You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
atippy23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence and Murder
brinnavirginia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Grief, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Drug use
jkneebone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed Monstrilio. It wasn't as horror-forward as I anticipated it might be, which for me was a pro, although it was definitely gory. The writing style was simple and thoughtful, what I would call an economy of language. Although I don't always love that style, especially since it's become so prevalent in a certain type of novel, in this case I thought it worked well. I also thought the author's use of different perspectives for each section, and the time gaps between the various sections, was very effective.
The interpersonal dynamics of Monstrilio were quite interesting - I liked watching what each of the characters were willing to do for another character, or for Monstrilio, based on their care for him or their past love for Santiago.
While I thought this was an interesting book, and I'm glad I stepped out of my normal zone to read it, I wasn't amazed or bowled over. It kept my attention, and I liked the interpersonal drama and the mythos of Monstrilio's creation etc., but it's not a book I would plan to reread. If you like books that are horror-adjacent or magical realism, or if you want to read a book about grief, this is one you'll want to pick up.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
chasingpages1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Torture, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
coffeebean216's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
littlelines's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Sexual content, Violence, Cannibalism, and Medical trauma
tifftastic87's review against another edition
- 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
Each of these characters is so unique, all dealing with their own issues outside of grief. Magos has a strained relationship with her mother, Lena suffers from severe insomnia and was abused by her own mother, Joseph has some pretty bad depression and Monstrilio, well he's just hungry. Like really hungry.
Honestly, everyone in this book needed therapy.
Currently I'm listening to Pet Sematary and this is kind of like, if Lewis could have brought Gage back but it all worked out.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
birbmcbirb's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence
biglibraryenergy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Xenophobia and Abandonment
elizj____'s review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Blood and Cannibalism
Moderate: Violence