This book is ideal for readers who enjoy fast-paced, genre-blending tales with heart, humor, and a diverse cast of misfits confronting cosmic evils while exploring themes of identity and belonging.

When you combine:
a spaceship AI that's having a harder time combating her inner humanity that Dracula,
"It would be nice to seem nonthreatening to someone."

a girl growing up and getting a super robot arm along the way,
"What a weird way to find out I like goth girls."

and an extremely sassy med bot?
"I had several more hours of mournful monologuing planned."

A five star book that scratches that Murderbot itch.

I haven't had so much fun with a book in such a long time, there was really great grief rep, and I simply can't wait for the next book to come out.

This was a fun one! Definitely engaging from the start and full of quirky characters, which made it really easy to read. I loved the element of found family in this one - it was so lovely to see all these different kinds of characters, human and not, connect and create such strong bonds. I will say it did feel quite repetitive, and as the story progressed, I felt myself losing some interest. However, if you’re looking for a fun, fast read, I would recommend this one. Also, I’m incredibly obsessed with the cover!

TW: murder, gore (blood), forced memory loss, medical content

Such a unique story! I loved every chapter of this book. On first glance the beautiful cover caught my eye but I wasn’t totally sure I’d be interested in a book about computers and monsters, I ended up being completely wrong, I was super into this novel! There is so much to each character of this book and I loved that we got to hear from multiple view points. My favorite characters were Demeter and Frankenstein. There was a lot of action in the book which I also appreciated. The story spans over several years but in the best way, capturing the most important parts. There are so many parts of this book that could appeal to readers from so many different genres and I’d recommend it to anyone! I am looking forward to more books from this author.

This was one of the most fun reads I've gotten to enjoy this year. A stellar example of found family set in a gorgeous space opera with the most delightful literary references. Fun is truly the best word to describe the reading experience. The fact that the story was so incredibly queer from beginning to end was just the cherry on top. I loved Demeter and the family she built for herself and made the choice to love, and I'm going to miss her.

3.5 stars

Of Monsters and Mainframes is a science fiction novel centred around AI-run space ships plagued by paranormal murders. To save her passengers and settle a grudge, the ship Demeter, must team up with her own team of monsters. The start of this book is by far the best part in my opinion, I was very confident it would be 5 stars, but I feel like less would have been more plot-wise. It deviated too far from what made the set-up so enjoyable which was the character work.

I really loved that this book included perspectives from both AI systems and humans. The AI characters were super charming and endearing. I didn't connect with the humans as much but I liked how the two groups bounced off one another. The band of monsters that come together later on definitely didn't each get the time and attention they deserved in order for me to feel one way or another about them.

I love that this is accessible sci-fi and straight forward enough for readers who are not familiar with the genre to enjoy (I think it could possibly be enjoyed more by newbies to the genre). It also stands out from the pack because of how character driven it is - similar to Becky Chambers' work in that sense.

I gave up on this book 25 % in.
I had really high hopes for this one, but we were basically 100 pages in and only on our 3rd scene. It felt really repetitive and slow-moving because of the fact that the AI´s processing was so fast that the plot dragged on as if in slow-mo.
The voice of the AI was just not for me.

A cheeky and whimsical story that focuses on the pulp monsters most of us know - vampires werewolves mummies and undead creatures.

It was definitely more silly and absurd than dark and scary with moments of gore and lots of heart. The development and growth of Demeter and Stew and even the Spider drones was very interesting. The first half felt more like vignettes with minor references to previous events then The remaining story reads more like your standard novel.

Things are a bit clunky as a result and some of the events are hard to piece together fully with the reliance on other perspectives to fill in the blanks.

I thought the story was cute and fun. Took me ages to read for some reason. I’d like a bit more darkness I think a balance with the whimsy could have kept the pacing up and made it more fast paced. I think things just happen quickly and neatly but it didn’t make it fast paced in my opinion.

Would still recommend to others and I look forward for more books by Truelove.

I received a free copy of an ARC from NetGalley and Truelove but all thoughts are my own.

OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES has a fun, outlandish premise that drew me in—classic horror monsters in a far future pulpy sci-fi setting—and it delivers on that premise. Alas, no one is more disappointed than I am to report that I DNF'd it at 56%. For me, all the stuff going on, including lots of POV shifts, resulted in a story that fell flat and surprisingly quite slow in pacing. I wasn't invested in any of the characters or lost whatever investment in the plot I had developed early on, and even the suggestion of a sort of hate-to-love arc for the two ship AI systems couldn't keep my interest. Was it too pulpy for my preferences? Maybe. Regardless, this just didn't do it for me.

Thanks to Ezeekat Press (Bindery Books) and Netgalley for the advance copy of this title.

I’m not sure this book was for me. I found myself getting irritated at the AI and wanting to skim parts. I also got a little confused with all the characters. But overall, it was still a fun and interesting premise and the ending was beautiful. It really brought the story together, but I wish it didn’t take until the end for it. Also, the cover of this book is gorgeous so kudos of the designer! I think it’s possible I’d read another book by this author as I enjoyed her writing, but this particular story just wasn’t for me. Thank you for the copy!

5 stars

This was so much fun! It's like Murder Bot and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy had a little pirating baby. I found myself laughing and needing to read on to see what happens. The characters are all so memorable and unique. It spans a long time, something that I usually don't like, but found it interesting to see how everything unfolds. I didn't know how much I needed vampires, werewolves and Frankenstein in space. A fun, campy good time.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

This was such a fun time, and not what I expected when I picked it up. This is How to Lose the Time War but also throw in classic monsters like Dracula, the Werewolf and Dracula's monster set on space ship that has a love hate relationship with the AI Medic.

I never knew where the story was going so it really kept me engaged through out. a solid second pick from Jaysen and Eezkat Press.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery for this ARC!

Of Monsters and Mainframes is a fun sci-fu novel involving AI as if it was humanoid. I loved the references to classic stories that we all know and love. I was rooting for Agnus the whole time. You will enjoy this book if you enjoy space travel, mythology/folklore, and found family.

This book surprised me in the most wonderful way. I loved the way that it was written and that we had these mythical creatures like vampires, werewolves aliens throughout the story, but we didn’t have to have lore piled onto us as readers and instead just got to enjoy them as characters in the story. I absolutely fell in love with the AI characters in a way I wasn’t expecting. One of my favourites of the year so far. Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery books for he e arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Bindery Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

DNF'd at 14%!! I have come to realize that I am overly picky with science fiction and have found OF MONSTERS AND MAINFRAMES to not be my sci-fi preference. I did not like following the story through Demeter, a spaceship AI, especially the tone from the writing. I did not find the plot intriguing enough to follow, so I decided to stop reading at this point. There are plenty of other readers who have loved or really enjoyed reading this debut novel; I wish I was one of them.

⭐️ 4.7 stars
What a cool story. This was something completely different from what I usually read, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed. Told from multiple perspectives, each voice felt distinct, like every character had their own personality—especially the AI.

The vibe is chaotic if I try to explain it out loud: space, monsters, AI sass, and oh yeah… Dracula. But somehow it all works. It’s sci-fi, it’s horror, it’s cozy found family in space. The banter between Demeter (the ship) and the other AI systems was one of my favorite parts. Genuinely funny and sharp without overdoing it.

I loved the diversity in the cast and how it wasn’t just for show. Everyone felt like they belonged in this weird, messy crew. The blackout time jumps and shifting POVs meant I didn’t always know what was going on—but I kind of loved that too. It kept things moving, kept me guessing.

If I have one complaint, it’s that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would’ve liked a little more time to sit with the impact of everything that happened. But overall? This was fresh, fast-paced, and full of heart.

🖤 Final thoughts:
This is the kind of book that sounds unhinged on paper but ends up being warm, smart, and weirdly comforting. I really enjoyed it.

✨ Best for:
Readers who love chaotic space adventures, classic horror vibes, queer found family, and AI with attitude.

What a fun, unique book! Of Monsters and Mainframes centers a few Artificial Intelligence programs leading a transport ship-and how its inhabitants keep dying in wild situations. The humans don't believe the ship when it tells them that Dracula was on board, thus creating years and years of weird events.

I just liked the vibe of this story. It gives POVs to many different characters too, creating a kind of eclectic, energetic, outlandish atmosphere. It's a little bit funny and quite heartfelt, especially by the end.

If you enjoyed the Murderbot series, you will most likely enjoy this one!

In conclusion, really liked!

Thanks to Netgalley and Ezeekat Books for the e-ARC!

This story was not for me but I bet it will be for those that love SciFi/horror mixing. I was hoping it was a little more adult but it felt very YA.
It's such a cool premise, with the sentient ship and the monsters killing the humans. It just didn't work for me unfortunately.
Campy isn't my vibe, I guess!
3.25 is my rating rounded

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC. my thoughts are my own

Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a great debut. I was intrigued by comparisons to Becky Chambers and the Murderbot series, and this definitely delivered on that. I love the relationships between the sentient ship, the medical AI, and the rest of the crew.

I would recommend this to any sci-fi fan, but also readers who might want to try reading more science-fi. I hope to see more from this author!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.