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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the best book i have read this year by far
The book is very gory, and in a context that you wouldn't expect. A child dying, a mother cutting him open to take a piece of his organ to keep with her, then feeding the organ piece as though it's alive... it was a little too gross and graphic for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content
absolutely adored this little freaky guy. everyone's funny and insane and gay and just trying to survive.
Monstrilio is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of grief, identity, and the strange ways love can contort itself. Cordova takes readers on an intimate journey through one family’s attempt to resurrect their beloved son in a way that feels surreal and deeply emotional.
Cordova’s writing is lyrical and evocative, pulling readers into the world of a family warped by grief, love, and the inexplicable nature of their son’s second life. His descriptions are hauntingly atmospheric, making even the grotesque moments strangely beautiful, and he balances the novel’s dark, often unsettling themes with tenderness and compassion.
The story dives into complex themes around family, love, and identity, showing how our desire to hold on to what we love can both sustain and destroy us. It’s a rare blend of literary fiction and horror that challenges readers to consider what it means to be monstrous—and what it means to be human.
The only reason this doesn’t earn a full five stars is that the pacing can feel uneven, with some sections dragging slightly. But overall, Monstrilio is a unique, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page. For fans of horror and literary fiction alike, this is a must-read that offers a fresh and unsettling take on familial love.
Cordova’s writing is lyrical and evocative, pulling readers into the world of a family warped by grief, love, and the inexplicable nature of their son’s second life. His descriptions are hauntingly atmospheric, making even the grotesque moments strangely beautiful, and he balances the novel’s dark, often unsettling themes with tenderness and compassion.
The story dives into complex themes around family, love, and identity, showing how our desire to hold on to what we love can both sustain and destroy us. It’s a rare blend of literary fiction and horror that challenges readers to consider what it means to be monstrous—and what it means to be human.
The only reason this doesn’t earn a full five stars is that the pacing can feel uneven, with some sections dragging slightly. But overall, Monstrilio is a unique, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page. For fans of horror and literary fiction alike, this is a must-read that offers a fresh and unsettling take on familial love.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
What if a physical manifestation of our deepest grief existed and we tended to it with care and attention? Ugh, I loved this!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this shattered my heart into little pieces...let's hope one of those pieces isn't fed..
dark
emotional
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
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m a sucker for anything nature v. nuture. I think Monstrilio is extremely well done, especially the shifting of perspectives while keeping a consistently linear story as well! Plus it’s very queer which we love!