Network Effect

A Murderbot Novel

Paperback, 352 pages

Published March 30, 2021 by Tor.com.

ISBN:
978-1-250-22985-4
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(10 reviews)

3 editions

reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Network Effect

This novel is always such a delight to get back to on a reread of the series. My love for ART also carries a lot of my feelings too.

I wasn't sure how Murderbot was going to stand up to the longer length the first time I read this, but I like that there's more space for side stories to develop; in particular, we get to see flashbacks to Murderbot and Amena back on Preservation, we get to see Arada grow as a leader, and we get to see Murderbot 2.0.

This novel also reprises previous parts of the series in a really satisfying way. Even more ART (and more ART snark). We get more about Mensah handling trauma. Murderbot 2.0 is an explicit parallel to Miki's death. The ending of this novel escalates the end of Exit Strategy where Murderbot doesn't know how to feel about everybody feeling protective …

Murderbot

No rating

Content warning Mild spoilers

High action, philosophical, fun

Even better than a season of Sanctuary Moon.

An action packed page-turning novel that managed to fit in a pretty good whodunnit mystery, a big dose of humour along with some rather serious philosophical pondering on free will and the nature of ethics, all without slowing the pace down. I thought about calling this a rollercoaster, but it's more like being strapped to a high-speed rocket weaving through a star wars style asteroid field . It's totally unrealistic, and if you've read the book you'll understand why that's a compliment.

The first Murderbot story I actually liked.

Hugo Best Novel 2021, and I can kind of see why. The Murderbot stories do not normally speak to me, but this one was actually gripping and had a bunch of interesting turns. The people still feel somehow wrong, but the scifi story here works.

Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'

It turns out I've been up all night finishing off this book, thank Murderbot it's still lockdown.

Was it worth pre-ordering? Yes. Did it blow my expectations? Totally.

Having the three narratives at one point took a tiny bit of adjustment, but for me it genuinely made the action come more to life. I've also noticed that things tend to be described just enough that you're able to set your own visuals along with the series.

I certainly hope there is another Murderbot novel in the works, as I've been sucked in deep to this series

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