The original magic system, immersive descriptions, and compelling stakes create a cinematic reading experience… Will keep readers hooked.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Only a Monster: “Delightful.” — Holly Black, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“This book grabbed me by the throat. Vanessa Len’s world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I’ve ever read, utterly fresh and unique. Put down everything you’re doing, and read it!” — CS Pacat, USA Today bestselling author of the Captive Prince trilogy, and the Dark Rise series.
"Mind-bending, heart wrenching, and unputdownable! Don’t feel bad if this book tricks you into rooting for the monster instead of the hero. Vanessa Len has written a masterful debut novel—I loved the time-travel, the star crossed romance, and the monsters." — Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
"An absolute page-turner. Only a Monster paints another vivid world inside the one we know, and uses a deft hand to bring it utterly alive. Vanessa Len blurs the age-old lines between good or evil, hero or monster, in the most captivating way." — Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
What a fantastic, immersive read – I couldn’t stop turning the page! An exciting, original and complex fantasy about monsters, heroes, and all the people in between. — Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of the Temeraire series
“Equal parts fantasy, adventure, and caper… Unique plotlines and characterization will have readers rooting for the monster; this is a must purchase.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“A fast-paced thriller that blurs the division between villain and hero and features a deeply conflicted protagonist caught in the middle… an exciting urban fantasy.” — Kirkus Reviews
"Vanessa Len’s Only a Monster is captivating and unique and – dare I say it – utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!" — Lynette Noni, author of The Prison Healer
"Only A Monster is a wonderfully clever and intriguing take on the classic tale of hero versus monster. Vanessa Len has crafted a rich and immersive world filled with unique magic, thrilling action, and a heart-wrenching star-crossed romance. A marvelous and twisty debut that will pull you in right from the start!" — June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold
"Exquisitely crafted, this riveting read opens up a multitude of dimensions and turns the notion of heroes and monsters on its head. Vanessa Len has woven a spellbinding tale laced with mystery, magic, humor, and heartbreak." — Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve
“A deeply imaginative debut.” — Publishers Weekly
2023-07-13
After unmaking the boy she loved to save her family, Joan Chang-Hunt finds herself pursued by agents of the Monster Court in this sequel to Only a Monster (2022).
In the new timeline that Joan created, Nick Ward is a normal human boy, not a legendary monster-slaying hero. But when Joan is attacked by monsters looking to capture her, Nick steps in to defend her, causing them both to time travel to the near future. They quickly discover that a manhunt is underway for them, led by Aaron Oliver, who doesn’t remember his friendship with Joan in the previous timeline. Joan leads a bewildered Nick through London as she desperately searches for help, all the while avoiding answering his questions for fear of horrifying him with the truth about monsters: They steal human lives in order to time travel. When Joan finally reunites with old allies, she learns that her erasure of the original Nick put into motion a catastrophic end to the timeline. Joan, whose human father is Chinese and monster mother was English, is once again forced to decide where her allegiance lies. She struggles with a complicated mix of feelings toward Nick, including guilt, yearning, and fear, as his heroic potential is evident even without his possessing a hatred of monsters. The introspective third-person narration is occasionally repetitive, but the original magic system, immersive descriptions, and compelling stakes create a cinematic reading experience.
Will keep readers hooked. (Fantasy. 13-18)
