The Monstrous Kind is a young adult fantasy novel about a seventeen-year-old girl trying to survive in an alternate England plagued by both monsters and the plotting of the elite class.

Merrick is enjoying the social “season” with family friends in New London when she’s called home because her father has died. Her older sister Essie is their father’s heir, and with his death, the title and power will be transferred to her. But only a series of sentries and lanterns hold back the mist that contains deadly phantoms, and the fail-safes around Merrick’s lands are failing. When Essie goes missing, Merrick teams up with the scarred and mysterious sentry Killian to try to find out who took Essie and why the phantoms keep slipping past their security.

The Monstrous Kind had a nice pace and enough mystery and action to keep me interested. I thought the monsters and dystopian aspect of the plot were intriguing, and although I did figure out some of the secrets before Merrick did, I still look forward to finding out more about this world if there is a sequel. I liked Merrick as a character but felt like she needed rescuing more and more as the book went on. She started off as a good shot and the bolder of the two sisters, but by the end, she seemed a little more like a “damsel in distress,” easily fooled and manipulated by others.

As for the writing, the author relied too heavily on similes and metaphors, with almost every page containing one or two. The opening two paragraphs contain four similes right off the bat, and the book has nearly nine hundred uses of the word “like” (yes, I did a word count), most of which were used as part of a simile. I hope if there is a sequel that the author relies on these less, as they bog down the book in unnecessary detail.

Overall, The Monstrous Kind is an enjoyable YA fantasy with some exciting action and a small romantic subplot.

"An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, set in Regency era England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters - perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows and Anatomy: A Love Story.

Merrick Darling's life as daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex is better than most. Unlike the commoners, she is immune to the toxic fog that encroached on England generations earlier. She will never become a Phantom - one of the monstrous creatures that stalk her province's borders - and as long as the fires burn to hold them back, her safety is ensured. She wants for nothing, yet she will never inherit her family's Manor. She must marry smartly or live at the kindness of her elder sister, Essie.

Everything is turned on its head, though, when Merrick's father dies suddenly. Torn from her New London society life of ball gowns and parties, Merrick must travel back to her childhood home, the Darling estate of Norland House, and what she finds there is bewildering. Once strong and capable, Essie is withdrawn and frightened - and with good cause. A recent string of attacks along the province's borders has turned their formerly bucolic countryside into a terrifying and unpredictable landscape. The fog is closing in and the fires aren't holding, which makes Merrick and Essie vulnerable in more ways than one. Because the Phantoms are far from the only monsters in Merrick's world, and the other eleven Manor Lords are always watching for weakness.

Revealing her and her sister's current state to the rest of the Manors is out of the question, but when Essie goes missing, it's clear that Merrick needs help. Only, who can she trust when everyone seems to be scheming, and when all she holds true feels like it's slipping right out of her grasp?"

Oh, a new twist on my favorite genre, Regency Magic!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a bit of a rough time getting into this one. The plot and premise is fascinating, the world building was beautiful. But the tone and voice are overly floral and flouncy and made it hard to really dig into. I also didn’t really have any deep love or caring for any of the main characters. Their relationships all felt a bit surface level and forced. The very steampunk feel also may be perfect for someone else but isn’t my personal favorite. However the super unique plot, the idea of the most and the Phantoms, was enough for me to say I did enjoy reading this book and, while I may not pick up any more if this is the start of a series, I am glad I read it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Childrens', and Ms. Gregovic for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I was enjoying this book up to about 50, 55%, then I started to skim. It's definitely a slow build and there is a lot of political and world-building detail going on, which might have affected my attention span. Perhaps it was the fact that nothing seemed to be happening other than Merrick bumbling around. It IS young adult and Merrick definitely feels very teenaged (I believe she is 17), with all the miscommunications and jumping to conclusions and rash, impulsive decision-making inherent to the age. I agree with other reviewers that I would not have labeled this a "romantasy." The romance factor was minimal. "Gothic" is fair enough but frankly I would have liked the spooky atmosphere ramped up a bit and pushed squarely into horror - the action bits with the zombies, I mean, the phantoms, were my favorite parts. Characterization is a lot of fun here too - pretty much everyone is a bad guy, so to speak, to some extent.

I enjoyed the book but I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had actually been a romantasy, as advertised, or if the romance had been cut out altogether and it had been a strictly fantasy/horror mashup.

This book was moody, atmospheric, Gothic, historical fantasy with zombies! I love pride and prejudice so I'm a little bias but this one has all the spooky vibes with it! For a debut this book is great! I loved the political climate with the different manor houses which are like lords for different territories that try to keep the 'Smoke' at bay. Humans that are touched by the 'smoke' turn into zombies. This part reminds me a little of the movie the mist. The smoke made this book so creepy and atmospheric! I loved it! I enjoyed the historical feel and aspects of the regular life for that time period! The mystery was great I had fun just going for the ride. The classism and elitism theme was done well. Especially with Cressida! The romance was fun but more of a subplot. I love me some Killian! I hope the next book goes more into the 'phantom' zombie things and what's happening with that. Cannot wait for the next book!

Spoiler free review here: So going into this, I have not read Sense & Sensibility so I had a different experience than some with knowledge going into it although now I will go and read that to make further connections.

There is a lot of world building and details. Some are going to love that and others won’t and that is okay— but felt it important to mention here because it can feel slow for some to get into, but I believe the build up is worth it.

I really enjoyed this work and even continued to read it while I was at an outdoor concert/event because I didn’t want to put it down.

I look forward to seeing what else this author will release.

Also it would be amiss for me to not mention how STUNNING & hauntingly beautiful the cover art is and how well it complimented this story.

This will be a great Halloween time read for many of you, so enjoy.

I see potential in this author, but I’m too much of a jane austen (and sisterhood!) purist to enjoy this. I could see how others might, I feel that a ya regency gothic monster story is pretty enticing regardless, so maybe still check it out!

I made it halfway through this before skimming the latter half. I liked the setting and the premise but I kept going back and forth between really liking it and being bored. It seemed to take forever to get to the halfway mark. I think this could really work for the right audience, I just, for whatever reason, lost interest in it.

I enjoyed reading this book even though the start few chapters were a little slow. I only say that because there was so much information at once about what type of enemies they were dealing with and how long. But once I got past those chapters the book was enjoyable and I definitely wanted to figure out who the real villain was! I will say I was not expecting the twist the author threw near the end of the book when she revealed the info. And than the ending with the note like that at the end, I wanted more and what Killian had planned! I do so hope it that is not all, I want to know the outcome to that!

Thank you Random House Children's for a chance of reading this book, I enjoyed it very much!

***ARC received from Delacore Press and NetGalley, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

The Monstrous Kind is the debut novel from Lydia Gregovix an atmospheric fantasy romance inspired by Sense and Sensibility. I’m going to be perfectly honest, not only have I never read Sense and Sensibility (one day) I really had completely forgotten what this book was going to be about. But sometimes those types of experiences end up being a good read and this was a delightful read.

For a main heroine I did like Merrick, raised to be both strong but pretty with no chance of ever being heir she turns to being pretty. A pretty face that never really seems to fit in with society finding a match. She is a good mix of strength and vulnerability and I really did like her as a lead. She is tough if a little foolish at time and overly trusting in others. But for a girl trying to find a match to just survive it does make a lot of sense, especially after the rapid movement of things going on around her who has to switch from surviving through a sensible match to surviving to keep living. She is clearly meant to be young and inexperienced in the game compared to Cressida and her sister. Speaking of Cressida I wasn’t really sure what I would think of her at the beginning but its clear she is not there to usurp the sisters and despite her harsh edges she knows how to play the game of manor politics making her a fun comparison to the more inexperienced Merrick. The two women play well off of each other and I liked their dynamics.

For a male lead Brandon is in it enough to keep you interested, building up the relationship with Merrick but enough to step back and let the ladies take the lead. Although I found I wished for him to be in it more. Sometimes the secondary characters started to feel like they were a little too one dimensional even though there are hints at them being more. I do wish that they had explored the dynamics of the manor families more from the bit you get at the end it was really interesting. Its also the only time they all seem to interact with each other and I wish there had been more woven through the book.

The book is very well written and the pacing is done well, it never feels like it is rushing to cram things in at the end. Taking its time to explain things to a satisfying conclusion. It is a little slow at the beginning as it explores and explains the worst, building up the story but it does pick up relatively quickly moving fast as it explores the twists and turns of a fantasy set Regency era. I think one of my biggest issues was for a book that was both romance and bits of fantasy I wish it had played up the fantasy more. The Phantoms of a chance to be really frightening creatures, but we only really get glimpses of them. For all the threat the fog happens to be it doesn’t get explored enough throughout the book leaving the final climax to fall a little short as the tension with the Phantoms just wasn’t built up enough for me. And because the romance is more background and subtle, still lovely though, it just leaves room for the fantasy element to shine and unfortunately it doesn’t. Yes, I understand what the theme of the book was getting at and why it was more background, as was the romance, I just wanted more of the Phantoms, more of the action to see Merrick shine.

In the end The Monstrous Kind is a strong debut novel with fun characters and if the author ever feels like returning to revisit Merrick I would be along for the journey.

I absolutely love this debut novel from Lydia and cannot wait to see what is to come. This gothic fantasy twist on Sense and Sensibility is incredible.

Nothing is at it seems....

We follow Merrick Darling as she returns to her home for her father's funeral where we get our first understanding of the mist and the deadly phantoms that surround all habited areas. The first bit of the book is a bit slow as we get some backstory and world building but by the middle of the book I was hooked and could not put it down. There were so many times I thought I knew what was going to happen and who was bad and then the twist would happen and prove me wrong.

I cannot wait to see where the story goes in the next book and cannot wait in hopes we get more of Merrick and Killian together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lydia Gregovic's The Monstrous Kind is a captivating journey into a world shrouded in mystery and danger, delivering on its promise of an atmospheric Gothic fantasy that will leave readers spellbound. From the very first page, you're enveloped in a sinister mist teeming with phantoms, held at bay only by the flickering flames of hope – and strategically placed fires. This eerie setting isn't just window dressing; it's a character in its own right, adding layers of tension and intrigue to every scene.

At the heart of this misty realm is Merrick, our protagonist who initially might seem like just another privileged Manor Lord's daughter. But don't let first impressions fool you – Merrick is a delightful surprise, a character who grows and evolves with each chapter. Her journey from a seemingly shallow socialite to a determined and inquisitive young woman is both believable and engaging. As she peels back the layers of family secrets and uncovers the truth her sister has been desperately trying to protect her from, we see Merrick's strength, resilience, and intelligence shine through.

The relationship between Merrick and her sister, Essie, forms the emotional core of the story. It's a beautifully complex dynamic – Essie, trying to protect Merrick while struggling to maintain their family's Manor, and Merrick, initially out of her depth but driven by a fierce love for her sister and an unquenchable thirst for the truth. This sisterly bond and rivalry, with all its tensions and tenderness, add a touching human element to the supernatural intrigue swirling around them.

While the pacing starts slow as Gregovic carefully constructs her world and introduces her characters, patience is rewarded as the story unfolds. The mystery surrounding Essie's disappearance is like a thread that, once pulled, unravels a tapestry of secrets extending far beyond their Manor to encompass all the Manor lords. The revelations are shocking, each twist and turn more unexpected than the last, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
The epilogue strikes a delicate balance between ambiguity and hope, leaving readers satisfied yet intrigued – a perfect setup for potential sequels while still providing a sense of closure to this chapter of Merrick's story.

The Monstrous Kind is a must-read for fans of YA Gothic Fantasy who crave atmospheric world-building, complex characters, and mysteries that linger long after the last page is turned. Gregovic has crafted a tale as haunting as the phantoms lurking in the mist, yet as warm and inviting as the fires that keep them at bay.

Thank you, Delacorte Press and NetGalley, for my free E-book for review.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC of this novel.

This was a 4.5 star read for me but since I can’t give half stars I m rounding up to 5 stars since it was worth so much more then just 4 and the issues I had were some editing issues that could very well be fixed when the actual book comes out since ARCs aren’t the finalized version when it comes to editing.

This book was a wild ride of a read from start to finish. The end left me trying to flip for more pages because I didn’t want the story to be over. I hope that this author plans to write a sequel because there is so much more I want to know and read about the world she has created. I would describe it as a YA gothic romantasy with Pride Prejudice and Zombies vibes. Every time I thought I figured something out there would be another twist. Who is the bad guy - who is the good guy - who knows!

The romance in this book isn’t the main part of the story but you will find you have the guy you are rooting for and then one you want to fall off a cliff. Part of the reason I hope for a sequel is because I want to see more of the romance between the Merrick and the guy at the end who will remain unnamed because spoilers.

This is an interesting and different take on the YA dystopian world has ended troupe that I think another who enjoys gothic fantasy books will really enjoy.

I didn't like this book. It was difficult to follow at times and I didn't find myself invested in the story. The premise was interesting and I do love Jane Austen. but the execution didn't work for me.

Power, I am learning, dulls the lines of good and evil until they are nothing but a blur. Power is good; it is evil. It only depends on whose hands it falls into: yours, or someone else’s, whether you are reaching for it or trying to tear it down. And one can never have enough.

rating: 3.75

moody, atmospheric, gothic. pride and prejudice and zombies with some hints of one dark window, bridgerton, and maybe a touch of succession.

this was a solid debut book for me. i was very intrigued by the world when it opened with a list of the manor families, aka the elite class that rule over their respective territories in The Smoke. the mist and its "phantoms" - people who became infected by it and thus transformed into zombie-esque creatures - were thoroughly eerie and creepy. while still YA subtle horror, this would be a great mood read for spooky season.

i personally enjoy slower-paced historical fantasy, esp when we get some snippets of the ongoings of the period, but when the mystery plot picked up more that definitely kept me reading. i was fascinated by characters like cressida, who i was constantly second-guessing and i enjoyed the class-society intricacies. i also appreciated the theme of classism and elitism.

i personally haven't read jane austen in years so i can't speak to the retelling aspect, but i would say this definitely leans more into fantasy than fantasy romance. it's subplot and while courting/marriage is an important part that's mostly bc of women *needing* it in those days. both killian and ames had their moments though.

some things that could've been improved for me: a bit too many similes ("like"), i wanted more of the phantoms. i also wanted more of the different manor families after the guide intrigued me.

i was very intrigued by how it ended and think the next book has a lot of promise. i also hope the romance gets a bit more focus.

TLDR: read this if you want a gothic moody mystery in a regency setting with just a touch of romance.

“Power … the Manors flash it like a coin, make you crave it, but it is a lie. The only gifts my father’s title ever bought me were resentment, hatred, and pain.” He hesitates. “I wish only for you to be free, in this and all things.”

an honest arc review ♡

I enjoyed the story but felt it could have been tightened up and shortened. The writing was good and I liked the ideas

This story is a Dark Fantasy or gothic horror inspired by Jane Austin’s sense and sensibility with a dash of Pride and Prejudice(which I love).

The world is set in the Regency era of England. It follows two sisters trying to maintain the ownership of their manor.

I enjoyed every character even the side characters and their depth and range is truly what kept me engaged in the ever twisting plot.

Political intrigue
Love triangle
Villain(s)
Poetic writing
Phantoms-zombies
Horror fantasy with a romance subplot
Solve a mystery
Secrets
Plot twists
First book in the series

This books was well written giving all of the atmospheric gothic vibes one enjoys especially in this upcoming spooky season.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

This was a pretty cool story, mixing Bridgerton vibes with monsters. And then mix in some truly appalling levels of classism and corruption and the monstrosities continue.

Our leads were very well written, very both Merrick and Killian being complex and holding some complex and justified feelings towards their families and the pretty cruel way they were raised.

I like their back-and-forth as a romantic couple and I see the potential there but a certain someone who shall not be named kind of ruined the development of their relationship because Merrick had strong feelings towards this other person (or at least told us she did) and just… ignored Killian while supposedly having feelings for him too?? I don’t know, I almost would’ve preferred no romantic pay-off in THIS book for them but they continued being friends and working towards a romantic relationship in the sequel.

Other than that, this was a really interesting world, the dynamics and politics were intriguing. The layers behind the side characters, her father, Essie, Cressida, was very interesting. The plot itself took me by surprise because the conflict is supposedly resolved by the 80% mark just for some really interesting bits of info to come to light and ruin things again in the last 20%, and not in the way I was expecting.

To conclude, highly recommend this one.

While I really enjoyed the plot & characters, I don’t believe this should have been marketed as a romantasy! So if you’re going into it for the romance, it doesn’t happen until about half way through the book. I loved the story, it had so much potential! But I do feel as if it fell a little short at times.

Oh, this story is hauntingly beautiful and the prose is to die for. But being marketed as a romantasy isn’t doing this book justice.