Science fiction · Adventure · Dystopian
Artificial Condition
The second Murderbot novella. A security android that secretly hacked its own control system tries to uncover what happened in its past, travelling with the help of a very opinionated spaceship intelligence. It's a short, sardonic read.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 159
- Format
- Book 2 of 8 in The Murderbot Diaries
Read this if you want a sarcastic, short sci-fi read about an AI that would rather watch TV than fight.
Skip this if you haven't read the first novella, which sets up the central character and its secret.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Artificial Condition
- What is Artificial Condition about?
- The second Murderbot novella. A security android that secretly hacked its own control system tries to uncover what happened in its past, travelling with the help of a very opinionated spaceship intelligence. It's a short, sardonic read.
- Who should read Artificial Condition?
- Read it if you want a sarcastic, short sci-fi read about an AI that would rather watch TV than fight. Skip it if you haven't read the first novella, which sets up the central character and its secret.
- How long and how fast is Artificial Condition?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 159 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does Artificial Condition have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Artificial Condition for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Artificial Condition; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Artificial Condition?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Children of Time.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved Artificial Condition
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Shares the dry, deadpan humour and a reluctant protagonist dragged through space against their will.
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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet A warm, crew-centred space story that also treats nonhuman characters with real tenderness.
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Children of Time Another thoughtful sci-fi book about non-human intelligence, but sweeping and serious across generations.
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