All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries

Reviews

1. 

   Rhys – August 15, 2024

   Fall In Love With Murderbot
   This book series got me through the latter half of 2020 (specifically the period of the American election and its fallout) which is no mean feat. I read them repeatedly, over and over again, so many times that I genuinely could not even venture a guess as to how many times I’ve read the whole series through anymore. I still pull them out in between the other things I’m reading. I adore Murderbot and its adventures. It may honestly be the most relatable character in fiction I’ve ever met. My single solitary complaint about the entire series is that there isn’t more of it and I already have the next part on pre-order, which I await with baited breath.(I’ve gifted copies of the first volume to five different people so far, and the only reason I haven’t given it to more is because I’m just not that sociable as to be regularly exchanging gifts with all that many folks.)For those of you unfamiliar with the Murderbot Diaries (which I assume is most if not all of the people reading this, as that’s generally the point of perusing book reviews) let me curtail the aimless gushing and focus on some specifics: the first four books in the series (this one included) are short novellas, and while I’m generally a fan of longer fiction their length is absolutely perfect. They’re all self-contained adventures, but they build together into a longer connected storyline — sort of like the episodes within a television season. You can read and enjoy each one on its own merits, but you’ll probably find yourself wanting to do them all in proper order so you can get the full experience of Murderbot’s life. (Yes, the main character is named Murderbot. It chose the name itself, and while the first volume gives you enough information to understand why you will learn more of the story behind that name, and its emotional weight, as the series goes on.)After the four novellas, there is an extremely brief short story that you can find online for free (titled “Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory”) and while a number of people have complained about it, I honestly thought it was a great interlude. And given that it’s free and will probably take you less than twenty minutes to read, I don’t see why there’s any reason to skip it. It’s fun to get a different perspective on things, and it offers some lovely background characterization of one of the most important secondary characters in the series. It makes a nice bridge to the novel which follows, too.The novel reads a lot like the shorter adventures, especially at the start, and in a way it just feels like it’s longer because there are more events taking place so it takes more words to tell what happened, rather than that the author set out to specifically “write a novel” as opposed to a novella — which is nice, because the tone and style and everything remain beautifully consistent throughout the whole series — but at the same time, the fact that it DOES spend more time on one plot and one group of characters means there is a chance to get a little more in-depth with various things and people, and that’s nice too. Some stories/series are more suited to one type of writing or another, but I feel like with the Murderbot Diaries there is no wrong length. Whether you’re sitting down for ten minutes or ten hours, you’re going to get the same delightfully enjoyable experience out of these books.As to the writing itself, it alternates between engrossing, hilarious, heart-rending, and painfully accurate. You’re going to identity with and relate to Murderbot so much that you’ll find yourself (at least, if you’re anything like me you will) also thinking of humans as an “other” during the course of your reading, as you mentally (or out-loud; no judgement if you’re one of those people who exclaims aloud as you read; I rarely do, but this seems like an appropriate book series for that sort of behavior) shout at them to not do stupid things and just listen to their SecUnit, please!It’s very much a found-family story, albeit a slow-build one, and despite the occasional body-count (really a rather small number, given that the series is about a character named Murderbot) it’s ultimately a story of good people and happy endings. Murderbot will sometimes punch you straight in the heart with an emotional moment or observation, but it’s the good sort of pain that only the best stories cause. I love these books more than I can fairly describe, and I hope you’ll give them a chance because I think you’ll love them too.P.S. for anyone concerned, there is surprisingly little gore for how much violence is inherent in the life of a Murderbot. A fair amount of swearing, yes, and the occasional (usually annoyed, sometimes disgusted, always disinterested) reference to the existence of sex as a human activity that exists, but there are no lengthy passages expounding in great detail upon the injuries or deaths that take place throughout the series. I suppose some people might find the no-nonsense way Murderbot presents such things disquieting, but I don’t think even squeamish people are likely to be too upset.The only trigger-warning I can think to give is to caution people that there are definitely parallels/references to abuse in Murderbot’s past and the emotional kick of those might be unpleasantly familiar to abuse survivors. YMMV of course, but I expect that the way current characters deal with Murderbot and its trauma likely makes for a more positive and supportive process than a triggering one, but if that is something to which you think you may be sensitive, please do brace yourself ahead of time.

2. 

   Peter Levine – August 15, 2024

   Good Sci-Fi and a peek into a future where AI can expand its power.
   This is part of a series which I have not read, but this book seems to be predicting one of the outcomes that can be made possible by uncontrolled AI. This is a a darker view based on today’s Sci-Fi is tomorrow’s science fact. The book was good enough that I will probably read more of the series.

3. 

   Kay Suz – August 15, 2024

   Murderbot gets me.
   I could’ve easily read this book all in one day as it is a novella that does not slow down once it gets rolling. It is short and punchy and 100% makes you care about an android to the point of wanting to give it a hug (though it would absolutely hate that). It’s a little disturbing to identify so closely with a being that calls itself “Murderbot,” but it’s really just the antisocial behavior that I relate to. (I swear.) I can’t wait to read the rest of them! My only complaint is that the others are not available in paperback. 🙁

4. 

   Will Bright – August 15, 2024

   Great shape with commentary
   The book came in perfect condition. For me. Maybe not for you. The pages were clear, and it looked like it came right off the shelf. However, it also looks like it was used in a classroom, by a student who’s name is written in the top corner, and inside (that’s what my thumb is covering). Notes in the margins, hightlighting, etc.And that makes it perfect, for me. It’s being given to someone who loves that. The insight of another person, as they read they story, how they process it, and understand it. A pysch/soc type person.So, for me the book was a deal. Thanks.

5. 

   Adam – August 15, 2024

   Interesting but Lacking
   I enjoyed the character, story and world. My main gripe is the length for the price. There are several in this series and for 15 dollars I feel like I should be getting about 3 of these stories. I probably won’t get more unless they sell a set for a reasonable price or get them at the library.

6. 

   Ken – August 15, 2024

   Really enjoying the murderbot series

7. 

   Chris – August 15, 2024

   Het verhaal is prima, maar je wordt er niet door weggeblazen. Het boek is veel te klein voor de prijs die ze ervoor vragen! Het is hooguit een short story.