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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.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2025
1158 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
October 11, 2025
Get the book 'cause it has a non-human POV.
Getting this book was a no-brainer since I love Murderbot and I had to see if a Trash Droid, call 'em T.E.D.D. was special too! Well I was a bit disappointed. Although it's rather engaging I didn't find Ted that special. I guess I was expecting too much! I found that Teddy wasn't nearly as personable as Murderbot. Although he is quite different and is his own Droid. And yeah I do think that the story and Tedd will get better as the reader delves deeper into the storyline.
Here's a quote:
"...it’s a Clunker robot. Big, bulky, and as dumb as a microwave."
Getting this book was a no-brainer since I love Murderbot and I had to see if a Trash Droid, call 'em T.E.D.D. was special too! Well I was a bit disappointed. Although it's rather engaging I didn't find Ted that special. I guess I was expecting too much! I found that Teddy wasn't nearly as personable as Murderbot. Although he is quite different and is his own Droid. And yeah I do think that the story and Tedd will get better as the reader delves deeper into the storyline.
Here's a quote:
"...it’s a Clunker robot. Big, bulky, and as dumb as a microwave."
December 23, 2025
Sci fi comedy
Not exactly the genre I usually read but it was a good break to read something so different. Tedd is funny, irreverent, and a sociopath (for a droid). It’s a short book, a little over100 pgs, all told from Tedd’s POV. Easy to finish in a couple hours. It’s very well written, and there’s plenty of action. Tedd gets around. He meets a lot of different characters, both human and droid. He has an opinion about everything. He’s sometimes mean, but he can also be kind but it has to be on his terms. It ends in a cliffhanger that continues in the next book and his next adventure. Definitely continuing this series.
Not exactly the genre I usually read but it was a good break to read something so different. Tedd is funny, irreverent, and a sociopath (for a droid). It’s a short book, a little over100 pgs, all told from Tedd’s POV. Easy to finish in a couple hours. It’s very well written, and there’s plenty of action. Tedd gets around. He meets a lot of different characters, both human and droid. He has an opinion about everything. He’s sometimes mean, but he can also be kind but it has to be on his terms. It ends in a cliffhanger that continues in the next book and his next adventure. Definitely continuing this series.
January 27, 2026
Copies so many plot points from murderbot that it's aggravating. Also, this character is supposed to be purely artificial, not having a human core, but he can smell and taste and feel? And be sexually attracted to female robots AND humans...which he consistently derides as meatbags? His anus being his charging plug is supposed to be hysterical. He kills indiscriminately. There's not a single character in the book that is decent or deserves respect, including the protagonist. It's disappointing because there are some pretty funny quips sprinkled in there, you just have to drudge thru too much dark and depressing crap to find them.
October 23, 2025
TEDD is hilarious but maybe too human seeming.
Confessions of a Trash Droid: Illegal Operation by Michael Cheney
1st in series. Trash Droid is a TEDD (Trash, Excavation and Disposal Droid) with anomalies, one of which is that he's become sentient. Another that he blacks out. Because of this the powers-that-be are talking of deactivating him, but he wants to live. Story is full of puns, teen potty humor and just funny at times. "He" often seems too human. Looking forward to the next in series.
Confessions of a Trash Droid: Illegal Operation by Michael Cheney
1st in series. Trash Droid is a TEDD (Trash, Excavation and Disposal Droid) with anomalies, one of which is that he's become sentient. Another that he blacks out. Because of this the powers-that-be are talking of deactivating him, but he wants to live. Story is full of puns, teen potty humor and just funny at times. "He" often seems too human. Looking forward to the next in series.
November 9, 2025
DNF at 10%
“I still gave it five stars. I admire acts of creation.” - You cannot trick me into not rating you what you deserve.
Trash Bot is exactly what it says on the tin, trash. Hastily thrown together slop trying and failing miserably to be Murderbot.
The “jokes” are juvenile, and even calling them jokes feels generous. This is someone who clearly wants to write Murderbot, but doesn’t understand how Wells’ style works, and so they just throw shit jokes at the wall, and fail at sarcasm.
It’s exhausting to read, don’t bother.
“I still gave it five stars. I admire acts of creation.” - You cannot trick me into not rating you what you deserve.
Trash Bot is exactly what it says on the tin, trash. Hastily thrown together slop trying and failing miserably to be Murderbot.
The “jokes” are juvenile, and even calling them jokes feels generous. This is someone who clearly wants to write Murderbot, but doesn’t understand how Wells’ style works, and so they just throw shit jokes at the wall, and fail at sarcasm.
It’s exhausting to read, don’t bother.
November 3, 2025
Confessions of a Trash Droid: Fatal Error reads like Murderbot Diaries crashed into the dry, irreverent wit of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I think many of the lower-rated reviews missed that this book intends to be funny it balances satire, snark, and sci-fi adventure in equal measure. You do need a bit of “willing suspension of disbelief,” but that’s part of its charm. From the very first page, it establishes its tone and never wavers clever, fast, and full of bite.
December 17, 2025
Potential
At 60%, I was still trying to figure out what this book wanted to be when it grew up …the storyline just seemed to be all over the place. Still, the writing was solid enough. The hook on the final page was enough to persuade me to try one more book in the series. However, I do not find myself emotionally invested in the character, so I do not have high hopes for the series at this point.
At 60%, I was still trying to figure out what this book wanted to be when it grew up …the storyline just seemed to be all over the place. Still, the writing was solid enough. The hook on the final page was enough to persuade me to try one more book in the series. However, I do not find myself emotionally invested in the character, so I do not have high hopes for the series at this point.
January 5, 2026
It was an interesting premise and I’m curious where the story is heading, but a lot of the jokes were very juvenile. The plot seemed to jump a bit all over the place and doesn’t really leave you a satisfying conclusion. It feels like a larger book was broken in the middle for the sake of a cliff hanger.
The characters do have some charm, but do fall a bit flat. There is also a lot of oscillating of liking and loathing each other that didn’t feel natural.
The characters do have some charm, but do fall a bit flat. There is also a lot of oscillating of liking and loathing each other that didn’t feel natural.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
Not my usual go to genre but I genuinely enjoyed every second of this book.
It had me engaged immediately, the narrator of the audiobook, Lukas has the most perfect voice for this character. His accent mixed with the perfectly timed sarcasm genuinely had me captivated and laughing out loud (Chapter 20 and 21 in particular, if you know you know) I would 100% recommend trying out the audio version.
Short, hilarious and actioned packed, a great start to the series. I cannot wait to see where this story goes!
It had me engaged immediately, the narrator of the audiobook, Lukas has the most perfect voice for this character. His accent mixed with the perfectly timed sarcasm genuinely had me captivated and laughing out loud (Chapter 20 and 21 in particular, if you know you know) I would 100% recommend trying out the audio version.
Short, hilarious and actioned packed, a great start to the series. I cannot wait to see where this story goes!
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.
January 24, 2026
This is just a good, fun read. It's like Dungeon Crawler Carl and Murderbot had a baby that gave even less effs. It's short, quick, funny, and yet somehow I already care about the people - well, droids and people I suppose.
Solid, fun and enjoyable. The books are short, so you can fit them in when you don't have a lot of time. Well written, and did I mention fun? Because I meant to. These books are fun, if that didn't come across.
Solid, fun and enjoyable. The books are short, so you can fit them in when you don't have a lot of time. Well written, and did I mention fun? Because I meant to. These books are fun, if that didn't come across.
October 2, 2025
Not Trashy at all
The concept of a sentient trash droid appealed to me and still still does even more so after reading this book. TEDD has the kind of personality you would expect and it works for the story. Nothing mind blowingly orginal but very entrtaining. Cheney did a good job of world building. Im looking forward to book two.
The concept of a sentient trash droid appealed to me and still still does even more so after reading this book. TEDD has the kind of personality you would expect and it works for the story. Nothing mind blowingly orginal but very entrtaining. Cheney did a good job of world building. Im looking forward to book two.
October 2, 2025
Tedd is funny, glitchy, and maybe way smarter than a trash droid is supposed to be. He's totally giving Deadpool vibes. I enjoyed it a lot, although things get sort of jerky and random toward the end. And it ends on a cliff hanger. No problem: the book is quite short and all three books are available.
January 24, 2026
Glitching Droid blunders to Freedom
This felt more like a short story, than a novel. However the pace and humorous dialogue keeps you page turning as our glitching hero blunders from one disaster to another as he breaks free of the autocratic control and makes a bid for free will and freedom.
This felt more like a short story, than a novel. However the pace and humorous dialogue keeps you page turning as our glitching hero blunders from one disaster to another as he breaks free of the autocratic control and makes a bid for free will and freedom.
October 27, 2025
Absolutely Hilarious
Oh I laughed out loud so many times. What a brilliant concept... with an outstanding delivery system. TEDD Rocks and I can't wait to read about his next adventure.
Oh I laughed out loud so many times. What a brilliant concept... with an outstanding delivery system. TEDD Rocks and I can't wait to read about his next adventure.
October 30, 2025
I was worried this was just going to be another MB copy but I was happily wrong. I enjoyed this book immensely, it was fast paced and witty. The interactions and snark didn’t feel forced at all. I’m on to the next book immediately!
December 3, 2025
Not nearly as charming or well written as The Murderbot Diaries. Feels like an obvious attempt to cash in on the popularity of the better series. But it’s redeemed by being interesting in its own right and fairly well-written.
December 31, 2025
I had my hopes up for this book, but it was just a half assed knock off of Martha Welles series Murderbot. This book might amuse fifteen year olds, but if you are looking for a well written and thought out adventure in this genre, take a wide pass,
January 17, 2026
Confessions of a Trash Droid: Fatal Error
I absolutely love Tedd, with his snarky sense of humor. I found myself laughing out loud several times and plan to read the whole series. Definitely five out of five stars.
I absolutely love Tedd, with his snarky sense of humor. I found myself laughing out loud several times and plan to read the whole series. Definitely five out of five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews