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I would like to say first, this was not a horror book. While the summary and the description really make it sound like one, it was not. This book would classify more as a suspense or thriller – not horror. Maybe it’s because I’m strict on what I define as a horror novel but I still did enjoy it. This book starts off pretty fast and doesn’t ever really slow down. I loved the atmosphere the setting provided and I felt the tension throughout the whole book. This was definitely a progression story with sometimes jumping into the past. Through the novel there was this huge secret Skye was carrying around which lead to a lot of the plot. I would say this book was a little predictable but it never made me shy away from continuing. While this book did receive a high rating from me, I would have liked a better ending. It just seemed anticlimactic from all the events that happened. It was definitely interesting, but I just wanted more. However, the novel overall was enjoyable and I liked the progression of everything.

Skye was a very interesting protagonist. Her story jumps from the past to the present which was crucial for the development of her and Deirdre’s relationship. It was interesting to see how and why it had changed, with the big reveal coming at the end. I honestly really liked Skye’s character. She was so unperfect and really well written. Her character and the development of how she got there was so intriguing and refreshingly real. While her actions definitely had some moral issues, I liked seeing that side because she was forced to deal with the struggles of her actions. The way her friends reacted to everything also, made it that much better. One of the reasons I like YA fantasy but not much else from the YA group is because it never feels real to me. I know it’s based on my experience but sometimes it’s so hard to relate to the characters because I am older and I just think, is that how they really act now? Which makes it hard to relate. But each character, from Skye to her friends to her sister, were remarkably real. The actions they took and the way they reacted to certain issues made sense. They were reasonable and expected. This was the main point from me. I loved how the characters were written in this story and how they fit in.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Bérubé was a decent read. This was the first book to have ever made me do a quarter rating (4.75 but I rounded to 5) before because while I really did enjoy the read, there were just the tiniest issues I had from keeping it to a 5 star. The story was interesting and an easy pace to follow. While the plot kept climaxing, I felt the ending lacked the appropriate conclusion that the whole book led up to. Even though there were the smallest problems I had with the story itself, the characters were amazing. The development and connection to all of them was very well done. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a dark, twisted tale on friendship, family, and how far you would go to protect the ones you love.

It’s like goosebumps for the older generation. Monsters. Siblings. And things that scratch at the basement door. It was a slow burn but good.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. I will review this title at a different date.

The cover is stunning! Who can resist it, combined with the catch line of this book? Unfortunately, that's where this stopped for me. Both Sisters are very...spoiled? Mean girls? I can't find the correct wording, but they seem to only care for themselves. I understand this is VERY common, as I have had a teenage daughter. I'll have to admit, I giggled when the Mom FINALLY snapped back.
You would just think that the once Diedra goes missing. That her sister Skye would be more empathetic. To everyone involved! Here parents, the situation at all...NOPE. She wants to party, and hang out with the boyfriend.
Maybe I'm just too old, or maybe I was duped by a beautiful cover, and a snazzy blurb.

Here There Are Monsters was the perfect dark and creepy read! I found myself a little lost at some times and confused, but the writing was very enjoyable to read and it kept me invested in the story until the end.

Over all this was an interesting, creepy, dark story. Throughout most of the book I enjoyed the plot, but it got confusing at the end, and the climax was slightly anti-climatic.

I did not complete this book. It lost my interest.

I did however, find that the author's writing was very intriguing, but the story itself did not hold my attention.

I very much liked this story, it was dark, creepy and perfect to read entering into the Halloween season. Although I love myself some good romance in a book, this didn't really have it, but still the plot line completely drew me in.
The main things I loved about this book was the main character, the creepy woods setting and how dark it was. I enjoy when book makes some darker turns and has the characters do things that a "good" character would not do, makes for a unique YA read. I also liked how strong the main character was and how flawed she was too.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and hope to find something equally creepy for my next read.

Really love the cover and like the synopsis. Maybe the reason I didn’t enjoy this book so much is because i’m too old to identify with the characters, but I found them kind of annoying and just couldn’t connect with any of them. I just found this book kind of boing, sadly.

There is a lot of questioning what is real and what is not while reading Here There Are Monsters. While I did enjoy it, it did leave me wondering if I had missed something at times.

Here There Are Monsters is a little hidden gem of a book. It's not going to be for everyone because the main character is quite polarizing. I would go as far as calling her unlikable. I love a flawed, realistic, female character myself, so this was right up my alley. The setting was creepy, the story was odd and mysterious and I never really knew what was happening or where it was going. I really liked the ending but I could see where a lot of people wouldn't really connect with it. I still think it's a great book to check out if you like darker, more psychological horror stories.

There are well executed and poorly under taken concepts in Here There Are Monsters. Overall it was a let down for me (and many others if you peruse the other reviews). While the plot is okay and the thoughts of our lead gal are very genuine; all along there is something missing. It's lacking that spark or attraction that makes a book great (or even just 4-star good).

Internal Thoughts
The best part of Amelinda Berube's novel is the first person writing of her lead character. As the oldest of three kids, and 4 years separately me and my next sibling in age, I really connected with what our lead teen felt and expressed inside her head. From comments about how annoying her siblings are to how she is tired of feeling responsible for them given she's not the parent. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Berube is the oldest child in her family with a gap between siblings as all the thoughts our lead gal thinks are also ones I've thought over the years.

Plot
The actual plot itself is very interesting. A sister that is missing, weird happenings in the forest, and odd sculptures showing up all contribute to an overall creepy ambience in Here There Are Monsters. However the entire time the story is missing that something. I never really felt fear for our lead or her missing sister. I also never really felt like the strings of the story were linked together. It was as though one thing happened, and then another; but actually feeling like they were related and building towards something was missing. It's too bad because there is a great story to be told here if only I felt more invested. The ending is the bad icing on a crumbling cupcake as it falls apart very quickly and feels like it was written in about ten minutes on a bus just to get it done. It's unfortunate as a good ending, in some ways, might have saved this novel from it's mediocre status.

The Missing Sister
Take note newer writers, if you want your reader to feel something for a character they barely meet in the present day narrative then you MUST make them relatable and create an environment where the reader can have sympathy for them. We read flashbacks of the missing sister throughout the current day story and yet I still felt like I never knew her, and never cared. Now this may be because the story is told from the point of view of the older sister? Our lead gal has become a bit ambivalent towards her sister and her odd behaviour. I wonder if the flashbacks had been from the missing younger sisters perspective would that have created the bond needed for me to care?

Overall
There's opportunity here unfortunately Berube doesn't quite create a polished book that stands out. Here There Are Monsters feels like it should be better than it ultimately is. That's not to say it's a bad read. It's fine. Maybe a half step above your average free book. But it's certainly not going to stand out amoungst all the YA books of today; and doesn't live up to it's hyped pre-release. All-in-all you won't be missing much if you pass on it.
That said it is a stand-alone which is attractive to many. Although I can't help but feel thankful that it's one and done; and this world won't be revisited because there is barely enough to care about in this one book; let along if another was to be written in to make a series.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I really struggled through this book because I wanted to like it so much. I even accepted a slow, dragging beginning because I kept telling myself that it couldn't last... but it did. And then it ended, just as slow and just as dull as the beginning.

I really enjoyed a great many things about this book. Characters were fleshed out and the plot was well spaced. Some of the secondary storylines could've used a bit more page space but all in all an enjoyable read!

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This was a book that I was just not ready for and even after finishing I still feel the same way. I read the blurb about this book and I had to have it and the cover is amazing. The story blurred a lot of lines for me and I love Skye. There were parts of the story and pulled me in and would not let go and I wanted more. The story was haunting beautiful and mysterious. There was something just below that surface that I could not seem to grab onto. It is was almost as if something was left unsaid or undone. The author did amazing things.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Bérubé . All opinions are my own.

Here There Are Monsters has been the weirdest book I’ve read thus far in 2019. I immediately fell for the gorgeous cover and synopsis, and boy was I wrong...terribly wrong.The concept was intriguing, but what I got was completely different than I had imagined.

“Riding to her rescue was my job before I ever had to do it in real life. In the kingdoms Deirdre invented, I was the Queen of Swords. All the kingdoms were ruled by queens.”

For starters, the characters are horrible. The main protagonist Skye is angsty and a complete asshole. Skye is unnecessarily extra. When her sister Deirdre goes missing, Skye feels no remorse. Actually, she believes that Deirdre purposely went missing to ruin the life of Skye.

Example One: Count on Deirdre to ruin everything, leave me cut off, spreading awkward silence like a plague. I can practically hear her sniff of satisfaction.

On the very same night, Skye goes to a party to drink with her friends rather than comfort her parents during this time. She gets mad thinking about her sister.

Example Two: The more I refuse to think about Deirdre, the more I can’t help it. And the angrier I get. Idiot. What did she think she was doing? It’s as if this whole thing is some sort of joke. She could be right behind me even now, sneaking up on me with bare feet. I can imagine leaping forward to grab my hand and laughing, laughing when I scream. I clench my fists in my pockets and walk faster.


It was hard to connect with a character like Skye. She made it impossible to like her. The book is divided into three parts. During the first half of the book, I did not see any type of evidence that would indicate Skye cared about her sister. It was more about Skye and her problems, placing all the blame on her younger sister.

The story is told in both past and present tense to show the readers how events led up to Deirdre’s disappearance. It is evident that the relationship between Deirdre and Skye was not the healthiest...their codependent relationship was toxic. This is evident between their normal conversation, before D’s disappearance.

Example Three:
"But your’re the Queen of Swords!"

“I’m not playing that anymore,” I snapped. “You know that.”

She stared at me.

“I thought moving would help,” she said, turning petulant. “What’s wrong with you? Ever since you captured Tyler-”

The name was like a slap, and I reeled away from it. “Don’t talk to me about that.” I focused on my muddy knees. Didn’t look at her. “I told you not to ever talk to me about that.”

“I don’t know what your problem is,” she huffed. “He deserved it.” That sent me to my feet, but she continued anyways raising her voice into a full-on whine. “And now it’s like you’re abdicating, you won’t even-”

“That’s right. I won’t. I’m going home.”

Deirdre was another terrible character. She was extremely attached to Skye. When it came to moving to a different town, Skye found herself adjusting to normalcy whereas Deirdre challenged her new life. Although I understand that moving to a different place can be time of transition, Deirdre was messing with extremely weird hobbies. The parents allowed their daughter to collect skulls, rather than intervene and actually converse with their daughter...

Example Four: She didn’t quite know how to connect with other kids. She was just so...lost in her own little world, really. And lately, well, Skye’s been making her own friends, and Deirdre...kind of felt like she’d been left behind.

Example Five:“Don’t ask me. Monsters are her thing. She used to make up these whole civilizations for them. Usually they’re just, like, weird little clay statues. Or things mad out of felt.”

Honestly, this book sucked for me. It was frustrating to finish it. I wanted to DNF it, but I wanted to know how it was going to end. Like I mentioned, Skye and Deirdre were terrible characters. I actually disliked Deirdre more than Skye. When it was discovered what led to D’s disappearance, I got mad and put down my kindle. There was something seriously wrong with D...she was extremely twisted throughout the whole book...ugh.

Deirdre does not care for anyone but her own damn self and her kingdom...Deirdre did not care about her parents, their suffering, and the consequences of her disappearance. Deirdre played with everyone. She made herself disappeared and forced Skye to play the game.


Example Six:“That was you,” I whispered. She claps her hands, a delighted squeal escaping her. “That was you? That whole time?”


“Isn’t it amazing?” She beams at me, splashes her hands in the water, like she can’t contain herself. “Isn’t it fantastic?”...”I made myself a kingdom,” she says, simply ignoring the whimper in my voice. “A new one. Somewhere I could start over. And now you can too!”


“But Deirdre, they--you made me--”


“Made you?” Deirdre blinks. “I didn’t make you do anything.”


This is not the type of book I would recommend reading. I finally found the book where I ended up despising both main characters. All I could say is that the revelation made me want D to stay disappeared. Her entitlement was far too much...


Rating: 1.5

Here There Are Monsters was captivating from the start! The first half of the story was gripping and creepy and definitely not something I would recommend reading right before bed. But the second half of the book took a turn I wasn't expecting and honestly it started to feel disjointed from the first half. It almost felt like I was reading a different book.

This book is creepy story about two sisters, a missing person, and a twisted game that drags people in. While much of this story tried to draw readers into the creepy woods, so to speak, I felt that the characters were rather underdeveloped and while the writing itself was good, the story line didn't meet my hopeful expectations. The cover is stunning, the idea of the book is solid, but I am very underwhelmed with reading this book. I wanted to love it so bad and feel like it was okay, not awesome.

I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. These thoughts are entirely of my own.

Holy Cannoli the COVER on this book is absolutely amazing and I just wish more books chose to have such interesting covers that draw readers in. To be completely honest I really didn’t care what was in the book because I just wanted it due to the amazing cover art. What I found inside was EVEN better because the book was a great read. I do not usually read scary, creepy, horror like books but I actually enjoyed the idea and premise of this book. It did not creep me out as much as some books do to the point I can’t even read them but gave me just enough of the shiver factor that I HAD to keep reading to know what happened.

I enjoyed seeing characters that aren’t pretty and popular—which to this day tends to be something that most books include. This book didn’t. It truly surrounded a family that had issues, a daughter/sister duo that was not perfect (or one perfect/one not), and a troubled past that created such an interesting character arc. I found, unlike some other reviews, the story about “bad” things happening to be very interesting. It is necessary to read and see books that bring in themes of violence, death, and depression in ways that are different because that is what our students are facing to the very day.

Students who move and go to new places to start new often have thoughts that seem similar to the characters here in this book and I feel that they could connect to a book like this. Seeing how the local police lost sight of what they were doing, seeing the sister duo not together anymore and how they act, seeing the family react to what was happening was all a thrilling story that I was willing to ride. I hope to see more books from this author in the future and I would love to add this book into my collection.

I loved the author's first book, so it wasn't surprising that her next one delivered also. Berubé continues to be a much needed voice in YA horror fiction.