Of Monsters and Mainframes is a bold, entertaining blend of AI-centric sci‑fi, supernatural horror, and queer interpersonal dynamics. It’s fast, fun, witty, and full of heart. If you’re game for a genre‑bending adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers emotional payoff and you don’t mind a bit of tonal whiplash or a brisk finale.

From the description I wasn't sure I would like this at first but then I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I expected to. Even the AI computer characters felt well-depicted and fleshed out and the Classic Monster elements were well-integrated with the space travel ones. Truelove also writes with an exuberant voice that maintains a high level of energy throughout the story.

Let me start out by saying that I think I'd rate this story higher if I had read the book rather than listen to the audiobook. The audiobook left something to be desired and I'm usually a huge fan of a cast of narrators for audiobooks but it didn't hit quite the way it should have. Specifically the chapters of just binary code were grating to listen to. (like 3-5 minutes of just 1s and 0s that I just had to skip over).

Otherwise, I really enjoyed this strange and hilarious, yet heartwarming story of a found family, Monster Mash-style, all set in space. Sufficed to say, it was quite a ride! I loved both AI characters--Demeter (the ship) and Steward (the medical AI)--and all of their human passengers: Vampires, Werewolves, Cthulu fish-aliens, spider drones, Frankenstein, and an immortal treasure-hunting mummy.

I laughed. I cried. I felt things I wasn't ready for. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, maybe from laughing too much. I greatly enjoyed the narration and the cast was lovely. I felt seen!

This was a “not for me” book. I understand why others would enjoy it! If you’re interested then definitely check it out. I liked the concept. It’s a little hard to listen to with the coding information being long and a bit annoying. Overall a fun read but not for me!

Thank you so much for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

You guyyyyyys 🥹🫶 Tell me why I didn't know how much I would LOVE this book?? Sci-fi/pulp horror where competitive AI systems on an interstellar ship have to work together to defeat paranormal beings (like, legit vampires and werewolves) to complete their primary objective: protect life. 

The narration was sublime.  Each voice actor lent incredible detail to their characters and made them come to life.  My one note (and as an advanced copy I'm not sure if the final audiobook will still have this) the initial part/chapter headings narration of solely binary was....disorienting.  I think a disclaimer and a translation of each binary portion would have been much better.  Narration of binary exists throughout the rest of the novel, but in much smaller doses, which was much more enjoyable for me.  

Demeter and Steward were delightfully vicious and everything I hope future AI is.  They need sass.  Full stop.  

Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Lore for this Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Of Monsters and Mainframes is a space opera unlike any I've encountered before. Rather than centering human characters, the ship, Demeter, is the star of the story, alongside the medical AI, Steward. Demeter has been an incredibly unlucky ship - multiple mass fatalities have occurred during her journeys - all with causes so unlikely Demeter has been barred from travel for spans of time. Demeter's relationship with Steward and some of the passengers is really fun - it was an interesting way to connect with how the ship could communicate with passengers and seeing that go awry was really hilarious.

The audiobook was great - the multiple narrators all did an excellent job of bringing new facets to each character. However, I did find the reading of the binary chapters to be tedious, as well as one of the chapters that itemized the cargo, which felt a little catalog of ships to me. On the whole though, I'd definitely recommend the book itself and the audio version. If you want a unique take on space with some bad beasties to boot, definitely give this a read.

Thanks very much to NetGalley and to Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy.

This book takes all the tropes of classic horror and shoots them into interstellar space! It was a fun and fresh read and I really enjoyed it!
Demeter is a navigation AI who just wants to follow her protocols. But all her passengers keep being slaughtered! Now the other AIs are making fun of her, calling her the "Ghost Ship," and her company wants to reprogram her. To make things worse, she keeps getting monsters on board - vampires, werewolves, mummies, and of course... Steve....
I found this very enjoyable. I loved the main character Demeter, and her rivalry with the medical AI bot. I enjoyed the silly, campy violence and the space setting. The plot dragged a little in the middle, but I definitely wanted to keep going and see what crazy thing would happen next.
The audio was *chef's kiss* - the narrator who did Demeter was absolutely perfect. The multi-narrators for multi-POVs worked well. I could have done without the 5 minute long binary sections though!

I listened to the ALC for Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove and I absolutely loved it. This story is narrated by Chris Devon; Emana Rachelle; Charlie Albers; Eve Passeltiner; Zura Johnson; Cary Hite; Gail Shalan and they make this book such a joy to listen to. I was able to listen and read this book - I had already bought the book. Such a great story and the production in this ALC was so well done. This book blends horror and sci-fi in such a unique story. Demeter, the ship computer/AI and her crew - not like a spaceship crew, but a crew that is working with her, must battle the ultimate evil, Dracula. So, we have spider drones, the side character we didn't know we needed, a werewolf, an engineer built from the dead, a pharaoh with pther worldly powers, and a vampire with a grudge to work with her and help her destroy Dracula. This is the book I did not know I needed! 4.5 stars for this fantastic audio production. Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for my advance listener copy.

It took me a little while to get into Monsters and Mainframes. At first, I wasn’t quite connecting with the mix of monsters and AI, and I wasn’t sure where it was all going. But about a third of the way in, something shifted and I suddenly couldn’t put it down. The story unfolds into a unique, cozy tale of found family, love, and fresh starts, with a plot that genuinely surprised me more than once. I’m really glad I stuck with it; it’s one of those books that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Vampires, werewolves, and a cyborg Frankenstein, oh my! Now toss them into space, tell the story from the POV of a sentient spaceship AI, and you’ve got the wild, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt ride that is Of Monsters and Mainframes. This book is truly one-of-a-kind, blending sci-fi with classic monster lore in a way that’s as entertaining as it is unexpected. It’s the perfect pick for readers looking for something refreshingly different or anyone who’s ever wished their love of old-school monsters and futuristic tech could collide in one chaotic, clever story. Highly recommend for genre mashup fans!

The audiobook was the perfect way to experience this adventure; it features a full cast that brings every wild twist to life. Chris Devon, Emana Rachelle, Charlie Albers, Eve Passeltiner, Zura Johnson, Cary Hite, and Gail Shalan work seamlessly together to make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the madness. Their performances added so much depth and personality that it truly elevated the story and made the entire experience unforgettable.

Absolutely loved this! The full cast really makes this book come to life. The author has crafted a fun epic sci-fi.
I love how the story is told from multiple povs. My favorite being, Demeter. I love the setting of traveling through space and something goes wrong each time. Between vampires, werewolves, mummies and more.
It was a really fun chaotic time in space!

Thank you to bindery and NetGalley for this AlC. I am obsessed with this book. I haven’t read anything like this before but it was a wild ride. A cross between sci-fi and fantasy but makes it comedic. Yes. 100000000x yes.

Definitely enjoyed parts of this-- the central love story is very compelling, although I don't know that I needed the Dracula/Frankenstein/zombie/werewolf backdrop of it all. Sometimes it felt fun but other times it seemed quirky just for quirky's sake and that's not really my thing.

Above all, if you have any interest in enjoying this whatsoever, DO NOT listen to the audiobook. It's a truly heinous sensory experience. Some of the narrators are just deeply unpleasant to listen to, and there are lines that, had I read them in my head, would have sounded less dramatically stupid than how they were read out loud in this audiobook. Also, there's just a lot of recitation of binary code, which was fine because I could skip it, but it probably would resonate more interestingly on the page.

I think this will find the people it is for... that's not me, though.

I mean this in the most kind and loving way, this book had the same energy as the Monster Mash. I found each of the main characters to be intriguing in their own right, each having depth that was incredibly well developed, especially through a very ridiculous plot line going on. I think that the books main strength is that it is fun, each time we embark on a new voyage with Demeter you're wondering which monster will show up next, all the while Truelove is intricately weaving the central plot through.

I loved the group of narrators for this project, I had no complaints on their performances. Each narrator I felt like understood the sarcasm of the text and that made it even better, my only complaint was the certain chapters that are written in binary code, so sometimes there were 'chapters' that was five minutes of the narrator reading off a string of 1's and 0's which was less than ideal.

Barbara Truelove’s Of Monsters and Mainframes is a delightful whirlwind of absurdity, heart, and high-tech chaos. Equal parts beautiful and hilarious, this novel feels like a love letter to fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy—with a fresh twist that’s uniquely Truelove’s own.

The story zips between malfunctioning AIs, bureaucratic demons, and a protagonist who’s just trying to survive a cosmic IT crisis without getting eaten or promoted. Truelove’s prose sparkles with wit, and her world building is both wildly imaginative and deeply resonant. She manages to blend satire and sincerity in a way that’s rare, delivering moments of genuine emotional depth amid the comedic mayhem.

Whether you’re a fan of Douglas Adams or just looking for a smart, strange, and thoroughly entertaining read, Of Monsters and Mainframes is an unmissable gem. It’s the kind of book you finish and immediately want to recommend to your weirdest, nerdiest friends—with a smile on your face and a glitch in your heart.

Okay, so if you're into "Gideon the Ninth," "Murderbot," and a dash of "Hitchhiker's Guide," you HAVE to check out "Of Monsters and Mainframes." It's a total monster mash in space, told from the POV of Demeter, a spaceship AI who's just trying to deal with Dracula, werewolves, Cthulhu-esque creatures, and all kinds of intergalactic weirdness.
The writing is hilarious and unique, like, "They're all dead. Well. That's awkward." You'll be laughing at the chapter titles and falling in love with the anxious AI. The author nails the tone, and the queer cast is awesome.
The plot is kinda bonkers, but in a good way. It's a wild ride with a semi-Dracula retelling, Frankenstein vibes, and a robot doctor who's SO done with everyone's BS. It's all kinds of elements that become genius next to each other and proves there are still new paths to find in science fiction genre. It's a four star read, but five stars for vibes. This book is funny, charming, and weird but greatly written. What makes it work is the author's earnestness and Demeter, the medical AI.
There are mishaps visited upon their human passengers: Dracula. A werewolf? Cthulhu fish people?!
If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced read with a ton of heart and a found family of misfits, this is it. Just leave your disbelief at the door and get ready for a dinosaur-themed party in low-g with a werewolf and a snarky AI. Seriously, go read this book now!

From the very first page, Of Monsters and Mainframes pulls you into a world that hums with tension, complexity, and heart. Barbara Truelove masterfully fuses speculative fiction with intimate human truths, crafting a story that is as cerebral as it is emotionally resonant. One of the standout features of this novel is its cast. Truelove doesn’t just offer representation—she gives each character a voice, a history, and a heartbeat. From an AI ethics professor haunted by her past, to a trans cybernetic engineer rebuilding both systems and self, every personality feels essential and fully realized. The ensemble reflects a global spectrum of experiences, and their interactions breathe life into both the gritty near-future techscape and the tender moments of reflection. The plot is a kaleidoscope of mystery, rebellion, and raw discovery. At its core lies a powerful question: what does it mean to be human when machines dream and monsters code? The storyline weaves backdoor algorithms, corporate conspiracies, and personal reckonings into a tight narrative that challenges both the protagonists and the reader. Expect unexpected twists that feel less like shocks and more like revelations. If you crave a story where emotional depth meets genre-defying imagination, Of Monsters and Mainframes is the next book to lose sleep over.

Thanks to net Galley and Dreamscape production for the advance listener copy of this very unique novel. It's rare that a novel surprises me and I was indeed surprised!
Readers who have enjoyed Tchaikovsky's Service Model will want to dive into this tale of a Spaceship who's bent on revenge.
Our main character Demeter is indeed a spaceship designed to pilot cargo/people from planet to planet with very little trouble. For Demeter, however, there is no end of trouble. At some point Demeter has a terrible encounter with a container of dirt on board and one unpleasant vampire who decides to unalive all her passengers, which of course, simply won't do. Demeter wants to stay operational, and to do so this AI ship will have to team up with a wild assortment of monsters/humans/other AI creatures from the past and the future.
I loved the blending of past paranormal/mythical and literary characters into a story that looks at one of our current "monsters" - AI - all while telling a touching tale of friendship, belonging and care.
The narration was excellent, (though to be honest, the first segment of binary there nearly had me just stopping the entire reading process) and I did like that so many different voices were drawn into the project that really brough the novel to life.
The cover - is also top tier!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (pleasantly surprised!)

This book really surprised me—in the best way! It’s not my usual go-to genre, but I ended up enjoying the character banter, the unique setting, and the overall plot.

That said, the audiobook almost lost me in the opening scene. The extended binary number reading dragged on a bit too long and made it hard to stay engaged initially. But once I got past that part, I found myself really enjoying the story and the dynamic between the characters.

If you're looking for something quirky, smart, and a little offbeat, this one might be worth checking out—just hang in there through the beginning!