All Systems Red by Martha Wells is a tight novella, action packed, and almost a modern response to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. The titular character, self dubbed “Murderbot,” is almost human in its own teenage-like ennui and devotion to watching entertainment like a futuristic Netflix binger. Yet its augmentation, weaponry, and instinctive programming also make her not quite such.
The tense survival situation and brief mystery are satisfying, as Murderbot supports and protects the exploration team “renting” it and other equipment from an interstellar corporation. While there are some gaps from catastrophic shutdowns, the story of this unreliable narrator remains captivating and these choices further the story and strong characterization.
I’d certainly recommend All Systems Red as a short, modern sci-fi novella focusing on the question of what truly makes us human. I have not yet watched the streaming adaptation of this particular series. I found Well’s prose to provide good explanations and
Style: 4
Substance: 3.5
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