Scan barcode
hzmt's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
Overall it was slow but enjoyable. When things start coming together with the Leech, Wolf, Witch, and Apparition all journeying towards a mysterious house, it really picks up and captured me.
There was one thing tho that I noticedI noticed the vampire was noted as being centuries old but as the story progressed his past revealed that he had to have been changed in somewhat modern times, which kind of threw me off but it was excellent all the same.
I also really liked that the house was designed like an anglerfish that teased visitors in with their ideal paradises, but also served as a place for reflection of one's self and inner demons, with the chance to find peace/solace/closure while facing the reality of themselves. It definitely opened a door for personal introspection after reading. What would my room look like? What of my darkness would I face, and am I redeemable?
Lastly, I totally knew the wolf would get outta there since JM is low-key a werewolf himself.
There was one thing tho that I noticed
I also really liked that the house was designed like an anglerfish that teased visitors in with their ideal paradises, but also served as a place for reflection of one's self and inner demons, with the chance to find peace/solace/closure while facing the reality of themselves. It definitely opened a door for personal introspection after reading. What would my room look like? What of my darkness would I face, and am I redeemable?
Lastly, I totally knew the wolf would get outta there since JM is low-key a werewolf himself.
karlakayjenniges's review
4.0
"It's a story about personal growth, facing down your demons inside, and choosing to either conquer your sins or let them consume you."~JM
This was such an interesting story to follow. The beginning tells us it is inspired by the writing styles of Charles Bukowski and Cormac McCarthy, with minimal capitalization and punctuation.
Each page gives a look into each character. Their journey, their character, their disrespect for the world they live in and their desires.
The Witch: Her longing is to be beautiful and youthful and she will do anything to achieve her hearts desires.
The Wolf: The man and the wolf struggle to accept each other and become as one.
The Leech: A soulless vampire who has no value for life. He is selfish and has no fear. He commits every act of sin upon the world with no remorse.
The Apparition: A lost ghost who only wants to live again. She wants to possess a human to live as one. She has no memories of her own human life and why she is stuck in the human world.
They are all being called by the house of judgement. Their stories unfold as they all travel to this calling. They have no idea what they will find when they get there, but their hope is that it will fulfill their desires. It is not what they expect, there they meet the host who is the steward and the voice of the house. The house sees their inner demons and what truly lies within their heartlessness. There is no redemption here unless they change their ways.
"this house is special. it draws the ones such as you. outcasts, pariahs, angels to some, demons to many, beasts of the field and corpses of the night. things unspeakable, and things considered mere fables. but we know better, don't we? monsters are real. i know because i'm talking to one."~JM
I really enjoyed this. It was written with depth and meaning. Lyrical, descriptive and enchanting!
This was such an interesting story to follow. The beginning tells us it is inspired by the writing styles of Charles Bukowski and Cormac McCarthy, with minimal capitalization and punctuation.
Each page gives a look into each character. Their journey, their character, their disrespect for the world they live in and their desires.
The Witch: Her longing is to be beautiful and youthful and she will do anything to achieve her hearts desires.
The Wolf: The man and the wolf struggle to accept each other and become as one.
The Leech: A soulless vampire who has no value for life. He is selfish and has no fear. He commits every act of sin upon the world with no remorse.
The Apparition: A lost ghost who only wants to live again. She wants to possess a human to live as one. She has no memories of her own human life and why she is stuck in the human world.
They are all being called by the house of judgement. Their stories unfold as they all travel to this calling. They have no idea what they will find when they get there, but their hope is that it will fulfill their desires. It is not what they expect, there they meet the host who is the steward and the voice of the house. The house sees their inner demons and what truly lies within their heartlessness. There is no redemption here unless they change their ways.
"this house is special. it draws the ones such as you. outcasts, pariahs, angels to some, demons to many, beasts of the field and corpses of the night. things unspeakable, and things considered mere fables. but we know better, don't we? monsters are real. i know because i'm talking to one."~JM
I really enjoyed this. It was written with depth and meaning. Lyrical, descriptive and enchanting!
michaelrgoodwin's review
4.0
A story told from four different perspectives simultaneously, HEARTS OF MONSTERS is a truly impactful and thought-provoking book. It is also full of gore, scares and horrifying moments, and all of it together makes this book stand out from any other book I've read recently.
We follow a werewolf, a ghost, a vampire and a witch in each of their own elements, doing what they do best: being monsters. One by one, they each get a unique calling to a far away house, one that beckons them and promises to fulfill their unique and darkest desires. When they arrive, they each discover that things are not what they seem.
This story shifts from character to character with each turn of the page. The quickly rotating perspectives at first was a little challenging to follow, but you fall into a rhythm the more of it you read, and that's when it sinks its teeth into you.
A powerhouse despite its relatively short length, this book was hard to put down. It stayed with me for days after I finished it, and it challenged the way I think. Not many books have done that, recently or not, and I was thoroughly impressed.
We follow a werewolf, a ghost, a vampire and a witch in each of their own elements, doing what they do best: being monsters. One by one, they each get a unique calling to a far away house, one that beckons them and promises to fulfill their unique and darkest desires. When they arrive, they each discover that things are not what they seem.
This story shifts from character to character with each turn of the page. The quickly rotating perspectives at first was a little challenging to follow, but you fall into a rhythm the more of it you read, and that's when it sinks its teeth into you.
A powerhouse despite its relatively short length, this book was hard to put down. It stayed with me for days after I finished it, and it challenged the way I think. Not many books have done that, recently or not, and I was thoroughly impressed.
sabrinav625's review
5.0
I loved this book with every fibre of my being.
The writing style was easy to submerge myself in, and each monster popped right off the page. Immediately I was sucked in to it, the heart of each monster so different. I was particularly drawn to the wolf and the witch, both stories contrasting pleasantly. When the stories began to intertwine, I simply couldn't put the book down. I had to know where it was all going to lead, how it was going to end.
And I was not disappointed! This book is a treat, one I intend to read again.
The writing style was easy to submerge myself in, and each monster popped right off the page. Immediately I was sucked in to it, the heart of each monster so different. I was particularly drawn to the wolf and the witch, both stories contrasting pleasantly. When the stories began to intertwine, I simply couldn't put the book down. I had to know where it was all going to lead, how it was going to end.
And I was not disappointed! This book is a treat, one I intend to read again.
More...