Network Effect

A Murderbot Novel The Murderbot Diaries, #5

by Martha Wells

eBook, 352 pages

English language

Published May 4, 2020 by Tor.com.

ISBN:: 978-1-250-22984-7
Goodreads:: 52383564

View on OpenLibrary

(27 reviews)

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

3 editions

Flauschbuch reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

More Murderbot Goodness

4 stars

I was a little disappointed with "Fugitive Telemetry" which was written after this book but is set before it. But in "Network Effect" Wells is on form. As good as the first 4 novellas. The longer format gives the whole story a space opera feel. The beginning on the water planet reminded me of the Culture novels. What stands out to me in the Murderbot series is how Wells manages to give established sci fi narratives and tropes a little twist, simply by writing them through the eyes of "the help", i.e. bots and computer systems. Not only is ART back and we learn a lot more about the relationship between it and Murderbot but again, the unique type of connection that Murderbot can have with other systems and bots plays a pivotal role in saving the day. I also really like how alien tech and its effect on humans …

gregorgross reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Best part so far, I think

4 stars

The first few books of the Murderbot series were very short. This one is the first true novel-length installment and it features all the usual fun:

Murderbot is trying so much to read humans and understand their communication
Murderbot is learning to navigate its own emotions
Murderbot meets ART again, and they are both fond of each other, trying to learn to have a relationship from one bot to the other

And of course, all of it is very funny. Murderbot shut down its own governor module, which was installed to make sure it complies to human orders. Now, murderbot only complies to its own motivations and rules. But another task of the governor module seems to have been anger management, and without such module, murderbot is angry most of the time.

I really loved this book, the best so far. I'm ordering the next two installments now.

SocProf reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The longest entry in the series so far. This gives the story a bit more depth and breadth than usual. We get to reunite with a lot characters from the previous books, and get to know a bit more about the larger context of space colonization. the pre-corporate rim era, and strange synthetics.
Highly entertaining.

daNanner reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

The best construct

I love the Murderbot stories. Exploring feelings and self-examination is never easy, especially when you’d rather not deal with people at all.

Kévin reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)

Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

It turns out I've been up all night finishing off this book, thank Murderbot it's still lockdown.

Was it worth pre-ordering? Yes. Did it blow my expectations? Totally.

Having the three narratives at one point took a tiny bit of adjustment, but for me it genuinely made the action come more to life. I've also noticed that things tend to be described just enough that you're able to set your own visuals along with the series.

I certainly hope there is another Murderbot novel in the works, as I've been sucked in deep to this series