Artificial Condition by Martha Wells book cover

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Artificial Condition

by Martha Wells

158 pages 2018 Science Fiction, Novella 🌶️ Clean Standalone

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The Vibe

Murderbot travels to investigate its past — the incident where it killed people. It teams up with a research transport vessel AI called ART (who is judgmental and loves media). Two AIs, one investigation, maximum sass. The friendship between Murderbot and ART is one of sci-fi's greatest.

Spice Check

🌶️ Clean

Clean — aromantic asexual protagonist.

Content Heads-Up

Violence
Corporate abuse
Identity crisis

Is This Book for You?

Skip if you dislike:

Haven't read book 1
No sci-fi

Ending: Satisfying

Pacing: Fast

What This Book Feels Like

Moods: Sarcastic Investigative Funny Growth

Tropes: AI Buddy Cop Identity Search Past Investigation Disguise

If You Loved This, Try These

All Systems Red

Project Hail Mary

Same buddy-comedy sci-fi energy

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet

Same warm found-family sci-fi

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is ART?

An AI ship — snobbish, protective, and Murderbot's best frenemy.

Does it resolve the past incident?

Partially — the investigation continues across books.

Is it as good as book 1?

Many say better — the Murderbot/ART dynamic elevates everything.

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