This book instantly gave me mythical enchantment vibes. What’s in the woods?

At first I wasn’t completely sure of the setting / time period but the author quickly provides us with the information needed along with some world building and introducing us to a few main characters including Gemma and her mama. The pacing is a tad slow in the beginning but I don’t mind that. It takes me a while to get sucked into a story so the pacing actually helped me do that, and I was cast into an enchanted state eager to finish the book!

Alyssa Wees is a new author for me but id love to read more from them! I’d definitely recommend this to a friend :)

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing group for sharing this digital copy with me!

I posted my review on good reads :)

DNF at 15%.
First and foremost, the writing style simply wasn't for me.
I felt lost the entire time, it was hard to follow.
Gemma's POV chapters simply didn't draw me in, I felt myself skimming more than actually reading and becoming immersed in the story.

This is a dark fairy tale full of witches and demons, and is written with such a beautiful lyrical prose. It has a pretty slow start but just hang in there until you're about 1/3 of the way through and you won't be disappointed!

We Shall Be Monsters was such a beautifully written fairy tale! I absolutely loved the gothic vibes. Perfect creepy tones sprinkled throughout the whole story made this quite possibly one of my favorite books read this year.

The mom and daughter relationship was also beautifully explored and they were by far such great characters to grow with. While the plot has witty characters I really enjoyed several items were brought forward we really don’t read a-lot about such as what it feels to be a monster or even the pretend factor. We all have to pretend (even us not monsters!)

Thank you for allowing me to live with these characters for a bit!

Appreciation to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I did not expect this sweet mother-daughter fairy tale to be so haunting. Giving Grimms Fairy Tale vibes, there is a dark edge to this story that goes beyond the fantastical monsters in the woods.

The woods acting as an allegory for the magic and fear that comes with motherhood, Wees builds a faerie playground that drenches the reader in nostalgia for the magic of childhood. The main character Gemma living in the naivete afforded only to the easy compartmentalization of a sheltered child. Something never afforded to her mother, Virginia, raised in the fears of motherhood which is embodied in the dark side of the woods - the beasts, magical illusions, and natural dangers - only as big as you make them out to be. Being brave an exercise in acting and believing. Wees beautifully weaves a picture of the unintentional generational trauma one could say is implicit to the nature of motherhood. She paints a fanciful solution. Increased empathy, forgiveness, and learning to share the burden.

Overall, I enjoyed this story immensely. An element I particularly enjoyed was the fox symbolism and foreshadowing. My only critiques were Gemma's repetitive internal musings had me skimming at points, along with moments where lack of distinctive voice between Gemma and Virginia had me doublechecking who was narrating (didn't seem like an intentional plot device). Rating this a 4/5 stars.

A girl marked for death ventures into the wooded realm of the fairies to rescue her mother in this dark, lyrical fantasy about vengeful witches, beastly fathers, and the stories mothers tell to keep their daughters safe—from the author of Nocturne.


What a lovely and descriptive story this is!

Gemma and her mother live in an antiques shop in Michigan. Surrounded by woods that she is not allowed to go into.
Gemma doesn’t listen. The woods call to her and when she meets a fairy prince there, nothing will keep her away.

Virginia is determined to keep her daughter out of the woods and away from the monsters that inhabit it.

Full of witches, demons, sprites and fairies, this was a story I eagerly read!




NetGalley/ RHPG/ Del Rey November 12, 2024

A cross-generational dark fairytale centered around mother daughter bonds. The chapters alternate between Gemma, a 15 year old girl who sets off into magical woods to rescue her abducted mother, and Virginia, said mother and her flashbacks of her cursed love. There were delightfully creepy forest creatures and fae (no watered down romantasy fae here) and some great lines about the difference between good and evil, monsters and heroes. This was a delightful adventure that made me nostalgic for fairytales I read in my youth.

*****POTENTIAL SPOILER***** Some heart string pulling was attempted at the end with one character that I did not feel at all. She was honestly a monster and she can't Medea 2.0 her way into sympathy. I don't want children either but that doesn't mean I'm going to start eating babies.

The book had a slow start and my attention was slipping some but it slowly became better. The haunting fantasy feel of things definitely grabbed my attention more than I expected. The dual POV of Gemma and Virginia is definitely nice, I love a multi-POV, I liked Virginias more but Gemma’s was okay.

All in all, the book was enjoyable!

This book is so slow in the beginning but i promise you won’t be disappointed if you can stick around until the second half. It’s a magical story that will channel your inner Sanderson sisters.

"We Shall Be Monsters" was a slower read for me initially, but I found myself fully immersed in the second half of the book. The story alternates between the timelines of Virginia and Gemma, exploring their choices that lead them into the dark woods inhabited by fae and monsters. Both women are drawn to the woods—and the men within—and must face the consequences of defying their mothers to enter these forbidden realms. While Virginia was a more challenging character for me to connect with, her motivations for protecting her daughter and lover were clear. Gemma, on the other hand, reminded me of Max from *Where the Wild Things Are*: a bit feral, making questionable choices but driven by fearless determination to confront and overcome the evils in the woods and protect her family. Despite the book taking me longer than usual to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed the lyrical and dreamlike quality of the writing. The dark fairytale atmosphere and the underlying theme of maternal love were compelling. I look forward to exploring more of Alyssa's work. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC copy of this novel.

We Shall Be Monsters is a beautifully written fairy tale with gothic, creepy vibes woven throughout the lyrical prose. I saw this book described on NetGalley as if Coraline, Alice in Wonderland, and Brave had a baby and that description couldn’t be more accurate. I loved this book and the main characters it contained.

I especially liked that it wasn’t just a dark fairy tale or an adventure lit fic; We Shall Be Monsters touched on several complex themes, including what it means to be a monster and what protecting someone truly entails, but it did so without losing its sense of adventure or purpose. I also loved the mother-daughter bonds that were explored and I appreciated that neither character shied away when (painful) opportunities to grow were presented.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. I couldn’t even manage to read a single chapter before DNFing. Look, I love purple prose and my literary devices, but Jesus Christ. Metaphor, after metaphor, after simile, after simile, after metaphor. It was ad nauseam. The worst part? The similes and metaphors weren’t even good. Here’s a quote for example: “Mama looked at me in the mirror, unsmil-ing, tilting her head so that a lock of dark hair fell across her neck like a wound.” Uh, what? There are more cliche ones too. “Voice like ice,” “voice like leaves curling in autumn,” etc. It all had no purpose, it was juvenile at best, and I don’t care how good the plot may be, but I just can’t get past the prose.

I really wanted to like this book. I just wasn't captivating. The author clearly is talented but I found the pacing extremely slow.

Thanks to Netgalley and and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

A beautifully written dark fairytale. Alyssa Wees once again writes a beautiful novel that whisks you away to another world. I love all the messages this book had, especially: What makes someone a monster and what makes them a hero? The setting and atmosphere of the story are done so well. You really feel immersed into the story and its’ world. Readers are constantly warned that the forest that is at the center of our story is dangerous, but like our characters we cannot resist entering. I really loved how the fae are depicted in this story. They are traditional fae full of bargains and schemes. The fae are not good (as we are told). But this is my favorite version of the fae. They are true to folklore. The central theme is the relationship between mother and daughter, which was beautifully done. But it is also about being your own person. I really appreciated the discussion of motherhood both when it is wanted and unwanted. There is a character toward the end whose story really spoke to me as someone who doesn’t wish to be a mother despite it being “what my body is made for.” I cannot wait to read more from one of my favorite authors!

Book Fort Rating: 4.5 Stars

Is it building the Book Fort? It's currently picking out the gothic wallpaper that will line the walls.

I have a lot of feelings about this book.

Let me first be clear this was a 4.5 star read that I've rounded to a 5 - that doesn't mean the book was without flaw, but that I found the story and meaning to outweigh some of the smaller execution things that I noticed while reading. That story, by the way, is like if Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, and Brave had a baby that grew up in an 80's dark fantasy world. And I ate it up.

To say that We Shall Be Monsters is simply about the connections between a mother and daughter does not do this book the justice it deserves. The question that Alyssa Wees poses to all of us reading is simple: What does it really mean to be a monster? But the answer to that question changes over and over again within the text, showing our main characters Gemma and Virginia (or Gigi, for short) that monsters can be found everywhere, including inside of ourselves. And being a monster means that even when we don't mean to, even when we don't intend to, we can unfortunately harm those around us - especially those we love the very most.

The writing in this book was, 95% of the time, absolutely gorgeous. I will make mention that it reads much more like a lyrical literary fiction (similar to Donna Tartt's The Secret History) than a general dark fiction or fantasy novel. If that isn't your cup of tea, you will likely feel as lost in this book as Gemma and Virginia do in the woods. I am a big fan of meandering prose, so this book spoke to my tastes, but I can understand why others may not feel the same way.

For my reading taste, the 5% of the time that the writing did not speak to me occurred whenever more modern phrases ended up in the prose - it was jarring to be in the middle of dark lyricism, to suddenly have a character talk about how they don't want children to "ditch school." It didn't occur overly often, but did break the suspension of disbelief I think is necessary to truly immerse yourself in this book.

I felt that the character development throughout this novel was easily its strongest point. Both Gigi and Gemma noticeably grow as both mother/daughter and people throughout the book. This was especially noticeable as Gemma went through and concluded her "coming of age" within the woods, as she took the position of leader, and Gigi was gently pushed to step back and allow her daughter to take care of her, rather than the other way around. I also felt that their relationship developed in a beautiful way throughout the novel, and I think that many mothers and daughters with perhaps less than perfect relationships will feel the same way by the end of reading this.

I also just loved the general aesthetic of this book - it demanded dark, fantastical music as I read, and the lyrical descriptions Wees weaves into the prose really transport you to this sometimes scary, sometimes not place in Michigan. To that end, I've created a playlist full of the perfect creepy fanciful music to read along to - feel free to check it out at the end of this review.

My biggest gripe with this book, honestly, was that I don't think it could ever truly decide if it was an adult or YA novel. This may be because one of the main characters was a full-grown woman in her 30s, and the other was a girl between the ages of 12 and 15, but I often felt like it oscillated between the two genres in a way that was strange. I sometimes felt that Gemma's thought processes were far beyond realistic for a YA character, and simultaneously thought Gigi's sometimes were a little less than I would have expected. I honestly believe this to be a side effect of the writing style and general aesthetic, which I've already pointed out I love, so I can forgive this. Like I mentioned - hefty suspension of disbelief.

That all being said, I would (and will) recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy, adventure fiction, lit fic, or just wants to spend some time in some creepy woods with a monster or three. Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Del Rey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to pick up a copy of this book once it's finally published for my library shelf.

Publication Date: 11/12/2024

Reading Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7Bo250OHKKYmxEmNjikAxd?si=2ac34f35e21c479b&nd=1&dlsi=03004d84747744d3

This is a great story of a mother and daughter who both have a lot of secrets and ties to the magic filled forest in which they live. Lots of great twists and revelations in this novel, although in leans a little heavy on exposition and explanation in the final third. Overall a very satisfying and fun read.

This book is an enchanting and haunting tale that delves deep into the bonds between mothers and daughters, set against a backdrop of dark fairyland lore. The story follows Gemma Cassata, who lives with her mother, Virginia, in a secluded antiques shop in Michigan. This shop is near an enticing but dangerous forest that hides a magical gateway to fairyland. Despite her mother's repeated warnings about the perils that lie within the woods, Gemma's curiosity leads her to venture into the forbidden realm.

Virginia's own history with the woods is fraught with sorrow, as she defied similar warnings from her mother, resulting in a witch's curse on her true love. To protect Gemma, Virginia goes as far as stealing her daughter's memories. However, when Gemma edges too close to uncovering the truth, the witch takes Virginia, compelling Gemma to embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the mystical woods to save her mother and lift the curse.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Gemma and Virginia, the novel weaves a complex and lyrical narrative that explores themes of defiance, protection, and the enduring power of familial love. The dual timelines add depth and richness to the story, creating a multi-layered fantasy that feels both timeless and fresh. Wees’ prose is beautifully crafted, bringing the eerie, enchanting world to life and making this book a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and fairy tales.

Overall, "We Shall Be Monsters" is a spellbinding blend of fairy-tale enchantment and familial drama, perfect for those who relish a tale where the mundane and the magical intertwine. Alyssa Wees' skillful storytelling and evocative writing make this book a captivating read that is hard to put down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers: Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine/Del Rey for sharing this brilliant fantasy novel's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest thoughts.

I wanted to love this so bad but I had to DNF, and that was because of the writing style. I am someone who absolutely adores flowery, lyrical writing. The prose in this book was some of the most purple prose I’ve ever read. It just seemed like it would take pages and pages for one small thing to happen because of the descriptions, and I didn’t feel they were adding anything to the vibe or atmosphere, it just became frustrating. I understand what the author was trying to do, but I think the execution was very weak.

ARC provided by NetGalley

“We Shall Be Monsters” is a great book. It is not simply a mother/daughter book, but so much more. I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints, and I think that it added a layer of complexity to the story. I loved Alyssa Wees’ writing, it was beautiful and really helped bring the characters to life. It is a perfect fantasy book with fairytale elements intertwined. It is definitely my type of book, and one that I would definitely recommend.

At its core, *We Shall Be Monsters* explores the intricate relationships between mothers and daughters. One timeline follows Virginia, who is irresistibly drawn to the woods her mother has forbidden her to enter. The other timeline follows Virginia's daughter, who must venture into those same woods to break a curse. Beautifully written, this fantasy novel evokes the essence of an old fairytale, enriched with unexpected twists and a touch of horror.