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An Introduction to the Murderbot Diaries and Where to Go From Here

Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries is a critically acclaimed science fiction series centered on a self-aware security unit that has hacked its governor module and developed an independent sense of identity. Though it prefers solitude and streaming media, it repeatedly finds itself entangled in human conflicts and moral dilemmas. With its wry internal monologue and fast-paced plotting, the series has earned a devoted following and numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards.

This page provides an overview of the books in the Murderbot series, information about the forthcoming television adaptation, and reading suggestions for those interested in similar works or other titles by the author.

Reading Order: The Murderbot Diaries

All titles are authored by Martha Wells.

  1. All Systems Red (2017) — Novella
  2. Artificial Condition (2018) — Novella
  3. Rogue Protocol (2018) — Novella
  4. Exit Strategy (2018) — Novella
  5. Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory (2018) — Short story (available online from Wired)
  6. Fugitive Telemetry (2021) — Novella (chronologically set before Network Effect)
  7. Network Effect (2020) — Full-length novel
  8. System Collapse (2023) — Full-length novel, direct sequel to Network Effect

These stories follow a continuous narrative arc and are best read in the order listed above.

Television Adaptation

A television adaptation of The Murderbot Diaries is on Apple TV+. Season 1 has been released and the show has been renewed for a second season.

Additional Works by Martha Wells

Wells is a prolific author whose work spans both fantasy and science fiction.

Novels and Series

  • The Books of the Raksura (Fantasy series)

    • The Cloud Roads (2011)
    • The Serpent Sea (2012)
    • The Siren Depths (2012)
    • The Edge of Worlds (2016)
    • The Harbors of the Sun (2017)
    • Includes short fiction collections: Stories of the Raksura Volumes 1 & 2

  • The Witch King (2023) – A high fantasy novel and the first in a new series featuring political intrigue, dark magic, and an ancient protagonist reawakened to a changed world.

  • The Ile-Rien Universe (Fantasy)

    • The Element of Fire (1993)

    • The Death of the Necromancer (1998)

    • The Fall of Ile-Rien Trilogy:

      • The Wizard Hunters (2003)
      • The Ships of Air (2004)
      • The Gate of Gods (2005)

  • City of Bones (1995) – A standalone fantasy novel featuring ancient ruins, environmental collapse, and mysterious technology.

  • Wheel of the Infinite (2000) – A standalone novel in a world inspired by South and Southeast Asian mythology, centered on a spiritual leader confronting a cosmic imbalance.

For readers who appreciated the blend of introspective narration, character-driven storytelling, and speculative settings in The Murderbot Diaries, the following authors are often recommended:

  • Becky Chambers – The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and the Wayfarers series: optimistic science fiction with a focus on community and compassion.
  • Ann Leckie – Ancillary Justice: explores themes of identity, AI consciousness, and imperialism through a complex narrative structure.
  • John Scalzi – Old Man’s War and The Kaiju Preservation Society: accessible, humorous science fiction with strong plotting.
  • Tamsyn Muir – Gideon the Ninth: darkly humorous, gothic science fantasy with a strong narrative voice.
  • Yoon Ha Lee – Machineries of Empire trilogy: mathematically intricate space opera with poetic language and complex politics.
  • Lois McMaster Bujold – The Vorkosigan Saga: character-focused military and political science fiction, with wit and heart.
  • Adrian Tchaikovsky – Children of Time: a far-future epic that explores evolution, consciousness, and interspecies relationships.