This was an amazingly fun ride that I didn’t want to get off!! How did this book feel cozy when it was full of monsters including Dracula, werewolves and Frankenstein? And those monsters attacked and killed people!! How did the author make me love a robotic spider and think it was cute? It must be some sort of magic because despite the high stakes and bloodshed this book gave me all the feels, the found family was done immaculately and I loved every single one of the characters! I’ve only just finished and I want to read this again, I want to be back flying through space with a sentient spaceship and sassy medical AI, I want to escape reality with this blend of science fiction, paranormal and humour that kept me glued to the story page after page. I will read anything this author writes and will always trust Jaysens judgement and will endeavour to read everything published by Ezeekat press

Thank you to netgalley, bindery books and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

Of Monsters and Mainframes was an absolute delight from start to finish.

For the AI controlling a massive cargo/passenger spaceship, I immediately found Demeter to be an interesting and intriguing narrator, and things only got better from there. It was so much fun exploring each of the characters, watching them grow and test each other, seeing them be so very human and also beautifully not so.

Fantastic, no notes.

Wow! This was one crazy ride and the amazing MC leading the story is the onboard computer of a spaceship named Dementer. Just imagine, an AI is the MC!

After coming back on line to prepare for landing, Dementer becomes aware there is a problem when one of her subsystems keeps sending her a low priority warning file - but the data is corrupted and Dementer can’t read it. So she sends the file for one of the human crew to respond to, and there is no response. Dementer’s tests are showing that all systems are normal - until they’re not. Eventually she realises all humans are dead.

“…I turn back to the security footage. I don’t look at the rooms this time. I look at the humans. They aren’t going to their assigned seats. In fact, they aren’t doing much of anything. I check for heat signatures. Nothing. Oh. They’re all dead. Well. That’s awkward…”

Just before the spaceship lands she finds a hidden file - a name that doesn’t match any of the names on the official passenger list - Vlad III Drakulya - then poof! The file disappears.

What follows is a wacky story that was all over the place and at times left me behind wondering what the heck was going on, yet not daring to stop reading. When a second flight results in another mass death - except for two human teens - Dementer decides to hunt Dracula down and kill him. Not alone though, she has the help of a werewolf, Frankenstein, an alien “Mummy” and the onboard AI medical steward.

Of Monster and Mainframes took me out of my comfort zone - not a fan of violence or horror - but this story made me laugh. Not at the violence happening but at the reactions of Dememter and her interactions with the other characters as the action unfolded. The story is told mostly by Dementer, however the Medical AI Steward and the human child Agnus also have their say. There is a section in the middle of the book centred around a fish alien trying to take over the spaceship which kindness of jarred but other than that this was a good read. If you are a fan of Murder Bots you will love this.

Came for a funny campy scifi, stayed for the characters.

Unfortunately, the plot develops too slowly. While we gradually meet more and more lovable characters, the book ends just as we've grown to know them.

This lighthearted story follows a spaceship determined to keep its humans alive, despite their tendency to meet supernatural deaths.

3.5 stars rounded up for goodreads/netgalley.

Thanks to the publisher for an epub of this book prior to release.

In Monsters and Mainframes, the ancient dread of the vampyre is thrust into the circuitry of the digital age—a risky but intriguing fusion of folklore and futurism. Through a critical vampyre lens, the novel provokes questions about evolution, surveillance, and the mutation of myth in an era where the shadows no longer reside in castles but in code.

The Post-Human Vampyre:
The titular monsters in this novel are not simply undead—they are post-human entities, feeding on data as well as blood. This expansion of the vampyre myth to include cybernetic elements is bold and timely. Rather than merely updating the aesthetic (a mistake many modern reboots make), Monsters and Mainframes interrogates what it means to be a predator in a world of constant surveillance, algorithmic control, and fragmented identity.

Are these new vampyres still subject to the ancient hungers, or have they evolved past ritual and remorse? The novel never answers outright, but it forces the reader to consider whether the myth of the vampyre is about biology or pattern recognition—the oldest virus meeting the newest.

Surveillance and the Vampyric Gaze:
The vampyre has always represented a watching force, a creature who sees what others cannot. In Monsters and Mainframes, this gaze is digitized. The network is the new lair; the vampyre stalks not by moonlight but by metadata. The power to know, archive, and manipulate becomes more terrifying than mere physical strength. In this way, the book revitalizes the traditional gothic dread—not through creaking doors, but through predictive AI, blackmail algorithms, and disembodied minds haunting the system like specters in the machine.

A critical vampyre reading recognizes this as a perfect metaphor for techno-capitalism’s own vampyric nature: draining attention, mining desire, and feeding on the emotional detritus of the masses.

Ritual, Memory, and the Code of Immortality:
One of the most compelling aspects of Monsters and Mainframes is its engagement with memory—both personal and digital. The vampyre’s ancient trait of remembering across centuries is reconfigured here as a kind of corrupted archive. Memories can be uploaded, altered, lost in servers, or weaponized. This destabilization of the self aligns with contemporary fears about identity and authenticity, making the vampyre a tragic figure once again—not because it feeds, but because it forgets what it once was.

There is real poetry in this theme: what is immortality in a world where nothing is permanent? Where even death can be denied through code, and the soul becomes a file?

Techno-Erotics and Disembodied Desire:
The novel flirts with digital erotics in its portrayal of vampyres who seduce not with bodies but with immersive experiences. Consent, always a fraught issue in vampyre narratives, becomes even more elusive in virtual spaces. Can desire be programmed? Can submission be freely given when the interface anticipates every want?

Here, the novel steps into ethically dangerous territory—and rightly so. A critical vampyre analysis doesn’t shy away from this but frames it as a commentary on how modern systems mimic vampyric seduction: promising intimacy, delivering control.

Final Thoughts:
Monsters and Mainframes is a rare synthesis of speculative horror and philosophical inquiry. It preserves the vampyre’s essence—hunger, exile, allure—while mutating its form into something more insidious and contemporary. Through a critical lens, it becomes clear that the novel isn’t just about monsters in code—it’s about how our own systems of connection, surveillance, and desire are vampyric by design.

This is not a story of old evil returning. It’s a story of evil evolving, of the undead going online, and of the deep, ancient myths that still whisper through even our most modern nightmares.

This could have been about 100 pages shorter.. it took way too long to get going, but once it did it was fantastic and fun.

A new updated version of “voyage of the Demeter” in space is a genius level move. I really wanted more of Frankenstein though.

This book promises campy, classic cult horror sci-fi, and very much delivers on that front! There are plenty of recognisable classic villains, including Frankenstein, Dracula, and a reincarnated Pharaoh. The setting – a sentient spaceship – gives it even more of a surreal edge than there was already, with plenty of quips and in-jokes to add to the fun. It’s a bit like if Night at the Museum met a Doctor Who Christmas special: lots of familiar characters, but in an unfamiliar setting and with a worthwhile shared mission.

I really liked all the characters, especially the two AI robots, Demeter and Steward. Their relationship was very entertaining, and there was a real inhuman sense about them (in the best way!). Both of them had to navigate their sentience vs their programming, which made for lots of interesting decisions and turns in the plot.

I did find the pacing let down the book as a whole. It felt quite episodic, or more like multiple seasons of a TV show, with new characters being brought in during season 5. The middle section was the strongest, but I think there was just a bit too much world-building and lore to be established at the start, only for the final few chapters to wrap up faster than I would have liked for a truly satisfying ending.

That being said, this is still a really strong sci-fi adventure, and I can almost guarantee you’ll never read anything else like it.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

Barbara Truelove's Of Monsters and Mainframes is an absolute gem! From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by this unique and charming story. It effortlessly blends elements reminiscent of the beloved Murderbot Diaries with a wonderfully imaginative cast of monstrous characters, a spaceship with a serious grudge, and their endearingly quirky AI Medical System.

Truelove has crafted a narrative that is both hilarious and deeply moving. I found myself laughing out loud at the witty banter and the absurd situations these characters found themselves in, only to be brought to tears a few chapters later. The emotional rollercoaster was expertly navigated, leaving me completely invested in the fate of this unconventional crew.

Throughout the book, I was on the edge of my seat, crossing my fingers and toes with fervent hope that everything would ultimately work out for this lovable band of misfits. Of Monsters and Mainframes is a truly delightful read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Highly, highly recommended!

Bindery is killing it with their releases and this is no exception. What a wild story and the writing is fantastic.

At the invitation of Bindery Books and Ezeekat Press, via Netgalley, I was able to obtain and read Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove.
It is, without a doubt, an incredibly easy read filled with fun and adventure.

When I think of Sci-fi novels, it puts a damper on my desire to give it a try because of all the technical details. However, the writing is effortless and gets you straight to the point of the story.

From the AI characters to the many references to Greek mythology and folklore monsters, this novel will keep you turning the pages for more.
For any new readers coming along on this whirlwind journey, the binary coding does translate.

01101100 01101001 01101011 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01110011 !

Right from the outset, this is a proper snort-into-your-teacup kind of book filled with dry humour and complete pandemonium. Such a fun read, clearly written by someone who loves tech and has a passion for code.
Filled with every mythical monster you can think of, the story follows Demeter, a hulking spaceship AI, and her fight to understand just what on earth is going on in her corridors and bays. When Dracula hops aboard, Demeter must use all her processing power and janky pixelated screens to decipher the threat.
I absolutely loved the way this was written, giving us a glimpse into the mind of what should be a cold, calculating machine. Yet, the story is somehow filled with heart, humour and high stakes.
A brilliantly bonkers read, and I need more!

(For the nerds out there, this is peppered with Easter Eggs like binary code filled with delightfully heartwarming messages.)

Set on a spaceship ✅
Told mainly through the POV of two AI systems ✅
A spaceship full of dead people ✅
Vampire - wait ... what?🤔
Werewolf - WHAT⁉️😲

I didn't know how all the above was going to work together, but this book was the most fun read I've had this year. From the moment it opens with the spaceship's mainframe Demeter discovering that her already slightly tarnished reputation is about to get a lot worse because her crew and passengers are all dead, this book is non stop action and entertainment.
I loved the 'voices' of Demeter and the medical AI, Steward, and the competitive nature of their interactions, each trying to outdo the other. And I really enjoyed the other characters and how their story arcs evolved.
This is my first book by Barbara Truelove and I'm going to be checking out her back catalogue because I REALLY enjoyed it!

From page one, I WAS HOOKED. This story is equal parts delightful and terrifying. Barbara Truelove is certainly an author to watch. Her characters are so beautifully developed and this story was such a FUN RIDE. 5 enthusiastic stars!

I really enjoyed Of Monsters and Mainframes. I loved the various AI characters, their unique perspectives, and all the campy hijinks that ensued. There were a few large time skips throughout the story but I felt like most of those worked well.

I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet so I did want to mention that this book tickled the same part of my brain as when I read Project Hail Mary. (Except, you know, with ‘classic’ monsters and the ship as the main character.)

Overall this was a fun read with a lot of heartwarming and action-packed moments.

Thank you NetGalley, Bindery Books, and Ezeekat Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💕

(4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨) This is the reason I love to read ARCs. I read the description of this book and said, “this sounds like a crazy good time,” and it was 10x more crazy, & 10x more of a good time then I thought it would be. I laughed so much during this book, over the writing style, the content, even the chapter titles. A love story between technology, vampires, werewolves, etc? I can’t wait to get my physical copy of this book! 💕

I am generally not really into scifi but this was an incredible read that I couldnt help but wonder if parts were satire but I certainly saw jabs at us as a 20th century human. The best way I can describe this book is like an enhanced version of Wall-E but amplified and with so many moving parts and literal monsters.

My favorite read of 2025 so far! Barbara Truelove, I shall read anything you put out now.

The story focuses on Demeter, a spaceship AI ferrying passengers between plants and settlements in the universe. On one fateful trip, a monster kills all of the passengers, and Demeter earns the name "ghost ship." No one believes her, including the other AI on board, Steward, the medical unit AI. Through Demeter's journeys, she encounters more monsters, friends, and dashing adventures - even though Demeter's are not programmed to for feelings or adventure. I loved this unlikely-found family tale - recommend it

Steward and Demeter's relationship is the best: "To improve the efficacy of our relationship, I think we should collectively move these issues into the recycling bin. That would increase efficiency.." "Good. They settle their code against mine, small but precise and painfully perfect. I love you too, Demeter."

So shockingly fun with some awesome characters, fun romance, excellent dramatic sections, and a satisfying end. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This was a wild ride! Fast paced and full of wit. It reeled me in from the very beginning with an AI space ship as the main character. The plot was fast paced and action packed. There were some distinct Murder Bot vibes, especially at the beginning, but this story was still fresh and totally original.

The characters, while seemingly absurd, were so well imagined. They were bold, defiant, quirky, diverse, and all distinctly unique, each with their own voice, motivations, and point of view. One thing this book did really well, that others often fall short on, was the point of view shifts. There was no confusion with the shifts. They felt natural and intuitive. And they added to the story instead of distracting from it.

This was such a satisfying read that I can't help but love it.

I was very excited for this book. I like genre-bending stories, and this one seemed right up my alley. And in the beginning, I was enjoying it, but unfortunately, that did not last.

The humor and the AI characters were fun, and the setup of the plot was intriguing, but about halfway through, we're introduced to another POV. A character that is supposed to be in her 30s but talks like an annoying teen. It was almost painful to get through her chapters. And her POV really highlighted how weak the writing and dialogue were.

And then I noticed that I was well over the midpoint of the story, and we hadn't even begun to think about the revenge, which was supposed to be the whole set-up of the plot. What were we doing all that time then? I couldn't tell you. And when the plot finally starts happening, it's not very exciting. Many moments happen off page, including the climax. Dracula is supposed to be the villain, and nothing is done with him. He's barely even present, and we get zero answers about anything.

The world-building was also lacking. I didn't expect it to be super elaborate, but I expected it to be more…interesting. The book is set hundreds of years in the future, and yet the world barely looks and feels any different from our own. Even when dozens of years pass in the story, it is barely noticeable. For a book that is supposed to be creative, it really lacked imagination at times.