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robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Just over here chortling with glee. There are funny moments, mostly as a result of wry asides and the 'why me, why am I saddled with the humans with no survival instincts?!' reflections of Murderbot, but mostly I'm just happy because I love being back in this world.
I'm keeping up with my spreadsheet for this series reread as I promised myself and it's making such a difference to the reading experience to take the time to record the details.
If I was marathoning the books I don't think it would be a issue, but as they're a lovely palate cleanser between other reads, the notations are necessary.
This book in particular stands out because it introduces us to ART, Asshole Research Transport extraordinaire, and begins Murderbot's journey of introspection, exploring the idea of choice (making decisions on its own, only sharing what it wants to share, thinking about what it wants to do next), considering past actions under duress in the light of new liberty. There is also that bit of pathos, the ComfortUnit plot line, the parallels in Murderbot's current choices and those actions taken in the past towards it: what it means to choose to help others even if it's not in your best interests (Murderbot's choices with Tapan, the ComfortUnits's in Ganaka Pit), to free someone who didn't have a choice in their actions before(Murderbot musing on Dr. Mensah's actions, and doing something similar for the ComfortUnit encountered).
This is why I love this series. This is why I love good sci fi. Yes, there are bots and planets and space going vessels and strange synthetics, and kickassery, but there are also important discussions with modern parallels and there is heart. Love it.
I'm keeping up with my spreadsheet for this series reread as I promised myself and it's making such a difference to the reading experience to take the time to record the details.
If I was marathoning the books I don't think it would be a issue, but as they're a lovely palate cleanser between other reads, the notations are necessary.
This book in particular stands out because it introduces us to ART, Asshole Research Transport extraordinaire, and begins Murderbot's journey of introspection, exploring the idea of choice (making decisions on its own, only sharing what it wants to share, thinking about what it wants to do next), considering past actions under duress in the light of new liberty. There is also that bit of pathos, the ComfortUnit plot line, the parallels in Murderbot's current choices and those actions taken in the past towards it: what it means to choose to help others even if it's not in your best interests (Murderbot's choices with Tapan, the ComfortUnits's in Ganaka Pit), to free someone who didn't have a choice in their actions before
This is why I love this series. This is why I love good sci fi. Yes, there are bots and planets and space going vessels and strange synthetics, and kickassery, but there are also important discussions with modern parallels and there is heart. Love it.
jhilibean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
eajklose's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
messywitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Murderbot continues to be Very Bad at Not Caring
sallain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.5
citylif's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
4.25
cassiecat's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️
Number 2 Murderbot Diaries
I had the audiobook read by Kevin R Free
Now a free bot Murderbot teams up with a Research Transport vessel called ART to travel to the mining facility to research what actually happened when it went rogue results in multiple human deaths as its own memories are vague. This event is what gave Murderbot its name.
I love the relationship between ART and Murderbot it takes it up another level from book one. I love the humour which is a little sarky.
willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
The second installment of the Murderbot Diaries doesn’t disappoint. Following the adventures of a rogue murderbot on its quest to discover who it is and where it fits in in the universe. So… kinda like Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers trilogy but profoundly different when told in an anxious, non-human kind of way. Okay, okay, so it has a lot of the same elements—but the tone is decidedly different.
Still not sure it’s worth the $10 cover price for something you can read in a couple hours, but… well, I got it from the library, so this wasn’t as much an issue. If you’re like me and live in the middle of nowhere however, it may be more of a challenge to complete these series (I’ve no idea when or if the final two will be acquired). But I digress…
The POV remains first-person, which I thought helped humanize our hero (who, yes I know it’s not human—it reminds us enough, thank you), and is a good choice for carrying the relatively straightforward story. This way the writing never seems bogged down with too much detail, while still allowing the reader to experience the perspective of this non-human bot. As it undergoes processes to allow it to blend in with more humans. Once again, yon Murderbot does not go this alone, and there are a few allies (some tentative) which aid in its endeavor. All seem to have their own agenda, and its interesting to see the parallel our hero goes to when confronted by similar, but not explicitly converging motives. How does it help meet the goals of its new allies, while also managing to achieve its own, all while maintaining its… “humanity”?
It’s quite a good read. But—at 150ish pages—not very filling. And seeing as how I can’t justify dropping $35ish (the first is discounted), I’d would recommend it… but. Maybe at a discount? Or, if you can get it at the library…? Or… It’s times like these I feel bad for not supporting the author. I mean, it’s not like they set the damn price. I think… I think actually, that I complained about this in my review from Book #1. Well, maybe there’ll be an omnibus edition. If you can wait til then. If not, read it however else, I guess.
(And, yes, Artificial Condition is mentioned in the book, so there is a reason for the title (even if it is kind of a stretch…))
Still not sure it’s worth the $10 cover price for something you can read in a couple hours, but… well, I got it from the library, so this wasn’t as much an issue. If you’re like me and live in the middle of nowhere however, it may be more of a challenge to complete these series (I’ve no idea when or if the final two will be acquired). But I digress…
The POV remains first-person, which I thought helped humanize our hero (who, yes I know it’s not human—it reminds us enough, thank you), and is a good choice for carrying the relatively straightforward story. This way the writing never seems bogged down with too much detail, while still allowing the reader to experience the perspective of this non-human bot. As it undergoes processes to allow it to blend in with more humans. Once again, yon Murderbot does not go this alone, and there are a few allies (some tentative) which aid in its endeavor. All seem to have their own agenda, and its interesting to see the parallel our hero goes to when confronted by similar, but not explicitly converging motives. How does it help meet the goals of its new allies, while also managing to achieve its own, all while maintaining its… “humanity”?
It’s quite a good read. But—at 150ish pages—not very filling. And seeing as how I can’t justify dropping $35ish (the first is discounted), I’d would recommend it… but. Maybe at a discount? Or, if you can get it at the library…? Or… It’s times like these I feel bad for not supporting the author. I mean, it’s not like they set the damn price. I think… I think actually, that I complained about this in my review from Book #1. Well, maybe there’ll be an omnibus edition. If you can wait til then. If not, read it however else, I guess.
(And, yes, Artificial Condition is mentioned in the book, so there is a reason for the title (even if it is kind of a stretch…))
lea_pleiades's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
vvines05's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5