This was a fun quick read. Some similar themes to Anne Leckie’s Imperial Radch trilogy and also to the film Ex Machina. If you liked those you will likely enjoy this first novella in the Murderbot Diaries. ( )

This was a sweet and diverting scifi novella. I liked it but wasn't swept away. I would say it was a 3.5, and I wrestled with whether to round up or down. I do plan to continue the series. I believe my friend Justin might now consider me a puppy murderer for my failure to award all the stars, but I am here to assure him no animals were harmed in the reading or reviewing process. ( )

Digital audiobook performed by Kevin R Free

Book one in the Murderbot Diaries series. Our narrator is an AI-android who calls itself Murderbot (because of “that incident” in its past).

As the story opens, a scientific team is exploring an alien planet when a team member is attacked by a giant creature. The robotic security unit (known as SEC Unit) saves her. It seems the SEC unit has hacked its own governing system so that it can operate on its own without relying (or obeying) commands from the humans who believe they are in charge. Of course, Murderbot doesn’t let on and the humans still think they are in control. But this bot really just prefers to be left alone with the soap operas it has downloaded to watch during downtime, and from which it has “learned” about human behavior.

I really love this Murderbot! Probably my favorite non-human since I “met” Rocky in Project Hail Mary. It is often self-deprecating in its humor, and I loved the occasionally snarky remark. This is one loveable rogue! And I enjoyed watching the friendship develop between the Murderbot and the human Dr Mensah. I think I will have to continue the series.

Kevin R Free does a great job of performing the audiobook. His pacing is good, his diction clear and I really like the way he interprets Murderbot. ( )

Nebula Award for Best Novella earlier this year, All Systems Red also received the Hugo Award, the Alex Award, and the Locus Award for Best Novella as well!
I love, love this series. The character is extremely engaging (for a self-confessed murderer) and the writing is tight and captivating. The plot is absorbing and one will likely read it in one sitting. Prepare.

After devouring the series (via the library), I then went out and bought it, and have now reread it. And it holds up beautifully.

This is the first in the series, followed by Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, and most recently Network Effect. ( )

Sencilla y sin mucha mas pretensión, pero Murderbot es la cosa mas bonica del mundo. Simbolo de los intorvertidos que solo queremos encerrarnos a ver series.

Me gusta lo poco que se entrevé del universo. ( )