Member Reviews
Paranormal enforcers, of course they are! Wizards, shifters, and a poltergeist tackle a series of murders, while navigating biases and emotions and creating their own pack. Great fun, original and entertaining all the way. Hope to see more!
All The Hidden Monsters has really good world building, and plenty of twists. The fantasy aspect is intriguing and the characters are well written. I really enjoyed the book!
Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to review
"All the Hidden Monsters" is a YA mystery written by Amie Jordan. Sage is a werewolf who lives with P, a poltergeist. When Sage finds one of her werewolf friends murdered, she brings valuable evidence to the Arcanum (the supernatural police force, run mostly by warlocks). She wants to work for the Arcanum, but has been turned down in the past for being a werewolf. The force's director assigns her as a temporary partner to one of their most successful/troublesome warlocks: Oren Rinallis. Will they be able to work together to catch what seems to be a werewolf serial killer? Will Sage make it out alive? Great worldbuilding helps engross readers. A recommended purchase for YA collections where supernatural mysteries are popular.
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“All the Hidden Monsters” by Amie Jordan is an engaging debut novel that blends urban fantasy with a murder mystery, creating a unique and compelling read. The book even starts like a TV crime show with a dead body and an investigation, plunging you right into the plot. Set in Manchester, the book introduces a world teeming with supernatural beings living secretly beneath the human world. Werewolves, witches, and warlocks (surprisingly no vampires) coexist with humans while navigating their own “downside” world, a vibrant underground filled with a variety of supernatural creatures.
The story centers on Sage, a werewolf aspiring to be a detective, and Oren, a grumpy and seasoned warlock detective who prefers to work alone. Their unlikely partnership is forced into action when Sage’s friend is murdered, and they must join forces to track down a serial killer who’s hunting werewolves in the human world.
Jordan does an excellent job of crafting a fast-paced and immersive plot. The writing flows smoothly, and the characters are well-developed and full of life, especially the secondary characters. Sage’s determination and Oren’s brooding nature provide an interesting dynamic, and their banter adds warmth to the story. While there were hints of a potential romance between the two leads, it remains subtle and undeveloped, which helps keep the focus on the mystery at hand. This is definitely not a romance book, which I appreciated given the age gap between the main characters (Oren is around 150 years old while Sage is 18). I would have preferred if Oren had been more of a big brother figure rather than a potential love interest as the age gap made me uncomfortable, so I’m glad the romance did not develop at all. The focus is more on their growing friendship and partnership. Due to the ages of the characters, I would consider this book to be more of a NA book than a YA.
The world-building in “All the Hidden Monsters” is impressive without being overwhelming. Jordan introduces her supernatural setting in a way that feels natural and accessible, allowing you to dive into the story without being bogged down by complex lore. I also appreciated the combination of mystery and fantasy as the mystery aspect was well-developed, and I was continuously guessing throughout the book. The plot is fast paced, and I did not expect the big plot twist at the end whatsoever, which is a sign of a really good mystery. The cast of secondary characters also shines, with standouts like P and Berion adding depth and humor to the story. The found-family trope is handled beautifully, and I finished the book hoping for more stories set in this world, especially with a focus on P. She really made the book for me (as well as Berion’s fashion choices).
Overall, “All the Hidden Monsters” is a refreshing and original take on the urban fantasy genre, filled with rich characters, a well-constructed mystery, and an intriguing supernatural world. It’s a fantastic start for Amie Jordan, and I can’t wait to read more from Jordan.