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andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Surprise, surprise! "Artificial condition" is a different animal than expected!(And I love the direction I see it going in the future!^^)
I heard from many booktubers that this second novella wasn't as good as the first one, but I dare to disagree! >..< (I think it depends on what got you in "All Systems Red")
I believe that Martha Wells wanted to create a world for Murderbot to explore why he is the way he is; why he makes choices that he could very well avoid and live perfectly given the setting and how all that speaks to us, the readers....after all, this universe is perfect for someone as him...literary antisocial and hyper-anxious!
<b>I WILL MAKE A STATEMENT! In this moment, my hot take on Murderbot is the following: this character is as much a stand-in for people to recognize themselves in, as he is a way to explore and talk about the human psyche!</b>...only time and reading more in this series will validate my opinion (maybe..>..>..this interesting focus of the story may just be a one-off moment for Wells)
Coming back to the novella, Murderbot makes an interesting decision at the end of the first installment. In this one, we get to meet ART (a rather annoying and emotionally fragile deep space research vessel - according to our MC..>..>) as the protagonist decides he wants to find out what led him in the previous situations and if his suspicions are valid( yey! ^^ we get to see the overarching plot! ^^) -> hence, mistery plotline engaged! Prepare for WARP!>..< (Star Trek reference here...nothing in common with the actual plot, in case anyone is confused..>..>)
Problems that are still there: besides Murderbot and ART, the other 4 characters: Rami, Maro, Tapan and Tlacey; are somewhat stale and one dimensional. If "Artificial Condition" were a novel, I would have had a bigger problem with this, but if we take into consideration the length, the amount of time in which we explore both Murderbot's psyche and issues AND a different character(ART); the well constructed action and intrigue; I will give it a yellow card instead of a red one...after all...it's a novella.(plus, the characters were ok, the interactions believable, AND, most importantly...we see them as our MC sees them...and we get to know and care about them only as Murderbot does...something that mirrors actual human life..we don't get to see highly complex and sofisticated people too much because we really don't care to spend so much time and effort on info that is ultimately irrelevant to us...)
A lovely surprise was the ComfortUnit we got to see and interact with. Not only we have a bigger mistery, it introduced tension in the story with Tlacey and our group of naive researchers, but it also gave us another important glimpse in the society of Murderbot's world!
Now we came to the moment in which i give <b>content warnings</b>: slavery for sexual reasons exemplified through a character entire motif to exist, discrimination based on status and occupation, violence and/or physical abuse and death.
I cannot wait to learn more through Murderbot's eyes! At the end of our side quest with the new humans...MC got some answers..some, it didn't like, and some left him confused as to "WHY?". It also grew as a person and managed to make a reliable connection!
This series seems to enstablish itself (in my eyes) as more world and close-up first person narrative with a big mistery, than plot-driven and high on action.
In conclusion, this second novella is more of a character study and exploration with interesting questions being asked than a mistery solving one, or a high action-high stakes narrative. If you were attracted to the character and world, I think you'll enjoy this one even better than the first! But if you came for the mistery, space action and other things than self-exploration...not so much...I still think you'll like it (based on the premise you enjoyed the first story), but yeah...this one may not be for you.
Before I forget, I switched to audiobooks narrated by Kevin R. Free and I must say I really think this is the way to go for this series!
Enjoy
I heard from many booktubers that this second novella wasn't as good as the first one, but I dare to disagree! >..< (I think it depends on what got you in "All Systems Red")
I believe that Martha Wells wanted to create a world for Murderbot to explore why he is the way he is; why he makes choices that he could very well avoid and live perfectly given the setting and how all that speaks to us, the readers....after all, this universe is perfect for someone as him...literary antisocial and hyper-anxious!
<b>I WILL MAKE A STATEMENT! In this moment, my hot take on Murderbot is the following: this character is as much a stand-in for people to recognize themselves in, as he is a way to explore and talk about the human psyche!</b>...only time and reading more in this series will validate my opinion (maybe..>..>..this interesting focus of the story may just be a one-off moment for Wells)
Coming back to the novella, Murderbot makes an interesting decision at the end of the first installment. In this one, we get to meet ART (a rather annoying and emotionally fragile deep space research vessel - according to our MC..>..>) as the protagonist decides he wants to find out what led him in the previous situations and if his suspicions are valid( yey! ^^ we get to see the overarching plot! ^^) -> hence, mistery plotline engaged! Prepare for WARP!>..< (Star Trek reference here...nothing in common with the actual plot, in case anyone is confused..>..>)
Problems that are still there: besides Murderbot and ART, the other 4 characters: Rami, Maro, Tapan and Tlacey; are somewhat stale and one dimensional. If "Artificial Condition" were a novel, I would have had a bigger problem with this, but if we take into consideration the length, the amount of time in which we explore both Murderbot's psyche and issues AND a different character(ART); the well constructed action and intrigue; I will give it a yellow card instead of a red one...after all...it's a novella.(plus, the characters were ok, the interactions believable, AND, most importantly...we see them as our MC sees them...and we get to know and care about them only as Murderbot does...something that mirrors actual human life..we don't get to see highly complex and sofisticated people too much because we really don't care to spend so much time and effort on info that is ultimately irrelevant to us...)
A lovely surprise was the ComfortUnit we got to see and interact with. Not only we have a bigger mistery, it introduced tension in the story with Tlacey and our group of naive researchers, but it also gave us another important glimpse in the society of Murderbot's world!
Now we came to the moment in which i give <b>content warnings</b>: slavery for sexual reasons exemplified through a character entire motif to exist, discrimination based on status and occupation, violence and/or physical abuse and death.
I cannot wait to learn more through Murderbot's eyes! At the end of our side quest with the new humans...MC got some answers..some, it didn't like, and some left him confused as to "WHY?". It also grew as a person and managed to make a reliable connection!
This series seems to enstablish itself (in my eyes) as more world and close-up first person narrative with a big mistery, than plot-driven and high on action.
In conclusion, this second novella is more of a character study and exploration with interesting questions being asked than a mistery solving one, or a high action-high stakes narrative. If you were attracted to the character and world, I think you'll enjoy this one even better than the first! But if you came for the mistery, space action and other things than self-exploration...not so much...I still think you'll like it (based on the premise you enjoyed the first story), but yeah...this one may not be for you.
Before I forget, I switched to audiobooks narrated by Kevin R. Free and I must say I really think this is the way to go for this series!
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual violence and Physical abuse
mswarning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Medical trauma, and Medical content
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Murderbot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Violence
emilywasbored's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
that’s my emotional support murderbot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Slavery
kjoli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
inferiorwit's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Violence
szuum's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Minor: Medical content
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
*I received a review copy as part of the 2021 Hugo voters packet.
ARTIFICIAL CONDITION finds Murderbot gradually accruing companions/clients, trying to handle a chronically understimulated transport vessel and keep three young and foolish technologists alive on a fetch quest.
I like the dynamic between Murderbot and ART, the main plot is good and the humans are interesting. The worldbuilding expands well on the first book, I like how finally learning the company's name doesn't change anything for Murderbot because the role is more important than the particular signifier. It's a great sequel with interesting characters, because they're all novellas the series feels very episodic, which created this dynamic where ARTIFICIAL CONDITION has to communicate exactly how much backstory this particular entry needs and there's isn't much room for fluff.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging from ALL SYSTEMS RED, it's more of a continuation that usually feels like it could have been section two of one large book. It works really well and I like this story on its own. The main thing it wraps up is the question of what happens next for the character, and the answer is this whole story and any additional sequels. The main storyline starts here and wasn't present before, with several major things introduced and resolved in this volume. The thing it leaves for future volumes is, again, what does this character do next? There is an overarching plot involving the search for answers about its past, and my best guess is that the next step is to find out who's responsible for what happened, but I don't know for sure. The main character is the same as the first book. This might actually make sense even if someone hasn't read the first one. There are obviously be some events from the first book that get referenced but never really explained (since they just happened a day or two ago from the main character's perspective), and those might seem odd to someone who picked up ARTIFICIAL CONDITION without knowing it was a series, but I think it communicates the stakes and the setting pretty succinctly in a way that would make this make sense even in that scenario.
One thing that was uncomfortable to read was the disdain that Murderbot has for sexbots, it could be part of its character arc, especially given it behaved after a particular interaction, but it was frustrating to feel like the very human prejudice against sex workers was replicated again in a protagonist who keeps insisting it isn't human. I understand that's probably the entire point, I'll just be keeping an eye on it as the series continues because right now I can't tell if its examining a prejudice or replicating it.
I'm liking the series so far and I'll definitely continue to the next one.
ARTIFICIAL CONDITION finds Murderbot gradually accruing companions/clients, trying to handle a chronically understimulated transport vessel and keep three young and foolish technologists alive on a fetch quest.
I like the dynamic between Murderbot and ART, the main plot is good and the humans are interesting. The worldbuilding expands well on the first book, I like how finally learning the company's name doesn't change anything for Murderbot because the role is more important than the particular signifier. It's a great sequel with interesting characters, because they're all novellas the series feels very episodic, which created this dynamic where ARTIFICIAL CONDITION has to communicate exactly how much backstory this particular entry needs and there's isn't much room for fluff.
This doesn't specifically wrap up anything left hanging from ALL SYSTEMS RED, it's more of a continuation that usually feels like it could have been section two of one large book. It works really well and I like this story on its own. The main thing it wraps up is the question of what happens next for the character, and the answer is this whole story and any additional sequels. The main storyline starts here and wasn't present before, with several major things introduced and resolved in this volume. The thing it leaves for future volumes is, again, what does this character do next? There is an overarching plot involving the search for answers about its past, and my best guess is that the next step is to find out who's responsible for what happened, but I don't know for sure. The main character is the same as the first book. This might actually make sense even if someone hasn't read the first one. There are obviously be some events from the first book that get referenced but never really explained (since they just happened a day or two ago from the main character's perspective), and those might seem odd to someone who picked up ARTIFICIAL CONDITION without knowing it was a series, but I think it communicates the stakes and the setting pretty succinctly in a way that would make this make sense even in that scenario.
One thing that was uncomfortable to read was the disdain that Murderbot has for sexbots, it could be part of its character arc, especially given it behaved after a particular interaction, but it was frustrating to feel like the very human prejudice against sex workers was replicated again in a protagonist who keeps insisting it isn't human. I understand that's probably the entire point, I'll just be keeping an eye on it as the series continues because right now I can't tell if its examining a prejudice or replicating it.
I'm liking the series so far and I'll definitely continue to the next one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Violence, Blood, and Death
deedireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Artificial Condition was such a good sequel to All Systems Red! I’m hooked into Murderbot’s story (and life). Can’t wait to read the next one.
For you if: You read All Systems Red, and you like relatable, funny, surprisingly human sentient robots.
FULL REVIEW:
TL;DR REVIEW:
Artificial Condition was such a good sequel to All Systems Red! I’m hooked into Murderbot’s story (and life). Can’t wait to read the next one.
For you if: You read All Systems Red, and you like relatable, funny, surprisingly human sentient robots.
FULL REVIEW:
“Fear was an artificial condition. It's imposed from the outside. So it's possible to fight it. You should do the things you're afraid of.”
Yay Murderbot! This second novella built nicely on the first, which I ended intrigued by Murderbot’s life but not irretrievably hooked. This one really deepened my love for its character, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
ICYMI, Murderbot is a SecUnit, a sentient robot built to provide security for humans. It hacked its governor module, though, so it’s not under external control, and it’s finding out who it really is — and how it’s much more like humans than it (and they) might have thought. In this installment, it ventures off on its own to try to investigate what really happened during a pivotal moment of its life — that it can’t remember. We also meet a new robot, ART, who is a truly hilarious, intensely lovable secondary character.
The strength of these novellas is not only in the fun, fast-paced plots, witty dialogue, and great characters, but also in the heart. I would take a figurative bullet for Murderbot (even though technically it would be its job to take a bullet for me, lol). As always, I marvel at the ability of sci-fi to hit at the center of what makes us all human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Medical content
wear_sun_screen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Body horror and Cursing