All Systems Red by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Security Bots are made up of a combination of organic and robotic elements. Like other bots they can be programmed for a variety of skills, in this case to act as bodyguards/protectors for survey teams as they explore planets for minerals, fauna or other valuable items. Having been involved in an incident that caused it to kill a number of humans, this bot has been reprogrammed. At some point it was able to hack into its programming and become self aware. It has also decided to call itself Murderbot, and all it wants to do is to watch the entertainment serials it has downloaded between its necessary duties.

Contracted out by the corporation to provide security to a survey team working on a little known planet, Murderbot discovers that things are not as they should be. Technical glitches and gaps in the information the team has on the planet leads the team to discover why and who might be behind this. In order to perform his duties, it might become necessary for Murderbot to reveal his own secret. If he does, what will be the reaction and will he simply be deactivated and reprogrammed.

Wells introduces a fascinating new SF character and we see the story unfold from his perspective. I'm looking forward to reading the further adventure of the character and where he goes from this point on.


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