Artificial condition

enne📚 a publié une critique de Artificial condition par Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

5 étoiles

This is my favorite Murderbot novella. What stands out the most to me is the prickly but endearing not-friendship between ART and Murderbot. I also love seeing Murderbot taking on its first clients (by choice) and feeling just as invested in doing a good job in protecting them. My delight in this book is probably why I also like the novel Network Effect so much, as it feels like a thematic expansion of all the best bits of this book (plus ART).

I think it's also easy to read this book as such a queer and trans story (only metaphorically, as it would be horrified at this comparison). It really gets into how fraught physical change for the purpose of passing is; it's something that Murderbot feels it needs to do for safety as rogue SecUnit, even as it feels emotionally unsafe to do. And also it's Murderbot having to …

This is my favorite Murderbot novella. What stands out the most to me is the prickly but endearing not-friendship between ART and Murderbot. I also love seeing Murderbot taking on its first clients (by choice) and feeling just as invested in doing a good job in protecting them. My delight in this book is probably why I also like the novel Network Effect so much, as it feels like a thematic expansion of all the best bits of this book (plus ART).

I think it's also easy to read this book as such a queer and trans story (only metaphorically, as it would be horrified at this comparison). It really gets into how fraught physical change for the purpose of passing is; it's something that Murderbot feels it needs to do for safety as rogue SecUnit, even as it feels emotionally unsafe to do. And also it's Murderbot having to navigate this change with the (extremely pushy but supportive) help of ART.

This book also gets into some of Murderbot's traumatic history in its investigation of Ganaka Pit. On a reread, I think I was surprised at how little reaction this gets from Murderbot in the moment once it has unraveled a core mystery of its past. But, at the same time, trauma is unevenly distributed, Murderbot is not the best at feelings, and it certainly catches up later in conversation with ART and Tapan.

gntoni@bookwyrm.social a publié une critique de Artificial condition par Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

Review of 'Artificial Condition' on 'Goodreads'

4 étoiles

The relationship between Murderbot and ART was one of the most adorable and hilarious things I've read recently. Hoping they get to meet again in the future.

aura@books.theunseen.city a publié une critique de Schémas Artificiels par Martha Wells (Journal d'un Assassynth, #2)

Et soudainement, le robot assassin devint queer

4 étoiles

J'avais apprécié le tome 1 de l'Assassynth comme un bon page turner et une personnalité atypique pour une IA rogue dans la SF. Le tome 2 offre l'opportunité d'étendre un peu plus l'univers dans lequel Assassynth évolue, et de lae voir relationner avec des humains et d'autres machines. Et c'est à la fois très drôle et relatable. On ne s'imagine pas un assassin avoir de l'anxiété sociale, et pourtant! Et il y a de la queerness à laquelle je ne m'attendais pas du tout, c'est validé! Côtés points négatifs, certains concepts et noms mériteraient d'être explicités (c'est quoi un MedSys, la différence entre synthétique, bot, augmenté, humain, et pourquoi un killware ça fonctionne sur l'un et pas sur l'autre???); et il ne se passe finalement pas énormément de choses. Ce tome a ravivé mon intérêt pour la série en tout cas.

laundry0099@bookwyrm.social a publié une critique de Artificial condition par Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

Review of 'Artificial Condition' on 'Storygraph'

5 étoiles

Murderbot is such a fun character. Never thought a construct could be so relatable but it’s just the cutest. I love when it gets bewildered by humans.

Chungledown Bim a publié une critique de Artificial condition par Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

I love Murderbot

4 étoiles

Wild that these books are so cosy. Devoured in about an hour, they're snug little reads that dont need much from you, which is very nice. Mystery, action, media, its got it all! (Loved our new friend ART, I hope it returns.)

bookafnd a publié une critique de Artificial condition par Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #2)

it is episode II

5 étoiles

this series is shaping up to be pretty episodic (appropriate i guess given its protagonist's love of serial fiction) and this volume feels like it's leading up to a more major plot point. still i don't have any complaints about it though, it is a very good episode 2