RaveNPRLike the series-to-full-length movie format it follows, everything is a bit wider and a bit heavier, but all the hallmarks of the series are there. We get a return of some beloved characters, more dodgy corporate interlopers, more robots-on A.I.-on-robot...action, and a bigger mystery. But now, with a little more room to breathe, Wells draws out all of those elements in a way that extends the enjoyable experience of the novellas, yet doesn\'t drag. Network Effect is more than twice the size of All Systems Red, but you\'ll come to the final pages and hardly notice ... what makes it all stand out is the way Wells writes Murderbot\'s engagements with the world and the humans that inhabit it. It feels legitimately the way I imagine a sentient computer system that is smarter than all of us — but also watches a lot of trash TV — would view the world ... The other strength of the series is a bit more subtle; it lies in the way Murderbot approaches gender ...This approach continues in Network Effect, with what appears to be the beginnings of a non-traditional romantic relationship that has been bubbling since early in the series, and that I hope Wells will give us more of. And that\'s the hallmark of any good series — it leaves you wanting more. Murderbot and the world it inhabits constantly leave you wanting more, in the best possible way ... Network Effect is a wonderful continuation of the series, and I highly recommend it if you enjoyed the first books. But if you haven\'t read those yet, you really should before trying this on for size. It\'s OK, we\'ve got time. Not done yet? Sigh ... humans.
N. K. Jemisin
RaveNPRThe City We Became...is, in a way, a metaphor for Jemisin\'s success, through her incredible body of work, at redefining the science fiction and fantasy genre—a genre that has long been defined by the tastes and stories of mostly white men. The monstrous forces that threaten the living New York City parallel the forces authors like Jemisin and her contemporaries have fought against for years ... My only real issue with the book is that it comes to a relatively abrupt end. I want to binge on the entire series right now, which is the ultimate magic and allure of Jemisin\'s work. She pulls you into her world and makes you want more; she makes you want to stay there forever ... [the book] is...a celebration and an expression of hope and belief that a city and its people can and will stand up to darkness, will stand up to fear, and will, when called to, stand up for each other.
