All Systems Red Readalong

[Rachel (Kalanadi)]

Who's ready for some Murderbot? I'm hosting our readalong for All Systems Red by Martha Wells in March. Early birds and latecomers are welcome to this discussion - I bet a lot of people will fly through this one :-)

I read this back in November and absolutely loved it. This time I plan to take my time reading it a bit more slowly.

Let's discuss! And please remember to hide any spoilers between <spoiler> and </spoiler> tags, like this: (view spoiler)[This is a spoiler! (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

I'm in! This is a book I was anticipating so much I pre-ordered it (just before hitting a year-long reading slump) and I'm very happy to see it nominated here. :)

[Matt]

I just finished it on Saturday and absolutely loved it. First 5 star rating of the year from me. I already pre-ordered all the next 3 in the series.

[Anna]

This was the best thing I read last year. I am so happy there are several more coming this year. I almost want to reread now, but I think I'll save it for when the next one comes out.

[Heather]

I don't typically enjoy short fiction, but this was great! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. All Systems Red will be getting my vote in this category.

[Ash]

I finished it over the weekend and loved it. A solid 4 stars. I had to deduct a star since the ending felt quite rushed and the author didn’t wrap it up very well I felt. But I loved the murderbot character and will definitely read the other books in this series.

[Kitty G Books]

I also read this over the weekend and I found it really fun. I definitely plan to pick up the next ones! 4*s from me :)
(view spoiler)[I have to say I loved the idea of a super pessimistic Murderbot who just grumps through life and binge-watches shows, but who ultimately cares about the humans they watch over and who is really quite a sweetheart. This was just filled with sassy moments and moments that felt quite raw, despite the fact that this person we're following doesn't fit the normal conventions of a 'person'. I loved the fact that there were lots of really poignant moments where the crew questioned Murderbot's motives and being, but these were resolved in the way I would have wanted too with them accepting Murderbot into the team. (hide spoiler)]

[Shaun]

I will be reading this in March. Really looking forward to it. I think the second is already out too?

[Rachel (Kalanadi)]

Shaun wrote: "I will be reading this in March. Really looking forward to it. I think the second is already out too?"

The 2nd is out in May. I can't wait!

[[deleted user]]

I listened to this one on audiboook and thought it was pretty good. As with many short stories, I was left wanting much more, but luckily the other books will be released soon. I'm very intrigued by this AI/Bot's journey as it moves beyond it's intended purpose.

[Courtney]

I loved this book. I'm so excited for the rest of the series. The murderbot is definitely one of the best protagonists I have read in a while.

[Shelby M.]

I finished this yesterday and really enjoyed it! I gave it 4 stars. I really liked Murderbot as a character, and I'm excited that there will be more in this series this year!

[Stephanie]

Solid 4* for me. This is AI done right - humanized, but not quite human. I hope the rest of the series explores how murderbot continues to come into its own.

(view spoiler)[ I knocked off a star though because like others have said, the ending feels a bit rushed. I also felt like Murderbot was quick to defend its humans despite its initial apathy about them. I'm all for Murderbot being something else entirely. (hide spoiler)]

[Jill]

I read this in January after watching so many booktubers talking about it and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. Agree that it is AI done right with the added fun of watching some of the daft human behaviours through different eyes. I think what surprised me about it was how funny it was whilst facing (though not resolving) serious questions

[Anita Reads]

I'm currently half-way through (more or less) of the book now, and I really enjoy it. I'm pretty sure I'll try and get the next ones from the series when they eventually releases.

[Marguerite]

Really enjoyed this book (4 stars).
Murderbot is one of the best android characters I have read. Definitely not the facts only type androids common in other books.
The humans in the story are also well done. Wells does an great job building relationships in a short time.
There is a lot packed in this short book. The story is part sci-fi, part mystery and part action/adventure which make is a fun and engrossing read.
Looking forward to Artificial Condition.

[Anita Reads]

Really ended up enjoying this as well, and gave it 4 stars. I really have come to enjoy AI stories, so it's definitely something I will be on the lookout for in the future.
Can't wait to read on in the series.

[Kelsey]

I realized I couldn't renew my library copy and had to speed-read it in one day! I think I'll have to buy a copy so I can revisit a few of the scenes (I like to go back to bits of books that give me feels, and there were definitely some of those here), and then I'll probably purchase the rest as they're released. I'm so interested to see where Murderbot's story goes from here!

[Rachel (Kalanadi)]

I'm rereading it now and loving it just as much as the first time! The first time I sped through and loved the characters and Murderbot's personality, but I didn't pay as much attention to the plot details. I love that all the main characters are a tight knit group who are friendly and caring to each other - and Murderbot. The hostility is external. I find the sensibility and rationality of the survey team to be very pleasant, and a welcome change from a lot of stories with a traitor or an unpleasant personality embedded in the main group. These people seem like your average nice professionals.

[Caroline]

I've finished it and loved it so much, definitely a new favorite!

And I agree, I was definitely expecting a traitor (*cough* Gurathin) and was surprised when the book didn't go that way. I can't wait to read more and see where Murderbot goes from here.

[Marc]

I read this in February and skimmed it again last weekend to see if I missed something with all the enthusiasm here and elsewhere for this book - I still don't get it - 'meh' and 'forgettable' come to time - this story has been done 1000 times and I didn't find anything unique that made this stand out as anything more than a way to pass time on a flight. So much other great SFF short fiction coming out the past year I'm sorry to see this make the list...

[Brandy]

I am halfway through this book and loving it. At this point I am sure this will be the book I vote for best short work. Binti was okay but I am loving this book way more. I even ordered The Cloud Roads so that I can read more of Martha Wells Work.

[Kelsey]

Having sat on it a while, there are a few things I appreciated about Murderbot's story in this book that I'd like to mention. First, it plays with assumption of how a "rogue" AI would behave. Murderbot is aware that a rogue AI "should" be murdering, (view spoiler)[like the not-actually-rogue SecUnits made to look like they went on a rogue killing spree (hide spoiler)], but really there's no reason why Murderbot wouldn't just keep doing its job. Maybe not as well in some ways, but maybe better in others.

Then there's a second set of expectations from the well-intentioned survey team about what an autonomous AI would want, but Murderbot doesn't really fit into that narrative either.

I also just really enjoyed Murderbot's observations and commentary on the rest of the team and their professional/personal relationships. Murderbot can be pretty perceptive!

[Paula]

I just got my hands on this late last month. I have to agree with Marc. There wasn't anything remarkable to me about Murderbot. I understood that I was supposed to like it as a protagonist. Her quirks were enjoyable and understandable, but that's where things ended. I didn't enjoy the side characters/human protagonists. I wanted more from them, but I guess with an AI as the storyteller, I was expecting a bit too much. The plot itself was interesting but rushed. I wanted more world-building as well, but again maybe I had high expectations for a novella. The ending wasn't pleasant me but I understand that it's the only Murderbot's character could keep growing as the series continues. I hope that the second novella will be better than the first, but if the second disappoints as well, I may give up on the series.