Network Effect

Network Effect by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries, #5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Network Effect takes everything I love about the Murderbot novellas — sarcasm, introversion, accidental emotional attachment — and stretches it out over a full-length novel. Thankfully, it mostly works. The pacing dips a bit in the middle, but the extra length gives more room for Murderbot’s inner conflict and existential dread to unravel in real time, with plenty of media references and dry commentary along the way.

The return of ART was an absolute highlight. Their definitely-not-a-friendship continues to be one of the most chaotic and unexpectedly heartfelt parts of the series. There’s more action, more reluctant emotions, and a bit more chaos than usual — and I loved watching Murderbot forced even further out of its comfort zone. It’s a strong entry that feels like a natural progression, even if it’s not quite as tight as the novellas. Still: Murderbot being annoyed while low-key saving everyone? Always worth it.