Play Book Tag discussion

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells - 4 stars - My Review

This is the second book in the Murderbot Series. If you have not read the initial book, All Systems Red, I suggest reading it first. Each book in the series is short. As one of my friends has pointed out, the entire series is the equivalent of one longer, more complex book. It is broken up into “bite-sized chunks.”

The protagonist is a robotic Security Unit (called the SEC Unit) that has hacked its governor module. It secretly calls itself “Murderbot” due to a past horrific malfunction. It has little memory of the malfunction and in this book, the SEC Unit attempts to find out what happened. It befriends the intelligence system that controls a research transport (called ART). ART modifies the SEC Unit to allow it to pass as an augmented human. It hires on as a security consultant to a group of (human) researchers who are headed to the same planet where the malfunction occurred. They need to retrieve their research, which they believe has been stolen.

This story contains elements of tech humor, especially the interplay between the SEC Unit and ART. It pokes fun at humans, and their tendency to do “stupid things that will get them killed.” As in the first book, the attraction (for me) is the development of the SEC Unit from a robot to a form of artificial intelligence. I do not think it is quite as strong as All Systems Red, but it is enjoyable and entertaining.

I am working through this series now. It actually took me a few books to appreciate it. I liked ART a lot, and it dawned on me that the arc of Murderbot's story is like many myths and fairy tales. A young person learns something that causes him/her/it to go on a journey/quest. Along the way there are helpers (ART is like a fairy godmother) and enemies.

Yes, I really liked the interplay between the SEC Unit and ART. The tech humor appeals to me. I can see your viewpoint about a quest. I am looking forward to seeing how the SEC Unit continues to morph into an artificial intelligence. I plan to continue the series.

Argh! I liked the first book and am nervous that I will be disappointed with the second; one of the things I liked best about Murderbot was the SEC's journey to autonomy, and am not sure if I would like it without that. Now you are making me rethink this, but i have so very many books on my tbr already.

I like this series a lot. I'm currently listening to #3, Rogue Protocol. I think it's an exceptionally well done audio series, narrated by Kevin R. Free.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I like this series a lot. I'm currently listening to #3, Rogue Protocol. I think it's an exceptionally well done audio series, narrated by Kevin R. Free."

Yes, I forgot to mention the outstanding audio performance by Kevin R. Free. His voice acting is top notch.

Karin wrote: "Argh! I liked the first book and am nervous that I will be disappointed with the second; one of the things I liked best about Murderbot was the SEC's journey to autonomy, and am not sure if I would..."
I think the second book advances the SEC Unit's autonomy. It gets a "job" working for humans and accepts modifications (performed by ART) to look more human-like. I think it is a gradual change, but definitely moves the journey along. FWIW, I plan to continue the series.

Yes, I liked the 2nd book more than the first.

Joy I'm thrilled to see that you like this. It gives me confidence that I will too. I've had this series on the back burner for a while now.

This discussion reminds me of A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (book 2 in the series). The ship's former AI gets a body, and is "raised" by a human who was partially raised by an AI. It was surprisingly sensitive.

Joy D wrote: "Karin wrote: "Argh! I liked the first book and am nervous that I will be disappointed with the second; one of the things I liked best about Murderbot was the SEC's journey to autonomy, and am not s..."

Okay, you have talked me into it ;) !

But since I didn't like A Closed and Common Orbit--2 stars; the first got 3--I hope I like this book #2 better.

NancyJ wrote: "Joy I'm thrilled to see that you like this. It gives me confidence that I will too. I've had this series on the back burner for a while now.

This discussion reminds me of [book:A Closed and Commo..."

Hope you enjoy it, Nancy. I am not one to read series, but I am finding this one appeals to me enough to continue it. I have not read A Closed and Common Orbit, so will have to look into it.

Karin wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Karin wrote: "Argh! I liked the first book and am nervous that I will be disappointed with the second; one of the things I liked best about Murderbot was the SEC's journey to autonomy..."

I can't compare the two since I haven't read A Closed and Common Orbit. I tend to like SciFi, though, so that' probably part of the appeal for me.

I will look forward to seeing what you think of the first book, Karin, if you decide to read it. If you like the first book, the others follow in a similar vein.

They are different in a number of ways. The reason that I disliked A Closed and Common Orbit is not a situation that will arise in this series though! I realize it's science FICTION, but sometimes I cannot suspend my disbelief easily in the fiction stuff.

That said, both deal with some of the same issues besides AI.

Just chiming in here to say I adore Murderbot! I am working through them slowly because they are short and once read....although she has a contract for 3 more.

I don't read SciFi as a general rule, inspite of the evidence of a few recent reads. However, when diverse readers I know and respect raved about these, many even going so far as to call Murderbot their 'spirit animal'....well I talked my Feminerdy Book Club into reading the first and we all loved it so much, we added the second to our reads a year later.

I think this is one of those genre books and series that actually cross genre boundaries, like Game of Thrones.

NancyJ wrote: "Joy I'm thrilled to see that you like this. It gives me confidence that I will too. I've had this series on the back burner for a while now.

This discussion reminds me of A Closed and Common Orbit"

I'm reading A Closed and Common Orbit this month for my Unofficial Trim pick.

I really need to move this up my TBR. I've been meaning to read it for some time, but keep forgetting about it.