A review by evrunira
System Collapse by Martha Wells

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Nothing very interesting in the plot but a great transition into exploring murderbot's inner psyche

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Colonisation, and Self harm

I wasn't very thrilled to discover that we were still in the same plotline on the same planet when starting the book, and I find the main plot quite bland and forced. However, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to learn more about Murderbot's inner emotional state. Here it is at the most vulnerable we have seen, and we finally see it start to process the events of the past books. Murderbot has constantly been caring for Mensa's emotional well-being while neglecting its own mental health and it has finally come to a head. I am happy to see the character development progress in this new direction and I hope the plot is able to advance and complement this further.