Do I need to read the previous books in the series before this one?

While this is the first full-length novel in the series, it assumes familiarity with the protagonist and the established relationships from the preceding four novellas. Reading the novellas in order provides essential context for the character development and interpersonal dynamics that drive the plot.

What major awards has this book won?

This novel received significant critical recognition, winning the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the 2020 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and the 2021 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.

Is there a specific reading order for the series including the novellas and novels?

The series is best experienced in publication order to avoid spoilers and to follow the natural progression of the narrative arc. Although some later entries like Fugitive Telemetry are set earlier in the internal timeline, they are written with the expectation that the reader has already completed the preceding books.

Network Effect by Martha Wells

Reader reviews of Network Effect

Joshua White · 2026-09-12T02:40:34.000000Z

This truly is one of the more original and hilarious science fiction series I've ever read. I'd recommend this to anyone, even people who aren't fans of the genre. Murderbot is my hero.

Network Effect

A Murderbot Novel

Science Fiction Space Opera

Pages: 352
Published: 2020
Language: English

Synopsis

It calls itself Murderbot, but only when no one can hear. It worries about the fragile human crew who've grown to trust it, but only where no one can see. It tells itself they're only a professional obligation — until they're captured, and an old, complicated ally from Murderbot's past needs urgent help. Drastic action it is, then. Network Effect is the first full-length novel in The Murderbot Diaries, following the four novellas that introduced the reluctant, media-obsessed security unit.

10 reviews

How it reads

Adventurous Funny Thought-Provoking Lighthearted Tense

Reluctant Hero Found Family

Prose complexity 4/10

Content warnings (5)

ViolenceGraphic ViolenceGun ViolenceKidnappingTrauma

Genres

Subjects

Amena Androids Artificial intelligence Dr Arada Dr Ayda Mensah Dr Ratthi Human-computer interaction Interplanetary voyages Life on other planets Murderbot New York Times bestseller Outer space Overse Robots

Places

Preservation · Fictional

MurderbotProtagonist

PerihelionSupporting

A research transport AI from Murderbot's past (nicknamed ART), whose hijacked ship drives much of the plot.

ART | PerihelionSupporting

OverseSupporting

Dr. ThiagoSupporting

All characters in Network Effect

Goodreads Choice Award2020
Hugo Award2021
Hugo Award for Best Novel2021
Locus Award2021
Nebula Award2020
Nebula Award for Best Novel2020

Martha WellsScience Fiction · Fiction·b. 1964

While this is the first full-length novel in the series, it assumes familiarity with the protagonist and the established relationships from the preceding four novellas. Reading the novellas in order provides essential context for the character development and interpersonal dynamics that drive the plot.
This novel received significant critical recognition, winning the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the 2020 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and the 2021 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
The series is best experienced in publication order to avoid spoilers and to follow the natural progression of the narrative arc. Although some later entries like Fugitive Telemetry are set earlier in the internal timeline, they are written with the expectation that the reader has already completed the preceding books.

The Murderbot Diaries

Book 5 of 20See all →

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy

Rogue Protocol

Exit Strategy

Exit Strategy [Dramatized Adaptation]

#4.5

Home

Network Effect

Network Effect [Dramatized Adaptation]

Fugitive Telemetry

Fugitive Telemetry [Dramatized Adaptation]

System Collapse

System Collapse [Dramatized Adaptation]

Platform Decay

The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 3

The Murderbot Diaries #1-4: : All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy

Murderbot Diaries Collection Complete Hardcover Series Set

Book cover of The Murderbot Diaries Series 7 Books Set – All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry, and System Collapse

The Murderbot Diaries Series 7 Books Set – All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry, and System Collapse

No cover available

The Murderbot Diaries #1-8: System Collapse, Fugitive Telemetry, Network Effect, Exit Strategy, Rogue Protocol, Artificial Condition, All Systems Red, Platform Decay

The story so farWhat happens in each book, for when you come back to the series.

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Joshua WhiteThis truly is one of the more original and hilarious science fiction series I've ever read. I'd recommend this to anyone, even people who aren't fans of the genre. Murderbot is my hero.
Dylan<div>A winner. Fantastic.</div>

Network Effect

Synopsis

How it reads

Genres, subjects and placesScience Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure +18

Genres

Subjects

Places

CharactersMurderbot, Perihelion, ART | Perihelion +7

AwardsGoodreads Choice Award +5

About the authorMartha Wells

Frequently asked questionsDo I need to read the previous books in the series before this one? +2

The Murderbot Diaries

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