“The queer love child of pulp horror and classic sci-fi”
Barbara Truelove’s rip-roaring sci-fi adventure of AI and monsters is full of human heart. Of Monsters and Mainframes may feature a cast of sentient AI and monsters of the night, with humans operating largely as minor characters, but underneath all those fangs and fur and circuit boards are beings just looking for belonging and a modicum of peace.
Demeter just wants to do her job: shuttling humans between Earth and Alpha Centauri. Unfortunately, her passengers keep dying, and the humans don’t believe her when she tries to tell them that vampires, werewolves or Cthulu are responsible. With each unsuccessful voyage, the humans come closer and closer to decommissioning Demeter, and the onboard medical AI, Steward, along with her. A move that will turn them both into scrap metal. Together, Demeter and Steward are going to have to overcome their tumultuous relationship and figure out a way to stay on the job. Luckily, a few monsters might be on board to help out.
Of Monsters and Mainframes is clever, bizarre and downright fun. Between Demeter’s pixel-blindness and Steward’s restricted movements, as a reader we’re only given pieces of the puzzle that the two AIs have access to, making it a blast to figure out who is causing mayhem on the ship at any given time.
Truelove’s writing peppers tributes to classic sci-fi and horror throughout but brings a fresh and enthusiastic energy to the story. Their deep knowledge of the history around the various beings is also clear in the little nods and small details attributed to each of the monsters. Several chapters were also completely in binary which was a fabulous touch. I was especially impressed that the audiobook narration stuck to the bit, pronouncing every zero and one as was on the page.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, snarky AI that treat their humans as pets will always be a favourite trope of mine and this book delivered it so beautifully. There is something dryly clever about the writing which makes you almost doubt whether Demeter really is dealing with monsters, and beneath all the tragic deaths, the blood and gore splayed out in strange pixelated blobs that Demeter doesn’t quite understand, there is a cosiness to the interactions between all the characters. If found family tropes are your favourite, you’ll definitely find comfort in this one.
This book had me hooked from start to finish and even days after finishing it, I still get a goofy smile whenever I think about it. Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, Martha Wells and Becky Chambers, Monsters and Mainframes is a rollicking good time that leaves your heart warm and your cheeks sore from smiling.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Barbara Truelove’s Of Monsters and Mainframes is available now through New South Books. Grab yourself a copy from your local bookstore HERE.
Header Image supplied by New South Books.
