“Because girls like her, who knew too much and conformed too little, must be full of darkness”

A YA fantasy based loosely on the myth of Halahala, with some Frankenstein vibes and a zombie dog who is the bestest of boys thrown in, We Shall Be Monsters is a beautiful and emotional exploration of myth and the intricacies between good, evil and what it means to be a ‘monster’.

Kajal is on a mission to resurrect her dead sister, Lasya, before she turns into a bhuta, a vengeful and violent spirit, for good. However, Kajal soon finds herself working for a group of rebels who want her to bring back their dead prince and finds out that everything is not what it seems.

I found that Sim’s portrayal of Kajal’s guilt, loss and grief was really well done and a definite highlight of the book for me. It was really easy to be immersed in her POV and understand the choices she was making throughout the story. The world-building was particularly atmospheric and I would highly recommend checking out the author note at the end as Sim delves deeper into the mutability of myth and her inspirations for the book.

I do have to say that the twist at the end left me speechless and I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Colored Pages Book Tours for a gifted copy of this book.

TWS: Death, murder, poverty (I can't think of any others at the moment)

ARC provided by Penguin Teen (thanks!)

After Kajal's twin sister, Lasya, dies, Kajal thinks that she has enough time to bring Lasya back to life. However, the worst happens; Lasya has turned into a bhuta, a vengeful, wicked spirit that causes destruction wherever it goes. Kajal is blamed for Lasya's death and the destruction she causes and is sentenced to death, but then she is rescued by two strangers who offer to help her. But there's a catch-Kajal must use her powers of ressurection to bring the crown prince back to life.

But that doesn't even go to plan; Kajal has accidentally ressurected the prince's identical twin brother instead of him, and she must hide this secret from the rebels and bring the real prince back to life.

I loved this book. It's marketed as something of a Frankenstein retelling, but in reality, it's more of a Hindu myth inspired fantasy novel. The world building is based on things in mythology that have existed for centuries (such as devas and asuras) but Sim creates a fantasy world that is entirely her own. I relied on my minimal knowledge of Hindu/Indian mythology to understand what was happening, but even then, I kept forgetting who the deities and spirits were and what they did. I was also very confused by the different places (there was no map, maybe it'll be published with one?) and the terms that I just didn't understand or keep track of. I definitely would have benefitted from a glossary.

My confusion aside, I really enjoyed the book as a whole. The protagonist, Kajal, was very flawed and human, but she's similtaneously very powerful and determined. I can say the same for the other characters. Even though a lot of them were mythological beings, they were allowed to be angry, vengeful, confused, and make many mistakes. Tav and Kajal were my favorites, but I liked the side characters as well (especially Kutaa, the undead dog).

The pacing of this book can best be described as medium paced. It wasn't so fast paced that I felt like I was struggling to keep up, and it wasn't slow paced that I was pleading for something to happen. We get a glimpse into the world of the book, but at the same time, there's a war brewing on the horizon and a blight spreading throughout the land.

We Shall Be Monsters is a vivid, gripping fantasy tale that blurs the lines between what it means to be good or evil, and if those terms really mean anything at all.

This book is out June 25th!

A book that will stay with me for a long time, just as the original Frankenstein has. It is a tale that explores despair, hope, love, guilt, and the notion of monstrosity in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Its impact is lasting, its characters memorable, and its story deeply moving. I highly recommend it to any reader who appreciates a well-told, emotional, and thought-provoking tale.

***Thank you to Penguin Group - Nancy Paulsen Books for providing a copy of We Shall Be Monsters via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

I was in a bit of a reading slump going into this book. So, I was worried my mood would impact my ability to enjoy We Shall Be Monsters despite how much I've loved Sim's other work. Fortunately, I was wrong to worry because I could not put this book down. I'm hoping it cured my slump, but I had a great time with it regardless. The mix of mythology, horror, mystery, and compelling characters kept me hooked from start to finish.

The plot of We Shall Be Monsters had its claws in me from the very first pages. What a way to start a story! I was intrigued by Kajal and all of her mysteries from the moment she busted out of her coffin. The pace of the story was steady and always had me on edge wondering how the pieces fit together. Sim did a fantastic job of dropping breadcrumbs that helped me put things together while also usually having events be not quite how I expected them to go. This story balanced the hint to surprise ratio really well.

I loved the world-building in We Shall Be Monsters. It was all so fascinating while never becoming overwhelming. The Indian-inspired setting and mythology were really cool, and the intricacies of the world and its history were revealed at a steady pace that felt tied to the story rather than getting too info-dumpy. It was the perfect backdrop for exploring the theme of whether good and evil are inherent traits or a path made up of a collection of choices. Sim introduced us to some truly terrifying creatures and circumstances that illustrated how humans can choose to be the most horrible monsters of all.

All of the characters in We Shall Be Monsters stole my heart, and each one had depth, even the side characters. Kajal's struggle with grief, guilt, loneliness, and constantly feeling like an outcast really spoke to me. She became so focused on what she'd lost that it consumed her and kept her from being able to build any new connections. I enjoyed seeing her amass a found family, mostly against her will. lol. She was moody, impulsive, and a bit chaotic, but she also cared deeply, at least about the things that mattered to her. I'm not going to talk about the other characters, but I implore you to pick up this book and meet them, especially the animal companion.

There's only one minor critique I'd provide for We Shall Be Monsters. Some parts of the plot seemed to resolve too easily. There's one segment of the story where the characters must search for missing parts to something, and the way they managed to find them so quickly felt a bit too forced.

If you are looking for a fantasy inspired by Indian mythology with elements of mystery, horror, and a hint of romance, look no further than We Shall Be Monsters. I loved almost everything about this book, and it will definitely be added to my list of favorites. The characterization and world-building were top notch and provided ample material to explore some powerful themes. Therefore, I give We Shall Be Monsters a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

I thought this was an amazing book about grief, chosen family, and destiny vs choice. It was a fun, slightly spooky read.

Negatives:
1. The pacing of the first 1/3 is noticeably slower than the rest of the book. I think this is partially because the magic/mythology of the story took time to set up.

Positives:
1. The use of Indian culture, religion, and folk stories in this story made for an intriguing world. It was so nice to read a fantasy book that pulled on themes other than the standard European fantasy tropes.
2. The characters felt fully developed and unique. Even the side characters were given goals and personality beyond just helping the main character. This made the world feel more realistic.
3. The slightly spooky gothic horror vibes of this book were a lot of fun.

Who I Think Should Read This:
Fans of gothic horror, people looking for diverse fantasy, and those who enjoy morally complex characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will not be finishing this novel. DNF at 10%. I wish there were more important characters rather than just the main character and that there was more going on so that I could care for what’s happening. I’m only rating and reviewing so it doesn’t hurt my feedback ratio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tara Sim for an ARC of this title!

Holy smokes, I thought I would like this book from the premise alone, but I was BLOWN away by hoe much I enjoyed the story! This book really has everything - mythology/fantasy (both based in folklore and invented by the author), a really unique take on the Frankenstein concept, drama, romance, unique magical creatures, and so. Much. Suspense. There were a lot of twists in the story and I definitely didn't see the major one until right before it happened - looking back to see the breadcrumbs left by the author was really fun, and I already can't wait to re-read to see what else I could have missed. The author also includes an explanation of where her source material came from as far as world development goes (e.g. what is based on historical/cultural figures and what was altered or imagined by her to work in the universe she has created), which I really appreciated!

There were certainly some parts of the story that felt very fast-paced, partly because I think they were kind of given away in the book's description, and partly because of things revealed later in the story (trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible), so if you start reading and feel that way, keep reading! There was definitely a point for me at which the story sunk its claws in and I was HOOKED, which I like in a book - you think you kind of know where things are going, and then BAM, suddenly you're reading past your bedtime.

I think the part that really kept me reading though was Kajal. I read a lot of fantasy/romantasy and after you've read enough books your FMCs can unfortunately start to feel really one-dimensional, either becoming the perfect storybook heroine with nary a chipped nail or eyelash out of place, or they turn to mush when the MMC shows up. Don't get me wrong, this is fine sometimes - reading these kinds of stories is like eating an entire bag of peanut butter M&M's - it has a time and place, but you probably shouldn't do it all the time and it gets boring really fast. Kajal is not like this. Kajal is ANGRY, and has every right to be, but also acts on her anger in ways that feel real and like something myself or any other reasonable girl would want to and/or would do. She's imperfect, impulsive, makes "wrong" choices, and really struggles with the dark side of herself which wants to burn everything down. This makes for a really relatable character that feels fully fleshed-out and human in a very thoroughly fantasy world.

As a woman in STEM too, I really related to Kajal's recognition of how her desire for knowledge and scientific discovery often competed with how she felt she should feel and act. This also holds true for Kajal's feelings about standing out in a still very patriarchal society, and I hope this book finds those kind of people because reading her internal monologue felt like a love letter to every time I felt like I was both too much and not enough for a world that still tried to cram women into certain boxes.

12/10 will be pre-ordering this book and 112487134/10 waiting with bated breath for the sequel, which I think is set to come out next year!

I read this book courtesy of Net Galley and Nancy Paulsen Books. This is the kind of story that makes you stay up late, forget to eat, and marvel at the world and characters that the author has built. The story opens with Kajal breaking out of her coffin and frantic that her sister has not done the same. She has to bring her sister back to life! What happened? The answer is a long time coming. In the meantime, Kajal has to run, because when people escape from their coffins, the locals tend to look at you funny and accuse you of being a witch and want to execute you. It doesn’t help that Kajal tends to incite chaos wherever she goes, something that her sweeter-natured sister always smoothed over. Kajal finds herself trapped and facing an ordeal of poison when she is approached by two people who can help her escape so she can bring her sister back to life. The catch? She has to bring back to life the crown prince of the realm who died in the battlefield twenty years ago. But first she’s got to find him. I love this book, have found a new author to follow, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

#WeShallBeMonsters #NetGalley #YA #Fantasy #IndianMyth #Frankenstein

INTRIGUED.

This was a total cover read and I really enjoyed the inside of this book too! I loved that this was based in Indian mythology (not something I know a lot about so I loved the author’s note at the end explaining different aspects). Not to mention there’s an undead dog that is a shining character in his own right.

I love how loyal Kajal was to her sister and their story. While I did feel the pacing was off for more than half of the book I started getting invested towards the end as reveals and further plot lines were revealed. I enjoyed the world building and found the magic system to be intricate and dark. The necromancy and reincarnation created a perfectly spooky atmosphere.

I’m looking forward to further expansion of these characters and how it will all come together in that forever battle of good vs. evil and the balance it takes to maintain the world. And there’s a subtle slow burn romance that I must see more of!!

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: high
Content Warnings: loss of loved one, weapons violence

3 stars

This books strength is certainly in the world and characters. There is a zombie dog and tenacious main character that I was rooting for. This works best I think if you are fairly familiar with Indian mythology. Funny quips kept me going when the pace was glacial. If you are looking for a unique YA fantasy I would give this one a try.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy for me to form my opinion:

I’m a sucker for books with any type of mythology in them, so of course I thoroughly enjoyed We Shall Be Monsters which centered on Indian mythology. And reading the description: “Frankenstein meets Indian mythology” I immediately said yes. I really don’t know too much about it, but it wasn’t necessary at all. And the author mentions in her note at the end that it’s not meant to teach you Hindu mythology at all- she uses a very loose application of it.

I immediately felt protective over Kajal, the FMC. She had a hard life being an orphan along with her sister, and then losing said sister, well, you can’t help but not root for her resurrection to work.

I loved that despite all the slight horror in this novel, that a romance slightly blooms from the darkness. And while this is just the first book in the series, it didn’t leave you on a total cliffhanger. Yet I am nonetheless anxious to read the next book in this series!

Oh, and there’s a dog that she resurrects and it’s just the best dog ever. (Sorry Wrigley, but this dog didn’t bark to be let out twice in a row and then not do their business🤷‍♀️)

4.5 rounded up

I unfortunately could not finish this book and dnf’d around 30%. Writing was well done, but I just could not get into the story. This is one I would try again at a later date.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this epic and amazing opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available June 24 2024!!!

Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this lush dark tale that had me salivating for more. The plot and premise were amazing. The characters unforgettable. The pacing never lagged and now I sit here in a slump because this dark, twisty and atmospheric novel has taken my heart.

Mixed feelings about this one. I thought the premise of this sounded cool, love the cover, and the first couple chapters were engaging. But after that, the beginning was a struggle to get through. I debated setting it aside a few times but decided to try to keep going, hoping it would pick up. It did eventually, around the 40% mark, and I really started to enjoy the middle, and the dynamic between Kajal and Tav. But the latter half started to drag again, I wasn’t interested in the overall plot, and the ending was confusing to me. I don’t think I’ll be picking up the next book.

Obsessed! I love Tara Sims books, Sims is one of my author auto buys! I was obsessed with (and still am) The City of Dusk series and We Shall Be Monsters has shot up my favorites list! The flow of the Story is incredible and the plot is fantastic!

I really enjoyed this story. It takes Indian mythology mixed with Frankenstein. The main character is trying to bring her sister back from the dead and ends up going on a crazy adventure to do it. I love how it has different Indian spirits and terms all through the story. I definitely want more stories like this. I couldn't put this story down.

I loved this book from the first read I did of the description. I loved the world quite a bit and while there were a few chapters that felt almost out of place I could tell where they were going (there had been some non-subtle foreshadowing of it) so I stuck with it and it worked. I liked the characters a lot (especially the undead good boy dog). After Kajal’s sister Lasya dies Kajal swears to do anything at any cost to bring her back. Along the journey she meets a great cast of characters and gets caught up in an insurrection she couldn’t care less about. I was expecting the cliffhanger ending but I was still disappointed to not be able to finish the story. (I’m the kind of person who needs to know always all the things). I really liked the mythology woven into this and it’s not something I knew a lot about so I enjoyed learning it even more. Definitely will have to make a note to read the sequel to this one when it comes out.

This book is captivating with a wonderful synopsis. I did get lost in it and then lost lost. Some of the phrases used and mythology wasn’t explained so I felt very much outsider not understanding the language.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC. I loved reading We Shall Be Monsters. Kajal has my whole heart. I love her character so much! She is so funny, but also the angst brought me to tears. I love girls with thorny personalities. The world building is also phenomenal, I love the way mythology is interwoven into the story and also the Frankenstein vibes. I can't wait for the next book after that ending!

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for the copy of this book!

The cover took me right in -- always love a skull! Blended with a dark, atmospheric read wth Indian mythology and monsters, I thought this would be a huge win. However, I found it to be reallllllly slow and it didn't hold my attention. Definitely seems like it's a me problem!