Audiobook review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Murderbot has gone rogue, and it doesn’t want the humans to find out. But when the team discovers there is an evil group on planet that is out to kill them, Murderbot allows the truth to come out so it can save the team.
Overall, I enjoyed my first venture into the world of the Murderbot Diaries. The world is interesting, and I appreciate that Wells just tosses us into Murderbot’s head rather than spoon-feeding the material to the reader. Even though most of the novella is told from Murderbot’s own point of view and diary, it’s engaging and it doesn’t feel like I’m being told everything.
Despite being a shorter story, All Systems Red is exciting and fulfilling, with an open ending, leaving the door open for more adventures. There is humor in Murderbot’s observations and love of a soap opera. Due to its failed governor module and obsession with the show and pop culture, Murderbot is gaining a personality.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Murderbot. Free does a good job portraying the inhuman unit utilizing a somewhat bland voice for the narrator and Murderbot. It’s not monotone but level. Free slightly alters dialogue based on gender, age, and accent, but I can’t always distinguish different characters.
In the end, I look forward to finding out what happens next and continuing this journey with Murderbot.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
In a corporate-dominated space-faring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. For their own safety, exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids. 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 is 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, Murderbot 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 Murderbot to get to the truth.
Author: Martha Wells
Narrator: Kevin R. Free
Series: Murderbot Diaries #1
Genre: Science Fiction, novella
Audiobook Release Date: October 30, 2017
Publisher: Recorded Books
Length: 3 hours and 17 minutes
Source: Purchased
Audio Speed: 1.3x