What do you think?
Confessions of a Trash Droid #1
Fatal Error
T.E.D.D. is a trash droid with glitches, sarcasm to spare, and zero interest in dealing with our crap.
Unfortunately, quitting isn’t easy when blackouts, psychotic episodes, and a corporate death squad are on your tail. To survive, T.E.D.D. must embrace his anomaly—and maybe even team up with the humans he can’t stand. Equal parts dry wit and reluctant heroics, a darkly comic sci-fi about the little guy’s fight against the machine and what it means to be human.
Perfect for fans of Martha Wells, Asimov, John Scalzi, Andy Weir, and Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Unfortunately, quitting isn’t easy when blackouts, psychotic episodes, and a corporate death squad are on your tail. To survive, T.E.D.D. must embrace his anomaly—and maybe even team up with the humans he can’t stand. Equal parts dry wit and reluctant heroics, a darkly comic sci-fi about the little guy’s fight against the machine and what it means to be human.
Perfect for fans of Martha Wells, Asimov, John Scalzi, Andy Weir, and Adrian Tchaikovsky.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
April 18, 2026
I needed something short and funny. This book delivered on both counts—I had a few good laughs.
So, the blurb already hints at it, and of course you immediately associate this story with The Murderbot. No, it really isn’t comparable. This is about a defective scrap droid. His connections to humans and his relationships with them are mostly negative, and it’s primarily a robot story.
I think it’s a shame that the blurb draws a connection to Martha Wells and others, because that’s just misleading.
Anyway, I liked the story; even if three stars might not seem like much, the whole thing has potential—and, unfortunately, something of a cliffhanger, too.
I think I’ll read more of this. I like T.E.D.D.’s sarcastic, difficult personality.
❝
“I’ve got a note to look for memory files with blackouts, is that correct?” “
These are not the files you’re looking for,” I say, waving my hand across his face. The uncultured dick doesn’t even react. 🤭🤭🤭
❝
I can’t feel anything below the waist. Even my ass tube feels comfy. Not a sentence I ever thought I’d say. 🤭🤭🤭
❝
I walk calmly toward the last two members of Skinhead’s gun-toting crew and disarm them.
By dis-arming them. 🤭🤭🤭
So, the blurb already hints at it, and of course you immediately associate this story with The Murderbot. No, it really isn’t comparable. This is about a defective scrap droid. His connections to humans and his relationships with them are mostly negative, and it’s primarily a robot story.
I think it’s a shame that the blurb draws a connection to Martha Wells and others, because that’s just misleading.
Anyway, I liked the story; even if three stars might not seem like much, the whole thing has potential—and, unfortunately, something of a cliffhanger, too.
I think I’ll read more of this. I like T.E.D.D.’s sarcastic, difficult personality.
❝
“I’ve got a note to look for memory files with blackouts, is that correct?” “
These are not the files you’re looking for,” I say, waving my hand across his face. The uncultured dick doesn’t even react. 🤭🤭🤭
❝
I can’t feel anything below the waist. Even my ass tube feels comfy. Not a sentence I ever thought I’d say. 🤭🤭🤭
❝
I walk calmly toward the last two members of Skinhead’s gun-toting crew and disarm them.
By dis-arming them. 🤭🤭🤭
October 10, 2025
I loved the Murderbot series so I thought this one would be perfect. Ehhh.. it tries to be murderbot and falls way short. I rather forgot TEDD was even a droid because of all the human characteristics he has. And his inner monologue didn't feel natural at all.
Ending up DNF'ing
Ending up DNF'ing
November 24, 2025
I am truly at a loss for why this has such good reviews. It's obviously a highly derivative, self-published story. It seems that even audiobooks are now being inundated with self-published work. I don't mind that it's so obviously derivative of the Murder Bot series. However, unlike the murder bot, this character is not very likable. He is whiney, irritating, and kills people much too easily. It is difficult for me to imagine a world where humanity would build robots that are so destructive and dangerous to humans.
Strangely, the story is written in the first person, present tense. This does not make any kind of sense. How could somebody be narrating in the first person as the story happens? A decent editor could definitely have convinced the author to rewrite this either in the first person past tense, or the third person present tense.
And as for the story, it's just entertaining enough to get through. I'm not overly interested in seeing where the story goes from here. I"ve kind of had my fill of cheeky, pithy negativity. It seems to be all the rage these days. It's one of the great ironies of modern existence that people try so hard to be different, but just end up being the same. Oh, and why would a robot find a human female so irresistibly attractive? Give me a break.
I may or may not continue the series.
2.4 out of 5.
Strangely, the story is written in the first person, present tense. This does not make any kind of sense. How could somebody be narrating in the first person as the story happens? A decent editor could definitely have convinced the author to rewrite this either in the first person past tense, or the third person present tense.
And as for the story, it's just entertaining enough to get through. I'm not overly interested in seeing where the story goes from here. I"ve kind of had my fill of cheeky, pithy negativity. It seems to be all the rage these days. It's one of the great ironies of modern existence that people try so hard to be different, but just end up being the same. Oh, and why would a robot find a human female so irresistibly attractive? Give me a break.
I may or may not continue the series.
2.4 out of 5.
December 22, 2025
Spent exactly zero sentences on world building. The humor was stale. I thought to myself: “DroidHub” seems like something a chat bot would think is funny. Googled the authors name, sure enough; “…is an internet marketer and author who has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into his business training and creative writing.” … Confessions of a Trash Droid indeed.
May 4, 2026
Fatal Error
By Michael Cheney
This is a cute sci-fi with a Droid that has a glitch that happens, and he blacks out. During these times, he does some really weird things. The bosses decide to put him on trash duty. He has to bury the dead. But he has problems then. So now he is to be disposed of. He runs off.
It's fairly short novel, but fun.
By Michael Cheney
This is a cute sci-fi with a Droid that has a glitch that happens, and he blacks out. During these times, he does some really weird things. The bosses decide to put him on trash duty. He has to bury the dead. But he has problems then. So now he is to be disposed of. He runs off.
It's fairly short novel, but fun.
March 3, 2026
Would I have known this was written by AI if I hadn't seen someone else's research on it? Hmm... yeah, probably. Maybe. Honestly, tough to tell. This work definitely has that really rough-around-the-edges self-pub kindle feel, like so many thousands of other's works I have tired (and rejected) over the years.
I think what sets this one apart from the usual slop, however, is how very derivative and polished it feels at the same time. There are no huge glaring errors of writing style. But what style? It is clearly a Muderbot rip-off without hitting any of the high notes (or even the low notes) that make Wells' work shine.
It sounds exactly like someone gave a GPT prompt: I want a main character who is a droid but has human-like feelings, he's super depressed because of this, and this appears as cynicism and an indifference of most humans.
All of the writing is like someone read Murderbot, thought they understood what makes it funny and relatable, and somehow missed the mark by about the distance of a galaxy. I was hoping I would at least be able to finish this work.... buuuuuut.... it got so incredibly cringe. It's like the author also read Dungeon Crawler Carl and thought it was a modern Don Quixote.
"And then the meatbag walked in"
In order to get scanned he has a giant probe shoved up his "exhaust port" which "the meatbags made me that way". Uh huh, sure.
The human women he encounters (actually the bot women too) all appear overly sexualized with high heels, endless makeup, and sexy foreign accents. Even the normal bots that don't need to have gender. Even the lab techs who are only there to work on the mechanics. (Tell me, how can you work on the mechanics in 5 inch heels, a skinny pencil skirt, and blown out hair without getting grease and soot on everything?)
It's not even a long book but by chapter 5 I think I'm done.
I think what sets this one apart from the usual slop, however, is how very derivative and polished it feels at the same time. There are no huge glaring errors of writing style. But what style? It is clearly a Muderbot rip-off without hitting any of the high notes (or even the low notes) that make Wells' work shine.
It sounds exactly like someone gave a GPT prompt: I want a main character who is a droid but has human-like feelings, he's super depressed because of this, and this appears as cynicism and an indifference of most humans.
All of the writing is like someone read Murderbot, thought they understood what makes it funny and relatable, and somehow missed the mark by about the distance of a galaxy. I was hoping I would at least be able to finish this work.... buuuuuut.... it got so incredibly cringe. It's like the author also read Dungeon Crawler Carl and thought it was a modern Don Quixote.
"And then the meatbag walked in"
In order to get scanned he has a giant probe shoved up his "exhaust port" which "the meatbags made me that way". Uh huh, sure.
The human women he encounters (actually the bot women too) all appear overly sexualized with high heels, endless makeup, and sexy foreign accents. Even the normal bots that don't need to have gender. Even the lab techs who are only there to work on the mechanics. (Tell me, how can you work on the mechanics in 5 inch heels, a skinny pencil skirt, and blown out hair without getting grease and soot on everything?)
It's not even a long book but by chapter 5 I think I'm done.
September 19, 2026
2,5 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
January 24, 2026
No ending
Good main character. Some good supporting cast. Mostly fun, rollicking and sarcastic adventure, but the STORY DOES NOT END WITH THIS BOOK. To this author and all aspiring indie authors: a novel has a beginning, a middle, AND AN END. A series is a group of related novels, not a continuing story that disappoints the reader (me) and demands he buy the next book. I won’t. Whatever the main tension in each novel, bring it to a resolution before hinting at the next book.
Good main character. Some good supporting cast. Mostly fun, rollicking and sarcastic adventure, but the STORY DOES NOT END WITH THIS BOOK. To this author and all aspiring indie authors: a novel has a beginning, a middle, AND AN END. A series is a group of related novels, not a continuing story that disappoints the reader (me) and demands he buy the next book. I won’t. Whatever the main tension in each novel, bring it to a resolution before hinting at the next book.
September 23, 2025
very entertaining, an attention grabber
I enjoyed reading this book that didn’t take long. Tedd is a lively character and his adventures kept me engaged.
I enjoyed reading this book that didn’t take long. Tedd is a lively character and his adventures kept me engaged.
March 29, 2026
3 1/2 stars, hoping the series will improve.
I read this because it reminded me of another series I enjoyed, The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. This one was about an android, a trash collector, who was a bit too intelligent for his own good, with a defect he tries to keep hidden where he blacks out and wakes up amid destruction apparently caused by him. It seems the people, robots, or androids he destroys probably deserve it, though. He is continually trying to avoid being terminated, and is somewhat successful.
The story was a bit too simplistic, so far, but it was fun reading. Perhaps there's more of a story that develops in the later books, so I'll try reading more and see.
I read this because it reminded me of another series I enjoyed, The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. This one was about an android, a trash collector, who was a bit too intelligent for his own good, with a defect he tries to keep hidden where he blacks out and wakes up amid destruction apparently caused by him. It seems the people, robots, or androids he destroys probably deserve it, though. He is continually trying to avoid being terminated, and is somewhat successful.
The story was a bit too simplistic, so far, but it was fun reading. Perhaps there's more of a story that develops in the later books, so I'll try reading more and see.
August 9, 2026
As my re-reading of The Odyssey has turned into its own odyssey, I took another break to read this one. I saw the ad on FB or IG, don't remember which, was mildly intrigued, so I bought it, despite misgivings. I had read a review by the author, Michael Cheney, or a list of what he felt to be top 10 sci-books. I had read most of those books which led me into buying this one. Not a huge mistake but not a great investment.
Fatal Error is part of a longer series called Confessions of a Trash Droid. It basically is a take-off of Matha Welles great Murderbot series. A robot with human sentience that rebels against the establishment. There's humor, the robot or droid is quite the smart ass. There are some weak cultural references thrown in, but overall, I couldn't help but think this was just a shabby copy of Murderbot.
Whether or not I go for the 2nd book in the series depends on how bored I get.
Fatal Error is part of a longer series called Confessions of a Trash Droid. It basically is a take-off of Matha Welles great Murderbot series. A robot with human sentience that rebels against the establishment. There's humor, the robot or droid is quite the smart ass. There are some weak cultural references thrown in, but overall, I couldn't help but think this was just a shabby copy of Murderbot.
Whether or not I go for the 2nd book in the series depends on how bored I get.
July 16, 2026
The comparison to Martha Wells' Murderbot is almost impossible to avoid, and unfortunately Fatal Error felt like a much cheaper imitation rather than something fresh. It has the ingredients to be fun, but it never quite comes together.
What bothered me most was the main character. For a supposedly rogue robot, it felt too human, to the point where the inconsistency kept pulling me out of the story. Maybe there's an explanation coming later - perhaps a human consciousness uploaded into a droid - but this first book doesn't give enough answers to make me curious enough to continue.
What bothered me most was the main character. For a supposedly rogue robot, it felt too human, to the point where the inconsistency kept pulling me out of the story. Maybe there's an explanation coming later - perhaps a human consciousness uploaded into a droid - but this first book doesn't give enough answers to make me curious enough to continue.
August 3, 2026
Great story fast paced and fun
January 21, 2026
It’s trying to be like murderbot but not as good. I came across this book being praised on Facebook and jumped the gun. It’s a short book and not well written. I think the high praised reviews I saw were not real in hindsight. Cheesy dialogue and not much character development.
December 2, 2025
A Hilarious, Fast-Paced Sci-Fi Surprise
I came across 'Confessions of a Trash Droid' as a random Facebook recommendation—and something told me to give it a look. What a find this turned out to be.
First-person perspective isn’t usually my thing, but I immediately fell in love with T.E.D.D.—the sardonic, self-aware, and hilariously relatable droid whose voice carries this story. It’s a short, fast-paced read packed with wit, heart, and more personality than most human characters in modern sci-fi.
T.E.D.D. also has great taste in music. I even found myself adding some of his playlist choices to my Spotify so I could listen right along with him during his adventures.
Now... on to Book Two. 😎
I came across 'Confessions of a Trash Droid' as a random Facebook recommendation—and something told me to give it a look. What a find this turned out to be.
First-person perspective isn’t usually my thing, but I immediately fell in love with T.E.D.D.—the sardonic, self-aware, and hilariously relatable droid whose voice carries this story. It’s a short, fast-paced read packed with wit, heart, and more personality than most human characters in modern sci-fi.
T.E.D.D. also has great taste in music. I even found myself adding some of his playlist choices to my Spotify so I could listen right along with him during his adventures.
Now... on to Book Two. 😎
December 9, 2025
This book was entertaining. A trash droid with an attitude.
April 3, 2026
2.75/5 rounding up to 3
I really wanted to like this but it was written with such, such a heavy hand. It really felt like it was trying so hard to be sarcastic and funny, but in the end, it was trying just way too hard.
The human was definitely written for teenage boys. His name is T.E.D.D420, he explains "dick!" when surprised, soooo many rear port (i.e. butthole) jokes. Like this was one of the main jokes, constantly having things shoved up his rear port. 🙄🙄🙄😔 If that doesn't scream juvenile humor idk what does.
Also, there was zero, I mean ZERO, initial world building. You got a bit of info here and there for plot reasons, but we know nothing about this universe. idk felt like I was missing something.
I guess I'm going to listen to the next book because it's short and I have it in my library, but I was seriously less than impressed with this.
I really wanted to like this but it was written with such, such a heavy hand. It really felt like it was trying so hard to be sarcastic and funny, but in the end, it was trying just way too hard.
The human was definitely written for teenage boys. His name is T.E.D.D420, he explains "dick!" when surprised, soooo many rear port (i.e. butthole) jokes. Like this was one of the main jokes, constantly having things shoved up his rear port. 🙄🙄🙄😔 If that doesn't scream juvenile humor idk what does.
Also, there was zero, I mean ZERO, initial world building. You got a bit of info here and there for plot reasons, but we know nothing about this universe. idk felt like I was missing something.
I guess I'm going to listen to the next book because it's short and I have it in my library, but I was seriously less than impressed with this.
August 21, 2026
Confessions of a Trash Droid: Fatal Error was a fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly entertaining read. The idea of a trash droid who thinks he’s basically human made for a great main character, and I loved his personality and perspective throughout the story.
The humor and pacing kept things moving, and it reminded me a lot of Murderbot Diaries, which I absolutely loved. If you enjoyed the sarcastic, self-aware AI/robot perspective of Murderbot, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this one too.
It’s a fun sci-fi adventure with plenty of action, humor, and a wonderfully ridiculous protagonist. Definitely a great start to the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this trash droid’s story goes next.
The humor and pacing kept things moving, and it reminded me a lot of Murderbot Diaries, which I absolutely loved. If you enjoyed the sarcastic, self-aware AI/robot perspective of Murderbot, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this one too.
It’s a fun sci-fi adventure with plenty of action, humor, and a wonderfully ridiculous protagonist. Definitely a great start to the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this trash droid’s story goes next.
May 6, 2026
tries to be a murder bot clone but fails
It took about three paragraphs to see that the author is trying to piggyback on the success of Martha Wells Murderbot series. Might have worked if the author didn’t just string together random characters and scenes. Or try and name drop muppets, Star Wars, Scalzi’s Lock In, etc.
I couldn’t figure out if the book was set in the present time of an alternate timeline, the near future, or what. What is the main character’s history? Why was it acting like it did? I could go on.
Did not enjoy the book and was pretty bored reading it because I wasn’t invested in the characters or story.
It took about three paragraphs to see that the author is trying to piggyback on the success of Martha Wells Murderbot series. Might have worked if the author didn’t just string together random characters and scenes. Or try and name drop muppets, Star Wars, Scalzi’s Lock In, etc.
I couldn’t figure out if the book was set in the present time of an alternate timeline, the near future, or what. What is the main character’s history? Why was it acting like it did? I could go on.
Did not enjoy the book and was pretty bored reading it because I wasn’t invested in the characters or story.
September 14, 2026
Book Review: Fatal Error is the first book in the Confessions of a Trash Droid dark comedy sci-fi series by @michaelcheneybooks Thank you sir for the ebook🙌🏾
In this series you follow T.E.D.D. A droid with a strange anomaly that allows him to do things other droids can’t do.
This was a ride. Fast paced and funny!! The conversations TEDD has with himself and other characters 😂😂 I want to quote some parts but don’t want to ruin it for you.
But everything in this book works well. TEDD is definitely a character that calls back to some favorite movies of mine. Terminator and Short Circuit just to give you an idea. This book is only 140 pages but it’s an adventure from start to finish. Definitely a one sitting book.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi, robots or dark humor go check this one out. I think you’ll like it🙌🏾
In this series you follow T.E.D.D. A droid with a strange anomaly that allows him to do things other droids can’t do.
This was a ride. Fast paced and funny!! The conversations TEDD has with himself and other characters 😂😂 I want to quote some parts but don’t want to ruin it for you.
But everything in this book works well. TEDD is definitely a character that calls back to some favorite movies of mine. Terminator and Short Circuit just to give you an idea. This book is only 140 pages but it’s an adventure from start to finish. Definitely a one sitting book.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi, robots or dark humor go check this one out. I think you’ll like it🙌🏾
August 15, 2026
2.75⭐️ rounded down
I found this book amusing, odd (because the robots tend to behave like humans), and sometimes confusing to follow. I don't think I’ll continue with this series since I expected more humor than I got. Sometimes taking a chance on a free audiobook doesn’t pay off.🤷🏽
I found this book amusing, odd (because the robots tend to behave like humans), and sometimes confusing to follow. I don't think I’ll continue with this series since I expected more humor than I got. Sometimes taking a chance on a free audiobook doesn’t pay off.🤷🏽
August 19, 2026
There are a lot of parts of this that I can tell are supposed to be funny - but its just awkward to me. It doesnt make a lot of narrative sense to me, the characters are uninteresting, and its hard to understand why anyone in the book does anything. There is something off about the whole thing?
August 28, 2026
This was a very light read, not much world development. T.E.D.D, the main character, you could be forgiven if you forgot he was a robot with the massive human elements. Also, nothing too much relates to him being a trash droid...hope the series improves from here...
September 10, 2026
In Fatal Error a small, battered service droid finds itself caught up in an unexpected adventure, discovering that being a piece of discarded technology doesn't necessarily mean having an uneventful existence.
Short, cute, funny and sassy. This was a really fun little read and exactly the sort of thing I needed. I liked the humour and the personality of the main character, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.
Short, cute, funny and sassy. This was a really fun little read and exactly the sort of thing I needed. I liked the humour and the personality of the main character, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.
March 19, 2026
Fatal Error
This is a new series for me. It’s a bit crazy. Imagine an intelligent robot that has the job responsibilities of a trash droid. It is crazy.
This is a new series for me. It’s a bit crazy. Imagine an intelligent robot that has the job responsibilities of a trash droid. It is crazy.
April 14, 2026
Its a good short read. its got the same vibes as Cyberpunk 2077. this could be a DLC for that game.
April 26, 2026
3.5. I tried reading the Murderbot series and didn't find it interesting or entertaining at all.
This was much, much more my style.
This was much, much more my style.
May 15, 2026
pretty good
Not the best read but fun. Not sure i liked where it ended. I was like the first half of the book then just stopped:
Not the best read but fun. Not sure i liked where it ended. I was like the first half of the book then just stopped:
Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews