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obscurepages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Excuse me but who gave Martha Wells the right to create this masterpiece?? ðŸ˜
Like the first four installments in this series, Network Effect is a delight. But unlike the first four, this one is a full-length novel instead of just a novella. Of course, I was so excited when I learned this was a full novel! More Murderbot, yay! But then, oh. I remember that Martha Wells is a genius when it comes to plots, world-building, and human relationships. I was in for a ride.
This was just so good. I don't think I can fully explain how humorous, tense, exciting, and wonderful this was. And I just love how this book (and the whole series in general) was plot-driven, and yet it did not neglect the characters, no not at all. In fact, you fall in love with the characters as you read! I love Murderbot, I love ART, and I especially love their chemistry together. Like how did these two AI/bot constructs give me a lot of feels? Made me cry and laugh and gasp all throughout the book? (view spoiler) I love their banter and their semi-emotional conversations. Of course, I love their humans, too lol.
And the plot! Somehow the author managed to expound on the corporate greed and corruption in this universe, and we see it more as the characters interact with a new planet and colonies. I also love how the plot delved into alien intelligence and life, especially with the antagonists they were facing here. Wells was able to make this more engaging and unique, and I really enjoyed that.
This, of course, was also action-packed. There might have been a few chapters that seemed idle in terms of pacing. But then I turn into a new chapter, and we're back on the rollercoaster. I thought the storytelling here was just exquisite. The way the author left clues for the readers, which also happened to be crucial for the characters in the book? That was just brilliant. Also, the perspectives?! I did not see that coming, but it was just incredible.
AND ONE LAST POINT: the way this book features robots as the main characters but still highlights the complexity and beauty of humanity and free will? Precious.
Overall, this book is a sensational installment and a great first full novel for the Murderbot series. I am so excited to dive into the next book. 🥹
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Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: #ReadQueerly2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
maeverose's review
4.0
The beginning was good, it dragged a bit in the middle for me but picked up in the last third and I ended up liking it a lot I loved the almost horror-esque moment at the end.
I love Murderbot
I love it’s reactions to people’s concern for it, and I love that we got to see so much emotional character development in this book. I would give Murderbot the whole world if I could.
I love ART
I love their ‘relationship’ and I’m curious if it really will remain purely platonic or not. Murderbot seems very ace-coded so I assume it will but the way they kept using parallels to romantic relationships is making me wonder.
I already like 3
There are an unnecessary amount of characters and that leaves us with a lot of them being underdeveloped. I do wish I had a better sense of each of their personalities.
I’m gonna have to re read the first book because I don’t remember if they ever fully explained alien remnants. I know they were brought up in the first book but it’s been over a year since I read that one and I’m a little lost on what the alien remnants are exactly. I wanna know more. They seem to be both organic and code? They can infect AI like a computer virus but also humans like a viral infection.. how does that even work? Do the characters even know?
I love Murderbot
I love it’s reactions to people’s concern for it, and I love that we got to see so much emotional character development in this book. I would give Murderbot the whole world if I could.
I love ART
I already like 3
There are an unnecessary amount of characters and that leaves us with a lot of them being underdeveloped. I do wish I had a better sense of each of their personalities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Excrement and Sexual content
Note on the gore: it’s pretty much in line with the rest of the series in that it’s written in that not-super-descriptive robotic type of way, but it’s definitely a bit more descriptive and more abundant in this book.some_random_person_hi's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ART and murderbot mean so much to me.
On a certain level, I doubt I would be able to finish reading this book without spoilers. There were just too many tense and emotional moments.
On a certain level, I doubt I would be able to finish reading this book without spoilers. There were just too many tense and emotional moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Slavery, Blood, Suicide, Death, and Body horror
Minor: Medical content, Sexual content, and Excrement
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