A gorgeous novel about the monstrous shapes grief can take and the monster it can make of all of us if we let it.

Strange, bloody, slow, and sad - Monstrilio takes us on a twisting journey with Magos and Joseph, grieving the death of their eleven-year-old son Santiago. Their unconditional love, unbroken even in death, causing a series of unexpected and unfortunate events and, ultimately, the creation of M - a little monster with a ravenous hunger for flesh.

Told in four parts (with four perspectives) with an overwhelmingly queer cast of characters, quiet and introspective storytelling, and lots of gore - Monstrilio will make you stop everything and take a deep shuddering breath.

I've never read anything quite like it.




Trigger/Content Warnings: child death, blood, gore, body horror, murder, animal death

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. The language and the pacing gave it a nice flow and the characters gave it a touch of heart.

3.5 Stars and Well done. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author.

What a weird, surreal experience Monstrilio was! I read as well as listened and this was one of my favorite horror books this year.

Haunting depiction of what grief can do. Upsetting body horror. Different (not exactly healthy) depictions of love. Queer representation.

I enjoyed the audiobook narrators. Usually I find the narrators of translated books a bit off, but all of the narrators were good.

Definitely read this one! Especially impressive as a debut novel.

I’m starting this month off with a 5-star banger!

This book has everything: an arm tail, cats & dogs, Fruity Loopes, Berlin, disappearing neighbors

I can’t begin to explain how much I loved this book! It was such a creative and accurate depiction of grief that left me equally heartbroken as I was charmed.
I couldn’t help but love “M” and feel for him as he struggled to fit into a world he wasn’t meant to be in.

I enjoyed the multiple POV format that changed throughout the storyline and the changes in scenery throughout the years.

IDK I’m taking a bit of time to process this and I’m sure I’ll have more to say later. I mainly wanted to get this up now to tell you to READ THIS BOOK.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC. A special thanks to Gerardo Sámano Córdova. All opinions are my own.

The story starts with Santiago, a young boy who tragically passes away, and his mother resorts to a desperate act: she delicately carves out a portion of his only lung. Tenderly nourishing and tending to this extracted fragment, she inadvertently gives rise to Monstrilio—a peculiar being with the semblance of a boy and a monster.

Monstrilio's journey unfolds as the years pass, gradually evolving into a young man who defies conventional notions of humanity. Monstrilio's story resonates with themes of grief, family bonds, love, and the connection with nature. The author skillfully weaves these elements together, captivating the reader. Also, the story unfolds through the eyes of those who loved Monstrilio so you will witness and experience that affection intimately.

Even though this fantastic book is classified as horror, it achieves something remarkable by evoking a sense of warmth and tenderness, leaving a profound and positive impact on the reader's heart.

I adore literary horror, and this book immediately seemed like it would fit into this comfort zone. Now, some horror is campy and full of jump scares and fun… and this book is not that kind of horror. This book deals with a mother’s grief at the death of her son, a grief that makes her and her husband go a little crazy, and a grief the mother deals with by removing a piece of the child’s lung and feeding it. As she feeds it, it grows, and as it grows, she tries over and over again to mold it into the form of the child she lost and less like an increasingly carnivorous monster. So, perhaps, “comfort” may be a bit of a stretch. More sad and complex, even bizarre, rather than comfortable, in fact. However, I still found myself drawn into the story because I found the characters – many of whom take a turn narrating the story – to be relatable, even when their choices turned toward the horrific or cruel.

By cycling through these narrators, and having characters fall into and out of the orbit of the story, the book shifts hazily through themes of parental love and grief, and how to love something different than what you expected or wanted (and whether a person can be changed to fit your desires), but it does not necessarily have much in the way of plot. On the audiobook, a full cast brings these competing narrators to life and highlights the angst in a compelling way, though the first time the narrator changed it was very soon after the book began, and this shift threw me off a little. I came to like the changes in narration by the end of the book, and how the story seemed to come full circle, so that even though I wouldn’t call this book plot-driven, there was a resonance to the ending that satisfied me.

If you’re looking for a complicated and somewhat melancholy book with a maybe-lovable fanged monster in it, Monstrilio should fit your reading needs perfectly. My thanks to Netgalley, RB Media, the author, and the cast of the audiobook for access to this e-arc.

it is safe to say, this was one of my favorite books of 2023. soft delicate horror story full of chomp chomps on your heart. absolutely gorgeous reflection about grief that encouraged some meditation on my own losses.
at first i asked myself: would i feed my moms kidney? yes. i muse constantly how in another life i would want to be my mother’s mother so could love her in the kindest and most profound way she deserved to be cared for. but as the story progressed i was left with my heart ripped from my chest bleeding out for Monstrilio, mi niño, and a small piece of doubt grew its place. i carry a lung piece of Monstrilio in my head with his armtail holding my head through some tough musings.
i cannot recommend this beautiful novel enough but i will try.

Thank you @netgalley
@highbridgeaudio

4.25 stars
What a great debut. I listened to the audio book and thoroughly enjoyed it (especially the voice when Monstrilio was little). I couldn’t get him saying “Papa! Hungry.”
I liked the pacing and as surprised at how well this was done considering this is a debut.
I liked Monstrilio, Lena, and the father specifically. I enjoyed the 4 different perspectives. Each perspective helped formed the character’s individuality.
I was wondering was was going to become of the ending and I was not disappointed. I think it ended how it should have. I’m looking forward to further novels from Córdova.

Thank you so much Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the gifted audiobook!!!

This is a book that I just couldn't put down. Finished it in two days, I probably would of finished it in just one but mom life.

Monstrilio follows Mago and Joseph who have just lost their son. Mago keeps her son's lung and starts to feed it. The lung starts growing into Monstrilio (little monster). Its a beautiful grief story about family, love and how far you would protect your loved ones.

The story is told in four POV's and each one is written so beautifully written. I'm amazed that this is a debut novel and the author will be on my autobuy list from now on. I was in tears by the time I finished it. It's a book that I will think about for a long time.

The narrators did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. Highly recommend specially if you love books by Carmen Maria Machado, Julia Armfield and Mariana Enriquez.

This book was breathtaking. Palpable grief and sorrow and so much beauty. I really enjoyed the narrator, and I think they were an excellent choice for the material. I loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone I know!

Netgalley ARC Audio

After her child Santiago dies, Magos cuts out a piece of his lung. Back in Mexico she feeds the lung and it eventually develops into another child. But Monstrilio is not a normal child, he has an extraordinary appetite.

This book is strange. Monstrilio is born of extreme grief, but his existence also prevents his family from dealing with Santiago's death. Magos and later Santiago's father Joseph chose to protect Monstrilio as he devours neighborhood pets and later people.

The writing is very good, lyrical and descriptive and I liked that there are time jumps

The narrators both do an excellent job.

4.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of the audiobook for Monstrilio! I thoroughly enjoyed the audio narration as well the overall story itself!

I found the depiction of grief in this novel to be so heart-wrenching and emotional to read but very well-portrayed at the same time. I also liked reading from each of the characters' POVs throughout the story.

I enjoyed the prose and writing style, and I definitely would love to read more books by Córdova in the future.

I personally would classify this book as literary fiction rather than horror (horror is how it is categorized on Goodreads). Those going into this book expecting a pure horror story, may wind up being disappointed. But if you like grief horror that leans to literary fiction, I think this may be for you. I would recommend this to people who enjoy grief-heavy books such as Pet Sematary, Blanky, and so forth.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio ARC. I do not really have words to describe how weird this book is and not in a good way. This book had a lot of promise but ended up feeling like an acid trip. If you like that, this book is for you.

Monstrilio is about a grieving family who revives a part yet seperate version of their deceased son by nourishing the lung he left behind.

Told in a somber and often poetic proses this story is a world of wonderful contradictions. It feels no need to explain anything but simple lets the uncertainty settle with the reader. Hightening this effect is that all the characters feel heratbreakingly real, which means sometimes the reasoning for their actions are as unknowable to the reader as they are to the characters. Monstrilio is a deep, thought provoking book that does its intended goal of showcasing the ever changing and ever present grasp that grief and identity has on our lives.

The only downside of this book was the spotty audio. There were a few times in the book where the quality of narration woukd change abruptly. Likely a production mistake when putting the parts together, but it was still enough to pull from the experience.

“But there are no monsters in these shadows, only me.”

This was one of my most anticipated books for 2023, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations with leaps and bounds.
This is a story about grief of losing a loved one, a son, Santiago. A close knit family is gutted by this loss, and has to learn how to cope. The pain creates something new: M.
M is not a replacement for Santiago, he is something completely different. He learns to adapt to his surroundings, and his family accepts him even with his “flaws.” I love how we get different POV’s throughout from the people closest to the situation, leading up to us hearing from M himself.
Beautiful, horrific and graphic, serene and touching. I don’t want to give too much away, because this was so good. Great LGBTQIA+ representation, and so real and raw. I will remember these characters for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Captivating Tale of Love, Loss, and Monstrosity: "Monstrilio" by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

Rating: ★★★★½

Gerardo Sámano Córdova's "Monstrilio" immerses listeners in a haunting and introspective debut novel, brilliantly narrated by Victoria Villarreal and Johnny Rey Diaz. With their evocative delivery, the audiobook version elevates the experience, enhancing the tale's themes of grief, acceptance, and transformative love. Against the backdrop of Mexico City, this captivating story explores the complexities of our humanity, delving deep into the heart of a grieving mother and the enigmatic creature she nurtures.

The narrative unfolds through Magos, a mother shattered by the loss of her eleven-year-old son, Santiago. Driven by an ancient folktale and a primal instinct, Magos preserves a piece of Santiago's lung, which astonishingly evolves into the carnivorous being known as Monstrilio. Victoria Villarreal and Johnny Rey Diaz skillfully capture the weight of grief as they navigate the depths of Magos's sorrow, setting the stage for a story that pushes the boundaries of love and loyalty.

While the book's initial section may seem slow, laden with the burden of grief, listeners are urged to persevere. As the tale progresses, "Monstrilio" undergoes a mesmerizing transformation, exploring the depths of change and self-discovery. It deftly embraces the familiar horror trope of a child's death, infusing it with uniqueness and unexpected twists.

The audiobook's narration, skillfully brought to life by Victoria Villarreal and Johnny Rey Diaz, masterfully shifts perspectives, allowing listeners to glimpse into the minds of Magos, Lena (Magos's devoted friend), and Joseph (Magos's husband). These characters undergo profound transformations, molded not only by grief but also by the enigmatic presence of Monstrilio. The creature itself defies categorization, eluding existing archetypes and perpetually keeping listeners on edge. As Monstrilio evolves and challenges the perceptions of those around him, the boundaries between desire and truth become increasingly blurred.

"Monstrilio" fearlessly explores the macabre and the grisly, delving into scenes that feature kink, both consensual and non-consensual. This boldness adds complexity to the narrative and enhances its intricacy. It is worth noting that the story embraces a literary style that appeals to a broad audience. While some horror enthusiasts may find the pacing slower than anticipated, the novel offers a truly exceptional and unconventional experience for those seeking something extraordinary.
An unexpected delight lies in the exploration of queerness throughout "Monstrilio." Most main characters identify as queer, lending depth and resonance to their personal journeys, which I particularly enjoyed and appreciated. The novel seamlessly weaves together themes of parent-child relationships and self-discovery, drawing striking parallels between the transformative experiences of grief and queerness. Victoria Villarreal and Johnny Rey Diaz's narration enhances the richness of the story, making it even more compelling.

"Monstrilio" by Gerardo Sámano Córdova, brilliantly narrated by Victoria Villarreal and Johnny Rey Diaz, is an exceptional audiobook that pushes genre boundaries while delving into the profound depths of the human experience. With its captivating performances, unpredictable plot twists, and unyielding exploration of grief and love, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of literary horror. Córdova's evocative prose, brought to life by the talented narrators, paints a cathartic and precise portrait of the human condition, leaving listeners in awe and wonder. "Monstrilio" stands as an extraordinary work, promising great things to come from this talented author and the narrators who skillfully breathe life into the story.

*Thank you to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the advanced audiobook version in exchange for an honest review

OH MY GOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHH!
I have been pining after this book for quite some time, and finally, Zando Projects has accepted my NetGalley request for an Advanced copy of Monstrilio, and I am eternally grateful. Monstrilio is set to hit shelves with a publication date of March 7, 2023.

Monstrlio by Gerado Sámano Códova is an almost modernized take on Dr. Frankenstein's monster, taking inspiration from Latin lore to be created most horrifically.

Magos and Joseph have lost their young son. He didn't make it. He had a weak set of lungs, and they couldn't keep up, causing him to pass on. Stricken with grief, Joseph falls into a depression, and Magos flees their New York home to return to her family home in Mexico, seeking refuge from reality with a piece of Santiago in tow. Upon her visit, she learns of a miracle tale where one family could resurrect a loved one by feeding a dissected body part from the departed.

With a piece of Santiago's lung in her possession, Magos begins to feed the dilapidated organ until one day, it grows and transforms into a mangy, murderous monster that sucks the blood of whatever has a pulse, humans included. With time, the secret gets out, and Monstrilio, as they call it, grows to hold a hunger that can't be satiated.

After a few experimental tests and surgeries, this broken family can live somewhat as one again. However, these still-grieving parents are making selfish choices to coax their egos, making a son out of something that should have been relieved of its misery years prior; it's still an interesting take on modern monsters. It's a monster that eats raw meat and has a stump where its tail used to be, but it walks and talks and holds a job at a bookstore and feels emotions, but also gets a murderous rage from time to time.