Fugitive Telemetry (Murderbot Diaries, #6)

by Martha Wells

[Quirky Cat]

Yes! More Murderbot! I have to admit that The Murderbot Dairies has easily become one of my favorite series. Don't believe me? I've been listening to the audiobooks (on a loop) for the past few weeks. Who would have thought that Murderbot could help me with my anxiety?

Fugitive Telemetry is the sixth novella in this amazing series written by Martha Wells. And if you haven't read/heard of this series before now, you really need to check it out. It features a sarcastic SecUnit (think part bot/part human guard) and all of the graphic trouble they have to get their humans out of.

Summary:

The unthinkable has happened. A dead body has been found on Preservation Station. Okay, that's really only unthinkable for the humans on the station – Murderbot expected violence to happen at some point.

The station is woefully unequipped to deal with a murder investigation, so Murderbot is forced to join in and help solve the case. Yes, that does mean they have to interact with humans. No, they're not exactly thrilled about it.

Review:

I'm going to be upfront here: I read Fugitive Telemetry, sat there for a minute, and then immediately picked it back up and read it again. I love it that much. This is a fantastic addition to The Murderbot Diaries, and it made me want more (I know, I'm so greedy).

This novella has everything that fans (myself included) have come to expect: murder, combat, sarcastic SecUnits, concerned humans, and the works. Throw in the fact that Murderbot has to work with humans (as opposed to merely protecting them), which adds a lot to the narrative.

I'd like to think it's also helping Murderbot grow as a person and character. I'm seeing how life on Preservation Station could work for them. At least, I hope it will work out as I think it is.

What got me (on top of all the other details I loved) had to be the bot interactions in this novella. Finally! A chance to see what a free bot looks like on Preservation Station (I'm not counting Murderbot because I don't think it would either). This was not only interesting, but it set up the conclusion of the novella. I'm certain that that is the reason why the ending gave me chills. It was brilliantly done.

Once again, I am blown away by Martha Wells' writing. I love the world and characters she created here, and I sincerely cannot wait to see what comes next. Yes, I know that will be a little ways off. I can deal with it.

Highlights:
Cyberpunk meets Solarpunk
Rogue Android/SecUnit
Sarcastic Characters
Space Adventures
Artificial Intelligence

Graphic Audio Review

Wow, I can't believe Graphic Audio is almost caught up with The MurderBot Diaries already! (Side note: what should I listen to next?). Fugitive Telemetry is the sixth novella in the series. It's also the first one that's set on Preservation Station.

Yeah, it's perfect if you've been dying to see more about MurderBot's life with its favorite (and not-so-favorite) humans. Obviously, the voices are a huge part of the Graphic Audio adaptation, and I think they did a pretty solid job of it. There were many bots this time, so it's always fun seeing how they interpret those.

That said, I wish they would deviate from their trend of hiring female voices for their bots and AI. Once or twice is a coincidence, but at this point, it's a trend. I would have loved to hear a deeper voice for Jolly Baby!

Still, all things said and done, I did enjoy this interpretation. They really got MurderBot's sarcasm and panic in equal measures. This version does a great job of making the stakes feel real, which I appreciate.

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