Thank you so so much to NetGalley and to Head of zeus for being kind enough to grant my request for this eARC. This was such a treat. All views and opinions discussed here are my own.
Monstrous Design is the second book in the battalion of the dead series with dangerous remedy being the first book and starts pretty much where Dangerous Remedy left off, The battalion are split up in two countries with Camille and Al heading to England to chase down James and Olympe in Georgian London, while Guil and Ada stay behind in Revolutionary France to keep an eye on the dangerous Duc. There’s a lot of development and exploration in book two. Ada lost her mother at the same age as I lost mine and I felt really connected to ada through this as we get to explore her back story much more in this book I even found myself liking clementine at times and hoping that her mothering instincts would prevail for olympies sake.
I screamed with joy when I came across book two on netgalley as I had no idea book two was a thing I mean I hoped it would be but hadn't heard for sure and the fact it was so long meant I spent even longer in this beautifully atmospheric story.There’s a lot more development and exploration in book two that I craved from book one.The settings are so atmospheric from Pleasure Gardens to Henley House and Covent Garden laboratories and underground catacombs, we are beautifully transported back in time to the sounds, smells and atmospheres of London and Paris.
The stunning cover beautifully matches the first and I have pre ordered a copy to sit alongside the gripping first book dangerous remedy. I anticipate rereading both books repeatedly for years to come and really hope a third book is on the horizon.
Highly Highly recommend this book if you've just come across book two then please get yourself a copy of dangerous remedy sit back and enjoy.
#The battalion of the dead series
#Frankenstein meets Les Mis
#netgalley
This review is also available to view on amazon and waterstone's

I loved the first book "dangerous remedy" and was so excited to get to read the sequel. Great book and hooked from the start. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed this book! I loved Dangerous Remedy and Monstrous Design did not disappoint! Would definitely recommend!

I’ll start by saying thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for my review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Dangerous Remedy, the first book in this series. There was a lot to admire about the novel, and while I had a couple of issues with the plot in retrospect, it was a very entertaining read.

Monstrous Design follows in the same vein. There’s two different settings in this book, since the characters have split up. I think I preferred reading Camille’s and James’ POV chapters a little bit more, just because it felt as though the bulk of the plot took place in the London setting. While Ada is a great character, the French setting didn’t seem to have much going on, so her chapters felt a little slower. Although towards the end, things get a bit switched up and suddenly Ada’s chapters become a lot more complex. I like that the author plays with her character and her personality quite a bit. I can’t say too much about it if I want to avoid spoilers, but I think there’s a lot of development and exploration. A lot of it is driven by the fact that a lot happened with Ada and Camille’s relationship in the last book- Camille’s fiance James turned up, and Camille hadn’t mentioned anything about him to Ada. While they felt tentatively okay towards the end of the previous novel, Camille going to London to rescue Olympe from James without Ada there makes things between them quite a bit more tense. This tension feels pretty realistic, and I like that the pair are still shippable, even though there’s a lot going on between them. There’s still a sense that they care about each other, and I think this demonstrates some of the real issues that relationships can go through, even when two people want to be together.

Similarly, James is quite an interesting perspective character. I thought, the way that the previous book ended, that he was just going to be another antagonist in this one, but he had a lot of complicated feelings and mixed ambitions and things that made him a lot harder to figure out. I enjoyed his chapters quite a lot, even though I thought some of the stuff he was involved in was perhaps a little bit weird.

Which kinda brings me to one of my main gripes about the book and the series as a whole- the electricity experiments. While I do think that the science adds a lot to Olympe’s character and making her sympathetic, the science feels very loose and you sort of have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit throughout the books. It felt even more unrealistic in Monstrous Design. I don’t know how I feel about it. In one sense, I can forgive books for having fantastical or sci-fi elements to them, after all I mostly read fantasy books. But this one keeps getting pushed as a kind of historical fiction, and it just doesn’t quite hit the mark because of that for me. It feels like it’s trying to be a lot of genres at once, and I’m not sure it entirely succeeds.

Speaking of Olympe, by the end of the first book, I really liked her character, and so I was very keen on the Battalion finding her to rescue her again. Olympe is very sympathetic. Because of her electricity, she’s spent a good portion of her life being experimented on, and so her agency and ability to stay free from further experimentation is very important throughout the story. I kind of wish, in some ways that the plot had just sort of focussed on this. In the first novel, the motivations of the characters, and the threat of both the resistance and those trying to restore the monarchy felt very real, because we could see it through the lens of Olympe’s character. Since she’s in London though, the Batallion’s motivations and sense of stakes in the tensions between the two factions feels less intense. Several times throughout the novel, I found myself wondering why they cared about the situation in France anymore, and why they still wanted to stop the Duc. It didn’t feel like it mattered anymore, in part because those personal stakes were removed. I know all of those players still continue to be a threat to Olympe’s safety, but at this point, that threat feels more removed. I hope the next book can keep the stakes and tensions that drew me into the first novel.

The characters were great, and there was some added complexity there too, but the plot sometimes lagged in places, and I felt that the personal stakes in this novel weren’t really present, which sometimes made it hard to care about the dangers and choices the characters faced. I’m still looking forward to the next novel though!

Thank you to Head of Zeus for an Advanced reader copy via Netgalley.
I've pretty much read Dangerous remedy and Monsterous design back to back & I am loving this series about a diverse found family of French teenagers who call themselves The Battalion of the dead and break into prisons and rescue people from the guillotine and other heist like behaviour.

This book we get three points of instead of the two from Dangerous remedy and the crew are split up, half in Georgian England and half still in Revolutionary France.

This book is set right at the end of the French Revolution when who knows who's head might roll next or who will be in power from one day to the next.

The book is full of spies, mad scientists, unethical scientific practice, twists and double crosses and more than one set of villians. Sort of a historical science fiction heist spy story. And has some great banter whenever Al opens his mouth.

I love reading about all the characters in this series... if I had one quibble it's that I wish Guil's character had more page time. He's the less flamboyant, more serious member of The Battalion of the dead but he's so loyal and studious and I want MORE of his story and I NEED him to have a happy ending.

I cannot wait for book 3...we are getting a book 3? We better be getting a 3rd book after that ending....

Monstrous Design by Kat Dunn starts right where Dangerous Remedy left off, and as part two of The Battalion of the Dead series this spectacular sequel does NOT disappoint!

‘Sometimes it was impossible to tell the difference between bravery and recklessness.’

The Battalion has become separated and the novel opens in Paris with Ada and Guil where the Revolution continues, and Camille and Al are in London to try and track down Olympe. Ada makes a tough decision and danger looms. Who is trustworthy?

‘I need to tell you something - but you must keep it secret.’

Historical fantasy fiction at its finest; Royalists and Revolutionaries and love and betrayals combine in a book that takes a gloriously dark Frankenstein turn. This misfit bunch of characters are seen through their different PoVs, and we learn about motivations and justifications and as the book takes twists and turns, and the personalities really come through. The settings are wonderful, from the Pleasure Gardens, Henley House and Covent Garden to the laboratory and catacombs, we are expertly transported in time to the sounds, smells and atmospheres of London and Paris.

‘The prickle of stars in her eyes seemed to seep across her temples, her forehead, her cheekbones. She was a human girl, but in that moment she was something more.’

This book ticks SO many boxes, a super smart twisty adventure set in the Revolution, own voices, great queer rep, magic and dark science. I literally cannot wait for part three in the series. If you’ve read and loved Dangerous Remedy, you know what to do.. and if you’ve not yet read Dangerous Remedy, why not?! Please just go and buy it now from your favourite Indy bookshop, and at the same time pick up Monstrous Design, you know you want to ;)

It's easy to say, I am so in love with this series.

I am so in awe at how Dunn blends historical fiction and fantasy so well, while also crafting these three-dimensional characters that learn, grow and make mistakes. They feel so authentic and their found family dynamics are a true highlight. Beyond that, the plot is so captivating and yet again, I was left aghast by that ending.

This is such a strong series that stands out from the crowd.

“We never know how our choices will turn out before we make them; we will always grieve the path untaken. But to not choose, to take no path at all? Then we would end up grieving everything”.

This quote from Monstrous Design really struck a chord with me. It is definitely something to remember when we are talking about what we should and shouldn’t have done.

So I finished Monstrous Design by @katalicedunn yesterday and it was definitely what was needed to get my out of my slump. It has action, great characters, twists and turns and a bit of a Plot twist I did not see coming.

The sequel followed on from Dangerous Remedy with Camille and Ada on opposite sides. Camille is in England trying to find Olympie with the help of Al. Ada is still in France trying to find a way to get more information to help Camille with the support of Guil.

Things don’t forget to plan and boy did the last 200 pages make me sit up and keep reading. This action packed sequel answered many a question but also left it open ended and I’m really hoping there will be a third book 😂

One of the great things about this book was that at the beginning there was a recap of what happened in the first book! All sequels need this 😂😂

This is the sequel to  where Dangerous Remedy  that I enjoyed so much and this book did not disappoint.

The author succeeded in the development of the characters, mainly Guil backstory. Also, the story is presented to the reader in a fair quicker pace that in the first book.

Camille ventures to London, facing many adversities and adventures creating doubt in her mind about those surrounding her.
On a personal level I wanted more magic presence in this book but overall I enjoyed reading it.

With thanks to Head of Zeus and Kat Dun for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

4 1/2*

I gave the first in the trilogy 3*, this instalment is a wonderfully welcome step up. Now i can't wait for the concluding book.

In Monstrous Design the Battalion of the Dead are separated. Ada and Guil remain in an unsettled Paris in which the revolution looks set to collapse. At the same time Cam and Al have travelled to England in search of Olyampe. This gives us a very well executed multi POV story telling style that held me on the edge of my seat racing to finish.

I got completely lost in this world with this book and faced that horrible mix of I need to know what happens but i really don't want it to end. I've added both to my tbr to read again before the year is out.

I think I preferred this book to the first one in the series, and I loved the multiple POVs we got. Overall, it was a fun read and I am looking forward to the final book in the trilogy to see what the final adventure holds!

The second in this trilogy sees the Battalion of the Dead separated. Ada and Guil remain in an unsettled Paris in which the revolution looks set to collapse. At the same time Cam and Al have travelled to England in search of Olyampe.
The story in England with Camille and Al plunged back into life with aristocracy shows the stark contrast between their previous life in France. Ada has also returned to her father and is attempting to find out more about the Duc’s plans. This leads to her making some surprising choices. The self doubt in all the characters is portrayed so well, with Ada believing that Cam will have forgotten her. In England Cam is realising just how much she loves Ada and how she should make better choices.
James also develops as a character, not a likeable one, but one who is driven by his own self importance and desire for recognition from his father.
The settings and historical events interwoven with heist’s and schemes makes this a great second book, I can’t wait for the third and the conclusion to this trilogy.

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of Monstrous Design, as Dangerous Remedy was one of my favourite books of 2020. This is a young adult series set in the time of revolutionary France, following a group known as The Battalion of the Dead as they break people out of prison. It's got a fun historical setting and just a hint of fantasy, or is it science? This book is the second in the series and featured the wonderfully messy characters I've grown to love, an action-packed and dramatic plot, and a wonderfully fun setting.

After the event of the last book, The Batallion of the Dead has been split across countries. In London, Camille and Al are hunting for Olympe's kidnapper, but that isn't the only threat hiding within the city. Back in Paris, Ada and Guil are still investigating the Duc, but when Ada gets wrapped up in one of his schemes the loyalties that bind the group will be tested.

One of my favourite aspects of this series is the setting. I love the idea of a historical fantasy set in revolutionary France; it's just so much fun. This isn't necessarily the most historically accurate of books, but it does so well at capturing the power imbalances and difficulties of life in that era. This book also travelled over to London, exploring the decadence of the upper classes alongside the darker, underbelly of the city. The setting elicits such strong imagery and atmosphere; you can't help but fall in love.

his book is a great one if you love reads that focus heavily on complicated, messy characters. One of my favourite relationship dynamics was the friendship between Camille and Al. They haven't always been on the best of terms, and they clash strongly in certain parts of the book. At the same time, they get a lot closer, and an understanding that didn't exist before blossomed between them. They're both these deeply traumatised people who recognise each other's toxic coping mechanisms, and that makes for a difficult but intense friendship.

One of the perspectives I was surprised to have enjoyed so much was from James. He's battling against himself and his decisions in this book, knowing that what he's done is wrong but not feeling able to undo it. He cares so strongly about making his father proud of him, not being able to recognise that nothing he does will ever be good enough. James is constantly changing his mind, changing his allegiances, unsure about what he actually wants; he was a fascinating character. I'm excited to see how he'll develop in the last book and whether he'll be able to win back his redemption.

I also loved how much fun, gothic experimentation happened in this book! We've got electricity! We've got multiple evil laboratories! So many dead bodies! I loved the discussion of science in this book, and although it is a fantasy it's similar to old-style science fiction in a similar vein to Frankenstein. I'm a huge fan of gothic horror, and I loved how much this book pulled from the genre. This series isn't a scary one, but I enjoy how morbid it is.

I don't want to say too much about what Ada gets up to in this book because it's fun to find out for yourself. However, I loved the way she's split between her loyalty to her friends and her own ambition. I always loved Ada, but the character development in this book is quickly turning her into one of my favourite and most compelling characters.

Monstrous Design was a brilliant book with a compelling setting, loveable messy characters, gothic influences, and an action-packed plot. I'm both excited and terrified for the last book in this series.

I absolutely adored Dangerous Remedy when it came out; it's one of those books that I seriously regretted not picking up immediately because it was just such a brilliant adventure that kept me hooked! So, when I was invited to be a part of the blog tour again for the next book in the series, I couldn't resist and I'm so grateful for the opportunity as, yet again, I've loved this adventure with the Battalion of the Dead!

Firstly, Monstrous Design opens with a little catch up on what happened in book one - a feature that I think every series should have. It was so useful to remember exactly which point I was coming into the story at! Immediately I fell in love with the writing style which is so easy to get lost in. From catching up with Ada and Guil in Paris, to crossing the channel over to England, I've loved the setting of the story so much. I have to admit though, my favourite part of the book was a reference to My Chemical Romance (teenage and not so teenage any more emo me very much approved!). Monstrous Design really allows you to get to know the characters a lot more, whilst still exploring a fascinating world of revolutionary Paris and England in that era. 

Monstrous Design really does justice to the brilliance of Dangerous Remedy with the character and world development. Kat's writing feels so much more fluid and polished in this one (bearing in mind that book one was still a 5* read!) and I'd highly, highly recommend making a start on this series if you haven't already! As I said about Dangerous Remedy, Kat takes a popular genre and setting and really makes her own stamp on it, and Monstrous Design is no different. This book is a must read!

Unfortunately I found this book a little difficult to get into and could not finish it.
The first book was an interesting read, but I felt this one didn’t live up to my expectations.
I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review both books, I really appreciate it.

A brilliantly fast-paced and twisty read! I actually enjoyed it even more than the first one, which I didn't think would be possible. Kat Dunn has created an absorbing fantasy that is impossible to put down!

I absolutely adored Dangerous Remedy when I read it last year so was eager to find out what the Battalion des Mortes were up to after splitting up at the end of the first book. The story is set in both Paris and England this time. Ada and Guil are in Paris watching the Duc, whilst Camille and Al are tracking Olympe to England. I worried that splitting up the gang would weaken the dynamics that made the first book so good but the author made it work. All the characters were able to grow in their new positions and it was rewarding to follow their character development.

The first thing that I loved about this book was that the author included a recap at the beginning. I can’t tell you how much I wish all authors would do this. I don’t always have time to reread prior books in the series so a recap is very welcome. It also meant I could jump straight into the action and not get pulled out of the story as I tried to remember events from book one.

I’m as surprised as anyone that James turned out to be one of my favourite characters. His character growth was beautifully handled and his redemption arc was wonderful. Family relationships continue to be at the forefront of this series. The complex and sometimes toxic familial dynamics are nuanced in their portrayal. I especially enjoyed being introduced to Olympe’s mother but I won’t say any more about her for fear of spoilers!

Like the first book, Monstrous Design is fast-paced with short moments of breathing space for the reader to process what’s happening. The bonds between the Battalion des Mortes were strengthened and fleshed out even further thanks to the division of the group. The scene is set for the third book (which I think is the final one) with the Battalion ready to fight for the fate of France. I’d definitely recommend this series if you’re looking for an atmospheric YA fantasy/historical fiction with an incredible cast of characters.

Monstrous Design is the second instalment in Kat Dunn’s thrilling Battalion of the Dead series. The story picks up right after the events of Dangerous Remedy. We follow Camille and Al as they attempt to get Olympe back and we follow Ada and Guil as they attempt to find where the Duc is hiding out. As the stakes get higher alliances are soon called into question – but will the battalion of the dead be able to survive their latest adventure?

Dangerous Remedy was one of my favourite books of 2020. It was one of those books I still thought about months after reading it, and Monstrous Design was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021. Monstrous Design is action-packed – it’s a rollercoaster ride that does not stop till the very last page. It’s a pretty fast-paced story and despite being nearly 500 pages I read it in a single day. Dunn really hooks the reader in with this addictive plot that’s full of twists – with everyone playing their own game I never quite knew what was going to happen next.

In Monstrous Design we are transported to England as well as France and Dunn really makes the sights and sounds of both cities come alive in the story. My favourite thing about Dangerous Remedy was the brilliant characters and that was definitely the same in Monstrous Design. I loved being back with the Batallion again and it was fascinating seeing how the characters grow in this second instalment. I think Al is still my favourite, but I honestly love them all. I also really liked getting to know James more and learning more about his motivations as a character. He was a really fascinating POV character – he is really complex and torn between loyalties. Like wise I loved Camille and Ada, they are such compelling characters and I think I could read a dozen books about the crew and their daring heists.

Monstrous Design is a brilliant sequel and I am incredibly excited to see where Kat Dunn will take us in book three. If you’ve been curious about this series I definitely recommend picking it up and if you’ve already read Dangerous Remedy, you need to pick up book two now!

Monstrous Design picks up directly where Dangerous Remedy left off. Camille and Al are in London to get Olympe back from James, whereas Ada and Guil are in Paris observing the Duc. The Battalion are torn apart like never before. Battered, bruised and desperately trying to cope with their own grief and losses, there is no time to mourn, as everything is under threat.

Although I enjoyed Monstrous Design is didn’t quite meet my high expectations after Dangerous Remedy. The gang are just as brilliant but because they are all separated, I think that killed some of the energy and parts of this book seemed a little aimless. I still loved Kat’s amazing writing style and the macabre experiments were as fascinating as ever but some of the story seemed to drag. Having said that, I loved the deeper insight into the characters and the look at some of their history. I definitely enjoyed Al’s humour and with quotes like this I’m sure you’ll see why...

‘We’re all a little stab-happy here, but maybe let’s try to keep the conversation on the two people out to get us, all right? I’m sure you can manage a little truce until we’ve escaped hideous death?’

All in all, I still enjoyed the book and I adore these characters so I’m 100% invested in finding out what happens to them. I think after book one was so wonderful, it was always going to be hard for this book to live up to its predecessor.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 4)

3.5 stars

There are a number of YA heist books out there, heist books are good fun, although what works so well in these books are they invariably involve a group of misfits, a group of people burned and/or shunned and unique who might not be accepted but they have each other. I think this is where the Battalion of the Dead series doesn’t quite hit the mark for me because the group never quite feel like a group. Every character bar Guil, the sweetheart of the group, betrays, lies, works behind the back of the group and acts on self interest to a frustrating degree. I long for the characters to work as a team wholeheartedly.

Camille is a confusing character and I know a lot of people dislike her but she keeps the good work going. Yes she’s bossy, yes she constantly acts alone and does stupid things and then just goes ‘Ada deserves better’ instead of just trying to be a better person, but I like her spirit and that her intentions are always good, if her execution necessarily isn’t. That said, she sees James’ mother is ill in this book and then lies to her and his whole family throughout the book, again abusing the love she is shown. Again she keeps secrets from the people who love her, doomed to both need to be forgiven and making her life harder for herself. But I do love her.
James, following his betrayal from the last book, holding a gun to Camille’s head and stealing Olympe, annoys the hell out of me. I won’t call the journey his character takes in this book development, it’s polar behaviour, literally in one quite alone he tells Camille both that he didn’t mean to hurt her AND that he thought it was ok to hurt anyone, how does this make sense?? You have Camille and Al, 2 characters who witnessed the executions of their fathers (a point James uses to hurt Camille), and then James who betrays and lies to those who love him best, including his brother-like best friend Edward, and kidnapping a girl who has already faced imprisonment and torture, all so his father may be proud of him? He chooses this need for approval over the approval and acceptance he already owns and a family in the Battalion. His conscience is like a light switch that is turned off and on and I don’t think his betrayal made sense and I don’t see redemption from it. Also his obsession with Camille is just weird. Part of the reason he had no problem physically threatening her was because he was jealous she now loved Ada?? Yeah, he’s needy trash. If you turned it into a drinking game how often he mentions his father, you’d be getting your stomach pumped 🤣
Ada also, I just don’t understand, yes she loves Camille, yes she thinks about Camille a lot, but she also sympathises too much with a man who did and does monstrous things (I’m keeping this spoiler free) and even helps him without knowing what he will do with this power she’s helped give him! For the brains of the group, it’s an idiotic move, fuelled by stubborn selfishness. I liked Ada in book 1 but I didn’t understand her in this one.
Al, I don’t enjoy his constant need to be snarky, we’re told that Camille is always hard on him but on paper it’s always hi, getting the jabs in. That said, I actually liked Al in this one and I really enjoyed the bonding and character development between him and Camille, 2 characters who have walked a similar path. Do I understand him necessarily though? No. For example, in one scene Al has to help carry Cam as she’s weak, it’s mentioned she’s losing weight and still coughing (and I’m mentally scarred by Moulin Rouge to think the worst of that diagnosis), then the next scene he’s shrugging because he encouraged her to go into a maze, lost her in it and just left. He’s a team player at times but at his choosing.
I wish Guil got more attention in the book, that man is a treasure! Olympe too is brave and kind and I adore her, I hope we learn more about her in the next instalment.

The book is enjoyable and while the characters frustrate me, I enjoy spending time with them (apart from James, still needy trash), although I do kinda wish that the series just focused on the battalion saving condemned people in the French Revolution, like the start of book 1, I think that would provide enough suspense and action. The addition of a Frankenstein -esq character and the electricity as a weapon (even though no matter how many times Olympe shocks someone, everyone seems quickly fine!), seems a little unnecessary. The writing is also not remotely trying to be historical, I get this isn’t a documentary and is fiction, but still, someone is described as a “bag of dicks”, while in the 18th century .... That said, clearly this book isn’t trying to be factual so this is a minor criticism!

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy to review, I look forward to seeing how this series ends.