Rogue Protocol

What are the things that we expect from an adventure featuring our beloved murderbot? Sarcasm— check. Speed— check. Action— check. Suspense— check. Betrayal— check. Sacrifice— check. Revelations— check. Obviously it met my expectations. I would be a GrayCris guy to give it anything less than full. Highly recommended, goes without saying.

If you thought you had a grasp after first two books, keep thinking. Love the way the author makes Murderbot more human as series progresses, giving it feeling and emotions (that it beautifully refuses to acknowledge) adding an emotional content to the story. This is a slightly longer book that takes some time to gain pace, but then is a roller coaster ride to the end. After Mensah, then ART, Miki is the next piece that completes Murderbot in a it's journey to self realization. A human hating machine becoming human is a journey to savour in this book.

MurderBot and Martha Wells does it again! Can't wait to read the next exciting installment of their adventure together. Woohoo?

Engaging book

Actual rating 4.5 stars. Another all-consuming instalment in the Murderbot Diaries. I love how Murderbot is still growing – questioning his own motivations and analysing how others treat him and Miki (a human shape bot that ends up being his sidekick) on this mission to uncover evidence against GrayCris. There is action galore and I did not want to put the book down. I did feel like it ended a little abruptly and there are some issues raised that are going to have to be addressed in the next instalments, though I wish there would have at least been some acknowledgement at the end of ‘Rogue Protocol...’ Murderbot seemed to be a bit all over the place emotionally, and his processing power is stretched to its limits, so it really did seem like we were missing bits. I think that’s why this is my lowest ranked book in the series so far. I loved the human interactions with a new group on this mission, though there was less of an emotional bond on the surface as there was in previous books. Murderbot seemed to take a backward step as he switched back into the SecUnit role, rather than that of Consultant. Miki was a great contrast for Murderbot, and provided the reader, and Murderbot, with a nifty lens to show a path that is open, an identity that can be crafted, oh the possibilities. But we only get fleeting glimpses of it because Murderbot stays on task and moves on once the mission is complete. I like that these novellas are fairly unpredictable in the sense that you never know what wrench is going to be thrown into the storyline, but predictable enough in that it is episodic by nature. I’m still really excited to pick up the next book in the series, but am trying to pace myself out because I am so thoroughly enjoying the Murderbot Diaries. Martha Wells knows how to craft a story, set a cracking pace, and possesses an ironic tone in her writing style that is endearing and engaging. Still highly recommending this series. Next up: 'Exit Strategy.'

Note: I have read all 4 currently installments of this series. The review is not particular to any one book in the series. TL; DR: These are fun books to read. The writing is wry, witty, and effective. The only objections to the Murderbot Diaries I can think of, are: 1) They are expensive for their length. Four of these books make up one full length novel. 2) Do not read as Science fiction. These books are more in the "Fantasy Adventure" genre. More (no spoilers): They are fun. Read them as comedy based on human nature (and frequently folly), and try to enjoy the occasional, sometimes almost philosophical, musings that arise from the fact that the protagonist is a security robot (SecBot), made from both organic and non-organic parts, living in and interacting with human society, "sort of" like a human. Its job and single purpose is to protect "its humans" (clients) from all threats (including other humans) in hostile environments. As the title of the series suggests, the stories are told by the protagonist SecBot. For some reason, I tend to think of the secbot as male, but I guess it really is - well, er, an "it". It is wary of humans, doesn't really "like" or "dislike" humans, but is not comfortable looking a person in the eye, or even standing close to one. It is easily bored, and often will resort to watching "Media feeds" on a compulsive level. It is constantly going through some sort of identity crisis. It finds itself wanting to help humans out when they make "stupid decisions made on the basis of bad information", while at the same time trying hard not to care what its humans / clients are up to at any given moment. There are some exciting action scenes, some fulfilling violence, a lot of intrigue, and some more or less complex plot turns. I've seen these books labelled as "Science Fiction". As such, the "Science" bit is not particularly impressive. It is superficially described as very distant future tech and serves mostly as an enabler for the robot concepts. I read this series as a funny, although sometimes thoughtful, fantasy/adventure action-comedy epic, and I believe that is what it's meant to be. Story wise, the series is not a very challenging read. Which is fine, really. It's not "Solaris", nor does it pretend to be. I find the writing to be effective and dynamic. The language is compact, energetic, very vivid and alive. Some sentences are funny gems, and then occasionally, a passage or two will come off as understated and profound. Highly enjoyable and recommended read. I had to choose between 4 and 5, and for me it's closer to 5, even if the books are somewhat expensive and short.

This series is so much fun. Murderbot is an artificial intelligence, its vast computational power still not enough to understand the endless puzzle of human emotions and interactions. It has managed to hack its own internal controls, thereby becoming a free agent. Breaking free of its lifelong constraints isn't enough to overcome its need to save its "clients" from their own stupidity - even if it has to put itself in harm's way to do so. Many fast paced action scenes ensue. The plot of each novella is brilliantly constructed, and the mystery running through the entire series is thoroughly engaging. The writing is drum-tight, and the mixture of sarcasm and humour that permeates the books is perfectly balanced against the action. Murderbot is one of the most likeable and unique characters in science fiction. Martha Wells is a master writer and this series just proves her genius.

great stories but should have been released in one book, not multiples at inflated prices

Muito bem escrito, muito dinamico e envolvente.