A Much Better Murderbot

I listened to Artificial Condition as an audiobook while walking, and it really surprised me. Compared to All Systems Red, this second entry in the Murderbot Diaries is a big step up.

Murderbot is still its sarcastic, awkward self, but this time the story digs a bit deeper into its past and motivations. That gave the whole thing more weight. I actually started to care more about what was going on. The interactions with humans felt more dynamic, and the pacing was smoother.

What really made the book stand out for me was the introduction of a new character.

Spoiler wall – mild spoilers ahead

Murderbot teams up with an intelligent research transport called ART, and their dynamic is gold. The banter, the weird friendship, the way they challenge each other... it added so much life to the story. ART was honestly one of the highlights, and I hope it returns in the next books.

The audiobook performance was once again solid. I had more fun listening to this than I expected. The tone shifts nicely between sarcastic inner monologue and tense action. The narrator keeps that energy going really well.

I’m glad I gave the second book a chance. Where the first felt like a teaser, Artificial Condition actually feels like a full story. It has emotion, personality, and a more memorable plot.