This book is as just what the doctor ordered I needed every second of this book. The plot was chef’s kiss. The character development was beyond amazing

Monstrous is the kind of powerful book that leaves you emotionally wrung out and pondering the nature of good vs evil. Lewis’s fast-paced, propulsive writing creates palpable tension and suspense as her heroine, Latavia, wrestles with curses, a cult, and a heartbreaking betrayal.

The monster in question, on the surface, seems to be straightforward. But as the story unfolds, we meet all kinds of monsters—most of them human. And as Latavia uncovers the root of the curse holding her family and friends in thrall, she’s faced with difficult choices that make her question her own moral compass.

Lewis masterfully conveys aspects of social psychology and commentary through the lens of horror. Her debut, Bad Witch Burning, was phenomenal, and Monstrous is equally thrilling. Jessica Lewis is an author on the rise and I cannot wait to see what she writes next! Prepare yourselves to be amazed!

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the Advance Review Copy.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I think my favorite aspect of this book is that as you read the book, the realization that the monster isn't quite as monstrous as he came off to be, while the main character is not fully the innocent victim that she appeared to be. I loved how this story built immediately from the beginning and I didn't even mind the romance aspect of it. It didn't feel forced to me, and I really loved how it wasn't a "let's see how fast these people can jump into bed together" kind of romance. It was very sweet and slow, and consent was huge, which I really loved. I also enjoyed the ending of this book, which was a surprise to me, because that's not usually how I like endings to go, but it fit this book, in my opinion.

This was so good! The vibes were impeccable! It was eerie, spine chilling, and definitely gave me the creeps everytime I picked it up. It felt refreshing for being a "there's weird stuff in the woods" kind of book and I devoured this.

I'm a sucker for small-town YA horror, and I know Jessica Lewis can deliver intense, scorching political commentary on racial terror, familial violence, and evil adults, so I knew I was in for a wild time. This book *is* intense at times, but it cuts that intensity with some legit hilarious dialogue and characterization (to say more would spoil things), and while I think the line between legit supernatural horror, more real-world centered monstrosity, and humor didn't always work perfectly for me, the attempt was kinda awe-inspiring. And I *loved* the final messaging of the book, something that so many books (YA and adult) shy away from and tamp down. Really hoping there's a sequel/series in the works!

When I first requested this, I didn't even realize it was by the same author who wrote Bad Witch Burning! What a treat--I really enjoyed Bad Witch Burning. The MC Latavia spoke to my heart--she's navigating the complexities of family and friendships. Speaking of friendships, I love the way Latavia interacted with said friends and how the relationships she had played into the conflict/resolution of the story. I also thought Snake was really cool (I know how that sounds, but hear me out). I thought that Latavia's interactions and relationship with Snake was really well done and really nuanced in an interesting way. This was a super compelling horror novel, and one that I know our teens (and adults alike!) will thoroughly enjoy.

I'm a big fan of Jessica Lewis' debut Bad Witch Burning so I was excited for Monstrous. This book was a wild ride!
The main character Latavia is a relatable main character who is struggling to navigate complex family issues. I enjoyed her interaction with her friends in the book and how she leveraged those friendships in the book's central conflict. Have you ever rooted for a villain? I loved Latavia's relationship with Snake. The tension, the stakes, the action...all kept me uneasy as I read this twisty horror. Thank you to Delacorte Press and Net Galley for the e-arc. Highly recommend!

I started this a while ago and unfortunately I have no desire to continue, nor do I want to reread the ~15% I read at first. It just isn't the book for me at this time - it may well be one I come back to at a later date but I can't in all good faith say that I will, so it's time to let it go.

I was so excited to get an ARC of Monstrous! Shout out to Delacorte Press and NetGalley! This book has everything I want in a story: spooky woods, a small town, queer characters, and a mystery to solve. If you're looking for a book that'll hook you from the first page, this is the one to pick up! Jessica Lewis has a talent for making the reader feel uneasy in the best way. I can't wait to recommend Monstrous when it comes out!

Monstrous follows 17-year-old Latavia, trapped in the small town of Sanctum with her aunt and cousin, Jade. But not everything in Sanctum is as it seems, and danger lurks around every corner.

After devouring Jessica Lewis’ debut novel Bad Witch Burning, I was so excited to get an ARC of Monstrous. Overall, the concept was good and I enjoyed the novel a lot.

I especially loved the voice of our narrator and protagonist. As a 17-year-old, Latavia’s voice comes across as such and keeps a realistic element to the novel. Her character and motives play into the storyline so well. Along with Jade and Allison, you get a true trio of friends facing their teenage struggles while also fighting a true monster. I love the uniqueness of each girl and how their stories come together to tie them together. The book is well written and the narration is perfect for keeping you on your toes.

I did find I struggled with how naive the monster felt for a centuries old being. It held the plot back from being as good as it could have been. I wish there had been more backstory on the monster than what we got, but what we did get was satisfying for the story as it was. There definitely could have been more of a buildup to the main plot of the story to really establish characters and place, with less time spent on the unrelated situations. I wanted a more satisfying ending too.

This book was spooky, creepy and definitely goes bump in the night.

Latavia was grateful when her aunt allowed her to stay the summer, but the rules that the whole town abides by are driving her crazy. There is a huge secret and it has to do with the RedWood forest, and the creepy pastor. Everything is taken out of her control when the townspeople turn on her. She can either get revenge or become a victim.

I think I enjoyed this more than Bad Witch Burning.

I like the horror aspect in this book, and while the monster definitely wasn't what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his character.

There were a lot of twists in this that I didn't see coming, and even the ones I did see were executed in a very satisfying way.

I do wish there wasn't a romance subplot in here though. I feel like anytime there's a romance in YA horror, it tends to detract from the main plot of the book. I kinda felt like it was a bit forced in here, and while I could see why Latavia liked Allison so much, I couldn't really see why Allison liked Latavia. It just didn't work for me tbh.

Other than that, I had a really good time with this book. I loved the way certain deaths happened and how Latavia seemed to really lean into her murderous side.

The ending worked for me as well. I liked open endings in my horror, and while this book did end in that way, I wouldn't be adversed against a sequel. Especially one that might follow the story of a certain crow that's mentioned in the book.

I really hope Jessica Lewis continues writing more horror, because she definitely has a knack for it

Having read Bad Witch Burning, I was ecstatic to see that we’d be getting another Jessica Lewis YA novel! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Monstrous, follows the story of Latavia, who’s staying at her aunt’s house, in Sanctum, counting down the days until she’s college bound on a track and field scholarship.

Sanctum’s cozy and all, but living with her aunt is very constraining. So many rules to follow, like don’t stay out past dark, go straight home after the funerals — gosh do they have a lot of those — and the weirdest of them all : Don’t go into the Red Wood, a refrain uttered even from the pulpit.

So even though she’s only been in Sanctum for only a few weeks, things are starting to look a little strange to her. Loud rattles in the night, locals whispering about sulfur and full moons and nice little old ladies dropping like flies into close casket funerals, their ‘sacrifice’ being praised.

The story quickly unravels everything Latavia ever thought she knew, about the world and most importantly about herself. Will she find the strength to return, or will she embrace it and become something monstrous?

With typical Lewis flair, we get a twist filled mystery, good doggos, femme rage and some sapphic cuddles!

I definitely recommend this for teens especially those who like their stories off the beaten path, and don’t mind a bit of horror and finding friends in unexpected places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-ARC. I am obsessed with this book. This is my first read by Ms. Lewis, and it certainly will not be my last. Formal review will be available on GoodReads, socials & Amazon.

This book was wonderful. I like that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next. It was filled with twists and turns and a good bit of humor. I loved the relationship between Tavia and Snake. I’ve never read Bad Witch Burning but I’m rubbing to check it out since I enjoyed this read so much.

Monstrous by Jessica Lewis was an astonishing story.

This was such a fantastic read, I loved the characters and storytelling aspect was so well done.
Latavia, was a great character. I enjoyed following this journey with her and being in Sanctum, Alabama.
Jessica Lewis has woven a tale that is engaging, atmospheric, and so stinking bingeable!
The atmosphere is thoughtfully crafted, and truly spellbinding.
I was completely addicted to this book and couldn’t stop thinking about it whenever I wasn’t reading.
This book did not disappoint!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Delacorte Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

When Latavia is forced to spend the Summer with her aunt in a creepy small town, she discovers that this town has secrets, and that something is living in the woods. Will Latavia make it out of this town alive?

This author’s previous novel, Bad Witch Burning is one of my favorite books of all time! And I have been waiting on Monstrous for so long! I loved the characters! Our main character Latavia was incredibly relatable and she really deserved better! And I also LOVED the monster that was living in the woods. He was such a sweetie pie when he wasn’t eating people! I also loved the puppies! One thing about Jessica Lewis, she’s gonna add lovable animals to her books and I love her for it! I also appreciated that this had mental health representation!

I did expect this to be darker and more intense though. From the description I was expecting horror and it definitely feels more fantasy with some murderous elements. Also, the story picked up really quick in the beginning but it got slow after that. I think either more should’ve happened in the amount of pages it had OR it should’ve been a shorter book. And based on the way this book ended, I feel like this might become a series and I was expecting a standalone. It didn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but a large part of the conflict wasn’t handled at the end and it was alluded to that that conflict would be handled later. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book if this becomes a series, but I still feel unsatisfied with the ending, especially if it really is a standalone.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot! There were some things I would’ve changed, but it was definitely enjoyable and I can’t wait to read even more of Jessica Lewis’ work!

Thank you Random House Children’s and NetGalley for this arc! All opinions are my own.

TW: parental abandonment, domestic abuse, child abuse, homophobia, fatphobia, suicidal thoughts

I had enjoyed Bad Witch Burning a lot and was excited to read the next book from Jessica Lewis, this worked well with what I was looking for. The story worked well and I enjoyed how good the story was written. The cover was what drew me in and it worked so well overall. Jessica Lewis has a great style for this type of book and I can't wait for more.

"Allison sighs heavily. “Okay. Okay, hang on. I gotta get some stuff.” She hurries to her room, rummages around for a few seconds, then comes back with a black notebook. She sits across from me and Jade and places the book on the table in front of her. It’s old, worn leather, and the pages are yellowed with age. Allison looks at me and Jade, her expression grave."

I was so excited for this book after having read Bad Witch Burning and as soon as I saw the premise of Monstrous I knew I needed to read it.

And I hate that I’m a little disappointed in this ending. Overall this is a really great book examining how often humans are the real monsters and a young girl who keeps getting hurt finally finding her power in being monstrous. There are so many great emotional beats and complex bonds between the characters,

The ending, though, has the kind of open-endedness that can work really well but mostly in a series (which this may turn out to be, but also it felt like a conclusion). I think I’m especially sad about how the bonds Latavia has with Jade, her cousin, and Allison, her crush, end up working out. This doesn’t end with any kind of HEA/HFN, and I think that disappointed me in big ways because Avie and Allison worked so hard to get together, but in the end it can’t be. I think in the end, the ending doesn’t feel hopeful to me. And I know this is a horror book! But it’s more an exploration of what makes a monster than something creepy and dreadful, so the ending just didn’t end up working for me.

I’d still recommend this book and I love the characters and Latavia’s personal development, and I cannot wait to see what Jessica Lewis will write next, but this is definitely not my favorite.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The plot itself was really good and the story pulled you in. I did think the dialogue and a lot of the character interactions were very akwardly written and forced, but that improved a bit as the book went on. There were also a surplus of dividing comments and character descriptions, which was unpalatable. Side note: that was the most awkward "getting together" scene ever. Very cringey and not how I was expecting it to go, especially after the nice build up. The story picked up very quickly and was action-packed and twisty. Once it got moving, it pulled you in and had fast pacing throughout, which was great. The story itself was really great and I didn't want to put it down. I liked the blend of realistic scenario and fantasy, as well as the sapphic aspects and cult vibes.