Last year Martha Wells’ Murderbot series got a boost from APPLE TV+ when they presented the first season of Murderbot (you can read my review here). The new installment in the series, Platform Decay, was just published by TOR.
I became a Murderbot fan the moment I finished All Systems Red a decade ago. And, with each Murderbot novel, eight so far, the character of the SecUnit got richer and richer (and more snarky). Platform Decay is a non-stop romp through a giant torus (think a massive space station that surrounds an entire planet). SecUnit needs to rescue some friends held hostage in the depths of the torus. His mission gets more complicated when he rescues the hostages, but finds he needs to rescue another group of hostages before they can flee the menacing, armed groups on the torus who intend to kill them.
Platform Decay is a thrill-ride you’ll completely enjoy! Are you a fan of Murderbot? GRADE: B+
THE MURDERBOT SERIES:
- 1 All Systems Red (2017)
- 2 Artificial Condition (2018)
- 3 Rogue Protocol (2018)
- 4 Exit Strategy (2018)
- 4.1 Home: Habitat Range Niche Territory (2021) also appeared as:
- Variant: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (2021)
- 5 Network Effect (2020)
- 6 Fugitive Telemetry (2021)
- 7 System Collapse (2023)
- 7.1 Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (2025)
- 8 Platform Decay (2026)
Haven’t yet tried her work, that I recall at this hour, definitely not the series. Will pick up the first sooner rather than later.
Todd, if I run across any of the Murderbot books, I’ll send them to you.
Too kind! I’m sure I can stumble across one, but won’t say no, particularly if the whole package is a few bucks or so.
Todd, I find books by Martha Wells from time to time. Her early work in fantasy is fun to read, too!
We didn’t really like the Apple series much and quit it after a couple of episodes.
Jeff, the first few Murderbot books were confusing and it wasn’t until the third or fourth books where the plot and character started to jell.
I have loved Murderbot! Platform Decay is disappointing.
It seems to be written using designated pattern for a book with little heart.
I have looked forward to each one. I’m sorry I paid so much for it.
Anne, I know what you mean. PLATFORM DECAY goes from one narrow escape to another narrow escape. In the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Martha Wells says it was “another hard year.” That may explain some things…