Book Review: Network Effect by Martha Wells
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Network Effect by Martha Wells
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 5 of The Murderbot Diaries
Publisher: Tor.com (May 5, 2020)
Length: 350 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Martha Wells once again shows us why her Murderbot series is so beloved with a new installment. This time though, there’s also extra reason to rejoice, because our favorite serial-watching, cynically cranky rogue SecUnit is back in its first full-length standalone novel, and speaking as fan who has been eagerly anticipating Network Effect ever since its announcement, the book was well worth the wait.
So, what’s a Murderbot to do when its pesky human charges can’t seem to stay out of trouble? Step in and save their hopeless asses again, of course. Even after hacking its own programming to free itself, Murderbot can’t seem to be rid of certain commitments, like once more feeling the need to intervene when its crew’s latest mission goes horribly wrong. However, this time the situation ends up being more complicated and disastrous than anyone could have imagined, involving no less than a brazen kidnapping, a hostile takeover, multiple alien threats, and an unexpected reunion with an old friend.
Well, so much for being left in peace to binge watch the latest soap drama.
To begin, it’s probably no surprise that what makes this series is the character of Murderbot itself. For an artificial intelligence, our protagonist is surprisingly full of heart, yet at the same time, unmistakably non-human. Still, for every machine-like trait it has, there is a perfectly relatable one to balance things out. This, I believe, is the key to the magic behind the series and its successes, because I’m sure most of us have an inner introvert that allows us to see something of ourselves reflected in Murderbot’s thoughts and actions—even if it’s as simple as an addiction to a TV show, or like being extremely annoyed by the human race.
The storyline of Network Effect is also very rich, and if you enjoyed the previous Murderbot Diaries novellas wishing they had been longer or that they had delivered more, then you will be very pleased indeed, not to mention how fans of the second one, All Systems Red, will be receiving an extra treat. Of the four novellas, that one had been my favorite because of a certain character, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled by his return (after a period of panic, that is, when Wells almost ripped out my guts with a devastating plot point before revealing everything was not as they seemed. Which was good, because I would have never forgiven her.)
It really is impressive, when you think about how far this series has come in such a short time. While I loved the novellas, I’ve never made it secret that I much prefer full-length novels because I feel they are more conducive to meaningful story and character development. Certainly, it helped a lot to have the background of the novellas under my belt before heading into this, but I also felt that Network Effect was the book which finally gave Murderbot the breadth and scope it deserved. I’ve been a fan of Martha Wells for a long time now, having discovered her work through Books of the Raksura. Clearly though, she’s found a new niche in sci-fi, and I think what makes her so damn good at it is the nature of the Murderbot series and its protagonist, which allows her to really let loose with her imagination, humor, and passion for adventure.
All in all, if you enjoyed novellas one through four (and I do highly recommend reading those before tackling this one), I see no reason why you wouldn’t love Network Effect as well. It is everything great about those stories, but even more fun, more action-packed, and more intense. Readers will love journeying with Murderbot again in a bigger and wilder adventure guaranteed to leave you craving more. Needless to say, I’m already burning to get my hands on the next one.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of All Systems Red (Book 1)
Review of Artificial Condition (Book 2)
Review of Rogue Protocol (Book 3)
Review of Exit Strategy (Book 4)
The BiblioSanctum 
I love Murderbot, like them, I much prefer watching my TV shows without talking to annoying humans haha. I’m glad you enjoyed this one as well! 😀
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A lot of people can definitely relate to that! 😀
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I see that you are still hooked on it. But is 350 pages really a novella? lOl
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The first four books were novellas, but this fifth volume is the first one that’s a full length novel 🙂
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The next book has already been announced! I’m excited to start this soon, and I’m happy to hear it’s so strong😁
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Not only announced, I also saw a cover for it a couple weeks ago!
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NOICE
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*cheer!*
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This was such a fun journey, and I’m very happy to see you enjoyed it as much as I did: I love how much Murderbot has to deal with its feelings here, while constantly denying them 🙂
And the next one promises to be a very special adventure, considering the company Murderbot will be keeping….
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“I love how much Murderbot has to deal with its feelings here, while constantly denying them” – AGREED. And I also like how that is such a HUMAN thing to do, lol!
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Ive only heard great things about this one. Cannot wait to pick it up myself.
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I hope you’ll enjoy! 😀
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Yas, I need to try my murder bots!
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I hope you get to check this one out soon!
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I really have to apologize, I skipped over this review. I don’t want to know anything about the book. I’m looking forward to discovering it myself (though I still need to read Exit Strategy first). I’m going to try to remember to come back here and read the review after I’ve finished the book. 🙂
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Oh, I totally understand! I’m the same way…when I’m about to pick up a book, I tend to avoid all reviews for it as well, just so I can head in with fresh eyes and a blank slate 🙂
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Really looking forward to this. I might run through all the novellas next month.
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They go really quick, so I expect you should be caught up real soon! 🙂
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I enjoyed the Murderbot novellas, and I’m happy to learn the novel is just as good 🙂
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Yep, even better! 😀
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Why, oh way have I not yet started this series. Something, something, something, about time, too many books, blah blah, excuses.
Lynn 😀
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All Murderbot is good Murderbot. I’m so glad that character is back, and hopefully more adventures for them in the future. For now I’ll be content to wait the next novella – Murderbot solves a murder sounds like a great premise!
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So glad to see a positive review for this. I have it waiting for me and I almost picked it up yesterday but I’m trying to concentrate on books in my monthly TBR. Can’t wait to get to it!
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I LOVE MURDERBOT!!! And thus never get tired of reading reviews about it. Glad to see ye loved this one too. Arrrr!
x The Captain
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