I absolutely loved Martha Wells’ All Systems Red. I will admit to be a little disappointed when I downloaded from the library to my e-reader and discovered it was only a novella, a preface if you will to the adventures to come. When I dug into the story, however, any doubts I had about it’s length and what to expect from the story were washed away in a fantastically engaging narrative. Told from the perspective of a SecUnit who has hacked its governor module and now refers to itself as Murderbot, All Systems Red is a great introduction to a fun, sci-fi world.

It doesn’t like its job, finds humans trying and would much rather be watching all the entertainment serials he’s downloaded, especially The Rise and Fall of The Sanctuary Moon.

After it had its memory purge following an incident on a mining colony, he’s been refurbished and assigned as the SecUnit for a research mission on a remote planet. But things aren’t exactly as they seem. There seems to be trouble on the planet, and not just the dangerous fauna their files didn’t tell them anything about.

Murderbot works to keep his charges safe, even when they seem determined to take huge gambles and risk their lives to discover what is happening on the planet – and hopefully escaping it before it’s too late.

It’s a very well-written story, blending classic science fiction storytelling with a first-person narrative of a robot who couldn’t care less. He just wants to be left alone to watch his shows, and that is something that is so relatable.

The series promises to explore themes of AI and community – whether Murderbot wants to admit it or not, the scientists he’s working for are important to him, and he them. And I can’t wait to see where the series takes us from this oh-so-enjoyable opening gambit.

The story rockets along, setting up characters, whom I hope I get to travel with for some time through The Murderbot Diaries, while also delivering action set pieces, and hints at a bigger corporation run galaxy, that hints at politics and more. I cannot wait to explore more of these stories!

Wells weaves a great story, with engaging characters, and Murderbot’s inner monologue is just perfect as he relates his story to the reader. Everything about this works wonderfully. Sure, I was a little bummed that the story was as short as it was, but like I said, it serves as the perfect launching point for the character and its journey, and I cannot wait to see where this series goes.

I’ll be digging into book two, Artificial Condition, as soon as my library tells me the copy I have reserved is available. If you’re looking for something fun that puts a spin on familiar science fiction check out All Systems Red, and you may find yourself addicted to the character of Murderbot.