I read Network Effect a few months ago, but I try to restrain myself from posting too much about my favourite sec unit so as not to overwhelm the blog with floods of Murderbot ravings. You guys know how I feel about Murderbot, though, I couldn’t wait all that long. I NEED to tell you about this book.
I loved it, obviously. It’s Murderbot.
The Story
Network Effect is the fifth book in the Murderbot Diaries series (in the publishing order chronology) and the first book in the series that’s a full-length novel and not a novella, so we have time for a more complex mystery here. Murderbot is assigned to protect a group of humans including Doctor Mensah’s daughter on a scientific research mission, but on their way home they are abducted by… aliens?
And the ship the possible aliens arrive in is… ART!
The mystery unfolds from there, and I don’t want to give any spoilers. But it’s SO MUCH FUN!
What I Liked
I say this every time I write a Murderbot Diaries review, but I’ll say it again. Murderbot is my all-time favourite most relatable character. Reading a Murderbot novel feels like spending time with a beloved and hilarious friend. A friend who gets it.
Murderbot’s struggle with social situations is a comfort and a ballast in my own times of struggle and makes me feel less alone. If you struggle with social anxiety, you will love Murderbot.
What I Loved
The only thing better than a great main character is an even greater relationship dynamic between two characters who push each others’ buttons in just the right way. And the frenemyship between Murderbot and ART is exactly that.
I was beyond excited when I found out that ART is back for a full-length adventure in Network Effect. And it’s so good. ART has been a bit sneaky, and when Murderbot finds out what its friend has done, our sec unit is forced to confront tough emotions it would rather bury under a Sanctuary Moon marathon.
Unfortunately, both Murderbot’s and ART’s humans are in peril, and they must put their differences aside to solve the mystery in time to save the day.
As if ART’s return wasn’t already going to make for an amazing character dynamic–there’s more. One of the humans Murderbot is protecting is Doctor Mensah’s teenage daughter. And if you thought it was hilarious watching Murderbot try to understand the complexities and stupidities of human interaction–well, just imagine our beloved Sec Unit attempting to understand a TEENAGER.
Now, picture Murderbot trying to WRANGLE A TEEN WHILE DEALING WITH ART.
It’s comedic gold. And as usual, surprisingly touching at the most unexpected moments.
Overall Thoughts
If you love Murderbot, you will love this book. If you don’t love Murderbot… get off my blog.
Jk, jk, everybody’s entitled to their own opinions. It’s just that if you don’t love Murderbot… HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE MURDERBOT??????? Let me know in the comments, I guess. But I’m warning you. I have been known to go on epic scale social media rants when I hear people say dumb stuff about my favourite sec unit.
You’ve been warned.
