Audiobook review: Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
After leaving its human team, Murderbot sneaks on an unmanned ship and heads to the remote mining planet where Murderbot killed over fifty humans before it was made a free SEC unit. In order to get on planet to find out what happened in his past, Murderbot pretends to be an augmented human and takes a security job.
Artificial Condition is the second story in the Murderbot Diaries. Picking up shortly after the conclusion of the first book, Murderbot meets new people and discovers interesting facts about his past. I’d say it “makes friends,” but Murderbot hasn’t evolved to the point of having friends, yet. The closest thing is the ship it takes to the mining facility. ART (Asshole Research Transport) is self-aware and ends up helping Murderbot on its missions.
I absolutely love Murderbot’s attempts at being human, like figuring out when to sigh and then patting itself on the back because it thinks it’s doing a good job. Also, I love how it is more comfortable looking at people through a security camera versus looking at them eye to eye.
At first it was tough to get into the story because I missed Dr. Mensah and crew from the first book. Murderbot was alone with ART and it took time to sink into their developing relationship. However, once things picked up, I found the subtle humor and under-the-breath commentary absolutely delightful.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Murderbot. Free does a good job portraying the non-human Murderbot by utilizing a somewhat bland voice for the narrator and character. Free adjusts his performance for Murderbot as it becomes more human-like. Free successfully alters dialogue based on gender, age, and accent, creating unique characters.
I continue to enjoy my journey into the Murderbot Diaries.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B+
Jen
About the Book:
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.
Author: Martha Wells
Narrator: Kevin R. Free
Series: Murderbot Diaries #2
Genre: Science Fiction, novella
Audiobook Release Date: May 8, 2018
Publisher: Recorded Books
Length: 3 hours and 21 minutes
Source: Purchased
Audio Speed: 1.2x