Audiobook review: Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Rogue Protocol is another exciting story in the Murderbot Diaries series. This time around Murderbot is determined to find evidence against the evil GrayCris organization on an abandoned terraforming platform. Murderbot sneaks in with the help of a “pet bot” and soon finds it’s protecting humans (and the bot) from harm.
Murderbot is becoming more human-like in its emotional states. It misses its “humans” and worries for them. Murderbot misses ART. It notices Mensah’s appearance on video and how she seems to be lacking sleep. It worries. Murderbot is even protecting humans for whom it’s not being paid to protect. It’s not sure how to process difficult emotions like feeling betrayed and survivor’s guilt, and its actions are telling that it’s learning and experiencing.
Rogue Protocol is action-filled. I found at times that I became confused over what characters were doing, especially in fight scenes. I became a little overwhelmed between the fast-moving scenes and the number of new characters. I actually listened to the final climatic scene twice in order to understand what was happening better.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Murderbot. Free does a good job portraying the non-human Murderbot by utilizing a somewhat bland, masculine voice for the narrator and character. Free adjusts his performance for Murderbot as it becomes more human-like. Free successfully alters dialogue based on gender, age, and accent, creating unique characters.
The ending leaves readers to believe that we will get to see the folks from Preservation Alliance soon, and I for one am very excited!
My Ratings
Story: B+
Narration: B+
Jen
About the Book:
Sci-fi’s favorite antisocial AI is back on a mission. The case against the too-big-to-fail GrayCris Corporation is floundering, and more importantly, authorities are beginning to ask more questions about where Dr. Mensah’s SecUnit is.
And Murderbot would rather those questions went away. For good.
Martha Wells’ Rogue Protocol is the third in the Murderbot Diaries series, starring a humanlike android who keeps getting sucked back into adventure after adventure, though it just wants to be left alone, away from humanity and small talk.
Author: Martha Wells
Narrator: Kevin R. Free
Series: Murderbot Diaries #3
Genre: Science Fiction, novella
Audiobook Release Date: August 7, 2018
Publisher: Recorded Books
Length: 3 hours and 46 minutes
Source: Purchased
Audio Speed: 1.2x