"Martha Wells's Hugo, Nebula, Alex, and Locus Award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling series, The Murderbot Diaries, comes to a thrilling conclusion in Exit Strategy. Murderbot wasn't programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right? Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah--its former owner (protector? friend?)--submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit. But who's going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue? And what will become of it when it's caught?"--provided by publisher.
My last re-read, I’m now caught up and the next Murderbot diary will be completely new to me. Exit Strategy is short and sweet, much like the other books. A situation involving old friends(?) sees Murderbot in more serious danger than they’ve faced before.
My favourite Murderbot—annoyed, unfiltered, swearing at humans to their face Murderbot—appears at the end of this book, and it is such a treat. In all honesty, I’d happily read anything involving Murderbot, I am such a fangirl. I <3 Murderbot, they’re literally my favourite SecUnit/bot/construct…person.
ah, Murderbot, what can i say. what an absolutely amazing series of books. i'm so happy it found some friends who can meet it on its own terms and help it figure out what it wants. just warms the heart. also, no spoilers, but that part where Murderbot says please to the station security? twice? breaks me, every time. thank god there are more of these, i can't wait to get to them.
I always thought "All Systems Red" was an absolute standout. Funny, and relatable, and thought-provoking in somewhat equal measure. The remaining three novellas felt somewhat flat after that, but this re-read has significantly changed my opinion. The first is still much funnier than the other three, but I now see their strength in developing the depths of Murderbot's character, becoming, if anything, even more relatable.
A Heartfelt Rescue: Exit Strategy in The Murderbot Diaries
5 stars
"Exit Strategy" by Martha Wells is the thrilling fourth entry in The Murderbot Diaries series. In this instalment, Murderbot, our beloved human-like construct, has finally gathered enough dirt on the nefarious GrayCris corporation to cause some real damage. However, there's a new complication: Dr. Mensah, the very person who freed Murderbot from a lifetime of slavery, has gone missing.
Despite its tough exterior and claims of indifference, Murderbot cares deeply about Dr. Mensah. Her kidnapping by GrayCris sets the stage for a gripping rescue mission. As Murderbot embarks on this quest, it continues to evolve as a character, slowly shedding its deeply ingrained introversion. Yet, it remains reluctant to fully embrace friendship and connection, adding layers to its complex personality.
What stands out in this novella is Murderbot’s snarky, dry sense of humour and its unique perspective on human behaviour. Its candid commentary, peppered with a few choice expletives, reveals …
"Exit Strategy" by Martha Wells is the thrilling fourth entry in The Murderbot Diaries series. In this instalment, Murderbot, our beloved human-like construct, has finally gathered enough dirt on the nefarious GrayCris corporation to cause some real damage. However, there's a new complication: Dr. Mensah, the very person who freed Murderbot from a lifetime of slavery, has gone missing.
Despite its tough exterior and claims of indifference, Murderbot cares deeply about Dr. Mensah. Her kidnapping by GrayCris sets the stage for a gripping rescue mission. As Murderbot embarks on this quest, it continues to evolve as a character, slowly shedding its deeply ingrained introversion. Yet, it remains reluctant to fully embrace friendship and connection, adding layers to its complex personality.
What stands out in this novella is Murderbot’s snarky, dry sense of humour and its unique perspective on human behaviour. Its candid commentary, peppered with a few choice expletives, reveals a brewing resentment towards those who have treated it as mere machinery. At the same time, Murderbot’s growing affection for the humans who have shown it kindness is heartwarming and poignant.
The journey through these four novellas has been nothing short of amazing. "Exit Strategy" evokes a full spectrum of emotions, with happiness at the forefront—a testament to the joy of discovering a truly great series. If you haven’t yet met Murderbot, I highly encourage you to suit up in your sci-fi armour and dive into "All Systems Red." By the time you reach "Exit Strategy," you’ll be as hooked on this series as Murderbot is to watching "Sanctuary Moon."
I just don’t get tired of Murderbot as a character. Plus, now that the world building and characters are more established, it’s easier to follow the plot, which was something I found a little difficult in the first two books. I cannot wait to keep reading this series!
I just don’t get tired of Murderbot as a character. Plus, now that the world building and characters are more established, it’s easier to follow the plot, which was something I found a little difficult in the first two books. I cannot wait to keep reading this series!
Wells details Murderbot’s tactical decision-making and describes software programming throughout the story in a way I find very enjoyable, but often wonder how it plays for readers with less of a software background. Nevertheless, she balances it well with combat and also Murderbot’s gradual emotional development. It’s an excellent wrap-up for the novella series, with possibilities for the future.
A Quick, Entertaining Read with a Familiar Formula
4 stars
I picked up Exit Strategy, as it is something incredibly convenient and refreshing about these novellas.
That being said, Exit Strategy adheres to a similar pattern to its predecessors, making it feel somewhat repetitive. Despite this, Martha Wells keeps the pacing and action engaging, ensuring I have a fun, entertaining read each time. While I wish there was more variation in the storyline or that the author explored new ideas, I can't deny that I still look forward to each novella in the series, and Exit Strategy was no exception.
This short story is actually the conclusion of stories 1-4. I highly recommend reading them together, as they form a superb arc that is entertaining and fulfilling.
The conclusion of the current Murderbot stories, and a new beginning.
4 stars
The Murderbot arc of stories concludes for now, with Murderbot returning to its clients in the first story, only to find their leader kidnapped and held for ransom by the company to force them to drop the case against the company. In the race to rescue her, Murderbot calls attention to itself, and now the company wants it for the information it has on the company on the alien synthetic artefacts that the company has been secretly digging up (and murdering people to keep them quiet about it).
With lots of drama, suspense and, of course, mayhem, Murderbot puts its rescue plan into action. But its major problems will not be with the company but with its former clients. For rescuing and interacting with them has put Murderbot's main question front and centre: what does it really want to do (besides watch entertainment shows). By the end of the story, …
The Murderbot arc of stories concludes for now, with Murderbot returning to its clients in the first story, only to find their leader kidnapped and held for ransom by the company to force them to drop the case against the company. In the race to rescue her, Murderbot calls attention to itself, and now the company wants it for the information it has on the company on the alien synthetic artefacts that the company has been secretly digging up (and murdering people to keep them quiet about it).
With lots of drama, suspense and, of course, mayhem, Murderbot puts its rescue plan into action. But its major problems will not be with the company but with its former clients. For rescuing and interacting with them has put Murderbot's main question front and centre: what does it really want to do (besides watch entertainment shows). By the end of the story, it still hasn't really decided but for now, its future is in its hands, and it doesn't have to worry that it will end up as a 'pet robot' (its main worry).
I loved this one. Murderbot finally gets the opportunity to grapple with what freedom really means and is reunited with its favorite human(s). Murderbot deserves the universe after all it has done for so many humans ♥️
5.0 The final part of the Murderbot novella tetralogy ties everything together while being just as entertaining and suspenseful as the best parts of the series. It does help a fair bit that we don't have to get to know any new named human characters, but see the Preservation Aux team again instead. The ending is especially well-done, but the way there was also more surprising and enjoyable than I thought possible.
The only annoying thing about the series was how hard it was to get hold of the original versions beyond the first book in Germany - not to mention the price. Unfortunately that seems to hold for the further novels too.
Yet another good entry in the Murderbot series. I'm glad the author has started exploring more the topic of personhood in this brutal universe. I was really touched by the discussion between Mensah and Murderbot - "it kept me company" "without needing to engage" (i'm citing from memory) - seemingly banal bu acute description of the excessive use of media.
