Two sisters, a deadly mist and mysteries abound....

The Monstrous Kind centers on two sisters, who couldn't be more different, fighting to keep their manor and legacy alive after over a century of survival from the mist and phantoms that lurk nearby.

Lydia Gregovic has constructed a gothic world where Regency era England meets darkness and monsters. One sister, Essie, is set to become the vessel, the Lord of her family's manor. While the other, younger sister, Merrick, must secure her own safety for her future through a strong marriage.

The story begins with Merrick returning to the manor after hearing of her father's passing. The horrors and mysteries immediately begin as Merrick's return coach is attacked by phantoms after a breach in the borders of the mist. Merrick is rescued by a strong, young sentry with a murky past she'll need to uncover as the story unfolds. She arrives to the manor to find her sister drastically changed, her unsophisticated cousin and his cold wife running the estate and many other questions she'll need to find answers to.

At times, Merrick appears to be a frightened young girl, trying only to honor her deceased parents and do what she thinks is right as a manorborn. Underestimated by most, she is determined to find answers and save her manor and those she loves. As the story unfolds the reader watches as Merrick must make decisions far beyond her years, with long lasting consequences.

The book has been noted to be for the target audience of YA. With that in mind, I give it a strong 4 stars. The gothic horror and amount of romance is just the right amount for most YA readers. If you have a YA reader, or you yourself, like YA gothic romantasies, give this book a try; especially given the spooky time of year we are approaching!

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for my ARC. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Spooky and atmospheric, regency-esque, but incredibly slow. The author was great at creating imagery, but the amount of similes and comparisons to do so became distracting. The action scenes were great and the ending definitely moved at a better pace than the rest of the book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

It was an interesting read that presented a unique take on an old classic novel and while the pacing dragged at times, the characters kept me curious enough to make it to the end!

In a haunting Regency England, two sisters, Merrick and Essie, struggle to protect their manor from monstrous creatures and a toxic fog threatening their lands. After their father's sudden death, Merrick returns to her childhood home to find a changed, frightened Essie and a landscape besieged by attacks. As dangers mount and Essie disappears, Merrick faces treacherous Manor Lords and dwindling allies, questioning whom she can trust in a world where every certainty is slipping away.

I really enjoyed this, it made me feel like I was reading a gothic bridgerton story. I was not expecting it to be as eerie which made me like it even more. I did predict a lot of the twists but that didn’t take away from the experience for me.

There were some moments that left me wanting more, or felt a little unresolved with questions lingering. I loved the overall atmospheric setting it was the perfect intro to fall.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children’s for this ARC.

This book is lush, romantic, gothic, and gorgeously written. I was hooked on the world immediately. It's so unique and terrifying at the same time. I also loved that we aren't just dealing with literal monsters but with threats from society as well. This is a beautiful book and my students are going to love it.

Atmospheric and gothic romantasy inspiring by Austen’s Sense and Sensibility? I mean, say less. There is not one word in that sentence I hate. This immediately gave me vibes of Erin A. Craig’s books (a huge compliment coming from me, self-appointed leader of the Craig Fan Club). Merrick was a wonderfully flawed character who just felt terribly relatable. She was vain, jealous, petty, sarcastic and just my absolute favorite type of character. The romance was subtlety beautiful, the twists were wild, and there was some pretty cool horror elements at play. I would love to see more books set in this world.

Such a fun read!! This book had so much, a good mystery with twists and turns you really don't expect. A cute sub plotted romance. A fierce and smart main character. Sisterly love... All in all this was a journey that I very much enjoyed going through. My one main issue with it was the fact that the main character was 17? Which always stresses me out a bit especially when she is thinking about marriage. I understand why due to her social background but as a viewer I wish she was just a tad older!

This was a great read. I loved the gothic horror, regency, monsters, etc. all mixed in together. That made for a very atmospheric read with an interesting concept. I found the setting, characters and plot to all be really compelling and I flew through this one. This was a unique retelling, that I definitely didn't feel I had read before, and I long for more!

The Monstrous Kind is a gothic, creepy fantasy set in Regency period England. The author states the vibes are similar to Jane Austin's writing and would be good for lovers of "The House of Salt and Sorrows".

This was firmly YA from my perspective. Though there are heavier, darker themes in the book, such as mention of self harm and traumatic deaths. I felt the author handled them in a way that was appropriate for YA. You also get a wonderful picture of different challenges faced by those in that time period: lower class treated as less than, upper class unable to trust anyone, cut throat politics, females usefulness/station less than men, coming of age and the challenges of weathering romantic emotions.

All these issues were highlighted by the overarching threat of the fog overtaking their lands and the Phantoms (basically zombies) attacking. The paranormal component added an eerie and sinister vibe to the book that was delicious! I thoroughly enjoyed the plot behind the book and the twists the author weaved in.

The protagonist, Merrick, was such a love/hate situation for me. I expected and wanted her to be this badass fighting woman. Saving herself and proving her ability to save others as well as have a compassionate heart for her people. I wanted her to be smart and sharp. With her short temper and inability to "hold her tongue", I wanted her to LET HER TONGUE GO MORE! While I do believe she had wonderful growth and we will learn to love her more in the future installments, Merrick fell very flat for me. Then I remind myself she is a teenage girl in regency England and even with her higher station, she has still been basically groomed to be a trophy piece.

Also, even with the conclusion and identifying the "bad guys", I still don't trust ANYONE in this book LOL. I would not be at all surprised if the people who ended up being the good guys in this eventually turn on her as well. Everyone seems shady to me!!

A gothic historical fantasy romance inspired by Sense and Sensibility complete with deadly fog monsters, manor politics, and forbidden romance. Merrick Darling is the daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex and all her life she's been pitted against her sister to inherit the title of Manor Lord, yet when her father tells her she'll never inherit it she leaves in hopes of finding a marriage that will help her. She lives in an England where there is a mysterious fog that turns people into Phantoms, monstrous creatures that are barely being contained. The Manor Lords must protect the lands and keep these monsters out... but things are only going to get worse when Merrick's father suddenly dies and Merrick is forced to return home. Merrick returns home to find that her sister has become withdrawn and frightened and the fog is beginning to close in. More people are being turned and Merrick knows things are only going to get worse. When her sister is kidnapped, Merrick is determined to find her but when she gets the truth will she be able to handle it? Merrick must also deal with three different suitors... one who is perfect on paper, one who has a secret past connected to her sister, and one who is wholly not suited for her yet she can't help being drawn to. Who will she end up with? This was definitely a unique twist on the classic Jane Austen story and I loved the incorporation of a gothic/fantasy into the story. The romance was light and the mystery had a lot of fun twist and turns. This was a really fun read for the autumn season and one I'd recommend for anyone looking for a gothic fantasy!

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

*I received this book (Via eArc by Netgalley) for free from the Publisher ( Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press ) in exchange for an honest review*

The Monstrous Kind is a brilliant fusion of classic literature, fantasy, and a dash of horror that left me utterly spellbound. This unique retelling of Sense and Sensibility is unlike anything I've read before, blending the familiar with the fantastical in a way that feels fresh and exciting. From the very first page, the mystery surrounding Essie's disappearance had me hooked. I was completely engrossed in trying to unravel the web of secrets and deceit, staying up all night to figure out who was behind Merrick's sister's disappearance. The story is filled with phantoms, ghosts, and monsters, adding an eerie and thrilling layer to the narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author masterfully keeps the reader guessing, with twists and turns that made it impossible to put the book down. The characters are richly drawn, and the dark, atmospheric setting adds to the suspense and intrigue. The Monstrous Kind is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a novel that combines the best elements of classic literature with the excitement of fantasy and horror.

Thank you so much to [ Random House Children’s | Delacorte Press ] and NetGalley for the ARC

4 stars
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I just finished this and ran to review it because what a debut.

The writing in this is beautifully descriptive, if not too much so. The plot is really well thought out and executed. This idea of competing manors, against each other while battling a common foe, was really interesting to see play out. The world building of the houses was really good. The early establishing of the manors was a nice touch to this building. The setting is eerie and mysterious, with just a touch of reality to ground it. The setting is fleshed out through the book in the perfect pacing to allow the reader to know what they need to know exactly when they need to know it. The pacing of the actual plot was a touch slow, but once it picked up, it was impossible for me to put this book down. I never quite knew what was coming next, which is something I really love in books. I never saw that twist coming.

Our cast of characters are really well written. Merck comes across as so shallow and naive in the beginning, but you can see she’s not either. I loved watching her character play out against the plot. And against Killian. I loved the evolution of Killian and his story. The little bit of romance was a bit sudden to me, but I was absolutely rooting for them.

I’m really excited for the sequel of this one.

Lyrical and atmospheric with the slowest of slow burn romances, this gothic, regency-inspired fantasy will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat.

When Merrick's father declared that she would never inherit his Manor or his title, she headed off to New London to create a new path for herself apart from her family. She never imagined that she'd be forced to return so quickly or that her father would be dead when she did. She abandons her life in New London to help her sister establish herself as the new Manor Lord of Sussex.

When she arrives at Darling Manor, she finds that things deteriorated quickly in her absence. Her sister appears sickly and afraid, and there are threats all around. The mist and it's dangers creep ever closer, threatening the common people and, in turn, threatening her sister's grip on power. It seems that someone is working against them, but who? And how long can they hold off the dead that wander hungry and desperate through the mists?

I loved this book. It perfectly brings together elements of gothic fantasy and mystery with dash of romance and some horror elements. Its expertly done, and the writing is just gorgeous.

I've seen a few outlets refer to The Monstrous Kind as romantasy, and I think that's a mistake. This book has a romantic vibe, but at its core, it's more fantasy than romance. There is romance, but it's not central enough to the plot to be romantasy. It's more dark fantasy with a sprinkle of romance, and it's EXCELLENT.

I highly recommend this for readers who love the writing of Ava Reid, classic gothic novels with a fantasy twist, and stories that are, at their heart, about the person you become when you stop letting other people decide who you should be.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I loved this one, it was so fun and I enjoyed the gothic regency location mixed the horror and monsters. It was a great, unique play on Sense & Sensibility, and I honestly haven't read anything quite like it before.

Merrill and her sister Essie want to keep their manor. They both think they deserve the title, but that’s hard to do when at the boarder of their province is a toxic fog with monsters lurking. There are stings of attacks and the fog encroaching on her home that have her geared to fight for what’s hers.

This is definitely a gothic take on Jane Austen. It’s very moody and unique in its own. The story is a slow build of learning the estates and characters, mixed with some historical history. It also has a mix of ‘The Mist’ with a mist involved that turns people into zombie like monsters. Almost like Pride Prejudice and Zombies.

It was so imaginative and different than some books I’ve read. Like I said it is a bit slow but it definitely kept my attention and wasn’t hard to follow. I also loved the sister’s personalities and how they each want what’s best for themselves in a world that’s gone to literal hell.

All in all, it’s an enjoyable YA story with mystery and predictability mixed in.

A competent debut, swirling with gothic ambience!

Inspired by Sense and Sensibility, I loved the premise of tempestuous Merrick coming home to her serene sister, Estella, in the wake of their father’s tragic death. Now orphaned, the two must navigate their world, where the monsters of polite society may pose a greater risk than the Phantoms lurking in the mist.

The world-building was excellent. Regency-era England, locked in a prison of fog that teems with monsters. Entering the fog dooms one to become one of the cannibalistic Phantoms, unless you have the protection of Manorborn blood. This ruling class of families plots, manipulates, grasps, and betrays as one would expect!

While the world was perfectly illustrated, I would have liked to see more focus on the characters. Unlike many reviewers, I was fine with the romance plot taking a backseat to the action. However, the relationship between Essie and Merrick warranted a bit more exploration, and every page that didn’t feature Killian suffered for his absence.

The writing is immersive, painting pictures and conveying emotion with ease. I’m a fan of lyrical works, though this leaned a bit heavily on similes. There were times I would have liked to see the action proceed more quickly. I was fully engaged when events were unfolding, but sometimes felt a desire to skim along the way to the next phase.

A moody, atmospheric tale that does justice to its Austen roots, the ending implies a sequel and I absolutely plan to pick it up!

I think a book "inspired by" Sense & Sensibility should hold some passing resemblance to the theme, message, a character, something, from the source material. Yes, there is a Brandon. The manor is referred to as Norland House. The woods are Barton Woods. One man is referred to as a willoughby. But, that is it. Now, if that is all you need, this a decent 3 star fantasy read. Two sisters, only one will inherit the Manor and the other needs to marry well. Even in a fantasy book that is the lot of women. The youngest daughter is bitterly disappointed to find out she will not be the next Manor Lord so takes off for new London to find a rich husband. She returns when her father dies a few months later. There is mist that is deadly and phantoms that come from the mist that deadly. Her carriage is attacked on her journey home and a man with a familiar name saves her. Her sister seems different, afraid of everything and everyone. Her cousin and his wife have taken over the house and her sister goes missing. She is courted by the son of the nearby manor home. Nobody is really looking for the sister. Why isn't anyone looking for the sister? There is political intrigue and a great secret that those in power are not sharing. Thank you to Net Galley #netgalley and Random House for my advance reader copy of #themonstrouskind

The Monstrous Kind
By: Lydia Gregovic
YA Title: Recommended: 12& up but great for Adults

Stars: 4 Stars
Format: E-Book

Review: Let’s talk about this book, which is nothing short of mesmerizing. If you’re someone who sometimes judges a book by its cover, then consider this one a triumph. As for the story itself… I was unexpectedly enthralled. I began with minimal expectations, but the narrative quickly exceeded them in the most thrilling way.

What a captivating and eerie tale it turned out to be! The setting, dark-enchanting, and unique magic system are nothing short of lovely. This book is a gem for anyone craving an innovative fantasy read. Drawing inspiration from Austen's Sense and Sensibility, it weaves a regency fantasy imbued with a chilling gothic atmosphere.

Imagine a world shrouded in a persistent, ghostly fog, with dilapidated, haunted homes and monstrous creatures prowling the edges of the provinces—utterly spine-tingling! The families and provinces, each with distinct traits and abilities, are introduced at the beginning, setting a solid foundation for the grim and atmospheric narrative that follows.

Pros: Atmospheric, Gothic, Eerie, and laced with Mystery and Intrigue. This book has it all! The pacing is impeccable, and it's an outstanding debut. I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel and can’t wait to see where this hauntingly dark journey leads next!

Cons: I believe this book was described as a romantic, and I believe this was more of a Fantasy with a small romance subplot.

Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): Yes, but don't approach this book expecting a romantasy. It’s interesting to note that some readers have compared it to House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin Craig, and I agree—the dark tones are strikingly similar, and I absolutely loved House of Salt and Sorrows! Additionally, the misty atmosphere reminded me of One Dark Window, evoking a similar sense of excitement to that found in the Gillig duology.

Thank you, NetGalley and Delacorte Press, for allowing me the opportunity to review the title.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic is a first person-POV alternative history Regency YA Gothic fantasy. Merrick has spent time in New London along high society but doesn't have an engagement to show for it. When she returns to her family manor after the death of her father to find her sister, Essie, withdrawn and the phantoms creeping closer, she's got a lot more on her plate than finding a husband.

The worldbuilding is so interesting. I've only recently started getting into Gothic and this hit a lot of the buttons that I've started to associate with it. We have phantoms, a manor falling apart, a female lead who constantly feels like everything is slipping away, including what she knows, and we have a dark, rich atmosphere that plays to the genre and time period.

As a lead, Merrick is certainly not dumb, but she is a bit naive. Part of that comes from how several of the men in her life treated her. Her father raised her and Essie almost exactly the same, putting both in the running to inherit the manor, until he told Merrick that she would never have it. On top of that, a potential romance partner or option for fake dating to get the attention of others shows up to Merrick's father's funeral with a fiancee. It makes her a bit jaded as the book goes on, but she never forgets about the things she needs to do to survive.

Between Killian and Ames, the two potential love interests, I liked Killian the best from the beginning. Ames is charming and knows the right things to say, which usually makes me automatically distrust a potential love interest in a Gothic or horror. Killian, on the other hand, is kind of gruff and tells it like it is, but still has his secrets and isn’t totally without his own agenda. Killian also respects Merrick’s autonomy a lot more and seems to listen more to her boundaries.

Content warning for kidnapping and mentions of suicide

I would recommend this to fans of both YA and Gothic fantasy, readers who prefer the Regency period for their historical fiction, and those looking for their next Gothic read that includes phantoms and complicated father-daughter relationships

I honestly had no idea what this book was about, I simply wanted this for the cover but let me tell you, this author right here said I’m going out the gate with action! My mouth was open and I was scrolling through the pages rapidly. Hands down a new favorite.