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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
2373 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 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.
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.
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.
January 29, 2026
That
Was
Amazing
Was
Amazing
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
January 26, 2026
kept me reading
This meatbag loved it! Easy reading and along the way has points to make about the people who do the dirty but necessary work that we never pay attention to.
This meatbag loved it! Easy reading and along the way has points to make about the people who do the dirty but necessary work that we never pay attention to.
January 8, 2026
Dnf third way in
I so wanted to love this book.
I knew it'll be a reimagined Murderbot, but I was ok with it.
The story didn't flow. It sort of had a vague direction, but it meandered a lot and nothing felt solid in it.
The trash droid was more human than any human around, which defeats the purpose. It was a lot like the love child of Murderbot and Bender - both are loveable separately but not as a mashup.
What made me fully give up on it is the strong suspicion that it is written with AI.
After i saw it mentioned by someone, i looked it up and the author has a business where he uses artificial intelligence (his words). Not a huge jump in conclusion, that he took advantage of it in his writing too (which would explain its clunkiness), which would also explain how he churned out most of this series in 2025.
I cannot support that - and even if it isn't so, it's just not a good read.
I so wanted to love this book.
I knew it'll be a reimagined Murderbot, but I was ok with it.
The story didn't flow. It sort of had a vague direction, but it meandered a lot and nothing felt solid in it.
The trash droid was more human than any human around, which defeats the purpose. It was a lot like the love child of Murderbot and Bender - both are loveable separately but not as a mashup.
What made me fully give up on it is the strong suspicion that it is written with AI.
After i saw it mentioned by someone, i looked it up and the author has a business where he uses artificial intelligence (his words). Not a huge jump in conclusion, that he took advantage of it in his writing too (which would explain its clunkiness), which would also explain how he churned out most of this series in 2025.
I cannot support that - and even if it isn't so, it's just not a good read.
Read
April 11, 2026What if a low-level android becomes self-aware and is plagued with blackouts? In Michael Cheney’s Confessions of a Trash Droid: Fatal Error: Book 1, we find Tedd, the trash droid, running for his life after it has been determined that he should be destroyed because of his “anomaly.”
This quickly paced, humorous light read held my attention and was structured as a series of unfortunate events for Tedd.
Set in a future where robots and androids are common and used as workers, one android can think for himself. Tedd is given one last chance to behave himself or he’ll be scrapped. Unfortunately, Tedd is not always in control of his actions, blacking out and waking to a scene of mayhem. After an unfortunate encounter with the mob, and another blackout, Tedd is on the run.
Accidently teaming up with humans on a mission, luddites, and uncovering a nefarious plot, Tedd, the unwilling hero stumbles his way to the open-ended conclusion of the book and a job offer. Not a deep dive into character, the screwball plot makes sense, and Cheney charms us with shenanigans.
I would like to see more character development in the side characters which at times seemed flat with forced empathy. (Her brother was a victim of the nefarious plot.) In addition, I felt cheated that the book didn’t really end. The conclusion morphed into a teaser for the next installment. However, for what it is, Cheney served up some smiles for me. (When Tedd disguised himself and hit on a girl in a bar.)
I was reminded of the 2015 movie “Chappie” and the 1986 “Short Circuit.” I think that anyone looking for a light read and a fan of robot stories would enjoy Confessions of a Trash Droid.
This quickly paced, humorous light read held my attention and was structured as a series of unfortunate events for Tedd.
Set in a future where robots and androids are common and used as workers, one android can think for himself. Tedd is given one last chance to behave himself or he’ll be scrapped. Unfortunately, Tedd is not always in control of his actions, blacking out and waking to a scene of mayhem. After an unfortunate encounter with the mob, and another blackout, Tedd is on the run.
Accidently teaming up with humans on a mission, luddites, and uncovering a nefarious plot, Tedd, the unwilling hero stumbles his way to the open-ended conclusion of the book and a job offer. Not a deep dive into character, the screwball plot makes sense, and Cheney charms us with shenanigans.
I would like to see more character development in the side characters which at times seemed flat with forced empathy. (Her brother was a victim of the nefarious plot.) In addition, I felt cheated that the book didn’t really end. The conclusion morphed into a teaser for the next installment. However, for what it is, Cheney served up some smiles for me. (When Tedd disguised himself and hit on a girl in a bar.)
I was reminded of the 2015 movie “Chappie” and the 1986 “Short Circuit.” I think that anyone looking for a light read and a fan of robot stories would enjoy Confessions of a Trash Droid.
October 16, 2025
This is brilliant. Really off the wall, comedy genius sci-fi
This book came to my attention because I've read Michael Cheney's other work, and it's very different.
The quality of writing, characters etc is as good, but it's much more irreverent. The humour is superb. I'm onto book two now - this was only supposed to be a short break from another author's series but I can feel a huge detour now.
Sample quotes, most of which will seem out of context, but they appeal to my sense of humour:
I beamed the Manager, and he said you’d be happy to step in to fulfil his duties.” “Yes, disposing of bodies in the dead of night has been on my bucket list for a while now.”
I go to clink Sarah’s bottle with mine. It takes an ungodly amount of restraint and advanced calculations to make the impact with the correct force. Too much and I could smash both bottles and every bone in her delicate hand. Too little and I might come across like an Englishman with a china teacup (which would be a lot worse).
“So, what’s with the mask and feet?” she says. Well, it was a good run. I shared a drink at a bar with a woman. We had reciprocal bottle- clinkage. I can go to the Smelting Depot as a happy droid.
There is much I’ve yet to learn about humans. But one thing I know is they put slapstick humor pretty low down on their list of funeral must- haves.
This book came to my attention because I've read Michael Cheney's other work, and it's very different.
The quality of writing, characters etc is as good, but it's much more irreverent. The humour is superb. I'm onto book two now - this was only supposed to be a short break from another author's series but I can feel a huge detour now.
Sample quotes, most of which will seem out of context, but they appeal to my sense of humour:
I beamed the Manager, and he said you’d be happy to step in to fulfil his duties.” “Yes, disposing of bodies in the dead of night has been on my bucket list for a while now.”
I go to clink Sarah’s bottle with mine. It takes an ungodly amount of restraint and advanced calculations to make the impact with the correct force. Too much and I could smash both bottles and every bone in her delicate hand. Too little and I might come across like an Englishman with a china teacup (which would be a lot worse).
“So, what’s with the mask and feet?” she says. Well, it was a good run. I shared a drink at a bar with a woman. We had reciprocal bottle- clinkage. I can go to the Smelting Depot as a happy droid.
There is much I’ve yet to learn about humans. But one thing I know is they put slapstick humor pretty low down on their list of funeral must- haves.
November 2, 2025
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
As other reviewers have written, I feel like this is trying too hard to pass itself off as a Murderbot book. And the author falls very short of pulling it off.
The droid, TEDD is sarcastic, negative and will outright give the middle finger to anyone he disagrees with. I have to admit the character did have some funny one liners. But unlike Murderbot, TEDD just isn't that smart and doesn't seem to know when to reel his attitude in, which constantly gets him in trouble in. It you want a summation of who TEDD is, think Bender from the animated tv series Futurama.
There was also confusion for me. TEDD is a droid who holds a great disdain for humans, often referring to them as "meat sacks", yet it becomes clear he's attracted to a woman he is on the run with. WTH?
Getting through the last 3/4 of the book was a slog. It had a few funny one liners but way too much running from other droids and humans sent to capture him. Each time, just as TEDD is about to catch his breath, those chasing him predictably show up in droves.
I have no interest in moving forward with the book series.
As other reviewers have written, I feel like this is trying too hard to pass itself off as a Murderbot book. And the author falls very short of pulling it off.
The droid, TEDD is sarcastic, negative and will outright give the middle finger to anyone he disagrees with. I have to admit the character did have some funny one liners. But unlike Murderbot, TEDD just isn't that smart and doesn't seem to know when to reel his attitude in, which constantly gets him in trouble in. It you want a summation of who TEDD is, think Bender from the animated tv series Futurama.
There was also confusion for me. TEDD is a droid who holds a great disdain for humans, often referring to them as "meat sacks", yet it becomes clear he's attracted to a woman he is on the run with. WTH?
Getting through the last 3/4 of the book was a slog. It had a few funny one liners but way too much running from other droids and humans sent to capture him. Each time, just as TEDD is about to catch his breath, those chasing him predictably show up in droves.
I have no interest in moving forward with the book series.
May 3, 2026
Think of a robot. Now think about your neighbor Joe who is a little crazy, thinks he could be an action hero, and isn't a robot at all. Trash Droid is closer to your neighbor Joe. From what I can tell the only reason the author made him a robot was to be able to replace body parts and give him an excuse for mass killing. But I think Joe could be a mass killer, and the body parts? It's the future-- just make them regrow. The trash Droid just doesn't give robot vibes. This is Joe. A very average dude. A weirdly horny and drunk robot dude. Didn't work for me.
You should also know that the book is like a serialized comic book, where it doesn't come to any resolution. Instead ot brings you to critical moment of the crisis and ends saying, "Want to know what happens? Buy the next book." I dislike books like this unless they are intended trilogies and even then there should be mini-reolutions to leave us satisfied. I was just left annoyed.
Other than these two issues, the book was fine. Good action with a bit of humor.
You should also know that the book is like a serialized comic book, where it doesn't come to any resolution. Instead ot brings you to critical moment of the crisis and ends saying, "Want to know what happens? Buy the next book." I dislike books like this unless they are intended trilogies and even then there should be mini-reolutions to leave us satisfied. I was just left annoyed.
Other than these two issues, the book was fine. Good action with a bit of humor.
November 7, 2025
Mildly confusing (No spoilers)
I like this concept. Picture of you will a slightly malfunctioning android getting caught up in inexplicably odd situations, often with sub-optimal results. Now. Imagine you ARE the aforementioned silicate life-form!
This book, narrated from the pov of the droid is an unusual twist on a survival story. The out hero, the eponymous Trash droid, finds himself in "situations" which he has to navigate by his own wit, intelligence and luck.
It seemed a little strange to begin with, starting in the middle of an "issue" but why becomes more inexplicable as you progress. Occasional industrial language, of which I'm not a fan, in this case doesn't detract from a well written, at times humorous, at time exciting tale and this is only part one!
So, now the world is established, the hero introduced, I'm looking forward to book 2 and subsequent instalments! I can definitely recommend you read this!
I like this concept. Picture of you will a slightly malfunctioning android getting caught up in inexplicably odd situations, often with sub-optimal results. Now. Imagine you ARE the aforementioned silicate life-form!
This book, narrated from the pov of the droid is an unusual twist on a survival story. The out hero, the eponymous Trash droid, finds himself in "situations" which he has to navigate by his own wit, intelligence and luck.
It seemed a little strange to begin with, starting in the middle of an "issue" but why becomes more inexplicable as you progress. Occasional industrial language, of which I'm not a fan, in this case doesn't detract from a well written, at times humorous, at time exciting tale and this is only part one!
So, now the world is established, the hero introduced, I'm looking forward to book 2 and subsequent instalments! I can definitely recommend you read this!
April 19, 2026
Technically a 2.5 star rounded up to 3. I started this series because I saw it favorably compared to Murderbot Diaries. However, this book did not live up to that comparison. Unfortunately, I trusted the initial review and bought the whole series because it was on sale at the time. Otherwise, I would not have continued with this series. The first book was mildly entertaining, even with its flaws, so I held out hope that maybe the author world put things together in later installments, but the things I found annoying about the first book persisted in the later books.
The main character is not particularly likable and downright annoying at times. The plot is just so-so, with the book relying heavily on humor and jokes to carry it. I usually enjoy having humorous elements in my sci-fi novels, but this series takes it to an overly juvenile and gratuitous level that I have grown to find increasingly tiresome. Also, many of the robots seem overly personified, with descriptions of behavior, speech, mannerisms, facial expression, etc. such that, if you miss the reference to metal body parts, you would think you were reading about a human character. Some robots seem to have autonomy, while others are described as property and there is no apparent reason as to why. Basically, there are issues with inconsistent and poorly set up world building.
The main character is not particularly likable and downright annoying at times. The plot is just so-so, with the book relying heavily on humor and jokes to carry it. I usually enjoy having humorous elements in my sci-fi novels, but this series takes it to an overly juvenile and gratuitous level that I have grown to find increasingly tiresome. Also, many of the robots seem overly personified, with descriptions of behavior, speech, mannerisms, facial expression, etc. such that, if you miss the reference to metal body parts, you would think you were reading about a human character. Some robots seem to have autonomy, while others are described as property and there is no apparent reason as to why. Basically, there are issues with inconsistent and poorly set up world building.
March 1, 2026
Brilliant Book - Fantastic Audio Book!
I came across this by accident (I mistyped Chaney! 🫢) having never read any of Michael’s books - something I intend to rectify! TEDD is a snarky, self aware and accident prone Droid who falls from one misadventure to another.
The meatsack ghost writer did a fantastic job capturing his sense of humour and fatalistic outlook.
As others have said if you like Adams or Pratchett you’ll love this.
My criticism? It’s a novella, not a book - but it is priced accordingly.
I prefer to do my reading on Kindle but as I was already invested in the story by the second chapter, I downloaded the Audible Whispersync version so I could drive and listen. What a revelation! Lukas Arnold’s narration really brings TEDD to life. I really did LOL at points. Do your ears a favour and try the audiobook 😀
I came across this by accident (I mistyped Chaney! 🫢) having never read any of Michael’s books - something I intend to rectify! TEDD is a snarky, self aware and accident prone Droid who falls from one misadventure to another.
The meatsack ghost writer did a fantastic job capturing his sense of humour and fatalistic outlook.
As others have said if you like Adams or Pratchett you’ll love this.
My criticism? It’s a novella, not a book - but it is priced accordingly.
I prefer to do my reading on Kindle but as I was already invested in the story by the second chapter, I downloaded the Audible Whispersync version so I could drive and listen. What a revelation! Lukas Arnold’s narration really brings TEDD to life. I really did LOL at points. Do your ears a favour and try the audiobook 😀
March 21, 2026
I wanted to like Fatal Error, but this felt more like a rough concept than a fully developed story.
There’s basically no real worldbuilding or setup. You’re dropped in and expected to just roll with it, but unlike stronger sci-fi, there’s not enough context to make that work. I never felt grounded in the world, the stakes, or even what the story was really trying to do.
There are a few funny quips and some obvious political stereotypes sprinkled in, but it’s surface-level. Not sharp enough to be satire, not deep enough to be meaningful.
And at around three hours per audiobook, this just doesn’t justify the cost. It feels more like a short episode than a full book.
Also—this is not in the same league as The Murderbot Diaries.
I finished it, but I still couldn’t tell you what the actual point of the story was.
There’s basically no real worldbuilding or setup. You’re dropped in and expected to just roll with it, but unlike stronger sci-fi, there’s not enough context to make that work. I never felt grounded in the world, the stakes, or even what the story was really trying to do.
There are a few funny quips and some obvious political stereotypes sprinkled in, but it’s surface-level. Not sharp enough to be satire, not deep enough to be meaningful.
And at around three hours per audiobook, this just doesn’t justify the cost. It feels more like a short episode than a full book.
Also—this is not in the same league as The Murderbot Diaries.
I finished it, but I still couldn’t tell you what the actual point of the story was.
February 19, 2026
Rating: 2.5 stars
I wanted to like this more, but there is more to "life" than being snarky and an outsider. The story continues in the next book (Illegal Operation) and it's likely that more depth and nuance will be added to T.E.D.D.'s character. Fatal Error is the first of 6 books.
SUMMARY: 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.
I wanted to like this more, but there is more to "life" than being snarky and an outsider. The story continues in the next book (Illegal Operation) and it's likely that more depth and nuance will be added to T.E.D.D.'s character. Fatal Error is the first of 6 books.
SUMMARY: 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.
April 5, 2026
First sentence: One of the dead passengers floats past my faceplate.
OK, we're in space and there are dead passengers. OK!
Seventh sentence: Looking through the small windows to the outside, I can see the brightness of Earth below every 3 seconds, which indicates we are spinning.
So... we're spinning at 20RPM. Nothing should be floating. Maybe there is artificial gravity and it's maintaining really well?
More sentences later: We are in a high-altitude aircraft (that blew at least one engine).
OK, no artificial gravity. Atmosphere. Partial gravity due to deceleration from air friction. Centripetal force. Nothing should be floating.
It's not looking good.
Robot personality - kinda like a cross between bender and Marvin. Nope. I'm done 10ish pages in.
OK, we're in space and there are dead passengers. OK!
Seventh sentence: Looking through the small windows to the outside, I can see the brightness of Earth below every 3 seconds, which indicates we are spinning.
So... we're spinning at 20RPM. Nothing should be floating. Maybe there is artificial gravity and it's maintaining really well?
More sentences later: We are in a high-altitude aircraft (that blew at least one engine).
OK, no artificial gravity. Atmosphere. Partial gravity due to deceleration from air friction. Centripetal force. Nothing should be floating.
It's not looking good.
Robot personality - kinda like a cross between bender and Marvin. Nope. I'm done 10ish pages in.
April 27, 2026
This is not good. Tedd is not likeable on any level. As others have said, there is no world building whatsoever. We learn nothing of Tedd's history or why he is so angry at everyone. The jokes don't land. I was having trouble putting my finger on why the jokes seem like they should be funny but weren't. Then I saw that this author uses AI to write. That explains it. The jokes are clever, I guess, but they just don't hit as funny. I almost DNF'd this, but it was so short, and I fell victim to some sunk cost fallacy. I finished it in a day because I couldn't wait to get it over with, not because I was engaged in the story. It's trying so hard to be Murderbot, but it doesn't hold a candle. I won't waste time on the next one.
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