All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries)
By Martha Wells
Review by Mida
The Murderbot Diaries follows a Security Unit (or ‘SecUnit’) who, after hacking and disabling its governor module, renames itself Murderbot (it’s not as bad as it sounds) and just wants to sit inside and watch TV all day. Unfortunately for Murderbot, if the company that owns it finds out, it’ll be destroyed. What follows is a delightful mix of drama, space odyssey and excellent pew-pew violence as Murderbot reluctantly protects its useless human clients from a universe that really wants to kill them.
I love Murderbot’s resigned affection for the humans that it protects while being completely indignant that said humans JUST DON’T LISTEN. The internal monologue as Murderbot gets dragged through the narrative when it would rather just be watching its silly TV shows is just delightful – and at times, eerily relateable – and I love the political and philosophical undertones that creep in through the background. Refugee narratives, discussions on bodily autonomy and questions as to whether capitalism is really all that great (the answer is ‘ehhh, probably not!’) are posited as we view this futuristic space-faring society through Murderbot’s eyes. Come for the space gunfights, stay for the angsty robot and its wholesome found family.
This series is unlike anything I have ever read. Each book is small but mighty and packs a surprising narrative punch. Perfect for fans of John Scalzi, Andy Weir or Becky Chambers.
