System Collapse by Martha Wells
The Murderbot Diaries #7
Science Fiction
November 14, 2023- Tordotcom
ARC

This is just a fabulous series, that keeps getting better with each new installment.

System Collapse opens with action and Murderbot, who is dealing with PTSD from the events Network Effect, a little bit off and struggling with its feelings of anxiety and fear. ART, Murderbot, and their humans are on a peacekeeping mission of sorts, trying to help a group of settlers on a planet with alien contamination from becoming indentured servants to an evil corporation. It takes a bit for the shit to hit the fan, which is always does, but oh, boy, once it does the adrenaline gets pumping and its non-stop action right up until the end.

This is definitely not a series to read out of order, or to begin in the middle of. Every new story builds on the plotline of the last book. The relationships between Murderbot, ART, and the rest of the supporting cast become stronger with each new adventure. If you’re not already a fan, do yourself a favor and add it to your TBR.

Grade- A

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert
Crimson Sails #1
Fantasy
November 7, 2023- Berkley
ARC

The blurb for this book had everything guaranteed to capture my attention–portals, witches, vampires, and pirates–yet it took me forever to get through to the end.

And I don’t know why.

Maybe the pacing? There was a weird mix of too rushed and too slow, which means I kept closing my copy and opening something else. It can’t be the world itself, which was actually quite fascinating. Katee Robert is one of those imaginative authors who can take any genre, turn it on its head, and make it uniquely her own. In this case there are a myriad of magic users, monsters, all set in a portal world where pirates rule the sea and keep the peace. I didn’t really connect with these two characters as a couple. I was quite meh on their actual chemistry. I’m still meh.

I’m not sure I will continue on with this series. I’m glad I gave it a try, but maybe I’ll just skip this one and focus on this author’s other releases.

Grade- D