Book Review: System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, #7) by Martha Wells
Cover art by Jaime Jones
System Collapse by Martha Wells
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Series: The Murderbot Diaries (Book #7)
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 256 pages (Kindle Edition)
Word count: 63,000 words
Published: 14th November 2023 by Tordotcom
System Collapse is undeniably action-packed, and it certainly dives deep into the psyche of Murderbot. But it did not progress the plotline of the series as much as I hoped.
“So the next time I get optimistic about something, I want one of you to punch me in the face.”
See the quote above? I am sad to say I did feel optimistic about System Collapse, and I am left disappointed by it. With two consecutive negative reviews for the newest titles in the series, I need to begin this review with the clarification that I have enjoyed the first five titles of The Murderbot Diaries. But Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse made me worry about the future of the series. System Collapse is the seventh title in the immensely popular and highly praised Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. It is also the second full-length novel (a short one) in the entire series as well. And after considering Network Effect (the first full-length novel of the series) as my favorite installment in The Murderbot Diaries, I was expecting and hoping System Collapse would follow the same level of quality. Maybe even exceed it. Unfortunately, the reality isn’t compatible with my preference. I actually think this is the second weakest title in the entire series, right after Fugitive Telemetry.
“But since the thing that happened I don’t think I’ve had an emotion that wasn’t the visual equivalent of a wet blanket crumpled on the floor.”
y books will be in The Murderbot Diaries? I’m not sure. With the immensely high sales and reception the series is getting every day, I don’t think Tordotcom will let go of the series anytime soon. Especially when we take into consideration how well-received the first season of the TV show adaptation was. I agree with that, by the way. The adaptation of All Systems Red was nothing short of outstanding. But more on this later. For now, I will say this. I do not mind the length of the series. But regardless of the actual length of the series, it is high time Wells starts to put the direction of the series towards a more serious and tension-packed route like Network Effect did.
“Did I understand how it processed its emotions? No. But I don’t understand how I process my emotions, either.”
Although System Collapse did dive into the psyche of Murderbot, it somehow felt too long due to its unnecessarily long and inconsequential action sequences. System Collapse is filled with detailed action scenes. And usually, I don’t mind this. But as a reader, I prefer the detailed action scenes I read to be filled with tension and stakes underlying them. This is what made Network Effect brilliant. I did not get that in System Collapse. Reading more about Murderbot and its personality was a good experience, but remember… We are seven books into the series already! For its length, I feel it is prominent for us to move on from Murderbot cursing and repeatedly complaining about emotions and humans. Not that I have any issues with their usage per se. It is a big part of what made the series and character so beloved, after all. But the plot and conflict need to escalate as well. I did not get that from Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse.
“Humans are great at imagining stuff. That’s why their media is so good.”
I am now fully caught up to The Murderbot Diaries series. System Collapse focused too much on the effect of events at the end of Network Effect on Murderbot instead of progressing the story further. While it is true that I am disappointed by Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse, overall, I do think the series is quite enjoyable. It is not a mind-blowing and revolutionary reading experience. However, the series has that distinct charm, tone, personality, and vibe I cannot deny. For me, Network Effect is the best title in the series so far. As I mentioned earlier, I sincerely hope Platform Decay will return to that form again by steering the series towards a more serious storyline. I believe the series is much better when it has stakes and sprinkled with humor here and there.
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