After All Systems Red
Autonomous by Annalee Newitz
If Murderbot's sardonic internal monologue felt like finding your people, Autonomous delivers that same defiant wit through dual narrators who'd rather hack their freedom than play hero. Annalee Newitz trades corporate missions for biotech rebellion, keeping the razor-sharp commentary on exploitation, introverted AI charm, and action that pauses for existential dread. This is biopunk with bite: patent monopolies as villains, gender fluidity, and humor that undercuts dystopian weight without softening its edges.