Martha Wells: All Systems Red (AudiobookFormat, 2018, Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing)
audio cd, 1 pages
Published March 15, 2018 by Recorded Books, Inc. and Blackstone Publishing.
An interesting take on the consciousness of a robot/android AI,created to fight. Nice characters and a good setting that I hope continues to deliver, good thriller.
I was prompted to dive into Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries because of the new AppleTV show, and if you’re like me, those visuals can really help anchor a good sci-fi concept. My eyeballs devoured this first novella, All Systems Red, which introduces us to a unique protagonist: the self-named “Murderbot.” This Security Unit (SecUnit) hacked its governor module not to start a murderous rampage (despite the name), but to gain the freedom to binge-watch its favorite serialized entertainment, Sanctuary Moon. Assigned to protect a planetary survey team, Murderbot is a masterclass in being thoroughly over it, preferring streaming to socializing.
However, when their mission hits a snag involving sabotage and disappearing data the socially awkward robot is reluctantly forced to set aside the remote and use its security genius to protect its pesky humans, which delves some of the philosophical questions about choice. Without the governor module, why does the …
I was prompted to dive into Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries because of the new AppleTV show, and if you’re like me, those visuals can really help anchor a good sci-fi concept. My eyeballs devoured this first novella, All Systems Red, which introduces us to a unique protagonist: the self-named “Murderbot.” This Security Unit (SecUnit) hacked its governor module not to start a murderous rampage (despite the name), but to gain the freedom to binge-watch its favorite serialized entertainment, Sanctuary Moon. Assigned to protect a planetary survey team, Murderbot is a masterclass in being thoroughly over it, preferring streaming to socializing.
However, when their mission hits a snag involving sabotage and disappearing data the socially awkward robot is reluctantly forced to set aside the remote and use its security genius to protect its pesky humans, which delves some of the philosophical questions about choice. Without the governor module, why does the Murderbot choose to take care of its clients?
The narrative is a nice blend of wry internal monologue and corporate conspiracy. For anyone who's ever used a media distraction to avoid people, this book is an easy five-star read and the perfect, concise setup for a great series.
–This review was partially drafted by A.I. (Gemini) with a fairly lengthy prompt containing my opinions and the notes I took while reading. Much of the review is rewording of the prompt I entered and my notes. –
Después de tres años lo he releído (a causa de que la serie de Apple TV+ basada en la novela va a salir en breves) y lo he entendido mucho mejor y me ha gustado muchísimo más. ¿Será cosa de que mi nivel de inglés ha subido o de que he entendido mejor de qué iba la vaina? Ni idea, pero el resultado es que esta novelita corta, entretenida y con une protagoniste más que especial se hace un huequecito.
Como siempre, la culpa de todo es del capitalismo. Incluso el del futuro.
i haven't read this in 4 or 5 years, and i forgot how much fun this book is. the semi-bittersweet ending is moderated by the fact that i know there's like 7 more volumes, and i am sorely tempted to speed through them ahead of book club schedule. (^_^)
I am reminded of one comment I read some time ago from somebody talking about machine intelligence - tehy weren't so much interested in what art a machine would make for humans, but what they would make for one another. To some extent, this series explores that.
it's hard to pull off a sardonic robot protagonist, and I think this did it
Content warning Vague spoilers involving Murderbot's character arc.
I loved the funny, witty inner voice of Murderbot, and I also love that it chose the name based on the coolness factor and not because it actually likes to murder. My mom has been bugging me to read this book for years, and I'm so glad I finally listened and read the first installment. I love how Murderbot grew to trust and care about the humans they were reporting to. 10/10, can't wait to read the next one.
This book was just a simple joy to read, a lot like traditional first-person sci-fi from an intelligent robot's perspective. Of course, by the title of the series, you probably will figure out quickly that this robot is a murderbot, and he's having some emotions about things he's done in the past... and the story evolves quickly with the team he is contracted to work for, with a bit of a twist. Overall, this was a fun and interesting story. It evolved quickly and read like a simple first-person descriptive tale of the bot's experiences and thoughts, but it leaves me wanting just a little bit more. Of cousre, it's a series, so I'll read more and expect that desire will be satisfied as I learn more about Mr Murderbot. I recommend this book!
It's a short novel so I can't expect much in character development outside of the main one, but that is my one critique: I'd like to know more about the other members of the crew and their situations.
But overall it was a fun listen; engaging, interesting, suspenseful.
I was surprised that it was only the length of a novella, but it's a fun read.
As I’m doing a reread of the Murderbot Diaries book 1-3 before starting on the rest, this was book 1. It’s fairly short, straightforward and fastpaced. Read it within the day. On to the next
It’s rare to find a compelling sci-fi book that also has a hefty helping of humor and sarcasm baked into its tone. I will definitely be reading more of this series.
From the plot alone, this novella would be a bit of perhaps cliche science fiction. What makes it both unique and compelling is that the story being told from the perspective of the "Murderbot" (hence The Murderbot Diaries), a cyborg generally treated by society as a piece of equipment.
Martha Wells's writing does a good job of showing Murderbot's personality, its particular anxieties, its relationships towards humans, and general attitudes towards life. Even if the plot is cliche, Murderbot as a character is the opposite.
A socially awkward, traumatized by PTSD, has executive dysfunction, and just wants to be free and watch entertainment streams ... Murderbot is very relatable.
I haven't been so compelled to read since a teenager. Murderbot sucked me in completely.
