Loved this book so much! Honestly the vibes were stellar. Secret society? Check. Wonderful world building? Check. Intriguing plot? Check. Something to say about the world we live in? Check, check, check. I loved that I could engage critically with this book, but I also feel like those who don’t will enjoy this story as well. We’ve got a realistic main character who’s rootable, but flawed. Anyone who’s ever struggled to live up to the suffocating pressure well meaning parents can assign to their children, and I know this especially hits home for children of color because of the sentiment that we must make the most of our lives because of the sacrifices our parents have made for us. August had a realistic chip on shoulder due to her upbringing and feelings of abandonment, which while it could be annoying to some, I really resonated with as someone who’s felt the same feelings and reacted in similar ways. Watching her arc throughout the book as she realized she wasn’t all alone and could let her guard down was very satisfying.

Overall, this was a 5 star read for me. I cannot wait for the next book. All of the unanswered questions that were being built up for the next installment have me intrigued, and I am so excited to jump back into another adventure with August and her newfound crew. The hints of romance as well, leave me wanting more. This is a slow burn my friends, but I have a feeling the wait will be well worth it. Thank you so much to NetGalley for this e-arc!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

I tried my best to get into it, but after 150 pages. I gave up; it wasn't just my cup of tea. I am sure other fantasy fans will love it.

This one sort of falls between 3 and 3.5⭐ for but overall it's a hard one to rate. I can see where the Legendborn similarities come into play with the ~secret society~ and the black fmc involved in a larger plot she had no idea about, but something about this didn't really gel as well as that story did.

Starting with the things I liked:
- I think the world building was dense which lends itself well to a series which this seems like it's headed towards. I can tell that there was a lot of thought behind the factions and the monsters, and the magic system more or less made sense when it was being introduced.

- I think the overall mystery was actually pretty good even if by the halfway point I had a list of suspects that proved to be correct. This book had a lot of political scheming and it was done well. Lots of layers and clearly there's going to be a lot to unpack.

- The action scenes were good and this definitely was one of the better YA stories featuring ~challenges. The stakes were actually high and people did die lol.

For the things I was meh about/didn't like:

- Honestly, it was hard to like any of the characters in this. August the fmc was rude and selfish and she only got marginally better by the end. I get that she had trauma which rightfully would've impacted the way she behaved but she wasn't the only one. Everyone in this story had backstory trauma but she gave too much main character energy and just did things without thinking of how it would affect other people. This was made worse because it was always someone that she needed help from to solve her own questions.

The only person I really liked in this was Virgil and that's not saying much when you think about how many named characters are in this story. A LOT. Margo, Corey, Riley, Henry, Adam, Caden, Virgil, Jules, Mya like? This isn't even ALL of the characters. It got to be a little much which leads me to my next issue..

- this book is entirely too long. I don't know that this needed to be 600 pages? Like, the pacing was good for the first half, but then it gets bogged down in the middle by a lot of nothing. It all ends up leading to a bigger picture but I felt like we could've gotten to the point quicker. By the end I was waiting for it to wrap up. I get that the mystery & politics were dense but I don't even feel like I completely understood the mechanics of those things by the end of this.

- This also tried to tackle too many ...real world adjacent issues in one book imo and most of them were starting to get a little too obvious. Parental abandonment, anarchy, racism, suicide, elitism, fatphobia...the list goes on. Some of them were TOO on the nose. Like the factions being: progressives, traditionalists, and pro-libs? I understand the points being made with this though but it just felt too real world adjacent for this to be a magical society.

In addition, this whole magical society maybe had too many parts involved. Like I said above I don't even think I'm 100% clear on how exactly this organization works and I would think that by the end of 600 pages that I should? Not only that, there's like 2 (maybe 3 if you count the Pro-Libs) magical societies in this one book that you have to keep track of. Things definitely weren't even halfway clear until 300 pages in which imo is too many.

- Lastly, the romance I didn't really think added anything to this. It wasn't like hardcore in your face, but it's obviously there and I think August and the book had too much going on to add a romantic sub sub sub plot. Considering what we learn from this, I'm not even sure how that makes sense but I'll be tuning in for the following book(s).

I don't know. I didn't hate it, and I think if you enjoyed Legendborn you would like this (I did), but this sort of exhausted me to read. I will keep tuning in for the next book and hopefully things move quicker in part 2 after this set up book. The plots in this one are literally just getting started so at the very least the scheming will be good.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Simon and Schuster, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and NetGalley!

I admit this took me a few chapters before I was fully drawn in, but once I was, I couldn’t put the book down. Liselle Sambury creates a fantasy world that’s so rich, descriptive, and fully realized that it’s easy to immerse yourself in the story. There’s so many levels to the plot, that just when you think you’ve got it figured out there’s a pivot. What remains consistent throughout though, is our main FMC, August. Don’t get me wrong, she experiences growth and in ways is fundamentally changed by the end of the story, but she’s our anchor. Her tenacity, intelligence, and willingness to fight for what she cares about never change.

At the beginning of the novel August is broken. Her mother has disappeared, her father has pulled away in his grief, she’s thrust upon an aunt she doesn’t know, and the brother she’s close to is off at college. August is adrift in life, no longer sure of her purpose in the world is, until her brother too disappears leaving behind a cryptic note of warning. This is where our story truly begins, when August finds her purpose, which is to ultimately find her brother. To do this she must partner with our MMC Virgil, who introduces August to the world of the campus secret society. Monsters are real, and in order to get the information she needs to save her brother, August will have to help Virgil and join the society.

When I say there’s multiple levels going on, I mean there are warring factions within the society, politics surrounding a tense election to choose another society leader, and a Black Students Club on campus that may be more than what it appears to be. August has to navigate all of this from the place of someone who doesn’t want to form connections, but who reluctantly concedes she may need them. While the main story is about August trying to find her brother, it’s also about August finding herself, finding a found family who give her permission to make those connections she formerly shunned.

There’s a sufficient resolution to the main plot as the story concludes, but there are so many intriguing plot lines left dangling that I can’t wait for the next book. I rank this one 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC.

This book had everything I love in a fantasy - including a good amount of dark academia - so I really should have loved it more than I did. Unfortunately the plot was slow and hard to connect with until the book was almost over - and the book itself felt longer than it needed to be. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd read it again

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

3.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to the publisher and to the author for the chance to review this title as an advanced reader copy. I enjoyed the characters and the general premise of the story. The magic and monsters in this story are very unique and I liked the potential to build on that in a sequel. I feel like I would definitely read the sequel as I am invested in the characters and the overall plot of the novel. I do feel a large part of the worldbuilding was done via dialogue, causing pages of worldbuilding to occur in a sort of "info-dumping" manner. I think with a book of this length, some of the worldbuilding could have been incorporated into the story instead of via character explanation. There are also a lot of hard topics touched on in this book like EDs, struggling with perfectionism, trauma, racism, etc. I feel that the author might have bit off more than she could chew with these topics as I felt focusing on 1 or 2 and going more in depth with the topics would have better done them justice. It felt a bit too superficial. Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend it to fans of interesting magic systems, secret societies, and murder mysteries.

Rating: 4.5 stars

“A Mastery of Monsters” delivers an intense, atmospheric ride through grief, legacy, and power with an edge that fans of Legendborn, Divergent, and dark academia will devour.

August is a compelling, emotionally layered main character grappling with her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Sambury doesn’t shy away from showing how grief can manifest in self-destruction, but she also crafts a powerful arc of growth, resistance, and resilience. The tensions within the society—especially between the Pro Libs and the ruling class—are sharp, dangerous, and incredibly well-done, and the plot twists left me reeling in the best way.

There are echoes of familiar tropes—secret societies, combat trials, hidden family truths—but Sambury breathes new life into them. The slow start slightly tampered my momentum, but once things clicked into place (especially around August’s brother and her role in the society), I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

Also: women in combat, cryptic alliances, and an unexpected slow-burn crush with major Laura Winslow/Stefan Urquelle energy? Yes please.

Sambury’s mix of dark academia, fantasy, and thriller is absolutely magnetic, and I’m already eager for the sequel. Highly recommend for readers who love high-stakes mystery, layered characters, and books that explore both magic and mourning.

I really enjoyed this novel, although it took a while for August to grow on me. Then I realized where she was coming from and her attitude made more sense and made me more sympathetic to her.

The plot of A Mastrey of Monsters was so intriguing and different. I loved learning more about the secret society and seeing August interact with people and form a family of sorts.

Also the competition/trials on this book were crazy. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next!

A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 592
Release date: 7/29/2025

Synopis: After being attacked by a monster and her brother going missing; August joins a secret society to find answers in this series opener.

Thoughts:
-Enjoyed this a lot. It was interesting, funny, sad, and stressful.
-Loved August as an FMC. At first, she seemed bratty, but you can see why she's so guarded, and her growth felt real.
-Enjoyed learning about the society along with August. The tests were crazy and kept me on edge, especially the last one.
-Virgil was sweet and nerdy, a total contrast to August's brassy adittude, and the banter between him and her were some of my favorite parts of the book.
-Loved found family vibes. August, Virgil, Margot, Corey, and Isaac all went through a lot prior to this, and their stories added a lot of depth to the story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Simon and Schulter and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book. Look forward to reading the second one.

This was an ARC for NetGalley. If this was one that I just picked up, I would have DNF'ed it, and I have only said that about a handful of books ever. First, the magic concept was a very juvenile approach making me think of Monsters, Inc and yet overly complex. How many times was a giant Easter Bunny referenced? Secondly, the book was far too long, 600+ pages. This did not have enough to keep a reader engaged for that long. Needless to say, this one was not for me. #amasteryofmonsters #netgalley #ya #fantasy

I absolutely adore dark academia and this was so up my alley! I can for sure why this story was said to be Legendborn and Ninth House vibes however it does lean more towards Legendborn as it is YA. The plot was so intriguing and the relationships felt very real and fleshed out. I enjoyed August a lot and even when I was frustrated I still was connected. There is a bit of world building to get through but once you get into it such an exciting descriptive read. Very much recommend!

This was a slow, eerie, and emotionally layered read — and I really enjoyed it. The magic system is dark and dangerous, and the family drama hit hard. The main character felt so real: angry, grieving, and trying to stay in control of a power that’s anything but. It’s a quiet build, but the payoff is worth it.

Whewwww!!! This book right here! Just to quickly sum this book up: Legendborn x Hunger Games x Teen Wolf !! This YA urban fantasy/dark academia/horror is super fantastic. I’ve read all of Sambury’s books and this by far has been my #2 favorite, with Delicious Monsters coming in the #1 spot.
This has somewhat a slow start but has an epic finish. I tell you what though, August is that one person to look out for. She’s has the drive, the heart, courage and the skills to pull off fighting any monster out there.
This book starts off with August feeling like she’s a failure. Since her mother’s disappearance and her brother Jules going off to school, she feels completely abandoned. All she wants to do is party and sulk in her own misery. After one night of partying, she meets Virgil, a young preppy dressed young man around her age.
After meeting Virgil, things quickly became weird for August. She gets attacked by something that she knows isn’t human and then poof, her brother Jules later also goes missing. Eventually August enrolls in the same school that her brother attends in an attempt to find him. She soon learns that this is no ordinary school! It’s full of mystery, monsters, death, secrets and lies. Will August find her brother? Will she get the answers to her questions? You’ll just have to read this to find out!
I truly enjoyed this and the ending was perfect! So yes, if you’re a fan of the Legendborn series or the Hunger Games, then you’ll love this one too! 4.75 stars.

Thank you a million times to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC read!!!

I'm a fan of Liselle Sambury and love dark academia, so I was really excited about this book!

Right from the beginning, we get introduced to our complex main character August, who it's hard to tell if you're supposed to like or not. I ended up loving her though! She's unapologetically herself after spending her entire life as a people pleasing perfectionist, but not anymore! - and yes, sometimes she is a jerk, but she's real. She pushes back on and calls out so many injustices, mistreatments, double standards, etc. and she is perfectly complemented by Virgil. I liked all of the characters for the most part!

I did enjoy it overall! I think the Legendborn comp is much stronger than the Ninth House comp. By the end, I was really invested and will be reading the next book!

What held me back from loving it/rating it higher:
As I mentioned, a lot of problematic, racist, elitist, fatphobic, and more terrible behavior is called out in this book, which is great. There is a lot going on in the book, and some of this just gets lost in it.
The book is too long in my opinion, and it took me way too long to really get into it. There are maybe one too many storylines going, which I assume will end up all connecting, but since it's a series something could have been left for the next book.

3.75/5

"A Mastery of Monsters" is an absolute triumph, earning every one of its five stars with its masterful storytelling and compelling world-building. From the very first page, I was hooked by the suffocating suspense. The premise alone – August's brother vanishing right after their mother's recent disappearance, leaving behind a cryptic warning – sets the stage for a truly nail-biting experience. The tension only ratchets up when August is attacked by a monstrous creature, plunging her into a reality far more terrifying than she could have imagined.

What truly elevates this novel is its brilliant inclusion of Black culture and other minorities. It's refreshing and vital to see such authentic and well-integrated representation, enriching the narrative and making the characters feel incredibly real and relatable. This isn't just window dressing; it's woven into the fabric of the story, adding depth and nuance to an already captivating plot.

The storyline itself unfolds like a perfect slow burn, a truly satisfying narrative experience. We're not rushed into revelations; instead, the mysteries surrounding Virgil Hawthorne, the secret society, and the true nature of the monsters are revealed gradually, allowing the reader to savor each discovery. The proposition Virgil makes to August—joining the society and partnering with him in exchange for help finding her brother—is a stroke of genius, immediately raising the stakes and drawing you deeper into this deadly competition. August's journey, from a desperate sister to someone forced to accept and even master a frightening new reality, is incredibly well-paced and utterly gripping. The promise of her learning to "master them if she's to have any hope of saving her brother" kept me turning pages long into the night. "A Mastery of Monsters" is a must-read for anyone who loves suspense, rich character development, and a slow-burn fantasy that truly delivers.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I thought I would love it based on the description but could not get into it. Everything is just so long and drawn out and I really disliked the female main character. I understand that she has been through a lot and she’s young but she was so whiny/bratty. I like the overall ideas but it was a miss for me.

actual rating: 1.5. i never really connected to the main character August. in fact, i found her attitude to be a big turn off to reading the book. she would constantly act like nobody was in her corner while she was the one pushing them away. she had her aunt, her brother, people who want to be her friends, but she would just ignore them and act like nobody cares about her. like i understand she is going through a lot (her mom’s missing, her brother’s dead, etc) but GIRL LOOK BEHIND YOU!!!!!! YOU DO HAVE PEOPLE!!!!!!! ugh she made me so mad. the only reason i kept reading was because i wanted to know what happened to her brother. honestly, that is the part of the story that saved this book from being a dnf.

4.5 Stars

Her brother disappeared. A monster attacked her. Now the only way to survive—and save her family—is to join the creatures hunting her.
📚 Reasons to Read A Mastery of Monsters
Monster lore – August’s search for her brother leads her into a secret world where the supernatural is terrifying and real.


Partnership – Virgil is battling his own darkness, and his connection with August raises the stakes for them both.


Competition – To find answers, August must earn her place in a society that doesn’t want her to survive.


Start of Series – Liselle Sambury delivers action, found family, and layered characters with serious depth.

This book was read as part of my YA June series. This author is one I love reading, and each book has a theme of the “monster within” somewhere in it. This book is the start of a new series and was on my most anticipated list this month. It is a longer book to read, and since it is a world building book, there is a lot about the society background in addition to the competition. Even so, I loved rooting for August and Virgil here. There is still a lot of mystery, and some cliff hangers during the epilogue, but overall I really loved spending time with this character and can’t wait to read the next.

August is fat, black, and angry. She’s angry about her missing mother, about her future uncertainty, angry at the drunk college boys threatening to rape her, and doesn’t need saving from a tall, muscular nerd wearing a sweater vest. Nor does she need the muscular nerd — whose name is Virgil — asking for her help but, despite her rough exterior August is a fair and good person. She’d be a wonderful paladin, really. So now she’s entering into a gauntlet of challenges to earn the right to become Virgil’s partner because Virgil is a monster.

Well, not yet. But he will be. And every monster needs a master, someone who will keep them calm and controlled, keep them from doing harm to other people. So August gets enrolled in college, has to run and train every day, fight of bullies, and learn about the reality of monsters. And while all this is going on, her brother is missing, so that’s fun.

This book has a lot of plot and world building to it, with much of the information delivered in lectures, classes, and info dumps from characters telling August what she needs to know. It’s a little tiring, but because August is a very active character, she doesn’t just listen and nod; she asks questions, she pushes back, sometimes she ignores it. Every success is because she worked at it, every friendship is because she showed kindness and treated people with respect.

But the book is slow. There’s so much training, so many classes, so many challenges and contests just to get to the plot — the missing brother, the rogue masters with rogue beasts, the story of the founder, the story of the apocalypse, the uptick in how many monsters are being born, the election of a new head of their monster training cult … it’s fun, and well put together, but it’s just slow to get to the interesting parts.

August is a good character, and the relationship between she and her new friends and foes are well established. The romance is subtle as much of her time with Virgil involves other characters, and the two share nothing more than a kiss because their romance is forbidden. I’m very curious to see where everything is going and will be keeping my eye out for the next book! Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Based off the premise of Mastery of Monsters, I thought I would love this. Unfortunately, I did not and I'm very sad about it. I never clicked with August, nor did I like her character very much. Because of that I struggled to stay connected to the story.