This was a fresh take on how magic impacts familial ties. Keeping secrets can keep her daughter safe, but Virginia learns that Gemma will venture out despite that safeguard. Now she's on her own to discover the truth of the forest.

Everything you ever loved about dark and twisty fairy tales as child written for adults, We Shall Be Monsters was so fun to read. The protagonists were lovable; The antagonist was easy to fear; and in true dark fairy tale fashion, absolutely nothing is as it seems. Written from two mother and daughter perspectives and told across two timelines, this story captured my curiosity from the first page.

Gemma is a young girl who lives next to an enchanted wood. It’s the one place she longs to go every day, but it’s also the one place forbidden to her by her mother. Like any curious child, she routinely goes further than she ought into the trees. Never one to hide things from her mother, she tells her all of her adventures in the evening when mama brushes her hair before bed- exactly 100 strokes, no more and no less. When Gemma wakes in the morning, she has no memory of her adventures the previous day.

Virginia is a mother torn between her true love and the unceasing need to keep her daughter safe from the monsters who roam the woods. She hates taking her daughter’s memories, but keeping her daughter safe from the Slit Witch is the more important to her than the sanctity of her daughter’s lived experiences. Her only hope for the future is to break the curse keeping her family torn apart: she must find a mirror that shows the true self before her daughter turns 15. When Gemma is twelve years old, Virginia is kidnapped by the Slit Witch, and it’s up to Gemma to figure out how to break the curse and rescue her mother from the Slit Witch before time runs out.

This book is an exploration on the makings of a monster— at what point does a being cross the threshold of being monstrous and is there ever a path for redemption? Can we save our loved ones from walking the path that leads to monsters? Can we save them from themselves? Should we? And at what point does saving our loved ones from the monsters become our very descent into monstrosity? These are all questions Alyssa digs into in this dark and bewitching read. I had so much fun with this book.

I’d like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<i>Labyrinth</i> meets John Connolly's <i>The Book of Lost Things</i>, kind of. I mean, I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it as much as either of those two, which isn't surprising considering the adoration I have for both (one of my favorite films and one of my favorite books!), but it definitely has some of the same vibes, seeing as how there's a young girl on a quest through a dangerous and magical land and all that that entails.

There are lots of things to love about this book. There are fairies and witches and handsome princes. There's a magical quest and monsters to be slain. The prose is lovely (although perhaps a bit florid for my tastes) and the world-building is immersive. There's romance and complicated mother-daughter relationships and curses to be broken. Basically, it's all one big dark fairy tale and I am all about dark fairy tales.

At the same time, however, Gemma's quest just seemed so superficial at times. She flitted from one dangerous circumstance to another, but there was very little depth to many of the situations. For example, her escape from the Woods Below (which you think would be an ordeal considering how difficult it was to get there to begin with) is essentially limited to “they searched around and eventually found an exit.” Woo boy, that'll get the adrenaline pumping.

My biggest issue with this book, though, is what was done to Silvanus's character. He started out as this mysterious and alluring fairy prince and them somehow ended up the Scrappy-Doo of the fairy woods (Lemme at 'em! Lemme at 'em!). I don't want to say too much and spoil things, but he pretty much becomes a caricature of himself and I didn't like it one bit. Props to Gemma for her reaction to his Scrappy-Dooing (yes, this is a verb, created by me just now) at the end, though.

But still, despite these issues, it's pretty much impossible for me to dislike a tale that involves a dangerous quest through a magical forest. It's not The Book of Lost Things (which you should totally read if you haven't already), but it is dark and fantastical and enthralling and maybe even a bit heartwarming too.

My overall rating: 3.65 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is November 12, 2024.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was beautifully written! It was full of darkness, monsters, a little sparkle and magic.

I was jumping up and down, gasping and had some grossed out moments.

I love how original and unique the characters were and how they were paired with some mythological and fantastical staples!

Thank you Netgalley for providing this arc for my honest review

A young girl, an enchanted forest, and a mother who forbids her to enter the forest behind their house with threats of monsters begins this thrilling tale. This is a beautiful atmospheric novel with beautiful woods, fairies, monsters, witches and defiant children. The story unfolds with the stories of three generations- a grandmother, a mother and her daughter - intertwined in the consequences of their visiting the forest. The story involves a witches curse, humans turned into monsters, a fairy prince seeking fame and glory and a lonely girl.
I enjoyed reading this but it was a bit long and could have been confusing unless you paid attention to who was the narrator in each chapter.
This book is recommended to readers of Naomi Novik, as it is very similar to her book Spinning Silver.

We Shall Be Monsters is a hauntingly beautiful, and dark story like old fairy tales and I loved every moment of it.

At its core, it is a story about mothers and daughters; the lengths they will go to to protect eachother and the patterns they can fall into because of fear. How a daughter can swear to never be like her mother in some ways only to fall into similar patterns to protect her own daughter. Virgina's mother tries to keep her from the woods because she fears the "monsters" in it and Virgina resents her for it; only to turn around and do the same to her daughter Gemma.

I honestly loved everything about this book from the characters to the imagery. Definitely one of my top reads of the year!

We Shall Be Monsters follows the story of Gemma Cassata and her mother Virginia who live near an enchanted patch of forest in Michigan. When Gemma's mother goes missing, Gemma must go into the woods, face a witch, and break the mysterious curse that has plagued her mother. Written in dual point of view - that of Gemma and her mother - we come to terms with generational trauma, curses, and both past and present.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, as someone who grew up in Michigan near the woods, this was really easy for me to slide into mentally. Dark, and whimsical Wees brings you into this world so like our own, but sprinkled with darkness and magic. I enjoyed the strength of our female characters, they did not rely on others to offer them help, or to try and run from their problems. Our main character was very fleshed out and much more than just a 15 year old girl. However, I do think the writing style and way things progressed for this book lean very heavily YA.

Overall, while it didn't blow me away as a 29 year old, as a teenager I would've adored this book, and would definitely recommend to anyone who is a young adult or just a lover of YA fantasy style stories. Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me the ARC of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

It's been a long while since I read a true fairytale, one that whisks me in and out of fairyland, spinning my heart around in the best, most dizzy way. Gemma and Virginia's stories entwine in the best possible way, as mother and daughter, as victims of a terrible spell, and as heroines who champion true love, and blood love. I was really sad to have this story end, and I hope that Alyssa Wees brings us back to the fairy realm in a future book. I'll be snapping up that one quick.

This is a dark fairytale of sorts that feels rooted in generational trauma from grandmother to daughter to granddaughter. It is about transformation and overcoming fear. It is about finding ones own truth in a world that can be both beautiful and devastatingly dark. Highly recommend.

What a beautiful world full of sparkle, darkness, monsters, and magic!

Gemma truly comes into her own while searching the woods for her mother, Virginia, after she is taken by the Slit Witch. Why was she taken, where has she gone, and how does Gemma go about getting her back?

This book was the best little fantasy dive I’ve had in a good long while. With original and unique creations paired with some mythological, fantastical, and literary staples, We Shall Be Monsters was completely immersive and I’m sad I’m no longer in those magical Michigan woods. I loved one love story, scoffed at another, gasped, and got a little grossed out; it was great!

This was my first read from Alyssa Wees and it will definitely not be my last. I'm eager to read her previous books and anything new she writes.

We Shall Be Monsters is a beautifully written story about breaking generational trauma and curses. Told from the POV of the two main characters, a mother named Virginia, and her young daughter, Gemma, we are taken on a journey into the woods both in the past and present.

Virginia tries to keep Gemma from entering the woods because she knows exactly what haunts them, and she wants to protect her at all costs. Unfortunately, like most parents, the way she goes about it makes the woods even more intriguing to Gemma.

We learn a lot about both characters, as well as Virginia's mother and Gemma's father. I loved how strong-willed and courageous Gemma is. I also loved the bond between her and her mother, even with its flaws, which led Gemma to set out into the words to save her.

This story was haunting, magical, and inspirational. Alyssa definitely delivered on the dark aspect of being a monster, both literally and figuratively.

We Shall Be Monsters
by Alyssa Wees
Pub Date: Nov 12 2024

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.

Gemma Cassata lives with her mother in an isolated antiques shop in Michigan, near a seductive patch of woods concealing an enchanted gateway to fairyland. Gemma knows she’s not supposed to go into the woods—her mother, Virginia, has warned her multiple times about the monsters that lurk there—and yet she can’t resist.

Virginia understands her daughter’s defiance. She knows the allure of the woods all too well. Her own mother warned her about the monsters, and Virginia also did not listen—until a witch cursed her true love just days before their child’s birth. So Virginia will do whatever she can to protect her daughter—even if it means stealing Gemma’s memories.

But everything changes when Gemma gets too close to the truth, and the witch takes Virginia . Now it is up to Gemma to venture deep into the mysterious woods to rescue her mother and break the curse.

Told in the alternating viewpoints of Gemma and Virginia, this novel is not only a tale of a girl’s fantastical quest through a darkly magical fairyland but also an exploration of the complex bonds between children and their

We Shall Be Monsters is a captivating and haunting tale that delves into the depths of a mother-daughter relationship. The author's lyrical prose and vivid imagery create a richly imagined world, filled with both beauty and danger.

Gemma's journey into the enchanted woods is a thrilling adventure, filled with mythical creatures and perilous challenges. The alternating perspectives of Gemma and Virginia provide a deeper understanding of their complex bond and the sacrifices they are willing to make for each other.

This novel is not only a fantastical exploration of fairyland but also a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of family. Fans of dark fantasy and coming-of-age stories will be captivated by We Shall Be Monsters.

A rich and fantastic fairy tale, filled with deep characters, amazing worldbuilding, and a dark, haunting atmosphere! Highly recommended! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Beltane for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

*We Shall Be Monsters* by Alyssa Wees is a beautifully haunting tale that blends fantasy and family bonds in a mesmerizing way. Set against the backdrop of a mysterious Michigan woods, Gemma Cassata’s journey into an enchanted fairyland is both thrilling and deeply emotional. The alternating viewpoints between Gemma and her mother, Virginia, add depth to the story, revealing the generational struggles and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child.

The novel shines in its exploration of the complex relationship between parent and child, with the dark, magical elements perfectly complementing the story’s emotional core. The allure of the forbidden woods, the danger lurking within, and Gemma’s determination to rescue her mother create a compelling narrative that’s hard to put down. Alyssa Wees weaves a captivating tale that’s both enchanting and thought-provoking, making *We Shall Be Monsters* a must-read for fans of dark fairy tales and family sagas.

#WeShallBeMonsters #NetGalley

I should have known this would be a masterpiece. After reading Nocturne, I knew I was going to be a "forever fan" of Alyssa Wees. This book did not disappoint. I loved the atmospheric setting, the exploration of parentification and familial bonds, and the gothic/ethereal prose.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About halfway through this story, I text my cousin and told her she needed to see if she could get her hands on a copy of this book because it was good. It was really, really good. Wees navigates what could be a tricky story between a mother and her daughter and the woods between them with ease. The dual perspectives is a brilliant way to (1) tell the story and (2) give us each side of the relationship and the reason for the distance between them.

She also does a great job showing how the relationship between Gemma and Virginia is fraught, but still filled with so much love. It would be easy to just let them have their sour notes, but the love is still there. The love has always been there. Where Gemma and Virginia love fiercely but sometimes get it wrong, Virginia and her mother, Clarice, love fiercely and seem to always get it wrong. The juxtaposition as we see Gemma describe what it feels like to have a mother who is distant (but not as distant as she thinks) versus Virginia desperate for her mother to show any affection, is masterfully done.

Another great note is that this promises dark fantasy and it delivers. The woods are deep and rich and filled with all sorts of fantastical things. Gemma’s guide through most of the story is a young fairy prince, but she encounters all sorts of magical creatures. There is also some light body horror, but it adds to the ambiance fo the story.

Wees crafts a great, lyrical narrative that showcases the human desire to be loved by your mother, to be monstrous, and to be something bigger than yourself. Gemma’s ending is a perfect note.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Wees nails the dark fantasy aspect, delivers on the promise of magical mysteries, and even slips in some surprises about characters that you’re not expecting. If you’re interested in a moving story about mothers, daughters, and the magical promise of the woods, this is the book for you. For anyone else, get it together and read this book!

Look for it on November 12, 2024!

Thank you for this Arc in exchange for my review!


I absolutely adore dark, and whimsical fantasies—and as the beginning grabbed me, I felt a bit exhausted of the filling. I wanted more pace, tension, and energy. I loved the generational transitions but felt it lacked in depth. I am positive this will find its Audience and so grateful to have read it!

This wasn’t my typical go-to read, but I absolutely enjoyed it. It was the perfect combination of fantasy and drama. I like the fact that it had more than one timeline which kept it interesting. Alyssa Wees’ writing style was amazing and I enjoyed every second reading this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys dark fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley, Alyssa, and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

We shall be mosters is a beautiful, multigenerational tale of a grandmother, mother, and daughter who become what they fear to save each other and those they love. They will tear their world apart, lie and deceive, and keep them from making the same mistakes of their past, to save them from hurt. Alyssa Wees’ world building paints incredibly vivid pictures of the fairyland in the woods and the creatures who inhabit it. At first I struggled to get into the story, but once the story really started unfolding, it was hard to put down. As a mother of a young daughter, I felt the profoundness of what it is to have a daughter and wish for her to not make the mistakes of her mother; and as a daughter, I understand why a mother wouldn’t want her daughter to maker her same mistakes. It’s truly a love story of mothers more than anything else. I loved this beautifully lyrical novel. This will be a book that I pass on to my daughter in hopes that she understands what a mothers loves means. I’ve already preordered this, and it really is a masterpiece. So incredibly wonderful