Title: Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)
Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Publication Date: June 1, 2020
Format: Audiobook
Length:  13 hours

Read if you like: futuristic societies, questions of robot and AI ethics, critiques of capitalism, witty humour, diverse cast, themes of identity and freedom

Rating: 

The Murderbot Diaries are among some of my favourite sci-fi novels. They’re so witty and clever, while also offering thoughtful commentary and considerations on things like AI and the role it could play in society. 

Thus far, all the Murderbot books have been novellas, with Network Effect marking the first full-length book in the series. I wasn’t sure how the story would lend to a longer format but I loved it just as much as the shorter ones. It also had the return of some of my favourite characters, so no complaints from me. 

This series is so incredibly solid, I’m loving making my way through it. I can’t wait to wrap it up in the coming months.

The Book Synopsis: Network Effect by Martha Wells

It calls itself Murderbot, but only when no one can hear.

It worries about the fragile human crew who’ve grown to trust it, but only where no one can see.

It tells itself that they’re only a professional obligation, but when they’re captured and an old friend from the past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

The Review

Another Murderbot book that I loved. This series has always been a win for me. I wasn’t sure how the story would feel in a longer format but it turns out there was just more content to enjoy. 

It’s difficult to get into a ton of detail for the fifth book in a series without detailing spoilers, so I’ll do my best to keep this relatively high level. 

In Network Effect, I loved seeing Murderbot wade through more complex attachments and emotions. Their relationship with Dr. Mensah and the other humans is among one of my favourite aspects of the series thus far and there was so much exploration in this book of what humans mean to Murderbot and how they feel about having a voluntary relationship with them. With more time than that usually afforded in the novella formats, I felt like the characters and their relationships unfolded with more detail while still keeping the page-turning quality that I loved in the previous books. The pace was a touch slower, but no less enjoyable. 

I also LOVED the return of ART, and I felt like this story was the perfect way for it to organically, yet forcefully, pull itself back into the center of the plot. It astounds me how much emotion and cleverness Wells can insert into a literal ship, but its interactions and entanglements with Murderbot form my favourite relationship in this whole series. I can’t always tell in these books which characters will resurface and which will be temporary, but I was incredibly grateful to see ART return. 

The sass from all robots and AI on this one was perfection and I loved how meaty the story was. Having it as a full-length novel just added to the enjoyment for me, there was so much more plot and insight to dig into, and the mystery of Murderbot’s murderous rampage and its relationship with the overarching company that controlled it at the time gets deeper and more intriguing in this edition. Overall, it was a great continuation of a story that continues to evolve emotionally and in terms of plot with each subsequent book.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Murderbot Diaries are such a wickedly fun sci-fi series with just the right amount of introspection and critical thought. I can’t wait to continue through the series from here.