Welcome back to the fourth installment of the “Busy Parents’ Book Club” series. This month’s selection was All Systems Red by Martha Wells.
Before we dive into what we all thought of this book, I’d like to take a minute to check in. How’s it been going? Have you been able to finish any of our book selections? Have you been enjoying them? I have to admit, I’ve had some difficulty with the last two reads. Even though the books were short, they were not my preferred genre. So it took me longer than it probably should have to get through them. I think my coworker Ben put it best when describing his reading experience of All Systems Red:
“I had trouble getting my feet under me–this is the struggle I have with some science fiction and fantasy, where the specificity of the vocabulary and world-building gets me turned around, feeling lost!”
The reviews from my other coworkers were mixed.
Briesa Koch:
“All Systems Red, the first book in Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries, is an absolute gem. This novella introduces us to a wonderfully unique protagonist: Murderbot, a self-aware security android who refers to itself as “Murderbot” despite its disinterest in actually killing anyone. The story is set in a far-future, corporate-controlled universe, where Murderbot is assigned to protect a group of humans on a scientific mission. However, it’s not the action-packed moments or the thrilling stakes that make this book so compelling—it’s Murderbot itself.
The character of Murderbot is utterly captivating. Its voice is both dry and sarcastic, filled with a sense of reluctant humor and deep self-reflection. Despite its programming to protect humans, Murderbot would much rather binge-watch its favorite shows than interact with anyone. This dichotomy between its protective role and its desire for solitude creates an engaging dynamic throughout the story.
Martha Wells’ writing shines in this novella, balancing snappy dialogue with poignant moments that give depth to both Murderbot and the human characters it begrudgingly comes to care about. The plot is fast-paced and intriguing, with just the right mix of tension, humor, and heartfelt moments.
All Systems Red is a quick, delightful read that leaves you wanting more. It’s a fresh take on the sci-fi genre, filled with memorable characters and a story that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt a little out of place. Highly recommended!”
Sarah Fenninger:
“All Systems Red follows one robot-human (a self-proclaimed “murderbot”) as he embarks on a mission. His job is to keep the crew he is assigned to safe, but all he really wants to do is watch his bootlegged television shows in peace. (Talk about a relatable narrator 
) When a different crew comes into danger, Murderbot and his crew work together to figure out what happened and evade danger themselves. While I generally enjoy a science fiction novel, I had a hard time getting into this one. It was difficult to keep track of all the world-specific lingo and many characters, and the plot never quite revealed itself to me. What probably was supposed to be a major twist felt like just another detail being shared, and the book lacked a big aha moment for me because of it. While I found some humor in our narrator’s sass and rebelliousness, I more often found myself wondering what was the point of the book. For me, it would have been a better use of time to read 150 pages of a longer book I was loving, rather than a 150-page book for the sake of reading a short book. One bright spot I will highlight was the audiobook. I read the physical book and listened to the audiobook at various points, and the audiobook includes a full cast that does bring the story to life more. If you find yourself intrigued by the plot and wanting to read this book, I’d recommend listening to it for maximum effect. This book is the first in a series, and it does leave us with a cliffhanger that could really take the next book anywhere. I’m not sure I’ll be picking up book number two, but maybe this popular series can be your next favorite. So, from one busy parent to another, happy reading!”
Next Month’s Read:
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
