Published: May 2017
Pages: 144
Summary
In a corporate-dominated space-faring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. For their own safety, exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists is conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid–a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, Murderbot wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is, but when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and Murderbot to get to the truth.
My thoughts
I really enjoyed this novella! I’ve been looking to read more sci-fi and if you’ve been thinking similarly, this is a great place to start.
Murderbot is wonderfully cynical, who cares more for watching reality TV and reading books than the humans it is contracted to protect. Can’t say that’s not relatable, I know I’d rather be reading than putting myself in dangerous positions..
I liked the imaginary people on the entertainment feed way more than I liked real ones, but you can’t have one without the other.
Murderbot is such a unique and fascinating character. Sarcastic yet also vulnerable and we really get to see under the skin of that vulnerability. This is such a short book but it gives us so much!
In those small amount of pages we explore themes of identity, autonomy, and the nature of humanity through Murderbot’s perspective. This book is marvellous at being funny and incredibly touching. There are small moments of reflection and care despite Murderbot’s strong position on humans and the friction that we feel across the group.
It’s wrong to think of a construct as half bot, half human. It makes it sound like the halves are discrete, like the bot half should want to obey orders and do its job and the human half should want to protect itself and get the hell out of here. As opposed to the reality, which was that I was one whole confused entity, with no idea what I wanted to do. What I should do. What I needed to do.
The novella’s moves quickly and it drops you in the middle of a story. But don’t worry, the technical blubber (as I call it) it’s not needed to understand the story, but I did enjoy how it adds to the story and the world.
There is lots of action and many moments my heart was beating by pure stress. I consider that some really great writing to make me feel like that for characters I barely know in such a little amount of pages. Our characters are a diverse bunch with their own prejudices but they also have their strengths and a lot of heart. Not to mention their wit, and that is needed for the situation they find themselves in!
Would I recommend?
This is a fantastic read if you want to dive into science fiction but you’re not sure where to start. It’s a short novella but enough going on that it keeps you engaged, makes you laugh a little and shows you a slice of how great sci-fi can be! I will be continuing this series 100% and keeping an eye out for the upcoming TV series being released.
I’ve just read this too, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Will you be continuing the series? I think I have to to prepare for the tv show. Hopefully the show does the books justice!
Yes I think so 🙂 if I ever get a chance to watch the TV show that’d be great too!
I absolutely need to read this!
If you do you need to let me know what you thought!
Will do!