Play Book Tag discussion

Artificial Condition continues the story of Murderbot, a rogue security android trying to uncover the truth behind a violent incident from its past. Still awkward around humans and addicted to downloaded media, it teams up with a snarky research transport AI (nicknamed ART) to sneak into a mining facility where things once went very wrong. Disguised as an augmented human, Murderbot takes on a security job that gives it cover to investigate while protecting a group of naive researchers.

The most enjoyable part of the book is the developing relationship between Murderbot and ART. Their back-and-forth is smart, funny, and surprisingly emotional at times. Murderbot’s inner voice remains sharp and self-aware, full of dry humour and reluctant empathy.

However, the plot itself feels thin. The central mystery isn’t particularly gripping, and much of the story feels like setup for the next book rather than a satisfying entry on its own. The pacing is uneven — slow at the start, better in the final third — and some of the characters lack depth. They serve the story but don’t add much to it.