The Network Effect by Martha Wells

My second book for August was The Network Effect by Martha Wells. The book is the fifth in a series called The Murderbot Diaries. I read the first book--All Systems Red--and the second book--Artificial Condition--in April of 2023, third book--Rogue Protocol--in September of 2023 and the fourth book--Exit Strategy--in November of 2023.

I started reading the series because this book won the 2021 Hugo Award for Best Novel. It also won the 2020 Nebula Award for Best Novel and 2021 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.

The novel begins with Murderbot and the humans it protects being kidnapped. They encounter ART, an old acquaintance and friend, who is in dire need of help. The story delves into corporate politics and the dangerous world of space exploration. The group encounters an alien entity that poses a significant threat to their survival.

After finishing the third and fourth novellas, I said that Murderbot's ability to hack any and all systems to work its way out of any situation has gotten to be too much for me. This is a better book. It is longer and the plot is more complex. There is a mystery driving the plot. I enjoyed it. Although I said that I wouldn't, I am probably going to read the next book in the series.