Of Monsters and Mainframes is a paranormal story about Demeter, An AI supercomputer transport ship making the multi-year journey between Earth and Alpha Centauri. The book opens with Demeter trying to figure out why she has no memory of the past journey and what happened to all the people she's transporting. Many paranormal events occur on Demeter over the years that all come back to one thing: Dracula must die.

The story is gripping right from the very beginning and while it doesn't take itself too seriously, there is a lot of emotion in the storytelling and it feels high stakes for the characters.

There are 2 AIs protagonists in this story and I loved their interactions and evolving relationship. Fans of Murderbot will appreciate the AI story perspective, but it's unique and different.

The beginning of the story feels a bit like a series of short stories, since the major events happen years apart on different journeys between Earth and Alpha Centauri. I spent most of the book waiting for connections between these stories so they didn't feel as disparate. While the story does give connection to most of the events happening, there's one event that feels disconnected even after finishing the book. I feel like it was one too many coincidences to have all of these paranormal events happen on the same ship. I wish that one event could have been traced back to Dracula as well so it would feel part of the story more, rather than just a thing that happened. That's what keeps this book from being a 5 star read.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read.

or fans of Gideon the Ninth, Murderbot, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and Becky Chambers.
Yes, I know that’s is a weird combo, but it works so well!!!

This is best to go into knowing nothing except that it centres an AI and it a monster mash set in space. To give you a sampling of the tone which is what sold me on the book even if the plot was bizarre and all over the place (but also in a good way?)

<b>I check for heat signatures.
Nothing. Oh.
They’re all dead. Well.
That’s awkward.
</b>
We have a semi-Dracula retelling, Frankenstein, werewolves, a treasure hunting mummy….
Oh, and a robot ship doctor who is very done with everyone. And I mean fair.

I am very impressed by this author’s writing style. It is utterly unique and entirely engaging. The type of writing that makes you laugh with funny chapter titles.

I didn’t know someone could voice an anxious AI in writing so well, but here’s the proof.

<b>“Error. I am not your fam⁠—”
“Shut up, bitch. You’re family.”</b>

This is a four🌟, but I cannot stop thinking about how fun it was so this is 5🌟 for vibes.

Arc gifted by Bindery Books.

This is like a hybrid love child of the action, snark, and hope of Murderbot, the expansiveness of an AI ship like Leckie, and the cozyness of Becky Chambers's Wayfarers Series. I love it. On the surface level, there is bombastic action and star players like Dracula, Frankenstein, and more who make appearances and the book works 100% on that level. However, for me, this is more about what it means to accept one's self; what it means to sacrifice for love; what it means to be human. This novel works 100% on that level, too. I have never loved a spiderbot more (or, indeed, ever).

What a wild ride Of Monsters and Mainframes turned out to be! From the moment I opened the book, I was pulled into a whirlwind of humor, chaos, and captivating storytelling that kept me on the edge of my seat. This isn’t just another sci-fi adventure; it’s an inventive space opera that blends the fantastical elements of horror with sharp wit and engaging characters.
The narrative is uniquely told from the perspective of Demeter, the ship's AI, whose mission to shuttle passengers between Earth and Alpha Centauri B quickly morphs into a gripping quest for vengeance against Dracula, who decimates its crew. With a crew that includes a teenage werewolf, a quirky mummy named Steve, and a non-binary Frankenstein's monster, the author has crafted a delightful ensemble that brings depth and personality to the story, all while injecting humor into the mix.
Barbara Truelove's writing shines, allowing readers to experience a range of emotions—from laughter to genuine heartache—as we follow the characters on their journey. The dynamic between Demeter and the crew is particularly endearing; it's not often that readers feel such attachment to a spaceship, but Truelove achieves this by giving Demeter a genuine personality filled with quirks and desires. The interactions are witty and often hilarious, creating memorable moments that stay with you long after you’ve put the book down.
One of the standout aspects of the story is its representation. A diverse cast of characters, including queer representation and age diversity, adds richness to the narrative that is often lacking in science fiction. It's refreshing to see a love story that includes older protagonists navigating their complex lives and relationships, showcasing the beauty of love at any age.
While the pacing is generally captivating, I did find the middle section of the book slightly drag, especially with the multiple POV shifts toward the conclusion. It felt like I was experiencing the finale from the sidelines rather than directly or through first-hand perspectives, which somewhat diluted the impact of the conclusion.
Despite this, I devoured the book in no time, engrossed in the fantastical world that Truelove expertly built. The combination of comedy, horror, and science fiction creates a unique blend that results in a highly enjoyable read. Whether you’re drawn to the innovative concept of a spaceship with feelings or the humorous antics of its eclectic crew, Of Monsters and Mainframes is a must-read that proves there's still much to explore within the sci-fi genre.
In summary, this book is a fabulous mash-up of genres, filled with charm and humor, and is definitely worth picking up. I’m excited to see what else Barbara Truelove has in store for us!

Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove is such a good story. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 4
Plot development: 5
Characters: 4
Enjoyability: 4
Ease of Reading: 4

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

This novel takes science fiction, fantasy, and pulp horror, and combines them into a fun romp through space to get revenge on Dracula. Our primary main character is Demeter, the navigational AI on a space transit ship that goes between Earth and Alpha Centauri. After two back-to-back journeys where her entire crew dies both times, save for two kids, Demeter is facing serious consequences and a bit of a personal breakdown. Demeter teams up with Steward, her medical AI, and a ragtag group of not-quite-humans in order to clear her name - and stop Dracula - once and for all.

This was such a fun little book that got me out of a significant reading/life slump. The story was so unique, and I loved the rotating POVs and what that added to the narrative. Each character was distinct in their voice and how they experienced what was happening around them, which was extra impressive given the primary POVs for this book. I had so much fun with this world and these characters - it was just the right combination of pulpy horror and sci-fi - and I can't wait to revisit it when it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

First off, I love how unique the concept of this novel is. I feel like I have never read anything similar, I was blown away by the idea of the supernatural blending the way it did with space sci-fi. The fact that are Queer themes throughout the whole book? Cherry on top! This is truly just a fun adventure that is somehow cozy through all of the horrors, if that's your cup of tea then read on!

I wanted to love this one more, and I can see people loving it! I found that it took on a very one-note feel for me, and didn't have as much as I hoped– mostly because, by the time the book starts, everybody's already dead. I had high hopes for this, and though the actual writing style was fun and entertaining, it was not an overall fantastic experience.

Okay, this was a wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

First thing first: that cover! It is gorgeous and fits perfectly with the story itself - it is a whacky space comedy about monsters and AIs.

I really enjoyed experiencing the events through the pov of the Demeter (the space ship’s AI) and seeing it go through life-altering changes. The whole story is not told through her perspective though: almost every major character gets a pov chapter. This can get confusing at times but I thought it added spice whenever the plot started going kinda flat. There are also a bunch of big time jumps but frankly, when you’re seeing things unfold through an AIs perspective, that doesn’t really matter.

I thought the concept was brilliant - but also felt that it got a bit too gimmicky at times. The writing got a little repetitive at times too. If this was a longer book, that might’ve become a problem. But thankfully the author knew what she was doing and found the optimum length for this story.

The characters were all very interesting and endearing in one way or another. They never felt ‘forced’ or expendable either. There are some character resolutions that happen in the end that I thought were somewhat rushed.

Also, there are a couple chapters written in binary that was really fun to decipher. However, I think adding a ASCII alphabet at the end would help a great deal in deciphering for other readers who are not as interested in binary :)

In the end, this was a fast-paced, easy to read and really fun story about found-families and monsters; and it did a great job at that.

I desperately need this to become a series! Thanks so much to Bindery and the author and NetGalley for the early review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely adored this book as i knew I would from the blurb. I am really loving the (newer?) genre of sci fi in space that’s on the softer side, not cozy per se (this is actually kinda brutal in spots haha) but not politics heavy. This is the perfect blend of nostalgia that is perfect for 80s babies who grew up with cheesy monster flicks.

This book features snarky AI ship systems , Becky Chambers level found family, and just about the most high brow humor I’ve come across. I found this super easy to read and I’d love to see more from this author.

Small criticism: the first few ‘sections’ (don’t want to spoil) feel a little disconnected but don’t worry it comes together perfectly. Also the POV changes quite a bit but the chapters always make it really clear about who is speaking.

I really enjoyed this one, it was an easy 5⭐️. The characters, the writing, the worlds/setting all very captivating. I’m recommending this to everyone, and I’m seeking out the book for my collection once it’s published.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery for the eARC!

What a fun goofy heartfelt ride! This book combined Scifi with classic monsters in a very unexpected and delightful way. Who knew an autopilot and a medical ai could be so compelling! Highly recommend picking this one up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ezeekat Press and Barbara Truelove for the arc!

**I received an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own**

This book was really good! It being written in first-person threw me at first since I don't generally like first-person (which almost made me put it down), but I kept reading and started falling in love with the story! Part of what kept my attention was the AI ship (Demeter) being the one to tell the story. And that was something I had to keep in mind throughout the story when there were dry bits. Because an AI isn't supposed to feel things, but Demeter is definitely different.
The relationships Demeter forms throughout the story help keep the story moving. I was always wanting to know what happened to the characters that would come into her life and then seemingly disappear again. And even though this story takes place over 50 years, everything comes together so nicely and you learn about what has happened and will happen to these people.
Something that I really loved about this book though is how the author managed to include so many supernatural creatures. We have vampires, werewolves, fishy aliens, mummies, the list goes on. I do enjoy me some supernatural creatures.
Overall, this book was amazingly crafted. The characters were likable, they showed growth (even Steve in his way), and are going on to live their best lives. You could say this story really had a happy ending. I wouldn't even mind some sort of follow-up something just to see where all their exploring has led them, because this group has plenty of adventures to go on.

Easily one of my top reads of the year. This scifi take on classic horror novels is a delight, both for horror nerds and for readers who love lighthearted scifi. Demeter is a spaceship who notices that something is wrong - all the humans travelling on her are suddenly dead, the captain is dead at the helm, and recorded prayers are booming over the sound system. Troublesome enough, until it happens again and again. Soon, she'll need to bring together a found family of a werewolf, a monster, a mummy, and the prickly medical AI to get vengence for her and her dead humans. Exteremly fun and cheerful, even with the enourmous body count. A perfect example of cozy horror that inspired me to build an entire Halloween display around it. Seriously, read this book.

I absolutely loved this book. Cozy adjacent space horror. And it's so funny! Also, I don't think I've ever cried because of a medical ship AI doctor, but here we are. I loved every page.

This book is so unhinged and that is in the best way. I honestly wasn't expecting for it to turn out a five star read (I'm extremely picky with five star books) but I have to say that this book is amazing and has it all, it's witty, funny, action packed, and most importantly once you start reading you can't put it down.

I loved the characters, especially Demeter, she was just trying her best. I really liked her dynamic with Steward and seeing them progress in their relationship was cute. And yes, I'm talking about AIs here.

Also, I loved the rest of the crew, we have a werewolf, a vampire, a mummy named Steve, a non-binary Frankenstein's monster, and a fleet of spider drones which are the cutest.

This book is narrated mostly in Demeter's point of view, but one thing I quite enjoyed is that there ara brief intermissions by the other characters and I felt that helped to give depth to them.

I really don't now what more to say without entering in a spoilers zone, so I'll just end this review saying that if you like witty and fast paced books, where the characters are very different from each other, and with some queer romance on the side, then this book is for you and I totally recommend it.

Of Monsters and Mainframes is the mashup of scifi and classic monsters that I never knew I needed. A funny, fresh, and entertaining read that kept me turning the pages to the end.

I devoured this book. I am a fidgety person and usually can't sit and read for long periods of time, but I think I only put this book down for maybe fifteen minutes while I was reading it. It's a fresh, funny, wild story with incredibly loveable characters and unique scenarios and technology that was so refreshing to read. If you like vampires and werewolves and other cryptids, or if you like AIs and cyborgs and spaceships or if you like both, you will love this book!

If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller that keeps you on edge while also delivering emotional depth, this one is a must-read!!!

Of Monsters and Mainframes is an adrenaline-fueled blend of thriller, sci-fi, and humor, with an AI at its core. From page one, it throws you into a high-stakes fight for survival, where control is frustratingly out of reach, especially when you’re limited to what an AI ship can do in deep space.

Beyond the action, the book explores the weight of bullying, not being believed, and how superiority can break someone down until they doubt themselves. But at its heart, it’s about found family and the courage to adapt, not just to survive, but to do what’s right.

PS – Of Monsters and Mainframes could easily find a home in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe!!!