In a space-faring and corporate-domineering future, a company-supplied android must accompany research missions to other planets. (SecUnit for short) But what happens when a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own module finds itself in the middle of a mission that has compromised its researchers?
The Murderbot Diaries is a series I’ve heard through the grapevines for so long. A bot on Twitter that tweets random lines from the series has been living in my algorithm for years. I cannot believe it took me this long to pick up this series.
“I could have become a mass murderer after I hacked my governor module, but then I realized I could access the combined feed of entertainment channels carried on the company satellites.”
That is how we first meet the SecUnit, who prefers to be called Murderbot, as they ponder on the next episode of their favourite show, Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.
Murderbot is a surprisingly delightful protagonist with a sarcastic bite. Designed for security with the capability for murder, no one expects a standard unit to spend their days downloading television. Despite being a robot, Murderbot holds its footing amongst even the most human protagonists. Their struggle to understand human emotions and autonomy made this an incredibly compelling story.
Wells has created an enthralling, unique universe within the first novella alone. All Systems Red unfolds on a distant planet as Murderbot joins a group of scientists on an expedition. But when the excursions turn sour, Murderbot takes it upon itself to protect its human charges and surprisingly finds its place within the group. While having the respect of the lead researchers, not everyone is quite comfortable with its capabilities. Wells’ writing is concise and solid; Murderbot’s so-called lack of emotions makes for some hilarious moments within some intense scenes. (I, too, like Murderbot, would prefer to watch my favourite shows on repeat rather than deal with the situations at hand) While All Systems Red can be read as a self-contained story, even the end leaves you wanting more. A complex lead, a crew of great characters, and the depth within these short pages made me realise why so many people adore this series. (I might just be chastising myself for days for taking this long to read it)
Overall, what an exceptional start to a series. All Systems Red is a fantastic sci-fi novella that begins what I anticipated to be a unique series. A perfect blend of action and suspense. (And also, humour, to my surprise!)
as told by zaheerah 