I’d already had FacilitySys prepare a translation for me, the only sentence I figured I’d need. I said, “Make a noise, and everybody dies.” (Network Effect)
Network Effect is the fifth book in The Murderbot Diaries series, and the first full-length novel. It was published on May 5, 2020.
Publisher's summary[]
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.
Synopsis[]
In the first full-length novel in The Murderbot Diaries, Murderbot is on assignment with a survey team led by Dr. Arada from Preservation when it is abducted, along with some of the team, by an unknown force... controlling a bot-driven research and teaching vessel that Murderbot is very familiar with. But ART is nowhere to be found... or is it somehow behind the attack?
While Murderbot tries to unravel this mystery and keep Dr. Mensah's daughter Amena safe from hostile humans and alien remnants, it also reviews its memory files on recent activities back in Preservation System, including an assassination attempt by GrayCris on Dr. Mensah, and Ratthi attempts to provide relationship counseling to Murderbot, over its objections.
Cover Art[]
Subterranean Press[]
Network Effect was re-released in a Subterranean Press omnibus edition for another limited sale. This edition has multiple illustrations, all by Tommy Arnold. This release sold out almost immediately, which is typical of this vendor's approach.
Notes[]
- Fugitive Telemetry was inspired by the scenes in Network Effect's helpme.file that showed Murderbot working with humans back on Preservation Station.[1]
- Network Effect was written because the author wanted to bring Murderbot and Perihelion back into the same story.[2]
- Network Effect took almost twice as long to write as the other novellas.[3]
References[]
- ↑ Facebook live interview with PBS-Author Talk, https://www.facebook.com/PBSBooks1/videos/266521178347039/.
- ↑ Talking Murderbot With 'Network Effect' Author Martha Wells https://www.newsweek.com/network-effect-murderbot-diaries-martha-wells-novel-sanctuary-moon-1502150
- ↑ Introduction to the Subterranean edition of The Murderbot Diaries, https://marthawells.dreamwidth.org/564808.html