Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel (The Murderbot Diaries, 5)

Wells could have just knocked out a potboiler to take advantage of Murderbot's popularly, instead she gives us a story that takes it to the next level.I am truly in awe of the author's ability. To create three, three! Totally believable worlds is just incredible. I know of no other author that could come close.Apparently we are to have yet another Murderbot. This is terrific news. Would it be obscenely greedy to ask also for a little extra Ile Rien?Anyway, as they say, if you like Murderbot, you'll love this.

Such a complicated and satisfying story!Yeah, read the novellas first, but once you do this is such a good totally new story and oh my gosh, it's so good. Having a whole novel's space to unfold lets the story be on a larger scale than the prequel novellas. It's very compact and complex and action-packed. Fantastic story

So maybe I stayed up way-way past my bedtime finishing this full-length Murderbot novel in one gigantic gulp like I used to with my favorite science fiction novels as a kid, sheet pulled over my head, flashlight in hand so I wouldn't get caught, but man, it was so worth it. Murderbot is in fine form in Network Effect, somehow right inside my brain thinking my own anti-social thoughts while flying its cloud of drones and saving its very stupid humans -- perhaps even starting to rely on its humans a bit (shocking) and having relationship (not a relationship, sorry, a peer-to-peer negotiated contract) issues with ART, the big meany. I absolutely could not stop reading. Eventually I had to feed the cat, but I picked it right back up again, like Murderbot would watching an interrupted episode of WorldHoppers between beating off another round of hostile Targets.Can I just say, when they make the video game, I hope they reward me with a scene from Sanctuary Moon as a reward for hacking my Governor Module.A+++

2 out of 5 if compared to other books in this book series. I want my 3-4 hours back.The first 20% of the book looks interesting,the rest 80% is a way more weaker— Not much action (just recall 1 fight scene, the rest are bleak)— The plot isn't captivating due to a blurred antagonist— Too much inane dialogs or reflection— Too many new secondary characters in the end (kinda 101 mistake to make)— Not much humor: hardly remember 3-4 murderbot typical jokes (in other books it was like 10-15 per book)On the bright side: there are some very small but brave steps into human-machine relationships, machine-machine friendship. Martha has managed to pull it off.Overall recommendation — skip it.

I think I've read the first four novellas about 30 times each, and I've been so excited to get the first novel length Murderbot book. And...IT IS AWESOME. Smart, funny, exciting and a pleasure to read. I love this series so very much. Thank you, Ms. Wells, for this wonderful piece of your imagination.Now, time to read it again!

I stumbled on to the first Murderbot diary entirely by chance a few years ago. It’s been the happiest accident in my reading experience in a long long time. Murderbot is well conceived, and the development of its character has grown and evolved as the series has progressed, and it’s always backed up with a good sold hard sci-fi edge. Ms. Wells has invented an entirely credible future in space where corporations call the tune and the independent spirit has a hard slog of it. Murderbot is an amazing hero and a brilliant commentary on what it really means to be a slave or to be free. And its funny and human, ( I mean that deliberately) and just a joy to “live” through. My only complaint is that I just raced through her most recent book in the series and I’m stuck tapping my toes already waiting for the next one. Please let there be a next one.

I love Murderbot, but book 5 is a hot mess. It lacks all of the characteristics that made the first 4 so wonderful (even Murderbot gets lost in all the chaos). There are just too many words/characters/actions, most only serving to muddle and confuse. Where was the smart editor on this one?! Obviously, we don't need a full length novel. We need another GOOD Murderbot story.

This tries to be an action thriller. It's messy and subverts the characters. Stick with more novellas, Martha. The story and character development was much better in those.My opinion is that this is damaged by poor editing that tries to remove the human interest and add more action. Tor needs to be more careful of its investments, as this will cut the size of the audience. The novellas sold this novel, but it's got to sell the next one.

I flat out adore the four Murderbot novellas, and this the first Novel doesn't disappoint. But do read the novellas first it is not a standalone.I feel like hopping up and down like a fan girl blurting out all my favourite things but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. It was just as exciting, action-packed, emotion stirring and funny as usual. Some old favourites, some new friends, I just love this world. In fact the only bad thing is having to return to Corona World afterwards. What do I have to look forward to now except re-reading them all again.

Although my preference is for literary science fiction of the type that is uncommon now (British near future SF of the 60s-80s) and US social SF (of the 50s-90s variety) I am very familiar with all aspects of the genre. I enjoyed the four Murderbot novels very much -even though a dysfunctional AI android construct with a fairly adolescent worldview is not the kind of character I really relate to, Martha Wells depicted such a being amusingly, insightfully and with great technical skill. Although they're basically mind candy, the novellas are muscular, taut and well-told.At novel length, however, Wells' limitations show clearly: there is very little character development, the plot is nothing we've not read before in this series and - as is inevitable with most series - sopshisticated readers will begin to feel that they're being spoon-fed more of the same, which is far from satisfying. I have no problem with genre writers who have a formula, as long as the formula is original and cannot be replicated by others. Also, as a novel, 'Network Effect' is too long by a good 100 pages - a common problem with most novels these days is excessive length demanded by publishers so that the books feel like 'value for money' for buyers, as if 'never find the quality feel the width' as an approach is a guarantee of good storytelling. It's not. 'Network Effect' felt flabby, slow and tedious compared to 'All Systems Red' for example.Wells really should leave Murderbot be now, as the returns are diminishing. Trouble is, many readers can't see when they're being spoonfed by having their expectations fulfilled, when truly great SF goes for a fresh novum each time, turns the world on its head via paradigm shift and finishes with a bang of conceptual breakthrough. or at least it used to. Now, series books which are written almost entirely for commercial reasons for the many readers who want repetition and familiarity (concepts which are the opposite of the cognitive dissonance sophisticated SF readers require) are one reason why written SF has been in decline for several decades as an art form.If you want more of the same, this will make you happy, but if you want new ground broken, don't buy 'Network Effect'. I'm done with Murderbot personally, as this novel didn't leap off the page and light me up like the early novellas did.Wells, if you're that good an SF writer, turn out some singletons in the the way Philip K Dick, Robert Silverberg, J G Ballard, K W Jeter and Ursula Le Guin did.

Absolutely top notch writing I can’t say enough to highly recommend this story. One of the best series I have ever read and this book doesn’t let the others down. Murderbot continues (her) emotional growth (please say it’s a she, it has to be a woman) with a little help from kidnapped humans, an angry transport AI (ART), alien intelligence attempted overthrowing of humans, so just a normal day in the life of Murderbot. I’m off to reread the first books again. Just adore Murderbot. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ can’t wait for the next one.

I don’t usually give five stars, there’s always some little think you can pick at but really, what more did I want?I got humour: how murderbot sees humans is hilarious as it seems true: we do just talk a lot and wave our arms about.It has action: cool spaceships, aliens, robots, fighting, explosions!It has depth: humans are, well, instinctively humane. Corporate contracts and greed are what puts out that bright flame.It has humanity: relationships are key and it is touching to see Murderbot grow more human.OK, only little nitpick. I honestly found a lot of the extra characters completely 1 dimensional. Maybe because it is all from Murderbot’s POV?

This is the fifth novel in the Murderbot series and is just as good as the others.The whole series of Murderbot Diaries is exceptional SF writing, with the central character being one of the most original robots / androids / constructs ever imagined.The story, which is told in the first person, through the thoughts of Murderbot is a wonderful way of seeing inside his mind. He is a excellent combination of anxiety and self-deprecation and you really feel his constant child-like struggle with his emotions in his relationships with the humans he is tasked to protect.However, that doesn't stop him being an efficient systems hacker and killing machine as far as hostiles are concerned; he will do whatever it takes to protect his humans. The action scenes are great; the tech is well-thought out and exciting and the story characters continues to evolve.

Murderbot doesn’t like losing clients. And Dr Mensah’s daughter is not just any client. But is it possible to fend off kidnappers, amoral corporations and maybe even aliens without further mass murdering?I loved the fast moving plot, the likeable characters, the dry jokes the clever AI character development- I just want the next one in the series to come out soon.

If yuh love character driven fantasy then this is your cup of tea . A totally non human character has been created in Murderbot, along with s realistic cast of supporting humans. I love this whole series and recommend it to everyone who reads. So excited to have gotten a novel instead of just novellas (but I’ll take whatever I can get)

Absolutely brilliant. Love Murderbot with all of its quirks, fantastic plot and characterisation of a human non-human. Clipped dialogue and cynical mindset is perfectly reflective of our current txting communication process and culture. This is an excellent progression from the novellas to a full-length experience, and also cleverly displays (gradual!) emotional development of MB. I hope there is a film/series deal happening (though obviously hard to translate many aspects of the books to the screen). And of course I can’t wait to find out what Murderbot does next.

I read All Systems Red, the 1st Novella, as soon as it came out, and have waited impatiently since for each new instalment.I wasn't disappointed when I got to read this, although I would strongly recommend reading the 1st 4 stories as that places the events and people in this one into context.Come for the sarcastic killing machine that is reluctant to kill, stay for the philosophical study of relationships.

As per the previous novellas, great reading! Some new characters I’m looking forward to hearing more about. Cracking pace and story with moments of suspense, and a little sadness. Lots of humour, both chuckle-worthy and sly! Some intriguing elements which explain more about why Murderbot is more than just a rogue SecUnit. Highly recommended.

So much fun!The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat and the characters get under you skin and refuse to let you go!I absolutely loved it and I’m gonna keep my eyes open for more books to come 🙌🏼😄

Written just as well as the preceding short stories, I'm glad you finally read something with a longer plot.My only disappointment is that the hacking gets even more vague and egregious, I think the author could do with taking a 101 class in computer networking and intrusion.

I never knew I was a Murderbot until I read the Murderbot Diaries. I too am a construct of biology, behaviour and environment and this is why reading Network Effect is so satisfying. I wish I had the processing power to give this a truly magnificent review, but I am too busy consuming media on my only network. Buy this book and you too may learn you are a Murderbot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The author invests the non-human protagonist with real personality. I would have liked a bit more on the contamination but all on all a thoroughly good read. Nice to see a non human intelligence sulking.

Murderbot continues to grow emotionally despite his best efforts and a satisfying set of subplots may yet come with secunit 3 and perihelion. Good balance of snark, smarts, action, affection/emotion, and tech.