Exit Strategy
Ratings789
Average rating4.3
Again with Murderbot we've got great writing, but basically the same story as the last 3 novellas. I like Murderbot and the rest of the cast here, but I don't think I'd continue this series if it wasn't a full-length novel up next. If that one is more of the same again I'll have to reevaluate.
Pages ‘n Pines Grading Scale:
5 - Amazing
4 - Really liked it
3 - Liked it
2 - Okay
1 - Didn't like
Okay so I basically didn't breathe through this whole thing. I loved every second of it and it was equal parts touching and tense. The ending was phenomenal and has the series ended there, I would've died happy. (luckily it didn't but still) So so happy to see the old gang together again and get more SecUnit and Mensah bonding time.
Murderbot is one of my favorite sec units. Well the only one I know but still. There is no adventure that goes unenjoyed by me. These books are like my personal Rise and Fall of the Sanctuary Moon.
It's been awhile since I read the last one. I forgot how much I love Murderbot!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Murderbot novellas and this, the 4th entry to the series, is the best so far. The basic premise remains - we have our Murderbot (security unit) who has managed to rewrite their programming to make themselves self aware but has to hide that they have overridden all their protocols. We return almost full circle as the Murderbot finds out that Dr Mensah, who befriended them back in the first novella, is in danger. Despite going rogue they are still a SecUnit at heart and they go in to rescue Dr Mensah. The action stakes are raised in this outing, the action sequences some of the best yet in the series. The characters were all in place before so less time needs to be put into the character development and the novella can focus on the plot. The novella format works in our favour as it gives just enough time to produce a tidy, fast paced action pastiche without dragging or feeling slow.
So happy that more Murderbot is in the works!
This novella completes the original story arc: we rejoin the good guys and the bad guys from the beginning of the series ([b:All Systems Red 32758901 All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries, #1) Martha Wells https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631585309l/32758901.SY75.jpg 53349516]), and have a final confrontation.I like this story pretty well, although I think the fifth novella and the novel are even better. It's nice to get back to the original good guys, because they each have individual personalities—it's not deep characterization, but it's better than nothing. Whereas the other humans we bump into during this series tend to lack individuality and personality—the author is too busy focusing on Murderbot to give much attention to other characters.The first four Murderbot novellas could reasonably be put together and sold as one novel in four parts. However, there's plenty of room for the story to continue further, and of course it does.
Another fun instalment in Murderbot's tales and hijinks across the systems, stretching itself further than before in a variety of ways.
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Exit Strategy
GrayCris is desperate. After Murderbot's theft of their illegal information, they've decided kidnapping Dr. Mensha is their next best option. I don't know about you, but kidnapping someone who is tied to a SecUnit doesn't seem like a good idea. When a news burst comes across Murderbot's feed involving Dr. Mensha and GrayCris, those pesky complex emotions start to crop up. And Murderbot finds itself en route to liberate Dr. Mensha.
No one thinks SecUnits can have emotions. Murderbot will tell you differently. In fact, the humans it finds itself thinking of as friends cause a whole variety of emotions it isn't programmed to handle. And while Murderbot hates figuring out what these emotions are, it might actually admit to liking those humans. Must be part of that organic tissue they used to form its neural network.
I've realized I'm drawn to Murderbot because it struggles to deal with things humans experience every day. It brings to light all the little stresses that add up over time and begin to compromise the way we think. I can't be the only one who's had no clue what to do with their arms, or felt socially awkward around people that stir emotions I can't name, or understand immediately. But not only that, Murderbot reinforces the theme that it's ok to feel different. Just be yourself and do the best you can.
Murderbot is reaching a point in its character development where it outwardly no longer cares what people think. When readers first met Murderbot, most of its sarcasm and feelings were told through inner monologue. Now Murderbot is learning how to use body language and actions to show what it's feeling. Even though Murderbot still doesn't like to admit it feels anything. And it's hilarious. You can count on Murderbot's sarcastic humor to alleviate any situation.
The return of Dr. Mensha and the crew brings Murderbot's story full circle, but it is far from over. And I can't wait for Murderbot's next adventure. Complex feelings, awkward encounters, and sarcastic humor included.
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
A free-willed security cyborg seeks to rescue its original owner.
Review
While Murderbot still retains its charm, the overall story is by now starting to wear thin. While the episodes of these separate novellas are fairly well contained, the arc of each is so similar that the stories are beginning to feel too familiar. While an interesting, if not novel (sic), approach, I feel that Tor made a substantial mistake in publishing these pieces as individual books, rather than as a few actual novels with more cohesion and larger arcs. While I'm enjoying each individually, I'm not really getting much out of the series as a whole. Within a novel, the similarity of tone and approach would have worked for the character, instead of against it. As is, I feel like I'm reading pretty much the same book every time. The next in the series is an actual novel, so we'll see if that works better.
For this story, fun, but by now very familiar.
For me this novella was not on the same level as the first and second of the series.
I am quite enjoying the Murderbot series.
In this one, Murderbot goes on a rescue mission. It seems the GrayCris corporation is getting a bit desperate and have resorted to kidnapping. Unfortunately for GrayCris, they kidnapped someone Murderbot cares about. Stealthy infiltration, hacking, and violent action ensue – along with Murderbot's trademark snarky internal dialog.
Good story. Kevin R. Free provides a good narration.
Solid four stars.
The hype for Murderbot really got me off on the wrong foot with this series. I never disliked it, but after All Systems Red, I was just flabbergasted why it was so popular. My 3 star rating for that one is probably unfair; I will maybe increase it on a re-read. Each novella was amusing and interesting, but never had enough substance to fully get me on board.
This one, by itself, didn't either, although it was better. But this one is easily the best of the four novellas because it incorporates elements of the previous novellas more and it seems like the emotional crux of a four book arc. It's also the only one of the four to make me fully laugh out loud, although the other three all made me smirk and chuckle several times.
Perhaps I just crave more from each installment of Murderbot. If so, I should look no further, because the age of the Novella is over. The time of the Full-Novel has begun!
Boek vier, maar eigenlijk is het gewoon het einde van een wat langer verhaal. Voor hetzelfde geld (wel, eignelijk niet: voor vee minder geld) had het gewoon één boek kunnen zijn.
Het was een degelijk einde, maar ik had er gelijk toch wat meer van verwacht.
Zoals dat veel van de shenanigans waar de antagonisten (anonieme bedrijven) zich mee bezig houden eigenlijk te maken hebben met achterblijfsels van niet-menselijke aliens van lang geleden, en dat ik toch ergens gehoopt had op wat meer zicht op die dingen.
Maar hey, 't is een fijn einde, het sluit proper af, de personages (vooral Murderbot zelf natuurlijk) maken een fijne evolutie door, A++ would recomment.
Ook dit, trouwens, was weer de lengte van een degelijke lange televisieserieaflevering.
Het zou niet verkeerd zijn om hier een miniserie van te maken. Met pakweg acht afleveringen of zo, perfect voor Netflix of Prime.
Met een asexueel en androgyn hoofdpersonage, en géén romantiek of sex in de lucht maar wel voorzichtige openingen naar meer vertrouwen en vriendschap. Dat zou ook nog wat zijn.
En aangezien het ook voortdurend gaat over kijken naar series, zou het wel grappig zijn om series-in-de-serie te hebben. Een totaal camperige Space 1999-achtige versie van Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, waar moet ik tekenen?
Hoe meer ik er over nadenk, hoe meer ik het een uitstekend idee vind. Een snelle zoek door het interwebs geeft mij niet direkt het gevoel dat het al in the works zou zijn, dus maak er misschien rap eens werk van, gasten.
That was a wonderful and unique series. I can't wait for more murderbot stories.
This whole quadrilogy has been a really good reading experience. The individual novellas are each excellent on their own, and together they form a coherent and satisfying story. The characters - particularly the various robotic ones - are all well drawn, and some of the questions raised about what it means to be an artificial intelligence would do Asimov proud. I am now very much looking forward to reading the recently published fifth book.
Exit strategy was very good. It out Murderbot at a semi conclusion to the events of the first book and we got to see him interact with the humans he considers friends. Very satisfying.
Murderbot needs a name.
Wells at her best. Murderbot is funny, fast, and on fire.