This is the third novella in a series about the adventures of a security cyborg (self-nicknamed “Murderbot”) who freed themselves from their restrictive programming and are able to find their own way in the universe. It’s a bit challenging to discuss this third book, not because it’s part of a continuity of stories throughout a series of novellas and there might be spoilers, but rather because this book feels very similar to the previous two that I’ve read. It’s still fun to follow the sardonic and put-upon bot as they try to sneak aboard a ship to take them somewhere only to discover another group of humans to get entangled with (and probably protect/rescue), and also some other kind of AI to interact with. Those are pretty much the key plotpoints of both the previous novellas. So, I think this one is probably relatively skippable if you don’t love Murderbot’s usual schtick.

This time, Murderbot ends up with a crew who are tasked with investigating a derelict terraforming facility that their company wants to reclaim. Again, Murderbot needs to “get to know” the relevant AI entity. In this case, it’s a “pet” robot known as “Mickey” who seems far too naive and child-like for Murderbot to relate to, initially. Nevertheless, as characters go (and especially with the wonderful voice performance of audiobook narrator Kevin R. Free) Mickey is probably the most adorable and endearing character we’ve met so far in the series. The other recurrant theme we encounter is that, among the humans, you never quite know who the bad guys are. This wild-west style region of space that the series has been set in so far is full of unscrupulous corporations and operatives who will destroy technology and kill people in order to achieve their ends. The villainous corporation GrayKris is once again mentioned in this story and seem to act as evil background radiation to the dealings and situations that Murderbot and others around them find themselves in.

Though sometimes the descriptions of the action scenes can make my head spin (Where is the flight deck in relation to the access corridor, again?) they are always screen-ready (and I’m looking forward to watching the TV version of Rogue Protocol in a couple years when the Murderbot series catches up). Similarly, Murderbot’s internal monologue/narration is probably the high-point for most readers. Again, with Free’s reading, the mild quips and put-downs Murderbot makes about human nature always elicit a chuckle (We do always get ourselves into trouble for the stupidest reasons!)

While I can’t say that this third instalment in the series takes us anywhere very new (even in the vast reaches of space), it’s still another enjoyable episode in the ongoing saga of this highly relatable character, and tides me over until the next episode of this adventure.

3 stars

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