A review by the_shelfrighteous_writer
All Systems Red by Martha Wells

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ALL SYSTEMS RED is my first read by Martha Wells and was not what I expected. I picked it up after a recommendation from a friend on Bookstagram, only intending to test it out to see if my husband would enjoy reading it. What happened instead is that I was sucked into the story of a sentient android that sarcastically (and internally) calls itself "Murderbot". 

Murderbot is a security android (SecUnit) for the Company and travels to survey planets with humans. When strange things start happening, this self-hacked SecUnit takes it upon itself to protect the humans in its charge. 

Without revealing too much, this book has plenty of action, fantastic character relationships (even as the SecUnit wants only to be left alone to watch their TV serials), and has intrigued me to the point of wanting to binge-read the entire series. 

I will say, even with the title "Murderbot Diaries", I was surprised by how this book ended. I look forward to reading more of Martha Wells's books.