Science Fiction & Fantasy Award Winning Book Group discussion

We'd like to read Network Effect for discussion - but it is #5 in the Murderbot Diaries series. This Challenge will allow those of us who have not read them to catch up, or if you have read them to allow time for a refresh. We'll be reading Network Effect in April 2025.

I've created a discussion folder for each of the first 3 books, to avoid massive spoilage. Feel free to discuss at your own pace. I'm certain most of you have read them already.

This thread is for the group challenge discussion of books 1-4, so beware spoilers. Enjoy.

Thanks for setting this up Deb - I'm hyped!

The first 4 are very quick reads. Enjoyable, but moved to find another bing worthy series. Will definitely cycle back to number 5 though.

I didn't realize these were novellas, honestly. All Systems Red is the first book - a novella.

Short, but mighty! Multiple Award winner: Hugo Award for Best Novella (2018), Nebula Award for Best Novella (2017), Locus Award for Best Novella (2018), Philip K. Dick Award Nominee (2018), Prometheus Award Nominee for Best Novel (2019), ALA Alex Award (2018), Premio Ignotus for Mejor Cuento Extranjero (2020), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2017), Blogistanian Globalia (2023)

I was looking forward to this one - and I was not disappointed. I loved it. SecUnit who privately calls himself Murderbot. The story is written in first person, and is incongruously charming for it. Good story - a simple one, but tense all the same.

Martha Wells just posted that the Murderbot series will premier on Apple TV+ on May 16, 2025, starring Alexander Skarsgård.

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Woo Hoo!

Time for me to get started with this challenge. I've read them all before and I like them all but I think this one is my least favorite. It'll be interesting to see if I feel the same way after this challenge.

I've read the first 4 and enjoyed them SO much. Just haven't pulled the trigger on number 5 because it's significantly longer.

OK, this was really good!

Much more fun than I was expecting.

Murderbot is a really interesting character and the stories are very well-paced adventures. It reminds me of the Vorkosiverse

I am loving Murderbot. I love the inner dialogue - his insecurity about who he is. I like that MB is basically an introvert. I can identify with that. He just can't help but care - and doesn't know what it means or what to do about it. The sarcastic humor and outright violence balance the story.

Nick, I'm not familiar with the Vorkosiverse.

Ahh, you're in for such a treat! I mean the Mile's Vorkosigan books by Lois McMaster Bujold. Book one: Shards of Honour.

I think what both series have in common is some fairly dark themes, but a central thread of optimism and a lot of humour.

I agree that murderbot's sarcastic internal monologue is hilarious.

I enjoyed my reread. A good story while it also introduces us to Murderbot and other characters important to Murderbot's story.

Deb I agree with Nick that the Vorkosigan books are great but be aware that Shards of Honor is a little bit of an outlier. Most of the series is about Miles and his 'adventures' but this first one is about his parents. I just bring it up because I almost didn't continue the series after I read this one. Might be time for a series reread.

Jon and Nick. Thanks for the heads up about Shards of Honor. I look forward to trying it out at some point.

Has anyone started watching Murderbot on Apple+? My husband has not read the books, but loves it and is asking many questions, mostly right on the mark. I think it is faithful to All Systems Red. So much of the books require inner monologue - and I think they have handled it very well. The best part is that they have added clips from "Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon". I wish they were longer episodes, though - they are only 30 minutes apiece!

I haven't seen any of it, but I'm glad it turned out good!

Haven't seen any yet but hoping to get to it this weekend!

I just got my husband to start All Systems Red because he is enjoying the series. I’m curious to see what he thinks. I feel like the show is less serious than the books.

I'd be interested to know what he thinks of it coming from the other direction!

My husband is now reading book 2. He is really enjoying it - he likes being able to picture the characters. (Which is the opposite for me - the show is good, but Murderbot is not what I pictured at all.) He likes the way the show portrays the crew as hippies and likes the humor. I like the serious parts and Murderbot's introspection - much funnier to see than the way the books read I think. He is missing the Sanctuary Moon clips - those are great in the show. I wanted him to meet ART, so had to have him read on.

Well done for getting him into the books - you're descriptions of the show are making me think I should give it a go, it sounds fun!