3.5 I really wanted to love this book. I mean just look at the cover its absolutely gorgeous. However, the saying is true for this book, dont judge a book by its cover. I felt like there could have been better character development and world building. Unfortunately this book was not for me

I was looking forward to Monstrous by Jessica Lewis, since Bad Witch Burning was such an excellent, anxiety-provoking debut. While I understand sophomore novels are difficult monsters in themselves, I admit I was hoping for more from this book.

The deal is this: Latavia is forced to spend the summer with her aunt and cousin in Sanctum, Alabama, before college. She's been abandoned by her mother (we don't know why for quite some time) and the book starts when Latavia has been in Sanctum for several weeks. She's suspicious of Sanctum--two people have died, and that seems like a lot for a town of 400. There are rules she doesn't like to follow. Her aunt is kind of intense. Everyone is acting weird. Then it turns out she's being fed to a giant snake in the woods she's been told not to go in, and everything clicks. Oh...they're sacrificing people to the giant snake, and the giant snake wants more and more people (an unexplained point). But rules have been broken and the giant snake is a rule follower as it turns out, so they make a deal: she'll help him get into the town to reign chaos on the dude he really hates if he helps her kill everyone who tried to sacrifice her.

A dark deal! Cool! And occasionally the book did feel cool. It moves along at a quick pace, and I felt like I did really know Latavia and her friends, but it also felt like it was so action-oriented it didn't give much time to reflection on the theme of what monsters are--is Latavia a monster? Is she just a girl pushed to her limits? Is it okay to murder people if they're bad people? There are some deep philosophical questions the book doesn't really try to answer, because there's a giant snake in the woods, which felt sometimes more comical than serious. It's like if an middle grade plot was given to an 18-year-old girl and told to run with it. The result is just a little odd.

Points for representation and for risk-taking. Will try out this author's future novels as well.

I'm sad to say I was disappointed by this book. I found the characters immature and/or flat, despite the seriousness of the world around them. The ancient creature/snake read as silly, more than anything else. There was very little world-building and scene setting. Important and nuanced topics were touched on very lightly, but were otherwise left unexplored. Overall, the story just read as very un-serious to me and it was difficult to care about what was happening in the town or the story in general.

I love YA and this did not disappoint. I was immediately engaged in the story from beginning to end. Latavia is a teenager who lives in Sanctum with her aunt and cousin. She has a feeling something is not right with the community. Unfortunately, her instinct is correct and she is unwittingly pulled into a world of monsters, guardians, and sacrifices. Loved it, however I wish the ending could have turned out differently.

The cover of this book is beautiful and I really liked the plot of this story. This is my first time reading a book by Jessica Lewis, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really wanted to love this story. There wasn't enough character development for me and the pacing was so fast that thr story line felt rushed from the onset. There's some awkwardly written banter between characters and a mysterious ancient creature, but there wasn't any initial building of the world, creature background, or the characters. I'm reading that the town is weird but the creepiness wasn't actually felt. I like that there was a survive by any means aspect, but I was left disappointed, overall.

This book is as just what the doctor ordered I needed every second of this book. The plot was chef’s kiss. The character development was beyond amazing

Monstrous is the kind of powerful book that leaves you emotionally wrung out and pondering the nature of good vs evil. Lewis’s fast-paced, propulsive writing creates palpable tension and suspense as her heroine, Latavia, wrestles with curses, a cult, and a heartbreaking betrayal.

The monster in question, on the surface, seems to be straightforward. But as the story unfolds, we meet all kinds of monsters—most of them human. And as Latavia uncovers the root of the curse holding her family and friends in thrall, she’s faced with difficult choices that make her question her own moral compass.

Lewis masterfully conveys aspects of social psychology and commentary through the lens of horror. Her debut, Bad Witch Burning, was phenomenal, and Monstrous is equally thrilling. Jessica Lewis is an author on the rise and I cannot wait to see what she writes next! Prepare yourselves to be amazed!

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the Advance Review Copy.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I think my favorite aspect of this book is that as you read the book, the realization that the monster isn't quite as monstrous as he came off to be, while the main character is not fully the innocent victim that she appeared to be. I loved how this story built immediately from the beginning and I didn't even mind the romance aspect of it. It didn't feel forced to me, and I really loved how it wasn't a "let's see how fast these people can jump into bed together" kind of romance. It was very sweet and slow, and consent was huge, which I really loved. I also enjoyed the ending of this book, which was a surprise to me, because that's not usually how I like endings to go, but it fit this book, in my opinion.

This was so good! The vibes were impeccable! It was eerie, spine chilling, and definitely gave me the creeps everytime I picked it up. It felt refreshing for being a "there's weird stuff in the woods" kind of book and I devoured this.

I'm a sucker for small-town YA horror, and I know Jessica Lewis can deliver intense, scorching political commentary on racial terror, familial violence, and evil adults, so I knew I was in for a wild time. This book *is* intense at times, but it cuts that intensity with some legit hilarious dialogue and characterization (to say more would spoil things), and while I think the line between legit supernatural horror, more real-world centered monstrosity, and humor didn't always work perfectly for me, the attempt was kinda awe-inspiring. And I *loved* the final messaging of the book, something that so many books (YA and adult) shy away from and tamp down. Really hoping there's a sequel/series in the works!

When I first requested this, I didn't even realize it was by the same author who wrote Bad Witch Burning! What a treat--I really enjoyed Bad Witch Burning. The MC Latavia spoke to my heart--she's navigating the complexities of family and friendships. Speaking of friendships, I love the way Latavia interacted with said friends and how the relationships she had played into the conflict/resolution of the story. I also thought Snake was really cool (I know how that sounds, but hear me out). I thought that Latavia's interactions and relationship with Snake was really well done and really nuanced in an interesting way. This was a super compelling horror novel, and one that I know our teens (and adults alike!) will thoroughly enjoy.

I'm a big fan of Jessica Lewis' debut Bad Witch Burning so I was excited for Monstrous. This book was a wild ride!
The main character Latavia is a relatable main character who is struggling to navigate complex family issues. I enjoyed her interaction with her friends in the book and how she leveraged those friendships in the book's central conflict. Have you ever rooted for a villain? I loved Latavia's relationship with Snake. The tension, the stakes, the action...all kept me uneasy as I read this twisty horror. Thank you to Delacorte Press and Net Galley for the e-arc. Highly recommend!

I started this a while ago and unfortunately I have no desire to continue, nor do I want to reread the ~15% I read at first. It just isn't the book for me at this time - it may well be one I come back to at a later date but I can't in all good faith say that I will, so it's time to let it go.

I was so excited to get an ARC of Monstrous! Shout out to Delacorte Press and NetGalley! This book has everything I want in a story: spooky woods, a small town, queer characters, and a mystery to solve. If you're looking for a book that'll hook you from the first page, this is the one to pick up! Jessica Lewis has a talent for making the reader feel uneasy in the best way. I can't wait to recommend Monstrous when it comes out!

Monstrous follows 17-year-old Latavia, trapped in the small town of Sanctum with her aunt and cousin, Jade. But not everything in Sanctum is as it seems, and danger lurks around every corner.

After devouring Jessica Lewis’ debut novel Bad Witch Burning, I was so excited to get an ARC of Monstrous. Overall, the concept was good and I enjoyed the novel a lot.

I especially loved the voice of our narrator and protagonist. As a 17-year-old, Latavia’s voice comes across as such and keeps a realistic element to the novel. Her character and motives play into the storyline so well. Along with Jade and Allison, you get a true trio of friends facing their teenage struggles while also fighting a true monster. I love the uniqueness of each girl and how their stories come together to tie them together. The book is well written and the narration is perfect for keeping you on your toes.

I did find I struggled with how naive the monster felt for a centuries old being. It held the plot back from being as good as it could have been. I wish there had been more backstory on the monster than what we got, but what we did get was satisfying for the story as it was. There definitely could have been more of a buildup to the main plot of the story to really establish characters and place, with less time spent on the unrelated situations. I wanted a more satisfying ending too.

This book was spooky, creepy and definitely goes bump in the night.

Latavia was grateful when her aunt allowed her to stay the summer, but the rules that the whole town abides by are driving her crazy. There is a huge secret and it has to do with the RedWood forest, and the creepy pastor. Everything is taken out of her control when the townspeople turn on her. She can either get revenge or become a victim.

I think I enjoyed this more than Bad Witch Burning.

I like the horror aspect in this book, and while the monster definitely wasn't what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his character.

There were a lot of twists in this that I didn't see coming, and even the ones I did see were executed in a very satisfying way.

I do wish there wasn't a romance subplot in here though. I feel like anytime there's a romance in YA horror, it tends to detract from the main plot of the book. I kinda felt like it was a bit forced in here, and while I could see why Latavia liked Allison so much, I couldn't really see why Allison liked Latavia. It just didn't work for me tbh.

Other than that, I had a really good time with this book. I loved the way certain deaths happened and how Latavia seemed to really lean into her murderous side.

The ending worked for me as well. I liked open endings in my horror, and while this book did end in that way, I wouldn't be adversed against a sequel. Especially one that might follow the story of a certain crow that's mentioned in the book.

I really hope Jessica Lewis continues writing more horror, because she definitely has a knack for it

Having read Bad Witch Burning, I was ecstatic to see that we’d be getting another Jessica Lewis YA novel! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Monstrous, follows the story of Latavia, who’s staying at her aunt’s house, in Sanctum, counting down the days until she’s college bound on a track and field scholarship.

Sanctum’s cozy and all, but living with her aunt is very constraining. So many rules to follow, like don’t stay out past dark, go straight home after the funerals — gosh do they have a lot of those — and the weirdest of them all : Don’t go into the Red Wood, a refrain uttered even from the pulpit.

So even though she’s only been in Sanctum for only a few weeks, things are starting to look a little strange to her. Loud rattles in the night, locals whispering about sulfur and full moons and nice little old ladies dropping like flies into close casket funerals, their ‘sacrifice’ being praised.

The story quickly unravels everything Latavia ever thought she knew, about the world and most importantly about herself. Will she find the strength to return, or will she embrace it and become something monstrous?

With typical Lewis flair, we get a twist filled mystery, good doggos, femme rage and some sapphic cuddles!

I definitely recommend this for teens especially those who like their stories off the beaten path, and don’t mind a bit of horror and finding friends in unexpected places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this e-ARC. I am obsessed with this book. This is my first read by Ms. Lewis, and it certainly will not be my last. Formal review will be available on GoodReads, socials & Amazon.

This book was wonderful. I like that I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next. It was filled with twists and turns and a good bit of humor. I loved the relationship between Tavia and Snake. I’ve never read Bad Witch Burning but I’m rubbing to check it out since I enjoyed this read so much.