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System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries, 7) Hardcover – November 14, 2023

by Martha Wells (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,383 ratings
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
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A New York Times Bestseller.
A Washington Post Bestseller.
A USA Today Bestseller.

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment in Martha Wells's bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series.

Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast!

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.

The Murderbot Diaries
All Systems Red
Artificial Condition
Rogue Protocol
Exit Strategy
Network Effect
Fugitive Telemetry
System Collapse

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Previous page
  1. Book 7 of 7
    The Murderbot Diaries
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Tordotcom
  5. Publication date
    November 14, 2023
  6. Dimensions
    5.35 x 0.85 x 8.35 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1250826977
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1250826978
  9. See all details
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Popular Highlights in this book
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Previous page
  1. So the next time I get optimistic about something, I want one of you to punch me in the face.
    Highlighted by 522 Kindle readers
  2. You’re stalling, ART-drone said. I am not. I can stand here and be useless without any ulterior motives, thanks.
    Highlighted by 496 Kindle readers
  3. At least it was making me nervous for a survival-based reason instead of … redacted.
    Highlighted by 268 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells NPR quote
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells The New York Times review
The Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells The New York Times N.K. Jemisin quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

An Indie Next Pick!

A LibraryReads Hall of Fame Pick!

“If you need something light, a little violent and laugh-out-loud hilarious, dive into this series: You may find that you have more in common with Murderbot than you think.” ―Liz Braswell, The Wall Street Journal

“Readers won't miss the wall-to-wall action that defined the series from its beginning. The characters and the world building remain engrossing and rewarding.” ―Booklist, starred review

Praise for The Murderbot Diaries

“I love Murderbot!” ―Ann Leckie

“The most heartwarming action-packed literally explosive space opera I've enjoyed in a long time. Martha Wells is the best writer of loveable snarky gender-subversive killing machines out there!” ―N. K. Jemisin

“We are all a little bit Murderbot.”―NPR

“I might have a little bit of a thing for a robot. Its name is Murderbot... Network Effect [is] great.” ―Wired

“I can think of no better company than this paranoid android.” ―The New Scientist

“Murderbot, with its on-point observations and addictive interior monologues, is easily one of my favorite characters in SF... Highly recommended.” ―Charles de Lint for Fantasy & Science Fiction

“I could read about Murderbot all week.” ―Locus

About the Author

MARTHA WELLS has written many novels, including the New York Times and USA Today-bestselling Murderbot Diaries series, which has won multiple Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Alex Awards. Other titles include Witch King, City of Bones, The Wizard Hunters, Wheel of the Infinite, the Books of the Raksura series (beginning with The Cloud Roads and ending with The Harbors of the Sun), and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer, as well as YA fantasy novels,short stories, and nonfiction.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tordotcom (November 14, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250826977
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250826978
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 0.85 x 8.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,383 ratings

About the author

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Martha Wells

Martha Wells

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Martha Wells has been an SF/F writer since her first fantasy novel was published in 1993, and her work includes The Books of the Raksura series, The Death of the Necromancer, the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy, The Murderbot Diaries series, media tie-in fiction for Star Wars, Stargate: Atlantis, and Magic: the Gathering, as well as short fiction, YA novels, and non-fiction. She has won Nebula Awards, Hugo Awards, and Locus Awards, and her work has appeared on the Philip K. Dick Award ballot, the BSFA Award ballot, the USA Today Bestseller List, and the New York Times Bestseller List. Her books have been published in twenty-two languages.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
11,383 global ratings
I totally dig Murderbot because *redacted*
5 Stars
I totally dig Murderbot because *redacted*
I am not sure what it says about me that I totally relate to the inner monologue of an anxious bot/ organic construct that refers to itself in the third-person as "Murderbot." Probably nothing good. Maybe I shouldn't admit to the internet that I identify with a (probably emotionally-compromised) rogue security unit, but here we are.Even if you now doubt my book-recommending ability, I suggest you read this book anyway.I'm not sure I can explain why I like "System Collapse" and the Murderbot diaries – I'm not the New York Review of Books (and thank goodness for that because it recommends far too many books with sad endings and who needs that. Not me.)I guess I like Murderbot 8 because I relate to Murderbot, who would rather sink into the fictional world of serial media than face reality. Which is kinda what I do when I read Murderbot instead of whatever it was I was supposed to do today. I also like the plots of corporate space villainy and galactic intrigue that are somehow both believable and unrealistic (in a good way); and how Murderbot, along with a ragtag misfit group thrown together by circumstance, overcomes corporate treachery & evildoing.I'm also a big fan of the not-a-relationship between Murderbot and the sarcastic artificial intelligence known as ART. Would it be corny to say I "ship" Murderbot and ART (in a queerplatonic way) when ART is literally a ship? Maybe. Let's pretend I didn't say that. Let's pretend I said something clever & insightful about the witty repartee between them (like the kinda thing an NYT columnist would say, but not as condescending). If you like science fiction, I recommend this book. If you don't like science fiction, then I recommend that you give this book a try anyway (also what is wrong with you, did someone make fun of you for reading sci-fi or call you a nerd and now you don't want to admit to liking "genre" fiction? [And what is "genre" fiction anyways other than books that don't have stupid ambiguous endings that are emotionally unsatisfying. Reality is unsatisfying enough without adding sad books where the protagonist dies at the end or something.] You should just enjoy reading good books without worrying about what others think.)Anyways. I liked "System Collapse" and I hope you will too.
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Top reviews from the United States

Person Leaving Feedback
5.0 out of 5 stars Won't regret reading
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a nice light read. The whole series is enjoyable and fun. It will keep you wanting more. If you enjoy a sarcastic, tell it like it is main character, that kicks butt, you can't go wrong with murderbot.
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Lew k.
4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good.
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
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I’ve enjoyed all of these books so far but they might just be petering out. I can’t put my finger on it exactly but this one just didn’t hold my interest as well as the prior books. Felt a bit convoluted and contrived I guess.
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Rena McGee
5.0 out of 5 stars Murderbot is having problems with [redacted]
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
System Collapse takes place not long after the events of Network Effect. The University of Mihira and New Tideland (with the assistance of Preservation) is attempting to extricate the surviving colonists from the planet and from being carted off into indentured servitude by the Barish-Estranza corporation.

The book opens up with Murderbot on the planet and attempting to take down feral agricultural bots. (And we know how much Murderbot loves being on planets.) The situation goes downhill from here, as the surviving colonists reveal that a group of colonists separated from the other factions and have been out of contact for years. Murderbot ends up with the team going out to make contact. (Or alternatively, seeing if the separatists are even alive.)

This leads to good news and bad news. The good news is that the separatists are both alive and have not been infected with toxic alien remnants. The bad news is that a team from Barish-Estranza has gotten there first, and is attempting to manipulate the separatists into signing up for slave labor while smearing the University. (Your silver lining: The separatists don't trust the corporation any more than they trust the University representatives. This is also the lead lining.)

System Collapse is a tightly written story, with lots of dramatic tension as Murderbot and company try to find a way to save the colonists from corporation control. There are also moments of humor--that turned down the tension just a little before it started ramping up again. Murderbot ends up stretching his skill sets in interesting ways in this book and continues to be Very Good At Its Job, even while dealing with redacted.

This was a fast-paced read, with lots of fun character moments. This was another great installment in the Murderbot series and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

This review is based on a galley of the book that I received via NetGalley.
7 people found this helpful
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Michael Lynn McGuire
5.0 out of 5 stars Book number seven of a seven book series of science fiction novellas and full length novels
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
Book number seven of a seven book series of science fiction novellas, short stories, and full length novels. However, this is the sequel to book number five, "Network Effect", of the seven book series according to series chronological date. I read and reread the well printed and well bound hardcover published by Tor in 2023 that I bought new from Amazon.

Murderbot and several of the Preservation Colony people are still in the unmapped system with the colonists from forty plus years ago on the partially terraformed planet. They have decided to help the colonists become free and own their planet as the original corporation has gone bankrupt. However, the Barish-Estranza Corporation people are still trying to enslave the colonists and take the planet. And, Murderbot is now sharing its hack to shut down the SecUnit governor with other SecUnits.

BTW, when you run across *Redacted*, keep on going. There is an explanation and it is not good. Time will tell how this affects Murderbot.

Murderbot is a SecUnit, similar to a T-800 Terminator with a cloned and severely modified human brain. The brain is supplemented by the AIs in the cpu embedded in its head. There are lungs, there is a blood mixture with a synthetic, there is human skin over the entire body, there is a face, there is hair on the head and eyebrows. Everything else is machine. Somehow, the blood is enriched with electricity as there is no stomach or intestines. But, there are arteries and veins to keep the skin and brain alive. It has a energy gun in each arm and several cameras. The SecUnit can sustain severe damage to everything but the head and still survive.

There is a personal MedSystem that continuously monitors the health of the SecUnit and gives constant updates to the SecUnit. And controls the clamps on the various arteries and veins throughout the torso and extremities of the SecUnit in case of damage. And shuts down the SecUnit in case of total system failure. Or reboots the SecUnit if needed.

There is a personal SecSystem that has a threat awareness module that continuously updates the SecUnit on any and all threats it perceives. And monitors and controls up to thirty drones.

There is a Governor that monitors what the SecUnit is doing versus the current orders (verbal or embedded) and punishes it using pain sensors in the human brain until it complies. And the governor will fry the brain of the SecUnit when if it leaves the vicinity of the controlling authority or the controlling authority leaves vicinity of the SecUnit.

Murderbot is a self named SecUnit due to an unfortunate circumstance with 57 miners on a remote moon. It has hacked its governor and no longer allows the governor to give it orders or inflict pain. It prefers to internally watch its 35,000 hours of downloaded media such as episodes of "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon" and "WorldHoppers (aka Stargate)". Even though it has a face, it does not like to interface with humans, yes, very introverted. It will follow human orders if it sees fit to do so.

Murderbot is an incredibly interesting character. It handles horrible situations easily and personal interactions difficultly. Like I said, interesting.

Warning: There is violence and death in the books. Books one through four are a series of novellas, not regular length books. Book five is a regular length novel, book six is back to the novella, and book seven is a full length novel. You can buy a collection of the first four hardbacks at a nice discount.

My rating: 6 out of 5 stars
23 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

D. Shanks
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant this never gets old
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2023
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I just hope there are more of these. As usual humorous, exciting and imaginative, and quite a compulsive read, hard to put down
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Perceptive Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Murderbot Rules. Again.
Reviewed in India on December 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
This has been a painful read. I am not talking about the writing style, or plot, or characterisations. Those were awesome, especially once we get to understand exactly what the author wishes to show us. But I am talking about the major issue which is...
Redacted?
Nah! I should be honest about it. This book is about trauma, and loss, and endurance, and eventual rise. Once again our beloved Murderbot has shown us how to deal with these very real issues. Once again he has proved that, even after so much of loss, one has to go ahead. One must go ahead.
But I am going about all these in a very bad manner. Emotional impact of the novel. Forgive me.
This novel begins right after the events and storyline of 'Network Effect'. Hence that one, and all the previous ones, should be read before this one is picked up.
We find that the alien contamination was not that easily containable. Under such hazardous circumstances, the PUMNT, with due diligence on part of ART, has been trying to persuade the colonists away from becoming indentured labour under the B-E Corporation. But there are lots of trust issues. And then we get to know about another group of people living in a black-out zone, whose voice matters very significantly with respect to the future of the colonists. So a mission is undertaken to that area to contact them. Then...
Yes, the colourful language of Murderbot is absolutely appropriate to describe the subsequent events. Going full-ART under those circumstances would have been totally justified. But Murderbot and ART and others deal with the situation in a way that we have come to expect from this series. The ending was so bittersweet that I felt like...
Redacted.
Just read the book, OK?
Highly recommended.
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anja lüders
3.0 out of 5 stars What happened?
Reviewed in France on December 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
First, I love Murderbot. Martha Wells thought up an ingenious character. I have read all the books in the series with immense pleasure, and couldn't wait for the next in the series to be published.

Now here it is "System Collapse" - and I am having a hard time with it. It is not an easy read, and I find myself fastforwarding Murderbot's continued tiresome selfassessment and confusing dialogs of too many characters involved and mingled with Murderbots thoughts.

I remain a fan of Martha Wells. Maybe this time she was trying to hard to outdo herself. I symphatize - Murderbot was a stroke of genius - hard to outdue yourself everytime.
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Kindle-Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars very good next book in this series
Reviewed in Germany on November 18, 2023
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The main character is confronted with further consequences of being a being. Murderbot gains another aspect of self by facing the challanges posed by the planet, the different groups of humans it has to interact with and decisions it has to make.
The book is well worth the wait, the money and the time spent reading it. Now the waiting begins anew… 🙂🙃
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Otilia
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in Australia on April 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
A little bit slow to start with compared to the previous books in the series. Would love to know what happens to Three.
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