Rogue Protocol (MurderBot Diaries, 3); Martha Wells

After the events of “Artificial Condition”, everyone’s favorite failed mass murdering robot is determined to find the evidence his original crew of favorite humans needs to bring down GrayCris, the corporation that so rudely tried to have them killed. But Murderbot doesn’t actually want to go back and face its humans. It’s much happier helping from afar, with no more interaction with stupid humans thank you very much! Which of course is a plan that goes up in flames in a spectacular way very early on its quest to get answers for Dr. Mensah.

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Of all the novellas so far, this felt even shorter to me than the previous two. Maybe because I am more familiar now with the world and Murderbot’s mission, or my Kindle could be lying to me and it is legit shorter. But this book also didn’t grab me emotionally as immediately as the other two novellas, either. At least not until Murderbot starts interacting with this new group of humans and their “pet bot”, Miki. Just like Murderbot, I needed to have several moments alone to have an emotion whenever Miki was around. There was a lot of growth for Murderbot in this book, along with some more intense action, and a lot more sarcasm from Murderbot, but mainly growth, with it seeing a positive bot-human relationship. The decision Murderbot comes to at the end because of seeing that relationship was also particularly beautiful and so well written! But it did leave me wondering if “Rogue Protocol” and its sequel, “Exit Strategy” were one book split into two. This story feels more like a stepping stone then the others did, which isn’t bad but it does make me wonder. And while I really enjoyed the end of this story, it did take me longer to fall in love with it compared to the other books, which is why I am giving it 4 stars this time, but I am really excited for the next book! Things are really starting to escalate, and Murderbot will have to face more humans soon, which is always a recipe for a good time.