I’m not sure you’d want to read this 7th book in the series without having read the previous installments, but then, why would you want to *miss* the previous books?

The protagonist, who is part robot with organic parts, calls itself Murderbot, because of an incident now somewhat far in its past for which it wasn’t guilty, but the appellation stuck. In any event, Murderbot is a security robot, or SecUnit, designed to protect its human clients from any threats. But Murderbot went “rogue,” having hacked its controlling module, so that it now has free will. Murderbot would like nothing better than to spend its time watching all the space adventure series it has downloaded, but still can’t resist the pull to rescue humans from all the scrapes they continually get themselves into.

In this installment, Murderbot, still with his gang of humans led by Dr. Mensah of the University of Mihira and New Tideland, is on a planet that had been whose colonists had been subject to alien contamination. The University was trying to protect colonists from being captured by evil corporations such as Barish-Estranza (B-E) and dumped into labor camps for corporate contract labor for the rest of their lives. Part of the mission is convincing the colonists that B-E was a bad actor and the University had their welfare as a priority.

As the crew from the University talk to the colonists, they learn there is a separatists group of colonists elsewhere on the planet that might need to be evacuated (if they weren’t dead), especially as B-E had gotten wind of both groups and arrived also.

Murderbot is again working with ART, an acronym Murderbot made up that stands for Asshole Research Transport. ART, called Peri by its humans, is the bot pilot of Perihelion, a wormhole-capable space research and teaching vessel operated by the University system that is part of an anti-corporate team that gathers information and strikes out against corporations. ART is very advanced, although not as tuned into human emotions as Murderbot (who is addicted to human media and watches it constantly), and the two develop a love-hate relationship.

Murderbot, ART, and ART’s humans had been in struggles before against alien contamination and B-E, and all had sustained some damage. Murderbot still suffered from something equivalent to PTSD. Moreover, Murderbot wrestled with a compulsion to help other SecUnits, even from B-E, to deprogram themselves from their controller software and become free agents.

There is non-stop violence, action, and adventure, all filtered through Murderbot’s dry sense of humor, sardonic wit, and constant existential angst. (ART’s personality is similar albeit without the angst.)

Evaluation: The humans in Murderbot’s life can’t help but love and appreciate this very odd SecUnit. Moreover, the desire to make sacrifices to save the other becomes mutual. The episodes are endearing, very humorous, and diverting in the extreme.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

This, the next in the Murderbot series, starts off right after the events of the previous book. MB and his team team are attempting to save the inhabitants of the world from the evil Corporation. Snarkiness ensues, as well as violence and more Security Bots. The last third of this book is non-stop action, much as we've come to expect from this highly entertaining series.

I wish I had re-read the previous book before starting this, although with previous Murderbot books that hasn't been a problem for me. I felt a little unmoored until about halfway through, although arguably this is my fault. I also felt the parenthetical asides--SecUnit's stylistic quirk--were perhaps more noticeable in this one. Regardless and as always, I loved SecUnit's interior monologue and its unfolding story as a free construct reckoning with emotions, organic parts, and friendships.

This was such a fantastic read! It is right after Network Effect, so I don't remember, or know, when Fugitive Telemetry is set, before or after this pair, so I'm going to have to do a reread, but I'm glad, because this series is so good!

Murderbot is dealing with PTSD, or something similar, after what it went through. It's doubting it's ability to be a security consultant, and it's done to a limited supply of drones which makes things more complicated.

This whole plot with another colony on the planet, it complicates everything, with the charter that they're trying to fake for the colony that they knew about, to protect them from Barish-Estranza. That it's in an area that prevents communication makes matters worse.

The whole series of events once they get there, dealing with the various elements of that place and what they encounter there was such an entertaining read while Murderbot was dealing with its insecurities! That ending was so fantastic!

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait for whatever is next!

Murderbot is not okay. I repeat, Murderbot is (very much) not okay.

“I was different. It wasn’t just the alien contamination. What came out was, “Something in me broke.”

It’s easy to think of our former “mindless killing machine” with a soft spot for media entertainment and - brace for it - humans and a certain Asshole Research Transport as amazingly invulnerable, save for a bit of severe social anxiety and awkward difficulty adjusting to accepted personhood after existence as basically a disposable weapon, and now certainly PTSD. But Murderbot is not invulnerable, and emotions happen, and trauma - as much as it would like to keep that part [redacted] - wreaks its consequences on our favorite bot/human construct.

“(“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I had told Mensah. “I think you might know,” she had said. “You just don’t want to talk about it.”)”

Set immediately after the end of Network Effect, System Collapse is a direct continuation of that storyline in the quest of Murderbot and a few of its favorite humans (and ART, or rather ART-drone) to rescue the abandoned colonists on the planet suffering from alien contamination from becoming indentured servants for a greedy corporation. Oh, and it’s a story of mental health struggles (but done non-didactically and non-annoyingly, which is much appreciated) and a critique of rampant capitalistic approach to life (again, somehow non-annoyingly, which quite a few authors can learn from).

And by now you’re either an established Murderbot fan or a strange person who picked up book 7 in a series without loving the hell out of its snarky supposedly misanthropic protagonist that would annihilate you if you threaten its ever-expanding list of “its” humans ( “(It was weird to have so many humans I had to give them group names.)”

I suppose what I’m saying is — I expect you’ll love it, too.

4.5 stars, rounding up (saving that half-star for eventual narration by Kevin R. Free; I can’t wait to hear his rendition of Murderbot/ART banter).

——————

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murderbot always delivers on the snark AND the adventure. This was a phenomenal addition to the series AND an incredible second full-length novel. Cannot WAIT for the next SecBot adventure to come out! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

One of my biggest gripes with this book isn’t actually with this book specifically but more the publication/reading order of the series. If you read them in order, you have <traumatic event> in Network Effect (which has a direct and dramatic impact on Murderbot’s character) followed by a step back in time with Fugitive Telemetry (where the events of Network Effect haven’t happened yet and Murderbot is at peak snark and indifference) and then back to right after Network Effect for System Collapse (where <traumatic event> has gigantic ripple effects). Going back to read the whole series before diving into this one have me tonal whiplash - namely, I was expecting the snark and instead we went straight to post-trauma.

The other thing that didn’t really work for me in this one was that because Murderbot is running with limited capabilities (ie fewer drones and no scanners) for a big portion of the book, we’re just in its head and it’s kind of running in circles. It negatively impacted the pacing of the story and also left less interactions with other characters (both new and old).

Ahoy there me mateys! I LOVE MURDERBOT!!!  I will read every new Murderbot book to come.  I will continue to reread this series over and over again.  This newest installment is no exception.  This be book seven but the second full-length novel.  Get it.  Read it.  If ye haven't yet met Murderbot what be ye waiting for?

I don't, however, think this is a good place to begin.  There are certainly spoilers for the other novel.  Murderbot is continually adjusting to life among humans but this book has Murderbot second-guessing itself for redacted reasons.  I do prefer the novella lengths for this series but I am still biased in favor of all things Murderbot and will take all I can get. ARRRRR!!!!!!!

Another full length entry in the murderbot series, and it was just as good, if not better, than the first. This one, despite the previous entry being unrelated, picks up right where Network Effect ended, with the group (Secunit's Preservation humans and ART's University humans) still on the planet where they found the alien corruption. With a company trying to slide in and take over, the group is focused on combatting their claim and saving the colonists who actually own the planet. They learn of another, separate colony, one untouched by the corruption, and set out to make contact. On top of that, Murderbot is having Emotional Problems, constantly referring to an issue that happened prior to the plot starting that it only names as [redacted], but given how it is responding to the situation and how the humans are reacting to Murderbot, it's obvious throughout that something happened to cause concern. What Murderbot finds concerning and what the humans do, however, are very different things. I loved the narration in this entry, it felt like we got a really good glimpse at Murderbot's feelings (despite desperately trying to cover them up) and in particular it felt like this book highlights how much Murderbot has changed from the earlier books. There are more obvious emotional connections and Murderbot demonstrates a better understanding of itself and why its reacting as it does (even though it still is lacking comparatively). The little glimpse of development while still staying true to the style and wit of the series was great, and i'm looking forward to more in the series.

The series just gets better and better. This book picks up shortly after Network Effect. Murderbot is experiencing trauma from its last planet side mission, but its humans and Art are relying on Murderbot to keep them safe when they have to find an outlying group on the planet. It is marvelous in continuing to develop the characters and the universe in a rich, sprawling context that leaves the reader wanting more and more after the book is done!

Another action packed installment of the MurderBot Diaries, with lovable quirky characters, and fighting against corporate institutions. Our lovable SecUnit is working through the realities of being independent within your own head (still, it is a long process), while making sure none of its humans die when faced with unknown colonists and corporate discussions. Filled with close hitting commentary on humanity, capitalism, and emotions this novel length addition from Martha Wells is a wonderful part of approachable and relatable sci-fi.

Murderbot is back with emotions and [redacted], in a way fans will love.

If you're reading this review, you likely already know the joy of the first six books in the series, and you're wondering if book seven is worth your time. My response to that? Run, don't walk, to read this book.

System Collapse picks up where Network Effect, left off. We're back with ART, the humans and surviving colonists who are in danger of being sold into corporate labour camps. Murderbot's trademark sarcasm and awkward human interactions are back in full force, as we open with it trying to take down an ag-bot intent on killing the Preservation humans.

I laughed and highlighted my way through Murderbot's sassy responses to the most stressful circumstances. In this book we see Murderbot growing in interesting ways when it comes to dealing with it's own emotions and responding to the kindness extended by humans. With the introduction of Three (another governor-hacked SecUnit), we also see Murderbot taking on a big brother/teacher role. I wonder if it will continue to lean into 'freeing' other SecUnits in future stories?

Network Effect, the first full-length book in the series was my favourite, so, System Collapse being an extension of that book and story is heaven for me. This book is also longer than the other novellas, coming in around 250 pages; the more time spent in this universe the better.

The banter between Murderbot and ART was next-level. I was laughing out loud at their interactions as they push each other's figurative buttons, but also support each other without question or hesitation.

Full disclosure, I offered Tor one of my kidney's in return for an advanced reader copy. They didn't need the kidney but did share this book through NetGalley. The review would have been worth the kidney, and I've already pre-ordered this book, which comes out in November 2023 in Canada.

This book is best read in a sprawling underground colony bunker, in the dark, but before ScoutDrone1 alerts you to movement down a corridor. Your risk assessment will say there's a 68% chance of it being a SecUnit hunting you. Wait. Make that two SecUnits. So read fast.

I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. My review will be based on the physical ARC I read (if I qualify)

After reading six books in this series, one might assume that I would have exhausted my vocabulary when it comes to expressing my enthusiasm for The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. I am not exactly sure why these compact novellas continue to captivate me. It could be attributed to the remarkable skill displayed by Wells in crafting a fast-paced, humor-infused narrative that encompasses various ups and downs, unexpected twists and turns, all within a limited number of pages, ultimately providing a satisfying conclusion. Or, it might be the impeccable storytelling ability of our cherished protagonist, the SecUnit, also known as Murderbot, who recounts the events from its own unique perspective. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason, but I am unequivocally infatuated with this series.

Reviewing a novella is quite different from reviewing a full-length book, as there are unique challenges and limitations involved. Nevertheless, I will endeavor to provide a comprehensive and fair evaluation of this delightful gem to the best of my abilities.

Similar to its predecessors, System Collapse, the latest installment in this series, maintained the same level of excellence. I devoured each page with eagerness as Murderbot, accompanied by its Preservation humans, ART, and the newly introduced AI crew member, Three, embarked on a fresh expedition. New planet, new characters, new adventure and yes a lot of Crescent Moon.

Once again, Martha Wells showcased her brilliance in crafting a captivating world and developing compelling characters within the confines of this novella. From the very beginning, she thrusts the reader into an action-packed scene, skillfully weaving elements of intrigue, suspense, humor, and empathy throughout the pages of System Collapse with a remarkable sense of elegance.

One of the aspects that I adore the most about Murderbot is its distinct perspective on humans and the events unfolding around it. Witnessing its attempts to comprehend human nature, including the often perplexing realm of human relationships, is both amusing and enlightening. Martha Wells skillfully portrays this through Murderbot’s narration, presenting a remarkable contrast between the complexities of human emotions and the straightforwardness of a non-emotional perspective. It serves as a testament to Wells’ exceptional storytelling ability, as she highlights the core essence of a problem and illuminates the simplicity that can arise when emotions are removed from the equation.

In System Collapse, I found myself genuinely touched by Murderbot’s earnest efforts to convey to the inhabitants of the new planet that the Preservation crew had arrived with the intention of offering assistance. Its approach involved creating a comprehensive documentary that meticulously documented the heinous actions committed by the Barish-Estranza corporation against humans on various planets. This act of advocacy and information sharing demonstrated Murderbot’s deep sense of empathy and its unwavering commitment to justice and truth. It was truly heartwarming to witness Murderbot’s determination to make a positive impact and to witness the power of knowledge and awareness in fostering understanding and change. Leave it to an AI to come up with a plan to save humans from their own kind. That was a sure wake up call.

I always loved how Art and Murderbot banter and bicker with each other like two siblings. The System Collapse was no different. Their exchanges were hilarious. And their shared passion for tv shows and movies are so endearing. It was particularly amusing to observe Murderbot’s perplexity when Three, the new addition to their AI crew, did not share their passion for fictional human dramas and movies, instead preferring non-fiction and educational documentaries. The stark contrast in their preferences created a comedic dynamic and added another layer of humor to the story. Martha Wells skillfully incorporated these humorous elements, showcasing the complexity of human interests and the contrasting perspectives of AI characters, resulting in an engaging and entertaining narrative.

In conclusion, System Collapse proved to be another triumph in The Murderbot Diaries series. I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of this novella and eagerly anticipate what Martha Wells has in store for Murderbot’s future exploits. The series continues to captivate as Murderbot evolves and navigates its coexistence with both human and AI crew members. It is a testament to Wells’ storytelling prowess that she consistently delivers compelling narratives that leave readers eagerly yearning for more. I eagerly look forward to the next adventure and the further growth and development of this beloved character.

My sincere thanks to Netgalley, Tor Publishing and Martha Wells for providing me this advance reader copy.

System Collapse is a fantastic continuation of Murderbot's exploits as they navigate themselves, the people in its life and it's continuing exploration of being free.

As a main character Muderbot continues to delight and becomes more of a favorite character of mine with every book. The secondary characters are also endearing and provide fantastic further detail to a complicated universe.

The universe, while being wonderfully unique, is also a stark reflection of our world.

I cannot express enough how much I love these books! System Collapse is a must-read continuation of The Murderbot series!

Thank you to netgalley and tor for an ARC of this in exchange for an honest opinion.

I love the Murderbot series, and this is yet another strong installment. We follow Murderbot on the planet we encountered in Network Effect. The team are trying to deal with the colonists and help them as Barish-Estranza is trying to get a stronghold on the planet and enslave them. But Murderbot isn't running at full capacity and its redacted as to why.

I thought this was a fantastic novel, Murderbot and ART have their great back and forth. We get more development with Murderbot, and the aftermath of Network Effect. I think Martha Wells is a brilliant writer and this series is a sci-fi lovers dream. We get intelligent characters, interesting world-building, political battles, strong fight scenes and of course great media. Murderbot is one of my favourite characters in sci-fi/fantasy, they are sarcastic, relatable and a great POV to experience the story.

This is one of my top 5 series and highly recommend you pick it up, also the audiobooks are narrated amazingly well.

Murderbot is back! We are treated to another full-length novel, following the events in Network Effect.

Murderbot and company are on “the stupid alien-contaminated lost colony planet.” The action starts immediately, with Murderbot having to save his human companions (not friends, never friends) from a rogue ag-bot they encounter while fixing routers destroyed during intra-colony fighting. While they all want off the planet, the group’s mission is to keep Barish-Estranza (evil corporation) from enslaving the colonists while keeping the alien contamination from spreading.

While meeting with the colonists, the team learns of a possible separatist group of colonists, living near the terraforming equipment–equipment that interferes with transmissions. They decide to send in a small team on one of ART’s shuttles to find the colony and warn them of the threat to the planet. The team must navigate a Pre-Corporation underground habitat, old technology, possibly hostile colonists, and other dangers while racing against a B-E task force.

Fans will enjoy the recurring characters, ongoing banter, and familiar references, while also appreciating the new relationships Murderbot and team make. At one point, Murderbot reflects on his growing group of humans, noting that it was weird to have so many that he had to give them group names.

I love Murderbot so much. This started off with action and I felt excited to be back in this world. Murderbot is sarcastic and funny and I love that we get it’s pov for these books.

I really like Murderbot’s humans too and the addition of ART and his humans was also great. You follow them to a site where they are searching for a colony but find an empty underground area and explore that. Definitely some apprehension here that something bad will happen and it does.

It was more slow paced from here on for a little while but I enjoyed the interactions and finding out how Murderbot was dealing with everything while remaining its funny and dry self.

I enjoyed the mix of fast paced and slow paced parts of this book, it was a good balance. These books are short but I enjoy the stories and I love the characters so I think that really makes the story better.

Overall I enjoyed it but I don’t think it was my favourite instalment. That being said it reminded me how much I like this world and Murderbot and how much I’d like to reread them all.

Another top notch installment in the Murderbot series, this one featuring Murderbot and ART and their humans dealing with the fallout from the events of Network Effect (I recommend rereading if you haven’t done so recently). Murderbot struggles with its hated emotional reactions, problem-solves with its team, and of course, kicks six kinds of ass and saves the day.

When you get an early copy of the new Murderbot book and you DON'T drop everything to read it right away, we question your judgment. Obviously when we got this, we immediately downloaded it; it was finished by the next day. And then we had to sit with it a little bit to organize our thoughts.

This is definitely a Murderbot book, so you get lots of snarky commentary, some great action scenes, and (despite itself) a lot of heart. This book feels a little different, though. Murderbot might be neurotic, dismissive, socially awkward, and rude. But one thing it's always been is confident in its own skills. When System Collapse opens, Murderbot is questioning its competence and ability to do its job, and it's feeling pretty depressed. This might not seem like a huge change, but from books where you're seeing the world entirely from one character's perspective, and that character's viewpoint has been altered - well, it feels very strange! That's especially evident thanks to Wells's great writing, who makes the reader understand even without Murderbot's explicit explanation (because it really doesn't want to admit, even to itself, that something is wrong).

Murderbot is growing and expanding, and this is a book partially about growing pains. The cast of characters has expanded, as well, making this universe a place that the reader can return to and find new and wonderful things.

The ISSUE with getting an early copy? We're already ready for the next one.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.