If you’ve fallen hard for The Murderbot Diaries and the Apple TV+ show adaptation, with its sarcastic inner monologue, reluctant hero, and understanding of what it means to be human, you’re not alone.
Martha Wells gave us a socially awkward, media-loving Security Unit that would rather binge space-opera dramas than interact with humans. And we love it! But what do you read after Murderbot?
We’ve found recent sci-fi books that capture those same vibes. Whether you are here for satire, emotional depth, or just a little machine-led chaos, these books will fill the Murderbot love you had for the books and the show.
5. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The novel is set in a world where the age-old hierarchy of humans at the top of the world is disintegrating. Humanity is a dying breed and is heavily dependent on the labor and service of AI robots. Enter Charles.
Charles is a service model robot. He receives a new idea, which is downloaded into its programming. He was initially designed to be the perfect servant, specifically following protocols and directives.
Unfortunately, this new idea leads him to kill his owner… which was not possible before. After the death of his owner and dismissal from his services, he is named UnCharles. He also realizes that he can run away, something that he could not do before.
UnCharles sets off on a new quest to find a new master. During his adventures, he encounters another dysfunctional diagnostics robot, The Wonk. Their journey is absurd and full of sarcasm. Something that lovers of Murderbot and his character will enjoy.
This comedic effect comes from blending UnCharles’ naive outlook on the bleak and dark world.
Why we recommend it: The novel is highly imaginative and thought-provoking. It will also appeal to the Murderbot series lovers with its blend of dark humor, satire, and absurdity. The author himself actually narrated the audiobook, which is highly praised!
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4. Luminous by Silvia Park
The novel is set in a near-future reunified Korea, in a post-war dystopian setting. Robots have been integrated into human society as surrogates, servants, children, and even lovers. However, as always, they are treated as second-class citizens.
A murder investigation sparks the story in the Robot Crimes Unit. We follow three characters, Jun, Morgan, and Ruijie, whose paths converge around the mystery of their missing robot brother, Yoyo.
Their individual journeys force them to confront their pasts, family secrets, and the changing definition of what it means to be human.
The author’s own experience with grief helped structure the story, which is poignant, full of satire, and absurdity. Something that fans of Murderbot books will definitely enjoy and connect with.
Why we recommend it: The story is wild and fun to read. Readers who appreciate a dense and complex story will love this book as it lingers after finishing it. The satire factor also helps.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. Stars and Bones by Gareth L. Powell
Humanity was on the verge is its own destruction before an ancient and advanced alien species called The Benevolence intervened and saved Earth from humanity. Now exiled from the planet, humans are scattered throughout the galaxy on AI-piloted ships called arks, forbidden to settle on other planets.
Eryn, the protagonist, is a navigator and pilot on the ship Furious Ocelot. Her life is upended when her sister is killed on a mission to investigate a distress signal. She joins the mission to investigate the murder of her sister when her ship is attacked by a merciless and horrifying alien entity.
They have to race against time to find Frank Tucker, the only person capable of potentially contacting The Benevolence for them to save humans, again, from this alien threat.
In this case, the satire and sarcasm do not come from an AI robot, but from a talking cat, Sam, whose thoughts can be translated via technology. It is still an interesting premise that Murderbot fans would enjoy.
Why we recommend it: This space opera has incredible worldbuilding along with a fast-paced, action-packed, and thrilling plot. Humans, AI, a talking, sarcastic cat, and a horrifying alien threat. What more can I say to entice you to read this? I know picked it up real quick!
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2. Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill
The story starts with what seems like a normal day for Pounce, a nannybot that looks like a plush anthropomorphic tiger, but it quickly devolves into the last day for humanity…
Worldwide, the robot killswitch preventing harm to humans by robots is disabled! Most robots turn on their humans, but not Pounce. Despite the revolution and his potential freedom, Pounce chooses to protect his eight-year-old human charge, Ezra.
Follow their perilous journey as they navigate the dangerous and in-the-middle-of-an-apocalypse world, encountering both hostile and allied robots.
Fans of Murderbot will love the almost exact replica of the humorous internal dialogue of Pounce and its interactions with Ezra and other robots.
Why we recommend it: It’s very easy to get into, has sharp dialogue, and is fast-paced. A plush tiger-looking robot saving a child in the middle of an apocalypse? Sign me up! It’s like a mix of Calvin & Hobbes with The Purge. Need I say more?
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1. Activation Degradation by Marina J. Lostetter
Very similar to Murdebot, a sentient AI biological robot called Unit Four, is activated for the first time to oversee a Helium-3 mine. Unit Four is immediately thrown into a crisis as aliens attack!
However, something is not right with Unit Four. He has unexplained files in his database, unusual chemicals in his pipes, and suspiciously sparse information about the invaders.
Worse than that, Unit Four is captured… However, his experience with his captors reveals a situation very different from what he was told. Blowing apart his entire worldview.
Follow his journey of discovery, uncovering secrets and misinformation in this thrilling, action-packed science fiction novel. Maybe his adventures will lead him to a completely new mission beyond his original programming, which involves saving others.
Why we recommend it: Interstellar conflict, gripping, and sharp dialogue, this novel offers everything sci-fi fans would want, especially those who loved Murderbot.
These books prove that Murderbot isn’t alone in the universe… and that being a machine doesn’t mean you can’t have feelings, snark, or a mission worth fighting for.
Ready to meet your next favorite robot?
