Reviews

Monstrous by Jessica Lewis

thereserose's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Her friend and crush consistently downplaying the fact that she was literally stolen from her room, beaten, and sacrificed to a monster with no reason or remorse made it lose a star from me.

punkystarshine's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

4.5

WHEW I really enjoyed this book. It was stressful at times but funny at times, and Avie's internal monologue sounded much more like what mine might be like - sarcastic and feelings avoidant - even amidst traumatic events, and especially in the face of a crush. A fun mystery, exciting twists and turns, blurring of the lines between what makes someone...monstrous. I really enjoyed it and am excited to read her other book, which I luckily took out from the library at the same time as this one based on the title alone. (I mean it's called Bad Witch Burning, can you blame me?) 

berbs's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.25

kayladbruns's review against another edition

2.0

I went into this excited for a black main character, revenge, and a southern setting. I got two out of three, but this still didn’t wow me.

This could have been an awesome revenge story and we were robbed of that. I wanted Latavia to be vicious and hold onto that anger. I mean this town used you as a human sacrifice for goodness sake! While she had some moments showing if pushed she could be kickass, it wasn’t enough. Also, why did her cousin and love interest keep wanting her to get over the fact the this town turned against her? Every time they acted like it wasn’t a big deal I wanted to scream.

As far the setting of this book, chef’s kiss. When it says perfect for fans of Lovecraft Country, I can see why. It gives southern town with a long history with supernatural elements and secrets. I did enjoy reading about how far and deep that history was. There was a twist that I didn’t see coming and I applaud the author for that.

Given what I said about our main character, the ending ruined this. There wasn’t really ending to me. She found out the truth about the town and who was behind it and does nothing with that information. What was the purpose of that?!

All in all, great setting but terrible execution.

girlreading's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A gripping and twisted fantasy horror with a touch of culty shenanigans. This was a monstrous, fast paced, immersive and surprisingly emotional read and one I would happily recommend. Between this and her debut, Jessica Lewis is definitely an author to be excited about. 

readerinthefog's review against another edition

4.0

4.5*

thtblklibrarian's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

For the past 6 weeks Latavia has been to 3 closed casket funerals. Theres a strict cu-rfew, no one is allowed to enter the redwoods behind the town and no one wants to talk about any of this to outsider Latavia. She will do whatever it takes not to die in this strange small town, even if it means becoming the monster everyone fears.

A lot of other reviewers did not like our giant talking snake but I enjoyed him and his snarky remarks. It got my attention and helped me out of a slump.

gatorademachinegun's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

5.0

HOLY SHITTTTTTTTTT 
the most amazing ending I’ve ever read. I canopy recommend this one enough. Fast paced stand alone with Excellent queer rep and a diverse cast of characters

and a giant snake! Love him!

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Abandonment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia

growplantsreadbooks's review against another edition

2.0

Read this for a professional review. 
I really really really wanted to like this book. The premise was so interesting and there are not enough black queer femal leads in horror. 
It's a shame that the writing is bad. Besides the death and gore it didn't read like a horror at all. It had the pase of a thriller, the tone of a rom com, and the depth of a middle grade mystery. 
The characters didn't have a lot of development or dept. The mystery that took up 300+ pages built to an anticlimactic ending. And what erked me the most is that the motivations of the MC (to seek revenge on the cult who hurt her) are not handled with any nuance to the point that it felt problematic (angry black woman uses trauma and disability to seek revenge).

Don't let me get started on how weak and forced the romance was...

The idea is strong, the writing just needs to get stronger. 

owlsreads's review against another edition

2.0

Sadly, not for me.

I loved the beginning, but then the

talking snake showed up and that was really not to my liking.