Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“Nobody grabs SecUnits. I hadn’t realized this was a perk until now.”

Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells

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When I read this book in January of 2019 it was my least favorite of the original four (spoiler, it still is), mostly because I didn’t connect with the non-Murderbot characters. To a degree that is still true, I feel less connected to them than I did to Mensah’s team in the first or the programmers in the second. But, on a second visit I think that’s probably by design, as Wells is clearly juxtaposing Don Amene and Miki against those other relationships. There is […]

“I liked protecting people and things. I liked figuring out smart ways to protect people and things. I liked being right.”

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells

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My Murderbot re-read continues with the introduction of my favorite character, ART (which, side note, it has taken me over five years to notice that ART is in the title Artificial Condition). Book two picks up quickly after the events of All Systems Red, with Murderbot having left Mensah and her team to figure out what it wants with its freedom, now that it is off inventory from the company, but not wanting to be a “pet robot”. Quickly, Murderbot realizes it wants to get […]

“It took a tremendous effort for me not to rip his arm off, and I’d like that noted for the record, please.”

All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells

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Back in November of 2018 I joined the cult of Murderbot. After I had read and loved The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers Emmalita and narfna had told me that Murderbot needed to be next up in my reading of contemplative, character driven space opera. I was immediately in love. I’ve kept up with the furthering adventures of Murderbot in the intervening years and had decided earlier this year that I wanted to do a full series re-read before I […]

“The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats. Nor do they have tails. But they are most assuredly dead.”

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djeli Clark

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Bingo 16: Cult This is “cult” in the sense of member of a guild of undead assassins dedicated to a specific goddess, not exactly in the sense of abusive religious or otherwise controlling organization. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is a novella centering on Eveen who is a member of the titular guild of killers for hire dedicated to their goddess Aeril. The undead thing is part of the membership; somehow, when you dedicate yourself to this goddess and her cult, you have to die […]

“Congratulations. You’re evil enough.”

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

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4.5 stars Nowhere Bingo: Takes place during a holiday/holiday season (this is set around Christmas/a bunch of pagan midwinter rites) 362 days of the year, Roman, Black Volhv of Atlanta, dutifully serves Chernobog, the god of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. He just wants a few days of peace, to enjoy his stew, eggnog, and cookies, but it is not to be. One of the infernal paranormal critters that loves him has cleaned out both his eggnog and cookie stash and to make matters worse, there’s […]

Team-building in the woods wouldn’t be my jam either

(Trust) Falling for You by Charish Reid

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Nowhere Book Bingo: A novella Smart Bitches Summer Bingo: The Great Outdoors Yolanda Watson tries her best to be an engaging and motivating English professor, she is well-liked by both her colleagues and her students. However, writing grant applications are not her strongest suit and she is upset that she lost out on a generous grant that could have helped a lot of her disadvantaged students. Samuel Morris knows he’s not popular, and doesn’t particularly try to be either. He believes in working hard, following […]



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