A gothic historical fantasy romance inspired by Sense and Sensibility complete with deadly fog monsters, manor politics, and forbidden romance. Merrick Darling is the daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex and all her life she's been pitted against her sister to inherit the title of Manor Lord, yet when her father tells her she'll never inherit it she leaves in hopes of finding a marriage that will help her. She lives in an England where there is a mysterious fog that turns people into Phantoms, monstrous creatures that are barely being contained. The Manor Lords must protect the lands and keep these monsters out... but things are only going to get worse when Merrick's father suddenly dies and Merrick is forced to return home. Merrick returns home to find that her sister has become withdrawn and frightened and the fog is beginning to close in. More people are being turned and Merrick knows things are only going to get worse. When her sister is kidnapped, Merrick is determined to find her but when she gets the truth will she be able to handle it? Merrick must also deal with three different suitors... one who is perfect on paper, one who has a secret past connected to her sister, and one who is wholly not suited for her yet she can't help being drawn to. Who will she end up with? This was definitely a unique twist on the classic Jane Austen story and I loved the incorporation of a gothic/fantasy into the story. The romance was light and the mystery had a lot of fun twist and turns. This was a really fun read for the autumn season and one I'd recommend for anyone looking for a gothic fantasy!

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

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

*I received this book (Via eArc by Netgalley) for free from the Publisher ( Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press ) in exchange for an honest review*

The Monstrous Kind is a brilliant fusion of classic literature, fantasy, and a dash of horror that left me utterly spellbound. This unique retelling of Sense and Sensibility is unlike anything I've read before, blending the familiar with the fantastical in a way that feels fresh and exciting. From the very first page, the mystery surrounding Essie's disappearance had me hooked. I was completely engrossed in trying to unravel the web of secrets and deceit, staying up all night to figure out who was behind Merrick's sister's disappearance. The story is filled with phantoms, ghosts, and monsters, adding an eerie and thrilling layer to the narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author masterfully keeps the reader guessing, with twists and turns that made it impossible to put the book down. The characters are richly drawn, and the dark, atmospheric setting adds to the suspense and intrigue. The Monstrous Kind is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a novel that combines the best elements of classic literature with the excitement of fantasy and horror.

Thank you so much to [ Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press ] and NetGalley for the ARC

4 stars
——————

I just finished this and ran to review it because what a debut.

The writing in this is beautifully descriptive, if not too much so. The plot is really well thought out and executed. This idea of competing manors, against each other while battling a common foe, was really interesting to see play out. The world building of the houses was really good. The early establishing of the manors was a nice touch to this building. The setting is eerie and mysterious, with just a touch of reality to ground it. The setting is fleshed out through the book in the perfect pacing to allow the reader to know what they need to know exactly when they need to know it. The pacing of the actual plot was a touch slow, but once it picked up, it was impossible for me to put this book down. I never quite knew what was coming next, which is something I really love in books. I never saw that twist coming.

Our cast of characters are really well written. Merck comes across as so shallow and naive in the beginning, but you can see she’s not either. I loved watching her character play out against the plot. And against Killian. I loved the evolution of Killian and his story. The little bit of romance was a bit sudden to me, but I was absolutely rooting for them.

I’m really excited for the sequel of this one.

Lyrical and atmospheric with the slowest of slow burn romances, this gothic, regency-inspired fantasy will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat.

When Merrick's father declared that she would never inherit his Manor or his title, she headed off to New London to create a new path for herself apart from her family. She never imagined that she'd be forced to return so quickly or that her father would be dead when she did. She abandons her life in New London to help her sister establish herself as the new Manor Lord of Sussex.

When she arrives at Darling Manor, she finds that things deteriorated quickly in her absence. Her sister appears sickly and afraid, and there are threats all around. The mist and it's dangers creep ever closer, threatening the common people and, in turn, threatening her sister's grip on power. It seems that someone is working against them, but who? And how long can they hold off the dead that wander hungry and desperate through the mists?

I loved this book. It perfectly brings together elements of gothic fantasy and mystery with dash of romance and some horror elements. Its expertly done, and the writing is just gorgeous.

I've seen a few outlets refer to The Monstrous Kind as romantasy, and I think that's a mistake. This book has a romantic vibe, but at its core, it's more fantasy than romance. There is romance, but it's not central enough to the plot to be romantasy. It's more dark fantasy with a sprinkle of romance, and it's EXCELLENT.

I highly recommend this for readers who love the writing of Ava Reid, classic gothic novels with a fantasy twist, and stories that are, at their heart, about the person you become when you stop letting other people decide who you should be.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I loved this one, it was so fun and I enjoyed the gothic regency location mixed the horror and monsters. It was a great, unique play on Sense & Sensibility, and I honestly haven't read anything quite like it before.

Merrill and her sister Essie want to keep their manor. They both think they deserve the title, but that’s hard to do when at the boarder of their province is a toxic fog with monsters lurking. There are stings of attacks and the fog encroaching on her home that have her geared to fight for what’s hers.

This is definitely a gothic take on Jane Austen. It’s very moody and unique in its own. The story is a slow build of learning the estates and characters, mixed with some historical history. It also has a mix of ‘The Mist’ with a mist involved that turns people into zombie like monsters. Almost like Pride Prejudice and Zombies.

It was so imaginative and different than some books I’ve read. Like I said it is a bit slow but it definitely kept my attention and wasn’t hard to follow. I also loved the sister’s personalities and how they each want what’s best for themselves in a world that’s gone to literal hell.

All in all, it’s an enjoyable YA story with mystery and predictability mixed in.

A competent debut, swirling with gothic ambience!

Inspired by Sense and Sensibility, I loved the premise of tempestuous Merrick coming home to her serene sister, Estella, in the wake of their father’s tragic death. Now orphaned, the two must navigate their world, where the monsters of polite society may pose a greater risk than the Phantoms lurking in the mist.

The world-building was excellent. Regency-era England, locked in a prison of fog that teems with monsters. Entering the fog dooms one to become one of the cannibalistic Phantoms, unless you have the protection of Manorborn blood. This ruling class of families plots, manipulates, grasps, and betrays as one would expect!

While the world was perfectly illustrated, I would have liked to see more focus on the characters. Unlike many reviewers, I was fine with the romance plot taking a backseat to the action. However, the relationship between Essie and Merrick warranted a bit more exploration, and every page that didn’t feature Killian suffered for his absence.

The writing is immersive, painting pictures and conveying emotion with ease. I’m a fan of lyrical works, though this leaned a bit heavily on similes. There were times I would have liked to see the action proceed more quickly. I was fully engaged when events were unfolding, but sometimes felt a desire to skim along the way to the next phase.

A moody, atmospheric tale that does justice to its Austen roots, the ending implies a sequel and I absolutely plan to pick it up!

I think a book "inspired by" Sense & Sensibility should hold some passing resemblance to the theme, message, a character, something, from the source material. Yes, there is a Brandon. The manor is referred to as Norland House. The woods are Barton Woods. One man is referred to as a willoughby. But, that is it. Now, if that is all you need, this a decent 3 star fantasy read. Two sisters, only one will inherit the Manor and the other needs to marry well. Even in a fantasy book that is the lot of women. The youngest daughter is bitterly disappointed to find out she will not be the next Manor Lord so takes off for new London to find a rich husband. She returns when her father dies a few months later. There is mist that is deadly and phantoms that come from the mist that deadly. Her carriage is attacked on her journey home and a man with a familiar name saves her. Her sister seems different, afraid of everything and everyone. Her cousin and his wife have taken over the house and her sister goes missing. She is courted by the son of the nearby manor home. Nobody is really looking for the sister. Why isn't anyone looking for the sister? There is political intrigue and a great secret that those in power are not sharing. Thank you to Net Galley #netgalley and Random House for my advance reader copy of #themonstrouskind

The Monstrous Kind
By: Lydia Gregovic
YA Title: Recommended: 12& up but great for Adults

Stars: 4 Stars
Format: E-Book

Review: Let’s talk about this book, which is nothing short of mesmerizing. If you’re someone who sometimes judges a book by its cover, then consider this one a triumph. As for the story itself… I was unexpectedly enthralled. I began with minimal expectations, but the narrative quickly exceeded them in the most thrilling way.

What a captivating and eerie tale it turned out to be! The setting, dark-enchanting, and unique magic system are nothing short of lovely. This book is a gem for anyone craving an innovative fantasy read. Drawing inspiration from Austen's Sense and Sensibility, it weaves a regency fantasy imbued with a chilling gothic atmosphere.

Imagine a world shrouded in a persistent, ghostly fog, with dilapidated, haunted homes and monstrous creatures prowling the edges of the provinces—utterly spine-tingling! The families and provinces, each with distinct traits and abilities, are introduced at the beginning, setting a solid foundation for the grim and atmospheric narrative that follows.

Pros: Atmospheric, Gothic, Eerie, and laced with Mystery and Intrigue. This book has it all! The pacing is impeccable, and it's an outstanding debut. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel and can’t wait to see where this hauntingly dark journey leads next!

Cons: I believe this book was described as a romantic, and I believe this was more of a Fantasy with a small romance subplot.

Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): Yes, but don't approach this book expecting a romantasy. It’s interesting to note that some readers have compared it to House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin Craig, and I agree—the dark tones are strikingly similar, and I absolutely loved House of Salt and Sorrows! Additionally, the misty atmosphere reminded me of One Dark Window, evoking a similar sense of excitement to that found in the Gillig duology.

Thank you, NetGalley and Delacorte Press, for allowing me the opportunity to review the title.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic is a first person-POV alternative history Regency YA Gothic fantasy. Merrick has spent time in New London along high society but doesn't have an engagement to show for it. When she returns to her family manor after the death of her father to find her sister, Essie, withdrawn and the phantoms creeping closer, she's got a lot more on her plate than finding a husband.

The worldbuilding is so interesting. I've only recently started getting into Gothic and this hit a lot of the buttons that I've started to associate with it. We have phantoms, a manor falling apart, a female lead who constantly feels like everything is slipping away, including what she knows, and we have a dark, rich atmosphere that plays to the genre and time period.

As a lead, Merrick is certainly not dumb, but she is a bit naive. Part of that comes from how several of the men in her life treated her. Her father raised her and Essie almost exactly the same, putting both in the running to inherit the manor, until he told Merrick that she would never have it. On top of that, a potential romance partner or option for fake dating to get the attention of others shows up to Merrick's father's funeral with a fiancee. It makes her a bit jaded as the book goes on, but she never forgets about the things she needs to do to survive.

Between Killian and Ames, the two potential love interests, I liked Killian the best from the beginning. Ames is charming and knows the right things to say, which usually makes me automatically distrust a potential love interest in a Gothic or horror. Killian, on the other hand, is kind of gruff and tells it like it is, but still has his secrets and isn’t totally without his own agenda. Killian also respects Merrick’s autonomy a lot more and seems to listen more to her boundaries.

Content warning for kidnapping and mentions of suicide

I would recommend this to fans of both YA and Gothic fantasy, readers who prefer the Regency period for their historical fiction, and those looking for their next Gothic read that includes phantoms and complicated father-daughter relationships

I honestly had no idea what this book was about, I simply wanted this for the cover but let me tell you, this author right here said I’m going out the gate with action! My mouth was open and I was scrolling through the pages rapidly. Hands down a new favorite.

The Monstrous Kind is the perfect read for fall/spooky season. The back drop of Regency England is fitting for the gothic tale full of complex characters and plot twists that I didn’t see coming. The plot lulls at some points and the romance doesn’t deliver like an expected romantasy, but it was still an enjoyable read!

Thank you again to NetGalley and Random House Children for a chance to read and review an advanced copy of this book!

The Monsterous Kind is a hauntingly atmospheric escape into Regency Era England that ensorcells readers in a creepy battle to get to the bottom or a mystery while holding onto their position as Manor Lord, and not being killed by the dangerous monsters that lurk in the Smoke.

Two sisters, Essie and Merrick, are all that remains of their immediate family and the ever-present Smoke, within which lethally dangerous monsters lurk is spreading for reasons they cannot determine - all while juggling court politics and attempting to figure out who they can trust. Family secrets unravel as they race to solve the mysteries before they lose the position of Manor Lord - or worse, their lives.

📖 I thought the plot was quite good. It's interesting and fun with some twists and turns. Layered nicely and has you guessing at times.

🗺 World building was intricate and well described, bringing all of your senses into the world. Being the first book in a series, a fair bit of time is spent building the world so that you get a fully immersive experience.

⏳️ I felt the pacing was good, but I feel like the gaps between action were a bit too long. It's so beautifully written that I didn't notice initially.

✍️🏼 The prose is truly divine. It's flowery without going into purple, with unique expressions and word choices. Dialogue felt natural. Both flowed well, nice and smooth.

👥️ The characters are well developed with nice arcs and growth. I loved that I could never decide if I loved one character or loved to hate her.

💞 There isn't a lot of romance in this one, so if that's important to you, this may not be something you would enjoy. I enjoyed the SLOW burn and wouldn't have minded a bit more romance, but I enjoyed that aspect as it was.

When I say it's a slow burn, I mean it's a SLOW burn, and I loved that. They get to know one another (as much as Regency Era allowed) before anything more, and I appreciate that. It's been 20+ years since I've read Sense and Sensibility, so I can't say if I could tell the author drew inspo from it. I just don't remember enough to say. I love how descriptive the author is and her style of writing.

I didn't love that some of the twists felt obvious to me. That may be a YA thing? I don't know. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love that aspect. There were a few too many similies for my tastes, even though they were beautifully written. As well as the world was developed, the amount of time spent on it bogged me down a bit reading it. I understand world building is necessary, and to do so intricately takes time, but I feel like it could've been spread through the book more or something.

📚 If you enjoyed Anatomy: A Love Story, House of Salt & Sorrow, House of Marionne, or just enjoy YA Gothic Fantasy, I think you would enjoy this solidly strong start to a series by debut novelist Lydia Gregovic.

I enjoyed it a lot, just didn't quite love it. I'll definitely continue the series, I'm quite interested to see where the story goes. I would love to learn more about the other Manor Lords and their provinces, more on the phantoms and the Smoke in future books in this series.

Thank you to @_lydiagregovic_ @randomhousechildrens @randomhousekids @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. I'm choosing to leave this unbiased review.

This was the perfect spooky fall story, complete with mystery and romance.

It was a bit difficult to understand the world building at first. I got into it about halfway and I’m looking forward to the sequel!

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC and I am leaving this review willingly.

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic
ARC thanks to @netgalley and @delacortepress

From the opening line, this book promises an ominous story and it delivers perfectly. Too spooky to read at night moments, slow burn gothic, mists, phantoms, and twists you don't see coming. This book has the makings of everything I love!

Follow Merrick as she travels back home to Norland House following her father's passing. Quickly, she finds it in a state that isn't what it used to be and discover with her that her father's death might not be what it seems. Pair that with a phantom filled fog threatening their borders and you have the perfect book for spooky season!

I've said it twice now but I must say it again, I highly recommend this book if you love Belladonna, House of Salt and Sorrows, One Dark Window, Nightweaver or A Study in Drowning. I would also now add Rebecca to that list. Put this on your TBRs stat! Pub day is TOMORROW, Sept 3rd!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Historical Fantasy, Regency Fantasy, Historical Romance, Gothic
Audience: Young Adult
Spice Level: Kissing
Language: Some profanity

THE MONSTEROUS KIND is incredibly addicting! I was riveted with the plot and anxious to see what would happen next.

I was so vested in Merrick! The pressure on her is enormous as she has returned home for her father's funeral, and she receives a tense welcome from her family.

Why are certain family members not trustworthy? And what is going on at the borders? Who are these monsters, and why are they attacking? What is the mysterious symbol on the wooden chest? Who can Merrick trust besides her sister?

Truly gripping!

There are a couple of times when Merrick makes questionable decisions. In these cases, I thought her choices served the plot, and I would have liked to have her reasoning bolstered when all instinct told a reasonable person to do something different. Was this a big deal? Not really—I still loved the story.

I think anyone who likes atmospheric reads in a proper society will love this book. Tell me what you think after you read it.

Happy reading!

PS: It gets monstrous bonus points for Jane Austen references!

i’ll start off with a positive: the vibes were immaculate. i loved the atmosphere of the novel! however, i think my expectations were much too high. it was just…bland. there was no flavor! no spice! nothing! i ended up with disappointment and boredom :( AND A LOVE TRIANGLE!

“An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, set in a Regency England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters.”

🥀Deadly mist
🥀Manor-based system of peerage
🥀Gothic x regency
🥀Walking Dead x Bridgerton

This Sense and Sensibility inspired romance is dreamy and gothic at the same time. Anything Austen inspired always piques my interest although it often makes me draw comparisons rather than let a book stand on its own.

I loved the idea of the different manor houses, each with their own reputations and social standing. Merrick Darling’s family are one of the more influential houses, and like the members of the peerage, are immune to the toxic fog that turns people into monstrous creatures. When her family dies, she returns home to find her sister, Essie, withdrawn and scared as the fog starts closing in. I wish we had seen more of the other manor houses and their political machinations to make the world feel a little less insular.

As Merrick investigates her sister’s disappearance, with the help of a guard, Killian, she begins to unravel dark truths. I didn’t know what to make of Merrick. We are told she has a fiery temper but this is never really shown. She is also supposedly the darling of the season in New London, implying she is adept at playing the game and people, but she reads as rather lost for most of the book and is easily misled. Unfortunately, I also didn’t feel much chemistry between any of the romantic interests, although I did quite like Killian.

I mostly struggled with the writing style which felt slightly overwritten with an overuse of similes but I appreciate this is debut. Whilst I found this distracting, the last 15% of the story packed a lot of action in and ended with quite a twist. Based on this, I imagine the sequel will open the world up even further to Merrick and the reader which is promising.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me an early copy of this book.

This is hands down, the perfect fall read, in my opinion.
There was never a dull moment, and right when I thought I could predict what was coming next, everything was turned on it's head! While the character development may seem a bit slow, it is definitely intentional and aids in the pacing of the story. Through and through, I enjoyed this read and devoured it in one sitting! I can guarantee I will be rereading this and recommending it to everyone who loves a fast paced fantasy read!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sending me an early copy of this book!

I've been fascinated by this YA fantasy Sense & Sensibility horror/thriller set in Regency England.

Yes, you read that correctly - what a combo, right?
Horror is definitely not my genre but there was enough of the rest to keep me intrigued. The writing is fab with a lot of detail, descriptive passages, and backstory world building. As mentioned, this is YA and marketed for 12 and up. Personally, that seems like a young audience due more to the content that is gruesome than any proclaimed romantasy. "The Monstrous Kind" by Lydia Gregovic is out tomorrow and might be the perfect spooky Bridgerton thriller for your fall TBR.

The Monstrous Kind
By Lydia Gregovic
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhousechildrens for the egalley in exchange for my honest feedback