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A review by featheredturtle
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
<strong><em>Artificial Condition</em> is all the fun of the <a href="https://featheredturtlepress.wordpress.com/2020/07/22/review-all-systems-red-the-murderbot-diaries-1-by-martha-wells/">first book</a>, but with (for better or worse) a smaller supporting cast.</strong>
<strong>The Good</strong>
– Murderbot is, as always, a delight
– ART is hilarious
– Raises questions about what humanness <em>looks</em> like
– Quick, straightforward, easy-to-digest story
<strong>The Bad</strong>
– Less of a compulsive read than <em>All Systems Red</em>
– Less tension/conflict
– Weaker supporting character
<strong>Story</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.5 Stars)
Despite Dr. Mensah's offer at the end of <em>All Systems Red</em>, Murderbot chose to head out on its own. In <em>Artificial Condition</em>, Murderbot is back and hoping to find answers to why it killed the 57 humans it was charged with protecting during a mining operation. (Also known as<em> all the murder that one time.</em>) Teaming up with a research transport with a surprisingly expansive AI, Murderbot takes on (human) clients in order to get the permit it needs to travel to the RaviHyral Mining Facility without suspicion. Unfortunately, work as a SecUnit and work as a freelance (perceived) human security consultant are <em>very</em> different things.
Like <em>All Systems Red</em>, <em>Artificial Condition</em> is an accessible Sci-Fi novella that carries a good dose of humour and existential questions for its size. It's easy to follow, it's largely enjoyable, there are a lot of ~sci-fi~ terms, but you don't need to really give a damn about them to follow the plot.
I found <em>Artificial Condition</em> lacks a certain amount of tension and conflict that was present in the first book. Unlike <em>All Systems Red</em>, which I loathed to set down, I <em>can</em> set <em>Artificial Condition</em> down. There are less burning questions, no hovering fear for the discovery of Murderbot's free will, no real surprises, and the visit to Ganaka Pit doesn't hit as hard as it could. It was still fun, but I don't want to go around and tell everyone I know about it.
<strong>Characters</strong>—★★★☆☆
One of my complaints with <em>All Systems Red</em> was the sometimes overwhelming number of supporting characters. Here, the cast is drastically pared down, but they don't always deliver to the same degree the cast in the first book did.
ART (Asshole Research Transport) is funny. It's much more logical and sometimes even downright cold compared to Murderbot. It serves as a great way to compare and contrast how "human" Murderbot is, but sometimes its role as "funny plot device" is obvious.
Although <em>Artificial Condition</em> sees fewer humans under Murderbot's protection, their roles feel scattered and weakened. In <em>All Systems Red</em>, Dr. Mensah has strong purpose and presence, both established early on when she checks on a wounded Murderbot in its cubicle. <em>Artificial Condition</em> sort of switches which human it focuses on, beginning with Rami, the unofficial leader of Murderbot's clients, and changing focus to Tapan near the end. Without that focus, we wind up with Murderbot alone in its head or snarking with the funny plot device.
<strong>Writing Style</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.5)
Told in first person, past tense, Wells conveys <em>Artificial Condition</em> in a conversational, accessible and wry style, which suits Murderbot's voice and personality perfectly.
Despite this, there are some occasional weak points an established author should’ve eliminated from their prose by now—namely a surprising number of <em>had had</em>s.
<strong>Themes and Representation</strong>—★★★★☆
Reinforces themes from All Systems Red on the ethics and morality of ownership of self-aware beings; examines elements of free will; raises questions about one's own humanity, and what it means to be human—Is Murderbot very different from a heavily augmented human? In which ways? How do those ways matter to itself, other bots/constructs, and humans?
The primary supporting cast were browned-skinned characters of colour (unspecified race and ethnicity) and one used neopronouns (te/ter.)
<strong>Overall</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.75 Stars)
<strong>Recommended For...</strong>
Fans of Murderbot; readers who want a quick, enjoyable read with a delightful main character.
<strong>The Good</strong>
– Murderbot is, as always, a delight
– ART is hilarious
– Raises questions about what humanness <em>looks</em> like
– Quick, straightforward, easy-to-digest story
<strong>The Bad</strong>
– Less of a compulsive read than <em>All Systems Red</em>
– Less tension/conflict
– Weaker supporting character
<strong>Story</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.5 Stars)
Despite Dr. Mensah's offer at the end of <em>All Systems Red</em>, Murderbot chose to head out on its own. In <em>Artificial Condition</em>, Murderbot is back and hoping to find answers to why it killed the 57 humans it was charged with protecting during a mining operation. (Also known as<em> all the murder that one time.</em>) Teaming up with a research transport with a surprisingly expansive AI, Murderbot takes on (human) clients in order to get the permit it needs to travel to the RaviHyral Mining Facility without suspicion. Unfortunately, work as a SecUnit and work as a freelance (perceived) human security consultant are <em>very</em> different things.
Like <em>All Systems Red</em>, <em>Artificial Condition</em> is an accessible Sci-Fi novella that carries a good dose of humour and existential questions for its size. It's easy to follow, it's largely enjoyable, there are a lot of ~sci-fi~ terms, but you don't need to really give a damn about them to follow the plot.
I found <em>Artificial Condition</em> lacks a certain amount of tension and conflict that was present in the first book. Unlike <em>All Systems Red</em>, which I loathed to set down, I <em>can</em> set <em>Artificial Condition</em> down. There are less burning questions, no hovering fear for the discovery of Murderbot's free will, no real surprises, and the visit to Ganaka Pit doesn't hit as hard as it could. It was still fun, but I don't want to go around and tell everyone I know about it.
<strong>Characters</strong>—★★★☆☆
One of my complaints with <em>All Systems Red</em> was the sometimes overwhelming number of supporting characters. Here, the cast is drastically pared down, but they don't always deliver to the same degree the cast in the first book did.
ART (Asshole Research Transport) is funny. It's much more logical and sometimes even downright cold compared to Murderbot. It serves as a great way to compare and contrast how "human" Murderbot is, but sometimes its role as "funny plot device" is obvious.
Although <em>Artificial Condition</em> sees fewer humans under Murderbot's protection, their roles feel scattered and weakened. In <em>All Systems Red</em>, Dr. Mensah has strong purpose and presence, both established early on when she checks on a wounded Murderbot in its cubicle. <em>Artificial Condition</em> sort of switches which human it focuses on, beginning with Rami, the unofficial leader of Murderbot's clients, and changing focus to Tapan near the end. Without that focus, we wind up with Murderbot alone in its head or snarking with the funny plot device.
<strong>Writing Style</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.5)
Told in first person, past tense, Wells conveys <em>Artificial Condition</em> in a conversational, accessible and wry style, which suits Murderbot's voice and personality perfectly.
Despite this, there are some occasional weak points an established author should’ve eliminated from their prose by now—namely a surprising number of <em>had had</em>s.
<strong>Themes and Representation</strong>—★★★★☆
Reinforces themes from All Systems Red on the ethics and morality of ownership of self-aware beings; examines elements of free will; raises questions about one's own humanity, and what it means to be human—Is Murderbot very different from a heavily augmented human? In which ways? How do those ways matter to itself, other bots/constructs, and humans?
The primary supporting cast were browned-skinned characters of colour (unspecified race and ethnicity) and one used neopronouns (te/ter.)
<strong>Overall</strong>—★★★★☆ (3.75 Stars)
<strong>Recommended For...</strong>
Fans of Murderbot; readers who want a quick, enjoyable read with a delightful main character.