Sense and Sensibility with Phantoms (ghost zombies)?! Sign me up. This was a solid read. Not as scary as I was hoping (since it was compared to House of Salt and Sorrow), but it was a fun read. While most things were predictable, there were some twists that I wasn't expecting.

I was disappointed in the lacking romance considering it was labeled Romantasy. Also, there was a lot more tell than show for the plot. But overall really well done. Especially for a debut novel (what?!).

This had a great mystery and I really hope there is book 2.

"The Monstrous Kind" was a quick and easy read that kept my attention the entire way through. I guessed most of the plot twists well ahead of time, but I really enjoyed Merrick as a main character. The life that had been carved out for her, the power thrust onto her, and the search for truth all felt so vivid and real through her. I do wish that the book was slightly more spooky, despite there being plenty of atmosphere in the story. The "Sense and Sensibility" comps make complete sense with the story, but they take nothing away from the many changes that Gregovic manages to make entirely her own.

I don’t think this books is for me. I didn’t get too far into it before DNFing. It felt overwritten, and I guess I just don’t vibe with the regency era.

“In the end, it is death that calls me home again.”
What an opening line. This really just consumed me from the start. The Monstrous Kind has the gothic regency vibes that I loved about Belladonna, with a hauntingly beautiful prose similar to Allison Saft and Ava Reid. This isn’t a cozy fantasy by any means, but it was cozy to me with its eerie manor setting and a plot focused on mystery and secrets. The concept of a deadly mist and killer phantoms intrigued me from the first chapter. I loved that fantasy element that boosted the spooky atmosphere even higher and made for some action packed fighting scenes.
In the midst of all the dark secrets, there’s a really sweet romance that warmed my heart. He supported her fighting and protecting herself, and offered her freedom from all the political chaos. Not to mention he has heterochromia eyes, scars, and a mysterious yet tragic backstory. The yearning and tension was everything, I couldn’t get enough of him.
There were so many plot twists that I lost count, and absolutely no one is who they seem. It’s no surprise that this was 5 stars for me. I knew from the first chapter I was gonna be in love with this world and these characters and this book. It wrapped up nicely, leaving me with a smile on my face. However, I wouldn’t be opposed to a sequel set in the same world. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

The Monstrous Kind is a gothic, mysterious romantasy that hooks the reader from the first page.

I had a great time with this one. It was haunting, romantic, and very entertaining. It had me guessing and smirking with its stunningly atmospheric prose and beautiful scenes. I was able to guess many of the big reveals at the end, but I still had a fun time with the mystery. This story had so many fun elements, and I cannot wait to read more of Lydia’s work.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!

Lydia Gregovic's debur novel has an intricate world-building, suspenseful plot, and compelling characters. Set in a dystopian England plagued by toxic fog and monstrous creatures known as Phantoms, the story follows Merrick Darling, a young woman who must confront her family's secrets and the darkness lurking in her own heart. Merrick's life takes a dramatic turn when her father dies unexpectedly, forcing her to return to her childhood home, Norland House. There, she discovers that her once-strong sister, Essie, has become withdrawn and fearful. As attacks on the province's borders intensify, Merrick and Essie find themselves trapped in a world of danger and uncertainty. The novel's strength lies in its atmospheric setting. Gregovic paints a vivid picture of a world where the toxic fog has transformed the landscape into a terrifying and unpredictable place. The Phantoms, with their grotesque forms and deadly venom, pose a constant threat to the inhabitants. However, as Merrick delves deeper into the secrets of her family and the other Manor Lords, she realizes that the true monsters may not be the ones lurking in the fog.
Merrick is a complex and relatable protagonist. Her journey from a sheltered and privileged existence to a world of danger and intrigue is both compelling and heartbreaking. She grapples with her own prejudices and fears, and her determination to protect her sister drives her to make difficult choices. Gregovic's writing is both lyrical and suspenseful. She deftly weaves together elements of fantasy, horror, and mystery, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Overall, I highly recommend this book for fans of dystopian fiction, fantasy, and suspense.

I was interested right from the title and cover. Then add in the romantasy and monsters and I was hooked.

Right from the first page, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. I loved everything about this.

The world-building was fantastic, and it had the perfect gothic feel.

This was the author’s first book, and it was fantastic. You could tell, that she put a lot of time, effort and thought into this! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

it was a dark and twisted tale, filled with angst and paired with chilly & mysterious atmosphere. I love the writing style and how each character personalities were portrayed, especially Killian (he is such a dear must be protected at all cost). I also love Merrick as a lead, also Estella and Ames and actually everything about this book!

This was such a good book! I really love this author so I was so excited to get to read this book. The plot was so good I could not put it down until I finished! The characters were unique and I loved the journey and turmoil they went through. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.