RTFB 62: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

RTFB is a feature where we push our favorite reads that just aren't getting enough attention, or in some cases where we can't write a normal review because we just want to fangirl squee.

We're also opening it up to anyone who would like to guest post. Do you have a book that you just LURVED but feel like it's not getting the play it deserves? Email us to let us know and we'd be THRILLED to have you post about it here! Especially if its something we haven't reviewed yet - that's even better (but not necessary!)

If you're interested email goldiloxandthethreeweres@gmail.com

Read This F@!%ing Book 62:

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

I've been trying to figure out the best way to review this series for a couple weeks now because all I can do is fangirl over how good it is and not in a coherent enough manner for a review. Then it hit me the other night that I can do a Read This F@!%ing Book post about it!

I know I've said this about a ton of sci-fi books from last year but The Murderbot Diaries is one of those sci-fi series that has reminded me of why I love the genre so much! The series is about an AI that is part-synthetic, part-organic intelligence, aka a SecUnit, that has been rented out as part of a corporate package to a survey team as their security and when things go south later, MurderBot is pretty much the only thing that’s going to keep the team alive. The subsequent novellas follow our favorite SecUnit as they're pulled into various adventures while traversing inhabited space.

One of the things I love about this series is that takes on the classic commentary about AIs and their sense of self but this time the perspective we get is from that of an AI. And not just any AI. we get one that has... well, issues. I will admit that there’s a strong temptation to quote liberally from all four of these novellas and I will resist as much as possible but some of Murderbot's internal commentary is too poignant and hilarious to not quote.

Murderbot is the Best Non-Human Protagonist You'll Ever Read

Murderbot has quickly entered the domain of one of my favorite characters ever. One of the things I love about them is that they hacked their own coding to completely become a free agent but they still end up doing the job they were were initially created for. All while pretending they hadn't hacked their coding. I also love that Murderbot is unashamedly cranky and awkward while being vocal about how dumb humans are and actively nursing an addiction to TV dramas. But in the end, they still care about the humans that are in their care even though they would rather be left alone to watch the media they've downloaded from the entertainment feeds. The interplay between their ambivalence towards humans, and their persistent, frustrating desire to protect them from themselves is amazing! And I kind of love that as well as the fact that for a scary SecUnit, Murderbot has an anxiety disorder.

“So, I’m awkward with actual humans. It’s not paranoia about my hacked governor module, and it’s not them; it’s me. I know I’m a horrifying murderbot, and they know it, and it makes both of us nervous, which makes me even more nervous. Also, if I’m not in the armor then it’s because I’m wounded and one of my organic parts may fall off and plop on the floor at any moment and no one wants to see that.” [All Systems Red]

I love that Murderbot never sees themselves as human and we get to see the universe through the filter of an AI. They can intercept and interpret data and electromagnetic signals, hack their way into a lot of things, and operate at a frighteningly fast speed. Humans by comparison are awkward and unable to keep up. The frustration and exasperation they feel because of the humans they're protecting is part of what makes this series great.

“As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure.” [All Systems Red]

 

A Series About An AI is the Best Story On Being Human

Individually, these novellas are an intriguing set of adventures. But collectively, they form a larger story about a machine coming to understand what it means to be human and figuring out what your identity is. Murderbot is a non-human seeking to operate in a human environment and having to work to deal with the variety of signals and cues that it gets from the people (and TV programs) around them. They learn to empathize and essentially learn what it means to be human in the process. By the end of the series, they can relate to people and their own priorities and forms meaningful connections while risking their “life” for the people that they come to protect and care about rather than just follow their original programming and leaving them to die. Murderbot’s journey is far more compelling as a result. And like humans, they're just trying to get by in the world and are making it up as they go along.

Murderbot Isn't the Only Fantastic Character
Murderbot is an amazing character but part of what makes them that way is the other characters that act as a foil for their character development. I'll be honest. It was pretty damn hilarious listening to its encounters with its new human crew and their attempts to humanize the wryly grumpy killing machine and how Murderbot responds to such showings of support and empathy.

“Yes, talk to Murderbot about its feelings. The idea was so painful I dropped to 97 percent efficiency. I’d rather climb back into Hostile One’s mouth.” [All Systems Red]

 
The scientific team it is charged with protecting is nicely drama free and full of fully fleshed characters you can't hope but root for. Wells manages to wring a good bit of emotive action out of how Murderbot and its crew respond to each other and those interactions are part of what makes the story so great.

“Gurathin turned to me. "So you don't have a governor module, but we could punish you by looking at you."

I looked at him. "Probably, right up until I remember I have guns built into my arms.” [All Systems Red]

The Audiobooks are Fantastic!
I listened to all four novellas on audio and they were amazing! The narrator, Kevin R. Free, does such a fantastic job of bringing not only Murderbot to life but the whole scientific team they're protecting. I know I would have loved this series just reading it but listening to the audio just made it so much better!

I Need the Novel ASAP

Some of the best news we got this year was that we're getting a full-length Murderbot novel in the near future! I need it in my life and I hope we can see more of ART and some of the other characters we met along the way.

Overall, The Murderbot Diaries are really fun pieces of science fiction adventure with compelling characters and great pacing that are great reads for new and old sci-fi fans. I can't recommend these novellas enough!

RTFB Manga Edition, Vol. 2: My Hero Academia, Vols. 1-10

Today's Read This F@!%ing Book Manga Edition is all about one of my favorite ongoing manga series: My Hero Academia. I was sold on both the manga and the anime when my best friend described it to me as a Japanese Superhero High except way better. I was immediately intrigued. Let's talk a bit about this series, shall we?

My Hero Academia, Vols. 1-10

(Click book cover to go to Goodreads page)

My Hero Academia is one of many series where the anime lead to me picking up the manga. The series is classified as shounen and currently has seventeen volumes out in Japan with the 18th coming out in April. Eleven of those volumes have been translated into English with new volumes releasing every other month in the US.

When I first started watching the anime, it was a story that I never knew I needed in my life until I watched it last year. It's the perfect blend of Western superheroes and Eastern culture. And it is both an underdog story and origin story and I love it! The whole thing is about main character Izuku Midoriya's struggle going from being quirkless (having no superpower) to having to gain control of his quirk to learning how to be the hero he wants to be. This manga is perfect for those in your life who are obsessed with superheroes like I am. The illustrations have a definite comics feel to them while still retaining the feeling of being a manga.

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya, The Underdog Hero We Deserve
Deku is the type of underdog you can't help but fall in love with. When we are first introduced to him, he's a wimpy nerd who has no quirk in a society where everyone has a power. He's been singled out for being different and bullied by those stronger than him. You can't help but root for him to succeed. Everything changes when he meets his idol, All Might. Deku has to work harder than everyone else and it's so heartwarming to see him find friends and to start fulfilling his dream to be the number one hero. One of the things I adore about Deku is that he getting a quirk doesn't change who he fundamentally is. He is still the hero nerd we meet in the first episode analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each quirk he sees.

The Whole Cast is Great!
This manga has a large diverse cast and it is wonderful! I've fallen in love with most of the characters. The whole story revolves around Class 1-A and their interactions with one another. The friendships that form are amazing! And I am totally here for it! It's the best kind of tropey where you've got your rival character, your class president character, your love interest, your pervert, and, of course, your main character who wants to be the very best like no one ever was. All the characters are just so likable in combination with their designs, personalities, and special abilities that it makes the manga feel fresh and stand out amongst other shounen mangas.

Speaking of characters and their personalities, the hero suits and villain outfits are both ridiculous and cool. There is one character who has freaking grenade gauntlets but it works in the context of the story. Each character's suit design fits their personality and quirk to a tee. Did I mention they're kind of ridiculous? There is another character whose costume is badass and it's based off of a tape dispenser. A TAPE DISPENSER. As I said, it's kind of ridiculous but in aesthetic and actual design it works and is completely cohesive.

The Quirks Are Weirdly Awesome
I can't talk about this manga without mentioning the broad range of quirks and powers the characters have. It's become me and my Best Friend's favorite thing to try and guess what each new character's quirk does before it gets revealed. We hardly ever guess right but that's okay! It's refreshing. Some of the quirks are weird but they're also so unique that you can't help but keep watching to see how each character grows into their powers and learns how to do new things with them.

The Anime is Definitely Worth A Watch!
One of my very few complaints about this manga is that the action scenes can sometimes be hard to follow. But that's where the anime shines! The adaptation from the manga is practically perfect and the animation is awesome. I can't recommend it enough. It ranks high in my list of top five favorite animes of all-time. I own an actual physical copy of season one because I love it so much!

RTFB Manga Edition, Vol. 1: Yona of the Dawn, Vols. 1-9

I've recently been getting manga ARCs to review and I've been trying to figure out the best format to review past volumes of the series that have more than five volumes. So I'm going to be trying a Read This F@!%ing Book type format for these longer series. I think it will work great but it will work especially the best for series that aren't completed because I can come back and write another post like this for the next few volumes in the series. So let's see how this works, shall we?

Yona of the Dawn, Vols. 1-9

(Click book cover to go to Goodreads page)

Today, I'm going to be reviewing one of my most favorite manga series ever, Yona of the Dawn. This is the first in a long line of series where the anime is what inspired me to pick the manga up.  

Yona is a shoujo manga that currently has twenty-five volumes out in Japan of which ten of those have been translated to English. The current translation release schedule is such that we get a new volume every other month.

Okay. I'm going to admit now that I have a soft spot for reverse harem stories and Yona of the Dawn is hands down my all-time favorite out of the ones I've read. It starts out a bit slow and a bit cliche but by the third volume I was in for the long haul. It’s just SO good. And the anime is freaking fantastic!

Best Rendering of a Common Story Trope.

While the story/idea behind this manga is not an original one in the manga world, it is one of the best versions of that idea I've ever read. Yona is the story of a former spoiled princess on the run after witnessing her father's murder. This series is all about her adventures in learning how to fight and gathering the descendants of the legendary Four Dragons to regain her throne. It's full of action, laughs, and a swoon-worthy slow burn romance! The way this manga mixes history, mystics, and comedy is what truly makes it a masterpiece. Add in that subtle touch of romance every now and then and you can't help but be hooked.

The Characters are A+ Awesome.

The story is intriguing but the characters are what makes this anime so great. I adore all seven of them! They are rather lively and likeable, while also being unique and interesting in their own ways. Every character has a different personality, some even being from tropes you don’t see all that often in other series. What I love is that each character has their own story and they only push the narrative and the character development forward.

Yona is pretty much one of my favorite female characters of all time, she starts off weak and fragile and becomes this independent, strong, and caring leader. Her development is done in a such a way that it feels realistic. She's not immediately a badass and has to rely on Hak, who IS a goddamn badass, a lot in the beginning.

I love the interactions that Yona has with Hak and the Four Dragons and the interactions they have with each other! The character development in Yona alone from the beginning makes it worth the read but the other characters also have just as great arcs. *hugs Shin-Ah hard* I could probably write an essay on each of this characters and I'd do it gladly!

Yona and Hak, the Most Shippable of Ships.
Okay. That tagline is a bit misleading. While there are some hints of a romance between Hak and Yona, it's not the main focus of the story. But I am here for it! And that romance is not what I love the most about them. They've been friends since they've been young and they're loyal to each other despite the fact that they tend to drive one another crazy at times. They truly care for each other and will try to protect each other even though Hak is technically Yona's designated guardian. They would do anything to help the other and it's just a really nice thing to see in a manga. I ship it! I ship it so hard!

The Anime is Definitely Worth A Watch!
I watch a lot of anime but I don't often add physical copies to my anime collection. I own both seasons of Yona of the Dawn on blu-ray because I love it so much. The adaptation from the manga is practically perfect and the animation is beautiful. I can't recommend it enough. It ranks high in my list of top five favorite animes of all-time.

Manga Series Review: Finder Deluxe Editions, Vols. 1-5

I've been going back and forth on how I'm going to do these manga series reviews. I've toyed with doing a similar post to our Read This F@!%ing Book posts or to do a series of Really Short Reviews. For now, I've decided to go the Really Short Reviews route with a short manga primer before hand.

So let's talk about m/m romance manga. These manga are frequently called Boys Love (BL) and fall into two main categories: yaoi and shounen ai. Shounen Ai is the non-explicit m/m romance manga and Yaoi is the explicit version. Both of these manga genres are aimed towards women while Bara is the BL genre that is targeted towards gay males.

The series I'm reviewing today falls into the Yaoi category. Something you need to keep in mind about Yaoi is that it perpetuates a problematic trope. That trope being that of non-consensual sex or sex with dubious consent. Way too many of the romances in this genre start off with rape. If that bothers you, Yaoi is not for you.

So let's talk a bit about each volume. My reviews aren't going to be long and will just be a few of my thoughts about them. I will be honest. The Finder series does use that non-con sex trope. I know it's problematic but I can't help but love it a lot though.

Finder Deluxe Edition: Target in Sight, Vol. 1
(Finder Deluxe Edition #1)
Ayano Yamane
Release: June 13, 2017
Goodreads Amazon

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Freelance photographer Akihito Takaba is captured by the very subject he’s been stalking in his viewfinder—the handsome and enigmatic crime lord Asami Ryuichi! The older man ravages him, both body and mind. Does this mean the end for the naive photographer, or will he live to shoot another day?

Review:
This whole volume sets up the initial meeting between our two love interests. It's the story of young photographer who goes looking for a scoop and becomes entangled with a brutal and kinky Yakuza boss and all the problems that comes with this.

I love Takaba Akihito and how determined he is! As much as I like him, he does make some stupid decisions. I've reread this volume every time but every time I'm struck about how mysterious and cruel Asami Ryuichi is and how much I want to know more about him. 

This volume was a good start to the series.

   1/2

  3.5 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: Caught in a Cage, Vol. 2

(Finder Deluxe Edition #2)

Ayano Yamane

Release: August 8, 2017

Goodreads Amazon

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Impulsive freelance photographer Akihito Takaba isn’t one to back down from a challenge. Undeterred by the ravaging his body took at the hands of crime lord Asami Ryuichi, Akihito stakes out the handsome crime boss’s club hoping to get the information he needs to take him down. Meanwhile, rival mafioso Fei Long returns to Hong Kong after his run-in with Asami and reminisces about their time together seven years earlier. What could the future possibly hold for this very deadly love triangle?

Review:

This volume is all about furthering the tension between Asami and Akihito. There's a stake out at Asami's club and the introduction of a character who is going to be a big part of the series later. Fei Long is an interesting yet brutal addition and we get to see more of his back story in the later part of this volume. The world is getting bigger and this manga is getting more and more interesting.

   1/2

  3.5 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: On One Wing, Vol. 3

(Finder Deluxe Edition #3)

Ayano Yamane

Release: October 10, 2017

Goodreads Amazon

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! In Finder, Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Freelance photographer Akihito Takaba has something Fei Long wants, and the crime boss will stop at nothing to get it, including kidnapping the young photographer’s friends! Akihito turns to the only person he can think of for help, Fei Long’s former lover and current rival Asami Ryuichi. But when Asami’s old flame meets his new replacement, sparks fly!

Review:

This volume sees the return of Fei Long and things get really interesting as he targets Akihito for something. Akihito's friends get kidnapped and he becomes the pawn in the game between Asami and Fei Long as he tries to get them back. Things happen and through his reckless behavior Akihito gets himself in the worst trouble he's been in yet. The drama ramps up in this volume and I am here for it!

   

  4 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: In Captivity, Vol. 4

(Finder Deluxe Edition #4)

Ayano Yamane

Release: December 12, 2017

Goodreads Amazon

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Impetuous photographer Akihito Takaba finds himself in trouble again! After pursuing crime boss Fei Long, he’s captured and spirited away to Hong Kong, but not before Asami takes a few bullets during a failed rescue attempt. Now all the despondent Akihito can think of is whether or not his lover is alive, and if so, are Asami’s feelings strong enough to attempt yet another rescue?

Review:

In Capitivy is the main meat of the Hong Kong arc and it is full of pain, drama, and tension. Asami and Fei Long are injured and Akihito has been kidnapped by the Baishe triad. This chapter is much darker than the previous ones but there's a lot of action and plot advancement. There's also quite a bit of non-consensual sex.

This volume was the most gripping of the series so far in my opinion but it ends on a cliffhanger that just about killed me when I first read it in its first English translation. Things don't go as planned but it acts as a killer set up for the next volume. What I loved the most about this one is that we finally FINALLY get some indication of Asami's feelings and I am here for it! It's a problematic relationship but I can't help but ship it.

   

  4 / 5 Stars

Finder Deluxe Edition: The Naked Truth, Vol. 5

(Finder Deluxe Edition #5)

Ayano Yamane

Release: February 13, 2017

Goodreads Amazon

Pain and pleasure collide when a sophisticated underworld boss crosses paths with a naive photographer hell-bent on bringing him down!

This deluxe edition includes never-before-released material as well as a double-sided color insert and special cover treatment! Photographer Takaba Akihito takes on a risky assignment trying to document the illegal activities of the Japanese underworld. When he captures its leader—the handsome, enigmatic Asami Ryuichi—in the crosshairs of his viewfinder, Takaba’s world is changed forever.

Crime boss Ryuichi Asami puts everything on the line to save his lover, Akihito Takaba, from the hands of his enemy. Unfortunately for them, Fei Long has grown quite fond of his captive. Meanwhile, Russian mafioso Mikhail Arbatov takes advantage of the situation to steal something precious. When three of the underworld’s biggest crime bosses clash, will Akihito be the one caught in the cross fire?

Review:

This volume marks the end of the Hong Kong and it was an explosive conclusion to that arc! I could not put this book down! It is action-packed with violence, intrigue, and sexual tension in spades! Asami’s spy has been discovered. The Russian Mafia has come on the scene and asserts their power by abducting Akihito from Fei Long. Asami's plan goes pear-shaped and he proves just how far he is willing to go to get Akihito back. The characters have reached a new level. Now, they all feel three-dimensional and very real. We get the full story from so many POVs and I love it!

But my most favorite thing about this volume though? I am here for all of the Asami and Akihito page time. Asami gets Akihito back about halfway through and we get to see how their relationship has change since they've been apart and how they have grown together. The second half was tender, revealing, and really quite steamy!

Overall, this volume is the best of the series so far! And I can't wait to see what happens now that Asami and Akihito are back in Japan. Everything was wrapped so well in this volume that I have no idea what's going to happen next!

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

    1/2

  4.5 / 5 Stars