Sign in with Facebook
Michelle F's Reviews > Network Effect
Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, #5)
by
by
Michelle F's review
bookshelves: fun-to-read, have-yourself-a-great-guffaw, reviewed, someterrifyingspacemonkeysgotloose
May 23, 2022
bookshelves: fun-to-read, have-yourself-a-great-guffaw, reviewed, someterrifyingspacemonkeysgotloose
Read 3 times. Last read February 1, 2022 to February 4, 2022.
I love these books, and a reread is doing happy things for my soul
One of the things I appreciate so much is the exploration of connection throughout the whole series. In this full length novel we get to touch on multiple aspects of it: Murderbot's humans, the extended community of Murderbot's humans, ART (ART!), ART's humans, and various machines and constructs. In what can be, at surface level, a great adventure story with a fractious narrator, we're also getting a really careful consideration of what it means to relate; one that goes far beyond the way we tend to oversimplify or easily define in our own lives.
There's the whole rest of the story, too, which contains all the other hallmarks of the series thus far, in longer form. It's great. I'm taking comfort in the elements that are maybe a bit repetitive while enjoying the fun scenarios that Wells creates to freshen things up.
While at moments I was longing for the tidyness of the novella format of the previous offerings, there were long stretches where I was happy to be immersed and know that it wasn't going to end anytime soon.
While marketed as a standalone, I'm not sure that is the best approach to the novel. The whole series is wonderful, and really builds to this point in SecUnit's personal arc.
One of the things I appreciate so much is the exploration of connection throughout the whole series. In this full length novel we get to touch on multiple aspects of it: Murderbot's humans, the extended community of Murderbot's humans, ART (ART!), ART's humans, and various machines and constructs. In what can be, at surface level, a great adventure story with a fractious narrator, we're also getting a really careful consideration of what it means to relate; one that goes far beyond the way we tend to oversimplify or easily define in our own lives.
There's the whole rest of the story, too, which contains all the other hallmarks of the series thus far, in longer form. It's great. I'm taking comfort in the elements that are maybe a bit repetitive while enjoying the fun scenarios that Wells creates to freshen things up.
While at moments I was longing for the tidyness of the novella format of the previous offerings, there were long stretches where I was happy to be immersed and know that it wasn't going to end anytime soon.
While marketed as a standalone, I'm not sure that is the best approach to the novel. The whole series is wonderful, and really builds to this point in SecUnit's personal arc.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Network Effect.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
February, 2021
–
Started Reading
February, 2021
–
Finished Reading
February 1, 2022
–
Started Reading
February 4, 2022
–
Finished Reading
May 23, 2022
– Shelved
Comments Showing 1-12 of 12 (12 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Diane
(new)
May 23, 2022 09:46AM
Great review, Michelle! ;)
reply
|
flag
Diane wrote: "Great review, Michelle! ;)"Thank you Diane! :D
I didn’t realize it was marketed as a standalone — it so isn’t even close to being a standalone novel. Without knowing Murderbot’s character arc it’s impossible to imagine how far it’s come, and without seeing the early friendship of SecUnit and ART the whole ART thing here doesn’t have much emotional impact.Great review, by the way! Have you ever listened to the audio of these?
Nataliya wrote: "I didn’t realize it was marketed as a standalone — it so isn’t even close to being a standalone novel. Without knowing Murderbot’s character arc it’s impossible to imagine how far it’s come, and wi..."Thank you!
Right? It’s silly to call it a standalone…it’s even in the blurb up there! I really do think readers would be missing out just jumping into this or first.
I have not listened to the audio. How do you find them? This is one time when I feel like I’d be really fussy about the narrator, but it’d be riotous if they nailed it!
Michelle F wrote: "I have not listened to the audio. How do you find them? This is one time when I feel like I’d be really fussy about the narrator, but it’d be riotous if they nailed it!"Audible and library. I love those audio books! I think the narrator - the wonderful Kevin R. Free - absolutely nails Murderbot’s voice.
Nataliya wrote: "Michelle F wrote: "I have not listened to the audio. How do you find them? This is one time when I feel like I’d be really fussy about the narrator, but it’d be riotous if they nailed it!"Audible..."
Awesome! If I ever re-up my Audible subscription I’ll give them a try!
Yes, I need to do a reread of these Michelle F. You have inspired me! Great review and insights!
Beverly wrote: "Yes, I need to do a reread of these Michelle F. You have inspired me! Great review and insights!"Oh fantastic, Beverly! I hope it does the same happy things for you as it has for me. Thank you so much!
Michelle F wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Yes, I need to do a reread of these Michelle F. You have inspired me! Great review and insights!"Oh fantastic, Beverly! I hope it does the same happy things for you as it has for ..."
You're welcome Michelle F!
Terrific review Michelle! The book sounds very intriguing!!📘🌺
Luvtoread wrote: "Terrific review Michelle! The book sounds very intriguing!!📘🌺"Thanks so much! The whole series is great 😊
A full length Murderbot novel does seem to be great for fans of the series to be immersed longer into this world, glad you enjoyed it! Great review Michelle!
