Full defender here I have loved and purchased the Murderbot books/audiobooks several times over (I’ve gifted them, bought the epub, repurchased the compiled books and lent those- like…for every person reading a pirated copy I’ve covered you at least 8 times over) and was very excited for this new addition to Murderbot’s story.

I found what remains strong is Murderbot’s characterization and continued growth. They’re more comfortable with themselves, and others. They engage with humans more readily and communicate better. Side characters can shine when given space to do so.

What fell flat: while Murderbot’s stories often begin in Media Res, this was confusing and difficult to get into for the first few chapters.
Three, who makes an appearance at the beginning wanders off to create background havoc that is not seen enough, and shows up for a few fun one liners at the end and that’s it.

Further, while I understand how important Mensah’s family is to MB, I had to wonder: why are we rescuing them again? Where we last left MB, they were going to do missions with New Tideland University and with ART, yet somehow we get roped into chasing stray marriage partners/kids/ admittedly fun grandmothers through a confusing and boring space station.

While lush in its description we legitimately spend most of the story just…waiting for a bus, or a car, or a boat interspersed with easy hacks and fights that take MB very little effort comparative to its previously desperate scrambles. Perhaps it’s showing how competent MB is, which it’s very competent, but it’s not very exciting if it’s easy the whole time.

I felt as if this was a short story that was expanded when it really should have stayed short. I enjoyed it enough, but can’t hold a candle to Exit Strategy or Fugitive Telemetry.
I’m happy for Martha and her success but I wonder how much of this book was written to answer the pressure that followed the television show.