Exit Strategy

Ah, Murderbot. I've missed its jaded-ass voice, and its obsession with entertainment media is so relatable. “Why am I compelled by my guilty conscience to work, I just want to stay in my corner and watch drama serials all day” is definitely a mood.

I'm starting to think that the episodic nature of Murderbot novellas are probably... deliberate? To perhaps mirror the episodes of the serials that it loves watching so much. In any case, that's completely up my alley and my short attention span these days. This installment was enjoyable, with Murderbot teaming up with some old friends to bring down a nasty corporation.

There're definitely some interesting messages to be had if you dig a bit deeper below the surface - there is criticism about capitalism and big corporations gaining too much power, there is questioning what exactly makes humans human, and then also living through events from the perspective from a robot for whom the boundaries between AI and humanity is tenuous at best. This is the book where Murderbot catches feelings, and it doesn't like it.

I'm not a huge sci-fi reader so there are occasionally passages where I zone out quite a bit. Murderbot can sometimes get a bit technical in its narrative, but even just being there for its hilarious asides and commentary on the events and people around it, as well as the dialogue that goes on between itself and its companions is worth reading this whole series for.

Certainly continuing on the rest of the series.

As I mentioned in my previous review of Rogue Protocol, I did start this final novella of the series immediately after the previous one ended because I don't have sang patience and I didn't wanna wait. And wow do I feel rewarded for doing that.

I think the author did plan to end the story of Murderbot in this novella, so everything comes full circle here and I loved every second of it. The writing is heart wrenching and emotional, while also being extremely dangerous and high stakes and totally action packed. I was really worried for the characters' safety on multiple occasions and kudos to the author for keeping up that tension. The plot also becomes much more expansive because we finally get to see the tactics of the villains and the extent to which they'll go for their nefarious purposes. Despite all this, the humor and entertainment factor that's the highlight of this series is still intact, and it was a joy being back in the head of Murderbot and listening to its sarcastic voice.

I never discussed the themes that the author tries to capture throughout the series but it would be remiss if I didn't now. We see Murderbot grapple with the question of what it means to be human, does it really want to be one even though it is increasingly empathizing with them and how much agency does it have in its own life. On a larger scale, we see giant corporations trying to use their influence and power to perform illegal activities and harm anyone who comes in their way - it was eerily reminiscent of our real life; on the other hand, we also have a group of humans from one non political entity trying to fight for everybody's rights and providing safety for refugees. And it was nice to see the message that we have to treat each other kindly, and let people (or Murderbot) make their own choices and provide them whatever support we can - and this will lead to good outcomes.

Murderbot is amazing and you all already know how much I love it. It was at its most vulnerable this time around because it finally goes back to find Dr. Mensah and the preservation group, and I found its worries about how they would react to it so heartbreaking. It's struggle with not wanting to feel emotions or attached to humans is kinda adorable because it's obvious that this group of humans matters to it, even though it hates that. And I loved that the humans, and Dr. Mensah never gave up on it either. They all make for a great team and I loved watching them together. And I can't help but adore the fact that every time Murderbot feels some anxiety, it starts binge watching it's favorite shows and it's hilarious because I do the exact same thing. What more can I want than a super powerful Murderbot that I can relate to.

To conclude, this novella was the perfect finale to this series and I'm so happy that I read them back to back because it was such a joy. If you are looking for some fun sci-fi which also explores the themes of identity and freedom, then you can't go wrong with this series. I promise that it is full of laughs but also unexpected tears, and just an overall delight to read. While the story arc that started in All Systems Red is complete, I'm glad that we are getting a new stand-alone novel and I've heard rumor that a certain transport vessel might make an appearance, so I'm very very excited for the release of Network Effect. It can't come soon enough!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Murderbot novellas and this, the 4th entry to the series, is the best so far. The basic premise remains - we have our Murderbot (security unit) who has managed to rewrite their programming to make themselves self aware but has to hide that they have overridden all their protocols. We return almost full circle as the Murderbot finds out that Dr Mensah, who befriended them back in the first novella, is in danger. Despite going rogue they are still a SecUnit at heart and they go in to rescue Dr Mensah. The action stakes are raised in this outing, the action sequences some of the best yet in the series. The characters were all in place before so less time needs to be put into the character development and the novella can focus on the plot. The novella format works in our favour as it gives just enough time to produce a tidy, fast paced action pastiche without dragging or feeling slow.

So happy that more Murderbot is in the works!

I've greatly enjoyed every volume of this series and I loved this last book in the first set of novellas. Just like the others, it's funny, exciting, and emotionally moving, without ever being maudlin. The reason why Murderbot's favorite show is its favorite actually made me a cry a little, but this book also made me laugh out loud several times. I was very sorry to reach the end, and I eagerly anticipate the Murderbot novel that's planned for 2020.

In addition to the continuing themes of identity and finding a place for oneself, the anti-corporate theme is central here. We see a little bit of Dr. Mensah & her associates' home society, and it's pretty much fully automated luxury gay space communism, which I probably don't need to say is extremely appealing to me.

Kevin R. Free did another amazing job narrating the audiobook, perfectly capturing Murderbot's cynical but innocent personality. I liked the voices he performed for the other characters also.