Science fiction · Adventure · Fantasy
Rogue Protocol
The third Murderbot novella. A self-aware security android, still hiding that it has freed itself, heads to an abandoned terraforming facility to dig into a shady corporation. There it meets a researcher team and a friendly, trusting bot.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 160
- Format
- Book 3 of 8 in The Murderbot Diaries
Read this if you want a short, sardonic sci-fi with plenty of action and an emotionally guarded hero.
Skip this if you haven't read the first two novellas, because this one builds directly on them.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Rogue Protocol
- What is Rogue Protocol about?
- The third Murderbot novella. A self-aware security android, still hiding that it has freed itself, heads to an abandoned terraforming facility to dig into a shady corporation. There it meets a researcher team and a friendly, trusting bot.
- Who should read Rogue Protocol?
- Read it if you want a short, sardonic sci-fi with plenty of action and an emotionally guarded hero. Skip it if you haven't read the first two novellas, because this one builds directly on them.
- How long and how fast is Rogue Protocol?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 160 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does Rogue Protocol have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Rogue Protocol for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Rogue Protocol; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Rogue Protocol?
- Readers who liked it often move on to All Systems Red, The Martian, Ancillary Justice.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Rogue Protocol
-
All Systems Red The series' first novella, if you want to start from the beginning of this character's story.
-
The Martian Another dry, problem-solving narrator with sarcastic commentary, working through a hostile setting.
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Ancillary Justice
If the AI's point of view is what appeals, this is a more serious and political take on a machine mind.
Science fiction
