A Mastery of Monsters, in some ways, feels like a return to Sambury's roots of YA Fantasy/Speculative Fiction. While the horror and thrillers are my favorites of Sambury, I was instantly intrigued by A Mastery of Monsters. There are secrets seeping from the pages. It begins as this story about trying to save her brother, to figure out where he might be, and quickly turns into a story about secret societies and more to the world than meets the eye. After the initial hook, there's a bit of an info dump which made it a bit tricky to get back into, but it mirrors how thoroughly August is inundated with information.

I enjoyed this book. August and Virgil are both crazy and adorable. I think this is a well done first book into her dark academia story. Excited to see where she takes it.

This was not for me. I never thought a book could be a slow burn while doing massive amounts of info dumping, but here we are. The plot is too complicated and frankly, just weird. I was forcing myself to continue for awhile, until I gave up because life is too short to read books you don’t care for. DNF @20%.

Thank you to NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the eARC. All opinions are mine.

It's the way that I keep picking absolutely BANGER ARCs that are first in a series. I loved this, no notes.

Secret societies? Check. Paranormal beings? Check. Riddles for the main character and me? Check. Honestly, what more could I ask for? Well, maybe some answers, but that's what the series is for.

I trust absolutely no one; can't wait to see where that takes me in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for a review copy of this, in exchange for an honest review. A Mastery of Monsters will now live in my brain rent free, as I patiently await the next installment!

What a unique world Liselle Sambury created for this one. Beautifully crafted world, with some amazing and terrifying monsters. I loved the characters and the college tie in, though I was a little confused with the set up on the beginning. But once I caught on to what was going on, it was a fun ride. Excited to read more by her!!

A Mastery of Monsters has one of the most intriguing and enigmatic introductions I’ve read in a dark academia. It definitely hooks the reader to into the story. This year the dark academia genre has had some of the most eerie and intoxicating stories this year.

This book was no exception, the author has created such a lush and unique cast of characters, that it will be hard to put this book down. We meet August and she is on a mission to find her brother who went missing. All he left was a mysterious note saying, to stay safe and protect their family. All of a sudden, August is attacked by a ten food monster with fur and claws and this starts a chain of event that’ll change her life forever. Now she’ll enter a secret society with the help of a mysterious boy named Virgil. Together they’ll help each other achieve their goals and try to survive monstrous cons.

First off I am a fan of this author but not this book, for some reason did not connect with these characters and the story. the premise was difficult to follow but I hear the hard copy has a map that would have even helpful wit the e-ARc as well. I look forward to different series from this author. And will most likely read the next in this seres even though I didn’t fully get this one. There are still great qualities to this writing and effort.

Liselle Sambury’s A Mastery of Monsters is an electric start to a dark academia fantasy series that feels like stepping into a shadow-soaked gothic library and realizing the books can bite back. Gritty, razor-sharp, and deeply emotional, this is not your average secret society story—it’s fiercer, bloodier, and unapologetically bold.

August is a protagonist with teeth. Her grief, rage, and determination burn through every chapter as she hunts for her missing brother in a world that insists on gaslighting her. When the only lead turns out to be a secret society of literal monsters? She doesn’t run—she fights. And that’s what makes her unforgettable.

Enter Virgil Hawthorne: half-monster, full enigma, and impossible not to root for. The reluctant partnership between him and August crackles with tension, both magical and emotional. Their relationship is as much about survival as it is about trust, and watching it evolve adds a rich layer to the already high-stakes plot.

The world Sambury builds is moody and menacing—think ivy-covered danger, eerie rituals, and monstrous transformations lurking beneath prep-school polish. But underneath all the horror and blood, there’s a deeply human story about family, identity, and what we’re willing to risk for those we love.

👁️‍🗨️ If you love morally gray magic systems, secret societies with claws, and heroines who refuse to be prey, A Mastery of Monsters will absolutely devour you—in the best way.

This one’s for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tracy Deonn, and anyone who’s ever wished their academic rival might secretly be a monster. Literally.

There is so much that can be said about this grotesque horror. Taking us into the underbelly of a secret society run alongside a prestigious university, we meet several characters that will stick with me forever.

August Black is reeling from her mother’s disappearance a year earlier. Drinking and partying to numb the pain. She decides not to go to Queen’s College, despite her parents dictating every decision for her acceptance. Her parents that were invested in her academic prowess and her physical endurance, and combat defense.

She enlists the help of Virgil once he proposes to help her find her now missing brother. Upon agreement she joins a secret society’s deadly competition that tames Monsters for an impending apocalypse. Will August make it out alive and will she ever get answers on her family’s disappearing acts?

This book was a gory and thrilling tale of a young woman striving for answers and acceptance in a closed society. Though old wounds pop up to haunt her, she pushes through in hopes she can save a boy she just met and find her brother. I was most impressed by the characterization. Virgil and August are characters that will be placed in my bookish hall of fame.

Though this tale was long and arduous with the plot twisting relentlessly, it resolved in a satisfactory way that makes me crave a second installment. Liselle Sambury always knows how to keep me wanting more. Highly recommend.

Wow—this book is packed with characters I love, root for, and constantly fear for! The twists and turns had me completely hooked (especially in the second half), and I genuinely couldn’t predict the ending. Clear your schedule—you won’t be able to stop reading until you find out what happens to August, Virgil, and their badass crew.

Set in Canada, the story’s real world connections felt particularly resonant, like the history of racism—from the legacy of residential schools to the academic hierarchy—and builds a magically tiered society that claims to embrace diversity but feels suspicious from the start. Add in supernaturally powerful teens, a mystery, a romance, and a sharp critique of power—Liselle Sambury has delivered another gripping and emotionally charged read.

This one took me a little time to really find my footing. I ended up stepping away from it for a bit, but when I came back, switching between reading and listening, I found myself pulled into a world that’s dense, atmospheric, and full of potential.

There’s a lot of setup here, and the world-building definitely takes center stage. But if you’re into monsters, eerie academia, and high-stakes games where knowledge can literally be life or death, along with power and self-discovery, this one will fit that bill.

August’s character stood out for me with her persistence and drive, and Virgil was such a great addition to the story as well. Angel Pean’s narration? So good. She brought life to the characters that really helped things click. This feels like a first chapter in something much bigger. And knowing how Liselle writes, I’m excited to see how deep this series goes with more flesh eating monsters born and made!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5/5 stars

✧ Fantasy dark academia
✧ People who turn into monsters
✧ Secret society
✧ Majority Black cast
✧ TWs: death, murder, violence, body horror, eating disorders

This was a phenomenal book & reading experience! It’s comped to Legendborn and Ninth House, and there are definitely a lot of similarities to both of those series — so if you enjoy them, I think that you will absolutely love this as well!

This book is mostly about monsters & themes of power, control, race, and violence. All of those aspects were incredibly well-done, and I can’t wait to see how this secret society will continue to be fleshed out throughout the rest of the series! But personally, the characters and relationships really made me fall in love with this book. All of the main and notable side characters (August, Virgil, Corey, Riley, etc.) felt really unique and well-characterized. The relationships that August forms with each of these characters were real and messy, but so beautiful. I really came to care for all of these characters (especially August and Virgil) throughout the story, and I’m definitely a little scared to see what’s going to happen to them in the future of this series…

This book is YA, but there is some heavy content that should be addressed! There is lots of good body horror and creepy moments with the monsters (involving a decent amount of violence and gore), although it still seems appropriate for a YA audience. Another thing to note is the numerous discussions about August’s past eating disorder, body image, weight gain, and experiences of fatphobia. These experiences are really important in shaping certain aspects of her character, and I’m glad the author chose to shed light on many of these issues, but it definitely might be triggering for some folks, so be aware!

The author, Liselle Sambury, has been on my radar for some time now, but I’m glad that I finally dove into her work! I had such a fun time reading this book, and now I’m so sad I have to wait potentially years for the next one in the series…but also so, so excited to see where this story goes!

Usually, I am not a big fan of dark academia. But, I am a huge fan of Liselle Sambury, so I took my chances. And guess what? I was right, because this was a good one! Now, I'll say this: my only complaint was that it was a long book, nearly 600 pages, and in the beginning it did feel a wee bit long. But! It gets really good fairly quickly, and then the pages just flew by! So if you're struggling a little early on, it gets good. And dark, my goodness, it sure puts the "dark" in Dark Academia! The world main character August exists in is mainly our own: modern day Toronto, but with monsters! Though when the story begins, she thinks monsters are as real as you and I do, and I really appreciated her skepticism- she definitely reacts as you or I would, too.

Eventually though, she finds herself immersed in this world, on the search for her brother who went missing not long after their mother went missing. And August, she's really going through it, as you can imagine. The story tackles a lot of themes about grief and identity, and for August a lot of her journey involves her trying to figure out who she wants to be, apart from all the influences of her parents. She also meets a lot of people along the way, some of whom become a big part of her life, and I loved that for her. Of course, she also has to contend with this secret monster society, and all the political turmoil that comes with it, all while competing in events that could cost her her very life. So, suffice it to say, there is a lot packed into this story, but it doesn't feel overwhelming. I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters, and though I didn't love August at the start, I grew to love her as the story went on, and I will absolutely be here for the next installment!

The atmosphere was on point, the whole monster world-building was handled wonderfully, and I felt immersed and not at all confused, even when so much was unknown, because it was clear that the author planned to slowly divulge the secrets and build our knowledge. There's also a hint of romance, which I suspect we'll see more of later (please?) and plenty of exciting material for future books, all while ensuring an exciting conclusion to this one.

Bottom Line: If you are a dark academia fan, or even if like me you really aren't and just enjoy a good story, this is one you want on your radar.

A teen who is looking for her missing brother. Another that is fighting to keep his monster in control. A secret society that connects them.

A Mastery of Monsters was a bit of a tough read for me. On one hand, I was captured by the first chapter. The mystery of the monsters was a puzzle I couldn't wait to learn about.

On the other hand, I found myself confused and having to reread certain pages. For starters, it felt like the segue between some events was abrupt. It just felt like it could have been a bit smoother. The main issue I had was scenes involving the society.

While I understand the book is following an outsider, some of the periphery characters could have put in a little more effort to not blindside her so much. It made the learning the history and overall world-building following a bit muddied.

As for the main character, August, I both liked and disliked her. While I really wanted to root for her, there were moments when her attitude was just a tad too aggresive. While not every character had to be sunshine and roses, she could have eased up on talking without a filter; especially when meeting new people in a society that could control the fate of Virgil.

All in all, it was an okay read. While things got slow for a moment around the middle area, the author definitely hit their stride again towards the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Release Date: 29 July 2025

3.75⭐️

“You can not achieve liberation, in a system of bondage”

August brother is missing, the circumstances around his disappearance are suspicious and she’ll do anything to find him! Virgil, is a monster, who needs to bond with a partner to prevent himself from fully converting and staying in his monster form. He sees August as the perfect candidate. To do this, she must attend school and infiltrate a secret society. She decides to team up with him in the hopes of finding more info on her brother. Virgil gets a partner to save himself, and she gets hopefully closer to finding her brother.

I enjoyed this read! I enjoyed the suspense of the high stakes competitions that August had to go through. This is described as Legendborn meets 9th house, and while I haven’t read Ninth House, I’ve read Legendborn and absolutely loved it. I can definitely confirm that this gives Legendborn vibes minus the powers, ether, etc. I loved the parallels between this book and real world issues. There are underlying themes of racism, classism, legacy, and even maybe shots at Big Pharma! I personally love books like this, read between the lines! There is mystery, suspense and a touch of budding romance. August initially wasnt a very likeable FMC but I was proud of her transformation.

You’ll love this if you enjoy:
High stakes competition
Legendborn
Dark academia
Found family
Conspiracies
Corruption
Slow burn

･ﾟ 𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 ·˚˖‧
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒊𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪!

╰𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚛𝚎𝚎╮

✦ Pub Date: 29 Jul 2025
✦ Rating: 4/5
✦ Genre: YA fantasy
✦ POV: 1st Single
✦ Spice: 0/5
✦ Age: 16+
✦ CW: De*th, Bl*od, M*rder
✦Representation: Black Cast, Body diversity
✦Equality: Sexism/Racism

࣪ ִֶָ 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘 ·˚˖

Monsters who can disguise themselves as humans, living among us, and people forming bonds with them to prepare for an impending catastrophe.

·˚˖ 𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ˖˚·

At first, I was intrigued, I had forgotten the blurb and what the book was about, so I was actually surprised when monsters showed up, haha.

Up until the 50% mark, the book felt slow and I just wanted to finish it quickly. But after the halfway point, the main character finally pulled herself together, and the plot started to pick up. I got more interested, I began to see the found family theme more clearly, and by the end I was like, “I knew it!”, and I realized I’d happily read the sequel 🙌🏻

·˚˖ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 ˖˚·

The main character, Augusta, annoyed me at first, I didn’t find her interesting, which made the beginning feel dull. But Virgil was so likable! The way Augusta laughed at his appearance, how he kept trying to support her, their growing bond, I really enjoyed that. And there's such a slow burn here, you won’t even notice it creeping up. There are also quite a few side characters, some of them irritated me, some I really liked.

࣪ ִֶָ ⊹ 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 ·˚˖

↠Urban Fantasy 
↠Dark Academia 
↠Monsters + Masters
↠Deadly Competition 
↠Missing People
↠Secret Societymonsters
↠Trials

Thank you @simonteen @simon.audio #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Dark academia and monsters? Say whaaaaa?! 🖤 A Mastery of Monsters delivered on the this highly tense and wild adventure that I did not want to put down. Did I mention there are Monsters?! Muahahahaha. Loved them! The creatures were so well done and honestly one of my favorites part of the whole book.

This one is a bit of a chonker (be prepared!), and while I do think it could’ve been trimmed down just a touch, the ride was still totally worth it. The concept was super cool...characters paired with monsters to train for the actual apocalypse? Mind blown. And no one was better suited for the lead than August. I found her extremely relatable with how she handled the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. No one wants to lose their mama! She definitely had a lot of pressure and weight on her shoulders but handled it all like a champ.

Watching August grow throughout the book was really satisfying. She didn’t always make the choices I would’ve (which made her feel real!), but her badassery felt earned and strong. And let’s talk about VIRGIL. 🥹 What a honey bear. I just adored all of his sweetness.

My only small gripe was the world-building. It was creative and immersive but felt a bit too heavy for me. Two different societies and a large cast meant I had to keep a few notes early on to keep everything straight. But once I got into the groove, it was worth the extra brainpower. Wee! I enjoyed the audiobook too because it pulled me into the story and really brought the world alive.

If you’re into atmospheric YA fantasy with monstrous twists, layered characters, and an end-of-the-world backdrop, this one should be on your list. 👏

Characters: 3.50⭐️
Setting: 4.25⭐️
Plot: 4.00⭐️
Themes: 3.75⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.50⭐️
Overall rating: 4.00⭐️

A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury is book one of a new trilogy which centers around a secret society whose goal is to match or pair "monsters" who are people with a genetic mutation that literally turns them into a terrifying monster with "masters" which are people who are bonded to the monsters to help them keep their humanity.

There were many aspects of the book that I enjoyed including our FMC, August, and the secret society is really cool. There are larger topics that covered like sexism, micro-aggressions and such. But there are some things I didn't like structurally of the book like pacing. The beginning seemed to drag a little bit longer than it needed to. Overall, I did enjoy the story, and definitely can't wait to see where this will be going.

This book was too long to start out so boring. I immediately didn’t like the main character because teen partying (like excessive to the point of not remembering the night afterwards) doesn’t interest me. Also, a character with an extremely bleak backstory and no friends doesn’t interest me. Not my type of book.

The story isn’t holding my attention, it feels too slow moving. August is a very angry character, which seems warranted, but her anger is a bit much to keep reading about. It’s just not the book for me at the time.