First of all, this book is sold as something it most certainly isn’t. The Monstrous Kind can in no way be considered either a romantasy nor a Sense and Sensibility retelling (loose or not). That being said, it isn’t actually bad at what it does. It should be merchandised as a YA gothic mystery novel and I’m sure it would be well received by that genre audience…which is unfortunately not me.
The overall plot and the world building were the highlight of the novel. I founded it both intriguing and unique. The author does a good job of explaining the details of the setting without overwhelming the reader. Moreover, the prose itself is atmospheric and engaging.
However, the characters were extremely one dimensional and unlikeable to an extreme, especially the protagonist. It is one thing to be a flawed protagonist, Merrick was insufferable. There’s very little character development that actually makes sense to me.

If you're looking for a romantasy, this is not it. There is almost no romance in this book and basically none for the first 50%. I was disappointed.

I probably would have liked this more if it hadn't been marketed as a romantasy.

I read the whole book because I was interested enough in the mystery to find out if my guesses were correct (they were). It’s YA level predictable, which is fine bc it’s a ya book.

I think some ppl will really enjoy this, but I just couldn’t get excited about it. I felt like it tried really hard to have all the vibes and atmosphere with descriptive prose but instead felt overwritten.

The stakes didn’t feel high enough, the romance was not at all appealing, the fmc is pretty boring, and I was bored.

I do think the story itself was pretty cool, but execution fell flat.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book had an Regency-era atmosphere (reminded me a bit of Bridgerton) with some fantasy/paranormal spice thrown in. Lydia Gregovic is a wonderful writer. The prose for the story was hauntingly beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her debut novel.

The story follows Merrick, an Archdaughter, on her path to discovering the truth about her family and the Graylands. Each time I thought I had something figured out, a twist was thrown my way that I didn't see coming. But the execution was amazing! They weren't twists just for the sake of shaking things up, but were thought out and aligned with the story. I enjoyed the unfolding of this story, and marveled at the world building.

A review of this book is incomplete without mentioning the characters. I liked Merrick (the FMC) from the beginning. Her backstory is well laid out and the character growth is superb. But all the supporting characters were also so well developed! Killian...just read it so you can meet him.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC!

Step into the luscious, haunting world of “The Monstrous Kind.” Upon receiving the news of her father’s demise, Merrick must return home to her family’s ruling manor after having run away months before. She returns to find phantoms plaguing her homeland and a mysterious new sentry. I was immediately drawn into the author’s writing style and world-building. The fantasy twist on a Jane Austen English setting was intriguing. The court intrigue, family dynamics, romance, and mystery were all twisty elements in the plot.

This was such a great debut; I cannot wait to see what Lydia Gregovic writes next!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

*The Monstrous Kind* combines atmospheric Regency romance with haunting fantasy in a captivating twist on the beloved classic *Sense and Sensibility*. Set in a vividly imagined England where deadly monsters and societal pressures intermingle, this novel offers a compelling blend of romantic intrigue and dark fantasy that will delight fans of *House of Salt and Sorrows* and *Anatomy: A Love Story*.

In this reimagined Regency era, Merrick Darling enjoys a privileged life as the daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex, safely shielded from the toxic fog that has plagued England for generations. Unlike the common folk, she remains immune to the horrific transformation into a Phantom, a monstrous creature that prowls the borders of her province. However, Merrick’s secure existence is threatened when her father’s sudden death forces her to return to her childhood home, Norland House, and confront the grim reality of her family’s estate.

The once idyllic Darling estate has become a battleground, with the encroaching fog and failing fires leaving Merrick and her elder sister, Essie, increasingly vulnerable. Essie, who once commanded strength and confidence, now appears withdrawn and fearful. As the attacks by the Phantoms escalate and the fog tightens its grip, the sisters find themselves facing not only supernatural threats but also the scheming eyes of the other Manor Lords who are keen to exploit any sign of weakness.

Merrick's return to Norland House reveals a world far more perilous than she anticipated. The stakes are high as she grapples with the possibility of her sister’s disappearance and the dangerous political landscape that threatens their very survival. The novel deftly weaves together themes of loyalty, trust, and the quest for power, all while maintaining a romantic tension that adds depth to the characters' struggles.

*The Manor of Shadows* excels in its atmospheric world-building, capturing the gothic allure of the Regency setting with a chilling fantasy twist. The interplay between the lush, romantic elements and the dark, foreboding presence of the Phantoms creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers on edge. The novel’s blend of romance and fantasy is executed with elegance, ensuring that fans of both genres will find much to enjoy.

With its richly detailed setting, intricate plot, and well-drawn characters, *The Manor of Shadows* is a must-read for those who enjoy a blend of historical romance and dark fantasy. The novel is a testament to the power of genre fusion, offering a thrilling and immersive reading experience that will linger long after the final page.

A wonderful Sense and Sensibility retelling that will leave readers wanting more! I couldn't put the book down! It had mystery, romance, atmosphere, and wonderful characters. I was charmed by the story and enthralled by the way the author wove it together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random Hose Children for this arc! It will be available 9/3/24!

Okay Ms Gregovic I see you! This took Jane Austen’s novel of Sense and Sensibility and gave it a monstrous twist that honestly intrigued and delighted me. Its characters are well written, plot is fast paced and easy to follow. I truly dig it!

DNF (But I may revisit this book and try again at a later date)
I tried. I really tried. I tried picking it up on three separate occasions to give it a chance because on paper it was so up my alley. A Jane Austen retelling but make it more gothic. And it was recommended by Erin A Craig, whose books I am obsessed with. Unfortunately, even getting through chapter one was painful. When you break it down, it had the right parts for a chapter one, it was on the cusp of things, yet it's lacking that spark of life to capture me. I think the main issue was with our main character/narrator. The most important thing for a chapter one is to convince the reader to care about your narrator and why we should follow along on their journey, and I was not convinced. I actually was mildly annoyed with her, and not in a fun way. I think the other issue was that the first chapter was way too long. The length actually may not have been a problem if something was actually happening. Yes I know her carriage eventually was attacked, but 98% of that chapter was her info dumping the world to us. But I gave it another chance, hoping maybe things could change with chapter two. It didn't. We still had too many aside info dumpings.
I do want to give this book another chance at a later date, recognizing that I am in a mild reading slump. I also recognize that this particular style of writing, which comes across as sort of novice to me, would not have bothered me if I was reading it when I was fifteen and not as well-versed in the world of reading, and the world of reading YA. While I struggled with this, I do encourage others to give it chance. It may be for you, even if it wasn't for me right now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's- Ballantine for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

This book was so good! I will admit, it started a little slow, but it picked up and was super enjoyable. The book was very eerie and had some great twists. The characters seemed a little boring at the start, but I grew to enjoy them more as the book went on! I haven't read Sense and Sensibility, so I can't speak to that aspect of the book.

And, the big thing, this is not a romantasy. As of right now, it's been marketed as that. So, some might be disappointed on that front. I personally, appreciated that the book was centered on a romance, but not all might.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an eerie, atmospheric read and doesn't mind a slow beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s publisher for this Arc in exchange for an honest review!

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: historical fantasy, undead creatures, mystery

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 6/13, my review blog as of 7/2, and Instagram on 7/24.

This book is set in an interesting alternate history version of England somewhere in the 1800s or early 1900s. There's talk of lords and of debuting and of propriety, but there's also a mist obscuring a good portion of the country and which turns most who enter it into Phantoms -- undead, bloodthirsty creatures. I enjoyed learning about the world and the way it worked. The manor houses were interesting, and I liked the way they were organized using 'bloody' terms. The immunity was also interesting to me and it's definitely used as one of those things the manor lords use to 'protect' everyday people but also something they lord (pun intended, lol) over them and use it as their source power.

I'm pretty sure the Phantoms are supposed to be zombies but I actually didn't mind them. It seems like the rot takes them over and leaves them with white eyes and white mycelium-like marks over their body, but there's no decomposition or anything. The Phantoms survive (if it can be called that) in the mist and can't last very long if they leave it. The fires and gas lamps lit around the border keep them out, though sometimes they break through and will attack people and eat them. Guns called ghostslayers kill the Phantoms, but it's never explained if the guns have special bullets or just a special name. I would've liked to learn more about the Phantoms. I know they're commonplace for the characters since they've been around for at least 200 years now, but as a reader I would've liked a more in-depth view of them.

Merrick is the younger daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex. The inheritance of a manor house is not strictly based on birth order, and women can inherit just as much as men can. Merrick's father informed her she would never be a Manor Lord, hence why she fled to New London in search of a suitor. If she isn't the protector of Sussex, then she needs to ensure their family line continues so there can still be a Sussex. Despite this setback, Merrick still cares deeply for her family and for Sussex, and is immediately interested in investigating the weird goings-on at the mist border. She definitely tries her best, but sometimes she comes across as being naive about people and the world they live in. As someone brought up as a manor lord's daughter, she's not very good with strategy or mind games, two things the other manor lords are very good at. Likewise, she has a tendency to trust and mistrust the wrong people, though this could be a side effect of being isolated. As mentioned though, she does have a deep care for the people of her province and for her family, and genuinely wants what's best for them. She's able to consider that the way things have been running might not be the right way, and also reconsiders the manor hierarchy. I enjoyed reading from Merrick's POV and following on her journey to discover what's gone wrong in Sussex.

To be honest, I don't really see a lot that recommends her sister for the position over Merrick. Sure Merrick can be emotionally hotheaded, but her sister's frightfulness and seeming lack of care for the peasantry doesn't really support the claim that she's better for the position. Since Essie goes missing, she isn't in a ton of the book, but when she is there she seems to oscillate between wanting to keep up appearances and needing someone to help take the weight off her shoulders.

Cressida is Merrick and Essie's cousin-in-law, and she definitely felt off at the beginning. Essie says not to trust her and Merrick seems inclined not to, but at the same time, Cressida does offer help and seemingly wants nothing for it. I ended up liking her even though she can be a bit too much into societal perceptions at times.

Killian Brandon is a newish border guard in Sussex and has bene helping Essie investigate the strange goings-on. After Merrick comes home, and especially once Essie goes missing, he and Merrick team up to continue the investigations, and they have a good rapport. He's got a mysterious past he refuses to talk about, but he's also understanding and pushes Merrick in a good way. I liked the banter between the two of them, but did get frustrated at how closed off he could be at times, especially when it felt like he was just keeping silent because he could.

Ames Saint, another manor house heir, also comes in and out of the picture during the book. It's clear he and Essie know each other, though she doesn't particularly seem to like him. Ames and Merrick hit it off though and become quick friends. Merrick's inexperience with other manor houses comes into play a bit here as she agrees to his help out of friendship without thinking about how that means her house now owes his. While Merrick's family situation is complicated and at times painful, Ames' is definitely more painful. His father also died recently, but unlike Merrick, who has Essie and their cousins, Ames is alone with his icy, and at times cruel, mother. Ames could be charming at times, and there were definitely moments when I liked him, but I also thought Merrick was jumping into things too quickly and much too naively.

There were definitely some things that were obvious to me from the get-go but which took Merrick a lot more time to figure out. Despite seeming to think she's good at the kind of games the manor houses play, she's easily outwitted by some of the other lords, sometimes in cases where I felt she should've seen something coming from miles away. The reveal around 70-80% was definitely telegraphed in advance and I can't believe Merrick missed all the signs. Like...there were a lot of signs. I also thought one of the reveals at the end was obvious from the second something related to it is brought up at the beginning of the book. However, the reveal was a satisfying moment of congratulating myself on being right and I feel it was very plausible that none of the other characters knew. In that case, there was actually no way the characters could have known prior to the reveal.

There was a bit at the end related to the satisfying reveal that I was a little confused about. I was fairly certain things should've turned out much, much worse for Merrick but it ends up not being an issue when I think it should've been based on that reveal.

Overall I enjoyed this book and liked the uniqueness of the world. Merrick is an interesting character to follow and I liked being in her head. I did think she could be a bit naive at times though.

2.5/5 stars rounded down.

I've only read Austen's Pride and Prejudice as of this point in this, but even I can tell how loosely this book follows its inspiration Sense and Sensibility.

I can appreciate a good Victorian writing style, where the descriptions and inner thoughts construct page-length paragraphs for the majority of the book. But the way Gregovic goes about it feels very overwhelming and overwritten. It just felt like she was writing as such so to fit the time its set in / based off of rather than it being her natural way of writing. There's also some portions that felt more contemporary, too, so I have no idea if the author was trying to strike a balance or if the modern language of today snuck in there without her really noticing.

The characters are either stupid or bland, particularly Merrick. The narrative tries to hype her up as this cunning, gun-trained woman who don't needs saving, but she's constantly making stupid decisions (i.e., agreeing to let an obvious enemy neighbor occupy her land because some guy batted his eyelashes at her) and conveniently forgets her gun when the narrative needs her to so the male love interest can come save the day. There's multiple times in the story itself where Merrick or someone else, like her cousin-in-law and sister, who specifically called her an imbecile, acknowledged her stupidity, but that really didn't make it better. There's a reveal regarding the immunity that comes accidently because she was trying to expose something else, and the fact she never released it when it was so painfully obvious made me wanna roll my eyes into my skull. The rest of them I could care less about. Killian, the love interest, wasn't really prevalent figure in the story except for, like, one mystery hunt he went on with Merrick and the aforementioned times he'd swoop in to save her. Otherwise, he was just a nothing burger of a character.

All in all, I'm very sad I wasn't able to enjoy this more, since I've been wanting to read some more good gothic YA. I'm sure this will have its audience when it releases, but I will not be amongst them.

Firstly I loved the prose of this author. Gregovic has written a chilling and spooky mystery with a regency background and a little bit of romance slipped in. I dove into this story not know that much about it and although it started a little slow it very quickly had me hooked and I devoured it. I loved all the twists and turns and there were a few I definitely didn’t see coming. I really hope we get more stories from this author! I’ll definitely have a cozy cup of tea waiting when we do.

I was immediately drawn in by the title and cover of this book. I loved the Gothic vibe this book had going for it. The world building was done well, but I felt like it was a bit overdone. Some of the time spent on it didn't always pan out as being necessary, and it didn't feel like it added to the story. The pacing was off for me and I struggled to keep focused while reading. The characters were the biggest disappointment for me, as I could not connect to any of them. Overall I enjoyed this though I had some issues with it. Loved some of the writing passages a lot.

The premise of this book is so unique, and the world building is rich. I enjoyed the descriptions, until it was so constantly overdone. Every single thing is described in detail, leaning more on telling instead of showing.

That makes it a hard book to get into when I’m wondering when I’m going to get to the point. The praise by Ava Reid was a sign this might be the case for me, considering her last book was also much of the same.

Thank you for the arc! It’s one I liked, though didn’t love, so it’s not one I would read again.

The Monstrous Kind has a serpentine twists and turns that with keep you engaged .
It has Great Banter with a layer of Charm and wit which off sets the dark side to the story .
If your a Fans of Jane Austen-inspired stories with a gothic romances you will like this debut novel.

For fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!
In an alternate reality of regency-era London, aristocratic Merrick is the daughter of a Manor Lord - families chosen because of their immunity to the fog that surrounds the countryside and the monsters who inhabit it. Unfortunately, her father has declared her sister Essie as his heir, so it's now Merrick's job to marry and secure her future. But just as Merrick debuts in London's social circles, her father dies unexpectedly and Merrick has to return for Essie's ascension to Manor Lord. But the family estate seems besieged with bad luck and their position in the Lord's hierarchy becomes unstable.
A great historical romantasy!

“Power, I am learning, dulls the lines of good and evil until they are nothing but a blur.”

Thank you netgalley and delacorte press for the gifted arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨love triangle
✨multiple villains
✨twisty plot

This book was such a surprise to me! I love a good dark fantasy, and this had such a fun twist on it! The writing is outstanding with gorgeous, poetic prose similar to Sarah A. Parker and Rachel Gillig.

I really loved this world! I really enjoyed seeing the regency setting mixed with paranormal and horror elementals. I love a book with political intrigue, so this definitely hooked me!

The plot was CRAZY! There were so many turns and secrets revealed, that only led to more questions. It was so creepy and had my heart pounding 🤭

Our FMC, Merrick, is Archdaughter of the Darling manor. She spent her life fighting for a chance at becoming heir to the manor, leading to a poor relationship with her sister. I think Merrick has a lot of depth to her character! She knows what she needs to do to survive in this world and remains cunning and sharp throughout the book. She is quite naive, but she is young so it’s expected!

“I believe your father decided a very long time ago that your sister would be his weapon, and you his jewel.”

The character depth in our side characters was so outstanding to me. There are so many secrets in this world and it feels like everyone is hiding their true self behind a mask.

I will say that I definitely don’t believe this is a romantasy. The romance is definitely a subplot, but I do think it’ll develop further as the series goes on! The little love triangle was so fun though, and had me screaming at the FMC to pick the good guy (you’ll know 😌).

“My pride is gone, Merrick; I will beg you if I must. I… I am afraid of what it will do to me, leaving you.”

I do think this had potential to be a 5 star read for me, but there were a few points I felt the plot lagged slightly and the pacing was slightly off.

I've just finished this book, and I am OBSESSED. It's not at all what I expected, and I am so glad. I definitely took "inspired by Sense and Sensibility" to mean that this would be a dark romantasy retelling of S&S. It is not. There are slight influences in that there are characters one might trace back to Elinor, Marianne, and Colonel Brandon, and that this is supposed to be Regency? but the similarities end there. Actually, in terms of vibes, I would much rather put Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as a comp, though it's maybe a decade too old to be used. This is an AU England, and I kept forgetting that it was supposed to be Regency-ish but that did not detract.

So here's how I would describe this plot: "Long ago, a deadly fog came to England, bringing death and monsters that are kind of like fog zombies? There are a few families who were immune to the fog, so they are now the manor lords of each county, to which commoners pay taxes in exchange for safety. Merrick (the Marianne character) is in London, doing her best to fulfill her role and marry well. But when her father suddenly dies and her sister Essie (the Elinor character) calls her home, she quickly learns that something is going wrong. Her father's death was weird, the zombies are invading more, and Essie is clearly afraid of something in the house. Marianne must team up with her family's sentry, Killian Brandon (obviously a Colonel Brandon character) to investigate."

This is a YA gothic novel with vibes, an innocent maiden, monsters, and a conspiracy. I was completely surprised by the big reveal, and I really hope that we're going to get a sequel so I can find out what happens next. Some of my favorite elements would be a bit too spoilery for a review of a book that hasn't come out yet, but nevertheless, this had some of my favorite fantasy elements. I just loved the mystery, and I am excited for the cosplay opportunities that can come from this. Now we can fight zombies in Regency gowns like a Bennet or a Darling.

Apparently this is a debut, which hopefully means that we will get many more wonderful fantasies from this author in the future. I will definitely buy a copy of this book and would recommend it to my friends who love reading about Regency era monsters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse/Delacorte for an excellent e-ARC.

I enjoyed! Some of the pacing was odd. It had a strong and interesting start, but then there was a lot of world building that didnt really actually come into play and some immediate action that could have been fleshed out a little more. I enjoyed the sister dynamics and overall setting. Interested to read whats next!

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic was a delight to read. You have a ghostly enemy that doesn’t get too much “air time”, and a female main character who is neither obnoxious or overly talented in every aspect of life.

A troubled relationship between sisters
Initial buds of romance (no spice)
No lengthy internal monologues
Beginnings of world building
Delectable ending to lead into a sequel

Thank you NetGalley, Lydia Gregovic, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.