fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Murderbot was an extremely relatable main character, I also would like to spend my whole day watching my favourite shows and don't like people looking at me. The other characters were also good, it's always nice to read about competent characters. And I loved how diverse they were and things like polyamorous marriages were just mentioned in a short sentence, really shows how common they are in this world.
Even though this short novella didn't focus all to much on the wider world building, there were enough mentions of politics and technology and such to show it really is a fully fledged out setting and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series and learning more about it.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, and Body horror
iono's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Medical content, and Blood
quartzier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Medical content
eener's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gore, Medical content, Gun violence, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Blood, Violence, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Classism, and Emotional abuse
twistykris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Definitely looking forward to more Murderbot diaries!
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery, Self harm, Murder, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
helfire124's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, Slavery, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Death
verinvaldez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The plot was okay, but readers miss out on experiencing the climax and I finished the book feeling confused about what the plan of the Evil Team was and what actually happened. I know it is a series so those questions I have are likely answered later, I just get the feeling the only reason the reader doesn't know what happened is because Murderbot didn't care enough to pay attention.
I definitely relate to Murderbot, yet I didn't fall in love with them like so many other readers have. The writing style just doesn't work for me so I don't think I will be continuing this series.
Graphic: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma, Slavery, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Cursing
walkie_check's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Classism, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
robin1010's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The characters were enjoyable, even if most weren't very fleshed out yet. Murderbot was a fun protagonist, I especially enjoyed their awkwardness and how much they clearly struggled with juggling the humans emotions. The humans didn't get as much focus, so mostly were left a bit underdeveloped, but there were hints here and there that the author had plans for them, or that there was more going on. I ended up preferring it over having more time on them, especially given our perspective character's lack of interest or capability in reading humans.
The plot was decent enough and I enjoyed it and wanted it to move forward, but I think it could have benefited from some varied pacing. The whole book feels like it moves sort of at the same pace, and it undermines some of the more tense situations. There were also large parts of it that felt like they were explaining the plot to us, rather than giving us the information to work it out ourselves or showing us how it unravelled, and it really clogged up some of the scenes. The scenes and plot points and writing was all there, but I think another pass from either the author or an editor might have smoothed it out a bit.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Death, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery and Vomit
Minor: Ableism and Panic attacks/disorders