Platform Decay by Martha Wells is the eighth book in the Murderbot Diaries. The series follows a SecUnit, a security robot designed for protection and killing that happens to look human. After a glitch frees it from its programming, Murderbot no longer wants to kill and instead chooses to protect. It has also made it a mission to free other SecUnits.
Platform Decay opens like a Mission: Impossible sequence. Murderbot must infiltrate a planet surrounded by a substation. With multiple distractions happening at once, it finds a way to slip in unnoticed.
The mission centers on extracting members of Dr. Mensah’s family, but there is a complication. Someone on the inside, someone Murderbot knows all too well, is aware of the family and has their own conditions. This makes an already difficult mission even more complicated.
This is largely a solo mission. Three helps at the beginning, but after that Murderbot is mostly on its own. That used to be fine for Murderbot, but it has started to rely more on its team, and that absence is felt.
Murderbot continues to be a fantastic character and does not disappoint. It is clearly growing and becoming more emotionally aware. In this mission, it has to protect an older woman and a child, which leads to some great moments. It was especially funny watching Murderbot get comforted by a child, considering how much it hates being touched.
I did miss the full team, especially ART. ART is still my favorite character in the series, and I love the sibling-like banter between it and Murderbot.
The ending was good, but I felt the situation resolved a little too easily. It concludes with a conversation rather than a fight. The tension leading up to it was very high, and while the book already delivered two strong action sequences, I was expecting one more big moment.
Platform Decay will be released on May 5, 2026 by Tor Books.
Why did I read Platform Decay by Martha Wells?
Murderbot is comfort science fiction for me. I enjoy the character, and I know I am going to get a mix of action and humor. It is one of the few series I have consistently kept up with. The only others are Scythe and Red Rising.
I read Platform Decay early thanks to Tor Books through NetGalley.
Plot Summary:
Murderbot is sent to extract Dr. Mensah’s family, including her wife, daughter, and grandmother. The mission requires breaking into a planet protected by a surrounding substation. Before reaching the planet, Murderbot must first infiltrate the station.
Complicating things further, someone from Murderbot’s past learns about the family. To complete the mission, Murderbot may have to trust someone it considers an enemy.
What I Liked:
I loved Murderbot’s emotional check ins and how they shifted moment to moment. It added both humor and depth.
The interactions with the child were great, especially when Murderbot takes their recommendation for a new show.
The action sequence involving the transport crafts was incredible and one of my favorites in the series, second only to Network Effect. It was intense and carried real stakes, especially with the risk to the family.
Three is really growing on me. His opening distraction scene was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed his banter with Murderbot about acting human.
The plot kept me engaged, with a few twists I did not see coming.
What I Disliked:
The ending could have been stronger. The buildup created a lot of tension, with many moving parts that had to come together. The resolution felt a bit too simple compared to that setup.
I really missed the full Murderbot team dynamic throughout most of the story.
Recommendation:
If you are already a fan of Murderbot, this is an easy recommendation. The story feels fresh enough while still delivering the action and humor the series is known for.
This entry does not feature much of ART, aside from a small appearance at the end, which was a bit disappointing.
If you have not started the series yet, I highly recommend checking it out. I have not seen the TV adaptation, but the trailers look great and I have heard positive things.
Rating:
Platform Decay by Martha Wells
4 out of 5 stars
Ranking From Favorite to Least Favorite:
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