Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)[November 1, 2023]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for Network Effect by Martha Wells starting November 1, 2023.

[Nyssa]

So... I didn't realize this was chronologically out of order, and my daughter and I just finished it this evening.

Murderbot and its cohorts experience a lot! It was a good read!

[Graeme]

I'm missing MB.

I'll pick up the books within the next week and get started on books 4+

[Nirkatze]

Nyssa wrote: "So... I didn't realize this was chronologically out of order, and my daughter and I just finished it this evening.

Murderbot and its cohorts experience a lot! It was a good read!"

LOL yeah, that happens. Well, you're just about in time to join us for #6 then!

[Choko]

I read this so fast, I feel like I inhaled it! I am completely in love with this series, MBot and ART!!! These two make me have so many emotions, I can't even describe it! This is such a feel good, comfort read, I am recommending it to everyone I meet!!!! Just awesome! ❤️

[Graeme]

I've read the first chapter, but I'll put this on hold until November, as I have a couple of other books I've got lined up for October.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Graeme wrote: "I've read the first chapter, but I'll put this on hold until November, as I have a couple of other books I've got lined up for October."

We're actually reading #6 before #5... it happens in between #4 and #5...

Fugitive Telemetry

[Graeme]

Wait?! What? Hang on a second ... I need to read book #6 before I read book #5? Is that correct?

[Ann-Marie]

Graeme wrote: "Wait?! What? Hang on a second ... I need to read book #6 before I read book #5? Is that correct?"

Yes, we are doing chronological order rather than publication order.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... Fugitive Telemetry is another novella, about a murder mystery, shortly after the events of 1-4, before the novel length events of book 5...

I see I got my numbers crossed typing before, making things confusing... used 6 in both mentions... fixed now...

[Graeme]

Thanks, I'll scamper away to Amazon and pick up book #6.

[Choko]

I didn't realize that, about what we are reading first... I obviously screwed up. Will jump on #6 next...

[Nirkatze]

I remember when book 6 came out, I didn't realize it was set before book 5, and I was totally confused... just like everyone is confused now, lol.

[Mel]

I don't remember being confused. Perhaps a *bit* disappointed that we didn't get a story to continue the events of Network Effect. (I might have also gotten the memo through the grapevine that it preceded #5 chonologically.)

But yes, I'll meet you all back here in a week or two after Fugitive Telemetry.

[Nirkatze]

Yeah--I didn't know it was chronologically out of order until we started planning this BR. When I read it... I was like, wait? What happened to (view spoiler)[ART (hide spoiler)]? Why is MB back at square 1? Why is no one mentioning the events?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

This chronological order thing has caused so much confusion, in the past couple weeks...

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "This chronological order thing has caused so much confusion, in the past couple weeks..."

Probably should have made the thread numbers swap.

[Graeme]

All caught up now and I have this on my kindle. I'll be ready come November.

[Nirkatze]

Only a week away now...

[Graeme]

Indeed, Nirkatze.

[Felina]

I started this morning and I’m literally only 14 minutes in and MB is already delivering.

(view spoiler)[
MB listening to Mensa and her spouse talk about MB and then Mensa asking if MB was listening and MB saying ‘what? No.

‘Target two whispered something that facility sys rendered as ‘What are you?’
I said ‘I’m a shut up or get your head smashed.’ (hide spoiler)]

[Felina]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[

So excited to see ART! I’m worried about it though.

‘I decided to go with my first inclination and kill the shit out of some ass faced hostiles instead.’ (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

I'm starting this one tonight.

[Graeme]

Narilka wrote: "I'm starting this one tonight."

Enjoy!

[Nirkatze]

I love all of the quotes y'all are picking up! One of my favorite things about this series BR so far--all the great quotable lines, and how everyone finds different ones!

Through Chapter 6--(view spoiler)[I just think about how MB is always talking about how it always has to save stupid humans from their stupid human selves. How to make MB's job even more difficult, annoying, and also cause it to have more emotions in private? Make that a human teenager. LOL. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Quote Chapter 8--(view spoiler)[
Art: Says something menacing.
Human: "Was that a subtle threat?"
MB: "No. That wasn't subtle." (hide spoiler)]

[Felina]

Nirkatze wrote: "Quote Chapter 8--
Art: Says something menacing.
Human: "Was that a subtle threat?"
MB: "No. That wasn't subtle.""

I also enjoyed this one.

[Felina]

When this series is finished and a boxed set is available I will own it and I will force my son to read it.

[Narilka]

Ch 2, loved that ending (view spoiler)[So that was what happened before the survey. Now we're here, ready for the next major disaster. (Spoiler warning.) (hide spoiler)]

hahaha

[Graeme]

I'll start this today.

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 9 or 10, I think--(view spoiler)[
ART: Tell her you care about her. Use those words, don’t tell her you’ll eviscerate anything that tries to hurt her.
MB: ART, fuck off.
ART: Tell her. It’s true. Just say it. Human adolescents need to hear it from their caretakers.
MB: I’m not a caretaker. To Amena “You need to sleep.”
Amena: “Okay, third mom.”

LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm enjoying this alot more than I did the first time, where I read it a year or more after reading the first 4, I think, so I didn't connect to all the build-up from previous books, as much...

[Ann-Marie]

I am through chapter 8 (view spoiler)[While it was awesome to have Art back the circumstances were hardly ideal and MB is rightfully pissed. I am loving those 2 sniping back and forth. lol (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I'm enjoying this alot more than I did the first time, where I read it a year or more after reading the first 4, I think, so I didn't connect to all the build-up from previous books, as much..."

It's definitely so nice getting the extra pay-off from everything... and @Ann-Marie, having ART back!

Super excited for System Collapse... to see what's next...

Through Chapter 15--(view spoiler)[I love how ART has totally talked to its humans about MB. And the ongoing running joke about ART & MB having a "relationship" which totally makes MB uncomfortable.

Also, quote. I know this is on the blurb, but it still makes me smile:
Overse: “Just remember you’re not alone here.”
MB: I never know what to say to that. I am actually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

Also excited to finally get MB interacting with other SecUnits--and from the little 4th-wall breaking inserts, it kind of looks like this whole book is a message to other SecUnits--even if it's not that break room scene we imagined... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Finished! This has such good feels... all happy fuzzies right now... and super excited for System Collapse! Have I mentioned how excited I am?

[Ann-Marie]

Quote from chapter 11 (view spoiler)[

MB: If I get angry with myself for being angry I would be angry constantly and I wouldn't have time to think about anything else.

MB: Wait, I think i am angry constantly. That might explain a lot.

I love MB so much lol (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

Narilka wrote: "Ch 2, loved that ending [spoilers removed]

hahaha"

I liked ch 2 too. kinda an interlude to backstory what was going on. I especially like SecUnit's relationship with Mensah - it's actually like a very close and trusted friendship which is just lovely.

[Ann-Marie]

Finished (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed it. The back & forth with Art & MB was so fun. MB being aghast that Art had told his humans about him made me chuckle out loud. Solid action which is no surprise and MB is continuing to evolve emotion wise. Looking forward to the next! (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

In ch 6 at the moment. Wondering who the 'targets,' are?

[Felina]

I finished this last night. I’m really looking forward to the next one!

[Nirkatze]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Quote from chapter 11 [spoilers removed..."

That's a great quote! I feel like there was more than one "wait a minute" style quote in the book too, lol...

Felina wrote: "I finished this last night. I’m really looking forward to the next one!"

So ditto this! I really did enjoy Fugitive Telemetry, but I am so hoping that System Collapse is the forward (rather than backwards) sequel to Network Effect, with that story the end promised!

@Graeme--re: Chapter 2 & Mensah--totally agree. And sort of whole book conversation spoiler--(view spoiler)[I both enjoy and find amusing how much people in the book remark on MB's "relationship" with different characters--especially ART & Mensah--and I think Amena even asked MB once if it loved her mom? And MB realized it does... but isn't ready to recognize those feelings... what does love mean to it? It means taking care of people and making sure they get what they need... like bullying Mensah to go to therapy properly. (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

42% in.

SecUnit and (view spoiler)[ART ... reunited at last!!! 😉🤔🤨

Happy? Not Happy? Still to work it out b/w these two.

(hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

LOL Love that sequence of emojis there.

[Graeme]

Thanks, Nirkatze. 😁

[Graeme]

45% in.

I think I prefer the shorter forms with lots of pace and action. This is bogging down with characters unsuccessfully processing emotions at the moment, but I suspect it will pass.

[Narilka]

I had to travel unexpectedly to deal with a family medical emergency. (Everything is fine, my family member is well into recovery.) I finished this on my flights. OMG such a great story. (view spoiler)[Murderbot has feelings! Feelings for ART!!! Now I have feelings!! haha (hide spoiler)] Ok, had to get that out :)

[Nirkatze]

LOL I love your little spoiler there Narilka--and so glad to hear your family is save and ok!

[Nyssa]

Narilka wrote: "I had to travel unexpectedly to deal with a family medical emergency. (Everything is fine, my family member is well into recovery.) I finished this on my flights. OMG such a great story. [spoilers ..."

I'm glad your family member is recovering, Narilka! And Ditto Nirkatzeon the spoiler.

[Graeme]

Indeed, Narilka. Glad to hear your family member is well on the path to recovery.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ditto to all the responses above... happy thoughts, great to hear the worst has passed...