love?!

Relocating Christmas by Kerry Anne King/Kerry Schafer

A heartwarming Christmas mystery with a touch of magic.

Nickle Wood is not a thief, although her rap sheet begs to differ. It’s just that a lot of objects are not where they are meant to be and the universe has chosen her to move them. Christmas is absolutely the worst, with every brightly wrapped package a potential landmine.

She and her private-eye boyfriend, Hawk, have agreed: no presents. But he can’t resist giving her a little something and Nickle’s fragile trust is broken. She thought he understood the problem, but maybe he doesn’t really know her at all. Insult to injury, the gift, a beautiful pendant, clearly wants to be elsewhere.

Nickle ventures out into a Christmas Eve snowstorm, determined to relocate the pendant on her own, but when it leads her to a runaway teen and a dog sheltering together behind a dumpster, Nickle knows she’s going to need Hawk’s help to find the girl’s missing mother. Can they trust each other – and Nickle’s unusual ability – enough to work together and pull off a Christmas miracle?

This delightful stand alone novella continues the story of Nickle and Hawk from King’s beloved novel Other People’s Things.

What did I think:

If you paid attention you noticed this book was mentioned as a Christmas Reads and hopefully you read and enjoyed it already. If not: Go get it! It's a wonderful read as both a standalone and a continuation of  Other People’s Things! Also a great read outside of the Holiday Season, so don't wait until December to get it.

Fugitive Telemetry - Book Review (2021 Pearl)

   I'm reposting the reviews of some of my favorite reads of 2021 this week.

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries #6)

by Martha Wells 

What is it about:

No, I didn’t kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn’t dump the body in the station mall.

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

What did I think of it:

Although this is book 6 in the series it is set before the events in book 5 as far as I can tell. Also: it is sort of a standalone in so far that it's not connected to events in the other books.

And with that we have the only 'flaw' in this novella. I missed the connection to the overall story arc of this series.

Other than that this novella is just as awesome as the other books. Murderbot is cynical and sarcastic as ever, and tries hard to keep the humans from doing stupid things. I was hooked from the start and read the book in one sitting, it was that engaging.

There were appearances of some of my favorite characters, as well as new characters who seemed intriguing. The story is a whodunnit in space and it was set up really well in my opinion. All in all well worth the wait.

Now the waiting for the next book begins.

Why should you read it:

Because Murderbot is awesome!

buy from amazon

Fugitive Telemetry - Book Review

 

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries #6)

by Martha Wells 

What is it about:

No, I didn’t kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn’t dump the body in the station mall.

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

What did I think of it:

Although this is book 6 in the series it is set before the events in book 5 as far as I can tell. Also: it is sort of a standalone in so far that it's not connected to events in the other books.

And with that we have the only 'flaw' in this novella. I missed the connection to the overall story arc of this series.

Other than that this novella is just as awesome as the other books. Murderbot is cynical and sarcastic as ever, and tries hard to keep the humans from doing stupid things. I was hooked from the start and read the book in one sitting, it was that engaging.

There were appearances of some of my favorite characters, as well as new characters who seemed intriguing. The story is a whodunnit in space and it was set up really well in my opinion. All in all well worth the wait.

Now the waiting for the next book begins.

Why should you read it:

Because Murderbot is awesome!

buy from amazon

Teasing on a Wednesday - Fugitive Telemetry

 

I've reread all the previous Murderbot books and now it's time to read the newest addition to this cool series!

Station Security had been briefed on the danger from GrayCris but I trusted them as much as they trusted me. (Surprise, it was not very much.)

(page 8, Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells)

buy from amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Network Effect - Book Review (repost)

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

Murderbot returns in its highly-anticipated, first, full-length standalone novel.

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.

What did I think of it:

I was a bit apprehensive when I started on this book, as it seemed a lot of people who loved the novellas were disappointed with this novel.

Turns out I'm not one of those people and I loved it!

I will say I can see why some people loved it less. The novellas are packed with action and have lots of internal Murderbot monologues. If those two things are why you love Murderbot, this book might indeed disappoint.

I myself enjoyed the slower pace of the story. It gave room to explore things that didn't get a lot of room in the novellas. I loved seeing Murderbot interact more with humans and to see how they react to it. And there might have been fewer internal monologues, there were lots of scenes where I got to know Murderbot in new ways, and where Murderbot was forced to talk and think about its feelings.

And there was ART!

All in all I loved this book and I'm eager to get my trotters on the next novella as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:

ART!!!

Ehm... It's a really awesome SF read.

buy from bookdepository 

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory - Quick Book Review (repost)

 

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (The Murderbot Diaries #4.5)
by Martha Wells

What is it about:
A short story set in the Murderbot Diaries series from the viewpoint of Dr. Mensah.

What did I think of it:
When I heard there was going to be a Q&A with Martha Wells at Short Story Club, and that people who signed up for the Q&A would get the short story Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory for free, you bet I immediately signed up.

And this is a great short story. It is from the viewpoint of Dr. Mensah and I loved seeing Murderbot through her eyes for once. As with all good short stories though, it was much too short in my opinion.

I greatly recommend fans of the Murderbot Diaries to read this story. It's now available to read here

Exit Strategy - Book Review (repost)

 

Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

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?

What did I think of it:

Until I read this novella Artificial Condition was my favorite of these novellas (ART!), but now it will have to share first place with Exit Strategy.

Murderbot has answers to several of its questions and is on its way to Dr. Mensah, who bought Murderbot from its corporation and thereby giving Murderbot its freedom. But things have happened while Murderbot was gone, and soon it is in the middle of dangerous politics and games.

Once again there is lots of action while Murderbot tries to save the day. There are returning characters as well, and I loved catching up with them. I read this novella in one sitting, because it was just too suspenseful to put down. I needed to know if all my favorite characters would survive.

All in all another awesome read. I'm hooked on this series!

Why should you read it:

It's a really cool SF novella

buy from amazon

Rogue Protocol - Book Review (repost)

 

Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries #3)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

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.

What did I think of it:

I'm loving Murderbot more and more with each book. It is such a cool character.

As much as Murderbot would like to be left alone to watch its shows, there's always something intruding. Certainly it can't be that it is starting to care about people, can it? To help Dr. Mensah with the case against GrayCris Murderbot is on the hunt for information. It once again ends up with people who are in way over their heads and need a SecUnit to stay alive.

I love how Murderbot thinks about itself and humans. Its internal monologues are dry and at times sarcastic. I have never related with a construct more! If not for the fact Murderbot wants to be left alone, we'd be fast friends if we ever met for sure.

The story is once again suspenseful and full of action. I cheered Murderbot on and was on the edge of my seat to see if Murderbot would save the day and all involved.

All in all this is yet another great read, and I ordered Network Effect (book 5) even before starting on Exit Strategy (book 4).

Why should you read it:

Murderbot is totally awesome!

buy from amazon

Artificial Condition - Book Review (repost)

 

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

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…

What did I think of it:

This is another Hugo read. I wasn't sure if I should read it as it's book 2 in a series, but then Jeffe told me she started it and didn't feel lost even though she hadn't read book 1, so I decided to give it a try as well.

And this is a really fun read. I especially loved ART and the interaction between ART and Murderbot. The two of them really have a unique and cool way of looking at things. I thought Wells did a great job at making them sound and act other than human.

The story itself delves into the past of Murderbot and also is about Murderbot trying to find out where it/they belong and how they want to be.

All in all a very cool novella. I think I'll go back and read the first one as well.

Why should you read it:

It's a very cool SF novella.

Notes on rereading:

Although this book is also perfectly readable on its own, I must say it's a more solid read if you also know what happened in the first book. I got a better grip on what's going on in Murderbot's head and was more invested. I still totally love ART!

Buy from Amazon

All Systems Red - Book Review (repost)

If you saw my Teaser Tuesday post yesterday you might have already guessed that I am rereading the Murderbot Diaries. So here's a repost of my review of the first book.

All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

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 did I think of it:

I totally read this series out of order by reading the second novella last year for my Hugo reading without reading the first book. I loved the second book, so bought the first and read it in between other reads last year, but didn't review as I read it rather haphazardly. So time for a reread and time to maybe read the rest of the series as well, especially as there's now also a novel.

And this is such a fun and cool read!

I love Murderbot. It is an android with human components that hacked itself to be free from its owner's control. As it works for a group of scientists Murderbot has to decide who it is and how it wants to act towards humans.

Strange and dangerous things start happening and it's up to Murderbot to keep the humans it works with safe.

I loved the interaction between Murderbot and the humans, and I loved how Murderbot questions itself and the world and people around it. I will confess I could really relate to Murderbot. It has a worldview that's just as cynical as mine while it still cares for those put in its care as long as they're not being stupid about it.

All in all this is a great first novella in what I'm guessing will become a quest for Murderbot to find out who it is and what happened in its checkered past.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and suspenseful SF novella

buy from Amazon

Network Effect - Book Review

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

Murderbot returns in its highly-anticipated, first, full-length standalone novel.

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.

What did I think of it:

I was a bit apprehensive when I started on this book, as it seemed a lot of people who loved the novellas were disappointed with this novel.

Turns out I'm not one of those people and I loved it!

I will say I can see why some people loved it less. The novellas are packed with action and have lots of internal Murderbot monologues. If those two things are why you love Murderbot, this book might indeed disappoint.

I myself enjoyed the slower pace of the story. It gave room to explore things that didn't get a lot of room in the novellas. I loved seeing Murderbot interact more with humans and to see how they react to it. And there might have been fewer internal monologues, there were lots of scenes where I got to know Murderbot in new ways, and where Murderbot was forced to talk and think about its feelings.

And there was ART!

All in all I loved this book and I'm eager to get my trotters on the next novella as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:

ART!!!

Ehm... It's a really awesome SF read.

buy from bookdepository

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory - Quick Book Review

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (The Murderbot Diaries #4.5)
by Martha Wells

What is it about:
A short story set in the Murderbot Diaries series from the viewpoint of Dr. Mensah.

What did I think of it:
When I heard there was going to be a Q&A with Martha Wells at Short Story Club, and that people who signed up for the Q&A would get the short story Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory for free, you bet I immediately signed up.

And this is a great short story. It is from the viewpoint of Dr. Mensah and I loved seeing Murderbot through her eyes for once. As with all good short stories though, it was much too short in my opinion.

I greatly recommend fans of the Murderbot Diaries to try and get hold of this short story if at all possible.

Exit Strategy - Book Review

Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4)
by Martha Wells

What is it about:
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?

What did I think of it:
Until I read this novella Artificial Condition was my favorite of these novellas (ART!), but now it will have to share first place with Exit Strategy.

Murderbot has answers to several of its questions and is on its way to Dr. Mensah, who bought Murderbot from its corporation and thereby giving Murderbot its freedom. But things have happened while Murderbot was gone, and soon it is in the middle of dangerous politics and games.

Once again there is lots of action while Murderbot tries to save the day. There are returning characters as well, and I loved catching up with them. I read this novella in one sitting, because it was just too suspenseful to put down. I needed to know if all my favorite characters would survive.

All in all another awesome read. I'm hooked on this series!

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool SF novella


buy from amazon

Rogue Protocol - Book Review

Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries #3)
by Martha Wells

What is it about:
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.

What did I think of it:
I'm loving Murderbot more and more with each book. It is such a cool character.

As much as Murderbot would like to be left alone to watch its shows, there's always something intruding. Certainly it can't be that it is starting to care about people, can it? To help Dr. Mensah with the case against GrayCris Murderbot is on the hunt for information. It once again ends up with people who are in way over their heads and need a SecUnit to stay alive.

I love how Murderbot thinks about itself and humans. Its internal monologues are dry and at times sarcastic. I have never related with a construct more! If not for the fact Murderbot wants to be left alone, we'd be fast friends if we ever met for sure.

The story is once again suspenseful and full of action. I cheered Murderbot on and was on the edge of my seat to see if Murderbot would save the day and all involved.

All in all this is yet another great read, and I ordered Network Effect (book 5) even before starting on Exit Strategy (book 4).

Why should you read it:
Murderbot is totally awesome!


buy from amazon