Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
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!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
This book was fantastic. I had no idea what I was getting into, randomly picking this up from a Little Library, but I found myself staying up late or wanting to get home just to get back to reading this. This book was the perfect amount of creepy mixed with profound reflection on human grief and what it means to be a human being. There is cheeky humor threaded throughout, as well. Beyond the story and the characters, it exposed me to new concepts like crip theory and the author integrated this in a way that was truly impactful. For example, how he handled Monstrilio's arm-wing was so elegant and touching, it made me want my own arm-wing. I do like the cover description as being a "modern Frankenstein", because it really conveyed many Mary Shelley's powerful themes in moving and relatable ways.
I will also say that many queer-themed books are just not my thing, and often I get irritated when the author seems to forcefully throw in a queer character or relationship because it is in vogue right now and it is the "right thing to do". It's annoying and probably not accomplishing what the author thinks it may be. However, Sámano Córdova has this down to an art. Most of the characters (if not maybe all?) are queer, but it all felt so seamless. And the characters were all so much more than their queerness that it just became such a minor detail and the deeper elements of the plot connected all the character's perspectives in a splendid way. My favorite book of 2025 so far.
I will also say that many queer-themed books are just not my thing, and often I get irritated when the author seems to forcefully throw in a queer character or relationship because it is in vogue right now and it is the "right thing to do". It's annoying and probably not accomplishing what the author thinks it may be. However, Sámano Córdova has this down to an art. Most of the characters (if not maybe all?) are queer, but it all felt so seamless. And the characters were all so much more than their queerness that it just became such a minor detail and the deeper elements of the plot connected all the character's perspectives in a splendid way. My favorite book of 2025 so far.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A weird but compelling read. I didn't like any of the characters except M and Uncle Luke, but i do think the messy dynamics and the choices each character made were very realistic. Definitely one I'll continue to think about for a while.
3.5
i went in with wayyyy too many expectations for this and it did sadly fall short for me. its great for what it is, i just wish the middle two sections carried the same gusto that the first and last did (except for the ending)
i almost wish the book had been told only from Magos and M's perspectives, maybe Lena's too. i really loved Magos's chapters and that supernatural aspect i came for was really delivering then.
Lena's chapters were good, but i definitely sensed the downward slope. i could only keep my interest intact when she was interacting with Monstrilio.
the joseph chapters were what really dragged on for me, but that's probably because i just didn't relate to his character at all. his reactions didn't seem very natural to me and i was mostly bored. this is why it took me so long to finally finish it.
despite the middle being harder for me i loved the direction M's section was heading. i loved the horror, the uncomfortableness around everything happening to M, and the prospect that he's changing back. sadly, the end fell flat. he went "wild" again but it happened so fast we didn't get to see any of it. i had been hoping for something more climactic when he finally left.
despite my problems with flow and balance, this book was so weird, unique, and exactly what i love from horror. i just wanted more! i will definitely be keeping an eye out for Córdova's next novel.
i went in with wayyyy too many expectations for this and it did sadly fall short for me. its great for what it is, i just wish the middle two sections carried the same gusto that the first and last did (except for the ending)
i almost wish the book had been told only from Magos and M's perspectives, maybe Lena's too. i really loved Magos's chapters and that supernatural aspect i came for was really delivering then.
Lena's chapters were good, but i definitely sensed the downward slope. i could only keep my interest intact when she was interacting with Monstrilio.
the joseph chapters were what really dragged on for me, but that's probably because i just didn't relate to his character at all. his reactions didn't seem very natural to me and i was mostly bored. this is why it took me so long to finally finish it.
despite the middle being harder for me i loved the direction M's section was heading. i loved the horror, the uncomfortableness around everything happening to M, and the prospect that he's changing back. sadly, the end fell flat. he went "wild" again but it happened so fast we didn't get to see any of it. i had been hoping for something more climactic when he finally left.
despite my problems with flow and balance, this book was so weird, unique, and exactly what i love from horror. i just wanted more! i will definitely be keeping an eye out for Córdova's next novel.
challenging
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes