Review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Overview:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book was easy to read. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and has lots of character development and humor. I wanted a deeper exploration of some of the themes it presented, but I have high hopes for the next novellas in the series.
Content Warning:
All Systems Red contains gun violence, gore, death, body horror and enslavement.
Book Description:
All Systems Red is a science fiction novella and the first book in the Muderbot Diaries Series. Murderbot is a newly sentient SecUnit (think advanced robot) that is owned by The Company — a corporate power that runs a large portion of space. After hacking his own programming and becoming self-aware, Murderbot wants nothing more than to watch space operas and keep to himself. However, on a new mission to see a group of scientists safely through a company sponsored expedition, things go horribly wrong. It’s up to Murderbot and his assigned crew to determine what has gone wrong.
On the Character Development:
In less than 200 pages, Wells demonstrates pretty profound character development. Murderbot grows from casual annoyance to protectiveness and trust towards the humans he is working with. The change is subtle but impactful. There is never a moment where he says “wow, these guys aren’t so bad!” Rather, this change is largely shown through small nuances in wording. For example: his inner dialogue initially references them as the "clients," then later "my humans." It’s the showing of his affection towards them (rather than just telling the reader) that really packs a punch.
On the Use of Humor:
I was not expecting to laugh as much and as hard as I did while reading this. Murderbot’s inner dialogue is absolutely hilarious. He’s a killing machine but he has severe social anxiety and obsession with space opera serials. I can best describe him as a disgruntled Bilbo Baggins trapped inside the body of the terminator. Juxtaposed against an almost apocalyptic, gritty version of the future, his priorities are absurd…. yet so relatable. There is such humanity in the act of watching Netflix while the world burns, and one cannot help but say “same, Muderbot, same” while reading.
On the Book’s Impact:
There is a lot of potential in this book to explore the themes of humanity and freedom, but it just didn’t quite get there. There are certainly references to Murderbot’s enslavement and the power that humans have over SecUnits, but the main conflict of the story focuses on surviving a third-party threat. I ended on the last page feeling a little disappointed in the lack of emotional impact I felt. I hope the next novellas in the series build upon the foundations laid in this first installment.
On Who Might Enjoy All Systems Red:
I recommend you read this book if you:
enjoy t.v. shows like Battlestar Galactica.
are looking for a short, fast-paced read
like endearing characters
PLEASE NOTE: Image sources for the photo edit on this post can be found here.