I think [b:Exit Strategy|35519109|Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4)|Martha Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518642623l/35519109._SY75_.jpg|56934601] is my favourite Murderbot novella so far. It combines excellent action sequences with lovely character moments at just the right ratio. Murderbot is reunited with its human pals from the first installment, gets to watch some of its favourite media on a big screen TV, and most dramatically briefly becomes a spaceship! I also loved the moment when it meets one of Mensah's kids, who is of course delighted that it communicates via tiktoks.

There's something pleasing about the mundane sci-fi settings in the Murderbot series. Here, subterfuge and big dramatic fights take place in space shopping malls full of annoying adverts. Murderbot comments sarcastically on data mining in cheap hotels. Amid fast-paced events, the commentary on personhood continues to be astute. For instance, we learn that SecUnits aren't allowed to sit on furniture so Murderbot takes every opportunity to do so. It is determined to become a person on its own terms, though, rather than imitating humans.

[b:Exit Strategy|35519109|Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4)|Martha Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518642623l/35519109._SY75_.jpg|56934601] also made a lovely palate cleanser after the deeply tedious first person narration of [b:Ascension|61813107|Ascension|Nicholas Binge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1675642495l/61813107._SX50_.jpg|93144065]'s protagonist. Murderbot is a consistently engaging, funny, and thoughtful narrator. I am definitely hooked on this series and look forward to seeing where the plot goes. I'm excited to see that [b:Network Effect|52381770|Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)|Martha Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1640597293l/52381770._SY75_.jpg|63614271] is more than twice as long as [b:Exit Strategy|35519109|Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries, #4)|Martha Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518642623l/35519109._SY75_.jpg|56934601], as my only real complaint about this series is that I get through each book too quickly. ( )

An exciting conclusion to a great story

Oh wait, there's more? Awesome!! These books are just so much fun. ( )

This volume of the Murderbot Diaries didn't capture my attention the same way the previous volumes did. I think it's because it lacked that mystery/sleuthing component that the previous volumes had. However, I still really enjoyed it!

In this volume Murderbot tries to meet Dr. Mensah in person, but finds she's gone missing. He comes to find that Dr. Mensah's been kidnapped by GrayCris and they've put a ransom on her. He discovers his former clients who are trying to negotiate the ransom are also assassination targets. AND he learns that the entire station is basically surrounded by enemies. In his attempt to save everyone, yet again, he comes to experience with a whole set of complex emotions and discovers more about himself as he narrowly avoids death's door.

A great conclusion to the novella series, and an excellent jumping off point for the full-length novel continuation. This is definitely a series I'm going to continue following! ( )

Murderbot goes on a rescue mission after Dr Menah. Lots of action but plenty of Murserbot's struggles to comprehend and work with humans.

library book read 5/13/2024 ( )

Murderbot realizes that its investigations of the past two books have not gone unnoticed, and Dr Mensah has been blamed for controlling it to do her bidding. Gross. She’s being held captive as collateral so that various evil corporations can keep Murderbot’s findings from going public. What choice does Murderbot have but to rescue her?

A very enjoyable conclusion to this first arc. Most of the loose ends are tied up but there's plenty of room for more. I'm looking forward to reading more and finding out how Murderbot’s feelings toward nice humans are going to evolve. ( )