A Man With An Agenda

After reading 'Network Effect' it was only a matter of time before I broke down and read the novellas.

These are amazing, I can see why Tor has been able to market these as separate hardcover editions for so long.

Murderbot, for those who don't know, is a SecUnit - a robot with organic components designed to protect people and eliminate threats as brutally and quickly as possible. Murderbot has been able to override his governing unit, the fail-safe that keeps robots in line and prevents them from escaping and/or murdering their owners. Instead of immediately going rogue and killing all humans, Murderbot discovers media.

I love the idea that a.i. would be as entranced with sitcoms and telenovellas as we are.

The novella is short and covers Murderbots experience with a survey team on an uninhabited planet. Malfunctions and accidents are piling up and suspicions are beginning to rise: there's a secret on this planet that somebody is willing to kill to protect. In order to keep the survey team safe Murderbot has to help them figure out what's going on and perhaps open up a little to the possibility of connecting on a personal level with humanity.

Murderbot Diaries

Next: 'Artificial Condition'