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Quick answer: If you liked Martha Wells's Network Effect, try All Systems Red, Fugitive Telemetry, System Collapse, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, A Psalm for the Wild-Built and Project Hail Mary. They share snark, heart and outsiders who learn to care.
Network Effect (2020) is the first full-length novel about Murderbot, a security android that has hacked its own governor module and mostly wants to watch TV. Here it must protect its human friends from a threat while facing its feelings. Readers who love Murderbot's dry voice want more funny, warm science fiction with artificial minds, found families and space adventure. These 15 books fit.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Systems Red | Martha Wells | Adult | the first Murderbot book |
| Artificial Condition | Martha Wells | Adult | series readers |
| Fugitive Telemetry | Martha Wells | Adult | readers who like mysteries |
| System Collapse | Martha Wells | Adult | readers who want the latest |
| The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet | Becky Chambers | Adult | readers who like found families |
| A Psalm for the Wild-Built | Becky Chambers | Adult | readers who want comfort |
| A Closed and Common Orbit | Becky Chambers | Adult | readers who like AI stories |
| Ancillary Justice | Ann Leckie | Adult | readers who want deeper sci-fi |
| A Memory Called Empire | Arkady Martine | Adult | readers who like intrigue |
| Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir | Adult | readers who like problem-solving |
| The Martian | Andy Weir | Adult | readers who like humor and science |
| Children of Time | Adrian Tchaikovsky | Adult | readers who like big ideas |
| Redshirts | John Scalzi | Adult | readers who like comedy |
| Binti | Nnedi Okorafor | Adult | readers who like short sci-fi |
| Space Opera | Catherynne M. Valente | Adult | readers who like humor |
1. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
The first Murderbot novella, in which the security unit protects a team of scientists. Start here if you are new.
Best for: the first Murderbot book.
2. Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
The second novella finds Murderbot searching for its past while helping a young AI. Quick and sharp.
Best for: series readers.
3. Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
A murder on a space station gives Murderbot a case to solve. A light mystery between novels.
Best for: readers who like mysteries.
4. System Collapse by Martha Wells
The seventh book in the series, picking up after Network Effect. Murderbot faces a rising threat.
Best for: readers who want the latest.
5. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
A crew of misfits travels through space on a tunneling ship. Warm, kind and character-driven.
Best for: readers who like found families.
6. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
A tea monk meets a robot who asks what people need. A gentle, cozy novella.
Best for: readers who want comfort.
7. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
A former ship's AI in a human body learns to live in a new world. Tender and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like AI stories.
8. Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
Breq, once a ship's AI, seeks revenge on the ruler who destroyed her. Smart, with a unique take on gender.
Best for: readers who want deeper sci-fi.
9. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Mahit, an ambassador, goes to a rival empire and investigates a murder. A political thriller with a poetic touch.
Best for: readers who like intrigue.
10. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Ryland Grace wakes alone on a spaceship and must save Earth. Funny, clever and moving.
Best for: readers who like problem-solving.
11. The Martian by Andy Weir
Mark Watney, stranded on Mars, has to survive. Sarcastic and fast.
Best for: readers who like humor and science.
12. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Humans search for a new home while spiders evolve intelligence. Grand and inventive.
Best for: readers who like big ideas.
13. Redshirts by John Scalzi
Crew members on a starship realize they live in a bad sci-fi show. Funny and meta.
Best for: readers who like comedy.
14. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
Binti, a young Himba woman, goes to a galactic university and meets an alien race. Short and powerful.
Best for: readers who like short sci-fi.
15. Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
Earth must compete in a galactic singing contest to survive. Silly, strange and sparkly.
Best for: readers who like humor.
How to Choose
If you want more Murderbot, start with All Systems Red or continue with Fugitive Telemetry. For warm found-family stories, read Becky Chambers. For smart sci-fi with AI, try Ancillary Justice. For laughs, pick Redshirts or Space Opera. If you enjoyed the problem-solving, Project Hail Mary is a good next book. A good reading order is the Murderbot novellas first, then Network Effect, then Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse. Between them, try one of Becky Chambers's gentle books for a change of mood. The audiobooks, narrated by Kevin R. Free, are widely praised and make the sarcastic narration even funnier.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the Murderbot novellas first?
It helps, since Network Effect continues from them, but the book is understandable on its own.
What order do the Murderbot books go in?
They run All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry and System Collapse.
Is Murderbot for teens?
It contains some violence and language, but it is generally suitable for older teens.
Is there a TV show?
Yes. A TV adaptation starring Alexander Skarsgård aired in 2025.
What makes Murderbot special?
The narrator is a sarcastic, socially anxious android who would rather watch shows than talk to humans, which makes the series funny and moving.
Which book is best for people who do not read much sci-fi?
A Psalm for the Wild-Built and All Systems Red are short and friendly.