172 pages
English language
Published May 25, 2018
"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.
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 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).
A reunion with the characters from the first book & a satisfying conclusion that is still left open for sequels (which indeed there are).
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.
Serious good fun, and not screwing around when it comes to direct address of self-ownership. Loving the series, and this one in particular.
Later: Who's got a comfort series? I've got a comfort series.
More weekend-scale binge reading! The hacking grows in magicality, but it's matched by equal growth in self-examination. All undeniably fun.
Really quite happy how this all turned out. Also very excited we'll be seeing a complete novel at some stage in 2020. This one really got deep into the conflicts Murderbot has with his new choices, whilst shoring up some of the definite positions he has about humanity and how he interacts & relates to this concept. Truly fantastic writing.
Classic MurderBot
I love Murderbot.
This last edition of the novella series was a nice and exciting end to his story arch.
It was an exciting glance in what could go on in the mind of a part biological conscious AI with high processing capacity. How it could interface with systems and outmanoeuvre humans (augmented or not). Scary and exciting when you really think about it.
The series is a must read if you liked the Bobiverse series.
Audiobook.
A fitting end to the adventures of our smart-mouthed anti-hero killing robot. I loved the series but am glad the author ended the series gracefully.
