Artificial Condition
by Martha Wells
DETAILS: Series: The Muderbot Diaries, #2 Publisher: Tordotcom Publication Date: May 08, 2018 Format: Hardcover Length: 158 pg. Read Date: June 19, 2026
What’s Artificial Condition About?
For the first time in its existence, Murderbot is free to go where it wants (although it needs to be careful about where, so it’s not mistaken for a rogue unit), do what it wants, all for itself.
Somewhat surprisingly—at least that’s how I reacted for half-a-second and then it made total sense—it wants to go back to the mining colony where it killed so many humans to try to understand what happened. And how it relates to the hacking of its governor module.
Along the way, it befriends a transport vessel, and hires on to protect some scientists who are trying to take on a mega-corporation.
So, what did I think about Artificial Condition ?
Okay, so why did I sleep on this for so long? Yes, I should’ve just bought and read the entire series (available at the time) back in 2023 when I read All Systems Red. But I didn’t. Then I bought this one back in February 2025—and still didn’t read it until June.
I promise you, there has been much in the way of self-berating since I started reading this.
The novella is so short, that to give it my usual treatment seems like too much. So let me just cut to the chase:
Not only does Murderbot make a new friend (although the road to friendship was bumpy) with the transport ship it dubbed, ART. But there’s a connection made with another ‘bot, too. There’s a growing network of connections of beings with similar intelligence and interests (especially in episodic media) for our friend, and I’m enjoying it as much as I wonder where Wells is taking us with that notion.
The humans Murderbot tries to help this time aren’t quite at the same level as the PreservationAux crew when it comes to taking care of themselves—or at paying attention Murderbot. But it was good to see it try with others, even as what it learns about itself by interaction with them is a little sad.
On the other hand, watching Muderbot deal with humans who are trying to take advantage of his new group…well, that’s another kind of satisfying.
As much as I enjoyed the first of The Murderbot Diaries, this one really set the hook in . The character development was fantastic—as is watching its increasing self-awareness, and…well all the intangible stuff doing on with the former SecUnit. The narrative voice alone is worth coming back for—but there are a multitude of reasons to do so.
If you—like me—continue to sleep on this series. Quit it. You won’t be sorry.
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