2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Network Effect, the fifth book in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.

Pages: 350 pages

Length: 1 month (September)

Participants: Caterina, Desiré, Rebecca, Beth

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Hi everyone 👋 I am starting the book today.

Oooh a new month, a new Murderbot! I’ll read it tomorrow.

I found there’s a short story tagged as 4.5 in the series: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (The Murderbot Diaries, #4.5). It’s 1.99 on Kindle. I figured I’ve been reading the other books via Kindle Unlimited (so, basically free) so I’d spring for this. It’s OK as a lull between books.

Now, on to Network Effect!

I completely missed #4.5. @Beth- Did you read it? Would you recommend it?

As it turns out, I got so used to these books being novellas that a full-length book felt a little too long.

I thought the last 1/3 of this book was the most compelling part of the story.

I am just not sure that we needed so many chapters to set up the main plot. Both in the last book and in this book, I noticed several very technical chapters (e.g. Murderbot explaining how a ship or a system works). I can appreciate all these descriptions in terms on world-building, but I didn't find it as compelling as Muderbot examining its emotions, being its grumpy self, or interacting with humans.

The interactions between Murderbot and ART were fantastic as always.

Lots of great quotes in this book, but especially this one:

“Just remember you’re not alone here.” I never know what to say to that. I am actually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.”

Caterina wrote: "I completely missed #4.5. @Beth- Did you read it? Would you recommend it?"

Yep I would if for no other reason than it’s only 20 pages. It was from Mensah’s perspective, which I found interesting.

There is also an 8-page “0.5” story called Compulsory. It is not.

Caterina, I completely agree with your thoughts. This could have been at least 100 pages shorter and still been a great story. I don't want the technical info... I want Murderbot and ART squabbling, Murderbot's general grumpiness, and humans unintentionally poking at his emotions.

As with previous books, it's hard to pick a favorite quote. I have literally never read a character I so closely identify with. Here's a top favorite from this one.

(If I got angry at myself for being angry I would be angry constantly and I wouldn’t have time to think about anything else.) (Wait, I think I am angry constantly. That might explain a lot.)