Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 21/02/2025
Published by: Recorded Books
ISBN: B07BFDB9MD
‘Artificial Condition’ delivers the witty writing and endearing protagonist I loved in the first book, but the mystery aspect fell flat for me.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Narration & Audio:
I guess you can’t tell a story from the point of view of something that you don’t think has a point of view.
Picking up soon after the last book, this sequel offers a smooth recap of previous events as Murderbot embarks on a journey to understand its past. I adored the character-driven first half, and it didn’t take long for Murderbot’s sarcastic and introverted nature to win me over once again. I also could not get enough of the cute friendship between Murderbot and the Research Transport vessel, ART, which develops through comical and heartwarming moments.
fear was an artificial condition. It’s imposed from the outside. So it’s possible to fight it.”
In contrast, I never got invested in the mystery that emerged in the second half of the story due to the slow pacing and naive, new human characters. Still, the listening experience in this sequel felt notably more engaging than the first book, as Kevin R. Free elevated his performance with greater emotional variety and character voices.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Which aspect of the story stood out to you most?
The highlight for me was the adorable friendship that gradually formed between Murderbot and ART. In particular, their moments watching shows together and ART’s reactions were utterly cute and relatable. I also loved the growth that Murderbot experienced as a result of their friendship.
Q: Do you get emotional when watching shows or reading?
Absolutely! I love stories that completely draw me in, allowing me to feel every joy and sorrow the characters experience. This level of connection is a clear indicator of exceptional storytelling to me.
Q: Do you have any similar reads to recommend for those who enjoyed this book?
I recommend Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, as it has a similarly witty writing style and science-fiction elements.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
To read other book related posts, click here or check out the tag cloud for more options.
