Artificial Condition

The second book in the Murderbot Diaries series picks up pretty much where the previous one left off. Our introverted robot protagonist has tried to move off grid and live as an augmented human. At the same time she is searching for answers to her past.

A lot of this book was devoted to the relationship between Eden (our Muderbot) and ART (Asshole Research Transport). They make for an interesting odd couple and provide most of the interest in this story. The plot is not as tight as the first novella in this series and the end feeling is that we have not really advanced the story that much from the previous entry in the series. The writing is still entertaining and the sardonic wit of Eden and her burning desire to watch bad TV rather than do anything else give a nice gentle humour to all the proceedings.

Whilst not up to the brilliance of the first story, this is still an entertaining read, well worthy of your time. The novella format makes it easily digestible.