We Shall Be Monsters is an eerie tale told from the perspectives of a girl and her mother who live in Michigan. Near their house are enchanted woods. Gemma is enticed by these woods, while Virginia is scared of them, especially because of her connection to it. Before Gemma was born, a witch turned her father, Ash, into a monster, and if Virginia doesn’t break the curse before Gemma turns 15, Ash will remain a monster forever.

This was an interesting read! I loved the premise and execution of the plot. It was fairly predictable, but I became oddly attached to the characters. The characters and their relationships were my favorite part of this book, With Virginia, I loved seeing the how her relationship with her mother mirrored her relationship with Gemma. She was a daughter who defied her mother yet grew up to be a mother as strict as her own. Gemma, despite her young age, is mature with a kind heart. She is childlike and adventurous but also rational and forgiving.

The storytelling was very much fairytale-like. The woods are vast and unknown, and Gemma and Virginia’s journeys in these woods are diverse. There’s happiness and excitement in one corner, but danger and death in another.

Although I enjoyed this book for the most part, the plot felt overly simple at times. So many situations and problems were portrayed as being more complex than they really were. A little more communication, a little less hesitation from the characters could have easily led this story to be half as long as it really was. And though I feel this way, I also understand how realistic it is. There were so many instances for many characters where a small change in actions could have led very different results. Likely better, easier results. But life doesn’t always let you take the easy way out. The characters in this book weren’t able to either, whether it was because of their own or others’ choices and actions.

Overall, this book blended many different elements really well into a simple plot that successfully evokes a discussion about life. Definitely a great read for the spooky season!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Gemma is drawn to the woods in her backyard, the woods that her mother has forbidden her from entering due to the monsters that lurk within. When Gemma sees her mother taken into the forest by a witch, she embarks on a journey to get her mother back, to make new discoveries about her family history, and to step into her bravery.
This book was a truly captivating fairy tale. Following in the footsteps of Coraline, Labyrinth, and Grimm’s Fairy Tales, We Shall Be Monsters is a beautiful book of a young girl growing up in the backdrop of dark and beautiful magic. I found myself reflecting on generational trauma, the meaning of bravery, and the balance of good and bad in the world.
This book was an engaging read, the multiple perspectives of Gemma and her mother, Virginia, were interesting despite the fact that I don’t usually enjoy multiple perspectives, and the quest Gemma had to complete left me with anticipation and worry. I found at a few points that the journey Gemma was on left a little to be desired and the side characters were only explored at a surface level when they could’ve been fleshed out into very interesting characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend for a nice spooky autumnal read! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an early ebook copy! Expected publication November 12, 2024.

“Where did a hero end and a monster begin?”
I don’t even know where to begin except to say I loved this book. Hero’s and monsters, hope and fear. Mothers and daughters, the questions about the relationships between them and what is normal.
Gemma is a beautiful character, young but smart and brave. You end up on this journey and grow and learn with her.
“I would but my faith elsewhere — in friendship and in family, in love and even in fear, because having a little fear is good.”
There’s a little about love, loss, grief and having faith in letting the fear in, but not letting it take control. I learned to love Virginia too, as a mother myself I began to realize the things she did, and empathized with her.
Even in moments when there is talk about becoming a mother and not wanting to be, being called a monster because it’s just not what you want. While this is only fiction, it’s easy to understand the feelings in the words. While someone was longing so much for a child, another was not given a choice. Both felt lost in their own situations and became something other than themselves.
So many different views of a mother’s relationship with her child, or the lack of even, told in such a. Beautiful way. This will be a book I read again and again. At times I wasn’t sure to be sad or happy or somewhere in between.

A haunting, and atmospheric fantasy with dark magic and the irresistible call of the unknown.

We Shall Be Monsters is lyrical and luciously dark, focusing on Gemma, who lives with her mother, Virginia, near a mysterious enchanted forest. Gemma has been warned for years to stay away from the forest, however intrigue wins, which leaves Gemma to embark on a dangerous and perilous journey to rescue her mother, and in doing so also discovering the truth behind her own life.


We Shall Be Monsters masterfully intertwines the fantastical elements with deep emotional layers. The balance between the adventure and Gemma’s own personal journey kept me engaged and intrigued as she goes not only on a mission to save her mother but also a mission of self-discovery.

My only critique is that the book did have moments that seemed to flow slower than the rest of the book, especially when it came to the plot and worldbuilding during the middle of the book. 


I loved that Wees gave us both Gemma and Virginia’s POV’s, providing us with a better understanding of the stakes at hand and added an emotional depth to the story that I don’t think would have struck as hard were we not given both POV’s.


This is the perfect read for those who love a fairytale-fantasy with darker elements, and complex relationships between characters. The prose and lyrical writing style was nothing short of hauntingly beautiful and absolutely immerive. 


A big thank you to NetGalley, Alyssa Wees, and Ballentine | Del Rey for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 Stars!

Brief Overview:

Gemma and her mother Virginia live near an enchanted wood in Northern Michigan. When Virginia goes missing in the night, Gemma takes it upon herself to venture into the woods to find her, starting a magical journey through an unknown world.

My thoughts:

I was drawn in due to the setting in Northern Michigan. I'm a sucker for anything based in my state! Now, it took a minute to get into this, but once I was in I was HOOKED. I did not want to go to sleep, go to work, even eat, I wanted to sit in my room and finish this book! There are strong themes of generational trauma and the struggle to break the cycle. The ending had me absolutely sobbing. Highly recommend to anyone that enjoys a magical quest!

Alyssa Wees’ We Shall Be Monsters is a haunting, atmospheric fantasy that weaves together dark magic, mother-daughter bonds, and the irresistible allure of the unknown. With its lyrical prose and fairy-tale ambiance, the novel draws readers into a world where nothing is as it seems, and danger lurks just beyond the trees.

The story centers around Gemma Cassata, a curious girl living with her mother, Virginia, in an isolated Michigan antique shop, dangerously close to a mysterious and enchanted forest. Virginia has spent years warning her daughter about the dangers of the woods—monsters, witches, and the curses they bring—but Gemma’s intrigue wins out. The novel quickly plunges into dark fantasy when Virginia is taken by the same forces she once feared, leaving Gemma to embark on a dangerous quest to rescue her mother and uncover the truth behind her own existence.

One of the novel’s standout features is its dual narrative, alternating between Gemma’s perspective as she journeys through fairyland and Virginia’s own history and regrets. Wees deftly explores the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, illustrating the love, fear, and protectiveness that bind them, even as secrets come to light. Virginia’s choice to steal her daughter’s memories in an attempt to shield her from danger adds depth to her character, transforming her from a simple overprotective mother into a figure with her own complicated past and motivations.

The novel’s rich, lyrical prose is one of its defining strengths. Wees creates an atmosphere that is at once enchanting and foreboding, capturing the eerie beauty of the woods and the menace that hides within. Her descriptions of the magical realm Gemma enters are vivid and transportive, bringing to life a world that feels both otherworldly and deeply connected to the dark undercurrents of classic fairy tales. The enchanted forest, with its secrets, witches, and beasts, serves as both a literal and symbolic setting for Gemma’s journey of self-discovery.

We Shall Be Monsters excels at blending the fantastical with the emotional. As Gemma faces the witches and curses of fairyland, she also grapples with her feelings of betrayal, fear, and love for her mother. This balance between the magical adventure and the emotional stakes keeps the reader invested in Gemma’s journey, which is more than just a rescue mission—it's a quest for identity and understanding.

However, while the novel’s lush prose is a strength, it occasionally slows the pacing of the story. The richly descriptive writing can sometimes overwhelm the plot, especially in the middle sections where the momentum dips as Gemma navigates the magical realm. Readers who enjoy fast-paced action may find themselves wishing for quicker plot progression, though fans of slower, more atmospheric storytelling will likely appreciate the immersive experience.

The alternating viewpoints between Gemma and Virginia provide a fuller understanding of the stakes, though at times Virginia’s sections feel slightly underdeveloped compared to Gemma’s. Her backstory, while intriguing, could have benefited from more exploration, particularly her connection to the witch who cursed her true love and the ramifications of that event. Nevertheless, the dual narrative structure adds emotional weight to the story, as readers see both sides of the mother-daughter relationship and how the past continues to shape their present.

The novel’s themes of legacy, protection, and the cyclical nature of fairy-tale curses are compelling. Both Gemma and Virginia are bound by the choices of their mothers, and the novel explores how daughters inherit not only love but also the burdens and mistakes of their parents. This generational aspect adds a layer of depth to the fantasy elements, making We Shall Be Monsters not just a story of magical adventure, but also a meditation on the stories we tell to protect the ones we love—and the consequences of those stories.

Final Thoughts:
We Shall Be Monsters is a beautifully written, darkly enchanting tale that combines the allure of fairy-tale magic with the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Alyssa Wees' lush prose and haunting world-building create an immersive reading experience, though the novel’s slow pacing may not appeal to all readers. Still, for those who love dark fantasy with emotional depth and lyrical storytelling, this book is a rewarding journey into a world where monsters lurk and love both protects and binds.

Perfect timing entering into fall to read this book. I love a dark fantasy setting and this books aura did not disappoint. Shows the complex relationship between a mother and daughter so well between the two main characters Gemma and Virginia. This dark fairytale features lots of creatures like fae, and witches.

Gemma, the daughter is banned from entering the enchanted woods near their home. Gemma decided to go on a magical quest into the woods anyways when her mother is kidnapped by the Slit Witch.

The book is a dark fantasy fairytale with lots of adventure and beautiful relationships. Beautiful written with a lyrical prose.

This book was such a great read, perfect for fall and wonderfully dark. The storytelling is so rich and beautiful, the writing lush and evocative. I really enjoyed the themes it explores and the complex mother-daughter relationship, but also all the fairytale elements and tropes. If you are in the mood for a dark fairytale, then this book is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. I greatly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed it more than the author's previous work. I loved that the narrative was told from not only the daughter's perspective but also the mother's. The story was engaging and kept me drawn in and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. The ending of this book was much better than the author's previous in my opinion. Bravo to the author on this really well written and engaging book.

Alyssa Wees first novel was fantastic. I was lucky enough to be granted an ARC from NetGalley, and enjoyed this immensely. Modern fantasy, something I have gotten into more and more. I appreciated the growth with mother and daughter, and the overall story that I don't want to spoil. I highly recommend this book!

Gemma and her mother live in a house filled with antiques at the edge of a large, dark wood. Gemma has always felt a pull to the woods, despite her mother forbidding her from ever going in them, and after witnessing a life-changing event she doesn't have a choice any longer. She'll have to enter the woods to protect her future, as well as her mother's. I loved this fairy-filled coming of age tale that speaks to the lengths we will go to for the ones we love.

I had the pleasure of reading this book as my first ever ARC and it did not disappoint.

Wees was able to create a compelling fantasy in a more modern setting. Even though I cannot pinpoint the exact time period, I did pick up on a GameBoy reference. The ambiguity made this fantasy even more unique.

This book gave me the same feeling I had as a young child reading Coraline. Gemma’s story into the woods feels like an older and more magical counterpart to Coraline’s journey to the other mother’s world.

In a similar fashion, the story also reminded me of the 1985 movie, Return to Oz.

I enjoyed the dual POVs between Gemma and her mother, Virginia. Being able to understand Virginia’s motivations makes the origin of this tale even more tragic. You really feel how high the stakes are for Gemma’s family and what a parent will sacrifice for a child.

If you are in the mood for a darker fairy tale, then this book is for you.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine, Del Ray, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable in all it’s hauntingly dark and witchy ways — Wees has a unique writing style that kept me a little bit separate from the protagonists and allowed me to view the complex relationships from the sidelines, which all told served this story well. Rather grim and gothic with nuggets of love and even some light.

This book is marketed as a gothic fairytale - however, I think it is much more than that. The themes it explores and the depth of the characters makes the story telling so rich and beautiful. The mother-daughter bond is central to the story and gives the opportunity to explore what this relationship means and the various aspect of such bonds. This book, in short, is a great read.

This review is given freely and honestly. I received a review copy from NetGalley

Wonderfully dark! Full of twists and turns. How far would you go for love? What if you do something horrible for a good reason? What makes a monster? I really enjoyed this story! It really makes you take a moment and think… how much monster is within you?

I love dark and living landscape books, fairytale retellings that leave you wondering if the magical worlds would really be so great, and makes you want to go by your middle name so that you identity isn't stolen. This book is a beautiful lyrical story that shows the lengths mothers and daughters will go to protect each other, and how often, it isn't enough.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!

We Shall Be Monsters was a wonderfully written and beautifully woven story about what it means to be brave, what it means to be evil, and explores the bonds between mother and daughter in a darkly whimsical way.

I loved the gothic tones of this book and was absorbed by the evils that may be lurking within the forest. To me, the forest felt wholly like another character, or an overseer, where it gave each character their motivations, their desires, and their tests of courage. What does it mean to be a monster? What does it mean to be brave for your loved ones? How strong is love when faced with the seemingly impossible?

The two main characters, Gemma and Virginia, were compelling though I found myself wanting to see more of their interactions together, rather than apart. Much of the book from Virginia's point of view was a series of flashbacks that give the reader context to the matter at hand, which makes sense, but I think the climax of the novel would have been given more weight had we seen Gemma and Virginia together for more of the book.

All that to say, I really enjoyed this fairy tale-like novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author. Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Del Rey for this eARC.

*We Shall Be Monsters* by Alyssa Wees is a haunting, lyrical fantasy that explores the complexities of familial bonds amidst a dark, magical setting. Gemma Cassata, drawn to the forbidden woods near her Michigan home, discovers a hidden fairyland despite her mother's warnings. When Gemma's mother, Virginia, is taken by a witch, Gemma embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue her, uncovering hidden truths along the way.

Wees masterfully weaves alternating perspectives of Gemma and Virginia, revealing a family history steeped in curses, witches, and forgotten love. The atmospheric setting, blending dark fairytales with modern life, brings a sense of foreboding to Gemma's quest. Virginia's determination to protect her daughter, even at great personal cost, adds emotional depth to the story, making it as much about the ties that bind mothers and daughters as it is about magic.

The novel’s prose is rich and evocative, pulling readers into a world where every step through the woods feels both enchanting and perilous. Fans of dark fantasy and fairy tales will find this story of defiance, love, and sacrifice deeply compelling. *We Shall Be Monsters* is a poignant, imaginative tale that lingers long after the final page.

I am a sucker for reimagined fairy tales, so Alyssa Wees' book We Shall Be Monsters immediately drew me in and kept me captivated. It pulls on all the fairy tales tropes: dark woods, monsters, enchanting fairies, and a hero's quest. The tale is portrayed through the dual perspectives of Virginia (the mother) and Gemma (the daughter). Perhaps because of my situation in life, I enjoyed Virginia's story better than Gemma's, but I can imagine that a young adult reader would really enjoy Gemma's narrative. The writing is lush and evocative and perfect for a fall read.

Thanks to Random House - Ballentine and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 star
This book has a dark atmosphere to it that is absolutely perfect for fall. It also has fairies, wolves, witches, and other magical creatures. I loved the descriptions of the world that made it feel like I was there. It shows the complex relationship between mother and daughters which I feel like when I was younger I would not have grasped/ enjoyed as much but now having a daughter myself, I felt like I was able to truly grasp that and appreciate it in this book. Now my only thing that has me rating this under 4 stars was just that the daughter’s pov reads a little too young for me. I know that she is only 12 and then moves to her being 15 but I felt like I had a hard time staying immersed during her parts. Overall I would recommend this book if you are looking for a magical fall book that has a great story line that mixes fantasy with a more real world feel.

I will also be including a review on my YouTube channel in my monthly wrap up at the end of September.