Reviews

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

carooks2006's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

gabrielaa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging lighthearted medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.0

indianahat's review against another edition

5.0

I can’t believe I didn’t review this sooner. This book seriously has to be one of my top reads for 2022. Can’t wait to read the remainder of the series in the future and absolutely recommend for anyone starting the fantasy genre.

bigsby's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

3.75

t_ajda's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

re-read
4.5☆ ---> 5☆

It didn't make sense to stick with Aaron. He despised her, and the feeling was mutual.

"Don't look at them," Aaron said "Look at me."

"A Hunt and an Oliver together? How very Romeo and Juliet.

"I hate you," she said. This time Nick did hesitate, long enough for Joan to hear his hitched exhale. "I know."

Oliver stories are mostly horror. I guess they enjoy terrifying their children before they fall asleep."
Aaron usually hated people talking about his family. But there was mild approval on his face at this. God, the Olivers are weird, Joan thought.

Aaron said. "All I know is that if you undo the massacre, you can't ever meet me. You can't ever trust me. I won't know. I won't remember what-" He cut himself off. Then he ground out, "I won't remember what you mean to me."

"Aaron," she said. She touched his hand. He was always so warm.
Then he did meet her eyes. There was such intensity in his face that for a long moment, Joan thought he was about to kiss her.

But it wasn't her he wanted to reach for. Not really. He wanted the other Joan. The Joan who made the right choices. That Joan had died in the massacre, along with her family.

thechaoticreader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

phoenix2's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Only a Monster is the start of the YA fantasy trilogy.

The start of the book is pretty interesting and engages the reader. The whole magic system was also pretty unique and it was enjoyable to learn more about it.

On the other hand, the romance was weird. It was all off page, in a past that not even the characters remembered, and it was supported only by the star crossed lovers theme. And yet, our main character had more chemistry and development with Aaron than with Nick, with whom she met, on page, for like three times. 

peachypqstry's review against another edition

5.0

5/5

jazzblue's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

camdynn's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25