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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated
I read All Systems Red a while ago, promptly forgot everything about the story, watched Murderbot and loved it, decided to buy all the books and kept getting surprised by all the changes the show made because of the aforementioned memory issues. It's a shame in some ways, because now there's alternative media to compare! And unusually, I do think the show comes out ahead, purely because of the level of emotional development it added.
That's not to say these novellas aren't good! As with the first time I read All Systems Red, I had a great time. Murderbot is witty and hilarious, with hints of a more poignant backstory in its past. I actually think I liked Artificial Condition even more than the first one, because it had a more reflective tone and I liked seeing Murderbot embrace its newfound freedom. I'm still massively enjoying the concept, and I'll definitely be moving straight onto the next book in the series. Really the show has just taught me what it's possible to do with a really strong foundation like these books!
That's not to say these novellas aren't good! As with the first time I read All Systems Red, I had a great time. Murderbot is witty and hilarious, with hints of a more poignant backstory in its past. I actually think I liked Artificial Condition even more than the first one, because it had a more reflective tone and I liked seeing Murderbot embrace its newfound freedom. I'm still massively enjoying the concept, and I'll definitely be moving straight onto the next book in the series. Really the show has just taught me what it's possible to do with a really strong foundation like these books!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay this was so good! I was planning on reading a novella here and there, but I can feel that I’m going to eat up the entire series in the next few weeks.. that’s just who I am tbf.
(Like I literally read the first one yesterday, went: okay break time, and then immediately picked up the second one 24h laters lol)
ALL SYSTEMS RED • review
Okay this was actually so good! Like I trust Cari taste but I’m still happily surprised!! I laughed a lot, got really attached to the supporting cast, LOVED Murderbot and it’s slightly (highly) autistic vibe. It was honestly great can’t wait to continue the series!
I think this set up the rest of the series in a great way since Murderbot is now 'owned' by Dr. Mansah and the Preservation group, so now it can explore the world freely-ish while technically always having a home to come back too with people who cares about it. </3
P.S: I really hope we see the crew again, and especially Murderbot’s favourite human :(
3.75★
ARTIFICIAL CONDITION • review
Oh man this hit so much more now that I have fully sink into the story pace and it’s writing style and everything. I laughed, I was a bit stressed, I related. Such a good time!
ALSO I LOVE ART SO MUCH WDYM THEY’RE NOT CONTINUING TOGETHER!! :((( me when a big brained ship with opinions and a love for media
The one reason I hate novellas is because it’s done too soon! Like no wait- give me more of my shaylas….
P.S: Murderbot ace canon (it’s so me core frl)
4★
Final thoughts
Hopefully the whole series ends with everything circling back and we see everyone again and they all live happily ever after watching a lot of content together!!
Cant wait to pick up the other volumes (which are currently all waiting for me in a pile since I recently acquired Volume 2 yee!) and plunge back in the universe.
God I love a cozy sci-fi with no romance…
(Like I literally read the first one yesterday, went: okay break time, and then immediately picked up the second one 24h laters lol)
ALL SYSTEMS RED • review
Okay this was actually so good! Like I trust Cari taste but I’m still happily surprised!! I laughed a lot, got really attached to the supporting cast, LOVED Murderbot and it’s slightly (highly) autistic vibe. It was honestly great can’t wait to continue the series!
P.S: I really hope we see the crew again, and especially Murderbot’s favourite human :(
3.75★
ARTIFICIAL CONDITION • review
Oh man this hit so much more now that I have fully sink into the story pace and it’s writing style and everything. I laughed, I was a bit stressed, I related. Such a good time!
The one reason I hate novellas is because it’s done too soon! Like no wait- give me more of my shaylas….
P.S: Murderbot ace canon (it’s so me core frl)
4★
Final thoughts
Hopefully the whole series ends with everything circling back and we see everyone again and they all live happily ever after watching a lot of content together!!
Cant wait to pick up the other volumes (which are currently all waiting for me in a pile since I recently acquired Volume 2 yee!) and plunge back in the universe.
God I love a cozy sci-fi with no romance…
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A breezy and fun but mostly forgettable read. Murderbot is charming but it doesn't feel like they have the depth to sustain a whole series, and almost none of the other characters are memorable at all (the exception being ART - probably not a coincidence that the non-human characters are more likeable and interesting than the human ones, but it doesn't make for a great reading experience). The idea of the "feed" is probably the most intriguing sci-fi idea in the book, and the fact that they never fully explain how exactly it works leaves a lot to the imagination in regards to what interacting with it actually looks and feels like. Probably not going to seek out the rest of the series, but I had a good time with it for what it was.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes