Author: Vanessa Len
Publication Date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 416
Dates Read: February 28
Reading Method: Physical – Fairyloot
Review
I was so excited when I found out Only a Monster was going to be the FL pick – I just knew it was going to be stunning. Uh… the purple edges were definitely a choice. Not one that I would have made though… The end paper art was stunning though and the foiling on the naked cover is pretty too! I just wish they hadn’t picked that shade of purple haha.
What do you think of when you hear the word monster? Joan comes from a family of monsters, but the monsters in this story aren’t really what you would expect. When I think of monsters, my brain conjures images of vicious, evil creatures who exist to wreak havoc. When I read the synopsis, I was expecting a terrifying, villainous MC and her equally evil family causing chaos, kicking ass, and taking names. If that’s what you’re looking for, I recommend you pick up a different book.
The MC, Joan, is the most vanilla, middle of the road character. While the methods of their time travelling are less than ideal, there is zero part of Joan the relishes in her abilities or lends truth to the title of monster. I really wish Joan had more depth to her character. She felt paper thin and poorly fleshed out. Aside from the fact that she likes history, we know nothing about her other than what is happening right in the moment. The other characters along for the ride are equally one-dimensional and hard to connect with. We know very little about either love interest aside from the basics, and I didn’t care at all which one she fancied. The only character I felt had a little depth was Tom, who I really liked.
I think the most frustrating part of this book for me was the writing. I was fully convinced while reading the first few chapters that this was on the younger side of young adult, potentially even middle grade. The writing felt very simplistic and the characters felt incredibly young. We know the MCs are around the 16-18 age range, but it felt quite a bit younger. So much younger, in fact, that when the first f-bomb fell I was completely caught off guard. I don’t mind strong language in books in the slightest, it just felt so abrasive and outside the general tone of the book that I was not expecting it at all. And it doesn’t get better as the story progresses.
Aside from the massive letdown with the concept of monsters and the frustrating writing, I thought the overall idea of the story was interesting. There is a magical court, families with special abilities, and time travel – which was cool. But there’s also mention of a King and we get nothing from that story line (hopefully it will be expanded upon in the next book). There are lots of little seeds of interest sprinkled throughout the book, but I just felt really disappointed that most of them didn’t grow into anything.
While I didn’t love this book, I didn’t think it was awful. It kept me engaged throughout and I am hopeful that there is vast improvement between this book and the next. I’ll still give it a try because I am hopeful and think there is lots of potential for improvement, it just might not be at the top of my priority list.
About the Book
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.
About the Author
Vanessa Len is an Australian author of Chinese-Malaysian and Maltese heritage. An educational editor, she has worked on everything from language learning programs to STEM resources, to professional learning for teachers. Vanessa is a graduate of the Clarion Workshop in San Diego, and she lives in Melbourne.
[…] Only Monster by Vanessa Len […]