Thomcat
7/30/2026
Shortest book of the year so far, read in a day. Will read more :)
This solid start provides a good character. Snarky, savvy, and contracted to protect these scientists. Physically, there is clearly more to know - we have robotic parts, biological parts, and a magic room to regrow both. Is the meat or the processor in charge? For now, and based on the name, I'm assuming AI - but this is just the first title in a growing series.
The point of view is always Murderbot, but we learn a lot about these scientists, who are also very savvy. They are able to read through the patch code to determine things, they are smart enough to know when to let the SecUnit take control. We also learn a lot about corporations, and here Wells is scathing - lowest bidder, contracts to cover failures, balancing fear of legal repercussions with redirecting blame.
This is a really good novella, somewhere between 4 and 5 stars. May revise after reading more of the series, which commences... now.