I’m eight years behind in reading Martha Wells’ first Murderbot Diaries entry, All Systems Red. The short science fiction book won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for Best Novella. It won the Alex Award. It was also a bestseller, made into an Apple Original series. I probably won’t go on to read other ones in the series, but I enjoyed this one.
It calls itself Murderbot. It’s a self-aware security unit, a ‘droid that provides security for a small team of scientists who are surveying an unidentified planet. But, when the team is attacked by a hostile creature, Murderbot realizes there’s something wrong. This team, and another team on the other side of the planet have contracts. But, when they’re unable to contact the other team, Murderbot suspects someone is sabotaging both teams. When they discover the other team has been attacked and killed, Murderbot asks the team to kill it so it can save the humans on its own team.
Dr. Mensah, leader of the team, isn’t about to give up on Murderbot. So, along with the other members of the team, they hatch a plan to stay alive.
All Systems Red is a riveting story of a bot that really doesn’t care about humans or their mission. But, in the course of the story, it learns to care. It’s fascinating to watch the changes in Murderbot in the course of the adventures with the exploratory team. It’s also interesting to observe the reactions of the team members as they learn more about the bot.
I can see why All Systems Red won so many awards. If I didn’t have so many other books to read, I’d probably continue the series to see further adventures. But, I’m satisfied that I know why other readers appreciate this science fiction novella.
Martha Wells’ website is https://www.marthawells.com/
All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Tordotcom, 2017. 160p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
I pretty much feel the same way. A friend loves them and has read them all, but I stopped after the first two or three. Just…OK, for me, not compelling enough that I have to know what happens next. I have too many other books I want to read.
Exactly how I feel, Jeff! Glad I read it, but I’m done.
Note: according to my phone, it is currently 104 degrees! That’s just our local Bay Ridge weather. The Brooklyn listing (from Downtown) is only (ha!) 99.
Fortunately, we can stay inside in the air conditioning. I feel bad for people who have to be out working in this – delivery guys, construction workers, cops and 🚒 and sanitation workers, etc. This is really dangerous heat.
Thankfully, it is supposed to be 78.on Thursday and 68 on Friday.
I don’t think we think often of the people who don’t have.a choice, and do work outside in whatever weather. Thank you for reminding us, Jeff.
I must have been living under a rock or something, but I’ve never heard of All Systems Red or the Murderbot series of books. It actually sounds quite interesting, and I might just have to see if I can find it.
I’m guessing you’ll be able to find it, Lindy, since it won so many awards.
Scott was a fan and stopped after a few books as he said they got predictable. I read the first one and thought it was okay.
We tried to watch the series on Apple TV and quit twenty minutes into the first episode. They bought the title and ruined the concept.
It was just okay. You’re right, Kevin.
I thought the first one was fun and clever and continued to read on for maybe four more–they’re novella-length, after all, which made that decision easy. But at some point, the fun was gone.
Isn’t that sad, Kim? I have a new book in a long-running series, and I’ll see what I think. The last one I read wasn’t fun.