Review: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells

This work’s narrative perspective is the most intriguing thing about it. Unlike the rest of the series, which is told through Murderbot’s sarcastic and media-obsessed lens, Home is told from Mensah’s point of view. This shift allows Wells to explore Mensah’s psychological state as she grapples with PTSD after her kidnapping by the GrayCris corporation and her violent escape. Wells portrays Mensah’s trauma with nuance, capturing her struggle to balance leadership duties on Preservation Station with her inner fragility. Moments like Mensah’s intense reaction to a sudden noise or her reliance on Murderbot’s subtle acts of comfort—such as raising its body heat to soothe her—show Wells’ skill in depicting emotional complexity without being sentimental. This perspective also humanizes Mensah, revealing her as more than the idealized figure Murderbot often sees, which adds depth to their evolving relationship.

The themes explored in Home resonate with the series’ central questions about autonomy and personhood. Mensah’s reflections on Murderbot’s sentience challenge the Corporate Rim’s commodification of constructs. Despite Preservation’s council’s resistance, Murderbot’s determination to advocate for its rights highlights the story’s hopeful undertone: the potential for systemic change through empathy and persistence. The title, which evokes ecological concepts like habitat and niche, mirrors Murderbot’s quest for a place where it belongs, free from exploitation. Of course, in such a short story, these themes are not developed in much depth, and only readers of the novels could appreciate the true exploration of these themes.

Home is a great character study, but it’s a bit too short to be a complete story. It assumes you know about the Murderbot Diaries, so it might not be for everyone. Some important things, like the GrayCris incident, are explained in a way that’s confusing. And there’s not much action, unlike the series that usually mixes humor and intense combat. If you’re a fan of Murderbot’s signature style, you might be disappointed. Also, the writing is clear, but it can feel a bit rushed, and there are a few typos. These are small things, but they do make the story feel a bit unfinished.

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory is a must-read for Murderbot Diaries fans. It offers a unique perspective on familiar characters and deepens the emotional impact of the series. The book focuses on Mensah’s trauma and her relationship with Murderbot, adding depth to the story. However, its short length and reliance on other books may limit its scope. Wells’ ability to explore complex themes in a concise format showcases her storytelling talent. But the story truly shines as a connecting piece in the larger series, rather than a standalone narrative.

The Murderbot Diaries series has recently been adapted as a video series on Apple TV+.