Skye has grown up being the protector to her younger sister, Deirdre. Deirdre was always caught up in her games of queens, castles, and knights, and drug Skye in to them with her. She named Skye the Queen of Swords, the one that would protect her against everything, and that’s what she became. She also became an outcast because of it, the weird girl’s weird sister. When they moved to their new home, far away from their previous residence, Skye felt it was time for a new start. When they arrive, Deirdre is delighted that their new home is surrounded by woods and swamps to explore and create new kingdoms in. Skye, however, is done playing Deirdre’s games and makes a new circle of friends to call her own. Left to care for Deirdre while their parents are out one evening, Skye falls asleep and is awoken by her mother frantically looking for Deirdre. Deirdre is gone. Rescue crews continue searching to no avail, until Skye knows that she is the one who must go and find her. She must become her sister’s protector and play the games once again.

Let’s start with the cover of this book. How creepy and beautiful is that?! It’s very fitting with the tone and story, and I just love it. Now that I got that out of the way, on to the book itself. It started out a bit slow for me, so I was a bit anxious that I wasn’t going to like it and I was not happy about that, as I went in to this very hopeful (this is definitely my kind of read!). Fortunately, it did pick up after a bit and I got in to it. The story is told in alternating time periods, as it flashes back between earlier in the girls’ childhood and present day. I did enjoy that as it gives a clearer picture as to what may have led up to the present day situation. The characters, especially the main characters, were well developed. The two main characters, Deirdre and Skye, however, were not particularly likeable characters in my opinion. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the main characters do not have to be likable for a book to read well. I do know that some readers are put off by this, so I wanted to throw it in in case this is a sticking point for you. There are some supernatural elements that come in to play as the book moves on, and this was a fun element. It is a very atmospheric book, which I believe may have been my favorite thing about the writing of this book. The author did a wonderful job of building the world/atmosphere and making it fit the story well. Where the beginning of the book suffered from a bit of a slow start, the end could have used a bit of a slow down. It felt a bit rushed to tie everything up, and left me feeling like a may have missed something. Overall, though, it was a solid read and if the author were to write something else in the same genre, I’d pick it up.

This review will post on my blog on 5/17.

I liked the intrigue and mystery it had pulled at my guts. That is the underlying reason it kept me turning pages abruptly, for the first portion of the book. But then it went sadly from interesting, eerie and ominous to tedious, unrealistic and downright lackluster kind of a book. If I'm being honest, I admit I struggled colosally when I got through the first half and that was when things started to become annoying. I've spent so much of my time just thinking about and considering to dnf the book. I hated that it had been eating away at me and my subconscious at the time, doleful that it felt like I owe this particular book my spare time, just because of the time, effort and sweat spent by the author just making this book published, and so I came to this decision that I'd try my very best to finish it rather than just leave it out there to rot. To my amazement upon myself and my self-imposed dedication, I did exactly that. I was proud. Satisfied even.

*ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"You can't just walk away when someone needs a hero."
This is Amelinda's second novel and I have to say that she completely wowed me to no end. I just finished this book less than 20 minutes ago and I'm still reeling from the relentless attacks to my heart so this may be all over the place.
This book follows Skye right as her little sister, Deirdre, goes missing. We get to see how her family is changed completely and how she handles it from there. This book is told in three parts and it weaves through her past with her sister and the present, without her. I really loved seeing how her relationship with her sister developed and finding out what caused it to change so much. It was super easy to see the change in Skye between the past and present and I liked that a lot.
I do have to say that Deirdre overshadowed Skye in most of this novel. I was completely hooked on her character and wanted to dissect her every action completely. I wanted to get in her head and know what made her act the way she did. I can't even put into words just how intriguing she was, I didn't dare blink whenever there was a scene with her in fear of missing any little detail that gave away her motivation away.
I don't have much to say about the first half of this novel except that I had a strong dislike for Skye and how she treated her little sister. It seemed so cruel that it was borderline unrealistic to me. I don't know if it's because I adore my siblings and would never EVER complain about them and treat them the way Skye treated hers but I can't see someone being that cruel in real life. Maybe I don't understand other sibling relationships? I don't know. I can't forgive her cause of her age either since I didn't act like this when I was a teenager. Anyway, I really disliked her but the story itself was super slow in pace and it didn't really pick up until the second half.
Skye eventually grew on me but that doesn't mean I liked her any more than I did in the first half. I respected her as a character but I was not okay with the things she did along the way. That's not a bad thing at all though, it's a huge reason why I have so much respect for her. She does what I could never do if I were ever faced with her situation. (Or maybe I would, I don't know and I never will unless I experience it myself. It's what I loved most about this book. It made me exhaust every possibility in my head of how the story would unfold while still keeping me on my toes.) She was definitely more intriguing in the last half and I massively enjoyed following her journey.
Also, I have a favorite character and I'm not going to mention their gender or their name so it doesn't spoil anything. Let's just say they are not Sky or Deirdre. They were my absolute favorite character in this book and it broke my heart to see the way they were treated. I cried so hard for them, every sliver of pain, no matter how small, that befell them tore me to pieces. I am in love with their character and I wish we could get a book solely following them after the events in this novel. I want to see more of them and their beautiful, kind soul that has now stolen my heart forever. I can't stop wishing I had the power to hold them and wash their pain away.
I also fell in love with the atmosphere in this novel. I wanted to desperately get sucked into it whenever it was described to me. I really love the way Amelinda's descriptions bring the world around her characters to life. I am now holding on to hope for fanart of this book. I feel like some scenes would be beyond perfect if they were illustrated. This book is also being compared to Blair Witch Project and now I really want to watch it to tide me over this slump I see coming due to this book. It ripped my heart to pieces and it's going to take me a while to bounce back from all I just went through.
I honestly can't wait to see what else Amelinda's mind has in store for us!

I chose to read this for the cover and blurb. The first part of the book was good and I felt like it was going to be a really good creepy story. As it went on I found myself not really liking Skye. I get how she was feeling smothered and held back by her sister but I didn't see anything in her that drew me to her. Midway through the book it got really confusing. It took too much effort to figure out what was going on and I'm still confused even though I finished the book. Also so much was left unanswered at the end that the story just didn't work for me.

I really enjoyed this slow-burning YA horror/fantasy novel which genuinely nailed the psyche of a sixteen year old girl who is trying to deal with the sudden disappearance of her little sister aged thirteen. Deirdre has issues, which are revealed slowly as the plot moves backwards and forwards through narratives before and after the disappearance. The supernatural is slowly filtered into the book, genuine teen readers may find this all a bit slow, but the compelling friendship dynamics Skye has with her new school friends more than makes up for it. As the disappearance lengths, the mystery deepens and I found this to be an excellent and atmospheric read for kids aged 13+

A tale of two sisters, deeply psychological thriller. I enjoyed this book despite the slow start. The tension built up gradually but I felt the ending left me very confused.

Took a bit to get into this novel however once it gripped me I really did enjoy it. Loved the cover artwork to this book. Very enjoyable dark fantasy full of fantastic dark gothic imagery can't wait tp read more of Amelinda's books because she really excels in creating a dark, gothic, fantasy atmosphere that really pulls the reader in.

A touching but dark mystery, the story of sisters and how far they'll go to save one another. Moody, mysterious, lush, and descriptive. Perfect for fans of A Room Away from the Wolves.

Here There Are Monsters was AMAZING. It was thrilling, suspenseful, and unique. I couldn't put this book down. It was horrific and fantastic and I'm in love.

*I received an ARC of this title by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions here are mine.*

Recap:
Deirdre is missing. Her sister Skye, age 16, was supposed to be watching her the night she disappeared. Instead, Skye wakes from an unnatural sleep to find her sister vanished, her parents beside themselves, and a vague feeling of unease pooling in her stomach. Soon, the police are involved, asking questions and sweeping the woods behind their new house where Deirdre was known to play. What they don't know, and what Skye is starting to suspect, is that there is something already out there that also likes to play. And what seems like a very dark game has already begun...

Review:
This one starts out as a slow burn that picks up after the first few chapters. It features an engagingly unreliable narrator, a few laugh out loud moments, and a tense and compelling plot. It also includes a satisfying tension, providing just enough mystery with the right elements dropped in as the story unfolds. I have to be honest, there were things I really, really liked about this book and things I thought were "meh." The first few chapters were slow to build, with readers left observing the muted feelings of a protagonist we'd never met as she reacts to the disappearance of a sister we'd never met. I found it difficult to form an attachment to either sister in those first few chapters. And while I enjoyed following Skye as she tried to solve the puzzle with the help and hindrance of her "friends," I sometimes found myself frustrated at the narrator's caginess, and the constant sense of having needed information within the narrator's grasp dangled just out of sight. In some cases, this enhanced the tension, in others, it fizzled a bit, creating distance between character and reader.

Verdict:
A slow burn that is ultimately compelling...but may leave you feeling like you have no idea what actually happened at the end of it all. If you like thick psychological tension and don't mind nebulous endings, you might want to give it a try.

Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Berube- What a wild trip. It’s like Bridge to Terabitha turned nightmare. 16 year old Skye finally has a chance to start over. At her last school she was known as being the weird girl’s older sister...always having to protect her from bullies until she became “weird” by association.. That’s not what any teen wants to be known for. At her new school she has actually made some friends since distancing herself from Deirdre, her younger sister with a wild imagination. Deirdre has created a whole new world complete with castles, scary creatures, and brave knights. Skye is the most courageous knight in Deidre’s imaginary world, but is ready to grow up and let Deidre fend for herself, since she chooses to live in that world. Deidre becomes more and more detached from the real world, until one day she disappears. Her disappearance tears the family and community apart. Skye realizes it is up to her to become a knight once again and save her sister, no matter the cost. #NetGalley #HereThereAreMonsters

First off, this cover is stunning and quite fitting. Second, this book is quite creepy and if you don't like creepy children, maybe I don't recommend this? We follow Skye as she looks for her sister Dierdre who has gone missing. Throughout the book, it alternates between the present and the past which I really liked because you get a feel for Skye and Deirdre's relationship, and let me tell you I absolutely LOVED that. I love books that have a sole focus on sibling relationships, so that was a winner for me.

However, I found my feelings for this to be quite similar to Dark Beneath the Ice. Where it starts off strong, and it all goes down from there. It's like there is this huge amazing idea when it comes to the horror/creepy element, and then the author doesn't know what to do and then rushes it to end it. If that makes ANY sense.

Another thing I didn't really like was Skye and Deirdre and how people (especially skye) acted towards Deirdre. Yes I know it's normal and typical, and entirely realistic, it just rubbed me the way and if you've read this (or when you do) you will understand. And Skye? I'm sorry, but she was a bitch to everyone, especially her family, and especially to Deirdre. I get how little sisters are annoying, but how she was... was too much for me.

Now with the horror element, again like Dark Beneath the Ice, I wish it was done so much better because the idea is there, and it's great, but the execution was poor.

Moving across the country is exactly what Skye needed to break away from her tainted reputation. She is done playing knight in shining armor for her younger sister Deirdre but when Deirdre disappears, Skye finds herself back in a very familiar role and soon learns that she will have to choose between herself and her sister.

I liked the book and I would put it in my library but it seems like there is a lot of bad language that wasn't necessarily needed. I think the book would have had the same effect without the profanity. I would love for my daughter to read this story but I can't because of the language in it. The story line is something that will appeal to middle grade students 4th-7th grade but the language makes it an upper level book that I don't think high school kids will find interesting.

Spooky, atmospheric, and a pacing I enjoyed - while it was a teeny bit slower in some parts it kept my interest all the way through. I know Amelinda on Twitter, and to me this screamed her personality all over the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook Fire for my eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Here There Are Monsters presents a spooky premise which weaves itself into Skye's reality and past.

Skye has always been up for playing make believe with Deirdre, her little sister. Deirdre has always been the author of whatever worlds her and Skye play in, giving names an titles to places and people. Skye has always stood up for her sister when others would find Deirdre as an easy target to pick on. After moving across the country, 16 year old Skye sees this as a chance at a new beginning, time to leave the world of make believe behind in exchange for real relationships with friends, and even possibly, a boy. Deirdre does not have such an easy time adjusting, sinking into the woods behind their residence. She disappears for hours on end, coming home drenched in mud with strange stories to tell about Skye's new friends...until she doesn't come home at all.

Skye tries to find what has happened to Deirdre, looking for a way to bring her home to keep up the normal facade that she has created with her new friends. Not much progress is made in the search; until one night when a strange creature, like the ones from Deirdre's stories, taps on Skye's window and tells her that it is up to her to find Deirdre, no matter the price.

This book had me at a five star rating up until the last 50 pages or so. The ending was so rushed that it left a foul taste in my mouth and, even after re-reading the last few chapters to make sure I didn't miss something, am left a bit confused. We spend so much time getting to know Skye and her friends without truly understanding Skye and Deirdre's relationship that it's a bit off putting. Skye seems to resent her sister for the majority of the book, so the fact that she's so willing to go to any length to find her sister is a bit hard to believe. Overall, a great story, I just with the author would have taken a few filler chapters out in order to fully explain the ending.

I love, love, loved this book! The relationship between the two sisters felt so real and true to life-- it was like remembering so many conversations my own sister and I had while growing up. The atmosphere and world building Bérubé created was quiet and lovely and so beautifully dark. The perfect read for a rainy afternoon!

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley.

I had high hopes for this book, as I’m a huge fan of horror. The cover is amazing. But the book was certainly missing something. The first few chapters kept me hooked( but about half way through I was bored and had a hard time finishing. ;/

Blog review link: https://www.thepagewalker.com/2019/04/book-review-here-there-are-monsters-by.html
Publication date: April 22, 2019; 7:00am CST

I should like this - it is horror- but I can’t for good reasons.

I was instantly hooked by the book cover; it’s an absolute eye-catcher. The writing started off really good. The choices of words are pleasantly invoking and creepy enough. But then, the plot started going sideways in the middle. There are more than enough “sort of” scenarios that are difficult to picture. I cannot take hold of what exactly is going on and where it’s actually moving. I never abandon a book, so, I plowed on and read it to the end.

I have to admit, there is plenty of substance here. The book’s premise is absolutely interesting; the setting could be perfect, and the character foundations are there. In other words, the backbone for a good horror book is present, but not fully developed.

Really not into this one. DNFing at 48%. I've been really bored for the past little while. The characters are whiny and the whole imaginary fantasy world thing feels really childish, as if it was meant for younger YA readers. I could see 12-14yo enjoying it maybe. I decided to move on..

I was lucky enough to be able to read an early copy of this. This is outside of my normal genre but the cover called to me. It is so well done that anyone who sees it will want to pick it up and see what it entails. It definitely fits that vibe of the cover. It is dark, spooky, and so goth.
When a bone monster of Skyes making tells her how to get her sister, whom she lost on her watch, back it all goes to heck. You jump right in only to be smacked by a brick wall. That wall is six months in the past. I dislike books that jump you forwards and backwards between chapters. It jarrs me and kind of ruins the continuity. The two main characters, the sisters, are little jerks. Neither of them really has any redeeming qualities. They are hard to like and I did not enjoy the fact that neither of them grows.
While it says horror it has more story than straight horror.

Thank you for letting me read an early copy on Netgalley.