Only a Monster

by Vanessa Len

4 out of 5

Synopsis

With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero. 

Review

Joan knows her family is odd, but her grandmother can't be right when she insists they are monsters, can she? Joan is going to have to accept the darkest parts of herself to save everyone.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Joan has grown up feeling like she is always part of two worlds, but never truly belonging. She thought the biggest cultural differences were between her Chinese and English heritages. But it turns out one half of her family is human, and the other are monsters. Something no one is allowed to know.

The power that all monsters share, is the ability to steal life from humans, to fuel traveling through time.

And Joan will have to travel through time to try and stop the monster families from getting attacked by a "hero".

I really enjoyed this. I thought that the history of the monster families was fascinating. The various magics. The connections and loyalties between clans.

Despite being a "monster", Joan is a good person, and she sees goodness in others. I really enjoyed following her interactions with other people.

I liked how the characters kept you guessing as to their loyalties and ambitions. As the story goes on, they gain depth and you understand their motives.

I thought the love triangle between Joan, Nick, and Aaron was well done. It develops gradually and doesn't overwhelm the central plot.

The not-so-good...

I was... surprised by the outcome of the story.

I mean, it was fine and good; but it felt like it came out of nowhere. Joan suddenly decided that she could do something, and went and did it.

I mourned for some of the friendships and connections that vanished because of her action. I'm hoping that they resurface in the rest of the series.

Goodreads

Amazon