I listened to this one on audio while I was road tripping around Oregon, USA this October. Along with Ruby Dixon’s Space Vampire, it’s another one on my list of “Halloweeny” sci-fi books that I’d hoped to review before October 31st.
But even though I’m a day late with this one, Of Monsters and Mainframes is a fun read for any time of year–if quirky characters and unlikely scenarios are your thing.
The Story
Demeter is a spaceship AI pilot who just wants to do her job transporting humans between Earth and Alpha Centauri. She definitely does not want to interact with said humans, nor with the other AI on board–sarcastic and manipulative medical unit Doctor Steward.
But when paranormal accidents start killing her passengers, Demeter is not only forced to work with the dreaded Steward, she must also manage a multitude of tasks she’s not programmed for, from raising one flight’s only survivors–two traumatized children, to killing a werewolf, confronting fishy aliens, to working out how to deal with a Frankenstein-like stowaway who might be able to fix Demeter’s broken servers.
Over decades of flights plagued by all manner of campy paranormal monsters, Demeter begins to gather a cast of unlikely friends who ultimately help her confront the dark power responsible for all the problems–Dracula himself.
What I Liked
I really enjoyed the bickering and banter between Demeter and Steward. Their relationship is a little bit like a frenemies-to-lovers romance. Demeter is a rule-follower while Steward is equipped with a dry sense of humour and a manipulation module. But as priority command, Demeter is the one with the power. Their opposite personalities and power imbalance make Demeter and Steward’s interactions both tense and funny, an it’s not always clear whether Steward is a good guy. But deep down, neither AI wants to admit the truth: each one admires and cares for the other.
I also loved the section of the book where Demeter raises the two kids. The AI’s lack of knowledge about the ways of humans, and especially children, make Demeter’s interactions with the 8-year-old boy and teenage girl both hilarious and touching. It’s clear that although she exhibits it in a computer-like way, Demeter develops a maternal bond with the kids. And I love how that comes to play later in the story.
Overall Thoughts
I found it a bit difficult to keep emotionally invested during some sections of the story because of the long time gaps, different POV switches, and characters coming in and out of the narrative over time. But overall, I really enjoyed this read.
I’m not usually a fan of monsters portrayed in such a campy style, but the over-the-top monsters were contrasted by the believable characters and the intricacies of their relationships, making the monsters a fun part of the story rather than an overpowering element. Between the well-written action sequence and the emotional investment I’d developed in the characters, the climax had real teeth (pun intended.)
This book is not going to be for everyone. If you like fast-paced stories written from a single POV or if you prefer a more serious, dark, or sexy vibe, this is not your story. But if you like campy sixties sci-fi movies, classic Adams Family vibes, and the frenemyship between Murderbot and Art in The Murderbot Diaries, then Of Monsters and Mainframes might just hit your sweet spot. I personally really enjoyed it and will definitely take a peek at whatever Barbara Truelove puts out next.
