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robertrivasplata 's review for:

System Collapse by Martha Wells
4.25
adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Maybe the purest sequel of the Murderbot series. Although it doesn't have the largest cast of characters of the series, since it's picking up right where Network Effect leaves off, with Murderbot integrated into two different social groups, we still have to keep track of everyone and remember who they are and what they're doing. Features scheming corporate types, big mysterious derelict spaces, other artificial intelligences, battles, and of course robot anxiety. System Collapse makes the hypercapitalist political-economic system of the Corporate Rim universe seem unstable, even before a character comes out and suggests just that in the last chapter. The ease with which various artificial intelligences pass the Turing Test suggests that the Corporate Rim is ripe for takeover at the hands of a Mycroft-type supercomputer.  Definitely sets up some potential sequels, which I am here for. I think I'd most like to see another Murderbot espionage book, or maybe a Murderbot First contact story. Of course with Murderbot now being a streaming series, other IP crossovers (e.g. Murderbot vs Predator, Murderbot and the Guardians of the Galaxy, etc) seem increasingly likely.