Alysa Wishingrad’s *Between Monsters and Marvels* is a captivating fantasy that seamlessly blends myth and adventure into a richly imaginative tale. Wishingrad’s inventive world-building and dynamic characters create an enchanting story filled with intrigue and excitement. The novel’s compelling narrative and vivid imagery make it a standout in the genre.

Dare Coates is proud of her father's position as Captain of the Guard, but she could do without the so-called perks. Like being sent to school, where the kids mock her for being the weirdo. She can handle that, but they insist that her father is useless because monsters haven't appeared for years. Captain Coates himself doesn't believe that monsters would return when logical explanations exist for damaged turtle nests.

But then Captain Coates dies, and the unctuous governor marries her mother. Governor Kingston then sends her to the mainland, claiming that grief is not helping Dare. Realizing she can't back out of this situation, Dare finds out that monsters are not only real, but also she can call them. And that things are not always what they seem. Sometimes what seems scary can be marvelous, a wonder to some and a jackpot to others.

The novel takes a while to find its pace, to establish the honor and reason that Captain Coates emulates for his daughter. Dare needs a few pages to find out what she is and what she can do. Her aunt, a Madam fond of the theater, has her own problems. Some new friends may help her find answers, and the means to uncover this conspiracy.

Prepare this book for a rainy day, when you have time to sit and read while it pours outside. Between Monsters and Marvels is slow-paced but fun, emotional, and heartfelt.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Alysa Wishingrad’s new standalone middle-grade fantasy Between Monsters and Marvels is a memorable and whimsical tale that is reminiscent of a cross between Netflix’s Wednesday and How to Train Your Dragon. The premise of this book is super cool, and I love the cover. Monsters are thought to have been eradicated, and Dare and her monster hunter father are seemingly the only ones who believe otherwise. After her father’s death, Dare is thrust into a new environment where she must learn more about her heritage and the truth of how he died.

Dare is a super cool main character. She reminds me of a lovable, slightly thorny and cantankerous old lady. Her whole life, she’s been told she’s been different but she takes that and uses it as a strength instead of something to be ashamed of. There are some surprises that come to light later in the book about her heritage and gifts, and I really appreciated how that played into the overall storyline. Her friends Nell and Gil round out the story well, and even though reading the synopsis does spoil some of the events of the book a bit it kept my attention throughout the story. The mystery aspect of figuring out what happened to Dare’s father was a fun touch. Early on in the book, I did think all of the adults were villains or kind of useless in general but my opinion changed by the end of things.

The world building is interesting. It reminds me a bit of a Victorian setting, but there are elements of the setting that come across as more familiar. It was fun getting to learn about the different monsters (The Garbinol and the Occisor were super cool in my opinion), though I do wish there would have been some sort of bestiary pages I could refer back to as it was hard to keep track of all of their different characteristics as I was reading.

The book is very whimsical and fun, befitting a middle-grade level novel, but it doesn’t shy away from some of the tougher themes. While there are literal ‘monsters’ in this book, the author also explores the idea of what makes a monster a monster. In particular, some of the monstrous things that humans can do (for the right price, or just out of sheer desperation) are highlighted within the story. There’s also an overwhelming sense of loss - we meet Dare’s father briefly at the beginning of the book before his untimely death. That ultimately allows readers to connect to him and Dare’s loss a bit more than if we had entered the action after his passing. While I am past the age of the intended audience for this book, I always try to take a moment to recognize and acknowledge books that don’t dumb down or dilute tough things for young readers, as I think it’s important for kids to be exposed to that as they go through the process of figuring out themselves and how they relate to the world.

Overall, Between Monsters and Marvels was a very entertaining read. I love the the take on the idea of ‘monsters and marvels’ that the author presents within the book. Narrator Carlotta Brentan did an excellent job bringing the story to life with her performance in the audiobook version of the book. If you or a young reader in your life would enjoy a standalone story that crosses fantasy with a bit of mystery (and monsters of all shapes and sizes), you’ve come to the right place.

Thank you to the author, the publisher HarperCollins, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

It's certainly not unheard of to have a middle grade story where characters discover that the world is not what they have been lead to believe. And when we're talking about monsters, we won't be surprised to find an exploration of the idea of "monster". Is a wild beast monstrous because it attacks? Who defines monster instead of just creature? And why would someone be covering up the existence of monsters? These are the questions that Dare finds herself picking apart and bringing the reader along with her. The messaging is a bit heavy handed but the exploration of morals is thorough and complex enough to make it worth a read.

This reminded me a lot of Malamander. That's a great thing cause I love a monster in the sea, and so do the kids in Bookish. I loved how real the main character acted and that she was learning (about the monster world) as she went along. Kids need to see imperfections in books. Not everyone is "the Chosen one"

I enjoyed this one! It has a unique premise with a world where monsters are thought to no longer exist. The author does a good job of developing the world of Barrow's Bay and the city. I loved Dare as a character. She makes mistakes and learns that what she has been told is not always the truth. The only quibble I have is the pacing lagged a little in the middle. I look forward to sharing this book with students and reading more from this author.

As a fan of Wishingrad's first work, THE VERDIGRIS PAWN, this middle grade fantasy was an immediate buy for me. I expected Wishingrad's usual beautiful prose and endearing characters, but what I didn't anticipate was just how incredibly moved I would be after finishing this book. There were several clear parallels between the way this fantasy world treated the monsters in this book (or are they marvels?) and the way we as humans so often treat animals that are either in the way of progress or can be used for some sort of capital gain. And the parallel between the monsters and our main character Dare? Truly masterful.

There is so much empathy and humanity in this book, I would recommend it for libraries and classrooms everywhere.

Adventurous fantasy tale perfect for upper middle grade readers.
Kids will love the twists and turns and all the adventure.

I really loved this story, and while that alone is a great reason to pick up a book, the thing that really made it memorable for me weren't the monsters or the marvels, but rather Dare, herself.

You see, Dare was an unusual child, at least when compared to her peers. She valued truth and honesty instead of pretty lies and shallow tales. She treasured time with her father and looked up to him with nary a care to the thoughts others held about his character, or profession. Of course, those sideways thoughts best stay within the confines of the little mind that had, lest Dare show them just what the word comeuppance really means! She was bright with an inner shine, but not showy and demanding of a spotlight. She cared deeply for the people, creatures, places, and things that others would overlook, or look down on, purposely, for she too knew what it was like. Going along with her to not only uncover the truth about her father, but her own truth, was a quest worth taking, risks be darned, for as much as hunters enjoy the chase, they also like a place to call home.

A great adventure for middle grade readers and beyond with so much heart, and so many secret truths to discover, you won't want to miss out!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Synopsis:
Dare lives in a town riddled with dangerous monsters. When her father is killed by one, she is sent away by her new stepfather. She then discovers that the monsters she knew may actually be non dangerous marvels.

This was a very creative fantasy story! The first half of the book I was not sure where it was going but then it sucks you in and you will fall in love with the characters. The concept that not all monsters are bad stays with you through the book and you don’t know who to trust. It has adventure and a lot of mystery. There is even a sweet surprise at the end I really liked.

Thank you to Harper Kids for the ARC! 👹

My Thoughts:
Dare is not an easy kid. She is full of awful. Among the children of the town, she is an outcast. They consider her father’s job—patrolling for monsters—to be a waste of time and resources. After all, all the monsters are gone.

Dare knows better.

After her father’s death and mother’s remarriage—to the governor—she is shipped off to the mainland to stay with the aunt who raised her father. And it is here that the adventure truly begins. Dare must learn whom to trust and whom to avoid as she unravels the mystery of how her father really died, and what the truth is about monsters and marvels.

The narrative voice is strong, and while Dare knows she isn’t always likable, to us, the readers, she is a sympathetic character. We root for her as she finds friendship and discovers that maybe people aren’t all so awful after all.

Possible Objectionable Material:
This is a fantasy universe, with unusual monsters. Lack of adult supervision. There is some minor violence, deception, dangerous situations. There is also a slight supernatural element as there is a ghost.

Who Might Like This Book:
People who like spunky heroines, coming-of-age, learning to speak up for yourself. I think it skews more to the middle to top of the age range suggested by the publisher.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2023/09/an-assortment-of-new-releases.html

I freely admit I judge the book by the cover. I have never seen an unbound book (meaning no cover on the spine) and a clear overlay on the cover. This is the most modern and amazing book cover I have in my collection! Just knowing I was going to love what I found inside, (I played with the clear cover for a few minutes) and then dove in.

The world is masterfully crafted with mysterious and creepy vibes. The story does in many directions, never leaving a second for boredom to set it – great arc! You’ll be guessing until the very last page. I loved Dare with her quick wit and air of don’t mess with me, my kind of girl. All she wants is the truth about her father’s murder and don’t get in her way. From cover to cover, this is a hit in my book.

This is the first book by Alysa Wishingrad that I’ve read. I’d heard of THE VERDIGRIS PAWN, and I think it was one of those books that I kept seeing other reviewers talking about, but I haven’t read it yet. The themes in this story about truth and deception and puzzling out who to trust in an unpredictable world drew me straight into this book.

I loved the way Dare wrestles with distrust and loneliness. Sometimes her loneliness pushes her to be open with someone, even if it’s simply to keep the conversation going and keep her loneliness at bay a little longer. She quickly learns that not everyone who appears friendly actually is, and some have dark motives hidden under layers of lies.

I liked the way the fantasy world of Barrows Bay and City-on-the-Pike came together. It’s a world of monsters, secrets, and illusions. Every time Dare thinks she has things figured out, she peels back a new layer and has to reevaluate based on what’s underneath.

I found her loneliness to be really easy to connect with. She is odd and something of an outcast, and that’s captured so well in the story. Anyone who has ever felt excluded by peers or as though they’re out of place in their own family will be able to connect with Dare. That loneliness also makes it a real celebration when Dare forges true friendships and sees the fruit of those connections in the story.

All in all, this is one I want for my family library. It’s whimsical and fun but also packed with a lot of heart. It’s an authentic story of friendship.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

A unique middle grade fantasy with a big dose of mystery! When Dare’s father is killed, everyone says it’s a random stranger, but she doesn’t believe it. She’s sure that a monster killed him, even though monsters were supposedly eliminated completely. Dare is sent away from home, but she doesn’t stop searching for answers. Dare is one of those characters who you can’t help but love. She’s super scrappy and won’t take no for an answer. She’s smart, but not so smart that she always knows exactly what next steps to take. That leaves room for the reader to be unsure as well, which leads to some fun twists. Plus, the monsters in the story are just really cool!! I highly recommend this book to MG fantasy readers (or even mystery or historical readers who are willing to branch out a little)!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Join Dare on her journey to discover the truth behind everything she has been told. How can she know who to trust? Who is telling the truth? There are definitely rely mobsters in this book, they just might look different than you thought! Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Dare Coates started out as a young, moody girl with little understanding or concern for the grownup world. She was often teased and taunted by her peers and others. Her father, the island’s hired monster hunter, was the only person who understood her reactions to her small world and always helped her sort through life’s complications. After his untimely death, Dare felt alone, unheard, and unwanted. Through unexpected events, she was sent to live on the mainland, a completely different world from what she'd always known. Most everyone seemed to accept and appreciate her there, but lies abounded. Dare had to learn to decipher truth from lies and who she could really trust. Dare’s love for her father, Pretty, and Beastie caused her to weigh things more seriously. Soon, she realized some consequences to her actions and reactions could be more serious, even causing permanent life changes for herself or others. Through this understanding, she began to take her world more seriously and react more cautiously. But she would not stop until she learned the whole truth.

I absolutely loved this story! It reminded me very much of Alice in Wonderland, but it was a different kind of story that was much easier to relate to. I saw a lot of good comparisons from Dare’s world to ours, but reading about her world was addictive. Could not put this book down!

I recommend this book to all middle grade kids who enjoy a fantastical world similar to our own, although a much earlier time period. I especially recommend this book to kids who struggle with trust and feeling alone. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one going through stuff, and to see how others deal with it. Dare is a great example of how to acknowledge the realities of life and move stubbornly forward with purpose, even if you screw up now and then.

Dare Coates is sure her dad's death was not accidental. However, before she can prove it, she is shipped off to an island. She is disappointed until she realizes that the answers she was looking for can be found on this island.

I liked the world building here and the plot, but the writing style wasn't for me. It didn't captivate me like I expected it to, especially with the unique world.

I don't know why this book did not click with me; it had so many great elements! I spent most of it just not very engaged; it seems like I was waiting half the book for the story to begin. Definitely a good book for the right reader, which clearly I was not.

Between Monsters and Marvels is a fun, unique story full of friendship, loss, heart, and fascinating monsters. The flawed and lovable main character Dare was one I was cheering for right from the start! Kids will love it!