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savvy999's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
A whirlwind of emotions. Subtly dazzling and rich. The distinct and provocative voices of the characters emphasize this complicated portrait of just how human a monster can be. We see M from all perspectives, in all of the viscera and gore and introspection that he entails. Grief transforms and makes new the bodies of those involved. Loss of the son, grief at not being the son that was lost, grief from up close and afar. “The monster stands at the borders of the possible”(quote from cohens monster theory, which definitely enhances a reading of this book) Monstrilio engages with the possibility of constructing a life and living it borrowed, that born of tradition/folklore and aided by science this being could be walking alongside others. but also stands with the pain of living amongst without feeling full, of being an outsider in their space and body. The possibility of embracing one’s own monstrosity is daunting and dangerous, but to M is ultimately a triumph of spirit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Death, Body horror, Animal death, Violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Child death
orizenda's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel like complicated is a good word to describe this book. Not that it’s difficult to understand, there’s just a lot to think about. The characters are so complex imo and i really liked that. near the end my stomach was actually churning, which I was not anticipating. I love M.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, Grief, Physical abuse, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content, Animal death, and Drug use
cspa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
An exceptional literary horror delving into themes of grief, family (both chosen and blood), and parenthood, "Monstrilio" captivated me from the outset. The opening pages vividly depict the tragic and abrupt loss of Margos and Joseph's son, Santiago. We receive perspectives from four different viewpoints: the two parents, their closest friend Lena, and Monstrilio himself, who was once Santiago's deformed lung, cut from his chest by his mother and fed to transform into a creature that evolves into a man to the fullest extent of his capabilities.
Throughout the story, there is a continuous tension to unveil whether Monstrilio can transform into a human, as his monstrous inclinations threaten to dominate at every moment. When Monstrilio first started to form and was swinging from high places, I remember thinking, even though the descriptions were so ugly, that he was sweet, he was trying, and he was like no other.
The decisions made by the adults in his life were questionable and had consequences for everyone involved but you rooted for this family. You wanted everything to be ok. You hoped for an outcome that could bring some peace and sanity to all.
I thought the book was rife with complex emotions and situations that required so much nuance. How much would you sacrifice for the love of a child, even if that child was no more but instead a creature capable of unspeakable acts, striving to become what you wished for, despite going against its inherent nature?
Throughout the story, there is a continuous tension to unveil whether Monstrilio can transform into a human, as his monstrous inclinations threaten to dominate at every moment. When Monstrilio first started to form and was swinging from high places, I remember thinking, even though the descriptions were so ugly, that he was sweet, he was trying, and he was like no other.
The decisions made by the adults in his life were questionable and had consequences for everyone involved but you rooted for this family. You wanted everything to be ok. You hoped for an outcome that could bring some peace and sanity to all.
I thought the book was rife with complex emotions and situations that required so much nuance. How much would you sacrifice for the love of a child, even if that child was no more but instead a creature capable of unspeakable acts, striving to become what you wished for, despite going against its inherent nature?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Violence
holy_moly_colee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Cannibalism, Grief, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
spacebras's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well written and has a strong message :) but for me it's fine and not earth shattering. It's not so much <i>horror</i> horror as it is magical realism. It turns from slight horror to domestic fiction pretty quickly and the pace drops from there. And I think that misunderstanding soured the story for me because it was not what I was expecting, but unfortunately it wasn't able to recapture my attention.
I'm not rating it lower because of what I wished it was, but how to never really got to me in the end. Maybe it was the tone? I'm not sure. I can understand why people are into it. But I wouldn't call it "genuinely scary" like the blurbs tot. Outside of the first few scenes it's really not. And it doesn't have to be- it's just promoted as such
I'm not rating it lower because of what I wished it was, but how to never really got to me in the end. Maybe it was the tone? I'm not sure. I can understand why people are into it. But I wouldn't call it "genuinely scary" like the blurbs tot. Outside of the first few scenes it's really not. And it doesn't have to be- it's just promoted as such
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child death, and Medical content
Moderate: Cannibalism and Animal death
In the first scene, a child's dead body is torn open by his mother and a piece of his lung is taken out. It is graphic, but is the most graphic the story will get. And not done with ill intention (it's complicated)michael_langeloo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Murder, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Grief, Violence, Body horror, Medical content, Sexual content, and Gore
pjlovesyou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Blood, Violence, and Self harm
greavuem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, and Violence
thebearnest's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Murder, Death, Violence, Child death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
danimacuk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, Gore, Animal death, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Confinement