The Cambridge Geek

All Systems Red
Martha Wells - All Systems Red

Well, it seems to be the week of the Wells. This is a wonderful little novella, featuring the titular Murderbot, and its quest to be both a real person, and a heroic figure (though luckily without any form of schmaltz).

Murderbot is effectively a cyborg, owned and controlled by a corporation, rented out to survey teams as they seek out new possible colony worlds throughout Earth's star-spanning community. It is effectively a security guard, with the impressively stereotypical approach to night watchmanning, with a rather lackadaisical approach to its work and an addiction to pop culture.

It's an entertainingly grumpy bugger, who is a little more afraid of people than a Murderbot really should be, especially one that doesn't really need to obey their orders.

The main plot of the book is a relatively simple "oh no, we're on an alien planet and something is killing everybody" but it's executed fantastically, with Murderbot's first person perspective being really rather funny, and not a little silly. It unfolds nicely and peaks to a thrilling climax, with perhaps a little more speed than is needed, but it does still work well as a little novella.

Highly recommended.

Tagged: Book Science fiction Robot revolution Novel Print