Book Summary: All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells, follows the journey of a self-aware security android known as “Murderbot.” Set in a corporate-controlled spacefaring future, Murderbot has hacked its governor module, giving it autonomy.

However, rather than wreaking havoc, all it wants is to be left alone to figure out its identity.

Things change when the scientists it’s assigned to protect face a threat on a distant planet, forcing the reluctant android to confront both danger and its sense of humanity.

This award-winning novella blends tense sci-fi adventure with thoughtful questions about consciousness and identity.

Book Summary Contents

1 The Main Characters in All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells
2 All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Details & Statistics
- 2.1 Statistics of All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells
3 All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Quotes
4 All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Table Of Contents
5 All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Book Summary
6 About the Author: Martha Wells
7 Attachments:
8 References :
- 8.1 Share:

The Main Characters in All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells

Murderbot (SecUnit): A self-aware security robot that has hacked its governor module. It prefers consuming entertainment media over interacting with humans but shows loyalty to the scientists it protects.
Dr. Mensah: The leader of the research team, compassionate and calm under pressure, who eventually purchases Murderbot’s contract.
Pin-Lee: A habitat construction expert on the team, resourceful but impatient.
Dr. Ratthi: A kind biologist who understands Murderbot’s desire for privacy.
Dr. Gurathin: A systems engineer with initial suspicion of Murderbot but later helps in thwarting the enemy’s plans.
Dr. Volescu: A rational scientist, who stays calm during dangerous situations.
Overse: A certified field medic on the team, pragmatic and observant.
Arada: A gentle biology specialist who advocates for Murderbot’s well-being.

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Details & Statistics

Attribute	Details
Publisher	Tordotcom (May 2, 2017)
Language	English
Paperback	160 pages
ISBN-10	9780765397539
ISBN-13	978-0765397539

Statistics of All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells

Best Sellers Rank:

#11,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#143 in Hard Science Fiction (Books)
#315 in Space Operas
#606 in Science Fiction Adventures

Customer Reviews:

4.4 out of 5 stars (51,485 ratings)
Goodreads: 4.1 out of 5 (267,173 ratings)

Genres:

Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Novella, Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

Literary Awards:

Hugo Award for Best Novella (2018)
Nebula Award for Best Novella (2017)
Locus Award for Best Novella (2018)
Philip K. Dick Award Nominee (2018)
Prometheus Award Nominee for Best Novel (2019)
ALA Alex Award (2018)
Premio Ignotus for Mejor Cuento Extranjero (2020)
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2017)
Blogistanian Globalia (2023)

Original Title:

All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries, #1)

Series:

The Murderbot Diaries (#1)
The Murderbot Diaries – Dramatized Adaptation (#1)

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Quotes

Seriously, I don’t know why I didn’t just say you’re welcome and please get out of my cubicle so I can sit here and leak in peace.
I was also planning to use the time to watch some Sanctuary Moon and recharge my ability to cope with humans at close quarters without losing my mind.
And swimming back, since that was an ocean-sized body of water between the two points on the map. Or drown; I guess they could just drown.
Nobody was touching my humans. To make sure of that I had to kill these two rogue Units. I could have pulled out at this point, sabotaged the hoppers, and got my humans out of there, leaving the rogue Units stuck on the other side of an ocean; that would have been the smart thing to do.
This is how we fight: throw ourselves at each other and see whose parts give out first.
The whole group had been remarkably drama-free so far, which I appreciated. The last few contracts had been like being an involuntary bystander in one of the entertainment feed’s multi-partner relationship serials except I’d hated the whole cast.
I liked the imaginary people on the entertainment feed way more than I liked real ones, but you can’t have one without the other.

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Table Of Contents

Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Notice

Chapters:

Chapter 1: I Could Have Become a Mass Murderer
Chapter 2: Performance Reliability at 39%
Chapter 3: Security Protocols Suggest
Chapter 4: They’re Supposed to Be Able To
Chapter 5: Shutdown Initiated
Chapter 6: I Hate Having Emotions About Reality
Chapter 7: So It’s A Good Thing My Governor Module Wasn’t Working
Chapter 8: Murderbot End Message

About the Author
Also by Martha Wells
Newsletter Sign-up
Contents
Copyright Page

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells Book Summary

Chapter 1:

The story begins with a security robot, a self-proclaimed “Murderbot,” guarding a group of scientists researching a planet. The Murderbot has hacked its governor module, freeing it from direct company control, but chooses to continue its duties while secretly indulging in a vast library of entertainment media.

However, the routine is shattered when an unknown hostile creature attacks the scientists. The Murderbot defends the scientists, sustaining serious damage, and displays unexpected concern for their well-being.

Chapter 2:

Recovering from its injuries, the Murderbot interacts with the scientists and discovers they are surprisingly understanding of its desire for solitude. They task it with analyzing the planet’s hazard report and discovering evidence of tampering. The team suspects foul play as a section warning about the dangerous creature has been deleted.

Chapter 3:

The team investigates a missing section of the planetary map. During the flight, tensions arise as one of the scientists questions the Murderbot about its origins, leading to awkwardness and further reinforcing its preference for isolation. They discover a strange area with unusual rock formations, but the mapping scanner malfunctions. Later, they lose contact with another research group, DeltFall Group, raising concerns about their safety.

Chapter 4:

The team decides to investigate the DeltFall Group’s last known location. During the flight, the scientists discuss the Murderbot’s nature and its hacked governor module. The Murderbot learns that they are aware of its media consumption habits, leading to further discomfort. The satellite feed drops out, adding to the growing sense of unease. They arrive at the DeltFall camp, finding no signs of life.

Chapter 5:

The team explores the abandoned DeltFall habitat, discovering the grisly remains of the research team. The Murderbot encounters a rogue SecUnit that attacks and inserts a combat override module before escaping. The Murderbot realizes that the module will force it to attack its clients, so it attempts suicide by shooting itself in the chest. However, it survives and is brought back online.

The scientists, with the help of the augmented human Gurathin, successfully removed the override module. A tense confrontation ensues as some suspect the Murderbot of being complicit in the sabotage. The Murderbot defends its actions and reveals that the sabotage is aimed at eliminating both research groups. Mensah, the team leader, offers the Murderbot continued protection and a place in their group.

Chapter 6:

The team grapples with the implications of the sabotage and discusses their next move. The Murderbot reveals its plan to retrieve data from drones left at their original habitat to learn more about the attackers. Mensah agrees to the plan, and they decide to hide in a remote location while waiting for the emergency beacon to attract help. The Murderbot learns the true identity of its clients: they are members of the Preservation Alliance, a powerful political entity. This revelation further complicates its understanding of the situation.

Chapter 7:

The Murderbot retrieves data from the drones, revealing the identity of the attackers as GrayCris. GrayCris contacts the research team and proposes a meeting. The team hatches a plan to deceive GrayCris and use their actions against them.

The Murderbot travels to the rendezvous point to negotiate with GrayCris, pretending to be a rogue unit. The plan goes awry when GrayCris captures Mensah.

Chapter 8:

The Murderbot improvises a plan to rescue Mensah and ensure the success of their deception. It kills one of the DeltFall SecUnits and switches armor with it, pretending to hold Mensah captive. They return to the GrayCris camp, where Mensah bargains for their lives. Meanwhile, Gurathin and Pin-Lee successfully trigger the GrayCris emergency beacon.

The beacon launch creates chaos, allowing Mensah and the Murderbot to escape. Back at the company station, Mensah purchases the Murderbot’s contract, ensuring its freedom. The Murderbot struggles with its newfound freedom and the prospect of a future with the scientists, ultimately choosing to leave and forge its path.

About the Author: Martha Wells

All Systems Red The Murderbot Diaries 1 A Novel by Martha Wells — Author’s image source: wikipedia.com

Martha Wells is a seasoned SF/F writer, with her first fantasy novel published in 1993. Her notable works include The Books of the Raksura, Ile-Rien, and The Murderbot Diaries, with her latest being Witch King (2023).

She has also authored media tie-in fiction for franchises such as Star Wars and Magic: the Gathering. Wells has received multiple awards, including Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Awards, and her books have been published in twenty-five languages, reflecting her broad appeal.