Martha Wells has done it again with Rogue Protocol! This installment in the Murderbot Diaries series cranks up the action compared to the previous book, and I’m here for it. Murderbot’s sardonic inner monologue is as hilarious as ever, with some of the most brilliant fourth-wall-breaking commentary that had me literally laughing out loud. It’s fascinating to watch our favorite antisocial security bot continue to navigate human emotions, inching closer to understanding humanity while still insisting he’d rather not actually hang out with anyone.
The emotional punch of this book, though? Totally unexpected. Without giving too much away, the ending involving Miki absolutely broke my heart. Wells continues to prove that a book about a snarky robot can be deeply moving, complex, and wildly entertaining. I’m giving Rogue Protocol a solid four stars – it’s a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction with heart, humor, and just the right amount of robot sass.