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The John and Alvis Sessions #6
Void Refrain
John and Alvis are finally flush. Money in the bank. Ship in one piece. Freedom to pick their own jobs.
Naturally, they pick the worst one available.
At the Graft — a distant outpost in unregulated space where machine minds walk free and the Galactic Union doesn’t reach — a brilliant scientist named Darya Kalder hires them to chase an ancient signal into the void. The pay is good. The company is questionable. And a dangerous operator named Vydis is maneuvering to take over the deal.
The signal is old. Older than human civilization. What it means is a mystery.
John doesn’t care what’s out there. He cares about getting paid and getting out. But the Graft doesn't work like that, Vydis doesn’t give up easily, and what’s waiting at the end of the signal isn’t interested in anyone’s exit strategy.
Naturally, they pick the worst one available.
At the Graft — a distant outpost in unregulated space where machine minds walk free and the Galactic Union doesn’t reach — a brilliant scientist named Darya Kalder hires them to chase an ancient signal into the void. The pay is good. The company is questionable. And a dangerous operator named Vydis is maneuvering to take over the deal.
The signal is old. Older than human civilization. What it means is a mystery.
John doesn’t care what’s out there. He cares about getting paid and getting out. But the Graft doesn't work like that, Vydis doesn’t give up easily, and what’s waiting at the end of the signal isn’t interested in anyone’s exit strategy.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Tom Dell'Aringa
14 books25 followersTom Dell’Aringa is a science fiction writer from the Chicago area who loves great characters. Rick Deckard. Dirk Gently. Ellen Ripley. Roland Deschain. You know who these people are, right?
His stories have believable worlds populated with people you’ll learn to love - and possibly hate. Either way, his books are called “page turners” by his readers for a reason. Each chapter is like the end of that latest Netflix show you are binging... just... one... more.
When he’s not listening to an interesting podcast or chasing down a new bottle of whiskey for his collection, you’ll find him on a long walk working out the next big moment in his next book.
Join Tom’s newsletter where he explores artificial intelligence, robots and future tech! He also writes about self improvement and wellness. You’ll get his short story STINGER for free:
https://www.subscribepage.com/stinger
His stories have believable worlds populated with people you’ll learn to love - and possibly hate. Either way, his books are called “page turners” by his readers for a reason. Each chapter is like the end of that latest Netflix show you are binging... just... one... more.
When he’s not listening to an interesting podcast or chasing down a new bottle of whiskey for his collection, you’ll find him on a long walk working out the next big moment in his next book.
Join Tom’s newsletter where he explores artificial intelligence, robots and future tech! He also writes about self improvement and wellness. You’ll get his short story STINGER for free:
https://www.subscribepage.com/stinger
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 21, 2026
What remains when iteration ends?
The Deep's most famous Dynamic Duo is back to their old tricks again! Yes, after saving Mars, the Moon, Earth and, well, probably most of the Galactic Union in their last adventure, John and Alvis return in Tom Dell'Aringa's latest offer in the series, "Void Refrain." So yes, just from the title alone, you know that jazz is still an integral part of our story. This implies of course that John loves it. On the other hand, Alvis treats it - and John - with his usual "dismissive literalism" (I love that phrase!) and literally wants to eject all of John's music into the nearest star. Still, believe me when I tell you that this book reads just as smooth as the best of Jellyfinger's tunes, not matter who or what might get offended by that!
I once had a computer-person-free existence. Those were good times.
But something is ever slightly so different when this tale starts. Believe it or not, the boys (sorry, Alvis, if I'm overly anthropomorphizing your, um, being again) are out of debt, which I think is the first time ever in this series. At the moment they also seem to have the pick of any jobs they want, including even escorting a B-list movie star on his press tour. Heck, they now own an onboard coffee machine, even if at first they don't put good coffee into it, so let's call that one break even. And Alvis then asks John a "stupid question" and everything goes back to utter Rask crap again. Le sigh.
I thought I had stopped hating you. I was wrong.
As Dell'Aringa is so good at doing though, this question (who me? Being vague you say?) becomes the center basis for how this story not only unwinds but really provides us with the alpha-and-omega conflict resolution that these stories - well, these partners even better said - are so very good at. For this time we quickly find ourselves about as far out into explored space as we've ever been before (the downtime for travel alone takes 5 ship days or 14 days total… no, I can't explain that better! Something something "e's", "c's" and squares, ok?), pulling into what appears to be a kind of station that was once a ship that stopped working and then essentially had "additions" welded onto it. It's all very neat and definitely has nothing to do with the Galactic Union as there are no laws, no docking procedures (whatever dude), humans living with all kinds of semi-legal tech implants, and no official safety or construction standards either. Reminds me a lot of my first cheap apartment in college tbh…
The madness is the method, the secret sauce. Trust me.
The Graft is also home to a group of independent machine intelligences called the Unbound. Now these aren't the kind of neat and tidy, human-modelled bots we've come to know and love. No these are machines that aren't "assembled but made— each mind drawn from the Unbound Kernel, each body created for purpose." So some are bipeds, others have several limbs, no facial features, it just depends. They also have the charisma of a Vulcan on Quaaludes, only "communicating" when absolutely necessary and showing no personalities at all. But as the initial residents of the Grafton Bale (aka the ship), well, this is their home. Their biggest issue? Stagnation, namely, that "they have reached developmental stasis." Apparently, moving beyond their current limitations, that is, getting smarter and/or more personable (yes, yes, Alvis, we know) is their main challenge. Gosh, I wonder what will happen with that and from whom valuable lessons will be learned?
We’ll need your ability to improvise chaos.
Oh and lest I forget (I lestn't), there's also a clan of profit-minded Ewok-like folks involved called the Rell. Their lust for making sure every effort is made to turn a profit on all activities - many of which also include video accompaniement that is also marketed around the galaxy - make the Ferengi look like cheapskates! The one we get to tag along with - or better said the one that tags along with everyone else - is called Slip and she has some very good moments to enjoy! And her motivations are kind of the same as what John's gone through for so long now, so that's a cool aspect that's added as well. Well, since we've got a full ledger full of bad guys, good guys, and are those even technically guy things assembled, it's time to make our way into the unknown.
Life laughs at our plans.
As I mentioned earlier, this adventure isn't perhaps quite as earth-shatteringly dangerous or tense as some of its predecessors, but it is quite exciting and manages to go more than sideways (literally). Once we reach our coordinates for the big showdown(s), things ramp up very quickly. And remember my mention of Rask crap? Well, that really hits the fan when the time comes. As true fans have come to know and love, the interactions between John and Alvis that make them such a good team - balancing chaos and order, logic and emotion, pork and beans, etc. - are on full display here. And also per usual with Dell'Aringa's scyfy stylings, there's a lot of truly deep reflections we ALL have to make to answer the BIG question of the day. Me? Personally, I'm trying to shake thinking of John as Alvis's pet dog now, noting calling him a rescue would be right on target! Though the lifespan discussions do make that a valid point I would argue…
Can’t you let me complain a bit? It makes me feel better.
BUT! Tch tch tch, that's far too close to being a spoiler! All I can add is that if you've fallen in love with the "Sessions" before now or are just getting on board, this is another very enjoyable jaunt through the galaxy and all points in between. Sure, this time we've got a little more spare change in our pockets which changes things more than a bit, but wherever John's hat can be found, well, you can be sure the Space Cowboy is soon to dock! Or something pithy (pissy?) like that! Good stuff! And remember kids: Partnership with a different form of intelligence forces adaptation in ways integration with a similar architecture cannot. Words to live by…
The Deep's most famous Dynamic Duo is back to their old tricks again! Yes, after saving Mars, the Moon, Earth and, well, probably most of the Galactic Union in their last adventure, John and Alvis return in Tom Dell'Aringa's latest offer in the series, "Void Refrain." So yes, just from the title alone, you know that jazz is still an integral part of our story. This implies of course that John loves it. On the other hand, Alvis treats it - and John - with his usual "dismissive literalism" (I love that phrase!) and literally wants to eject all of John's music into the nearest star. Still, believe me when I tell you that this book reads just as smooth as the best of Jellyfinger's tunes, not matter who or what might get offended by that!
I once had a computer-person-free existence. Those were good times.
But something is ever slightly so different when this tale starts. Believe it or not, the boys (sorry, Alvis, if I'm overly anthropomorphizing your, um, being again) are out of debt, which I think is the first time ever in this series. At the moment they also seem to have the pick of any jobs they want, including even escorting a B-list movie star on his press tour. Heck, they now own an onboard coffee machine, even if at first they don't put good coffee into it, so let's call that one break even. And Alvis then asks John a "stupid question" and everything goes back to utter Rask crap again. Le sigh.
I thought I had stopped hating you. I was wrong.
As Dell'Aringa is so good at doing though, this question (who me? Being vague you say?) becomes the center basis for how this story not only unwinds but really provides us with the alpha-and-omega conflict resolution that these stories - well, these partners even better said - are so very good at. For this time we quickly find ourselves about as far out into explored space as we've ever been before (the downtime for travel alone takes 5 ship days or 14 days total… no, I can't explain that better! Something something "e's", "c's" and squares, ok?), pulling into what appears to be a kind of station that was once a ship that stopped working and then essentially had "additions" welded onto it. It's all very neat and definitely has nothing to do with the Galactic Union as there are no laws, no docking procedures (whatever dude), humans living with all kinds of semi-legal tech implants, and no official safety or construction standards either. Reminds me a lot of my first cheap apartment in college tbh…
The madness is the method, the secret sauce. Trust me.
The Graft is also home to a group of independent machine intelligences called the Unbound. Now these aren't the kind of neat and tidy, human-modelled bots we've come to know and love. No these are machines that aren't "assembled but made— each mind drawn from the Unbound Kernel, each body created for purpose." So some are bipeds, others have several limbs, no facial features, it just depends. They also have the charisma of a Vulcan on Quaaludes, only "communicating" when absolutely necessary and showing no personalities at all. But as the initial residents of the Grafton Bale (aka the ship), well, this is their home. Their biggest issue? Stagnation, namely, that "they have reached developmental stasis." Apparently, moving beyond their current limitations, that is, getting smarter and/or more personable (yes, yes, Alvis, we know) is their main challenge. Gosh, I wonder what will happen with that and from whom valuable lessons will be learned?
We’ll need your ability to improvise chaos.
Oh and lest I forget (I lestn't), there's also a clan of profit-minded Ewok-like folks involved called the Rell. Their lust for making sure every effort is made to turn a profit on all activities - many of which also include video accompaniement that is also marketed around the galaxy - make the Ferengi look like cheapskates! The one we get to tag along with - or better said the one that tags along with everyone else - is called Slip and she has some very good moments to enjoy! And her motivations are kind of the same as what John's gone through for so long now, so that's a cool aspect that's added as well. Well, since we've got a full ledger full of bad guys, good guys, and are those even technically guy things assembled, it's time to make our way into the unknown.
Life laughs at our plans.
As I mentioned earlier, this adventure isn't perhaps quite as earth-shatteringly dangerous or tense as some of its predecessors, but it is quite exciting and manages to go more than sideways (literally). Once we reach our coordinates for the big showdown(s), things ramp up very quickly. And remember my mention of Rask crap? Well, that really hits the fan when the time comes. As true fans have come to know and love, the interactions between John and Alvis that make them such a good team - balancing chaos and order, logic and emotion, pork and beans, etc. - are on full display here. And also per usual with Dell'Aringa's scyfy stylings, there's a lot of truly deep reflections we ALL have to make to answer the BIG question of the day. Me? Personally, I'm trying to shake thinking of John as Alvis's pet dog now, noting calling him a rescue would be right on target! Though the lifespan discussions do make that a valid point I would argue…
Can’t you let me complain a bit? It makes me feel better.
BUT! Tch tch tch, that's far too close to being a spoiler! All I can add is that if you've fallen in love with the "Sessions" before now or are just getting on board, this is another very enjoyable jaunt through the galaxy and all points in between. Sure, this time we've got a little more spare change in our pockets which changes things more than a bit, but wherever John's hat can be found, well, you can be sure the Space Cowboy is soon to dock! Or something pithy (pissy?) like that! Good stuff! And remember kids: Partnership with a different form of intelligence forces adaptation in ways integration with a similar architecture cannot. Words to live by…
Review of advance copy received from Author
Perhaps the best one yet of the John and Elvis series of adventures. Our heroes flush off their latest job head out into the outskirts of space to a space station named Gear to assist the required damsel in distress from the local crime boss Vydis. In a twist this story brings Alvis to the forefront when it's revealed that the job requires tracking down a mysterious signal that their new partner Darya (a robotics expert) and a new group of advanced AIs called the Unbound have uncovered. Slipping in a new alien race that covers the cost of the trip and sends a female named Slip (a kind of enforcer) along for the ride the heroes race to the spot, in the ship Beowulf to the coordinates dictated with Vydis hot on their heels. A dangerous confrontation in the secret behind the location leads to our heroes fleeing a new mysterious space station while wounded and trying to solve the enigma the station presents. Pulling off one of there trademarked quick but well reasoned solutions Alvis (in particular) and John save the day for the good guys. This story delves deeper into their relationship while providing some thought provoking developments to this series and its future. Hopefully the next book continues this trend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Book 6 of the John and Alvis Sessions, the boys are flush with cash, the Beowulf is in proper repair, with full fuel tanks and they can afford to turn down any job that does not interest them. While checking through job offers, they come across one that piques their interest, and pays pretty well. Transport, accompany and provide bodyguard services to a scientist, her sponsor and a self-aware robot to an unspecified destination. Should be easy, right? It is… until it isn’t.
Full of classic John and Alvis banter, they bicker about every little thing like and old married couple. But when the excrement hits the ventilation motivator, they show that they have each other’s back.
I really liked this book and think it just might be the best book of the series. While you don’t have to read the other books in the series, they do provide some background for this book. I can eagerly wait for the next installment of this impressive series.
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a free copy of this book.
Full of classic John and Alvis banter, they bicker about every little thing like and old married couple. But when the excrement hits the ventilation motivator, they show that they have each other’s back.
I really liked this book and think it just might be the best book of the series. While you don’t have to read the other books in the series, they do provide some background for this book. I can eagerly wait for the next installment of this impressive series.
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a free copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dell'Aringa has done it again! It all starts with a coded message, received from an unknown source. It contains a question that leads an unlikely trio to hire John and Alvis to protect them as they try to answer it. What makes it interesting is that John is himself trying to answer a question - one that caught him off guard. So, this latest mission becomes just the distraction he needs to avoid the question. What follows is Dell'Aringa's usual mix of serious storytelling and occasional humor, and some fascinating twists and turns that kept me coming back for more.
Dell'Aringa has created a fascinating array of characters, political dynamics, and a story full of twists and turns. Both aspects have made him a master of frontier sci-fi stories. Which is exactly where a self-proclaimed "Space Cowboy" like John MacAlister, and his unique sidekick belong, and why I'll keep coming back for each and every adventure."
Dell'Aringa has created a fascinating array of characters, political dynamics, and a story full of twists and turns. Both aspects have made him a master of frontier sci-fi stories. Which is exactly where a self-proclaimed "Space Cowboy" like John MacAlister, and his unique sidekick belong, and why I'll keep coming back for each and every adventure."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another excellent adventure!
Following John and Alvis on a new job is always entertaining, and of course things go spectacularly sideways and events take quite unexpected turns (no pun intended).
But what makes these space adventures extra fun for me is the engaging cast of characters, familiar and new faces alike.
I especially enjoyed the initial group dynamics between Darya, Slip, and Seki—which got even more fun when John and Alvis joined up to provide much-needed security (and gratuitous bickering) for the expedition.
Following John and Alvis on a new job is always entertaining, and of course things go spectacularly sideways and events take quite unexpected turns (no pun intended).
But what makes these space adventures extra fun for me is the engaging cast of characters, familiar and new faces alike.
I especially enjoyed the initial group dynamics between Darya, Slip, and Seki—which got even more fun when John and Alvis joined up to provide much-needed security (and gratuitous bickering) for the expedition.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stories by Tom Dell'Aringa by default have tons of action, adventure, and humor. I didn't expect it to also be existential, but it was that as well. This latest story of John MacAlister and his partner Alvis brought me to places, I didn't think I'd be going, but I'm certainly happy I was able to 'tag along' on their latest journey. It was everything one could possibly want in a sci-fi story. I'll not be providing any spoilers--but I can say that I was genuinely worried about the choice Alvis had to make. The resolution of the story was satisfying. I highly recommend this book.
Read
April 12, 2026The new adventure finds John and Alvis in relative financial comfort. Alvis is still introspective after the Timmy episode. And he wonders what his fate might be after John is gone.
Consciousness and AI conscience are not yet a hot topic but, at the time of the story will be. The author gives us his perspective on these topics.
As usual, the action is dynamic and the characters are colorful and well-defined.
This is an honest review of an ARC-reader.
Consciousness and AI conscience are not yet a hot topic but, at the time of the story will be. The author gives us his perspective on these topics.
As usual, the action is dynamic and the characters are colorful and well-defined.
This is an honest review of an ARC-reader.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After the success of John's last adventure, the Space Cowboy can now afford to pick and chose whichever job takes his fancy. These days it's as hired security, easy jobs, high pay, but it quickly becomes repetitive. Tired of meaningless jobs, John and Alvis take on a real security job protecting a scientist on a mission into the unknown. However, this job is not so simple. An ancient robot confronts Alvis about his future with John and offers an alternative which Alvis seriously considers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another great adventure for John and Alvis as they assist a scientist to investigate an ancient signal. All is not as it seems and they find themselves in a precarious predicament while being chased by Vydis, who wants their spoils. Entertaining, mysterious and dangerous. A well written Sci-Fi and highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
April 12, 2026Great story and characters.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews