Absolute Zero

Confessions of a Trash Droid #7

by Michael Cheney, Lukas Arnold (Narrator)

A sci fi adventure thriller for adults who love robot fiction

With the world in ruins and humanity on the brink of extinction, T.E.D.D. has one last chance to stop the Manager for good. As nuclear fallout spreads, MilBot armies march, and mutant Sloppers roam, T.E.D.D., ArachnoBot, and a ragtag band of humans launch a desperate assault on the Manager’s secret Arctic lair. Guarded by unseen technologies and horrors of unfathomable power, this mission demands everything. If T.E.D.D. fails, humanity ends — and the Manager rules forever.

Perfect for fans of humorous sci-fi who love Douglas Adams, John Scalzi, Andy Weir, and Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published April 8, 2026

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann]

Absolute Zero
By Michael Cheney
Really enjoyed this whole series! Short books but packed with great characters, fun banter, crazy situations, lots of humor, and unexpected plot twists. I will read a different type book or two and then start the next series by this author, The Trash Droid Files.

[Boo]

Really loved this series, can’t wait to start the other books 😊. The ending was a little underwhelming but still I can’t wait to check out more from this author!

[Darcy Michielsen]

Absolute Zero is the final entry in the series, wrapping up the story in a neat little bow. The book itself was similar to the other titles in the series, same characters with a change in setting.

I cannot in good faith recommend this series. While each individual book was middling in the enjoyment offered and offers up consistent, predictable story lines, the overall series is underwhelming in character development and relies heavily on its humour to keep the reader engaged with the characters. The dry banter at first was hitting the spot, however as the series goes on it becomes rather banal in its delivery and somewhat predictable with its characters.

The books seem to suffer from an identity crisis. In each book there is an undercurrent of philosophical questioning about the human condition, systematic oppression, and existential autonomy. However these moments, while great in isolation, are completely undercut by the levity of the characters themselves.

Something that really bothered me throughout this series was that each book was just an elongated chapter of the same story. It could have easily been a single book, but instead is delivered in a way that feels cheap. In other novella series that I have read, such as Neon Yang's Tensorate, or even Martha Wells' Murderbot, each entry offered something different in narrative framing or story that really develops the character or story in a different way. Confessions of a Trash Droid however does not do this in any way, shape or form.

I won't say that the series is not fun, it has something to offer in the way of "fun factor" with its humour and characters, and I did have a few chuckles throughout the books. If you want a series that is good to have on the side of other, heavier stories, this may suit you, but I highly recommend that you do so by buying the series as a whole and not each individual book.

Absolute Zero: 2.25⭐
Confessions of a Trash Droid Series: 2.25⭐

[Angela Skees]

Frankly, I'm disappointed in this whole series. I know that comparing it to Murderbot is unfair, so ignoring that - there are a lot of story decisions that just do not make sense to me. And there was a character waiting in the wings to swoop in and help resolve a lot of things. Lots of them in fact. The main question of the Missing which is the impetus to the story, makes no sense when everyone sees them die in murder-games. The question of why 420 is different is not ever addressed. The final conflict with the antagonist is underwhelming and not satisfying. Nor is the fallout of what DID happen ever taken in to account. It's very this thing happened and now this thing is happening and now this too is happening, without any consideration of what might have changed.

Maybe the next set of books is better, but I will not give it the time of day.
Also, if I had a dollar for every time the word "c*nt" was used I would have many, many dollars.

[C I KESZEI]

Excellent. Now we need the new series please

There's nothing I can write here that isn't a spoiler so I'm just going to say it's more of the same humourous writing with the rapport between all the characters, particularly Tedd and Rachno.

A couple of obligatory quotes to highlight the above:
"It’s time you realized not everything can be explained through logic and reasoning. There are things beyond the physical and beyond the mental that can’t be truly explained.” “Yes, Tedd. They are called bs.”

"Us machines have really mastered the art of useful sleep. Unlike humans, we can wake at a moment’s notice and be fully operational. No stretching, coffee, or morning dump required for us to fire on all cylinders."

[Liana]

I enjoyed this entire series. I liked that it was split into novellas, more or less. Easy to consume. As a non-visualizer (I have aphantasia), books with a lot of dialogue and minimal description are definitely my jam. Too much description is noise. Experiencing Tedd's dystopian adventures though so much dialogue made this series a unique and interesting experience for me. I'll definitely be reading the next series. Kudos, Michael Cheney. Well done 👏🏼

[Steve Goff]

Good story line but the neverending banter is wearing

I like the story premise but the banter is neverending and seems to used to fill the pages. Stories half what most authors provide, but maybe not all bad as I probably would not have gotten this far if they were. I won't be following the series any further.

[Jerry]

I shouldn't enjoy these books, but for some unexplained reason, I do. The characters are silly and the ongoing banter is over the top considering the circumstances they find themselves in. They should all be very dead many times over, but where would the fun in that be? At least the most unlikeable character bit the big one while going out a hero.

[Lisa &]

fun read

It was a fun read, that doesnt take robot wars and the apocalypse too seriously. Recommend it to someone who likes to read to escape, and not think too much about the real world.

[Matt]

Could have been a single book.

Maybe convenient into 2 without removing any content. I still enjoyed the overall story and gave each book 5 stars but each one felt like a long tv episode.

[Veronik Durocher]

Good!

This series really got me hooked! A real page turner, non-stop action, full of funny dark humour, I specially liked the ranter between the characters and really loved the two main protagonists. I hope there will be more adventures for them.

[Gary Davis]

Excellent

Fun series... I'll read more later... But in the meantime I need to move on. I've enjoyed very much the fun of this series. It's a relief to get away from the serious blood and guts/death and destruction of others. So bye for now. 🙂

[Trevor]

Tedd, Rachno, Sarah, Nick and Kenzie head to Alaska for a final confrontation with the Manager, hoping to put a stop to his world changing plan. Fast moving story as the group stumbles their way along, meeting a variety of characters on the way.

[Maria]

Energetic Series

The seven books in this series kept the action moving. The bad news is each book had to be read to get the whole story completed.

[Patrick]

Absolute Zero

I was pretty sure that this was the end of the story. It would actually make a great ending. But it seems like there might be more to it.

[Julianna M.]

Pulitzer Prize winner?

Nope. Entertaining and funny? Hell yeah! A great series with each book not too long to find you losing interest in the characters and plot.

[Philip Konkel]

enjoyed the story

Fun quick read. The books break up the story into manageable reads when you want an entertaining distraction. I enjoyed them.

[Susan Chervak]

Trash Droid

Like the pace and interaction. Reminds me of working with the guys at work. We all had the same relstionships.

[x x x]

Heroic

Oh my I don't think they'll ever going to win. The sloppers the mailbox the troopers the manager the mckenzie, and all the rest just seem overwhelming. I hope they win?

[Amy Clark]

I loved this series. The author is funny, sarcastic and just totally engaging. Language is rough in some spots, but overall a great series.

[Jason Krieg]

Fun book series. I recommend.

[tom l adams]

Fun read

A nice fun ride. Robot humor with human backup as dramatically relevant co heroes Definitely just what the doctor ordered. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

[Wendy E.]

Fun series!

[Squeaky]

Fun, but short.

[Malureanu Vlad]

Flat ending, to a flat story...I get indie writers and all, but yeah...not for me. Waste of time, waste of a credit to get the whole 7 series...

[ukkindlecustomer]

The Final Countdown
Read as part of box set. Laughs, though still plentiful, take second place to adrenaline filled thrills and tension, in final, climactic confrontation.

[Chez Za]

🎧 A strong finish. A few laugh out loud moments and a few worrisome moments. Narrator did another great job.

[Beverly Fuqua]

The only thing wrong with this book is that it wasn't long enough. I love Trash Droid, coolest robot I've ever met!
Come on Mr. Cheney, more TD!