This novel is always such a delight to get back to on a reread of the series. My love for ART also carries a lot of my feelings too.
I wasn't sure how Murderbot was going to stand up to the longer length the first time I read this, but I like that there's more space for side stories to develop; in particular, we get to see flashbacks to Murderbot and Amena back on Preservation, we get to see Arada grow as a leader, and we get to see Murderbot 2.0.
This novel also reprises previous parts of the series in a really satisfying way. Even more ART (and more ART snark). We get more about Mensah handling trauma. Murderbot 2.0 is an explicit parallel to Miki's death. The ending of this novel escalates the end of Exit Strategy where Murderbot doesn't know how to feel about everybody β¦
This novel is always such a delight to get back to on a reread of the series. My love for ART also carries a lot of my feelings too.
I wasn't sure how Murderbot was going to stand up to the longer length the first time I read this, but I like that there's more space for side stories to develop; in particular, we get to see flashbacks to Murderbot and Amena back on Preservation, we get to see Arada grow as a leader, and we get to see Murderbot 2.0.
This novel also reprises previous parts of the series in a really satisfying way. Even more ART (and more ART snark). We get more about Mensah handling trauma. Murderbot 2.0 is an explicit parallel to Miki's death. The ending of this novel escalates the end of Exit Strategy where Murderbot doesn't know how to feel about everybody feeling protective about it or wanting to save it.
This book seemed like a longer adventure and deeper understanding of Murderbot and his allies. His/Its world has grown and it is faced with decisions and learning it is not prepared for, except the threats it faces are more daunting and dangerous than ever. This story is a full sized novel of a mission into impossible odds but then again Murderbot only seems to do impossible things.
My favorite so far I think. I'm pretty excited for three as well and hope I'll read more of it. I had a bit trouble understanding what happened when on the colony in the beginning but it didn't hinder enjoying the book.
This series gets more addicting with each installment. The first four books were almost too short, and reading this one felt like I was finally really getting to dig in to the world of Murderbot. Consider me thoroughly hooked!
3.5 a bit too long for my liking of murderbot stories. the middle especially felt like it dragged on forever. still, yet another wholesome murderbot story, this time with the return of ART!