Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I would rate this between 3 and 3.5 stars--there were some elements I enjoyed and some that missed the mark a bit.

When We Were Monsters is a suspenseful story about a select group of high school students chosen to attend an elite "Jan Term" writing intensive at a secluded mansion, but things quickly take a dark turn. The writer running the 3-week long session is infamous in her own right and readers will wonder if she is just eccentric in her methods or diabolical and reckless.

I did enjoy the dual POVs of Effy and Arlo--they are both complicated and interesting characters. I also thought the setting was fantastic and written well. My favorite aspect of the story was actually the growth of Effy and Arlo as they dealt with traumatic events in their past and their feelings for one another--the relentless tension brought by the rest of the story was just a bonus!

I did find the pacing to be slow, especially at the start. The students are just asked to do odd things until well over the 50% mark, so you know something strange is going to happen, but it takes a while. As a teacher, I also really had to suspend a great deal of belief that any school administration would allow a random writer to supervise students for weeks at a selected house with no phone, Internet, etc. without checking in on the kids.

Overall, this is a great book for readers who enjoy thrillers that are more of a slow-burn with complex characters!

When We Were Monsters is tense and layered in the best way. Eight teens, a secluded workshop at an elite boarding school, and a teacher who seems to know far too much about them—it’s the kind of setup that hums with quiet dread from the beginning. I couldn’t wait to see what Meredith was going to do next, or how each student would unravel under the pressure.

The foreshadowing is handled so well—just enough to keep me uneasy, but never spelling things out. It lets the story breathe while still tightening the noose. The shifting POVs and fractured timelines add to that creeping tension without ever feeling disorienting.

I did find myself wanting more from Effy and Ness. Their bond had weight, but I would’ve loved a little more time with them… something softer to hold onto in the midst of all the unraveling.

This one is for readers who love dark academia with emotional teeth. It’s not just about the twists—it’s about what the characters are carrying with them, and what happens when that finally comes to the surface..

i DEVOURED this book. even though i had an idea where it was going, it's just how it's written... the storytelling is so well done, and you just want to keep going.

it is a YA, dark academia, psychological thriller with a side dose of romance. it isn't necessarily a fast-paced thriller, but more of an immersive one.

it's emotional and thought-provoking; yet, creepy and intense. it talks about grief and death, love and loss, friendships and rivalry, living and surviving, good and bad, fate and free will, and just... everything you'd expect a teen to think and feel when these things come into play, including societal expectations and familial obligations. i feel like there's a character for everyone to resonate with, or just ones who remind you of someone you know. there are ones you love, like, can't stand, can't trust, or outright hate. this would make a great book club read for the discussions and hearing other people's thoughts on it.

i enjoyed the dual POV from Effy and Arlo. the author did so well in creating these characters, and the dynamic cast in general. they each have so much depth making them feel like real people, which isn't an easy thing to do. it helps to keep us engaged to the story. the chapters switch between Effy and Arlo, but i'd often forget to check whose chapter i was on. but you easily get familiar by whose side of the narrative you were on by their thoughts or how they'd respond to someone/something.

i love the creepy world building too. the manor the characters stay in was built by the late founder of their boarding school who died under mysterious circumstances, and just like the surrounding woods, the large building seems to have a life of its own. this is a book that would be a great read during a dark, gloomy day, or even during a camping trip next to a crackling fire. because... you know, for the vibes!

all in all, i loved and enjoyed this. though, i would have loved to learn more about "The Odds" and their lore. still, as is, this was a great read & i highly recommend it!

a BIG thank you to Knopf Books for Young Readers & Random House Children's Books for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy via NetGalley. i leave this review voluntarily. all thoughts & opinions are my own.

"simmering" psychological thriller is a pretty apt description. A fairly classic way of starting a thriller, the author reveals who the victim is right away. These kinds of stories usually start then divulging from the beginning, and we slowly have our re-build up to the climax of how the murder happens. However, this book was slightly different.

This book had quite a strong tension throughout the entire story, so it really simmered the entire way. The story takes place over two POVs, Effy and Arlo. Eight students are brought to an exclusive two-week intensive program at a prestigious school for a chance to make their publishing/producing dreams come true. Quickly, it becomes a competition with too much at stake . . .

The main characters are quite good. I enjoyed reading both their points of views, and it was pretty interesting to following both POVs. That said, because they're both at the same intensive "camp" and experiencing the same events, I'm not sure it was really necessary. They each kind of have their own tragic backstory, but this felt more like a plot device rather than an actual driving force. I liked their personalities and the way they drove the story forward, but I'm not sure how important their backgrounds actually were.

As I said previously, the suspense was pretty good. Even though the story was fairly predictable, and the dark academia setting is nothing really special, the way it was written still had a very good undercurrent of suspense from the start of the book to the end. In the same way though, there wasn't much of a climax, and the big reveal (which to me wasn't even a big surprise) didn't feel like it changed much in the tension. It was really just one of those books that has a certain level of suspense and dread throughout the entire book. It was a "suspense vibes" kind of book in that sense.

If you're looking for a book with that sense of impending doom for literally the entire book, this one is for you. I think I personally prefer an actual climax or twists and turns that have that kind of sudden scare factor, rather than this type of book which plays more to the paranoia and dread. That said, if that's what you're looking for, this book does execute it. The things that the students are forced to do are pretty alarming, and I could hardly put myself in their shoes—I feel like I would've run away much earlier.

Thank you NetGalley and Random Hoise for the ARC!

I loved Jennifer Niven’s writing in All the Bright Places and was SO excited when I heard she was writing a thriller. I was kind of unimpressed with the writing in this novel however, I really didn’t feel connected with the characters at all and was not super intrigued by the story. It was entertaining and there were some really heartfelt and emotional moments that I did enjoy. I’ll definitely read more of Niven’s work in the future, this one was just a miss for me!

2.75/5

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

When We Were Monsters is a captivating YA dark academia thriller. With emotional - and sometimes unreliable - narrators, spooky folklore, perfectly timed twists, and a murder, this kept me entertained from start to finish! I throughly enjoyed the dual POVs and how it helped flesh out the characters.

This was a wonderful book and Niven never fails to write a great novel. I enjoyed the writing style and hope for more thrillers. The cover was so intriguing.

It has been a long time since I have found a book that I was able to finish in ONE DAY!!

I have been a fan of Jennifer Niven since All the Bright Places. As someone with a forgetful memory who doesn't remember plots of many books but remembers their vibes, Niven's books are part of the few books that I remember very vividly. So, when I saw 'When We Were Monsters' available to request at NetGalley, I didn't hesitate to hit 'Request'. It was a different style than 'All the Bright Places,' and 'Holding up the Universe' but the world building and characters depth sucked me right into it.

I enjoyed the dual POVs and the way that through them, the other characters were also fleshed out. Usually, it isn't easy to do that. I loved the mystery and how slowly it unraveled. Even though I knew *it* was going to happen but I was curious about the HOW?

All in all, I am so glad I got to read the ARC, and as always, another book by Jennifer Niven that I'll never forget! I can't wait for the publication date!

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of When We Were Monsters from the author, and Random House Children’s Books! 🫶

If you combined together dark academia, thriller, mystery, and romance then that is When We Were Monsters in a nutshell! 🖤 It was such a crazy and wild ride and my jaw dropped multiple times with some of those plot twists I didn’t see coming! 😱🤯🙊

Jennifer Niven created such a cast of morally grey and complex characters that had me hooked from the very first line of the story. I truly had so much fun unraveling all the mysteries happening. I legit had a journal writing down if I thought characters were lying or being truthful and if I should trust them or not! 🧐 I also highlighted so many quotes while reading and seriously loved it! 😍

If you love dark academia, thrillers, mystery, lots of lies, morally grey characters, forced proximity, and a book that will keep you on your toes as you’re reading them be sure to give this book a chance! 🫶

When We Were Monsters is a captivating YA dark academia thriller. With emotional - and sometimes unreliable - narrators, spooky folklore, perfectly timed twists, and a murder, this kept me entertained from start to finish!

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

I really enjoyed this YA mystery by Jennifer Niven. It did drag a little at the beginning, but by mid-book you are hooked. I really enjoyed the back and forth point of views between Effy and Arlo, but would have liked to know more about the history of their relationship. I feel like there was a great opportunity for some chemistry between these two characters.

Niven did a great job with the mystery part of this book. You think you know the outcome, but then some events happen and you start to suspect other characters and that everything is not as it seems. The ending was a bit predictable.

This one was a tough one for me to get through. I enjoy the other works by this author, but this one just didn’t work for me. She does a spectacular job here (as with her other books) of really diving into the head of a teenager and all the emotions that go with it. The suspense was a slow build, but honestly didn’t really seem worth it to me in the end. The book was too long and I wasn’t really invested in the mystery that was presented.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!
Rating 3.5/5, rounded up.
This one had me pulled in with “dark academia”, and though it felt slow and uninteresting at the beginning, in my opinion, it definitely picked up and had me hooked by the halfway mark.
Some plot points and characters felt predictable but the writing was compelling and enjoyable that it was still entertaining. I enjoyed the dual points of view between Effy and Arlo, but I think it would’ve been cool to get the pov of the other students, as well.

To be invited to join a special writing seminar is a great opportunity for a small group of students at an elite boarding school. This time the seminar is led by a well known author/screenwriter, so the students selected are very excited. Once they have "checked in" to the manor house, the students begin to suspect that something is amiss.

I have read several books by Jennifer Niven and have loved them. Her insights into teen angst and emotions ring true and her books are popular with teens. This one will likely be the same. The two narrators (Effy and Arlo) are realistic and engaging, the suspense builds slowly, and the reader is as puzzled as the characters about what is actually happening. The strength, though, is in the hearts and minds of the teenagers -- their confusion, their self-doubt, their fears, and more. Unfortunately, I wasn't nearly as engaged with the mystery surrounding the author. Honestly, I didn't really care about what she was doing or why. I kept reading and could not put the book down, but something was missing. Effy and Arlo are great characters, and I did want to see how their relationship played out, but the rest...meh. Not a terrible book, just not as great as I hoped.

3 stars

At a fancy pants boarding school eight students are selected for a special January term to be taught by multi-hyphenate and massive star (and alum) Meredith Graham. However, Graffam’s methods of instruction are as unusual as she is, and borderline unethical, but she offers so much the students can’t say no.

The book is narrated by two of the students, Effy and Arlo, who have their own history. It’s all a bit intense (not to read about, but definitely too much for high school students to be faced with.) It’s a YA book and young adults will probably like it.

Ended up liking this book more than I originally thought. I enjoyed all the unreliable narrators and the creepy settings. I appreciated all the allusions to Frankenstien and gothic literature. I can see a lot of students enjoying this text!

I am genuinely fascinated by the fact that authors who write for teenagers continue to write books that are 400 pages long. There is a very small number, as a high school English teacher I feel I can speak with authority here, of students who will stay with a story that is very plodding for 400 pages. I really liked this author‘s other books and so I was excited for this one. I think this is her first for into this genre. I really liked the concept way too long to get there and by the time it did I was much less invested than I had been on page one. The ending leaves you feeling both as if it is too tied up with a bow and like we’ve left the door open for a sequel we don’t need.

Different than what I thought it was going to be about. Just wasn’t for me at the moment. I was bored the entire time reading

The devils in the details and sometimes that’s the fun of it all.

“We Were Monsters” brings 8 students together for a chance to have their work turned into what every art media they desire promising fame and fortune beyond their wildest dreams as long as they impress their mentor, a famous author in her own right and the survivor of an attack on the school during her term but things are not as they seem and as the group gets smaller they find themselves curious as to how much is real and how much is fiction.

I loved this book! What a fun and exciting ride! A lot of literary references are made with a majority being tied to Frankenstein, however I thought the moments teasing Dorian Gray was fantastic in describing this story where the pretty portrait wilts and decays showing the true rot beneath.

All of the characters were fantastic especially as the tension rises and you see how quickly they can turn on each other with Effy and Arlo’s connection being one of the strongest. With two people having that kind of history it would have been easier to play into that pain and anxiety and it was nice to see them work through that, as well as their individual problems, while also dealing with forces that were doing their best to keep them as enemies.

I love dark academia and the psychological element or torture rather they endure is absolutely wild to read and just the eagerness to prove themselves without fully understanding the risks they are taking was such fun and there’s a little bit of a Yellowjackets like moment sprinkled in that I really enjoyed.


**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

A Gothic tale of Dark Academia with a group isolated in a mysterious house? Yes, please. Eight students are chosen to take part in an exclusive writing retreat. Their mentor, Meredith Graffam, is a highly successful and controversial figure. Soon, her teaching methods start getting curiouser and curiouser until the students fear for their sanity and safety. I loved the strange manor, where all the rooms are connected in different ways. I found the characters intriguing and, despite being privileged teenagers, I didn’t hate them. This is usually a problem with YA for me. I’m too old to have much patience with their problems. But this group was relatable enough to make me root for them. My issue with this novel is what other reviewers have mentioned: the plot was a little slow. Graffam talks to the students, mentors and manipulates them and we get the full lesson. When they talk about books and literature, I enjoyed the content. But the personal dialogues about their lives after a while got a bit tiresome and slowed down what would otherwise be a really good plot. The last part of the novel was fantastic and suspenseful. This is a solid book, if you have the patience for a slow burner.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Random House-Knopf.