wardenred's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“And if we both want to be together, we’re going to fuckin’ be together.”
Okay, well, *now* I understand what the hype is all about! :D
The Monstrous series has been on my TBR for a while, and I actually expected to like a lot once I finallygot around to it. However, recently I read another book by the same author (Berries and Greed) and was underwhelmed by nothing ever happening in it for pages on end. So I was a bit wary going into Soul Eater and kept my expectations low. Happy to say they were exceeded by a mile! Wyn and Danny are both awesome and work so well together. I loved following their love story, even when it got dark.
The setting here is both exciting and slightly overwhelming. I just kept wanting to get a better feel for it, you know? Maybe get a glimpse of one of those military-controlled cities, after all. Have more interactions with the other monsters in the wastelands, and not just Edin (though I absolutely loved Edin and get the feeling I'll enjoy reading his story very much, especially if he ends up getting some POV chapters—a reader can dream). Just, you know, things to spice up the endless repetition of going from place to place, scavenging for food and essentials, and sometimes pausing to get rid of some parasites. It didn't feel *super* repetitive because there was this strong romance arc I was very much invested in, but I feel like there could be more done with such promising setting—and more of it tied into the story itself. As it was, the most exciting bits, such as those humans who tried rescuing Danny when they though he was in danger from Wyn or the monster attack closer to the end, felt like very obvious hanging threads to be picked up later, rather than slightly more self-contained beats that strongly matter to the current book.
There was also a bit of sloppiness re: worldbuilding that took me out of the story sometimes—like, how come almost every abandoned place they came across had running water and sometimes even electricity? Sure, there was an offhanded explanation that it had to do with maintaining the facilities at the military bases scattered around he country. However, that's just not how communications work. It is perfectly possible to keep the lights on and water running on a base without pumping water to all over the uninhabited lands. Not just possible, but cheaper and more efficient. Either there's something going on with it, or, I suspect, this is simply under-researched.
And speaking of under-researched things: I kinda feel like the author got so engrossed into inventing the monster physiology that some aspects of familiar human physiology got out of hand in all those spicy scenes. :D Not really complaining though, given that those scenes for the most part were not just hot fun, but also moved the characters and relationship arc along as they should. That approach is always my favorite.
All in all, in spite of my complaints, I had a lot of fun with this story and will definitely continue the series. This is an intriguing start with lovely characters, and I expect the books will only get stronger from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Gun violence, and Death
smut_church's review against another edition
5.0
"I’ve been waiting for you for a long time."
WHY did I leave this book sitting on my TBR for as long as I did???? I'm obsessed. I love the post-apocalyptic world Lily Mayne has built & I'm so excited to get into more of it in the coming books.
I loved Danny & Wyn's relationship. They are so sweet and their communication with each other felt real and believable.
& Wyn's chapter at the end of the book??? Ugh. My heart.
I want to immediately read Wyn's book but I don't want to spoil the next two books!! So... I'm glad the next book is Edin's because I loved him and how precious he was with Danny. I can't wait to see how he is with his own human! Big ol' softy.
WHY did I leave this book sitting on my TBR for as long as I did???? I'm obsessed. I love the post-apocalyptic world Lily Mayne has built & I'm so excited to get into more of it in the coming books.
I loved Danny & Wyn's relationship. They are so sweet and their communication with each other felt real and believable.
& Wyn's chapter at the end of the book??? Ugh. My heart.
I want to immediately read Wyn's book but I don't want to spoil the next two books!! So... I'm glad the next book is Edin's because I loved him and how precious he was with Danny. I can't wait to see how he is with his own human! Big ol' softy.
nova654's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
saemiligr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Soft and smoopy, exactly how I love these books.
erin_talbert92's review against another edition
5.0
I love Wyn and Danny SO MUCH. They're both so interesting and I loved reading about their relationship. I loved the world-building, and I was super interested to read more.
kaimekolreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and War
Minor: Homophobia
baron_ajax's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ramakn22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
compulsive_reader's review against another edition
3.75
Solid choice. Predictable plot, but a fun read
mcbell_writes's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I really enjoyed this book and it is so stinking cute! Wyn & Danny are a fav for life.
Let’s just talk about something for a moment 👀 This book doesn’t have a plot—I mean ok, stuff happens—the story progresses BUT there isn’t a true plot 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t think I even cared though because I was fine following them around the wastelands doing cute sh*t.
There are a few ‘bumps’ along their proverbial road that honestly kinda feel random and a little rushed. Still don’t care. Wyn & Danny are enough.
This nether region makeup 👀 was a first for me and I didn’t hate. It’s pretty nice 😏 lends well for some variety.
I’ll be continuing on with this series. No doubt.
Let’s just talk about something for a moment 👀 This book doesn’t have a plot—I mean ok, stuff happens—the story progresses BUT there isn’t a true plot 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t think I even cared though because I was fine following them around the wastelands doing cute sh*t.
There are a few ‘bumps’ along their proverbial road that honestly kinda feel random and a little rushed. Still don’t care. Wyn & Danny are enough.
This nether region makeup 👀 was a first for me and I didn’t hate. It’s pretty nice 😏 lends well for some variety.
I’ll be continuing on with this series. No doubt.