Artificial Condition (Murderbot Diaries, 2); Martha Wells

I read “Artificial Condition” in a day as another buddy read. After “All Systems Red” it was impossible for me and my friend not to want to pick the second book up in the Murderbot Diaries immediately. It was a fantastic decision! Even though Murderbot’s favorite humans from the first book are not in this one, new characters more than make up for it, especially in a story that shows how much more “human” Murderbot is becoming. Honestly, for a book and premise primarily around robots and constructs, I was not expecting this many feels.

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In the second book, we aren’t plopped into the middle of a scenario the way the first book does. With the inclusion of Art, it allows Murderbot to explain and talk things through that, in the previous book because MB was hiding for so much of it, couldn’t be delved into at great length. The slightly slower start I found to be a huge help, plus getting to know Art was a delight. Because, I, too, get attached to fictional characters in much the same way that Art does. There are so many very human/touching moments in this book between Art and Murderbot, Murderbot and the humans it interacts with while it learns how to blend in with other augmented humans, plus so much humor that had me cackling. I had a thoroughly great time reading this novella. This series is becoming quite the unexpected delight, so naturally this book gets another 5 stars from me, even though this story felt a little like a bridge between book 1 and what we’ll get in book 3, I still had a great time with this story. This is quickly becoming a new favorite series of mine!