Reviews

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

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pocketcrow's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

jpanslabyrinthofbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

This book truly defines the blurred lines - the hazy grey - between the definitions of a Monster and a Hero. Joan has always assumed an ordinary life, even with her Grandmother's tales of the family line being Monsters, and when she starts dating the mysterious Nick; a colleague and volunteer at the Museum, everything seems normal. Until a gap in her memory surfaces and she seems to jump time. At that moment, the stories become reality and the Hero is out to hunt the Monsters.

This book delivers class division, diversity, and romance in a neo-classict fashion; through an alluding retelling of a classic Romeo and Juliet tragedy. Once Joan realises that she is truly a 'Monster', she must travel through time and uncover secrets between the divide of families to restore her family; the Hunt's. Nick will be watching from the shadows and chasing her through timelines to destroy the Monster's at the core of their existence.

The revelations were heartfelt and unexpected, the characters were fleshed out, and the book had a natural flow with believability.