Reading Recap, Apr 2025
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... I didn't read much this month again. I started a new job and it's been keeping me super busy and exhausted. Fortunately, I did get around to reading one single book and finished a series (for now) that I've been looking forward to getting through. I'll do my best with this review.
As always you can keep up with my reading updates in real time on my GoodReads. See Here.
There will be spoilers ahead, read at your own discretion
Book #1: System Collapse by Martha Wells
Content Warnings N/A
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Series Info: Book 7 of The Murderbot Diaries
Publication Date: November 13, 2023
Beverage Pairing: Black iced coffee—just like Murderbot would hate
Synopsis:
Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.
But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast.
Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.
Review:
I enjoyed the casual way that the author talks to the reader, as it really felt like you’re reading the diary of a robotic human learning to navigate the universe. I feel that the tone was consistent with the other books. The story unfolded in a way that felt pretty quick in some sections. Thought, I feel like the action scenes were drawn out for too long and overly explained. The framing was a little off as the story starts in the middle and then progresses into a flashback explanation, which isn’t common in this series.Murderbot and ART really carried the entire story as they did the most work compared to the human characters. Their friendship really shined through their teamwork and equally quick thinking. It reflected how similar yet different they are. Murderbot’s idea to create a “film” per say was the highlight of the climax as it didn’t stick around too long and played well into their interests.
The world was pretty immersive in the sense that the tech and colonies were realistic for the established world building aspects. I liked the dive into the difference between older and newer tech based on if it was built before the corporate era or not. The subplot of the conflict with the Barish-Estranza corporation is a good recurring theme that comes back repeatedly throughout the series. Exploring the idea of deciding to be indentured workers to the corporation versus trusting that a group of strangers is telling the truth and trying to save you was an interesting theme. This book resonated with me as it made me imagine the different perspectives of the established characters and new ones that we really don’t get a lot of concrete evidence about. The recurring motif of fragmentation between the colonist, Murderbot, and ART is interesting as it connected the story to one central theme if not directly in the same ways.
The ending was pretty satisfying and I’m happy with the decision that Murderbot made regarding their future goals and wants. Was left wanting more and anticipating the next release of the next book.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4/5 stars
Would I Recommend It?To fans of... Becky Chambers, Ann Leckie, or AI-driven narratives
Or for readers who enjoy... reluctant heroes, dry humor, and corporate dystopias
Read If You Like: snarky robots, inner turmoil, and action scenes with a side of sarcasm
👉 Get the book here.
