Book Review of The Murderbot Diaries #4 - Exit Strategy

“I don’t know what I want. I said that at some point, I think. But it isn’t that, it’s that I don’t want anyone to tell me what I want, or to make decisions for me.”

I have to admit, the fourth installation in the Murderbot Series really did connect back to the previous books and tied up everything nicely. The plot is a bit predictable in this one but if you have stuck with the series so far, you are already fond of the sentient humanoid robot (who keeps getting sassier and sassier as the series progresses), so the predictability of the plot isn’t a dealbreaker. Overall, an enjoyable series and would recommend it to any SciFi aficionado. 4/5.

Book Review of The Murderbot Diaries #3 - Rogue Protocol

Well, the “Rogue Protocol” definitely sticks to the script like the previous two books in the series. Crisp story, fast pace & lots of action with our endearing sentient bot in the center of it all. What is slightly annoying now is that even though I am three books into the series and enjoying it so far, I don’t see a long encompassing theme per-say. This is more like a set of stories - strung together because of the same protagonist. Maybe something overarching will emerge in the next books, one can hope. Still, Rogue Protocol itself is perfectly enjoyable - 4/5.

Book Review of The Murderbot Diaries #2 - Artificial Condition

“Sometimes people do things to you that you can’t do anything about. You just have to survive it and go on.”

You know what's more fun than a fully sentient humanoid robot with deadly weapons? A one that also has a heart of gold. Even though this all sounds like a cliche, the second installment of the Murderbot Diaries series did not disappoint. Just one issue - it ended abruptly, and the world building seemed annoyingly incomplete at times. Still the book as a whole was a breezy fun. "Artificial Condition" - a strong 3.5/5 

Book Review of The Murderbot Diaries #1 - All Systems Red

"I don’t know what I want. But it isn’t that, it’s that I don’t want anyone to tell me what I want, or to make decisions for me."

Humanoid robots becoming self-aware and fully sentient isn't a new trope anymore. In fact, it wasn't a new idea even back in 2017 when this book was first published. Still, the first book in the Murderbot Diaries, "All Systems Red" is a fun, entertaining and a quick read. This isn't necessarily just a popcorn Sci-Fi - the world building is intriguing, and it is nice to read the story from the first-person view of the protagonist who is a sentry robot that has just become self-aware. Give it a go, 4/5.  

Book Review of "Fool Me Once"

Murder Mysteries are fun when the premise isn’t too far-fetched, and the mystery isn’t too obvious. “Fool Me Once” met and somewhat exceeded both the conditions. It is fast, action-packed and just predictable enough to make it enjoyable but not really boring. Don’t think too much about all the pieces and look at the story for what it is really meant for - entertainment. 3.5/5 stars.

Book Review of "Payer for the Crown-Shy - Monk & Robot #2"

"You don’t have to have a reason to be tired. You don’t have to earn rest or comfort. You’re allowed to just be. I say that wherever I go.”

Having enjoyed the first book in the Monk & the Robot series, I picked up the second one - “A Prayer for the Crown-Shy” - hoping to get more of the thought-provoking philosophical discussions between a fully sentient robot and a monk, but what I got was less discussions and a whole lot more of a commune-like world building - which I admit was slightly annoying to me. I still enjoyed this book and will pick it up when the 3rd one of the series comes by but not completely sold on the whole narrative of the Crown-Shy.

“So, you see, it’s enough that I’m experientially different; I don’t want to be physically different, too.”

Book Review of "A Psalm for the Wild-Built - Monk & Robot #1"

“I think there’s something beautiful about being lucky enough to witness a thing on its way out.”

Becky Chambers’ SciFi books are not your typical SciFi stories - they have more heart than expected, the philosophical discussions are deeper & darker than first anticipated and the stories pull you in emotionally without having an iota of melodrama. A unique blend for SciFi books.

“Every living thing causes damage to others, Sibling Dex. You’d all starve otherwise.”

“A Psalm for the Wild-Built” is the first book in the “Monk and Robot” Series. A super-slow & somewhat frustrating start. But the last 2/3rd portion of the book is basically a long discussion between a Tea Monk and a sentient Robot discussing anything and everything. And even though it may not sound great, trust me, it's simply amazing. Even though nothing actually happens in the book, you will be left with a smile on your face and a yearning for more. A definite ⅘.

“That’s immortality. How is that less desirable?” “Because nothing else in the world behaves that way.”