5 stars for All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries book 1) by Martha Wells.
One, two, three... seven. Seven pages. I have read a mere seven pages when my hunch tells me that I am going to like this science fiction novel. As it is, my intuition proves itself right. Again.
All Systems Red is exciting, mysterious and captivating. There is no lack of imagination involving science and fiction with Imitative Human Bot Unit, combat SecUnit, drone, habitat, dataport, transport pod, visual feed, audio feed, security feed, field camera feed, system feed, HubSystem command feed, emergency beacon, combat override module, augmented human, scientists, researchers, etc.
There are so many things to like about this novel. It is in first person narrative. It is not a thick and heavy read. The storyline is good. There is mystery to be solved. It is packed with action. There is light-hearted humor. Most of all, it is not some story masquerading as a science fiction fantasy. For those who love a good story on spacefaring future and planetary missions, you know what I mean.
The protagonist is a robot. A murderbot. One made up of organic components and non-organic parts. Monitored and controlled by HubSystem, the existence of this android is to keep things from attacking its clients when on contracted jobs and to discourage the clients themselves from attacking one another. Then, this murderbot hacks itself and becomes a free agent, meaning it is free to do as it pleases. Doesn't it sound scary and intimidating? But this is where things get interesting. Because the word rogue takes on a new meaning.
Having read book 1 All Systems Red, I can see why book 5 Network Effect comes in third place under the science fiction category in Goodreads Choice Awards 2020. I may be late to join the party in this Murderbot Diaries series but I am definitely not planning to miss out on any of the subsequent instalments. Hurray for more good reads to come.
Publisher: Tor.com
Publication date: 2 May 2017
*** Favourite Quote 1 ***
...she said, and looked at me for what objectively I knew was 2.4 seconds and subjectively about twenty excruciating minutes.
*** Favourite Quote 2 ***
I don't know what I want. I said that at some point, I think. But it isn't that, it's that I don't want anyone to tell me what I want, or to make decisions for me.
~ All Systems Red
Martha Wells
@}--->>--->>-----
In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.
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 are 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, all it really 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 their Murderbot to get to the truth.
*Blurb from author's website*
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