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lanternsjourney's review against another edition
4.0
We Are Monsters is set in a mental hospital where an experimental drug to treat schizophrenia is tested out before it's ready. The results are the staff's worst nightmares come to life and Brian Kirk's writing style has you feeling like you're right there with them in their shared psychosis.
The only issue I had with the story is that it dragged a little bit about a quarter of the way through. Alex was my least favorite character, and he was the first character you really get to know. You learn more about Eli midway through (my favorite character) and finally Angela at the end. This felt strange to me at first, but it really ended up working for the story overall as the character's growth and story arcs were satisfying for me.
This book explores the fine line between sanity and insanity and how everyone has their own monsters that they try to suppress and cope with, whether society deems that coping as successful or not. Bottom line: I loved it. Give this one a read!
The only issue I had with the story is that it dragged a little bit about a quarter of the way through. Alex was my least favorite character, and he was the first character you really get to know. You learn more about Eli midway through (my favorite character) and finally Angela at the end. This felt strange to me at first, but it really ended up working for the story overall as the character's growth and story arcs were satisfying for me.
This book explores the fine line between sanity and insanity and how everyone has their own monsters that they try to suppress and cope with, whether society deems that coping as successful or not. Bottom line: I loved it. Give this one a read!
shelikesitscary's review against another edition
5.0
Book Review
We are Monsters- Brian Kirk
I closed this book 30 seconds ago, and I HAD to immediately write something about it. I’ve been reading a lot of ARCs lately and as you know, you have to just accept that you’re going to end up reading some crappy books from Netgalley sometimes. Every now and then though, you get a fucking GEM that made it all worth it. This is it.
This book is about a mental asylum and a doctor who thinks he has the key to curing mental illness, rather than just treating it. Instead, of curing the insane, he releases demons he thought were imagined and it tests everyone’s assumption that they are sane and their patients are the ones in need of help.
This book was so articulate and perfectly formed! The whole concept was so intriguing and thoughtful! If you enjoy reading horror and ALSO enjoy psychology, then this is a book you need to read.
Brian Kirk also has another book Will Haunt You, and I am compelled to buy it because this guy is clearly talented and I doubt he will disappoint.
We are Monsters- Brian Kirk
I closed this book 30 seconds ago, and I HAD to immediately write something about it. I’ve been reading a lot of ARCs lately and as you know, you have to just accept that you’re going to end up reading some crappy books from Netgalley sometimes. Every now and then though, you get a fucking GEM that made it all worth it. This is it.
This book is about a mental asylum and a doctor who thinks he has the key to curing mental illness, rather than just treating it. Instead, of curing the insane, he releases demons he thought were imagined and it tests everyone’s assumption that they are sane and their patients are the ones in need of help.
This book was so articulate and perfectly formed! The whole concept was so intriguing and thoughtful! If you enjoy reading horror and ALSO enjoy psychology, then this is a book you need to read.
Brian Kirk also has another book Will Haunt You, and I am compelled to buy it because this guy is clearly talented and I doubt he will disappoint.
ezerfai's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The horror of this book is overshadowed by the verbosity
fmurray97's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
readbydusk's review
3.0
This book is divided into three parts and I really enjoyed the first two parts. The author portrays mental illness and the treatment of mental health in a compassionate way while also creating some interesting, even despicable characters. We get multiple POVs from the characters suffering from mental illness and from the healthcare professionals at the institution. In the third part though, the story ventures into metaphysical paths that I didn't really enjoy. I thought the story is interesting enough and terrifying enough set within the mental health discussion that the supernatural aspect came across as flat and unconvincing. That said, there are some really visceral and horrifying scenes and I thought the writing is effective. I would definitely be checking more of the author's work. (As a note, there's a graphic animal death scene at the beginning of the book)
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
3.0
I was a little bit disappointed by this one if I’m being completely honest. On paper the idea sounds absolutely amazing, I mean who doesn’t love a good asylum horror with some supernatural elements thrown in? I know this girl was almost drooling at the idea! It’s an incredibly original concept and a lot of research must have gone into it considering the subject matter and I definitely applaud that. I really loved the idea of the story too, potentially curing schizophrenia with some unwanted side effects is just a recipe for a fantastic story. But here’s where it lost me, our protagonist Doctor Alex Drexler. Right from the beginning I had an instant dislike for him after one off putting event and it only grew stronger as the story moved along. It got to a point where it started completely spoiling my enjoyment of the book and I really wish he had been written differently. I honestly think if it hadn’t of been for him that this would have been a full five star read.
panicatthebookstore's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, so I don't really know where to start with this one...
First off, I wouldn't say this was horror. It felt more like science fiction to me and maybe that's why I really didn't enjoy it.
The first part of the book seemed like it was really building up to something exciting. I mean, it was pretty slow going but it kept me reading.
Then things started getting weirder and weirder. Normally, I'd love it. My partner doesn't call me Captain Weird for nothing. I LOVE weird! But this was weirder than weird, it took on a whole new level of strange that I just really couldn't enjoy. And honestly, I've found myself feeling a little bewildered now that I've finished it.
Thanks once again to NetGalley for allowing me to review this.
First off, I wouldn't say this was horror. It felt more like science fiction to me and maybe that's why I really didn't enjoy it.
The first part of the book seemed like it was really building up to something exciting. I mean, it was pretty slow going but it kept me reading.
Then things started getting weirder and weirder. Normally, I'd love it. My partner doesn't call me Captain Weird for nothing. I LOVE weird! But this was weirder than weird, it took on a whole new level of strange that I just really couldn't enjoy. And honestly, I've found myself feeling a little bewildered now that I've finished it.
Thanks once again to NetGalley for allowing me to review this.
eloisebell's review against another edition
3.0
This is a quick thriller bread, treading a fine line between paranormal and horror. Set in a Mental Institute while a corrupt doctor unlocks something otherworldly whilst conducting immoral experiments on patients.
The first half of the book is relatively slow, but it does perfectly set up the action-packed second half, and that is where the action really begins.
Although not my usual cup of tea (I prefer my horror free from paranormal aspects) I did still enjoy the read.
The first half of the book is relatively slow, but it does perfectly set up the action-packed second half, and that is where the action really begins.
Although not my usual cup of tea (I prefer my horror free from paranormal aspects) I did still enjoy the read.
anaveragelife's review against another edition
2.0
A little warning, Chapter One opens with homophobia and Chapter Two was the most torturous animal death I think I've ever had to read.
I usually have quite a strong resolve but the sudden and intensely descriptive demise of a pet like that was truly stomach curdling- I admit to scanning it as quickly as possible and giving myself a moment to recover!
Clearly this was going to be a VERY dark read.
I really enjoyed the varying perceptions of insanity held by both the doctors and some of the patients. 'Who determines who's sick and who's well?'
We Are Monsters is thought provoking in its approach to extreme mental illness, the frequent forays into psychology were extremely interesting and kept the balance of power and intelligence shifting between characters. Of course the horrors of enormous needles, electroshock therapy and submersion tanks are still at hand to ratchet up the pulse.
We Are Monsters is divided into segments, and Part Three is where the heat gets high. A sudden departure from reality told in four different POVs gives insight into each characters psyche through dark and disturbing hallucinations.
Their fear is palpable and claustrophobic, much as a nightmare that's impossible to wake up from.
I can't tell you that this sudden swerve made any sense, or even that it flowed nicely, but I will say it was fun.
I would've liked a little more description of characters and surroundings, there were moments I struggled to imagine. We Are Monsters can get heavy on the dialogue/ monologue; not necessarily a negative but personally I prefer an equal ratio of speech, action and description.
I was also disappointed to find the horror trope I spoke about last year.
Giant dick.
It's 2020. I'm more than tired of male authors using genitalia to incite fear or horror. Fear of rape is relevant of course, but always with the detailed descriptions of cock?
But let's not get side tracked, I've discussed this already in *POST*
Dr Alex Drexler was a tricky main character. 90% of the time I hated him, but now and then the smallest redeeming quality or moment of tenderness slipped in. I sympathised with Eli but simultaneously shouted at him to grow a backbone! As for Angela, ooh what a mess.
Crosby was a great antagonist, a psychopathic killer with a stereotypical history. His unwavering conviction in his delusion and the inability to reason with him made him a formidable threat. Unfortunately he just seems to drop out of the book!
The final quarter of We Are Monsters is bizarre, it seems to completely unravel. I finished the book wondering what the hell had happened. There were questions unanswered, storylines unfinished, it was just a sudden whirlwind of crazy that felt like two concepts smashed together.
Ultimately the atmosphere was good, the fear and revulsion was near constant but as a novel it needs fine tuning.
I usually have quite a strong resolve but the sudden and intensely descriptive demise of a pet like that was truly stomach curdling- I admit to scanning it as quickly as possible and giving myself a moment to recover!
Clearly this was going to be a VERY dark read.
I really enjoyed the varying perceptions of insanity held by both the doctors and some of the patients. 'Who determines who's sick and who's well?'
We Are Monsters is thought provoking in its approach to extreme mental illness, the frequent forays into psychology were extremely interesting and kept the balance of power and intelligence shifting between characters. Of course the horrors of enormous needles, electroshock therapy and submersion tanks are still at hand to ratchet up the pulse.
We Are Monsters is divided into segments, and Part Three is where the heat gets high. A sudden departure from reality told in four different POVs gives insight into each characters psyche through dark and disturbing hallucinations.
Their fear is palpable and claustrophobic, much as a nightmare that's impossible to wake up from.
I can't tell you that this sudden swerve made any sense, or even that it flowed nicely, but I will say it was fun.
I would've liked a little more description of characters and surroundings, there were moments I struggled to imagine. We Are Monsters can get heavy on the dialogue/ monologue; not necessarily a negative but personally I prefer an equal ratio of speech, action and description.
I was also disappointed to find the horror trope I spoke about last year.
Giant dick.
It's 2020. I'm more than tired of male authors using genitalia to incite fear or horror. Fear of rape is relevant of course, but always with the detailed descriptions of cock?
But let's not get side tracked, I've discussed this already in *POST*
Dr Alex Drexler was a tricky main character. 90% of the time I hated him, but now and then the smallest redeeming quality or moment of tenderness slipped in. I sympathised with Eli but simultaneously shouted at him to grow a backbone! As for Angela, ooh what a mess.
Crosby was a great antagonist, a psychopathic killer with a stereotypical history. His unwavering conviction in his delusion and the inability to reason with him made him a formidable threat. Unfortunately he just seems to drop out of the book!
The final quarter of We Are Monsters is bizarre, it seems to completely unravel. I finished the book wondering what the hell had happened. There were questions unanswered, storylines unfinished, it was just a sudden whirlwind of crazy that felt like two concepts smashed together.
Ultimately the atmosphere was good, the fear and revulsion was near constant but as a novel it needs fine tuning.