All Systems red

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	Due 05-08-2024
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	Due 05-15-2024
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	Due 05-16-2024
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	Due 04-20-2024
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Wells, Martha	4-week checkout	Due 04-23-2024

A murderous android discovers itself in "All Systems Red", a tense science fiction adventure by Martha Wells that interrogates the roots of consciousness through Artificial intelligence. In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid -- a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot." Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Fun with Killer Androids! submitted by sdunav on June 16, 2018, 1:17pm This was just fun - a fascinating look at artificial intelligence and the nature of human-kind, wrapped in a mystery and an adventure story. I can't wait for the next installment!

Short but very engaging submitted by hastingsh on June 15, 2019, 10:17am I'm so glad this is a series! All of the books are roughly the same length, and are quick reads. The story is engaging, and Murderbot is a surprisingly human (and witty and sarcastic) character. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see how his character develops.

You're gonna love Murderbot submitted by BurntSaori on July 1, 2019, 7:33pm A wonderful series, they are all short novellas, and the 4 books could be one long book. I have heard she is working on a sequel, I can't wait.

Murderbot is amazing submitted by Bakalm on August 3, 2019, 2:55am This book introduces us to the jailbroken security android Murderbot. Instead of trying to kill humans or become human or bring a utopia into being, as many free robots do in fiction, Murderbot wants nothing more than to do their job and watch TV in their downtime. As it meets humans who actually care for it, we consider what exactly it means to be a person and why we do what we do. A lot of fun, and a quick read (although you'd better be prepared to wait a couple weeks on the wait list for the others)

A great start to a fun sci fi series submitted by dntanzer on August 26, 2019, 7:45pm I had such a fun time reading this. It's a novella and goes by fast but it's fun and exciting while you're reading!

ENTERTAINING AND QUICK READ submitted by rbseemail on June 12, 2020, 2:43pm I ZIPPED THROUGH THIS IN A COUPLE SITTINGS. FUN SCI FI STORY.

my new favorite character submitted by apknapp on August 16, 2020, 6:11pm Trying to decide between four stars and five, erring high. This is a quick, light read, but such an interesting voice--a robot that has self awareness and agency, isn't just a tool following commands. Love the way Murderbot perceives humans, cataloging their relationships and personalities and idiosyncrasies, all while trying so hard NOT to interact with them. The character is unexpectedly fun--socially awkward (raging introvert) and fundamentally lazy (always opting to do the bare minimum required, leaving as much time as possible for catching up on its favorite shows). Made me think of a teenager, which seems fitting for a character that has only just gained governance over its own behavior. And yet, when *its* humans are threatened, zero hesitation to protect them at any cost to itself. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

A light, entertaining examination of personhood submitted by eknapp on August 24, 2020, 3:36pm A partially organic security drone has hacked its own programming. Now with free will, it spends all its time pretending to be a good little volition-free security bot and bingeing Netflix.

But when someone sets out to massacre the murderbot's friendly clients, it must sigh, buckle down, and figure out how to unmask and thwart the murderous entity, while maintaining the illusion that it's a mindless machine.

This slim little volume zooms by but finds time to delve into what it means to be a person and also serve up a satisfying murder mystery. And what a delightful protagonist. Shy, pessimistic, good-hearted but solitary, with a fascinating origin.

There is room for improvement...the team of good guys is 8 or 10 deep and none of them stands out. They're all generically intelligent, benevolent, sensitive individuals with no differentiating characteristics whatsoever.

Favorite Book of the Year submitted by Maria Maguire on June 11, 2022, 1:55pm I loved this series! It's my favorite thing I've read so far this year. And most books are novellas, so they're quick reads!

Well-rounded, satisfying novella submitted by mnwong on August 11, 2022, 2:24pm This was a fun read; Murderbot's humorous interactions with its human crew are entertaining, and there's enough mystery and intrigue to keep you turning pages. Easy to finish in one sitting. I'll definitely check out the rest of the series.

Really unique submitted by SusanS on June 16, 2023, 4:23pm A space adventure where the narrator is a depressed, sarcastic robot. Fast moving and funny. This was great!

Clever, creative, and new submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on July 22, 2023, 5:16am I feel like everyone in my circles has read this book, so I finally got it out of the library. Well, no wonder everyone has read it: it’s clever, creative, and new. An excellent shorter read about what happens when something scary develops a mind of its own, and about freedom and choices.

first and best submitted by EJZ on August 1, 2023, 7:56pm The first and best of the Murderbot chronicles. The introduction to the series was snarky, intelligent, and fun. It's a page turner in all the best of ways, a great intro to a fun world and character that you don't have to think too hard about, and still have a great time.

Good Novella submitted by seholmes on August 8, 2023, 9:41am This is a really interesting l book. Quick read, and you learn about the world as you go. creative world-building, funny narration, and good writing?

Robot who loves trashy TV submitted by berkleya on August 10, 2023, 5:15pm ...what more could you ask for, really?

Light Sci Fi Indulgence submitted by timbresson on August 10, 2023, 11:19pm I can’t say I fully bought into the sort of AI soldier Robot that acted more like a human than something operating using logic to observe the world. The writing doesn’t have a lot of depth and breadth as far as detail or prose. Things are just described as they are. Sometimes repeating a lot of similar phrasing not even a paragraph apart. However, I found it to be a charming action novel to indulge in for a week.

Fun, quick read submitted by morganperry519 on August 21, 2023, 11:22pm I really enjoyed this read. This is great if you’re looking for a light read that takes you to a world very different than ours. The plot moves quickly but there is also some decent character development.