Inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, A Monstrous Kind is a regency England romantasy that will keep you hooked. Essie and Merrick Darling are Manorborn ladies who are charged with keeping their estate safe when the mist threatens to bring vicious monsters into their home.

I enjoyed myself with this one and ended up binging the first half and the second half pretty quickly in a couple of sittings. Merrick is a very likable character and the plot is fast-moving enough that I kept finishing a chapter and would immediately move into the next. I do feel like A Monstrous Kind felt a little bit like most of the romantasy books that I’ve read but I think that’s exactly what you want with that particular subgenre. Would definitely recommend!

Y’all I have not read Sense and Sensibility. Don’t come at me! So I went into this book with no idea what might happen. Really enjoyed the gothic vibes with a touch of romance. Overall a great read!

Good gothic vibes. Sprinkled with romance and polictal aspects. This books was good. From the very beginning had me hooked. Look forward to reading more from this author

I was definitely a fan of this book overall, way more than I was of "Sense and Sensibility." Good plot, interesting characters, kept me engaged and intrigued. Only had a few issues though, one being that I didn’t like NOT being told that this was the first book in a series. I thought this was a one off book and was reading it as such, thus I was disappointed in the ending and the fact that there is more to come. I appreciate that there is more to come, but I would have appreciated knowing that up front.

The one thing that almost kept me from continuing on with the book, once I had gotten over the fact that it was written in the Jane Austen era style/manner of writing, was having an overabundance of similes and metaphors. It was distracting and happened way too much. The meat of the sentence was at the beginning, and often times, halfway through the comparison I had forgotten what the first half of the sentence had told me because the comparison was too excessive and wordy. I didn’t mind having the comparisons here and there, but some were used more than once, which was annoying, and others were way too obvious. Example: digging of nails into one’s palms and leaving marks like crescent moons. So obvious. Will never not be obvious. Be better, Ms. Gregovic. Comparisons like that are just not needed. I want a comparison I never would have thought of, one that makes the image pop and really stick out in my mind.

A good first book, and I am certainly eager to read the next one. I like the world Ms. Gregovic has created, and I’m excited to find out what happens to Merrick next.

Overall I don’t think this book was for me. I was originally quite intrigued by the concept and the description but I found myself not quite feeling fulfilled by the execution. It entirely could be my interests have changed but overall currently I think this wasn’t a match for me. I will hopefully attempt this again in the future and will therefore save on doing a public review until then.

This book was a beautiful mixture of Gothic mystery and regency romance. I really enjoyed the environment that was created, it was dark and dangerous feeling from the very beginning, and housed so many secrets. The mystery unraveled so slowly, with wonderful twists and revelations. The behaviors and societal descriptions were very much like a regency romance, very uptight and strict, and noting all the things that were improper.

Overall, it was a very engrossing read, lots of mystery and investigation with just a hint of romance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Monstrous Kind’s marketing (along with the circular “romantasy” social media discourse) confirms that we collectively need to decide what “romantasy” even is, so that a subset of readers stop getting burned. It’s valid to acknowledge that any books with even a hint of kissing get raked over the coals by certain subsets of “mainstream” fantasy readers, but as someone who goes into romantasy with the expectation that it’s interchangeable with fantasy romance, ans should follow romance and fantasy genre conventions, this book was one of several that disappointed me.
As a fantasy, it’s great, as there are some great ideas in the world building. I love the translation of the Regency England social strata and how the division of the land into great Manor Houses plays into that.
Merrick is an ok lead, and I can see the parallels with the rather naive Marianne Dashwood in her. She’s not really a super proactive character, which while in keeping with her original book counterpart, didn’t make her all that interesting to follow. I was somewhat interested in her connection to the politics of the world, especially with her and Estella vying to be the Manor Lord, but even that was kind of underwhelming. I also really wasn’t a fan of the way the sister relationship was shifted, with her and Estella not being close. Elinor and Marianne of the original obviously had their differences, but they loved each other, which was the whole point of the source material.
Killian Brandon was…there, I guess? I can see what Gregovic was trying to do, as the Brandon of Sense and Sensibility doesn’t have much of a dynamic arc, either, but Austen wrote him in a compelling way. Add to the fact that the romance often felt like a subplot, which again is true for Sense and Sensibility, but I didn’t feel like the romance here was well-fleshed-out. And that brings me back to the question of whether this was a romantasy at all, because it didn’t give me the “romance” feels, even if it technically had romance elements.
While I wasn’t a fan of this book, I like Lydia Gregovic’s style and would read something else from her. And while I’d caution those who come to” romantasy” for the romance that you might not get what you’re looking for, I’d recommend it for readers who enjoy the flavor of “romantasy” that is more fantasy-focused with a romance subplot.

I was hooked immediately by the premise of 'The Monstrous Kind' and was eagerly waiting for the book's release. Set in Regency London, hints of Sense and Sensibility, and something for spooky season. After reading, I'm very conflicted about this book. I started to write this review with an initial 3 stars but I'm bumping it down to 2.5 stars.

Believe me I love a gothic aesthetic, flowery word flow (the descriptions in this book are on another level), a little nod to regency matchmaking with the 'Toast'. But I can't reiterate this enough: the pacing was very painful. This was such a slow read, and it took a very long time for the true plot of the book to unfurl. It needed serious tightening up.

While I understand the need to build the fantasy-world for a reader (there's a lot that we need to learn before the story really kicks in), this one felt like pulling teeth. I was inundated with so much lore that honestly, at some point it pulled me out of the book. I was just not invested in it and felt the set up could've been done better.

The same could be said for character choices and development. I see the potential, it's right there...but it needs serious work.

I really wanted to enjoy this book and I'm really sad that I didn't. It always hurts me as a reader when I have to send these types of review, but I hope you read the book and make your own judgements.

I want to thank Penguin Teen Canada, for providing an ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Crimson Peak is one of my favorite movies, and this gave me that good Gothic energy in spades. While it took me a few tries to get through the first five percent (due to my issues with the prose; see below), once this sunk its hooks in me it was pretty easy to tear through the rest of it in a day. Great spooky, fog-laden vibes; I particularly enjoyed the dialogue, the ball/dance scene, and the various politicking between members of the Manor families.

The main issue for me with this book was the prose itself. It is badly overwritten. There are so, so, SO many similes and metaphors. Practically every single sentence gets a simile or two tagged onto the end, and while many of them are gorgeous; others are really just...not good. And I say this as someone who loves ornate prose! It seems this was a choice made to try and cultivate a Gothic atmosphere, but it was clumsily done, to the point that it detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise great story. I think my stance on it overall is this: the author is immensely talented BUT also the book was sorely in need of an editor more willing to tell Gregovic to kill her darlings. I'd estimate a solid two-thirds of the similes could have (and perhaps should have) been cut.

Overall, I'd give this a 3.5. I really would like to rate it higher, but the constant metaphors were simply too much. That said, I'd still recommend it to people who are looking for a fun, spooky read this October, and for fans of Crimson Peak in particular.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for this eARC. Wow. This book was puzzling and mysterious and beautiful and haunting. It was everything I was hoping for and more. Gregovic debuted with a bang and left us all hoping for more. She sets up a stunning narrative with is foundation in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility but adds her own monstrous twist. By the time I reached the 50% mark of the book I could not put it down. Gregovic masterfully misdirects the reader at every turn so at no point could you guess what was coming next. This was absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This book is gothic and atmospheric with a intriguing story. Unfortunately, it looks like they're marketing it wrong. I would not consider this romantacy. So if it interests you, maybe take a closer look at reviews to decide if it is right for you because you'll be disappointed if you're expecting more romance.

After the death of her father, Merrick Darling, the youngest of one of the most powerful Manorborn families in Britain, is returning to her family home after all but running away several months ago. Anticipating a less than happy reunion with her old sister she is immediately surprised not just by the lack of her sisters anger but the disturbing change that has come over not just her sister but the entirety of her families seat Sussex. As on of the twelve Manorborn families the Darlings have been tasked by the gods to protect the people of Britain against the terrifying fog that has taken over the country, turning all that breath it in into blood thirsty monsters, however, almost immediately upon returning home Merrick realizes that her family has been failing in their duty. Breaches are happening with alarming consistency with even her own families' Sentries being Turned. As Merrick confronts her families failures, she discovers that she had never really known anything about her family and the secrets that they have been keeping are far more deadly than the fog has ever been.

After reading this, I think calling this a Gothic horror is a little bit of a stretch. Are there monsters? Yes. Are they scary? Meh. Is it a pretty huge plothole that there are all of these people running around with immunity who haven't just gone through the fog got on a boat and went to find help from other countries? Most definitely. In terms of horror, it's just meh. Which I would be annoyed with if this didn't just shine as a courtly drama with a very straightforward commentary on lengths those in power will go to keep that power. The entire story really just revolves around a group of Aristocrats who have spent centuries oppressing a commoner population while stabbing each other in the back. And while much of that portion of the story is predictable, I found that the way Gregovic misdirects the reader over and over again creates a knot that was truly enjoyable to unravel.

In terms of characters the one thing I truly enjoyed is that Gregovic would introduce a character that upon first glance was just a perfectly done trope, or they appeared to be, when later on you realize that these characters were purposely written this way as part of the aforementioned misdirection. Especially Cressida and Tom, these two characters are a cleverly written misdirect that you can never really work out clearly until really the end of the book. Because of this, I found them to be slightly more enjoyable than some of the other side characters. The other thing I really enjoyed with these characters is the fact that pretty much everyone is a bad guy. I swear there's only four characters who are truly decent human beings in this. Everyone else is either a murderer or just a rich asshole manipulating everyone around them. And they are all that kind of evil that is elevated not because they do something truly horrible it's the fact that what they do is so self-serving it's infuriating. It's genuinely like when you read an article and you find out some corporation that makes billions a year has decided to cut everyone back to part time so they don't have to offer health insurance. It's that kind of utter disregard for those they feel that are beneath evil that makes you want to punch every single one of these villains in the throat.

World building was fantastic as well, except for the whole immunity/why the hell hasn't someone with immunity just *left* and found help thing. I also wish we had more information about the Triple Gods (I think they were called the Triple Gods, it's something like that it's 2am and my Kindle just died so can't look it up) it seems to be that this Britain had been Christian (or something similar) before the Fog appears and then all of a sudden thred Gods show up and save the day. But there's never really an explanation of where they came from.

But, the one thing I absolutely loved about this is that it's supposedly a YA, and it does not at any point read like a YA. The plot, the characters, everything is far more sophisticated and intricate than most (if not all) YA novels I've read. So if you're like me and hesitate to read anything with the YA sticker on it, this is one book that I'd say take the leap and read it.

My only complaint with this is Merrick. Merrick is most definitely supposed to be the young, naive, hot-headed, and unfairly beautiful little sister. And for the most part, I enjoyed it, especially her internal debates. She recognizes when she's being childish or overreacting or has made a really, really bad decision. But, there are times that it was like "Omg she can not possibly be that stupid!" Like that naivety which is understandable in many situations crosses the line into the standard tropey blonde female character in a horror movie where she runs into a dead end to get away from the monster/killer and can't figure out how she went so wrong when she literally could have ran out the front door a million times. And to be honest, it simply doesn't fit this character, so it wasn't just annoying it was jarring.

Overall, even though this wasn't the Gothic horror I was hoping for, I definitely would say it's an excellent Gothic Thriller/Courtly Drama. And if those aren't real genres, I don't care. I just made them up. And regardless of how weak I found the horror side of things I still think this will appeal to those who enjoy Gothic horror novels and would definitely recommend it to them, while I also believe that if your thing is Courtly Drama this would be right up your alley.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Randomhouse Children's for the eArc!

First of all, this book is sold as something it most certainly isn’t. The Monstrous Kind can in no way be considered either a romantasy nor a Sense and Sensibility retelling (loose or not). That being said, it isn’t actually bad at what it does. It should be merchandised as a YA gothic mystery novel and I’m sure it would be well received by that genre audience…which is unfortunately not me.
The overall plot and the world building were the highlight of the novel. I founded it both intriguing and unique. The author does a good job of explaining the details of the setting without overwhelming the reader. Moreover, the prose itself is atmospheric and engaging.
However, the characters were extremely one dimensional and unlikeable to an extreme, especially the protagonist. It is one thing to be a flawed protagonist, Merrick was insufferable. There’s very little character development that actually makes sense to me.

If you're looking for a romantasy, this is not it. There is almost no romance in this book and basically none for the first 50%. I was disappointed.

I probably would have liked this more if it hadn't been marketed as a romantasy.

I read the whole book because I was interested enough in the mystery to find out if my guesses were correct (they were). It’s YA level predictable, which is fine bc it’s a ya book.

I think some ppl will really enjoy this, but I just couldn’t get excited about it. I felt like it tried really hard to have all the vibes and atmosphere with descriptive prose but instead felt overwritten.

The stakes didn’t feel high enough, the romance was not at all appealing, the fmc is pretty boring, and I was bored.

I do think the story itself was pretty cool, but execution fell flat.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book had an Regency-era atmosphere (reminded me a bit of Bridgerton) with some fantasy/paranormal spice thrown in. Lydia Gregovic is a wonderful writer. The prose for the story was hauntingly beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her debut novel.

The story follows Merrick, an Archdaughter, on her path to discovering the truth about her family and the Graylands. Each time I thought I had something figured out, a twist was thrown my way that I didn't see coming. But the execution was amazing! They weren't twists just for the sake of shaking things up, but were thought out and aligned with the story. I enjoyed the unfolding of this story, and marveled at the world building.

A review of this book is incomplete without mentioning the characters. I liked Merrick (the FMC) from the beginning. Her backstory is well laid out and the character growth is superb. But all the supporting characters were also so well developed! Killian...just read it so you can meet him.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC!

Step into the luscious, haunting world of “The Monstrous Kind.” Upon receiving the news of her father’s demise, Merrick must return home to her family’s ruling manor after having run away months before. She returns to find phantoms plaguing her homeland and a mysterious new sentry. I was immediately drawn into the author’s writing style and world-building. The fantasy twist on a Jane Austen English setting was intriguing. The court intrigue, family dynamics, romance, and mystery were all twisty elements in the plot.

This was such a great debut; I cannot wait to see what Lydia Gregovic writes next!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

*The Monstrous Kind* combines atmospheric Regency romance with haunting fantasy in a captivating twist on the beloved classic *Sense and Sensibility*. Set in a vividly imagined England where deadly monsters and societal pressures intermingle, this novel offers a compelling blend of romantic intrigue and dark fantasy that will delight fans of *House of Salt and Sorrows* and *Anatomy: A Love Story*.

In this reimagined Regency era, Merrick Darling enjoys a privileged life as the daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex, safely shielded from the toxic fog that has plagued England for generations. Unlike the common folk, she remains immune to the horrific transformation into a Phantom, a monstrous creature that prowls the borders of her province. However, Merrick’s secure existence is threatened when her father’s sudden death forces her to return to her childhood home, Norland House, and confront the grim reality of her family’s estate.

The once idyllic Darling estate has become a battleground, with the encroaching fog and failing fires leaving Merrick and her elder sister, Essie, increasingly vulnerable. Essie, who once commanded strength and confidence, now appears withdrawn and fearful. As the attacks by the Phantoms escalate and the fog tightens its grip, the sisters find themselves facing not only supernatural threats but also the scheming eyes of the other Manor Lords who are keen to exploit any sign of weakness.

Merrick's return to Norland House reveals a world far more perilous than she anticipated. The stakes are high as she grapples with the possibility of her sister’s disappearance and the dangerous political landscape that threatens their very survival. The novel deftly weaves together themes of loyalty, trust, and the quest for power, all while maintaining a romantic tension that adds depth to the characters' struggles.

*The Manor of Shadows* excels in its atmospheric world-building, capturing the gothic allure of the Regency setting with a chilling fantasy twist. The interplay between the lush, romantic elements and the dark, foreboding presence of the Phantoms creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge. The novel’s blend of romance and fantasy is executed with elegance, ensuring that fans of both genres will find much to enjoy.

With its richly detailed setting, intricate plot, and well-drawn characters, *The Manor of Shadows* is a must-read for those who enjoy a blend of historical romance and dark fantasy. The novel is a testament to the power of genre fusion, offering a thrilling and immersive reading experience that will linger long after the final page.

A wonderful Sense and Sensibility retelling that will leave readers wanting more! I couldn't put the book down! It had mystery, romance, atmosphere, and wonderful characters. I was charmed by the story and enthralled by the way the author wove it together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random Hose Children for this arc! It will be available 9/3/24!

Okay Ms Gregovic I see you! This took Jane Austen’s novel of Sense and Sensibility and gave it a monstrous twist that honestly intrigued and delighted me. Its characters are well written, plot is fast paced and easy to follow. I truly dig it!

DNF (But I may revisit this book and try again at a later date)
I tried. I really tried. I tried picking it up on three separate occasions to give it a chance because on paper it was so up my alley. A Jane Austen retelling but make it more gothic. And it was recommended by Erin A Craig, whose books I am obsessed with. Unfortunately, even getting through chapter one was painful. When you break it down, it had the right parts for a chapter one, it was on the cusp of things, yet it's lacking that spark of life to capture me. I think the main issue was with our main character/narrator. The most important thing for a chapter one is to convince the reader to care about your narrator and why we should follow along on their journey, and I was not convinced. I actually was mildly annoyed with her, and not in a fun way. I think the other issue was that the first chapter was way too long. The length actually may not have been a problem if something was actually happening. Yes I know her carriage eventually was attacked, but 98% of that chapter was her info dumping the world to us. But I gave it another chance, hoping maybe things could change with chapter two. It didn't. We still had too many aside info dumpings.
I do want to give this book another chance at a later date, recognizing that I am in a mild reading slump. I also recognize that this particular style of writing, which comes across as sort of novice to me, would not have bothered me if I was reading it when I was fifteen and not as well-versed in the world of reading, and the world of reading YA. While I struggled with this, I do encourage others to give it chance. It may be for you, even if it wasn't for me right now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's- Ballantine for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.