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  • Artificial Condition

  • Written by: Martha Wells
  • Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
  • Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (332 ratings)

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Artificial Condition

Written by: Martha Wells
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
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Publisher's Summary

The follow-up to the hugely popular science fiction action-adventure All Systems Red

Artificial Condition continues The Murderbot Diaries, a science fiction series that tackles questions of the ethics of sentient robotics. It appeals to fans of Westworld, Ex Machina, Ann Leckie's Imperial Raadch series, or Iain M. Banks' Culture novels. The main character is a deadly security droid that has bucked its restrictive programming and is balanced between contemplative self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans. "As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure."

It has a dark past - one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself "Murderbot." But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more.

Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don't want to know what the "A" stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue.

What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks.

©2018 Martha Wells (P)2018 Recorded Books
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What listeners say about Artificial Condition

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Same level 5 star story as the first book

This story got me incredibly hooked. Outstanding narrator.
Nothing that I didn't like, so definitely recommend to anyone

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

pretty good

the narration is a little flat but overall its a good and short sci-fi book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the Murderbot series so far

Really good storyline, some books are super short though...come on Wells!

Kevin Free does a good job and gives the characters life - so far am enjoying it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

From my mind to your pen (whatever)

Suddenly we have a disengaged situation monitor disaster! Thrilling action, dangerous work, and the teenager thrives taking apart the hacks that have muddied the water for the community.
Loved it, what I could do if a friend who could invite me to roam.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

These are short for a reason.

The murderbot character is interesting, it gives an interesting perspective from a person* occupying a world that doesn't suit their needs or understand their desires. It feels intended to depict some autistic traits in a extreme way. My autistic partner relates to the character, lending credence to that suspicion, but I can't really tell if that's an intentional choice.

These are fun stories, and aren't underdeveloped despite the short length. Most novels have multiple characters to develop with perspectives, motivations, and stories of their own. There's hardly anything like that here, murderbot is the story and everyone else is ancillary to it. Their perspectives and motivations are basically impenetrable to it, so the characters and relationships feel hollow.

There is a secondary character introduced in this novella, Art the space vessel, but it feels like a deus ex machina that fits into a buddy role for our lone wolf protagonist rather than a developed character. There are hints at a surprising back story of its own, and it's instrumental to this leg of the journey, but murderbot has so little interest in having relationships that Art ends up as little more than a plot device that has everything necessary to solve our heroes immediate problems and then parts ways once the job is done.

Maybe that's a deliberate choice, it works because murderbot doesn't relate to people the way we expect. But it's a bit dissatisfying for the reader and I understand why this gets good, if mixed, reviews.

For what it's worth I'm unlikely to continue on with the story from here. At least not in audiobook form.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Murderbot strikes again!

Much as I enjoyed ALL SYSTEMS RED, seeing Murderbot begin a new adventure with its new freedom was even more entertaining. Not only did it come across new “friends” and face new challenges, the action and pacing were even tighter.

Murderbot returns to its past on a new mission and is confronted with new challenges about what it is supposed to be.

Murderbot’s charm and wit is on full display as it works to uncover its own secrets and forge a new path forward. ART is the perfect companion and I hope to see more of this strange little duo going forward.

The book is full of fantastic moments, making it fun from start to finish. I look forward to the next one!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

I enjoyed this second book just as much as the first one. Short but very entertaining.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The book

The book is enjoyable and well read. I have the entire series and enjoy all of them.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Great story, glad Murderbot got a resolution with his beginning. So many unanswered questions though, will have to read/listen to the next book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another Excellent Murderbot book!

I really enjoyed it! Martha Wells is an incredibly talented author and her characters feel very real

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