Ms. Hen reviews All Systems Red

 

All Systems Red

Martha Wells

Tor

2017

Ms. Hen learned about this book on a podcast she listens to sometimes from the website Bookriot. She has read a few books they have recommended recently, and she has liked them all. This novel was on the Science Fiction and Fantasy comfort reads episode.

This novel is about a security robot that does not have a name, but it calls itself Murderbot. It is a SecUnit that is hired to protect scientists when they work space. This SecUnit does not like to be around humans, because it is awkward and shy, and does not know what to say around people. It prefers to watch serials, TV shows that it has stored in its memory. Murderbot is human this way.

Murderbot is guarding some people on a planet, when there is a situation where other scientist are killed in their area. The group and Murderbot go to investigate. Murderbot saves everyone, and they are all happy except Murderbot, because it just wants to be left alone.

Ms. Hen thinks this is a very strange, but interesting novel. It's very short, and can be read quickly. It's a series, and there is more to the saga of Murderbot. Ms. Hen might read the rest of the books sometime.

Ms. Hen thinks it's charming the way the robot has feelings; it is part clone, so it is part human. Ms. Hen loves the way it can't stand to be around people, because she thinks a lot of humans are this way, too, especially young people who have grown up with technology. It's difficult to talk to people if a person or even a robot does not have the skills to do so.

Ms. Hen thinks this is a great book, even though the violent parts dragged a little. It's about a robot who is like a human, but does not want to be. Sometimes in life people are things they don't want, so a lot of readers can relate to Murderbot. Murderbot is cute, and even though it has killed people, it can also earn your sympathy. You will cheer for Murderbot! Everyone deserve a chance to get what they want, even robots.