Revisiting 'All Systems Red' by Martha Wells: A Narrative Prelude

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

All Systems Red is the Hugo and Nebula winning first book of The Murderbot Diaries, a 144-page novella about a security android that hacks its own governor module and just wants to watch its shows. On its own, it's a solid adventure. As the start of the series, it's essential.

When I first read "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells, it struck me as a solid, albeit not overly impressive, science fiction novella. However, after reading the next three books in "The Murderbot Diaries" series, my perspective has shifted dramatically.

What the Novella Is About

In "All Systems Red," we are introduced to Murderbot, a self-aware security droid who would rather watch shows on entertainment feeds than have any human interaction. The story unfolds on a distant planet where Murderbot must protect a group of scientists from any threats, all the while grappling with its own burgeoning sense of identity.

A Simple Adventure, Until It Isn't

Initially, it's easy to dismiss this tale as a simple adventure; however, the sequel books reveal that it's so much more. It’s the beginning of Murderbot's quest to understand its place in a universe teeming with human and non-human life, a thread that Wells expertly weaves through the series.

In hindsight, it's clear how the opening book subtly lays the groundwork for what's to come. The characters we meet, the socio-political nuances, and, crucially, Murderbot's internal development, all become more relevant as the series progresses. Each decision Murderbot makes in the first book reverberates throughout the following narratives, and each interaction adds layers to its complex character.

Rereading It After the Series

I reread a few chapters of this book to help me with this review, and I had this realization: "All Systems Red" is much more than a standalone adventure. It's the first piece of a larger narrative puzzle. The subsequent novellas have been more interesting, and the adventure that started in "All Systems Red" gets a satisfying conclusion in "Exit Strategy", leaving room for more adventures of Murderbot.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Adding another half star to my earlier rating and bumping it up to 3.5 out of 5. Not because the book changed, but because the series changed what the book means.

If you're starting fresh, know that the first book is the setup, not the payoff. Read it, then keep going.

If this convinced you to start (or restart) the series, my Murderbot Diaries reading order guide covers all the books and short stories in the right order, updated for Platform Decay.

Quick Answers

What is All Systems Red about?

A security android, part organic and part machine, secretly hacks the governor module that controls it. Assigned to protect a survey team on a distant planet, it has to decide how much it cares when people start dying.

Is All Systems Red worth reading on its own?

Yes, but it reads better as a beginning than a standalone. It's a 144-page novella you can finish in an afternoon, and the series builds on everything it sets up.

Did All Systems Red win any awards?

Yes. It won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards for best novella.

Is this the book the Apple TV+ show is based on?

Yes. Season 1 of Murderbot adapts All Systems Red, with Alexander Skarsgård as the SecUnit. I reviewed the show as a book reader, and the first-person narration is still the part the show can only approximate.