"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.
"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.
I am reminded of one comment I read some time ago from somebody talking about machine intelligence - tehy weren't so much interested in what art a machine would make for humans, but what they would make for one another. To some extent, this series explores that.
I am reminded of one comment I read some time ago from somebody talking about machine intelligence - tehy weren't so much interested in what art a machine would make for humans, but what they would make for one another. To some extent, this series explores that.
An Unlikely Hero Meet Murderbot: A Captivating Start to The Murderbot Diaries A Review of 'All Systems Red
5 stars
"All Systems Red" by Martha Wells is the captivating first installment in The Murderbot Diaries series. At 156 pages, this novella packs a punch, immersing readers in a corporate-dominated, spacefaring future where planetary missions are overseen by the Company, which supplies security androids to ensure the safety of exploratory teams. However, in a society where cost-cutting trumps all, true safety often takes a back seat.
Enter Murderbot, the misanthropic security android assigned to protect a small expedition on a distant planet. With a penchant for binge-watching entertainment videos and a tendency to do only the bare minimum required, Murderbot is unlike any protagonist you've encountered. Despite its reluctance to engage with humans, Murderbot's journey is both humorous and profoundly touching.
I experienced "All Systems Red" through both the audiobook and the ebook, which made the story even more immersive. This dual approach enhanced my connection to the narrative …
"All Systems Red" by Martha Wells is the captivating first installment in The Murderbot Diaries series. At 156 pages, this novella packs a punch, immersing readers in a corporate-dominated, spacefaring future where planetary missions are overseen by the Company, which supplies security androids to ensure the safety of exploratory teams. However, in a society where cost-cutting trumps all, true safety often takes a back seat.
Enter Murderbot, the misanthropic security android assigned to protect a small expedition on a distant planet. With a penchant for binge-watching entertainment videos and a tendency to do only the bare minimum required, Murderbot is unlike any protagonist you've encountered. Despite its reluctance to engage with humans, Murderbot's journey is both humorous and profoundly touching.
I experienced "All Systems Red" through both the audiobook and the ebook, which made the story even more immersive. This dual approach enhanced my connection to the narrative and the characters, particularly Murderbot, with whom I formed an unprecedented emotional and empathetic bond. Wells masterfully weaves deeper themes into the story, exploring societal issues without being heavy-handed or preachy. These subtle layers invite readers to reflect on broader implications while enjoying the adventure.
This novella is a masterclass in blending humor, heart, and intelligence. It made me laugh out loud, tugged at my heartstrings, and kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. "All Systems Red" is not just smart and well-written; it’s also highly addictive, offering a unique and exhilarating adventure. I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series and continue this remarkable journey.
In summary, "All Systems Red" is an exceptional start to The Murderbot Diaries, delivering a story that is fun, funny, and deeply moving. It’s a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and engaging sci-fi adventure.
This book was just a simple joy to read, a lot like traditional first-person sci-fi from an intelligent robot's perspective. Of course, by the title of the series, you probably will figure out quickly that this robot is a murderbot, and he's having some emotions about things he's done in the past... and the story evolves quickly with the team he is contracted to work for, with a bit of a twist. Overall, this was a fun and interesting story. It evolved quickly and read like a simple first-person descriptive tale of the bot's experiences and thoughts, but it leaves me wanting just a little bit more. Of cousre, it's a series, so I'll read more and expect that desire will be satisfied as I learn more about Mr Murderbot. I recommend this book!
This book was just a simple joy to read, a lot like traditional first-person sci-fi from an intelligent robot's perspective. Of course, by the title of the series, you probably will figure out quickly that this robot is a murderbot, and he's having some emotions about things he's done in the past... and the story evolves quickly with the team he is contracted to work for, with a bit of a twist.
Overall, this was a fun and interesting story. It evolved quickly and read like a simple first-person descriptive tale of the bot's experiences and thoughts, but it leaves me wanting just a little bit more. Of cousre, it's a series, so I'll read more and expect that desire will be satisfied as I learn more about Mr Murderbot. I recommend this book!
It's a short novel so I can't expect much in character development outside of the main one, but that is my one critique: I'd like to know more about the other members of the crew and their situations.
But overall it was a fun listen; engaging, interesting, suspenseful.
It's a short novel so I can't expect much in character development outside of the main one, but that is my one critique: I'd like to know more about the other members of the crew and their situations.
But overall it was a fun listen; engaging, interesting, suspenseful.
The idea of an android, part bot with lingering organics, gives rise to ideas of a machine that sometimes feels human, a very introverted and relatable human; with its increasing independency situations develop more unexpectedly than what I anticipated, and that kept me reading the whole book almost in one sitting.
The secondary characters add enough depth to the story and help the development of Murderbot throughout it, queer characters are also a welcomed presence.
