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loloyohe 's review for:
Monstrilio
by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
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.