Thank you so much to Literary Bound Tours, Vanessa Len, Harper Collins Canada, and HCC Frenzy for letting me participate in the blog tour for Only a Monster by Vanessa Len. Only a Monster went on sale February 22, 2022, and can be purchased from Indigo, Amazon, or Harper Collins Canada. You can also check out other stops on the blog tour here.

Book Review

I know it’s only February, but this might be one of my favorite books of the year?! I went into Only a Monster knowing that it was dark fantasy with a hint of romance, and nothing more. Friends, going in blind without even reading the synopsis was the best decision, because this book BLEW MY MIND! IT WAS INCREDIBLE!! I AM STILL NOT OVER IT!!!

The story follows Joan, who is visiting her late mom’s family during the summer. She’s volunteering at a historical site (my inner history nerd loved this) and has a crush on a boy who’s also working there with her. Except, plot twist, the two of them are, unknowingly, mortal enemies.

See, Joan’s family is full of monsters. The type of monsters who have powers that can harm people. Joan didn’t know this until she accidentally used her power, and then, things go from 0 to 100, F A S T. Suddenly, she finds herself wrapped up in events that were the base of her grandmother’s scary bedtime stories. A whole new world begins to unfold, and there is no hero or happy ending. Instead, we’re pulled into a narrative full of morally grey characters, family ties and secrets, and one girl who is simply trying to do what she believes is right.

I don’t want to give too much away, but the grey area that the monsters live in was fascinating to me; the time travel left me equal parts nostalgic and feeling old (lol); and I’m truly invested in what happens to the characters and how their timelines and stories will continue to play out in the next book. Overall, it was incredibly fast-paced, and while the ending brought things together, it also left me with so many questions.  

An easy 5-star read for me, and I’m already on high-alert for when the sequel will come out!

Book Synopsis

The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debt from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin.

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.

Author Bio