All Systems Red by Martha Wells book cover

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All Systems Red

by Martha Wells

156 pages 2017 Science Fiction, Novella 🌶️ Clean Standalone

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The Vibe

A security robot hacks its own programming and becomes free. Instead of going on a killing spree, it just wants to watch soap operas and avoid social interaction. When its human clients are in danger, it saves them — reluctantly. The most relatable protagonist in modern sci-fi.

Spice Check

🌶️ Clean

Clean — Murderbot is asexual and aromantic.

Content Heads-Up

Corporate violence
Action violence
Existential crisis

Is This Book for You?

Skip if you dislike:

Need romance
No sci-fi

Ending: Satisfying with series setup

Pacing: Fast

What This Book Feels Like

Moods: Sarcastic Action-Packed Introspective Funny

Tropes: AI Protagonist Corporate Dystopia Found Family Social Anxiety Bot

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Project Hail Mary

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The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet

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Klara and the Sun

Same AI-perspective literary sci-fi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really 156 pages?

Novella length — can be read in a couple hours.

Why is it called Murderbot?

Self-named — it once killed people on a contract. It doesn't like to talk about it.

Is the series worth continuing?

Essential — each entry builds beautifully.

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