The Hollow Places was my first time reading T. Kingfisher, and while it was a well crafted and eerie story, it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. That saiThe Hollow Places was my first time reading T. Kingfisher, and while it was a well crafted and eerie story, it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. That said, I can absolutely see why so many readers love it. Kingfisher blends supernatural horror with humor and quirky characters in a way that makes for a unique and engaging read.
Carrot (Kara) was a strong lead, and I enjoyed following her through the strange and unsettling horrors she encounters. But for me, the standout character was Simon, his quirkiness and humor brought a lightness to the story that I really appreciated. His personality balanced out the darker elements and made the character dynamics more entertaining.
The story itself was unsettling in the best way, with its eerie atmosphere and creeping sense of dread. Kingfisher does a fantastic job of building tension and making the supernatural elements feel genuinely strange and otherworldly. While it didn’t fully click with me, I still found it enjoyable and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a mix of supernatural horror, weird fiction, and well drawn characters.
4/5 � A creepy, well-written read with great characters, especially Simon! Recommended for fans of supernatural horror....more
Exit Strategy was another strong installment in the Murderbot Diaries, continuing the action, humor, and introspection that make this series so much fExit Strategy was another strong installment in the Murderbot Diaries, continuing the action, humor, and introspection that make this series so much fun. While it wasn’t my favorite book in the series, it was still an enjoyable read with solid storytelling and character development.
One of the main focuses of this book was the development of Rin, and while it was interesting to learn more about them, I didn’t find myself getting as attached to any particular character the way I did with ART in Artificial Condition. ART completely stole the show in book two, and I definitely felt its absence here. That being said, Murderbot is still as entertaining and relatable as ever, navigating its usual mix of combat, social anxiety, and reluctant concern for the humans it insists it doesn’t care about.
The pacing was good, the stakes were high, and the plot kept me engaged. Even though it didn’t have the same emotional impact as some of the previous books, it was still a solid entry that pushed the story forward in meaningful ways.
Overall, Exit Strategy is a good read that continues the Murderbot saga with plenty of action and snark, even if it didn’t quite reach the heights of my favorites in the series.
4/5 � A well-written addition to the series, though I missed having a standout character like ART....more
Martha Wells� Rogue Protocol is another excellent chapter in the Murderbot Diaries series. The development of Murderbot (Rin) continues to impress, wiMartha Wells� Rogue Protocol is another excellent chapter in the Murderbot Diaries series. The development of Murderbot (Rin) continues to impress, with the character growing in new and unexpected ways. The addition of Miki was a delightful surprise, and Miki’s loyalty to Don brought a refreshing and heartwarming dynamic to the story. It’s always great to see these moments of genuine connection amidst the usual chaos.
That said, I did miss ART’s presence from Artificial Condition—the AI's witty, snarky interactions with Murderbot were a standout and a tough act to follow. Even so, Rogue Protocol delivers another gripping adventure, and it definitely builds the excitement for the upcoming TV adaptation in May.
Rating: 4.5/5 A great read for fans of the series and a must-read for those eagerly awaiting the show!...more
After loving All Systems Red, I had high expectations for Artificial Condition, and it absolutely delivered! This book took everything great about theAfter loving All Systems Red, I had high expectations for Artificial Condition, and it absolutely delivered! This book took everything great about the first Murderbot story and made it even better—more action, more character development, and best of all, ART.
ART completely stole the spotlight for me. This incredibly intelligent (and secretly sassy) transport bot was the perfect companion for Murderbot. Their interactions were pure gold—ART worrying about humans in World Hoppers had me laughing out loud, and its unexpected protectiveness over Murderbot made for some surprisingly heartwarming moments. The dynamic between these two was easily my favorite part of the book, blending sarcasm, reluctant friendship, and a deeper exploration of what it means to be sentient.
As always, Martha Wells� storytelling is phenomenal. The pacing is tight, the world-building is rich without ever being overwhelming, and the mix of introspection, humor, and thrilling combat is perfectly balanced. Murderbot continues to be one of the most relatable protagonists I’ve ever read—its anxiety, reluctance to deal with humans, and deep desire to just watch its shows in peace make it both hilarious and deeply endearing.
This was my second Murderbot book, and I’m officially hooked. The series just keeps getting better, and I can’t wait to see where Murderbot (and hopefully ART!) goes next.
5/5 � A fantastic sequel that solidifies Murderbot Diaries as one of my favorite series...more
All Systems Red was my first experience with Martha Wells, and I was absolutely blown away. This book is a perfect blend of action, humor, and introspAll Systems Red was my first experience with Martha Wells, and I was absolutely blown away. This book is a perfect blend of action, humor, and introspection, all wrapped up in a sharp, fast-paced novella that left me wanting more. The storytelling is immersive, the world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the pacing is just right, moving quickly while still giving us time to connect with the characters.
But the real highlight? Murderbot. I have never related to a character in a sci-fi story quite like this. The way it describes its facial expressions, its reluctance to engage with humans, its anxiety in social situations, and its deep desire to just be left alone to binge watch Sanctuary Moon, it all reminded me so much of my best friend in the best way possible. Murderbot’s voice is so distinct, its inner monologue is hilarious and endearing, and despite its insistence that it doesn’t care, you can’t help but see how much it actually does.
The balance of action and character development is perfect. The combat sequences are thrilling but never overdone, and the stakes feel real without taking away from the book’s more introspective moments. Wells masterfully crafts a world that feels both vast and personal, making you care about a character who, ironically, would rather you didn’t.
This was an amazing introduction to the Murderbot Diaries, and I can’t wait to continue the series. And with the upcoming TV adaptation in May, I will definitely be watching!
5/5 � Hilarious, action-packed, and surprisingly heartfelt. Murderbot is my new favorite AI!...more
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