Thank you so much for the early read! I so enjoyed this book! It was perfect for spooky season and I loved Wallach's fast-paced narrative flow!

I was super excited when I saw Small Town Monsters by Diana Rodriguez Wallach on NetGalley. The main character, Vera Martinez, is the daughter of famous demon hunters who travel the world fighting evil. Vera doesn't have any supernatural powers like her parents, but she knows a lot about demons and how to deal with them. When a boy from her school, Maxwell Oliver, asks for her help because he thinks his mom is possessed, Vera reluctantly agrees. She doesn't want to get involved in other people's problems, especially since most people in her town hate her and her family. But she can't ignore the signs of a demonic presence in Maxwell's house, or the fact that there's a creepy cult in town that worships death and wants to summon a powerful demon. Vera and Maxwell have to team up to stop the cult and the demon before they destroy everything and everyone they love. I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. I liked how Vera and Maxwell's relationship developed from enemies to friends to something more. They had great chemistry and banter. I also admired Vera's courage and determination to face her fears and help others, even when she felt out of her depth. She was a relatable and likable heroine. If you're looking for a thrilling and fun paranormal read, I highly recommend Small Town Monsters.

4*

I really enjoyed this book and the creepy world that Wallach crafted. I devoured this so quickly, it made the book feel almost too short!

Toying with themes of grief, love, and a commentary on the social classes, Wallach delivers horror with heart.

I really enjoyed this creepy little book. There were times it seemed a little rushed but overall it was a fun fast read!

Hmmm. This was... cute? And thats never a word I like to use when talking about a spooky book. I definitely have a few people I can recommend this to as it wasn't bad, just wasn't amazing for me.

Overall

I was definitely here for all the dark, creepy vibes this blurb and cover gave me. How could I pass something like that up? Plus, this book is comped to The Conjuring and The Vow, so it sounded like the perfect fall read, and I can’t say I was at all disappointed on that aspect! What better to give you chills during the last heat of the summer than something a bit spooky?

Small Town Monsters is a creepy, atmospheric book sure to give you goosebumps. It’ll keep you hanging on the edge of your seat as you wonder what sinister forces have gripped this small town.

If you know me at all, you have to know what I’m about to say next: I didn’t love the insta-love romance. It’s just not a trope that I’m fond of, and that has everything to do with me and nothing to do with the book. For the most part, I was absolutely sucked into this novel! There were definitely times where it lagged a little bit and focused a little more on teen angst than I personally prefer (again, only because it’s not a trope I’m particularly a fan of). But all in all, I had a hard time putting this one down and just had to know how it was going to end!

My Thoughts

- Vera makes for a really interesting protagonist thanks to her unique position: a longer, outcast in a small town whose parents—oh yeah, by the way—just happen to vanish evil spirits for a living. The inspiration for Vera’s parents definitely seems to be pulled from Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the author even mentions them in the notes at the end of the book. Even before reading that, though, there’s a definite Warren vibe about them. Which is exciting. Whether you happen to believe them or not, the Warren’s stories never fail to add a chill to the air, and Wallach does a fantastic job of capturing that atmosphere. There’s definitely something strange going on in Roaring Creek.

Thanks to her parents’ odd career choice, Vera herself is a bit of an outcast in town. Wallach maybe pushes this one a bit to the limit (to the point where adults are terrified of her and won’t even let their children around her, all because of her parents). However, it sets up a very relatable archetype for Vera: a loner outcast who has regular dreams (of being a doctor) and just wants to be seen. She’s someone I think a lot of people reading YA can relate to.

- Wallach does a wonderful job of weaving in all these creepy, paranormal vibes that are definitely what attracted me to this book! What’s a horror story if it doesn’t give you goosebumps, am I right? Wallach provides a thriller that does just that, while also maintaining a mystery that’ll keep you turning pages. I absolutely loved some of the scenes in this. Not gory, not enough to turn your stomach, but the mild sort of horror that has you seeing shadows in the night!

If you happen to think like me and believe that fall is the perfect time for horror (okay, honestly, any time is a good time to be creeped out, but fall just has the proper atmosphere for it) then you’re in for a treat. Small Town Monsters is a delightful fall read that’s just perfect for this time of year!

- For everyone out there who believes they would never join a cult . . . Wallach sees your doubts and raises you one with super relatable characters who fall prey to their circumstances in ways that are uncomfortably relatable. Sure, it’s easy to say that you wouldn’t join a cult or you wouldn’t welcome a demon in, right? I think most of us believe that. Wallach paints a narrative where it’s exceedingly easy to see why someone would. With not just one scenario, either, but a bunch of little scenarios that all add up to the disturbing, often uncomfortable fact that a lot of us would, in fact, unwittingly welcome a demon in. Because that’s how it works, right? They prey on our weakest points. The biggest thing that struck me is that these people are neither good nor bad. They’re just . . . people. That’s probably the scariest thing of all. I’d like to say that of course I’d never join a cult, that of course I’d see the warning signs and flee screaming with my arms flailing in the air. But Wallach weaves a very plausible story where I could easily see myself in some of these character’s shoes, and would I have made a different choice? Who’s to say. The scariest part of all (to me, at least) is in not knowing that you would’ve acted any differently than these characters!

- This book is filled with a lot of discussions about religion (as one might gather from the subject matter), but presented from a variety of viewpoints. I think it’d be all too easy, in a book like this, to take one stance and leave it at that. That’s not what Wallach does, though. For Vera, religion is a tool to be wielded as necessary but not a cure-all by any means. She doesn’t share her aunts devotion to the saints, for example, nor understand her frequent need to pray. I appreciated the different angles and approaches to religion and the fact that Wallach never presents any of them as being the de facto “correct” perspective (other than the fact that something out there exists in the form of demons, and the idea of possession, of course). I like that it’s left open-ended in that respect for the readers to draw their own conclusions.

Sticking Points

- The ending was a bit rushed and a teensy deus ex machina, especially for the super tense build up for it. I wish a little more time was spent in the actual delivery, because the build up is done so well, and it ends up so tense and high stakes. I wanted the actual last struggle to be a bit . . . more. Especially since what ends up being the actual conclusion sort of comes out of nowhere, is highly convenient, and there’s not really much foundation for it in the story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the ending and thought it was a great way to end things. I just thought it was a bit rushed and could’ve been slowed down and expanded on just a bit more.

This was a fast-paced and atmospheric book. While I can't say that I was scared, I was definitely creeped out. It was more of a horror that slowly sneaks up on you. Parts of the book almost felt like a documentary about demonology and demonologists. It was evident that the author did a lot of research into the subjects. I enjoyed Vera and Maxwell's characters, as well. I had a lot of fun reading this one and look forward to reading more from this author!

The perfect YA Horror story. It’s got a little bit of everything. A mystery you’re dying to know the end of, creepy, eerie, and even has a hint of romance without making it the focus which was perfect for someone like me who can read absolutely anything as long as there’s a little bit of romance.

The story is about Vera Martinez, who’s a sort of loner/ outcast in her little town due to her parents’ demonologist occupation, and her family due to not inheriting her parents’ apparent abilities, and Max Oliver, who believes he needs their help when his mother starts acting strange.

There’s definitely something sinister about this town that is hard to miss but when Max’s mother starts ignoring everything, including her children and their family restaurant, in favor of dedicating all her time to a new group called The Sunshine Crew, he knows something is more than just…wrong. Which is he needs Vera’s help so he can convince her parents to help his mom.

However, since Vera’s parents are out of the country, it’s up to Vera to help not only Max’s mother but the other people in town as well who seem to be facing the same issue. That’s a lot easier said than done since she doesn’t have her parents’ instincts or abilities.

This was such an interesting book and although I’ve read YA horror and mystery before, I’ve never read anything quite like it. The characters were so likable in my opinion, especially considering they’re MCs in a YA book. I loved Vera and I really felt for her. Being ridiculed on all sides and feeling like the world is against you. Being judged by outsiders for having demonologist parents and also being judged by family for not having the abilities her parents have. She has no friends, small town and all, and she can’t wait to get out of town, be a doctor and help people.

When I first started the book I wanted to hate Max. I really did. But when an author gives you a tragic backstory like his while also showing us how he’s not the same from the beginning of the book, it’s impossible to hate the guy. (I’d tell you what the story is but I don’t want to spoil what reading the book is actually like)

The book was perfectly paced and I liked the author’s writing style. I’d go as far as to say that Diana was BORN to write books like this (YA Horror/Mystery/Thrillers with a dash of romance). I would definitely read more by her in the future!

Diana Rodriguez Wallach's "Small Town Monsters" was one of my first ventures into YA Horror and I had a blast with this novel! Following Vera Martinez, who wants nothing more than to escape the shadow of her demonologist parents legacy, Small Town Monsters is a story that is packed with sone truly chilling scenes and sets up the potential for a great seriee that will appeal to Horror fans of any age. Cults, possessions, and small-town horrors? Sign me up!

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Small Town Monsters was a delight to read. While it was not happy, or uplifting, with unicorns or rainbows, it was fast paced, tightly plotted with characters that the reader cared about. I loved the nods to the Warrens, Jim Jones and other historical features that were mentioned in the author's note at the end of the book. The dark magical elements of this book were great, but so were the dark realistic elements of this book.

If you love watching the Conjuring movies, gear up for this awesome read. A YA tale of self-improvement and grief gone wrong, it brings all the spooky elements of demonology but with a Hispanic feel that I totally loved. 5 stars all the way.

I am rating this book how I feel my students would rate it. I know the ones who love horror, cult, and serial killer topics will gobble this book up.

Okay, you had me at exorcist husband wife team, crazy cult, and misfit loner girl. This book is medium paced, story driven. Told from the perspectives of Max, a popular kid and Vera, the town outcast, this story will take you on an adventure. Equal parts creepy and thrilling, you’re left wondering if Vera will be able to save the town from a demonic cult. I cannot wait to share this one with my students!

I received an eARC of this title through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a fast paced non-stop paranormal thrill ride. The story starts with Max and Vera who go to school together in this small town that is filled with tragedy. When Max approaches Vera his mother's strange behavior, both are thrust into a paranormal and cult filled world. The book starts and doesn't stop until the epilogue. The author does a great job of pushing the plot forward even when there appears to be nothing going on.

I feel like this is one of those books where you need to read it twice. The first time for the plot and the second for all the nuances missed on the first read. I find Vera to be an interesting main character. She is your typical high school outcast because of the work her parents do. The story tells us that she believes the only way she can help people is become a doctor, since she does not believe she can do what her parents do. I found the epilogue to not really finish the story for me. They briefly talk about how the events traumatized Max's little sister, but I feel like the rest of them were not as traumatized as they would have been in real life.

The paranormal bits were honestly my favorite part of the whole book. The author does such a great job describing the sounds, smells, and physical transformations of Max's mother and the town. For me, this is the part that was horrific at times, which follows the genre perfectly.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good paranormal/possession story and how one town can change so much when tragedy occurs in succession.

I do like cult stories so I was intrigued by the concept here. I'm not sure about the execution though. I liked the exploration of how the possession happened and the slow, insidious growth of evil in a place but the actual details were a bit extreme and hard to believe. It's sensationalized. Not only are the details hard to swallow, the characters aren't especially realistic either.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me access to this ARC :)

Vera's parents are demon hunters/exorcists, which makes her a pariah at school. When one of the popular boys at school unexpectedly asks for her help with his seemingly possessed Mom, she finds herself discovering information about her town, making not what it seems.

I had such high expectations for this book being compared to the Conjuring, which is a fantastic movie. I read this for spooky season and it just fell flat for me. I was hoping it would be more spooky horror, but it played a lot into the religious aspect of demon possession, which turned me off. It definitely grabbed my attention in the beginning, but it ultimately was not for me. I love tales of demon possession, but I felt like I could have read better books for those. For my middle schoolers though, this is definitely a scary story book that I would recommend for them.

This was a great horror book for fans of YA spook!!

I had heard this was a great YA version similar to the conjuring and I’ll be happy to say I agree!! It take a lot to get me into this genre as I find the movies better. But she proved me wrong!

I loved the writing, I will be def watching for another release from Diana!

This was a blast of a read.

While it’s YA, it should satisfy any horror reader – it’s genuinely spooky, suspenseful, and features characters you really care about.

I tore through the read quickly and found myself eager to read the author again! Happy to see that she’s got a number of other books for me to discover!


Definitely worth reading!

*ARC via Net Galley

Diana Rodriguez Wallach stops by Writers, After Dark to talk about her newest Latinx YA horror thriller, Small Town Monsters.

Diana talks about going darker and darker with the fiction she’s writing, how the story behind The Conjuring movies inspired this as her first venture into YA horror storytelling, studying the mentality and group behaviors of cults to inform the attitudes in the town, and so much more.

This is my latest read that isn't usually what I gravitate to, but I wanted to give it a try. While it took me a few chapters before I felt invested, the second half of this novel had just the right amount of suspense and urgency. There were some familiar tropes (self-help group turned cult for example), and while other readers may not appreciate those tropes, I did because I found they helped me understand what was going on so much better since I'm not a regular reader of books dealing with the occult, demons, possession and so on.

I was also impressed with the natural progression of character growth and the development of relationships. The timing for those elements is difficult to get just right, and Wallach did a great job finding that balance.

Overall, an enjoyable read, and it's perfect for this time of year!

Small Town Monsters was a great, quick read. I think that the author did a great job building the environment. Roaring Creek is a small, coastal town that relies on tourism, but the tourists aren't coming around recently. Maybe because of the multiple horrific incidents where many people died, or because of the darkness that looms over the town. Or maybe both.

I loved Vera because I think her experience is relatable for many. She's a lonely teen with a tough exterior born from many years of bullying, but she still manages to put other people before herself. She also feels like an outcast within her own family, as she can't seem to find the same powers within herself that her mom, dad, and aunt have. Although she doesn't show it, she is yearning for connection. Then comes Maxwell, who needs Vera's help because something is wrong with his mom.

I still am not sure how I feel about Maxwell, mostly because of the way he treated Vera when his "friends" were around. I felt for him as he had already lost one parent, and now his mom is turning into something that isn't quite human right in front of his eyes, leaving him to care for the family business and his younger sister. I also think that he has a great sense of humor that brought some levity to this book. I did start warming up to him at the end.

One thing that stood out to me is that both Vera and Maxwell rationalized other people's actions, which showed a lot of empathy that can sometimes be lacking in YA novels. For example, Maxwell understood that Vera had a hard exterior and could be spiky because of how she had been treated in the past, and he didn't always need to take that personally.

I do think that the characters were well fleshed out, considering how short this book was, and I enjoyed the side characters, too (especially Father Chuck). I honestly couldn't stop thinking about how this book would make a great limited tv series or movie.

The section at the end about the real-life inspirations behind the story and how this story differs from the traditional Latin American folklore it's based off of was great.

My only quibble is that I could see most of the "twists" coming. But, if you're reading this just for fun or to get out of a reading slump, then predictability really isn't so bad.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book, and it is a great spooky season read.