growplantsreadbooks's review
2.0
Read this for a professional review.
I really really really wanted to like this book. The premise was so interesting and there are not enough black queer femal leads in horror.
It's a shame that the writing is bad. Besides the death and gore it didn't read like a horror at all. It had the pase of a thriller, the tone of a rom com, and the depth of a middle grade mystery.
The characters didn't have a lot of development or dept. The mystery that took up 300+ pages built to an anticlimactic ending. And what erked me the most is that the motivations of the MC (to seek revenge on the cult who hurt her) are not handled with any nuance to the point that it felt problematic (angry black woman uses trauma and disability to seek revenge).
Don't let me get started on how weak and forced the romance was...
The idea is strong, the writing just needs to get stronger.
I really really really wanted to like this book. The premise was so interesting and there are not enough black queer femal leads in horror.
It's a shame that the writing is bad. Besides the death and gore it didn't read like a horror at all. It had the pase of a thriller, the tone of a rom com, and the depth of a middle grade mystery.
The characters didn't have a lot of development or dept. The mystery that took up 300+ pages built to an anticlimactic ending. And what erked me the most is that the motivations of the MC (to seek revenge on the cult who hurt her) are not handled with any nuance to the point that it felt problematic (angry black woman uses trauma and disability to seek revenge).
Don't let me get started on how weak and forced the romance was...
The idea is strong, the writing just needs to get stronger.
owlsreads's review
2.0
Sadly, not for me.
I loved the beginning, but then thetalking snake showed up and that was really not to my liking.
I loved the beginning, but then the
kerasalwaysreading's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this is not what I expected when picking up this book!
Latavia (Avie), sent away by her mother, has been living with her aunt and cousin for the last six weeks. The town is weird and the rules there are strange, not to mention all the funerals… At least she has her cousin Jade, and Jade’s friend Allison, the girl with golden hair and the sweetest smile. She is crushing on this girl hard, making this town just a bit more bearable.
Sanctum, Alabama has tons of secrets, and Latavia becomes embroiled in the whole thing, but not of her own free will. But, she is an outsider and they let her know it. Inside the Red Wood, where people are NOT permitted to enter, lives something ancient and monstrous, and now Avie is ripped from everything she knows and forced to learn the true ways of the town and the pastor who runs the show.
Life for Avie will never be the same again, if it even continues at all… but she makes some unexpected allies in her determination to get revenge on those who have wronged her.
This book was phenomenal. This doesn’t skirt that line of right and wrong, but shows that bad things can be done for good reason. I loved Avie. She was so strong, persevering through pain and anguish. I love the alliances she made and the way she fights for herself, no matter what.
Monstrous was an energy filled thrill ride that I simply could not put down. It depicts the monstrosity in humanity for the sake of power, and showcases the ways in which connections with unlikely friends can mean righting wrongs long since past.
Latavia (Avie), sent away by her mother, has been living with her aunt and cousin for the last six weeks. The town is weird and the rules there are strange, not to mention all the funerals… At least she has her cousin Jade, and Jade’s friend Allison, the girl with golden hair and the sweetest smile. She is crushing on this girl hard, making this town just a bit more bearable.
Sanctum, Alabama has tons of secrets, and Latavia becomes embroiled in the whole thing, but not of her own free will. But, she is an outsider and they let her know it. Inside the Red Wood, where people are NOT permitted to enter, lives something ancient and monstrous, and now Avie is ripped from everything she knows and forced to learn the true ways of the town and the pastor who runs the show.
Life for Avie will never be the same again, if it even continues at all… but she makes some unexpected allies in her determination to get revenge on those who have wronged her.
This book was phenomenal. This doesn’t skirt that line of right and wrong, but shows that bad things can be done for good reason. I loved Avie. She was so strong, persevering through pain and anguish. I love the alliances she made and the way she fights for herself, no matter what.
Monstrous was an energy filled thrill ride that I simply could not put down. It depicts the monstrosity in humanity for the sake of power, and showcases the ways in which connections with unlikely friends can mean righting wrongs long since past.
happily_undignified's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Monstrous by Jessica Lewis is an amazing story with just the right amount of creepy horror and mystery. I really liked the main character and her persevering and clever personality. She was always looking forward to what she could do next and it was awesome to see how her story developed. The monster was really cool and I enjoyed the lore and worldbuilding of the spooky small town and it's villainous secrets.
ayotomi's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jazlynreads's review
4.0
I absolutely adored the mc relationship with the monster and the fact she really was just getting her lick back no remorse I have to stan
domid73's review against another edition
4.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows Latavia Johnson. She is going to Sanctum, Alabama to spend 6 weeks with her aunt before leaving for college. Upon her arrival she could tell something was off about the little town and her Aunt’s rules only make the town sound weird. After being offered as a sacrifice to the towns monster Latavia strikes a deal the will keep her alive and help the monster get revenge on the town.
This was my first read from this author and from this I know I’ll be picking up Bad Witch Burning to read asap. It was great storytelling with well thought out characters. Loved the authors writing style although it started off confusing to me that why I gave it 4.25/5 stars
Thank you Random House Children's, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Latavia Johnson. She is going to Sanctum, Alabama to spend 6 weeks with her aunt before leaving for college. Upon her arrival she could tell something was off about the little town and her Aunt’s rules only make the town sound weird. After being offered as a sacrifice to the towns monster Latavia strikes a deal the will keep her alive and help the monster get revenge on the town.
This was my first read from this author and from this I know I’ll be picking up Bad Witch Burning to read asap. It was great storytelling with well thought out characters. Loved the authors writing style although it started off confusing to me that why I gave it 4.25/5 stars
Thank you Random House Children's, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
hallieelizabeth's review against another edition
3.0
love the premise & liked the ending but this book in general was not written very well
brownskinnedreader's review
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
A thriller that will have you helping the FMC seek revenge!
I've debated multiple times if I should read this book. The cover is gorgeous but I was never a thriller girlie. However, this book make me believe thriller and mysterious plots may be my thing. I loved the writing and the plot of this book. I honestly believe that there this story can continue and I hope the author considers making this into a duology. This YA thriller is a must read and is perfect for spooky season.
I've debated multiple times if I should read this book. The cover is gorgeous but I was never a thriller girlie. However, this book make me believe thriller and mysterious plots may be my thing. I loved the writing and the plot of this book. I honestly believe that there this story can continue and I hope the author considers making this into a duology. This YA thriller is a must read and is perfect for spooky season.