Side by side
Murderbot vs The Expanse
Murderbot
126 positive (93%) · 6 mixed (4%) · 3 negative (2%)
Trust + time weighted: +90%
AI summary — not a quote
The Murderbot Diaries is a highly acclaimed science fiction series centered on a self-aware, sarcastic security cyborg. It is widely praised on Reddit for its humor, fast-paced storytelling, and surprisingly deep exploration of personhood and agency. While the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, some readers find the series overhyped and criticize the high cost of the individual novellas relative to their length.
Pros
- Humorous and sarcastic narrative voice
- Fast-paced, quick reads (mostly novellas)
- Compelling exploration of identity, agency, and non-binary representation
- Excellent audiobook narration by Kevin R. Free
Cons
- High price point for short stories/novellas
- Perceived as overhyped by some members of the community
- Protagonist's social anxiety and internal commentary can be stressful for some readers
Top excerpts
Martha Wells. *Murderbot*!!
Parent context: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is really good. Narrated by Kevin R. Free Reply: Good books, just started the second, but they are pretty overhyped on Reddit.
I think the Murderbot diaries qualify.
Have you tried the Murderbot series? I don’t know if they are still in the Plus Catalog, but if they are, it could solve your current credit shortage.
I love the murderbot series and have listened to it multiple times, but still have to say, full price for what is basically mostly short stories is a ripoff.
The Expanse
56 positive (97%) · 1 mixed (2%) · 1 negative (2%)
Trust + time weighted: +95%
AI summary — not a quote
The Expanse is a universally acclaimed science fiction series by James S.A. Corey, frequently cited as a gold standard for both the space opera genre and the audiobook format. It is highly regarded for its blend of "hard science" realism, mystery, and epic scale, with many fans considering it one of the best series written in recent decades.
Pros
- Exceptional audiobook narration by Jefferson Mays, described as "top-tier" and "stellar."
- Satisfying "hard science" elements that provide a realistic feel to space travel.
- Compelling mix of genres, including mystery, murder investigation, and suspenseful space battles.
- Consistent quality across a large body of work, including nine main novels and seven novellas.
Top excerpts
The Expanse is really good.
The Expanse series. From the first book, it was all I wanted to do until I’d heard them all.
The ones I DO consider memorable in a stand-out kind of way are: ... The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey
The Expanse (great Sci-Fi with a lot of mystery!!)
I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but I really enjoyed The Expanse series (it's epic), and the Netflix show was great.