I adore this book, and was so impressed with how twisty the story was. The book is being promoted as Frankenstein tinged so you clearly know that will be making an appearance but the way the details build and how those elements work into the story is just so captivating. It was very much a feeling of I think I know whats going on but can't quite work out how this will play out and that just keeps building up through the ending, which came together so well. I loved the characters, Meka is well rounded and I loved that while she had some definite spooky girl vibes she also had some very just normal teenager interests and was more well rounded while still being very sure of her place in the family business. I particularly loved seeing her with her friends and how they teased each other but also were so supportive. This also worked into the story really well when illustrating the grieving process and how isolating it can be even when you have an awesome support system. While the story pace slowed a little during that part, I think the way everything worked out showed that grief so well and also set things up for the next part of the action. The relationship Meka has with her parents was also a great element of the story and really helped illustrate how she was so confident in choosing to follow the family business but also worked into the twists of the book in an excellent way. The horror elements build well and had a great mysterious vibe while also playing into the more complicated moral details of reanimation and how can that ethically be handled. There's so much at play here and it all blends beautifully together.

Devastated to admit that I just… got bored. The “normal life” lead up was just so long. There isn’t much interesting to hold on to for more than 1/3 of the book. I actually had to stop and check the synopsis to make sure this wasn’t just a YA contemporary with a slightly morbid setting.

By the time things finally started picking up, I had already checked out and it couldn’t hold my attention

(3.5 stars) This was such a fun time! As someone who has always had a morbid curiosity and fascination with all things mortuary science, that aspect of this book was right up my alley. I also thought the Frankenstein-inspired portions of the story were great, although I realized while reading this book that l've never actually read (or watched) Frankenstein, so l need to rectify that ASAP. I think if I had the additional knowledge/experience of OG Frankenstein, I probably would've enjoyed this book even more. The only thing I really disliked about this book was the strong and frequent Gen Z language and slang, however I believe this book is classified as YA, so I can't really fault it for that. Overall, this was fun and would make a great spooky season read!

A huge thank you to Bloomsbury, NetGalley, and Kalynn Bayron for allowing me to read and review an early copy of this book! <3

3.5 stars rounded up. I really liked the premise and the idea of the book but felt that the execution fell a bit flat. There seemed to be some missing pieces and plot holes. It’s a good idea and I really wanted to find out what happened in the end which is what kept me going.

⚰️💀🪡 Dear teen goths, B-movie fans, and people putting together October reading lists: THIS. IS. THE. BOOK. Make Me a Monster by @kalynnbayron starts out with the dark twee energy of Six Feet Under, but takes a surprising turn that I honestly can't talk about without giving spoilers. (Just read it!)

I love a story that reads like a pulpy page-turner but also makes you think. It's hard to read Make Me a Monster without wondering what it really means to be alive, and how far a person would go to be with someone they love.

Would recommend to horror/supernatural fans, and anyone looking for something gory yet clever. There are some pretty serious themes of death (it takes place in a funeral home for crying out loud!) including loss of sympathetic characters close to the MC. I think it's appropriate for both middle and high school age readers, but not without some discussion of content for younger students first.

Make Me a Monster comes out September 30th, so you don't have too long to wait!

3.5 stars

I think I might be the odd one out here with this one, but Make Me a Monster just didn't hit for me like I hoped. The pacing was a bit more rushed than I would have liked, but I really loved the Frankenstein twist.

I’ve been really looking forward to reading the ARC of Make Me a Monster and I’m so sad to say that this story just wasn’t for me.

From the very beginning, there were things that just kept pulling me out of the story. Scenes felt rushed. The way characters spoke felt unrealistic and sometimes corny.

I really wanted to love it because the concept is so good, but I couldn’t stay in the scenes with the characters because I was too caught up in how it was written.

I look forward to reading Kalynn’s other work and seeing if those are a better fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

Make Me a Monster had all the vibes of a modern day Adam’s Family with a Frankenstein-esque plot line.

This was supernatural elements in the modern world done right. In addition to that, I adored the young romance and family dynamics as they ran parallel courses throughout the narration.

I was not expecting the ending to rip me into tiny little shreds…but alas, here we are.

Bayron’s pen when it comes to spooky YA stories is unmatched.

Definitely pick this up for fall.

(TikTok review to come)

Ms. Bayron, you did it again! OMG! This is a true retelling of Frankenstein, but freakier. There were times where I legit had chills on my arm from reading it. I would get a physical copy for my shelf.!

I loved this book so much it's ridiculous. The slow-building atmosphere just prepares you for a twist you'll be horrified to have seen coming, and then the book doesn't take its foot off your neck from there. I loved the nods to Frankenstein, the small down claustrophobia, her relationship with her parents and friends—I loved all of it. Kalynn Bayron doesn't know how to write a bad book, y'all.

Make Me a Monster was such an intriguing and interesting read!
Kept me turning pages!
A little bit dark, a little bit gross, a little bit sweet, a lot a bit special! Lol.
Well worth the read!

3.5/5

Kalynn Bayron’s Make Me a Monster is a gorgeously gothic, emotionally gutting blend of horror and romance that gives Frankenstein a fierce, modern soul. It’s about grief, love, and the terrifying lengths we’ll go to outrun loss.

Meka, a teen mortician’s assistant, is grounded, smart, and quietly grieving. Her relationship with Noah is a rare gem in YA: drama-free, deeply real, and all the more heartbreaking when tragedy strikes. From there, the story descends into a creeping nightmare—unsettling strangers, eerie packages, and the dead refusing to stay buried.

But this isn’t just a monster story. It’s about identity, power, and what it means to be feared—or misunderstood. Bayron’s lush, poetic writing balances body horror with emotional resonance, turning stitched flesh into a metaphor for healing and transformation.

Yes, the pacing slows a bit mid-book, and a few side characters fade too soon. But the raw emotion and thematic depth more than make up for it.

Make Me a Monster is chilling, soulful, and utterly unforgettable—a story stitched with sorrow, strength, and love that refuses to die. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

Thank you Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A highly enjoyable read! Meka’s family runs a funeral home and she quite enjoys it. She’s just become a certified mortician’s assistant and can now help out more. She’s got her friends and her boyfriend Noah who isn’t squeamish. But then tragedy strikes and her world is turned upside down. Now she’s trying to make sense of everything and all these strange things keep happening. Someone seems to be lurking and the dead don’t seem to be dead after all. Her family business is more complicated then she thought. Can she figure it all out? Or is it about to become more dangerous? A creepily heartbreaking story! Grief, heavy emotions, and add in some humor as well! Kalynn Bayron’s Make Me A Monster is a dark and twisted story with hints of Frankenstein that I absolutely consumed!! Highly recommend!

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron is a dark, lyrical triumph that blends gothic horror, rich folklore, and emotional depth into a story that lingers long after the final page. Bayron’s writing is stunning—lush and poetic, with an almost fairy-tale quality that masks a powerful, beating heart underneath.

The novel centers on identity, transformation, and the blurred line between monster and victim. The protagonist’s journey is raw and deeply personal, grappling with what it means to be feared, to be misunderstood, and ultimately, to reclaim power in a world that tries to define you. Bayron’s use of horror elements serves as both metaphor and menace, delivering thrills while also exploring larger themes of trauma, rage, and resilience.

What makes this book stand out is how it embraces darkness without losing its soul. There’s a strong emotional core that makes the narrative feel as intimate as it is unsettling. Every character feels purposeful, and the world Bayron builds is as eerie as it is immersive.

Kalynn Bayron's best work yet! A horror romance with not-so-subtle Frankenstein elements. perfectly creepy and it kept me hooked from beginning to end! I loved!

Frankenstein is one of my favorite classics, and I'd trust no one else with a retelling. This was amazing! Perfectly atmospheric and haunting, I can see this being a reread for Halloween!

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫

Absolutely chilling and profoundly moving, Kalynn Bayron's modern reinterpretation of Frankenstein is an absolute triumph, earning every one of its five stars! From the very first page, I was completely captivated by Meka's world, a world steeped in the solemnity of death as she navigates life as a mortician's assistant. Bayron masterfully crafts a unique atmosphere, blending the macabre with the deeply personal, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.

What truly elevates this novel is the exceptional character development. Meka is a protagonist you can't help but root for – her initial readiness to embrace love with Noah, only to be plunged into unimaginable grief and confusion, felt incredibly authentic. As the strange occurrences escalate around her – the following strangers, mysterious gifts, and unsettling ravens – Meka's journey of unraveling the truth is both terrifying and deeply compelling. Her emotional arc, from vulnerability to steely determination, is beautifully portrayed, and I found myself completely invested in her quest for answers.

Bayron's use of AAVE (African American Vernacular English) throughout the dialogue added an incredible layer of authenticity and richness to the characters and their interactions. It wasn't just a linguistic choice; it was a powerful tool that deepened my understanding of their community and their individual voices, making them feel incredibly real and relatable. This linguistic nuance truly enriched the narrative and allowed for a more intimate connection with the characters.

Furthermore, the novel brilliantly showcases the dynamic of close Black familial ties. The bonds within Meka's family, even amidst the dark and unsettling events, are palpable and serve as a crucial foundation for the entire storyline. This deep-seated connection provided a powerful sense of grounding and emotional resonance, adding immense depth to the plot and making the stakes feel incredibly high. The revelation of the shocking family secret, intertwined with these strong familial relationships, created a truly poignant and impactful narrative.

Frankenstein meets modern horror with a heartfelt exploration of family, grief, and the lines between life and death – this book has it all. Bayron has delivered a haunting, thrilling, and ultimately deeply human story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Don't walk, run to get your copy of this phenomenal read!

4.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC!

Kalynn has yet to write a book that I have not loved! Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Make Me A Monster follows 17 year old Meka who is a newly certified mortician’s assistant at her family’s funeral home. However after a sudden tragedy she learn about a generational family secret.

This book will be the perfect fall/Halloween read and I can’t wait to recommend it to everyone I know!

I took off half a star because I personally wish we had gotten to see more interactions with Meka and her other friends. I also hope that it is not a standalone because the ending left me wanting more.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury YA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Kalynn Bayron's “Make Me a Monster” is a haunting, heart-wrenching, and gorgeously eerie YA horror-romance that gives Frankenstein a modern, emotional glow-up. Equal parts spooky and soulful, this book explores grief, love, and the monstrous things people do to outrun death—sometimes literally.

At the center is Meka, a teenage girl who grew up surrounded by death in her family's funeral home. She’s smart, quietly strong, and already working as a mortician’s assistant. Her life is grounded in routine, love, and a very sweet, realistic relationship with her boyfriend, Noah (who is basically the chillest horror-romance boyfriend ever). Their connection feels beautifully authentic. There are no love triangles, no will-they-won’t-they drama, just two teens trying to build a life amid grief, secrets, and (eventually) rising corpses.

The story kicks into high gear after a tragedy tears through Meka’s world. From there, it’s a slow descent into dread: mysterious strangers, unsettling packages, circling ravens, and the deeply creepy realization that the dead are not staying dead. The atmosphere is deliciously gothic—think fog-drenched graveyards, cold mortuary slabs, and secrets rotting beneath the surface. It’s a horror book with real teeth (and some gore), especially for those fascinated by mortuary science—though be warned, the body horror is vivid and may not be for the squeamish.

The Frankenstein influence is there, but Bayron doesn’t just retell a classic—she reimagines it through the lens of modern grief and young love. The result is deeply emotional, sometimes terrifying, and often deeply poignant. What does it mean to let go? To love someone and still lose them? To try to bring them back—and the consequences that follow?

Meka’s arc is powerful, especially in how it handles the pain of loss. Her journey is as much about personal acceptance and the messiness of mourning as it is about literal monsters. The book is honest about how hard it is to move on, and how tempting it is not to.

That said, there are a few hiccups. The pacing lags slightly in the middle as Meka processes her grief, and some side characters, especially her friends, fade into the background too quickly. A few horror elements (including some suspiciously evil strangers) feel like they’re building to something bigger, only to fizzle out.

Still, the strengths far outweigh the nitpicks. The ending strikes a bittersweet note of closure, with just enough ambiguity to leave room for reflection—or maybe even a sequel. It’s satisfying, emotional, and thematically rich, driving home the idea that while grief can hollow you out, love—and letting go—can shape who you become.

Overall, this is a darkly tender horror-romance with a beating heart under all the stitches and scars. Fans of gothic tales, monster retellings, or emotional horror will find this a compelling read. Come for the creepy vibes, stay for the complex characters, unforgettable love story, and moving take on what it means to say goodbye.

HUGE THANK YOU TO BLOOMSBURY AND NETGALLEY FOR AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK!

When I say Kalynn Bayron NEVER misses I truly mean that. I loved this with every part of me.

Following Meka and her family at their home/funeral home was such a different, unique, and made for such a compelling and eerie story. I’ve never read Frankenstein or even watched a movie of it but that didn’t deter my enjoyment of this story.

Meka is just a girl who loves her parents, her boyfriend, and working with dead people and you know what we love that for her. I laughed out loud and I cried uncontrollably.

Kalynn Bayron truly knows how to write a main character you always feel so deeply for with the best of story telling and endings that always leave you clutching your chest and wanting more.