ORDINARY MONSTERS is the first book in a dark fantasy trilogy that takes place in 1882 England and centers around an institution for children with Talents (magic) called Cairndale. After two new children, Marlowe and Charlie, are brought to the Institution, its ancient secrets begin to come to light.

This book was almost 700 pages, but don’t let the length detract you. The writing style was deeply indulgent without being pretentious and built a world that I didn’t want to leave. The gothic Victorian setting created a haunting atmosphere.

I will admit that the plot of this book isn’t particularly unique, but what sets it apart from other books with similar themes is how much you grow to love the characters. Each of the residents of Cairndale were precious and my heart broke over and over for them the more I fell in love with them. The found-family bond was so apparent.

There were also no clear villains, which we learned through layers peeled back slowly that caused me to question whose side Marlowe and Charlie should take.

My main form self-care for the month of May was listening to the 25-hour-long audiobook version of this book at 1x speed. The narrator was absolutely brilliant. His tone for narration further enhanced the dark atmosphere. He also had an entirely unique voice for each of the characters which made it so easy to follow along with who was talking. My absolute favorite voice that he did was for a girl named Ribs 🥺 I think if I had read this physically, it would have been a 4 or 4.5 star read, but the narrations enhanced it so much I couldn’t give anything but a full 5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!

I chose to read this book based on several different factors. Number one, the setting is Victorian England which is my favorite. Secondly, it’s a gothic historical fiction. Thirdly, it’s about supernatural abilities.

This book has a major X-MEN/Umbrella Academy vibe mixed with a little of the His Dark Materials books. It’s an odd combination I’m describing it as, but traveling to any land of the dead makes me think of the Amber Spyglass. I wouldn’t describe this book as super bloody, but it has some epic fight scenes that are pretty violent and some creepy moments that give it a good dark thrill. I gave all of these moments a solid 5 stars.

I really enjoyed the cast. There are an abundance of characters, but the story mostly follows two kids with talents and then the people trying to protect them. I give the the cast as a whole 5 stars.

The author also lets us travel back in time to learn of the haunting pasts of several characters. I’m always very intrigued to find out why certain things happened the way they did, so I found that very interesting.

I gave this book 4 stars mostly because of the length. This is a beefy read. I usually can read large books and they don’t feel very long, but this book does. The audio was 25 hours and that was with me speeding it up. So, with that being said, get ready for the long haul once you begin! It’s a great story even with familiar aspects, the author makes it feel very new and unique.

ORDINARY MONSTERS by J.M. Miro
Published 6/07/2022 by Flatiron Books (658 pages)

Unabridged Audiobook by Macmillan (25 hours)

…. narrated by Ben Onwukwe …





An epic historical fantasy exquisitely written in both daunting prose and world building. Initially unfolding in Victorian London, 1882, but features globe trotting to the equally atmospheric streets of Tokyo, circus tents of San Francisco, with the final destination of the Cairndale Institute in the brooding moors of Edinburgh, Scotland. With an extensive cast of well-developed characters and varied motivations, not all sinister, Miro weaves a riveting and compelling imaginary world with elements of the magical that turns this gem into a page turner (and audio delight). What shines through it all …. the encountered orphan children’s desire to belong and be loved, while exuding tenderness and devotion even in the darkest and most grim moments. These talented children are brimming with heart and humanity.

The two main orphans are Marlowe and Charlie Ovid. We first encounter Marlowe on a freight train as a baby clutched in the arms of his dead mother. He is kept safe by two caring adoptive mothers …. both extremely different in manner and experience … but all devoted to his safekeeping. No one can explain why and how he shines a radiant blue. Somehow his emitted light can melt or mend flesh. Charlie Ovid, is a sixteen year-old mixed race orphan wallowing in a jail in Mississippi. The law has tried numerous times to execute him to no avail. He inexplicably is able to heal himself of any wounds to his body, in spite of his daily beatings or hangings. He finds himself jailed for killing a White man in self-defense. These “talents” make these otherwise normal children seem like “monsters”. From one of the characters mouths: “ Anything different from the normal appears monstrous. But it is not, It is not.” Later we encounter, Ribs, the girl who can discard her clothes and become invisible; Oscar, the shy little boy who can animate bits of dead tissue into the sentient being, known as the flesh giant, Lymenion (who acts as his friend and protector); and the Japanese “dustworker” Komako, who can manipulate certain forms of dust to be utilized as a physical weapon.

The detective duo of Frank Colton and Alice Quicke, are tasked with finding the two talents, Marlowe and Charlie and bringing them back to the steeped in mystery, Cairndale Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland, where they will be protected and trained in the full use of their talents.

At the same time the two are hunted by an inscrutable force… seemingly made of smoke …

with the intention of destruction and absorption of their powers. The eerie institute already houses a cadre of other children with an assortment of talents, under the tutelage of Dr Henry Berghast … with an eventual unraveling of true motivations and secrets. The institute is also the site of the Orsine … a type of seal, keeping the dead from escaping into the world of the Living.

J.M. Miro is the pen name of a Canadian novelist and poet who wishes to separate his fantasy works from the other portions of his oeuvre. His lush prose is obviously a manifestation of his other works. His compelling narrative of the gifted, but broken children who must save the world, is aided by a complex plot peppered with epic action sequences, and the unfurling of mysteries and unexpected reveals. Miro deftly flashes back and forth between time intervals and different characters’ points of view to provide necessary back story and motivations. This seemingly roller coaster ride actually propels the plot and mystery in a relentless, maddening course, deep with texture and emotion, in Dickensian scope.

I personally switched between kindle and audio versions. I would have to say I preferred the audio version, expertly crafted by British actor, Ben Onwukwe… known for his talents on film, radio, television, theatre, and voice acting. His ability to provide a myriad of voices and accents to such a large cast of characters is mesmerizing. His variation of voice and tone provides an extra level of believability to the narrative, bringing the story to life in the mind of the reader. Thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for supplying an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to further adventures of The Talents and perhaps even a cinematic version of this gem.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the audio narrator did an amazing job. This follows the story of a group of children with special abilities. Most of them are orphans and don't know where their powers are coming from. It's such a long, winding story that didn't seem long at all. We are learning about the world and the kid's powers along with them and learning which of the adults around them are trustworthy and which ones aren't. The author isn't afraid to kill any of the characters, so be prepared. Just a great book in a wonderful fantasy world.

This is how I've been describing this book to people: it's a mashup of Harry Potter and X-Men with an historical fiction setting. Honestly, I think that's pretty accurate.

J.M. Miro creates some incredibly likeable and interesting characters, from Charlie to Alice to, yes, even Jacob Marber, as well as great atmosphere. However, the story gets bogged done with a back-and-forth timeline and an excessively long story. As an audiobook, I was just waiting for it to be over because it didn't seem to be moving along.

The narrator, Ben Onwukwe, has an absolutely beautiful baritone that fits perfectly in the time period. The issue is that he has atrocious voices for women and children, which often sound like gravely southern American accents for some reason. I got used to the weird voices, but it didn't exactly add to my enjoyment of the listening experience.

The concept of this was really interesting, but it just took too long to really grab me. I have to admit I was a bit frustrated that Netgalley had this listed as 13 hours long when it was actually closer to 26. I wouldn’t have even requested it if I had known it was that long. Ultimately I DNF’d this one, but mostly because of its length. I will definitely try picking this one up at a later date.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy!

This book is SO. MUCH.
Like 700 pages!? Holy shit I don't know who I thought I was.
Then there is so much going on, and it was amazing. I loved every aspect of it. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

In England, in 1882, Charlie and Marlowe are new friends–both orphans–living at the Cairndale Institute, where they are learning how to use and control their unique talents. Charlie can heal his body very quickly and Marlowe can melt or mend human flesh. Unfortunately their talents are wanted by a man made of smoke, a man who would do bad things with these talents. Charlie and Marlowe, along with other new friends of theirs, must navigate their new existence while attempting to stay out of the grip of those who wish them ill.⁣⁣

I simply loved this novel. The characters are so well written and developed, and I really found myself invested in their lives and the obstacles that they faced. I really liked the style of Ordinary Monsters; the action jumps from the past to the present and Miro gives the reader tidbits of information at just the right times. The narrative is gripping and suspenseful, creating an edge-of-my-seat page-turner. ⁣⁣

The audiobook is nothing short of fantastic. Onwukwe does an incredible job narrating the events of Ordinary Monsters. The pace was a little slow–I sped it up a little bit–but the voices of the characters are so well done and narration was suspenseful at just the right times. I feel that my enjoyment was added to by listening to the audiobook. Sometimes I will read some of a novel without listening, often due to circumstances, but I did not skip a single second of this audiobook because it was just that good.

Thank you so much, MacMillan Audio, for the chance to listen to this amazing audiobook in exchange of an honest review.

Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro is probably one of the most brilliant and peculiar books I've read in a very long time. Set in a eerie and intense Victorian London, the story follow two children with extraordinary powers followed and haunted by a dangerous figure of darkness.
In this incredible historical fantasy, J.M. Miro writes a complex and layered story, following Charlie Ovid, a sixteen years old able to heal himself and the little Marlowe, a foundling who shines with a strange bluish light. Between wonders, betrayals, mysteries, deaths and so much more, the children are escorted to safety by a jaded female detective, to an institute with other people like them, where they will be protected and they will learn how to use their talents. But nothing is like it seems and even the institute isn't safe anymore, as the walls between life and death are more and more thin and the worlds threatened to collide.
Who is the real monsters? Where do their abilities come from?

Written in a equisite prose, narrated brilliantly by Ben Onwukwe, this book is the first in a trilogy and it's huge, both in worldbuilding and characters and in pages wise. The story is told by multiple narrators, swinging back and forth from past to present, piecing the story bit by bit until the reader can understand, almost, everything. Even though there are many characters. the author did an outstanding job in their characterization and it's imposssible not to love Charlie and Marlowe, Brynt and Alice, Coulton, to wonder about Walter and Jacob and what happened.
The narrator was incredible in conveying the characters' feelings and fears and dreams, it was pretty amazing listening to this audiobook, because I felt really immersed into the story. The worldbuilding is intriguing and complex and I loved the way the author talked about life and death, the walls between the two worlds, the talents and the orsine. This book is able to hook the reader in right away and I truly loved it. I can't wait to know what will happen next.

This book is Harry Potter meets Miss Peregrine. It is a very captivating story with so many twist that it keeps you guessing. I listened to this book and the reader was wonderful. He made the story so alive. I don’t want to say too much so as to spoil the story. I highly recommended.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did.

While there was so so much that I adored about this story, I found the narrator’s characterizations to be a bit obnoxious at times.

I feel that if I had read this instead of listened I would have had a much more enjoyable experience.

The first in what will hopefully be a successful new series.

Ordinary Monsters

really probably like 2.5 stars but i’m feeling generous so rounding up

This was supposed to be an ARC review but due to unforeseen circumstances i’m posting it late, but better late than never.

Judging by the other reviews i’m in the minority here because this book just didn’t do it for me. Don’t get me wrong the it’s fine but when the title says ordinary that about sums it up.

There are some interesting parts in the beginning when they are collecting the children, but the pacing is very slow and the plot is very predictable.

The early plot centers around collecting “Talents”, people with unique gifts or powers, to bring them to the institute for their own safety and training. Because you know there are random Liches around trying to take them out . Once they get there you get some lore and explanation of the magics and world. And we get told why our particular characters are so important.

Honestly i’d probably have DNF’d this if I was reading a physical copy but
Ben Onwukwe does a great job of holding together a plot bounces around like a pinball. I listen at 1.5x which is my baseline for most books.


Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a chance to get in on this book early. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Have you ever wondered what a Sherlock Holmes novel would look like if it was written by Dean Koontz? This, it would look like this.

The two mc’s are boys with magical “talents.” They are being saved by a mysterious benefactor who has so many ulterior motives he found the 51st shade of gray, ok? Like maybe he might have started as the good guy but is he now? Impossible to know until the end!

There were a LOT of characters in this book and the author managed to write the book in such a way that I was never confused. Of course with so many characters I had my favorites and so sometimes when the story transitioned settings I wanted to go back to my favorites. Like Alice, the dangerous private detective or Charlie, the boy who could heal himself.

Trigger warning: this book is set shortly after slavery was abolished and Charlie gets beaten for white peoples’ amusement since he can heal himself endlessly. It’s pretty gruesome.

I want to read the second book, but this one was pretty verbose. I don’t know that any of it was unnecessary though - but it’s not action packed so sometimes it felt a little bit like I was slogging through it. But maybe now that the setting and characters are set the next book will move more smoothly. Mainly because I’m not a big mystery reader - more adventure and fantasy. So this had lots that I loved, and I think someone who reads a lot of mystery would really enjoy this.

This book has all the elements of a great fantasy. The book had a bit of a slow start. Yes and no. The first two chapters establishing Marlowe and Charlie were great. After that, with more characters, I got a bit confused, but I kept following the different characters that got added on and the back stories and it all culminates. The ending was just amazing, phenomenal and I cannot wait to read the next book. Great world building. Great characters with powers. This book is one I'll read again. Would love to get the ALC on the sequel.

This was first posted on NetGalley.
Review copy was received from NetGalley, which does not impact my review.

This is an epic adventure with talented magical children with abilities that make them indispensable to dark creatures (Liches). Thus the adventure begins, with Charlie and Marlow being whisked away to an institute for children with special abilities. It reminds me a bit of X-Men, The Umbrella Academy, His Dark Materials, and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
The story is quite long and definitely character driven, making it difficult at times to maintain focus on the overall story.
I would recommend to those that love epic fantasies.
The narration by Ben Onwukwe was executed well, very enjoyable and lent to the dark Victorian tale.

3.5 stars

A very good start to a series, with a compelling plot and characters you can root for. Book ended satisfyingly while still leaving enough questions to continue on as a series. I'm excited to read more.

I DNFed this audiobook at 15%. I just didn’t care!! I hate to say that because this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. Idk if it was the narrator or the writing style, but I just wasn’t interested.

Several people I know online say that it picks up after about 20%. I may go back and try again, but as of right now, it’s a dnf.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillan audio and Flatiron for the audiobook and ARC of Ordinary Monsters.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book,
The 25hr narration was a bit intimidating but once you get into it is a delight.
Loved the multiples POV’s and the well developed characters. It was a lot going on but everything came together very nicely at the end.
The narration had a great pace and ambience.
Can’t wait to see what the others book will bring to complement this one.

I really wanted to like this book. I think I would have liked it better if I had read the physical book and not listened to the audio book. Go for the print book and skip the audio. This is not historical fiction by any stretch of the imagination. The story was interesting enough, there are children with fantastical abilities, "talents." There is a man who once was one of them who now wants to hurt them, and conflict erupts. This is not a book for children because of the violence and death, teens are probably fine to read it though. The book was entirely too long for the plot and lacked the necessary character development required for me to care. I sloughed my way through it, nonetheless. I was also a bit annoyed by the supposed Mississippi accent of one of the main characters, Charlie. As someone who is from Mississippi, I can tell you it was terrible. This character was also a 16 year old boy and yet the narrator pitched his voice up as if he were a 5 year old child. Again, the story is interesting, but the audio book did not do it justice. As for literary merit, this book was also severely lacking. What you see is what you get, nothing deeper there at all.

Ordinary Monsters is a Victorian era fantasy about people with ‘talents’ spread across the world, and one man who is determined to bring them all together at his school, the Cairndale Institute, in Scotland.

We first see two private detectives attempting to track down several talents in America, and from there we explore the haunting story of Jacob Marber and Dr Berghast, and the lengths that people are willing to go to to avoid or even undo death.

I loved some of our main characters, Charlie and Alice particularly were characters whose POV chapters I eagerly awaited. I also enjoyed exploring this new world along with them.

Without spoilers, I liked the mystery aspect and the way the magic system and world were unveiled as the story continued, and while it wasn’t a fast book, it wasn’t one I found myself reluctant to return to. It felt worth the time investment, and I would recommend it to people who like darker, epic, historical fantasy.