Murderbot is the most innovative book series I've come across in a while, and I have been smashing my way through it (twice, actually, as I'm also following my partner's audiobook listening) because I just cannot get enough.

The protagonist is such a breath of fresh air and the most relatable person I've ever read (disclaimer: yes, I do have that diagnosis), and its dry sense of humour is exactly my taste. It is clever and capable but believably flawed and short-sighted on particular issues, and of course hilariously dour and awkward. Kevin Free is an excellent narrator and totally nails the audiobook on that front.

I have heard critiques that Wells included too many characters in ASR and that they blurred together, and I can see that, especially for audiobook listeners. However, I didn't find it detracted from my experience as I felt the main focus was on SecUnit's internal world and character development, which was plentiful.

The world-building is solid and self consistent, and Wells makes good use of SecUnit's dry observations and painfully awkward conversations to provide political/technological/geographical information that informs the plot and the characters' decisions without feeling like an info-dump. The setting is somewhat bleak and dystopian (Outer Worlds, anyone?), but the humanity of the characters balances it out and kept me feeling invested and hopeful.

The plot is interesting and fuelled by excellent pacing and tension. The smart characters are actually smart (rarer than I would like tbh) and I really enjoyed the themes and ethical questions woven very smoothly through the narrative.

If you are an efficient, socially anxious overperformer who has very particular habits and comforts, I think you will very much enjoy this book.