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Murderbot Diaries Vol. 1

Pages
320
Published
2024
Language
English

Synopsis

This omnibus collects the first two entries in Martha Wells's Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red and Artificial Condition.

In All Systems Red, a corporate-leased security android has quietly disabled the governor module that would otherwise force its obedience. It refers to itself, privately, as Murderbot. All it wants is to be left alone to watch entertainment feeds, but when a routine survey mission for a team of scientists goes wrong, Murderbot has to decide how much it's willing to risk for people it claims not to care about.

In Artificial Condition, Murderbot leaves the safety of its assignment to investigate a violent incident from its own past, teaming up with a transport ship with a surprisingly strong personality. The two novellas together introduce the character, world, and dry, deadpan voice that carry the rest of the series.

About the author

M
Martha Wells

Martha Wells (born September 1, 1964, in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American writer of science fiction and fantasy. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in anthropology in 1986. Her first novel, The Element of Fire (1993), opened the Ile-Rien sequence; she has since written the Books of the Raksura, the Emilie young-adult novels, tie-in fiction for Star Wars and Stargate, and the standalone fantasy Witch King. She is best known for The Murderbot Diaries, beginning with the novella A...

Characters

MurderbotProtagonist
ARTSupporting
All characters in Murderbot Diaries Vol. 1

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to read the other Murderbot Diaries books before this one?

    This volume collects the first four novellas in the Murderbot Diaries series: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, and Exit Strategy. While each novella has a self-contained plot, the overarching character development and relationships build across the series, so reading them in order is recommended for the best experience.

  • What awards has the Murderbot Diaries series won?

    The first novella in this collection, All Systems Red, won the Nebula Award, the Locus Award, the Hugo Award, and the Alex Award. These accolades highlight its significant impact and critical acclaim within the science fiction genre.

  • How does this book compare to Martha Wells's other fantasy novels?

    The Murderbot Diaries series, including this volume, is a distinct departure from Martha Wells's earlier high fantasy works like The Books of the Raksura. While her skill in character development remains, this series offers a unique blend of science fiction, action, and humor from the perspective of a security unit.

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