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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☆
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.
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.
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
illusie's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was okay. Hard to get into, but eventually I really enjoyed it. The time travel part was a bit of a let down. I like time travel, but this one had something negative attached to time travel. I think that is why I liked it less.
msrcreation's review
2.0
Ugh. From the synopsis I really thought I would love this. Unfortunately the plot bored me and the romance that was a big part of that synopsis was either barely there or so extreme it made no sense. I have no problem with insta love but these characters just didn't have any chemistry. It was hard to care for any of these characters. Really wish this would have lived up to my hopes for it. I will say the ending definitely shocked me.
sunshinesierra13's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Only a monster follows a sixteen-year-old named Joan who works at the historic Holland House alongside her crush Nate, who has asked her on a date. Still, that morning, she learns the truth about her eccentric family: heir monsters with hidden powers, and Nick is just a regular boy; she is the fabled human hero meant to kill her kind. To save her family, she has to team up with Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family who hates her own. Joan learns to embrace her monstrous powers to protect her family and herself.
This book was fast-paced, and I thought I took an interesting twist on time travel. I loved our main character Joan, and Aaron Oliver has my heart. Joan and Aaron’s friendship was made so nicely and was paced so well. Joan’s cousin Ruth was a nice comedic buffer and brought some light to an overall sad story. I liked what we saw of Nick, but I don’t feel like we saw enough of him to believe that Joan and Nick were into each other to be hung up on one another the way they were, especially with how close Len has Joan and Aaron getting, so my only complaint would be that we need to see more of Nick for me to get behind that ship.
Overall, I like this book, and I thought the story was fascinating. I can’t wait to see where the next one goes, considering the ending of this first book could serve as a standalone with an unresolved love relationship. I would 100% recommend this book for people who like a time travel book and love a hint of a love triangle.
Only a monster follows a sixteen-year-old named Joan who works at the historic Holland House alongside her crush Nate, who has asked her on a date. Still, that morning, she learns the truth about her eccentric family: heir monsters with hidden powers, and Nick is just a regular boy; she is the fabled human hero meant to kill her kind. To save her family, she has to team up with Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family who hates her own. Joan learns to embrace her monstrous powers to protect her family and herself.
This book was fast-paced, and I thought I took an interesting twist on time travel. I loved our main character Joan, and Aaron Oliver has my heart. Joan and Aaron’s friendship was made so nicely and was paced so well. Joan’s cousin Ruth was a nice comedic buffer and brought some light to an overall sad story. I liked what we saw of Nick, but I don’t feel like we saw enough of him to believe that Joan and Nick were into each other to be hung up on one another the way they were, especially with how close Len has Joan and Aaron getting, so my only complaint would be that we need to see more of Nick for me to get behind that ship.
Overall, I like this book, and I thought the story was fascinating. I can’t wait to see where the next one goes, considering the ending of this first book could serve as a standalone with an unresolved love relationship. I would 100% recommend this book for people who like a time travel book and love a hint of a love triangle.