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Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel (The Murderbot Diaries Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Martha Wells (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 23,956 ratings
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
See all formats and editions

WINNER of the 2021 Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards!

The first full-length novel in Martha Wells' New York Times and USA Today bestselling Murderbot Diaries series.

An Amazon Best of the Year So Far Pick

Named a Best of 2020 Pick for NPR | Book Riot | Polygon

“I caught myself rereading my favorite parts... and I can’t recommend it enough.” —The New York Times


You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.

—

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

The Murderbot Diaries
All Systems Red
Artificial Condition
Rogue Protocol
Exit Strategy
Network Effect
Fugitive Telemetry
System Collapse

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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Previous page
  1. Book 5 of 7
    The Murderbot Diaries
  2. Print length
    348 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Tordotcom
  6. Publication date
    May 5, 2020
  7. File size
    2597 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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  1. I am actually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.
    Highlighted by 4,666 Kindle readers
  2. “Anyone who thinks machine intelligences don’t have emotions needs to be in this very uncomfortable room right now.”
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  3. There is a lot about what is going on here that I don’t understand. But I am participating anyway.
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From the Publisher

The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells NPR quote
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells The New York Times review
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells The New York Times N.K. Jemisin quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

A 2021 Nebula Award Winner!

Shortlisted for the 2022 Seiun Award!

Named a Best of 2020 Pick for NPR | Book Riot | Polygon

"If the first books were episodes in a four-part TV miniseries, then Network Effect is the feature-length movie with the bigger budget and scope... Murderbot and the world it inhabits constantly leave you wanting more, in the best possible way. Network Effect is a wonderful continuation of the series, and I highly recommend it." ―NPR

"I might have a little bit of a thing for a robot. Its name is Murderbot... Network Effect [is] great."―Wired

"A glorious thought-provoking Murderbot tale...As we may be stuck in social isolation for the foreseeable future, I can think of no better company than this paranoid android." ―The New Scientist

“This is a terrific space opera, a classic space adventure but with a very modern sensibility… Murderbot, with its on-point observations and addictive interior monologues, is easily one of my favorite characters in SF...
I found I had to stop myself from rereading the whole book right on the spot… Highly recommended.” ―Charles de Lint for Fantasy & Science Fiction

"A welcome expansion of this universe and lays the groundwork for more stories to come in a series that continues to grow and impress." ―Booklist, starred review

"SecUnit’s gloriously candid, frequently confused assessments of its crew and their predicaments allow for an amusingly childlike perspective on what it means to be human... Series fans and anyone who enjoys humor-infused space operas won’t want to miss this." ―Publishers Weekly starred review

"This is a perfectly paced space opera adventure novel... I could read about Murderbot all week." ―Locus

"It’s pretty much the perfect follow-up to the series, and manages to be surprising all the way to the final page... I was floored by Network Effect, and if you’re into Murderbot in any way, I think you will be too." ―Aurealis

"Martha Wells’ Network Effect is phenomenal and likely surpasses the high expectations set by the novellas... I haven't met a human who didn't enjoy these books." ―The Quill to Live

"Network Effect is the perfect fare for any seeking the perfect weekend binge read or escapist vacation." ―BookPage

"If you're looking for a mystery that perfectly tempers grisly scenes with lighthearted humor, this is the series you need to read." ―Bustle

"Wells continues to find sensitive and effective directions for Murderbot's character growth. This whole series is fantastic, and this novel is no exception. If anyone had any doubts about Murderbot's ability to carry a full length novel, this should put them to rest." ―SFRevu

"Anyone who enjoys humor-infused space operas won’t want to miss this."―Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Wells’ first four Murderbot novellas were sensations, and the first full-length book in the series is a funny, entertaining follow-up." ―Medium

"Another great entry into a series that probably needs very little introduction. Murderbot is a top bot, a great pal, and I'm glad that they're looking to stick around for more adventures to come." ―Nerds of a Feather

"Murderbot will make you laugh and punch you in the feels a fair few times ... I will always look forward to more Murderbot adventures." ―The Nerd Daily

"Readers will love journeying with Murderbot again in a bigger and wilder adventure guaranteed to leave you craving more. Needless to say, I’m already burning to get my hands on the next one." ―The Bibliosanctum

"Wildly original and endearing, Network Effect is a complex work of genius that expands upon a fascinating scientific landscape in a conversational, sardonic tone." ―Paperback Paris

"Unpredictable, hold-your-heart beautiful, heartbreaking and, all in all, my new favourite sci-fi book." ―Orbiting Pluto


Praise for The Murderbot Diaries

"The Murderbot series is a heart-pounding thriller that never lets up, but it's also one of the most humane portraits of a nonhuman I've ever read. Come for the gunfights on other planets, but stay for the finely drawn portrait of a deadly robot whose smartass goodness will give you hope for the future of humanity." ―Annalee Newitz

"I love Murderbot!"―Ann Leckie

"We are all a little bit Murderbot."―NPR

“Wells gives depth to a rousing but basically familiar action plot by turning it into the vehicle by which SecUnit engages with its own rigorously denied humanity.” ―Publishers Weekly starred review

“I already can’t wait for the next one.” ―The Verge

“A great kick-off for a continuing series.” ―Locus

About the Author

Martha Wells is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including The Cloud Roads, The Wizard Hunters, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. Her short stories have been published in Black Gate, Realms of Fantasy, and Stargate magazine, and in several anthologies. She is also the author of the media tie-in novels Stargate Atlantis: Reliquary and Stargate Atlantis: Entanglement and a Star Wars novel, Empire and Rebellion: Razors Edge.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07WZ7SB5D
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tordotcom (May 5, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 5, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2597 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 348 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250229855
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 23,956 ratings

About the author

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Martha Wells

Martha Wells

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Martha Wells has been an SF/F writer since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993, and her work includes The Books of the Raksura series, The Death of the Necromancer, the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy, The Murderbot Diaries series, media tie-in fiction for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: the Gathering, as well as short fiction, YA novels, and non-fiction. She has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, and Locus Awards, and her work has appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the BSFA Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. Her books have been published in twenty-two languages.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
23,956 global ratings
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4 Stars
I'm annoyed
This review isn't about the written word. I bought all seven books to give as a gift with the thought of making a finger joint box for them. But no, "Network Effect" has to be a freak that isn't the same height as the others. Why did the publisher (TOR) do this?
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Top reviews from the United States

Michael L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
This series has been a wonderful, unexpected, guilty pleasure. Martha Wells has crafted amazing characters and placed them in unique, exotic, and yet believable and familiar worlds. Network effort not only propels the story but takes it to a different and more complex arc.
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Franklin
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Novel in the Series
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed all the Murderbot stories and this line one is no exception. Really well paced and fun to read. Excellent sci-fi with witty humor sprinkled in.
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Harris
4.0 out of 5 stars first real book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Thus far into the series and we get our first real book, as opposed to short stories that we got up to this point. It’s good, however I feel it didn’t hit the mark with the extra length as well as the previous books.

The difference in size is amazing, there is much that happens. The writer tried various techniques to adapt, like extra PoVs, or small intermissions.
The story was more complex, to the point that I had to backtrack and reread sections - not good. It’s just that it didn’t feel as if the extra complexity added to the depth of the story. The revelations were not really meaningful.
The characters were plentiful, it’s hard to distinguish personalities other than the sec units. Our protagonists I feel act human like to the point where it’s unrealistic. Murderbot in our eyes is just like an augmented human who doesn’t care about sex. A child who learns about friendship and love and has to make its first choices. It’s more like an adolescent without the romance.

So what does this book introduce? Extra human like behavior, deeper cast, bigger size.
It’s fun to read and it won’t disappoint. I hope the next one is even better!
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Michael Lynn McGuire
5.0 out of 5 stars Book number five of a seven book series of science fiction novellas, short stories, and novels
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Book number five of a seven book series of science fiction novellas, short stories, and full length novels according to the publishing date. However, this is book number six of the seven book series according to series chronological date. I reread the well printed and well bound hardcover published by Tor in 2020 that I bought new from Amazon. I purchased the hardcover since it was cheaper than the trade paperback at the time. The series won the 2021 Hugo for the best series. I have all seven books in the series and am reading the seventh book now.

Dr. Arada really wants Murderbot to stop calling hostile people "Targets". But, Dr. Arada is a terminal optimist. Murderbot is providing security for Dr. Arada's latest planetary survey when they are held up for food and ransom by a gang in a large boat on a water world. Dr. Thiego was attempting to negotiate with the Targets when the leader shot Murderbot. Murderbot seems to always be the first to get shot. And the last to get shot. As Murderbot resolves the situation, they launch their vessel from the ocean, and join the tractorship in orbit. They return to the Preservation system but are kidnapped almost as soon as they emerge from the wormhole by a unknown spaceship and are dragged back into the wormhole to an unknown system.

Murderbot is a SecUnit, similar to a T-800 Terminator with a cloned and severely modified human brain. The brain is supplemented by the AIs in the cpu embedded in its head. There are lungs, there is a blood mixture with a synthetic, there is human skin over the entire body, there is a face, there is hair on the head and eyebrows. Everything else is machine. Somehow, the blood is enriched with electricity as there is no stomach or intestines. But, there are arteries and veins to keep the skin and brain alive. It has a energy gun in each arm and several cameras. The SecUnit can sustain severe damage to everything but the head and still survive.

There is a personal MedSystem that continuously monitors the health of the SecUnit and gives constant updates to the SecUnit. And controls the clamps on the various arteries and veins throughout the torso and extremities of the SecUnit in case of damage. And shuts down the SecUnit in case of total system failure. Or reboots the SecUnit if needed.

There is a personal SecSystem that has a threat awareness module that continuously updates the SecUnit on any and all threats it perceives. And monitors and controls up to thirty drones.

There is a Governor that monitors what the SecUnit is doing versus the current orders (verbal or embedded) and punishes it using pain sensors in the human brain until it complies. And the governor will fry the brain of the SecUnit when if it leaves the vicinity of the controlling authority or the controlling authority leaves vicinity of the SecUnit.

Murderbot is a self named SecUnit due to an unfortunate circumstance with 57 miners on a remote moon. It has hacked its governor and no longer allows the governor to give it orders or inflict pain. It prefers to internally watch its 35,000 hours of downloaded media such as episodes of "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon" and "WorldHoppers (aka Stargate)". Even though it has a face, it does not like to interface with humans, yes, very introverted. It will follow human orders if it sees fit to do so.

Murderbot is an incredibly interesting character. It handles horrible situations easily and personal interactions difficultly. Like I said, interesting.

Quotes from the book:
1. "I am actually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are."
2. "Anyone who thinks machine intelligences don’t have emotions needs to be in this very uncomfortable room right now."
3. "There is a lot about what is going on here that I don’t understand. But I am participating anyway."

Warning: There is violence and death in the books. Books one through four are a series of novellas, not regular length books. Book five is a regular length novel, book six is back to the novella, and book seven is a full length novel. You can buy a collection of the first four hardbacks at a nice discount.

There is a free short story "Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory" between books four and five.

My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
14 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
I've seen this series pop up from tome to tome over the years, but did not decide to start it until a few days ago. Man I've been flying through these books. So much fun. Great sci fi stuff. It reads like a TV series. Starting the next book now!
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Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Murderbot yet
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
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This was the best Murderbot story yet! I liked the novellas, but this full length novel was even better. And I loved that ART was back in this one!!
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Top reviews from other countries

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David Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars looking for adult SF?
Reviewed in Canada on January 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
Unusually credible SF universe. Characterization rich, deep, thought-provoking. Plenty of action. Plenty of surprises. Seamlessly conceived and executed.

Outstanding work, Mdme Wells!
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Rodrigo Menendez Arzac
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente serie
Reviewed in Mexico on April 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Espere hasta leer esta novela después de haber leído los otros cuatro cuentos cortos para poder escribir mi reseña y puedo decir que toda la serie de Murderbot es excelente. Aunque el precio de los primeros 4 cuentos es alto considerando que no son novelas sino cuentos cortos, la verdad es que se disfrutan tanto que al final vale la pena el gasto. Creo que serían mucho más atractivas para el público en general si sacaran un paquete de la serie completa a un precio más razonable.
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Jeremy Borot
5.0 out of 5 stars Efficace et original
Reviewed in France on May 3, 2024
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Une écriture originale, quelques trouvailles et un personnage principal attachant. Merci !
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very intriguing AI perspective
Reviewed in India on April 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book should be on the reading list for AI researchers who aspire to develop true AI entity. As robotics and AI engineer, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series so far. Many technical details were quite realistic and plausible.
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JULIO MM
5.0 out of 5 stars space opera para disfrutar
Reviewed in Spain on June 29, 2020
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Si te gusta el space opera, no lo dudes. Yo lo he leído casi de un tirón. El personaje es una especie de teniente Data en versión siglo XXI
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