Zoëlla de Vill reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Network Review
4 stars
Content warning spoiler
incorrect, iris, i can review this book
paperback, 352 pages
English language
Published March 29, 2021 by Tor.com.
4 stars
(296 reviews)
Murderbot returns in its highly-anticipated, first, full-length standalone novel.
You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.
Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.
73pctGeek reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Longer Murderbot does not disappoint
4 stars
The first novel-length Murderbot book, and it didn’t disappoint. My love for Murderbot grows with every instalment of The Murderbot Diaries, and seeing it have to deal with adolescent humans is delicious. As I am also a big fan of someone else who shows up in this book, Network Effect is real a treat.
Wells is absolutely brilliant at making a relatable character, and her continuing explorations of bodily autonomy, sense of self, personhood, and caring for others are stellar. She also writes kick-ass sci-fi.
Murderbot has never done anything wrong, ever, and I love them.
Taylor Drew reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Ugh, feelings
5 stars
I love Murderbot a lot. Like to the point that I don't even know what else to say other than that I just love these books so much and feel so seen and understood when I read them. Everybody deserves to have a book or series that makes them feel as seen and as normal as this.
BoMay reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Murderbot Mad
4 stars
The novella felt like the perfect length for a Murderbot episode so I wasn't sure it would work well in a full novel. Not to worry, Wells keeps it interesting and entertaining in the 5th installment and first novel.
pdotb@wyrms.de reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
An absolute blast!
5 stars
Such a fun read! Action-packed, almost breathlessly so, with much less of the exposition that I think slowed down the later novellas, still plenty of humour, but also deeper relationship-building. Murderbot (aka 'SecUnit', when it wants to be less, I don't know, murderey) remains easily the most relatable character in today's fiction.
Custard Rock reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
The Heart and Humor of Network Effect: Murderbot’s Full-Length Triumph
4 stars
"Network Effect," the fifth instalment in The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells, is a triumph that will satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers alike. This full-length novel, the longest in the series, continues the adventures of our favourite misanthropic, soap-opera-loving killer cyborg, Murderbot, while introducing new dimensions to its story.
What makes "Network Effect" so engaging is its masterful blend of humour, heart, and action. The story centres on the evolving friendship between Murderbot and ART, the utterly amoral AI of a large spaceship. Their interactions are hilarious and deeply humane, offering a refreshing take on the concept of companionship between non-human entities. Despite their cranky, sarcastic exteriors, both characters exhibit profound growth, developing feelings, friendships, and a sense of responsibility.
While the external plot can occasionally blur, it is the character development and narrative style that truly shine. Wells crafts a deeply emotional arc for Murderbot, making it …
"Network Effect," the fifth instalment in The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells, is a triumph that will satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers alike. This full-length novel, the longest in the series, continues the adventures of our favourite misanthropic, soap-opera-loving killer cyborg, Murderbot, while introducing new dimensions to its story.
What makes "Network Effect" so engaging is its masterful blend of humour, heart, and action. The story centres on the evolving friendship between Murderbot and ART, the utterly amoral AI of a large spaceship. Their interactions are hilarious and deeply humane, offering a refreshing take on the concept of companionship between non-human entities. Despite their cranky, sarcastic exteriors, both characters exhibit profound growth, developing feelings, friendships, and a sense of responsibility.
While the external plot can occasionally blur, it is the character development and narrative style that truly shine. Wells crafts a deeply emotional arc for Murderbot, making it impossible not to root for this traumatized yet endearing protagonist. The action sequences are thrilling, and there are plenty of creepy moments to keep readers on edge. The novel's spectacular readability lies in Wells’ ability to weave magic into her writing, captivating readers from start to finish.
The return of ART adds a delightful layer to the story. ART's cranky, sarcastic demeanour perfectly complements Murderbot’s own, creating a dynamic duo that is as entertaining as it is compelling. The inclusion of the Preservation team into the action is a brilliant move, setting up exciting possibilities for future stories.
In essence, "Network Effect" maintains the essence of the previous novellas while expanding the universe with greater depth and complexity. Murderbot remains its cranky, sarcastic, and amazing self, navigating one action-packed sequence after another. For those seeking a science fiction series with heart, humour, and plenty of thrills, "Network Effect" is a must-read.
John Lusk reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
This is why books are superior to video
5 stars
I am LOVING this series, and this novel was no exception.
With all the inner monologue and 4th-wall breaking (and the asynchronous HelpMe.file insertions), I keep thinking "how could this be rendered in video?" (Except I didn't think "render" in my head, because holy cow, is it pretentious.)
And my conclusion is: it would be tough, and very few could do it. I'd love to see it done well, but 99% of book-based video is so "lossy", to appropriate a criticism of JPEG as compared to GIF. ("Lossy" meaning all those delicate plot and character nuances are lost.)
Flauschbuch reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
More Murderbot Goodness
4 stars
I was a little disappointed with "Fugitive Telemetry" which was written after this book but is set before it. But in "Network Effect" Wells is on form. As good as the first 4 novellas. The longer format gives the whole story a space opera feel. The beginning on the water planet reminded me of the Culture novels. What stands out to me in the Murderbot series is how Wells manages to give established sci fi narratives and tropes a little twist, simply by writing them through the eyes of "the help", i.e. bots and computer systems. Not only is ART back and we learn a lot more about the relationship between it and Murderbot but again, the unique type of connection that Murderbot can have with other systems and bots plays a pivotal role in saving the day. I also really like how alien tech and its effect on humans …
I was a little disappointed with "Fugitive Telemetry" which was written after this book but is set before it. But in "Network Effect" Wells is on form. As good as the first 4 novellas. The longer format gives the whole story a space opera feel. The beginning on the water planet reminded me of the Culture novels. What stands out to me in the Murderbot series is how Wells manages to give established sci fi narratives and tropes a little twist, simply by writing them through the eyes of "the help", i.e. bots and computer systems. Not only is ART back and we learn a lot more about the relationship between it and Murderbot but again, the unique type of connection that Murderbot can have with other systems and bots plays a pivotal role in saving the day. I also really like how alien tech and its effect on humans is depicted in this novel (and the other novellas in the series). It's different from what I'm used to in other sci fi. There's also a lot of snark and action, as usual. An entertaining read.
gregorgross reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Best part so far, I think
4 stars
The first few books of the Murderbot series were very short. This one is the first true novel-length installment and it features all the usual fun:
- Murderbot is trying so much to read humans and understand their communication
- Murderbot is learning to navigate its own emotions
- Murderbot meets ART again, and they are both fond of each other, trying to learn to have a relationship from one bot to the other
And of course, all of it is very funny. Murderbot shut down its own governor module, which was installed to make sure it complies to human orders. Now, murderbot only complies to its own motivations and rules. But another task of the governor module seems to have been anger management, and without such module, murderbot is angry most of the time.
I really loved this book, the best so far. I'm ordering the next two installments now.
lowclasshifi reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
it's fine. it's written in that pithy voice-y tone that tends to grate during long periods. it's got heart, it's got violence, some neat twists, and a new SecUnit!
i liked it. wished i liked it more.
Alex reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Quirky, sentient machines with purposes
4 stars
My kind of fiction for sure, the sentients makes (mostly) logical choices and doing what they do best (being assholes about it) while keeping the humans alive and saving the day.
I guess it gets partially heavy in the action and combat scenes, the science part is soft and hand wavy but the quirky interactions is kinda funny and assholey, just the way I like it. Whatever traces there are of aliens is weird and not delved into, making them feel more mysterious and foreign when compared to bland, humanoid "trekkie aliens". The story reminds one of B-graded scifi shows, broadcasted on thursdays, and gives a hint of nostalgia (heh).
So far this has been the best book in the series even though the first book was a strong contender.
laundry0099 reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
This series gets more addicting with each installment. The first four books were almost too short, and reading this one felt like I was finally really getting to dig in to the world of Murderbot. Consider me thoroughly hooked!
This series gets more addicting with each installment. The first four books were almost too short, and reading this one felt like I was finally really getting to dig in to the world of Murderbot. Consider me thoroughly hooked!
Wild Woila reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Perfected the recipe
4 stars
She's perfected the MurderBot recipe: awkward AI-AI relationship, friendly humans, emotional discomfort, clever conflict.
Reading time 3 days, 117 pages/day
Woile reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
One of my favourite book of the series. Packed with action, humour and good sense. What I really like of this series is that the plot doesn't need stupid decisions to move forward. Everyone seems quite competent, but things go wrong and they have to figure things out. I like how humans add value to the party and they are not just dummy next to the computers
𝖂𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖍 reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
3.5
a bit too long for my liking of murderbot stories. the middle especially felt like it dragged on forever. still, yet another wholesome murderbot story, this time with the return of ART!
