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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Where to start with this one? Of all the books I’ve read, <i>Of Monsters and Mainframes</i> is definitely one of the more unique ones. The best way I can describe it is a cozy, non-cozy space fantasy. The stakes aren’t as high as your typical space opera (no world-saving, no undermining corrupt government systems, no deep philosophical ponderings of existential questions), but they aren’t particularly low either (you and everyone in your found family will die if you don’t succeed). Typical cozy fantasy themes of found family, breaking free from the mold, and queer romance sprinkled in with bits of humor.
The most unique part of this story is that the main character Demeter is an AI. I admit I haven’t read that many books with robotic main characters (mostly just <i>Murderbot</i> by Martha Wells and <i>Psalm for the Wild Built</i> by Becky Chambers), but I particularly enjoyed how Barbara Truelove portrayed Demeter and Dr. Steward. I find that often the theme in these human-AI interaction stories is that AIs are just like humans. But Demeter? She is an AI through and through and the author never lets you forget that. She speaks in lots of computer terminology. Her hobby is obsessing over efficiencies and accuracies down to the 0.001. She even resolves conflicts and grows as a character in a very computer-esque way. She’s not human and she doesn’t try to be, and yet she’s interesting and loveable enough to be a main character all on her own.
The only con I would give to this book is the pacing. It starts pretty slow and it’s not really clear where the plot is going until about 60% of the way through. I think this is a story may have benefitted from non-linear storytelling. Start with the action, then get to the mystery of how we got here and interpersonal relationship building.
Overall 4/5, definitely enjoyable if you’re looking for a slow, cozy read.
The most unique part of this story is that the main character Demeter is an AI. I admit I haven’t read that many books with robotic main characters (mostly just <i>Murderbot</i> by Martha Wells and <i>Psalm for the Wild Built</i> by Becky Chambers), but I particularly enjoyed how Barbara Truelove portrayed Demeter and Dr. Steward. I find that often the theme in these human-AI interaction stories is that AIs are just like humans. But Demeter? She is an AI through and through and the author never lets you forget that. She speaks in lots of computer terminology. Her hobby is obsessing over efficiencies and accuracies down to the 0.001. She even resolves conflicts and grows as a character in a very computer-esque way. She’s not human and she doesn’t try to be, and yet she’s interesting and loveable enough to be a main character all on her own.
The only con I would give to this book is the pacing. It starts pretty slow and it’s not really clear where the plot is going until about 60% of the way through. I think this is a story may have benefitted from non-linear storytelling. Start with the action, then get to the mystery of how we got here and interpersonal relationship building.
Overall 4/5, definitely enjoyable if you’re looking for a slow, cozy read.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I went in blind, and I had a great time. I listened to the audiobook, and the cast did a fantastic job—it really enhanced the multiple POVs. There is one part of the audiobook where you hear a series of numbers for 4-5 minutes straight. That was a bit much…
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Short, sweet and funny remix of Victorian tropes. Think Netflix's Penny Dreadful but with robots and in space.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes