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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
For any of you who have read "The Murderbot Diaries" this story takes place in the same world, but a lot earlier than the events in those books. However, I will say that this short story comes up in "Fugitive Telemetry" as some media MB watched that gave it ideas for how to investigate a murder.
This follows Jixy who is trying to solve the murder of her friend Greggy, an augmented human (saying more than that would be way too spoilery since this is a short story).
One thing I really loved about this was a different way of viewing augmented humans compared to what we know about them from TMD. Also you can definitely see the essences of FT and how it impacted MB in that book and it's so interesting seeing those echoes.
Essentially, I'd give this a read if you're a huge fan of TMD and want more content, but also if you want more insight into MB's knowledge from FT related to solving murders.
This follows Jixy who is trying to solve the murder of her friend Greggy, an augmented human (saying more than that would be way too spoilery since this is a short story).
One thing I really loved about this was a different way of viewing augmented humans compared to what we know about them from TMD. Also you can definitely see the essences of FT and how it impacted MB in that book and it's so interesting seeing those echoes.
Essentially, I'd give this a read if you're a huge fan of TMD and want more content, but also if you want more insight into MB's knowledge from FT related to solving murders.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Blood
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Long before SecUnits, there were Rovers. Martha Wells contributed this prequel story set in the Murderbot Diaries 'universe' for the Take Us to a Better Place anthology (so far, the only way to read this one).
Jixy is the commander for "Kidland" station and is doing her rounds when two of the kids going through training at the station come screaming to her for help. Next thing she knows, Jixy is in over her head investigating the horrific murder of an old Rover working on the station and the nearest help is twelve hours away. If her co-workers would stop telling horrid old tales about the Piecework Killer right when she needs to go off alone to investigate...
Though this takes place long before Murderbot, I was thrilled to get a tale that was connected to the series in a brief moment when Murderbot is referencing one of the historical dramas it watches about "Rovers" being the earliest form of Sec Unit constructs.
In summary, this was short, but was a well-developed sci-fi murder mystery.
Jixy is the commander for "Kidland" station and is doing her rounds when two of the kids going through training at the station come screaming to her for help. Next thing she knows, Jixy is in over her head investigating the horrific murder of an old Rover working on the station and the nearest help is twelve hours away. If her co-workers would stop telling horrid old tales about the Piecework Killer right when she needs to go off alone to investigate...
Though this takes place long before Murderbot, I was thrilled to get a tale that was connected to the series in a brief moment when Murderbot is referencing one of the historical dramas it watches about "Rovers" being the earliest form of Sec Unit constructs.
In summary, this was short, but was a well-developed sci-fi murder mystery.
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
This prequel does not feature my favorite Murderbot, but it does provide a historical explanation, eventually.
Questo prequel non prevede la presenza del mio Murderbot preferito, ma fornisce una spiegazione storica, eventualmente.
Questo prequel non prevede la presenza del mio Murderbot preferito, ma fornisce una spiegazione storica, eventualmente.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love this look into the history of the Murderbot universe. A thrilling short read that reflects on corporations and their effect on the people they’re meant to serve.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder
The story’s plot revolves around a murder.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 3 – An okay short story
Set before the Murderbot Diaries, Obsolescence is a sci-fi mystery that explores a time when augmented human technology was still in its early stages. The protagonist is a teacher living on a space station, entirely unaugmented. When a disturbing incident occurs, she finds herself drawn into the mystery.
The story is competently written, with clear scenes and likeable characters. I enjoyed the setting and tone. However, I found it hard to rate it higher — the plot felt a bit thin, and the story didn’t leave a strong impression. It’s pleasant enough, but a bit forgettable.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Short story (larger anthology is Take Us To A Better Place) set before Murderbot Diaries, focused on rovers.
It’s a nice complement to Murderbot Diaries but the character and voice doesn’t seem as distinctive as Wells’ other writing. Plot is straight-forward and there’s some subtle foreshadowing regarding Murderbot Diaries. Overall, would recommend the read just to add a bit of context to Murderbot Diaries but it’s neither essential nor as developed as some of her other writing.
It’s a nice complement to Murderbot Diaries but the character and voice doesn’t seem as distinctive as Wells’ other writing. Plot is straight-forward and there’s some subtle foreshadowing regarding Murderbot Diaries. Overall, would recommend the read just to add a bit of context to Murderbot Diaries but it’s neither essential nor as developed as some of her other writing.