 | Winner of the Hugo and Locus awards, Artificial Condition is the second installment in the Murderbot Diaries. There are fewer characters than the first novella, All Systems Red, giving this story a tighter focus. Its greatest strength (in addition to exploring Murderbot’s fascinating character), is the author’s description of setting: such as abandoned mining tunnels covered in luminescent graffiti. |
Murderbot transits to a mining colony on a sentient vessel it christens ART (Asshole Research Transport). Their interactions are the most satisfying relationship in the story, highlighting Murderbot’s compassion and social ineptitude.
Murderbot has vague memories of a massacre in the mines and wants to know whether or not it acted voluntarily. ART is curious and wants to help solve the mystery.
There are a trio of young humans making poor choices, a sexbot desperate to escape indenture, and a criminal boss who woefully underestimates Murderbot. The human trio wasn't memorable, and could’ve probably served the same story purpose as one individual. The sexbot was interesting enough to warrant an appearance in a future book (I hope).
The violent climax is set up well, and ART plays a critical role with the resolution, but I didn’t find the ending as compelling as the first novel. Although the main conflict is resolved, the ending felt like a set-up for the next book, which I always find annoying.
That being said, I've already ordered the next two books in the series from the library!
Murderbot has vague memories of a massacre in the mines and wants to know whether or not it acted voluntarily. ART is curious and wants to help solve the mystery.
There are a trio of young humans making poor choices, a sexbot desperate to escape indenture, and a criminal boss who woefully underestimates Murderbot. The human trio wasn't memorable, and could’ve probably served the same story purpose as one individual. The sexbot was interesting enough to warrant an appearance in a future book (I hope).
The violent climax is set up well, and ART plays a critical role with the resolution, but I didn’t find the ending as compelling as the first novel. Although the main conflict is resolved, the ending felt like a set-up for the next book, which I always find annoying.
That being said, I've already ordered the next two books in the series from the library!
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