Take a photo of a barcode or cover
iam's reviews
1682 reviews
On Tour with Eleven by Eden Finley
4.0
Cute little epilogue about the Eleven guys and their loved ones on tour.
Death's End by Cixin Liu
3.0
Probably my least favourite in the series.
It just felt like a row of physics discoveries/discoveries about the universe that fit together in a very loose plot, and a lot of it amounted to nothing (or just went over my head).
Didn't help that the protagonist in this one was by far the most passive - I guess in a way all of the protagonists in the series are very hands-off, things more happen to them than they make happen. But this one also had sexist undertones. Not super bad, and they aren't exactly reaffirmed, but there are entire paragraphs about the "rough, brutal unkepts old time men" and how the "effeminate soft spoken men of the future" are no longer "real" men, plus an entire huge plot point is about the female protagonist holding a baby and feeling motherly love. Idk, just not my favourite thing to focus on.
It just felt like a row of physics discoveries/discoveries about the universe that fit together in a very loose plot, and a lot of it amounted to nothing (or just went over my head).
Didn't help that the protagonist in this one was by far the most passive - I guess in a way all of the protagonists in the series are very hands-off, things more happen to them than they make happen. But this one also had sexist undertones. Not super bad, and they aren't exactly reaffirmed, but there are entire paragraphs about the "rough, brutal unkepts old time men" and how the "effeminate soft spoken men of the future" are no longer "real" men, plus an entire huge plot point is about the female protagonist holding a baby and feeling motherly love. Idk, just not my favourite thing to focus on.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
Murderbot has become one of the lights of my life while everything else is very stressful, I love it so much.
The first full-length Murderbot novel lived up to everything I hoped it to be.
The switch from novella to novella felt a bit jarring when I read the book visually, but in audio I had no such reservations.
Content warnings include: violence, death, explosions, abduction, hostage situation, unconsensual implants, capitalist corporate hell-hole scifi setting (but there's a light at the end of the tunnel), that dreaded f-word (feelings).
Murderbot is back with the Presevation crew, though there are a few new people part of the core cast. At the same time, an old favourite makes another appearance, and it was everything I hoped it to be.
The human-construct/bot and bot-bot relationships (and how humans view bot-bot relationships and vice versa) were the highlights of the book. Reading from Murderbot's perspective is always hilarious, but in this case it was even more accute because so much personal attachment was involved. The book goes a lot deeper into Murderbot's personal feelings and attachments, and is much more emotionally draining for it, which, of course, it resents.
The plot fits neatly into the rest of the series, being exciting and on-point while also expanding the series setting.
I loved how old threads were picked back up and foundation for future ones were laid, and I once again cannot wait for the next book, and to reread this series again.
The first full-length Murderbot novel lived up to everything I hoped it to be.
The switch from novella to novella felt a bit jarring when I read the book visually, but in audio I had no such reservations.
Content warnings include: violence, death, explosions, abduction, hostage situation, unconsensual implants, capitalist corporate hell-hole scifi setting (but there's a light at the end of the tunnel), that dreaded f-word (feelings).
Murderbot is back with the Presevation crew, though there are a few new people part of the core cast. At the same time, an old favourite makes another appearance, and it was everything I hoped it to be.
The human-construct/bot and bot-bot relationships (and how humans view bot-bot relationships and vice versa) were the highlights of the book. Reading from Murderbot's perspective is always hilarious, but in this case it was even more accute because so much personal attachment was involved. The book goes a lot deeper into Murderbot's personal feelings and attachments, and is much more emotionally draining for it, which, of course, it resents.
The plot fits neatly into the rest of the series, being exciting and on-point while also expanding the series setting.
I loved how old threads were picked back up and foundation for future ones were laid, and I once again cannot wait for the next book, and to reread this series again.
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
5.0
Audio reread July 2021: Loved this just as much as the other novellas in audio!
I have been vibrating with excitement since I heard about yet another Murderbot novella coming out, and while Fugitive Telemetry probably won't be my favourite book in the series, it delivered exactly what I wanted from it.
Read the review and more on the blog!
Content warnings include: murder, death, violence, injury, slavery, human trafficking, discrimination, character gets shot.
Fugitive Telemetry is the 6th Murderbot story, though chronolocially it plays before book #5, Network Effect, and after book #4, Exit Strategy. As such, it takes place on Preservation Station, and lots of old faces appear. It can probably be more easily read as a standalone as most of the other novellas, but I think fans of the series will enjoy it most.
Plotwise, the story has its own arc and doesn’t directly connect to any of the other books aside from reoccurring characters and some vague references.
Despite that lack of connection to other stories plot-wise, the book hit all the spots that I want a Murderbot story to hit: there’s Murderbot’s usual sarcasm, its exasperation and frustration with as well as somewhat reluctant yet tender care for humans; there’s an exciting plot centered around an issue that once again Murderbot is uniquely suited to solving; there’s Murderbot’s interactions with both humans and other bots, nuanced based on who or what it is talking to, and layered through the different levels on communications available in this setting – the direct audible dialogue, digital feed interaction, and bot-to-bot pings and databursts.
And, of course, it hits you with a good dose of feelings, both from nostalgia and just the situations Murderbot finds itself in.
I especially liked the way bots appeared in this installment of the series compared to the other books. It was in this direction that I think the novella most expands the setting, as well as show that Murderbot itself isn’t without its prejudices.
Another new thing was the murder mystery element. On its own, that maybe wasn’t the most original crime solving story I’ve ever read, but it didn’t need to be. It was solid in the mystery and murder departments, and most of its charm comes from Murderbot itself anyways. I could read about it staring at a wall and would still be entertained.
Overall this was a charming novella that doesn’t add too much new concepts to the series’ lore, but still satisfied me as a fan. It was enjoyable to read, both funny and with a serious core, and I’m already looking forward to Murderbot’s next adventures.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I have been vibrating with excitement since I heard about yet another Murderbot novella coming out, and while Fugitive Telemetry probably won't be my favourite book in the series, it delivered exactly what I wanted from it.
Read the review and more on the blog!
Content warnings include: murder, death, violence, injury, slavery, human trafficking, discrimination, character gets shot.
Fugitive Telemetry is the 6th Murderbot story, though chronolocially it plays before book #5, Network Effect, and after book #4, Exit Strategy. As such, it takes place on Preservation Station, and lots of old faces appear. It can probably be more easily read as a standalone as most of the other novellas, but I think fans of the series will enjoy it most.
Plotwise, the story has its own arc and doesn’t directly connect to any of the other books aside from reoccurring characters and some vague references.
Despite that lack of connection to other stories plot-wise, the book hit all the spots that I want a Murderbot story to hit: there’s Murderbot’s usual sarcasm, its exasperation and frustration with as well as somewhat reluctant yet tender care for humans; there’s an exciting plot centered around an issue that once again Murderbot is uniquely suited to solving; there’s Murderbot’s interactions with both humans and other bots, nuanced based on who or what it is talking to, and layered through the different levels on communications available in this setting – the direct audible dialogue, digital feed interaction, and bot-to-bot pings and databursts.
And, of course, it hits you with a good dose of feelings, both from nostalgia and just the situations Murderbot finds itself in.
I especially liked the way bots appeared in this installment of the series compared to the other books. It was in this direction that I think the novella most expands the setting, as well as show that Murderbot itself isn’t without its prejudices.
Another new thing was the murder mystery element. On its own, that maybe wasn’t the most original crime solving story I’ve ever read, but it didn’t need to be. It was solid in the mystery and murder departments, and most of its charm comes from Murderbot itself anyways. I could read about it staring at a wall and would still be entertained.
Overall this was a charming novella that doesn’t add too much new concepts to the series’ lore, but still satisfied me as a fan. It was enjoyable to read, both funny and with a serious core, and I’m already looking forward to Murderbot’s next adventures.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Compulsory by Martha Wells
5.0
Very short shortstory about Murderbot on a job shortly after it first broke its governor module, and way before it meets Mensah and the crew. Cool insight into its thoughts back in time, and especially fun to read after the original novellas, to see its growth but also how kind it was even then.
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
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
5.0
I loved how this ties back to the first Murderbot novella <3
Content warnings include: violence and injury, anxiety and depression.
This one ties together the previous three novellas and closes out the story arc the four books spin together. It shows how much Murderbot has grown and brings back well-known characters.
Content warnings include: violence and injury, anxiety and depression.
This one ties together the previous three novellas and closes out the story arc the four books spin together. It shows how much Murderbot has grown and brings back well-known characters.
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
For some reason this book TERRIFIED me. I spend most of it super scared.
Still love Murderbot though, and oh no Miki...
Content warnings include: violence and injury, scifi setting that is p much capitalist coporate lead dystopia, anxiety and depression.
Rogue Protocol feels like the most intense book in the murderbot series, not because the others aren't also high stakes, but because this one has the most space-horror-feeling - as in something is hunting you on an abandoned space station-vibes.
It also has some bleak personal fates for both humans and bots.
While the Murderbot novellas all have a more or less closed arc, Rogue Protocol ties most of them together and sets up for the grand finale in the fourth novella that ties back to the first. I do think it would be enjoyable to read as standalone, but for context and maximum enjoyment I recommend reading the books in order.
Still love Murderbot though, and oh no Miki...
Content warnings include: violence and injury, scifi setting that is p much capitalist coporate lead dystopia, anxiety and depression.
Rogue Protocol feels like the most intense book in the murderbot series, not because the others aren't also high stakes, but because this one has the most space-horror-feeling - as in something is hunting you on an abandoned space station-vibes.
It also has some bleak personal fates for both humans and bots.
While the Murderbot novellas all have a more or less closed arc, Rogue Protocol ties most of them together and sets up for the grand finale in the fourth novella that ties back to the first. I do think it would be enjoyable to read as standalone, but for context and maximum enjoyment I recommend reading the books in order.
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Ngl, there were some non-conclusive and some things felt unbalanced bUT I LOVE MURDERBOT AND ART SO TAKE ALL THE STARS!!!
Content warnings include: sabotage and repeated attempted murder, violence and death, depression and anxiety.
Artifical Condition seamlessly picks up after All Systems Red and paves the way for Murderbot's future as it hunts for clues about its past.
Quite a few new characters were introduced and I adored all of them. Some of them appear in later books, and I really hope the others will make an re-appearance too in upcoming books!
The plot maybe wasn't as airtight as it could have been and feels sort of disconnected, in a "...what do we make of this information?" way, but it fits with the overarching plot and could have been intended that way.
The charm of this series lies in following Murderbot and its adventures, seeing how it navigates through life as a free unit, and, more importantly, passing as an augmented human, which makes for quite some hilarious moments when it teams up with a sentient spaceship. There were still some heavy-ish moments, with the sexbot, the danger the new group of humans Murderbot ends up looking after is in, and some disquieting things about the wider setting the story takes place are revealed.
I love this series so much, both on first read and now upon reread, and it's a wonderful experience both reading visually and in audio.
Content warnings include: sabotage and repeated attempted murder, violence and death, depression and anxiety.
Artifical Condition seamlessly picks up after All Systems Red and paves the way for Murderbot's future as it hunts for clues about its past.
Quite a few new characters were introduced and I adored all of them. Some of them appear in later books, and I really hope the others will make an re-appearance too in upcoming books!
The plot maybe wasn't as airtight as it could have been and feels sort of disconnected, in a "...what do we make of this information?" way, but it fits with the overarching plot and could have been intended that way.
The charm of this series lies in following Murderbot and its adventures, seeing how it navigates through life as a free unit, and, more importantly, passing as an augmented human, which makes for quite some hilarious moments when it teams up with a sentient spaceship. There were still some heavy-ish moments, with the sexbot, the danger the new group of humans Murderbot ends up looking after is in, and some disquieting things about the wider setting the story takes place are revealed.
I love this series so much, both on first read and now upon reread, and it's a wonderful experience both reading visually and in audio.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MURDERBOT ILY 😭😭😭💜
Content warnings include: violence and gore, murder, sentient robotic beings not having rights, anxiety and depression, scifi setting that's kind of a capitalist-corporation-lead dystopia.
Murderbot has become one of my favourite characters and comfort reads, as you can undoubtedly tell by me rereading this 4 to 5 times in the last three months.
There is Murderbot itself, a human-robot construct made out of both organic and robotic parts, who shut down the governor module that usually forces it to follow instructions and keep it from executing free will. It uses its freedom to keep doing its job while watching series on its memory storage. It doesn't really care about its job as a SecUnit, protecting humans who go on scientific explorations, and is quite content being ignored and seen as a robot, because when human interaction starts it gets complicated.
The plot of this novella is compelling. Things keep going wrong on the expedition, and the humans Murderbot works for are a bit different that the ones it usually encounters.
Murderbot's pessimism, its tendency towards anxiety and depression, mixed with the care and affection it develops towards who it begins to consider its humans, is endearing (even if it sounds like it's not), relateable, and often leads to comedic moments born from the first person narration.
The book is just so much fun to read, and while its plot is mostly self contained, it also acts as a wonderful setup for the rest of the series.
Highly, highly recommend this one!
Content warnings include: violence and gore, murder, sentient robotic beings not having rights, anxiety and depression, scifi setting that's kind of a capitalist-corporation-lead dystopia.
Murderbot has become one of my favourite characters and comfort reads, as you can undoubtedly tell by me rereading this 4 to 5 times in the last three months.
There is Murderbot itself, a human-robot construct made out of both organic and robotic parts, who shut down the governor module that usually forces it to follow instructions and keep it from executing free will. It uses its freedom to keep doing its job while watching series on its memory storage. It doesn't really care about its job as a SecUnit, protecting humans who go on scientific explorations, and is quite content being ignored and seen as a robot, because when human interaction starts it gets complicated.
The plot of this novella is compelling. Things keep going wrong on the expedition, and the humans Murderbot works for are a bit different that the ones it usually encounters.
Murderbot's pessimism, its tendency towards anxiety and depression, mixed with the care and affection it develops towards who it begins to consider its humans, is endearing (even if it sounds like it's not), relateable, and often leads to comedic moments born from the first person narration.
The book is just so much fun to read, and while its plot is mostly self contained, it also acts as a wonderful setup for the rest of the series.
Highly, highly recommend this one!