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A review by kjboldon
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
2017: A coming of age murder mystery, the story and art are intricate and enthralling.
2024: now in the permanent library and recommended many times. Preteen Karen Reyes lives in 1960s Chicago and imagines she's a monster, though the adults around her, apart from her mother, are the ones that can't seem to keep their monstrous aspects in check.
There is a mystery of how a neighbor died, so Karen dons a trenchcoat and brimmed hat to investigate, all while being bullied at school, harboring a crush on a schoolmate, inventing an imaginary friend, and trying to navigate issues of race, class, poverty, and the morass of her family's secrets that keep getting withheld from her.
Karen is such a beating heart of a main character. I adore her and fear for her.
2024: now in the permanent library and recommended many times. Preteen Karen Reyes lives in 1960s Chicago and imagines she's a monster, though the adults around her, apart from her mother, are the ones that can't seem to keep their monstrous aspects in check.
There is a mystery of how a neighbor died, so Karen dons a trenchcoat and brimmed hat to investigate, all while being bullied at school, harboring a crush on a schoolmate, inventing an imaginary friend, and trying to navigate issues of race, class, poverty, and the morass of her family's secrets that keep getting withheld from her.
Karen is such a beating heart of a main character. I adore her and fear for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Death, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Racism, Classism, Grief, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Body horror, Homophobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, and Sexual content