"Monstrous" by Jessica Lewis is a captivating fantasy novel tailored for the Teens & YA audience. The book's imaginative world-building and dynamic characters create an immersive experience that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Jessica Lewis's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves a tale of adventure, magic, and self-discovery. "Monstrous" offers a fresh perspective on fantasy, filled with captivating twists and turns that make it an enthralling read for young adults. This novel is a testament to the author's ability to create a richly textured and engaging world that sparks the imagination.

When I picked this book up, I purposely didn’t read the blurb. I previously read the author’s debut novel Bad Witch Burning. I gave it 4.5/5 stars despite the fact that the blurb was terrible at describing what the book was actually about. I didn’t feel like being fooled again, so I ignored it. I saw a Black female on the cover surrounded by what looked like a snake, basilisk, or a naga, and I was down. My decision to read it was about forty percent previous experience with the author, and sixty percent cover art. And, i was not disappointed.

When comparing Monstrous to Bad Witch Burning, they feel extremely similar while being nothing alike. They are both very much YA horror novels. However, where Bad Witch Burning was dipped, bathed, and baptized in horror vibes, Monstrous was more supernatural vibes with horror elements.

Monstrous is a book about a girl who has virtually no one. She’s eighteen years old with plans to go to college that get several disrupted when the citizens of Sanctum, Alabama try to sacrifice her to a giant snake monster. She is literally having the worst day of her life. But, Latavia Johnson is a fighter. She won’t go willingly into whatever plan this creepy town and its cult have in store for her.

Latavia is an amazing character. At the start of the story, we learn that she basically has no relationship with her mother and is homeless because her mother kicked her out the summer before she goes to college on a track and field scholarship. Her aunt comes to the rescue/seemingly comes to the rescue and offers Latavia a room in her home for the summer. She’s already going through a traumatic event when she’s dragged to the altar as a sacrifice. Despite this, or maybe because of it, Latavia does not go willingly into death. She makes a deal with the snake monster to get revenge on the town.

Latavia’s revenge is the main plot of the book, and watching it unfold is gripping and entertaining. There is a side story, however, that almost completely trumps this storyline. That’s Latavia’s personal struggle through her anxiety and PTSD about being a sacrifice, her personal growth into becoming a stronger person/monster, and her growing relationship with the snake monster. Reading the blurb of this book, you would expect the snake monster to be an all encompassing villain, but the author had different plans.

Throughout this whole entire book Latavia continues to develop and grow as a character. The snake monster also grows as a character. Due to their relationship, they both grow and blossom into something more than they were before. Their relationship is beautiful. I wanted them to burn the town down and walk/slither off into the sunset together as woman and snake.

The other characters in this novel were also very well thought out and easily distinguishable from each other. There is fat rep, queer rep, and mental health rep. The author also provided real world representation of racism in small town Southern America. Even those despicable characters were more than just caricatures and stereotypes.

The only element of this book that didn’t work for me is the same element that never works for me. That’s the romance. I can handle a very small amount of romance in books, but too much of it and I begin to space out a bit. This happened during this book. Although I must say that the romance was adorable. It was well written and unrushed.

The last great element of this book was the ending. It was a very satisfying ending. It wasn’t completely wrapped up nicely and tied in a bow. Sometimes that works for books, and sometimes it doesn’t. For this book, the slight bit of an open ending was the appropriate way to conclude this story.

4.75/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When a teen girl is forced to spend a summer at her aunt's strange small town, she soon finds herself the unwilling sacrifice to the mysterious monster in the woods in a ritual that the town holds... but she won't go down without a fight and if it means striking a deal with the demon and seeking her revenge, then so be it. Latavia is forced to spend the summer in her aunt's home in Sanctum, Alabama, and this small town has it's own rules: don't go outside after dark, come straight home after church, and never enter into the Red Wood. If these rules are broken, things will get bad... and Latavia notices that three funerals in such a small town in such a short period is very strange.... but then when she discovers the town's dark secret and is forced to be a sacrifice for the monster in the Red Wood to appease a deal that was struck, she won't go do willingly, instead she makes a deal with the snake demon, if she helps him he will help her get revenge against the six people who made her a sacrifice.... but this deal will turn her into something she never thought she could become. Who can she trust and how far will she go through for her revenge? This definitely read more younger young adult but overall it was a fun book for spooky season that I would recommend, it gave a bit of stephen king vibes and I think the best part of the book was the relationship between Latavia and the snake demon! If you enjoy a bit of deals with demons vs small town evils, and a touch of sapphic romance, then give this one a go!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this book!! I was obsessed with finishing. I love all the recent black girl horror books and this is one of my favorite ones.

Latavia is just trying to make to till she leaves for college in a few weeks. After her mom kicks her out, she goes to stay with her Aunt and younger cousin in their creepy small town of Sanctum. There’s strange rules in Sanctum. People are dropping like flies and funerals are happening constantly. Closed casket funerals. Latavia is concerned, but more focused on just leaving and flirting with her cousins’s cute best friend who works at the local ice cream parlor. But one night, she’s dragged out of her Aunt’s house by 6 individuals and brutally injured in the name of sacrifice. When presented to the giant ancient being who’s supposed to devour her, she makes a deal and slowly becomes part of the beast in order to enact her revenge.

I loved Snake! Usually these monster characters have no personality but he was actually weirdly adorable. He cared for Latavia and comforted her and gave her advice (even when she didn’t want it) he seemed like an actually friend to her. Jade and Allison were great too. I love how loyal they both were to Latavia. Allison was ready to destroy everything to protect her and Jade was confused but wanted her to be safe. I’m not convinced about Auntie. I don’t know how I would have handled the situation, but Latavia was so brave and a much better person than most. The twists at the end. Holy cow. I hate how this might be a one off because the way it ended had me so sad!! I need to know more!!

"A YA horror novel about a girl who is kidnapped as a sacrificial offering to an ancient beast, only to make a deal with the monster to release it and avenge those who betrayed her—even if that includes her own family."

First, thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jessica Lewis for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did enjoy the banter between Latavia and her companion (no spoilers), and parts of the story had me drawn in. But other parts just didn’t make sense. I wasn’t sure why certain characters would ask a particular way and then change their entire tune a chapter or two later. This felt on the younger side of YA to me. Super fun concept, and I feel a younger audience would probably enjoy it a bit more than I did.

A combination of revenge, vengeance, family and fear, mixed together with a spooky small town and murderous snake. This book was intense at times, but it cuts that intensity with some hilarious dialogue and characterization. Living at her aunt's in Alabama for the summer before she can start college, the main character of this tense novel uncovers a dark secret that leaves her in grave danger, tied to an altar. This book was a joy and terror to read. but warning -----Don't get this book if you have a phobia of snakes!

When I saw that Jessica Lewis was releasing a horror novel with a Black queer girl whose murderous and vengeful and teams up with a giant snake monster to enact said revenge, I was sold!! I absolutely loved Bad Witch Burning and had high hopes and expectations for this one – I was not disappointed.

We have Latavia, a teen girl who is spending the summer with her aunt and cousin in small town Alabama before she heads to college (you’ll also find out why it is that she has to stay with her aunt). However, the catch is that this town is creepy, strange, and full of secrets that everyone but Latavia (affectionately known as Avie) knows. She feels like an outsider and quickly learns that they see her as an outsider when she is presented as a sacrifice to a monster in the woods. But Avie is resilient, clever, and determined to survive so she strikes a deal with the monster to both get her revenge on the folks who tried to sacrifice her and also help the monster achieve his goals as well.

So that’s a quick overview of the book. Now here are my thoughts. First, it jumps right in to the action, almost abruptly so particularly because it then slows down a bit but when it picks back up…it picks back up! My jaw legitimately dropped. I was shook. Also, the snake. The monster. Sorry not sorry but I loved him, haha. He was funny and caring and incredibly bloodthirsty, lol. He somehow managed to be funny, sweet, and caring even in the midst of the killing (because yes, many people are unalived in this one.). In addition to the Monster, the two doggie sidekicks were the best!

I also loved that I didn’t quite know who to trust in this one, which I think is the best part of a good horror/thriller. Avie had her cousin and another friend in the town that she ran with but again, I found myself not knowing who to trust but hoping that I could at least trust those two. Regarding side characters/ensemble cast of characters, this was a great example of letting the romantic subplot stay a subplot. This was done so well!

And like all Jessica Lewis books it seems, I am bound to get all choked up and teary at the end, mainly because found family is so near and dear to me.

Avie was so dear to me because she had been through soo much and had been betrayed and her trust broken by many people – people that she thought or should have been able to rely and depend on. I was glad to see her find comfort and trust in unexpected places (and things? teehee). And the very best part is that she was vengeful – unapologetically so which I loved.

Overall, I loved this so much. The pacing at the beginning was a little rocky but it more than made up for it once the story started because once it picked up, it was a ride until the end! I will say that it’s not a gory horror but definitely has horror/thriller themes.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

The concept of this book was great. The snake was definitely my favorite character. I struggled with Avie who couldn’t decide about if she was ok with killing or not. It was a fun and campy book.

Revenge plots are underrated, especially when dealing with teenage girls. Latavia, our main character, is wronged by the adults she trusts (sort of) and is prepared to do something about it. I was rooting for Latavia and angry for her as well. Even before coming to Sanctum, her loved ones let her down, and I just wanted better for her. Proof that life isn't fair, but a satisfying story all the same. This book starts off with a bang and keeps going from there. It was a great read and I loved how relatable the main character was, despite the fact that I have never faced a giant demon-snake myself. I hope for a sequel to see where she ends up and what she does with her situation (that's the best way to put it without spoilers).

I read an eARC of Monstrous by Jessica Lewis. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children’s Press.

This horror book starts fast. Like that synopsis? Yeah, that mystery is solved really fast. When Latavia (Avia to her friends), she’s already attending the third funeral that summer, she’s extremely weirded out by the town, and by all the rules not only her aunt has, but that people in the community that also enforce that rule. She can’t go in the forest and she has to go straight home after church. Then when going to the candy store, one of the locals talks about making sure that she has the essentials for the full moon, that she should at least take the silver talismans for protection if nothing else.

This all happens so fast, I was wondering how the book would draw out the big reveal, and then it didn’t. Within 20 to 30 pages, we’re knee-deep in the thick of it, and the plot is ready to happen. The only thing is, we have a lot of pages to cover, and not nearly enough to do. This means, in my opinion, the plot drags from this point. I understood some of it, but honestly, I felt like there was enough to fill it. This meant a little too much time with Avia with her friends, and way too much time with Avia apparently being extremely thick about certain “reveals” later that are not revealed at all to those reading the book. Like, the information was already given to her, and one thing had already been told to her in an indirect fashion, but one she should have more quickly figured out in order to move on to what was going on with her

At the end, I did enjoy the book. When it’s at it’s horror moments, that when I really started to have fun with the book, but it did end up dragging despite its quick start.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, and I'm glad I didn't fully realize what this story would turn into before reading it because I loved the twists and turns!

Latavia, aka Avie, is spending the summer with her Aunt and cousin, Jade, until she can leave for college in August. However, mysterious deaths take a toll on the already small town, and Avie uncovers the deathly and demonic secret: a monster in the woods and even more within the town limits.

This story took off running from the third page, and I couldn't get enough! The characters are witty and adorable, and Avie's relatability had me cheering her on the entire time. The Alabama town in its muggy summer was even more relatable as someone struggling in a Texan summer, and I never saw the ending coming. I also love that the potential romance is such a soft aspect of the story because I definitely wanted to focus on the monsters and how they exist.

This is a wonderfully crafted story, and I can't wait to grab Jessica Lewis' other novel to satisfy me until her next release!

Living at her Aunt's in Alabama for the summer before she can start college, the main character of this tense novel uncovers a dark secret that leaves her in grave danger, tied to an altar. The book is full of suspense, mystery, and intrigue that makes it hard to put down. I fell in love, especially with the romantic aspect of the book and watching the main character deal with cults, snakes, and her new love interest. This book is one of the best slow burn romances I've read. The balance of serious and lighthearted wonder offset perfectly without tipping too far in either direction. This book is an absolute joy and terror to read. Don't get this book if you have a phobia of snakes! I'm really hoping there are more books in this story because I can't get enough of this world.

THIS BOOK! A fantastic follow up to Bad Witch Burning, Monstrous is the story of a small town, deadly secrets, and the age old question: is revenge worth it?

Latavia is in Sanctum, AL for the summer before she's off to college on a track scholarship. But when her own family betrays her and she ends up injured and her dreams are shattered, she is forced into a bargain with a giant snake monster hellbent on consuming the town. Latavia's journey is such a powerful one as she leans into her revenge and makes difficult choices along the way. Her relationship with the snake is honestly one of the most fun interactions I've read in awhile. All of the side characters are fun to read, esp the villains. I was rooting for the snake to eat them all most of the book!

Overall, a quick and powerful revenge story starring a pissed off girl and an evil snake monster side kick who are both a lot more than they appear.

I absolutely adore the cover of this book. It’s what caught my attention in the first place and after reading the synopsis I was hooked.

Don't go outside past dark. Come straight home after church. And above all-never, ever, go into Red Wood.

It for sure jumps right into the action, Introducing Latavia out protagonist(who for sure, gives me a villain rising kind of vibes.) which I can relate to since wouldn’t be furious to be chosen as a sacrifice. A teenager who is living with extended family before heading off to collage. The town is creepy as hell and gives me cult vibes. Bonus points CuaSe it’s a guilty pleasure.
Overall, this book isn’t a good book or a bad book. It kind of falls in the middle. If you’re sure had all the parts to make a great buck, but was very disjointed. Half the time I was just hoping it would get to the point faster and I was rooting for the snake just to eat everyone. The romance was kind of cringey at times and a lot of the characters were underutilized. I did like the snake though. For sure was the best part of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House publishing for a ARC in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 I really wanted to love this book. I mean just look at the cover its absolutely gorgeous. However, the saying is true for this book, dont judge a book by its cover. I felt like there could have been better character development and world building. Unfortunately this book was not for me

I was looking forward to Monstrous by Jessica Lewis, since Bad Witch Burning was such an excellent, anxiety-provoking debut. While I understand sophomore novels are difficult monsters in themselves, I admit I was hoping for more from this book.

The deal is this: Latavia is forced to spend the summer with her aunt and cousin in Sanctum, Alabama, before college. She's been abandoned by her mother (we don't know why for quite some time) and the book starts when Latavia has been in Sanctum for several weeks. She's suspicious of Sanctum--two people have died, and that seems like a lot for a town of 400. There are rules she doesn't like to follow. Her aunt is kind of intense. Everyone is acting weird. Then it turns out she's being fed to a giant snake in the woods she's been told not to go in, and everything clicks. Oh...they're sacrificing people to the giant snake, and the giant snake wants more and more people (an unexplained point). But rules have been broken and the giant snake is a rule follower as it turns out, so they make a deal: she'll help him get into the town to reign chaos on the dude he really hates if he helps her kill everyone who tried to sacrifice her.

A dark deal! Cool! And occasionally the book did feel cool. It moves along at a quick pace, and I felt like I did really know Latavia and her friends, but it also felt like it was so action-oriented it didn't give much time to reflection on the theme of what monsters are--is Latavia a monster? Is she just a girl pushed to her limits? Is it okay to murder people if they're bad people? There are some deep philosophical questions the book doesn't really try to answer, because there's a giant snake in the woods, which felt sometimes more comical than serious. It's like if an middle grade plot was given to an 18-year-old girl and told to run with it. The result is just a little odd.

Points for representation and for risk-taking. Will try out this author's future novels as well.

I'm sad to say I was disappointed by this book. I found the characters immature and/or flat, despite the seriousness of the world around them. The ancient creature/snake read as silly, more than anything else. There was very little world-building and scene setting. Important and nuanced topics were touched on very lightly, but were otherwise left unexplored. Overall, the story just read as very un-serious to me and it was difficult to care about what was happening in the town or the story in general.

I love YA and this did not disappoint. I was immediately engaged in the story from beginning to end. Latavia is a teenager who lives in Sanctum with her aunt and cousin. She has a feeling something is not right with the community. Unfortunately, her instinct is correct and she is unwittingly pulled into a world of monsters, guardians, and sacrifices. Loved it, however I wish the ending could have turned out differently.

The cover of this book is beautiful and I really liked the plot of this story. This is my first time reading a book by Jessica Lewis, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really wanted to love this story. There wasn't enough character development for me and the pacing was so fast that thr story line felt rushed from the onset. There's some awkwardly written banter between characters and a mysterious ancient creature, but there wasn't any initial building of the world, creature background, or the characters. I'm reading that the town is weird but the creepiness wasn't actually felt. I like that there was a survive by any means aspect, but I was left disappointed, overall.