A review by alexampersand
Once a Monster: A Reimagining of the Legend of the Minotaur by Robert Dinsdale

4.5

I really loved this book for maybe the firs 350 pages. I loved how it weaved together Victorian London with Greek mythology, and I really enjoyed getting wrapped up in the story of Nell and Minos together. I found that the book had a lot of really good things to say about he dichotomy of man and monster, the idea of rising above your station and how you treat those around you, and also about becoming what other people tell you that you are.

Unfortunately it got a little bit murky for me towards the end. The sudden location shift for the latter third felt a little jarring, as did the sudden introduction of a new character who then is pretty unceremoniously written away with no real resolution. The final confrontation in the sewer went on for a lot longer than I wanted it to, and the ultimate resolution fel a little bit too conveniently tied up for me, personally.

But saying that, as a whole I really enjoyed it!