Rogue Protocol [Dramatized Adaptation]

The Murderbot Diaries [Dramatized Adaptation] #3

by Martha Wells, Alejandro Ruiz (reader), Natalie Van Sistine (reader)

Who knew being a heartless killing machine would present so many moral dilemmas?

Sci-fi’s favorite antisocial A.I. is back on a mission. The case against the too-big-to-fail GrayCris Corporation is floundering, and more importantly, authorities are beginning to ask more questions about where Dr. Mensah's SecUnit is.

And Murderbot would rather those questions went away. For good.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Novella, Adult, Space Opera, Queer

1 pages, Audio CD

Published November 16, 2023

About the author

Martha Wells has been an SF/F writer since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993, and her work includes The Books of the Raksura series, the Ile-Rien series, The Murderbot Diaries series, and other fantasy novels, most recently Witch King (Tordotcom, 2023). She has also written media tie-in fiction for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: the Gathering, as well as short fiction, YA novels, and non-fiction. She has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, Locus Awards, and a Dragon Award, and her work has appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the British Science Fiction Association Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, the Sunday Times Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. She is a member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, and her books have been published in twenty-five languages.

She is also a consulting producer on The Murderbot Diaries series for Apple TV+.

Reviews

[Suhailah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dramatized Adaptation Audiobook ☆☆☆☆☆

Engaging and so much fun!

♡Buddy listen with my husband♡

My Husband’s Rating: Another 20/10 stars ☆ (He is naturally not a reader because he is a gamer 1000% unless we do audiobooks together, or I read to him.) And he says this series has captivated him because it is so thrilling! That’s huge!

~ It was even more heartbreaking to listen to the audio of this one because of the sad ending.
~ Miki has my heart and that’s that. Even if the voice actor wasn’t quite what I imagined when I read it, it also grew on me.
~ David Cui Cui is officially my Murderbot voice now!

My original review for the novella can be found here.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww Miki warmed and then broke my heart. Love Murderbot’s inner thoughts/dialogue. Probably my favourite entry in the series.

[reading_paiges · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Best one yet.
Funniest one yet.
Saddest one yet.
I think the only thing keeping me from giving it the full 5 stars is the fact that it’s still so early in the series and what if it gets better from here….

[Raquel Flockhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

1. All Systems Red ★★★
2. Artificial Condition ★★★

“I hate caring about stuff. But apparently once you start, you can’t just stop.”

I like that even though these novellas are independent of each other (at least the first three focus on different missions), they are all related in some way. Rogue Protocol follows Murderbot trying to gather some evidence in order to help Dr. Mensah, a character from the first novella. I can’t pinpoint exactly what made me enjoy this story less than the previous ones, but something was missing for me because I was little bit bored for a good part of this installment. It probably didn’t help that I felt quite indifferent towards the new side characters. Nonetheless, I’m still intrigued to see where the rest of the series go.

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[Hilcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving into the third leg of Murderbot's adventures as told by a talented full cast on Graphic Audio, I was eager for more of its wry humor, confusion and interest in human behavior and interactions along with the trouble it can find without even trying.

Rogue Protocol is the third novella in the Murderbot Diaries series. Each is an installment in one ongoing story so must be read in order.

Murderbot has been slowly assimilating into the futuristic world in the stars where its kind, a security robot or secbot is not supposed to be loose and enjoying the 'freedom' of a human. For one, it may have been part of a mass slaughter at a mine and it may have removed the controls that force it to obey commands and protocols. And, it most definitely may be addicted to entertainment vids. Murderbot just wanted to explore freedom and not belong to anyone even a kindhearted scientist who wouldn't exploit it, but it also feels a need to take it to the GrayCris corporation who use up and kill both humans and bots in their greedy quest for more.

Murderbot is still being talked about on the news channels so it must keep a low profile. This recent quest to dig up more dirt on GrayCris to help its scientist friend leads it into a new bad situation and an intriguing encounter with another bot who seems to like humans and is liked by its humans.

As I said before, I enjoy the humor, but I also enjoy Murderbot's thoughts on who and what it is and how it interacts with those around it. The suspense and action scenes don't hurt.

I'm now familiar with and enjoy David Cui Cui voicing Murderbot and it was fun to listen in for the new to me cast voices for the new people and bots Murderbot encounters. Graphic Audio's sound affects and the 'movie in my mind' feel is a wonderful experience.

I am eager to move on to the final segment of this story arc and look forward to more adventures with Murderbot. Those who enjoy sci-fi set in future space should give these a go.

[Kim Pelletier · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 out of 5 stars. Full disclosure: I listened to the audiobook for the fourth book before listening to this one (book three), so take my review into account with that knowledge.

This was definitely a weaker book plot wise compared to the other ones (especially with how quickly things pick up in the following book). I felt the characters were a lot weaker and that the action and plot were altogether just not as good as in the other books, though I also just am not vibing with the series so I’ve kinda tuned things out a little bit while listening. Truly I don’t want to knock the series, it’s crazy popular and I’ve said in all my reviews that this series has such great things going for it, but overall compared to the other four books of this series, this one was definitely the weakest by far.

Still give this series a chance! Don’t let my reviews hold you back if murderous robots, mystery and sci-fi are your thing!

[Deb the Reading Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I hate caring about stuff. But apparently, once you start, you can't just stop.” - This Murderbot quote probably also summed up how readers felt at the end of the book.

In Rogue Protocol, Murderbot again ends up with a new crew of people who keep getting into trouble. The bot he interacts with and who would love to become their friend is Miki - a bot who became so close with humans that even Murderbot becomes jealous at some point.

This book had the first farewell, which was difficult - and the series keeps getting better as Murderbot's character develops through the story.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[aseekerofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, especially enjoying Murderbot's humour.
BUT. There's always a 'but' with me. 🤣
I continued with this volume immediately after the second one (compared to how long ago I finished the first one) and there is a pattern like at x% sudden turn of events, at y% fight, at z% save humans etc that seems to repeat in each book. Which is why I personally reccomend reading them with some time left in between in case you don't like the feeling of it being reiterative.
The ending was bittersweet.🥲

[Diana T-C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review for the graphic audio version. Stuck close to the story. Enjoyable alternate version of the book, although the voice actor for SecUnit/Murderbot continues to speed through his lines.

The humor and humanity of Murderbot suffers as a result of the speedy narration. Humor depends on timing and delivery. When the narration is at breakneck speed the expert delivery of a comedic line or idea doesn't happen.

The graphic audio version has sound effects (not as well done as by BBC audiobooks with full casts) - and that adds some action to the story.

But, without the humor, the snark, the insightful observations within Murderbot's inner talk, the story is missing a very important part of what makes these books special. All due to narration that is too fast.

Also, the production missed editing/fixing where the reader for SecUnit spoke the line that belonged to one of the two hired security guards (Wilkes? spelling?) - in the audiobook Murderbot doesn't say that. (The scene where she asks him what he's doing as they are supposed to do a rescue)

The audio books narrated by Kevin Free seem to be more carefully produced compared to the graphic audio versions. And, Kevin Free narrates with a range of emotion, and has the talent to convey humor, irony, wry observations and sarcasm. So, while the graphic audio version is fun and has action, it's missing the humor and humanity of Murderbot experienced with the audio books narrated by Kevin Free.

5* Martha Wells writing - 2* Graphic Audio - 3* average

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I love about The Murderbot Diaries series! (Except that it didn't have A.R.T.)

I thoroughly enjoyed it and burst out laughing several times as Murderbot continues interacting with humans and dealing with the series' main theme of the human experience.

The cast of the Dramatized Adaption did an excellent job! Now that I'm caught up to where I was (on book four) and I'll switch back to the normal audiobook, and it will be weird hearing a different voice for Murderbot. (Although I really enjoyed the narrator's performance for the first three regular audiobooks as well as these three Dramatized Adaptions.)

On to book four!

(This Dramatized Adaption says it's unabridged but it's still a bit shorter than the regular audiobook, and shorter than I would assume just taking out the "he said, she said's" would be.)

(I can't remember exactly but I think there's some R-rated language.)

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure was similar to the previous book, but I still really enjoyed Rogue Protocol. Listening to them as Graphic Audio books has made me love the series even more.

I enjoyed seeing Murderbot reluctantly connect with humans and other bots, and while I missed Art a lot in this (almost as much as Murderbot misses Art!), I really liked Miki. I was absolutely crushed by Miki's death :sob: I genuinely thought it would survive the book; GA did a good job humanizing the bot that I was quite emotional when Murderbot realized Miki was destroyed. The ending has me intrigued and excited. Can't wait to pick up the next one!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic Plot: Murderbot helps a bot named Mickey.

Murderbot is starting to realize that some humans (definitely not all) are actually worthwhile, and that makes Murderbot incredibly uncomfortable, even as it works to save people it really doesn't have to save. It's interesting following these shorts via Graphic Audio. Because each episode is short and features different people, it's somewhat difficult to get invested in anyone other than Murderbot. I am enjoying them, though.

[LibraryKath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic MurderBot adventure, but this one turned out to be... emotional! I cried at the end! Martha Wells has a gift for writing action scenes that are so engaging and easy to follow. I often get bored with these kind of scenes with other writers of the genre, but I never do in a MurderBot book.

Just be warned, this one has a sad ending!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just binge listening to the Murderbot serie and it's SO GOOD. I loved Miki and Adena, but mostly I love Murderbot. He's such an endearing robot, on its way to humanity (or shall I say emotions)? It's sassy, sarcastic and honestly, so relatable.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟

So much action in so little time! Gotta say I’m enjoying watching murderbot evolve. It just wants to live its life watching its media but somehow always ends up in the most dangerous situations LOL!

Onto the next!

[ZAF · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOOOO MIKI. STOP I GOT SO ATTACHED TO IT I CANT BELIEVE THIS

[Jim Kownacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into it.

[Igor · Rating 1 out of 5]

small book but could not go all the way through..............

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Murderbot and, as a series, is getting a 5 star, but this one just wasn't my favorite.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, I miss ART too I cant believe this. Overall enjoyed this installment, but I always enjoy everything before the action at the end and zone out at that part LOL

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fab production from GraphicAudio, but I thought the plot was a bit slow in the beginning. So far book #1 was the best and I’m slowly losing interest with each book.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is proof I'd trust an AI if it was snarky enough.

[Brian Korner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely was worth getting through the second one for, I don’t believe you could read this book well without finishing the second one because there are some key moments in the second one that help you understand what’s happening in this one. What I liked most about this book is that it brought back that same feeling from the first book where it really pulled me in and gave me a story that was interesting, fast paced, and had an ending that makes me want to read the next book.

Some key things to consider if you do want to read this book is that it is a far easier read than the second one so you will finish it a lot faster in my opinion because it just doesn’t drag like the second book did, and it felt far more interesting than the first book.

I’m excited to go ahead and start reading the fourth. I would highly recommend this book but only if you finish the first and second.

5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

•My Rating: 3.75/5•

Try this if you like:
• sci-fi novella
• deep space action and adventure
• rogue Artificial Intelligence that’s relatable
• snarky inner dialogue mixed with cynical independence
• autonomy & identity
• full cast audio dramatization
• single POV

Notes: In this third book, Murderbot was in true form, from his sense of humor to his thoughts on his existence, but it tended to lose me with all the action scenes. They pulled me out of the story, and then I missed the good stuff. Sci-fi action scenes can be difficult for me to follow, so this is a me thing.
Narration: Still loving the narration and the sound effects by Graphic Audio.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rogue protocol

Martha wells


Book three in the sci fi space series


Narrated by the murder bot. Who is central to the story? If a cat has 9 lies, this robot has a few more. He's a master at disguise and hiding.

[MC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75

I like the brevity of these stories, yet there are connections to prior stories. The dialogue and narrative have a subtle humor that is entertaining.

I enjoy the Graphic Audio productions for this story.

[Georgiana]

(Spotify)

[Devon Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow this one was really good!! i genuinely enjoyed all the characters and didn’t see the twists coming at the end. it was so short but was jam packed and wrapped everything up