by Martha Wells
Series: The Murderbot Diaries #2
Narrator: Kevin R. Free
Length: 3 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
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
Narrated by Kevin R. Free, Artificial Condition by Martha Wells is the second novella in the Murderbot Diaries an off-planet science fiction that is wildly addictive. The audio is just the right length to devour on a road trip or as I did while doing mundane Saturday chores which suddenly became exciting.
After the ending of All Systems Red I was curious to see what our murderbot would do next. We meet a research transport vessel named ART. I loved the interactions that evolved between them. Murderbot is determined to investigate what happened where he went Rogue, and with ART’s help he takes on a contract that brings danger and takes him closer to the answers he seeks.
The unexpected interaction between ART and our SecUnit was fascinating to watch unfold, from viewing movies together to plotting out a way to get the Murderbot on the planet. They work well together and even brought humor to the story. I had a blast listening.
When he hires himself out, to help young technologist who are looking to gain their recordings back we end up getting a mystery, as our Murderbot works to protect the humans. It was fascinating but uneven in pacing, hence the four cups.
If you haven’t yet started the Murderbot Diaries, I encourage you to do so. Grab the audiobooks if you can, Kevin R. Free does a splendid job bringing both the SecBot and ART to life.
Humans, bots and more are all given unique personalities in Artificial Condition. Mystery, suspense and unique characters await you!
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells was an engaging off-planet fantasy brought to life by narrator Keven R. Free #iloveaudiobooks #sciencefiction Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia Roach
I love when books are short enough to be able to consume in one sitting or one journey if you’re listening, and then you get to be fully immersed from start to finish! It sounds like this one is a good sequel.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I have seen a bunch of great reviews for this series. I will have to get them at some point. Great review!
Mary
Tyler H. Jolley
Thanks for the audio sample, Kimba!
MarthaE
I am interested in continuing this series but its a bit of a bummer that the story is broken into 3 -4 hour parts for $11.99 each. I am glad you are still enjoying the series. Thanks for sharing.
Annie
I love listening to audiobooks! I’m terrible at imagining sounds and accents in my own mind, it’s much better to hear someone else create them for me! Great review, I’m glad this one mostly lived up to the hype.
Melanie Simmons
Sounds really interesting. Sounds like something I would enjoy. Great review.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I keep hearing such great things about this series and about Martha Wells in general. I’ll have to see if my library has the audiobooks.
Kimberly
I hope they do. Mine only had the first audio.
Laura Thomas
I’m finally getting to this series and so thrilled to see you are enjoying them, Kimberly/ I have the eBooks and thinking I’ll also try the audibles. It would be fun to see which format I enjoy more and how the experience differs.
Kimberly
The audios are brilliant and really enhance an already great read!
Rachel
You’ve reminded me I need to read this series! Everyone seems to love it.
Kimberly
Happy to be a reminder!
Melliane
Everyone is loving this series and I’m starting to really want to read it as well
Kimberly
Yezzzz….I hope you do!
Ethan
I really love the blend of sci-fi and mystery, so this one is very intriguing to me. The audio sample sounds fantastic!
Kimberly
I am waiting for the third audio to arrive. I really hope you try them Ethan 🙂
Angela Adams
Often it’s the narration that makes an audio book so enjoyable. Thanks for the post, and have a great weekend.
Kimberly
Yes, a narrator can make or break a book.
Anne
I LOVE this so much. I also think Kevin Free does an amazing job with the narration. I have to have them all. I’ve been collecting the audios. It’s an auto-buy series for me. Great review. Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
Yay Anne. I am waiting for the third audiobook to arrive and will dive in as soon as I get it!
Sophia Rose
I get lost in these, too. He’s so personable for not being a person. ART was a hoot, too.
Kimberly
I loved ART and yep, the Murderbot is cool.
Debbie Haupt
Wow sorry I’m just now catching up on my posting Kim, that’s what happens when you’re gifted a virus for Christmas and it’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Hopefully I’m on the mend now. I know you love this little sci-fi series, glad to see #2 still knocks your socks off.
Kimberly
Awe, your poor thing. I understand as I battled strep and sinus infections. I do hope you are feeling better.
sherry fundin
Great cover and a murder bot? I have been reading more scifi lately and this looks like a good one for the reading list, but if I keep adding everything….well, that mountain is so high….
Kimberly
This series is such fun Sherry, but I understand the tbr pile. Maybe mark it and watch for sales or library availability!
sjhigbee
Hm… I’m SO tempted! I loved the first book, but these novellas are very expensive and as I don’t reread, I can’t justify the cost… but the audiobook… that sounds a lot more doable – a brilliant and very enticing review, Kimberly:)
Kimberly
You might find the audio edition at the library, and yep, I have been buying the audios.
sjhigbee
Ooo… now that’s an idea! Thank you for that:))