System Collapse

The Murderbot Diaries, Book 7

De: Martha Wells

Narrado por: Kevin R. Free

The million-copy, New York Times bestselling Murderbot series is back in another full-length novel adventure!

Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there's an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can't have the planet, they're sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there's something wrong with Murderbot; it isn't running within normal operational parameters. ART's crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza's SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they're going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what's wrong with itself, and fast!

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.

©2023 Martha Wells (P)2023 Recorded Books

The (Rescue) Party Is On!

If you can do whatever you want to, what would you do?

A new book, a new story, and, in Murderbot's own words, "more innovative screw ups". This book continues Murderbot's adventures and journey of self-discovery (or practice to ignore humans and find time for watching media, depending on how you see it).

The story here closely follows "Network Effect", the 5th book in the series, both for the characters and the actions. We will see our favorites here - Murderbot, ART, their humans, and even the newly minted "free" SecUnit, Three.

The biggest difference, and a major challenge for all parties, is that, in previous books, the danger and difficulties are external, but in this book, it's internal (or existential). In other words, in most previous books, Murderbot is the hero, saving the day. But in this book, is he still?

Nevertheless, we love Murderbot for their sarcastic attitude, addiction to media, and "sunshine" perspective, which are all present here. The story is also refreshing and surprising (but totally reasonable).

If you are new to Murderbot and want to get to this book ASAP, you need:
Book 1 "All Systems Red" - for background on Murderbot and the world.
Book 2 "Artificial Condition" - for ART and their relationship.
Book 5 "Network Effect" - for the rest of the characters and the story background of this book.

Optional (in the order of my personal preference):
Book 6 "Fugitive Telemetry" (the story of which happens before book 5 chronologically in Murderbot's world) - a fun murder mystery in which Murderbot collaborates with the local security who resents him. Helpful for character development, but not crucial for the storylines.
Book 4 "Exit Strategy" - in which Murderbot embraces his affection and affiliation with his humans. Essential to the Dr. Mensah storyline, but not the ART storyline.
Book 3 "Rough Protocol" - in which Murderbot experiences a different type of bot-human relationship. Helpful to the Dr. Mensah storyline, but not the ART storyline.

About the dramatized version of the Murderbot series, unless you are a huge fan of dramatized story-telling with full casts, I suggest you stick with the Kevin R. Free version. Putting my feelings about the casting aside, the dramatized version is about 25% shorter than Kevin's version, as a result, everyone sounds like they are in a rush.

Another satisfying Murderbot story!

The story starts out a little slow, because Murderbot is hiding something from us. However, once the story kicks into gear, it is nonstop action. Kevin are free does another terrific job as the voice of Murderbot. Murderbot changes and grows throughout the series; I can see that an early reviewer didn’t care for this increased vocal and tonal range, but to me, it just made it Murderbot more than ever like the complex character he is. I can’t imagine anyone else narrating this series. I can’t wait until the next one!

Fun return to the Murderbot but too episodic

I'm always happy to catch up with the Murderbot's adventures but this one seemed more like a novella (despite its length) rather than a larger novel.

Captivating Continuation …

I’m hooked on the Martha Wells’ MurderBot Diaries and Kevin R. Free’s superb performances. I love sarcastic robots!

More Murderbot

PITCH: Takes place days after the events of the last book, Exit Strategy. Tension involving the merging of two crews and untreated construct-PTSD set the groundwork for dealing with the fallout of recent events. Once more the melancholy Construct, its Asshole-Transport partner, with some old and new faces try to save strange colonists from the dangers of being unaligned in the Corporation Rim.

THOUGHTS: The length of this book falls between the novellas and the last book, Exit Strategy. In fact, it feels like the last book was once two books crammed together, and that this one is the third in the Trilogy. This volume is pretty tight, and wraps up a great deal of the loose ends of Exit Strategy without feeling either bloated or stretched. It assumes you just finished Exit Strategy and picked this up immediately after, as there is little explanation of all but the newest characters or plot points you should know. I reread all 7 releases in anticipation, and was well prepared, but simply rereading Exit Strategy will be enough.
One down side to that is the set pieces don’t feel as novel or unknown, and the external stakes feel much lower. Murderbot’s internal issues B-Plot feels tacked on, with the character takes steps back on the resolutions and character developments within Exit Strategy, a few days earlier. Diminishing the character’s competence early on in the story feels manufactured and unearned.
Do I love this universe? Yes.
Do I have to love all the books equally? No
Will I read them all again in a few months? Also Yes.

A fabulous sci-fi romp!

I don't believe I've so thoroughly enjoyed a series this much. The writing is great and the narrator is superb. Mr Free captures Murderbot's personality and snarky sarcasm perfectly. I can't wait for the next installment!!

Another winner!

Love everything MurderBot Diaries, and the newest addition did not disappoint. A definite must read!

Oh, Murderbot,

how you need the trauma recovery module, FFS. Don't we all, sometimes? Once again, a stellar performance by Kevin R. Free. As Murderbot accesses more of it's own emotions, Mr. Free communicates that to the listener. These are wonderful books. Selfishly, I hope Ms. Wells keeps on writing them. For me.

I wish we could have 5 more murderbot stores. But now instead of years from now

Great characters and touching story. I’ve been listening to to the series over and over again.

New direction to the story

I enjoyed it like I've enjoyed all the Murderbot stories. I think I perhaps liked the last book a bit better. But this story took a bit of a new direction for Murderbot, which was also interesting.