Network Effect by Martha Wells

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

The most honestly human AI security unit is off on another routine-space-mission-gone-wrong in its first full-length novel by Martha Wells. This rogue SecUnit would rather be streaming its favorite downloaded media than providing security to its rather fragile humans, even if it has become somewhat partial to them. Unfortunately, being captured seems to be modis operandi for SecUnit’s missions and this one brings it back face-to-face with its pseudo-creator, ART, who turns out to be the mastermind behind this kidnapping in the first place. Turns out, the Asshole Research Transport, another AI, needed SecUnit to rescue it from a hostile takeover. Alien remnant technology had subjugated a seeded colony whose distress call ART and its crew were responding to before they were captured. SecUnit’s gloriously candid assessments of humans and their predicaments allow for a child-like perspective of what it means to be human. Wells puts an astonishing amount of technical detail into SecUnit’s narrative which can be excessive at times but not enough to detract from the engaging storyline. Readers who enjoy hard science fiction with plenty of wry humor will not want to miss the next step in Murderbot’s evolution.