⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

The Monstrous Kind is a gothic, mysterious romantasy that hooks the reader from the first page.

I had a great time with this one. It was haunting, romantic, and very entertaining. It had me guessing and smirking with its stunningly atmospheric prose and beautiful scenes. I was able to guess many of the big reveals at the end, but I still had a fun time with the mystery. This story had so many fun elements, and I cannot wait to read more of Lydia’s work.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!

Lydia Gregovic's debur novel has an intricate world-building, suspenseful plot, and compelling characters. Set in a dystopian England plagued by toxic fog and monstrous creatures known as Phantoms, the story follows Merrick Darling, a young woman who must confront her family's secrets and the darkness lurking in her own heart. Merrick's life takes a dramatic turn when her father dies unexpectedly, forcing her to return to her childhood home, Norland House. There, she discovers that her once-strong sister, Essie, has become withdrawn and fearful. As attacks on the province's borders intensify, Merrick and Essie find themselves trapped in a world of danger and uncertainty. The novel's strength lies in its atmospheric setting. Gregovic paints a vivid picture of a world where the toxic fog has transformed the landscape into a terrifying and unpredictable place. The Phantoms, with their grotesque forms and deadly venom, pose a constant threat to the inhabitants. However, as Merrick delves deeper into the secrets of her family and the other Manor Lords, she realizes that the true monsters may not be the ones lurking in the fog.
Merrick is a complex and relatable protagonist. Her journey from a sheltered and privileged existence to a world of danger and intrigue is both compelling and heartbreaking. She grapples with her own prejudices and fears, and her determination to protect her sister drives her to make difficult choices. Gregovic's writing is both lyrical and suspenseful. She deftly weaves together elements of fantasy, horror, and mystery, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of dystopian fiction, fantasy, and suspense.

I was interested right from the title and cover. Then add in the romantasy and monsters and I was hooked.

Right from the first page, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. I loved everything about this.

The world-building was fantastic, and it had the perfect gothic feel.

This was the author’s first book, and it was fantastic. You could tell, that she put a lot of time, effort and thought into this! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

this book cover is gorgeous but i didn't love it as much as the cover art. it was ok and i liked the characters, but the writing was a bit off for me and im not super into history

it was a dark and twisted tale, filled with angst and paired with chilly & mysterious atmosphere. I love the writing style and how each character personalities were portrayed, especially Killian (he is such a dear must be protected at all cost). I also love Merrick as a lead, also Estella and Ames and actually everything about this book!

This was such a good book! I really love this author so I was so excited to get to read this book. The plot was so good I could not put it down until I finished! The characters were unique and I loved the journey and turmoil they went through. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.