Jonas Wisser

“Come with me tomorrow through the forest; we will gather black mushrooms and herbs that, crushed against the fingers, give a magic smell. You will feel the sun on your hair and the rich earth beneath your feet, and the fresh winds scented with the spice of snow from the hidden places on Eld Mountain. Be patient, as you must always be patient with new pale seeds buried in the dark ground. When you are stronger, you can begin to think again. But now is the time to feel.”

The final book of a mind-opening trilogy that's especially difficult to read at a time when humankind seems determined to plunge the future of life on Earth into uncertainty.

One of David's Brin's most fascinating habits as an author is his tendency to play interesting but strictly unnecessary facts and worldbuilding tidbits close to the vest. Each successive book reveals so frustratingly little of the broad universe that acts as the backdrop for Brin's very local dramas—even if the narrative results of those dramas will clearly have effects that go on to change all of galactic society for good.

Definitely worth reading—I'm glad I finally got around to this series!

A quick, snappy, and incredibly engaging read. It didn't take long for me to identify with Murderbot more than most of the human main characters I've read.

Key sentence:
“If the humans see me actually doing my job, it helps keep suspicions from forming about faulty governor modules.”

As someone who used to have to find external motivations to convince myself to work in the face of -a faulty governor module- undiagnosed depression, boy howdy did this resonate with me on a spiritual level.

Looking forward to the rest of the series!

A competent entry, if not on the level of most of the X-Wing series. Quite badly hurt by the limitations of the Disney canon.

Everyone who has the slightest interest in understanding how "AI" tools like ChatGPT and its ilk came to dominate the societal conversation, or the impact they had, are having, and will continue to have on our civilization, should read this book.

Strike that.

Everyone should read this book.