Murderbot Diaries Short Stories by Martha Wells
Including them all together because they are so short.
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory
I read this immediately after finishing Exit Strategy. It was a good, short, companion piece to read immediately following. A look into events at the very end of that book, but from Mensah’s point of view. Definitely worth a read. We love Mensah in this house. Adds some context to conversations that happen in Fugitive Telemetry and Network Effect.
Compulsory
An extremely short prequel to the series. Set sometime before All Systems Red but post-governor module hack. It adds some context to the beginning of All Systems Red, but personally I’d read it after the first 4 book + Home if you are going to read it at all. Part of the charm of All Systems Red was being initially very confused by Murderbot’s narration style in chapter 1, and filling in the blanks. This short was good, but not a necessary read, in my opinion.
Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy
The longest of the short stories. Following ART, Iris, and the rest of the University crew set sometime shortly following Artificial Condition and before Network Effect. I read this after Network Effect but before System Collapse. I think that’s a fine time to read it, or after Collapse. Loved this one. Adds so much context to the ART and Iris/University crew relationships. Also, just absolutely adorable to see ART crushing on Murderbot. Highly recommend reading this one.
