Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Hodder & Stoughton (2022), 368 pages
Description
Fantasy. Romance. Science Fiction & Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin. Don't forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never tell anyone about monsters. Joan has just learned the truth: her family are monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And the cute boy at work isn't just a boy: he's a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to destroy her family. To save herself and her family, Joan will have to do what she fears most: embrace her own monstrousness. Because in this story...she is not the hero. Dive deep into the world of Only a Monster: hidden worlds dwell in the shadows, beautiful monsters with untold powers walk among humans, and secrets are the most powerful weapon of all..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sennebec
What a riveting and complex tale we have here. The story bookends interactions between Joan and Nick with her feelings for him as strong in each instance, but what happens in between is lush, intriguing and bloody. This is a terrific first book and I'm very eager to see where the author takes this
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tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member SJGirl
Romance plays a key part in this book though it doesn’t overwhelm the plot so if love stories aren’t your favorite there is more going on here than that, family is really Joan’s priority. However, if you do like a romantic triangle, this is the kind I appreciate, where there is enough
There were moments where I questioned why Joan didn’t ask more questions, where it seemed convenient to the story that she was so woefully under-informed, plus I did wonder about the person with the least knowledge automatically being the leader of the group, but I didn’t spend too much energy dwelling on those things since the dynamics between the characters, the intrigue, and the creativity (like how the monsters time travel) kept me plenty entertained and engaged.
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chemistry on both sides to leave me somewhat torn (though I did lean towards Aaron and his snobby banter), and just as important both potential relationships feature plenty of conflict, there are legit reasons Joan shouldn’t get emotionally involved with either of these guys which makes it all the more juicier that she does exactly that. There were moments where I questioned why Joan didn’t ask more questions, where it seemed convenient to the story that she was so woefully under-informed, plus I did wonder about the person with the least knowledge automatically being the leader of the group, but I didn’t spend too much energy dwelling on those things since the dynamics between the characters, the intrigue, and the creativity (like how the monsters time travel) kept me plenty entertained and engaged.
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LibraryThing member The_Literary_Jedi
I liked this enough that I'll be purchasing a copy for my classroom library.
A unique story that has good POC/LGBTQIA+ representation.
The main character has always grown up loving the monster stories her grandmother told her. Eventually, she discovers there is an entire world out there that she is a
This is a fast-paced adventure involving time travel, time-crossed lovers, cat-and-mouse, and magic.
The characters are all in their twenties or so. There is a love story but it isn't the focus. There's more of a "chosen one" vibe to this story.
The characters don't develop too much and I think that is the worst part of this story. There's a little bit where they understand something larger is at stake than they once thought but overall, there was so much potential for them to really gain an understanding of how their world works and look at things from a different point of view but they didn't. I hope to see more in the next book if there is one.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own. Read on my Libby app as an audiobook.**
A unique story that has good POC/LGBTQIA+ representation.
The main character has always grown up loving the monster stories her grandmother told her. Eventually, she discovers there is an entire world out there that she is a
Show More
part of but never knew.This is a fast-paced adventure involving time travel, time-crossed lovers, cat-and-mouse, and magic.
The characters are all in their twenties or so. There is a love story but it isn't the focus. There's more of a "chosen one" vibe to this story.
The characters don't develop too much and I think that is the worst part of this story. There's a little bit where they understand something larger is at stake than they once thought but overall, there was so much potential for them to really gain an understanding of how their world works and look at things from a different point of view but they didn't. I hope to see more in the next book if there is one.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own. Read on my Libby app as an audiobook.**
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LibraryThing member choirchik
I would have never guessed this was Vanessa Len's first book. It was really good and it had my attention from the very beginning.
There were some aspects that were a little rough for me though. After Ruth time travels and finds Aaron and Joan, it is constantly repeated that it has only been one
Things I loved about this book are FRANKIE AND HER BOW TIE, Frankie and her stub legs and Frankie falling asleep swaddled in Tom's jacket like a baby. I really liked all of the main characters, even the 'bad' one; I did find Joan annoying at the beginning, but she matures throughout the book. Aaron was my favorite and like Joan, I wonder which era he grew up in, and I hope we get to learn more about him in the subsequent books. He is so fascinating to me. There were some historical sites used in the book which for a history buff like me was cool because I got to look the places up, look at pictures and learn the history of them.
According to Goodreads, there are 3 books in the series, the next one not slated to come out until 2023!! I'm not sure how I'm going to last that long. I do hope we get to explore more of the character's backgrounds, powers, and maybe the different families. Things I need: Aaron, Frankie (obvs), Tom and Jaimie, and since it's a wishlist, I'll take some Nick too, lol.
There were some aspects that were a little rough for me though. After Ruth time travels and finds Aaron and Joan, it is constantly repeated that it has only been one
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night for Joan and 2 years for Ruth. Its almost condescending in a way, like the reader can't comprehend the timeline so it has to be repeated 100 times. I'm still really confused about the Oliver families powers, especially Aaron's. He was being all cryptic at the end and I couldn't figure out if he was saying that the weird eye power was just his? Things I loved about this book are FRANKIE AND HER BOW TIE, Frankie and her stub legs and Frankie falling asleep swaddled in Tom's jacket like a baby. I really liked all of the main characters, even the 'bad' one; I did find Joan annoying at the beginning, but she matures throughout the book. Aaron was my favorite and like Joan, I wonder which era he grew up in, and I hope we get to learn more about him in the subsequent books. He is so fascinating to me. There were some historical sites used in the book which for a history buff like me was cool because I got to look the places up, look at pictures and learn the history of them.
According to Goodreads, there are 3 books in the series, the next one not slated to come out until 2023!! I'm not sure how I'm going to last that long. I do hope we get to explore more of the character's backgrounds, powers, and maybe the different families. Things I need: Aaron, Frankie (obvs), Tom and Jaimie, and since it's a wishlist, I'll take some Nick too, lol.
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LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
So many plot holes and loose threads, plus the world-building, while unique, had a very weak foundation.
LibraryThing member BethYacoub
This (audio)book was cute... nothing ground breaking or mind altering but it was a briskly paced, cute take on (not so monstrous) Monsters. This book should've been downgraded to a Middle Grade read. There was no grit... no heat... no wrecking of my soul or even the slightest of tugs on my
It most certainly could've been classified as an anxiously awaited book failing to live up to the mega-hype surrounding it. That, again, sounds like the kiss of death for a read for this frustrated bibliophile BUT the unique premise, some twisty twists and the audiobook's narrator went a long way.
Anyway... less about my expectations and more about what the book actually delivered...
There was a hint of a love triangle that was pretty tame and I'm thankful it wasn't developed enough to be nauseating... YET.
Then there were some tried and true tropes like watching our FMC come of age and into her powers, a variety of differing familial powers, Good vs Evil and the like. There were some typical moral dilemmas and philosophical quandary like what makes a Monster a Monster? Is a Monster predestined to do monstrous deeds? Are monstrous deeds only done by Monsters... when is a monstrous deed deemed acceptable? Is there a Monstrosity gradient? Etc... etc...
Overall:
I was anxiously awaiting the drop of this book, so much so I preordered it on Audible (not a paid for endorsement) waaaay in advance. It unfortunately did not (completely) live up to its hype but few books seldomly do. I gave Only A Monster some leeway because of its unique premise, brisk pace and overall cuteness BUT be aware... if you are looking for MONSTEROUS MONSTROSITIES you will need to look elsewhere. If you're looking to attach your whole being onto a (villainous?) deeply robust character... you'll need to look elsewhere. There is a touch of Time Travel, something I usually eat up but here it was a decent/convenient plot device so if you're looking for a nicely developed Time Travel yarn... this is probably not it. I will most likely part ways with this series but I will fondly renember how I got lost in its depths for a few peaceful hours.
My last 2 cents: if your looking for a Middle(ish) Grade read about (tame) Monsters with a unique premise (always a plus) then look no further!
It was cute... end of story!
~ Enjoy
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heartstrings. In fact I didn't really attach myself, my hopes, my devotion to ANY of the characters... this is usually the kiss of death in my world... the whole cast come off as a bit thin BUT I'm a true believer that IF it was originally classified and pitched to me as a MG read then I think my whole approach (and thus my rating) would have been different. It most certainly could've been classified as an anxiously awaited book failing to live up to the mega-hype surrounding it. That, again, sounds like the kiss of death for a read for this frustrated bibliophile BUT the unique premise, some twisty twists and the audiobook's narrator went a long way.
Anyway... less about my expectations and more about what the book actually delivered...
There was a hint of a love triangle that was pretty tame and I'm thankful it wasn't developed enough to be nauseating... YET.
Then there were some tried and true tropes like watching our FMC come of age and into her powers, a variety of differing familial powers, Good vs Evil and the like. There were some typical moral dilemmas and philosophical quandary like what makes a Monster a Monster? Is a Monster predestined to do monstrous deeds? Are monstrous deeds only done by Monsters... when is a monstrous deed deemed acceptable? Is there a Monstrosity gradient? Etc... etc...
Overall:
I was anxiously awaiting the drop of this book, so much so I preordered it on Audible (not a paid for endorsement) waaaay in advance. It unfortunately did not (completely) live up to its hype but few books seldomly do. I gave Only A Monster some leeway because of its unique premise, brisk pace and overall cuteness BUT be aware... if you are looking for MONSTEROUS MONSTROSITIES you will need to look elsewhere. If you're looking to attach your whole being onto a (villainous?) deeply robust character... you'll need to look elsewhere. There is a touch of Time Travel, something I usually eat up but here it was a decent/convenient plot device so if you're looking for a nicely developed Time Travel yarn... this is probably not it. I will most likely part ways with this series but I will fondly renember how I got lost in its depths for a few peaceful hours.
My last 2 cents: if your looking for a Middle(ish) Grade read about (tame) Monsters with a unique premise (always a plus) then look no further!
It was cute... end of story!
~ Enjoy
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LibraryThing member Araskov
Okay, this was such a breath of fresh air. Adventure, unique storyline, admirable characters. I flew through this and absolutely love it. I definitely need to check out more by the author.
Awards
Aurealis Award (Winner — 2022)
British Science Fiction Association Award (Shortlist — 2022)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2022-02-17
Physical description
368 p.; 9.29 inches
ISBN
1529380065 / 9781529380064
Other editions
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len (Hardcover)
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len (Hardcover)