The Murderbot Diaries: Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Martha Wells’ Rogue AI Antihero
What if the galaxy’s most powerful security unit… just wanted to be left alone to watch soap operas?
Meet Murderbot – an AI construct who hacked its own governor module and promptly decided that social interaction was worse than death. It doesn’t want to kill anyone (unless absolutely necessary). It doesn’t want to lead a rebellion. It just wants to chill in peace with its serial dramas and not talk about its feelings.
Unfortunately for Murderbot, the universe has other plans.
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is a bestselling, award-winning sci-fi series that’s equal parts snarky and soulful. Told entirely from the perspective of a deeply anxious, deeply sarcastic robot-human hybrid, it explores what it means to be autonomous, to be human, and to just… exist in a world that won’t stop bothering you.
And now, Murderbot is streaming.
The long-awaited Murderbot adaptation is live on Apple TV+, bringing this unforgettable character to screens in all its awkward, introverted glory. But before you catch up on the latest episodes, it’s worth going back to the source – because the books? The books hit differently.
🤖 What Is The Murderbot Diaries?
At first glance, The Murderbot Diaries might sound like your standard sci-fi fare: a rogue AI, shady corporations, planetary missions gone wrong. But it’s not just about tech or space battles — it’s about anxiety. It’s about identity. It’s about a being built to kill who would really rather not be perceived, thank you very much.
The series follows a part-organic, part-machine security unit — self-named Murderbot — who gains autonomy and promptly decides it wants nothing to do with humans… or feelings… or the job it was built to do. It’s not on a quest to destroy humanity. It’s not trying to become more human. It just wants to binge its favorite shows and avoid making eye contact.
And yet, somehow, it keeps getting dragged into saving people.
Written by Martha Wells, the series begins with All Systems Red, a compact novella that became a breakout hit. What followed was a full-blown phenomenon — a string of novellas, one full-length novel, and a shelf full of Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. It’s smart. It’s funny. And it hits you right in the heart when you least expect it.
What makes Murderbot so compelling isn’t just the action or the world-building — though both are great. It’s the voice. The narration is pure dry wit, existential dread, and accidental tenderness. Think Fleabag, if Fleabag were a heavily armed security android with zero desire to participate in your emotional development.
If you’ve ever felt like the world is just too much — too loud, too demanding, too full of people who want to talk to you — Murderbot gets it. That’s part of what makes this series such a comfort read for so many fans.
📚 The Murderbot Diaries Books in Order
Martha Wells’ bestselling sci-fi series, in reading order — with snark, feels, and way too much human interaction for one socially anxious AI.
1. All Systems Red (2017)
📘 Book 1 of The Murderbot Diaries
Meet Murderbot. It’s a SecUnit. It’s hacked its own system. It’s not here to make friends — but somehow, it keeps saving the humans anyway. The perfect intro to this sharp, funny, and surprisingly emotional series.
2. Artificial Condition (2018)
📘 Book 2 of The Murderbot Diaries
Murderbot hits the road — or rather, the cargo transport route — on a quest to investigate its own bloody past. Along the way, it teams up with an ART (Asshole Research Transport) ship and learns more than it ever wanted to about feelings.
3. Rogue Protocol (2018)
📘 Book 3 of The Murderbot Diaries
Things are getting messier. Murderbot infiltrates a derelict terraforming facility, fakes being a security consultant (badly), and — surprise — ends up saving more humans. Again.
4. Exit Strategy (2018)
📘 Book 4 of The Murderbot Diaries
The fallout begins. Murderbot returns to help Dr. Mensah, its sorta-boss/sorta-friend, and confronts the corporation that made it. The action hits hard — but the emotional stuff? Even harder.
5. Network Effect (2020)
📘 The first full-length Murderbot novel
You wanted more Murderbot? You got it. This standalone novel brings higher stakes, bigger emotions, and the return of ART — everyone’s favorite snarky spaceship. A fan favorite, and for good reason.
6. Fugitive Telemetry (2021)
📘 Book 6 of The Murderbot Diaries
Murderbot solves a murder. Like, an actual whodunnit. On a space station. While trying not to punch anyone. This one’s more mystery-flavored, but still packed with the classic voice and sass.
7. System Collapse (2023)
📘 Book 7 of The Murderbot Diaries
Post-Network Effect, Murderbot’s not doing great. It’s dealing with trauma, more messy humans, and corporations still being the worst. A raw, introspective entry that deepens the whole arc.
🚀 What’s Next for Murderbot?
As of now, no official announcements for Book 8 — but with the Apple TV adaptation out and Murderbot more popular than ever, it’s safe to assume Martha Wells isn’t finished just yet. (Fingers crossed.)
🚀 Where to Start if You’re New to The Murderbot Diaries
If you’re just hearing about Murderbot for the first time (welcome to the club!), the best place to dive in is right at the beginning: All Systems Red. It’s short, sharp, and packs a serious emotional punch without demanding a huge time commitment.
The Murderbot Diaries started as a series of novellas, so you don’t need to tackle a massive novel right away. Starting with the first four novellas (All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, and Exit Strategy) gives you a perfect introduction to Murderbot’s world and personality — plus plenty of thrilling action and dry humor.
Once you’ve got a feel for the character, you can move on to the full-length novel, Network Effect, which expands the scope and stakes — and is a fan favorite for a reason.
And if you want a change of pace, Fugitive Telemetry offers a murder mystery twist that’s still full of that classic Murderbot sass.
So, no matter where you jump in, Murderbot’s voice is always worth the ride.
📖 Reading Order for The Murderbot Diaries
To get the most out of Murderbot’s story, it’s best to read the books in publication order — which also follows the timeline of the story perfectly:
- All Systems Red
- Artificial Condition
- Rogue Protocol
- Exit Strategy
- Network Effect (the first full-length novel)
- Fugitive Telemetry
- System Collapse
This order lets you follow Murderbot’s journey from its earliest adventures through to the deeper emotional arcs and bigger stakes. You’ll get all the world-building, character growth, and plot twists exactly as Martha Wells intended.
📺 Murderbot on Screen: The Apple TV+ Adaptation
If you’re already a Murderbot fan, you’re probably buzzing about the new Apple TV+ series — and honestly, so are we. The show started streaming recently, bringing Martha Wells’ snarky, socially anxious AI to life in a way that’s both thrilling and heartfelt.
A special shoutout has to go to Alexander Skarsgård, who brings a magnetic presence to the series, perfectly balancing Murderbot’s dry wit, reluctant heroism, and surprising vulnerability. His performance makes the character jump off the page and onto the screen with all the sass and complexity fans adore.
If you haven’t caught the show yet (or want to dive deeper), we’ve got a whole feature over on our sister site, Pixel Pop Corner — your go-to hub for all things TV, movies, and games — breaking down the series, episode highlights, and what fans are saying. Check it out here: Murderbot TV Series on Apple TV+
❓ Murderbot Diaries: Your Burning Questions Answered
Curious about Murderbot? You’re not alone. These are some of the most common questions fans and new readers ask — and we’ve got you covered with clear, spoiler-free answers.
In what order should I read the Murderbot series?
The best way to experience the story is in publication order, starting with All Systems Red, then moving through the novellas (Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy), followed by the full-length novels (Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry, System Collapse). This order follows Murderbot’s journey chronologically and helps you catch every twist.
Is Murderbot Diaries LGBT?
Murderbot doesn’t identify with traditional human labels—it’s a genderless, asexual, and aromantic AI navigating its own way through connection and identity. These themes quietly weave through the series, making it resonate deeply with readers who identify as asexual, aromantic, neurodivergent, or nonbinary. While Murderbot isn’t explicitly labeled, its story offers meaningful representation for many who see parts of themselves reflected in its journey.
What pronouns does Murderbot use?
Murderbot prefers to be called “it” or by its given name, rather than gendered pronouns. It’s a sentient AI who doesn’t identify as male or female, which is a key part of its unique personality.
Is Murderbot Diaries funny?
Absolutely! The series is packed with dry wit, sarcastic commentary, and awkward social moments from Murderbot’s perspective, making it as hilarious as it is action-packed.
Why does Murderbot call itself Murderbot?
The name “Murderbot” started as a self-deprecating joke — it’s the label given by humans who hired it as a security android. Murderbot hates the name but secretly owns it, embracing its identity while resisting being just a tool for violence.
Is Murderbot a human?
Nope! Murderbot is a sentient security android with a human-like consciousness but not a human being. It struggles with social interaction and identity, which makes its story all the more compelling.
💬 Final Thoughts: Why We’ll Always Love Murderbot
Whether you’re here for the action, the introspection, or the dry, deadpan humour, The Murderbot Diaries delivers something truly special. Martha Wells has crafted a character who doesn’t want to be a hero — it just wants to be left alone with its media feed — and somehow, that makes us love it even more.
This series explores what it means to be a person, even when you’re not human. It’s smart, sharp, deeply emotional in all the quietest ways — and yes, also explosively fun.
Now with the Apple TV+ adaptation streaming, there’s never been a better time to dive into Murderbot’s world. Just don’t forget to check out our sister site Pixel Pop Corner for all the juicy TV talk, including our first impressions of Alexander Skarsgård as everyone’s favourite reluctant protector.
And if you’re ready to start reading (or need to fill in the gaps), scroll back up for the full reading order and grab your copies — because trust us, once you meet Murderbot, you won’t want to leave.
For more out-of-this-world Sci-Fi books, check out the Sci-Fi archives here >>
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