I knew when Shalini first started to promote this book that it was one that I would absolutely love. A dark romantasy with political intrigue, a forbidden romance and an Ancient Rome-inspired legal system? Sign me up!
I was really lucky to receive an early arc from Shalini, Union Square and Netgalley and when I got my hands on this novel, I dug right in.
Four years ago, Sarai was thrown off a tower. Magically healed but permanently scarred, Sarai returns to the scene of the heinous crimes committed against her four years later to investigate her own attempted murder. There, she learns that more deaths have happened – accidents and suicides – that are more than they seem. Using her magical abilities of detecting lies, Sarai investigates alongside the rumoured ruthless and brutal Tetrach (judge) Kadra. Soon Sarai begins to realise that her mystery is tied to a deadly political battle with her and Kadra at its heart.
I absolutely love this novel. The writing is lush and the worldbuilding rich. Sarai and Kadra are wonderfully complex characters in their own rights and I found myself absolutely melting for their romance. Shalini has written a romance arc that is absolutely impeccable. There was a smoothness to it that had me swooning. And there was a sense of humour that is so difficult to balance in dark romantasies that Shalini managed to hit. It unfurled as the story progressed and the characters became closer.
I am SO IN AWE of this book. When I picked it up I knew it would be great and I was NOT disappointed. All of my highest expectations were outdone and I would absolutely SCREAM about this book FOREVER. I already know it’s going to be one of my 2025 favourites and it’s only February.
All in all this was a fabulous dark romantasy with everything I could possibly ever have wanted with it’s political thriller, mystery, honey-smooth yet high-staked forbidden romance and a richly built world.

OK I took me a good second to really get into this, but once I connected with the story, I was engrossed! And also moderately horrified at some of the things I was reading at times.

Thank you NetGalley, author, and publisher for this e-arc.
This Monster of Mine was not what I expected. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. There were many aspects that I did not connect with or like. First, the plot itself is interesting. A revenge story with falling in love with the “monster”. However, that was the only thing that I can give positive feedback on. Other than that, nothing felt like it worked. I want to keep it simple.
Characters: Sarai was whiny, and I was confused about her back story. The relationships between her and Kadra and her friends and the antagonist just felt all over the place. There was little build up between her and Kadra. Her friend Cisure seemed like a bad Disney character friend. The teachers gave nothing to the story and then at the end it was all circumstance.
Scene: Was told it was Roman empire vibes, but the writing was way too modern and was very millennial/gen z ambient. The cursing and phrases were just way too modern. If it was present day I think it would fit in with conversation, but too high school and modern for this period.

Plot: was very confused about what as going on half the time. It took me almost two/two half weeks to get through this. With my reading speed, it would’ve taken me two days with work and life in the way to finish it if I was fully invested.
Climax: It was made to seem that Sarai’s past at the academy was going to be something interesting to find out. It was very lame and simple. Basically, she was just there. The fact that there was so much commotion and theories and books written about this gave me high expectations for the climax.
I did find two errors in the book. Page 165 where it says “Sarai gave Cisure a meaningful look. With a aspish look in Harions direction, the other igrl…” I imagine it is supposed to be “girl”. And page 245 “Days blended into a week at the Hall of Records. She scoured the Archives Jovian had frequented most, going through indexes he’dhe’d”. I don’t know if that specific error is from the format of the epub or a mistake.
One thing that I want to add that might be controversial, was the non-binary theme in the book. I’m not sure why the author made it such a big deal and felt like she had to make the point out of it instead of just it being organically natural in there. Otherwise I did not enjoy this novel and hope to see an improvement for the authors next book.

OK so WOW this was fantastic, the world building felt like that of epic fantasy, intricate and detailed and completely unique, I'm in awe, the perfect slow burn romantasy!

This is an incredible debut novel. I'll be very excited to see what Shalini Abeysekara writes next.

I did have difficulty getting into the beginning of this book as there was a lot of info dumping and name dropping that did not make sense. It significantly gets better past the 10% mark or so, so stick with it. I LOVE our main characters and their dynamic together with the plot. I thought it was a standalone, but I expect a sequel after reading.

Know going into this one, that it is a darker book. If you're able to handle the trigger warnings I highly recommend it.

Rated 4 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the published for the ARC ebook.

Knew I was gonna fall for Kadra when Ma'am Shalini dropped the art for this. But she had me at the dedication page:

"To the quiet but dangerous girls who seethe at injustice: may they never see us coming"

plot twists, "dark" romance, fantasy, ancient Rome world-building, and political intrigue. All noted from this wonderful debut. Sarai is quiet, vengeful, complex, and compelling. Kadra's brutal reputation yet he is fair and just. Oh and the two of them working together? bless. Not spice-heavy though we do get some near the end; I sensed more tension which I preferred anyway for this kind of novel.

I do think you'll enjoy this if you like revenge, politics, real-world issues, and complex characters. Absolutely give this a read upon release!

4.25/5 for me but that's because I thought the pacing was a bit uneven for me personally but still overall enjoyed the majority of it.

Thank you Union Square and NetGalley for this e-ARC! Can't wait to get the hard copy for my library.

An absolutely brilliant dark, slow-burn romantasy!

To start, the worldbuilding in TMOM is spectacular. We have elements and character archetypes we're familiar with, but with a completely new twist - runic magic combined with truthtelling and memory-searching abilities, a woman out for vengeance despite everyone looking down on her.

Sarai is an immediately compelling main character: the prologue hooks us in with just a glimpse of the Fall, an event that clearly plagues Sarai throughout the rest of the book and drives her story forward. In an incredible spin on the Roman justice system, we start to see a dichotomy play out between Sarai, her potential murderer Kadra, and in supporting characters like her childhood best friend. It boils down to a fight between true justice, and rule of law. Abeysekara does a brilliant job highlighting the grey areas in both: justice can be bloody, but law can be corrupt - so which is the way forward?

I also loved the TRUE slow-burn romance. Kadra is known to be a monster, and Sarai is determined to see him that way. But the longer they work together, the more she realizes that he sees her for who she truly is. It's certainly an internal conflict that Sarai has to fight through, because despite her conviction that her scarred exterior will scare everyone away, he only sees her true strength. There are some heartfelt and swoon-worthy lines between the two of them; the way their banter starts combative but slowly chips away is one of the highlights in the book.

Overall, a stunningly dark and deep debut from Abeysekara, and I can't wait to see what happens next in the world of Ur Dinyé.

1) how is this a debut?
2) HOW IS THIS A DEBUT
3) you have more hidden- gimme 19 of ‘em!!


This was such an amazing, vicious book filled with a good twist- plot, character arc, representation- and female rage. 10/10

(Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me an arc exchange for readings all thoughts and opinions are my own!)

This is an ancient Roman influenced murder mystery about a young woman who survives a brutal ordeal, and four years later returns to the scene of the crime. She is assigned to use her magical abilities to assist the one person she suspects the most of assaulting her. Eventually, she unearthed a treacherous plot that could ruin thousands of lives and realizes that she may have to trust the one man she shouldn’t.
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square and Co for the opportunity to read and review this book. I really enjoyed this and I am giving this book four stars.
This book is being touted as a romantasy and I don’t necessarily agree with being doubted classification. Yes there is a romance. Yes it is a slow burn and yes, it does have spice but this really is a murder mystery. I really enjoyed our two main characters and smouldering with each other and the slow burn that they go through. While it wasn’t a groundbreaking murder mystery it was still very enjoyable. I will end up purchasing a copy of this for myself, and I will definitely look for more books by this author.

Wow! This book is everything that I wanted and so, so much more.

4 years ago, Sarai was pushed to her death from a tower but she defied all the odds and survived. Since then, she has been on a single-minded quest to become a petitor and gain access to the information that could lead her to her vengeance.

They said this was a slow-burn and they weren't wrong as this book simmers with romantic tension under the surface as Sarai desperately tries to uncover answers until it boils over into an undeniable explosion of passion. It is so delicious seeing these characters orbiting around one another as they fight with warring emotions.

Usually I am not a fan of when a book tried incredibly hard to establish something as fact as it means the reveal will be definitely not being that thing however Abeysekara does this with finesse and the reader can feel themselves feeling all of the conflicting feelings that Sarai feels throughout the story.

This is a book crammed with irresistible feminine rage but it is also a book with a heart of hope. And the finale, THE FINALE! Yes! More of that please and thank you.

By the end of this book, a lot of questions have been answered and the reader feels satisfied however there are enough hanging threads to titillate and excite the reader for where this series may go next and I personally can't wait to see it.

This is one of those books that I feel genuinely so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read and will securely place itself into my favourites of 2025.

Beautiful debut! the tensity, the character development, the themes; everything about this is so artfully done. This is a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre.

I am not kidding when I say this has now become one of my new favorite books! I was immediately drawn in by the unique world and magic system, but it was the characters who took my breath away. World-building can sometimes get overwhelming to the point where the characters get lost in it, but Kadra and Sarai couldn’t blend into the background of this story if they tried.
I resonated with Sarai’s desperation for answers, revenge, and her ability to hold onto a shred of hope. Sarai’s story really broke my heart. She’s both badass and broken, but while I’m so furious at what this world has done to her and the way it denies justice to so many, it has made me even more invested in Sarai’s descent into her own brand of justice.
KADRA!!! I mean, he immediately made me feel everything! Mysterious, commanding, surprisingly sensitive, and intuitive. Let’s just say there were multiple scenes I had to pause and put the book down because Kadra was such a badass.
Sarai and Kadra made this book for me. The relationship between them was so complex and layered, and I wanted them together even in the moments I shouldn’t.
There is so much complexity in this book, but it never outshines the emotional arcs of the characters. The author weaves religion, a flawed justice system, a unique and intricate magic system, and apocalyptic lightning storms into a character driven engaging mystery with such a deft hand I’m amazed this is only her debut. Even the side characters, are so incredibly interesting, but some of them may make your blood boil.
I have already recommended this book now to just about every person I come into contact with because I will be reading it again and again. I am so excited for the world to read this book.

Please pay attention to the content warnings before reading. This book is brutal and a tough read at times due to the cruelty endured by characters. It is definitely dark in places, but it serves the story and the violence has purpose within the context of the story and characters. But just be aware before reading, there are heavy themes!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this arc!

This was an amazing dark fantasy set in a brutal world. I really appreciated the tough but important subjects that were covered in this. Sarai is a strong and fearless FMC who was really easy to get behind and root for. Kadra was an enigma for the majority of the story, but so worth seeing him through to the end.
I thought the pacing was great and I’m really impressed, especially for a debut novel.

ARC Review: This Monster of Mine

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of This Monster of Mine, and it absolutely exceeded all my expectations. This book delivers a refreshing and unique take on Roman-inspired fantasy, weaving together rich world-building, a dynamic enemies-to-lovers romance, and a morally black male main character who will keep you hooked until the very last page.

The tension between the protagonists is palpable, crackling with suspense and emotional depth. The morally grey dynamics add layers of complexity that elevate the story beyond a typical fantasy romance. The Roman-inspired characters and setting feel authentic and immersive, pulling you into a world that is as brutal as it is mesmerizing.

What truly stood out was the unique magic system, seamlessly integrated into the story and adding an extra dimension of intrigue and excitement. Every twist and turn kept me on edge, and I found myself racing through the pages, eager to see how everything would unfold.

This Monster of Mine is a standout read that blends suspense, romance, and fantasy in a way that feels fresh and unforgettable. If you love dark, morally complex characters and rich, tension-filled storytelling, this is a book you won’t want to miss. I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

While I can understand the appeal of this novel to some, this one was not for me. I'm not a super big dark fantasy/romantasy fan, and I don't think I realized that this what this book was. I gave it a good college try, but ultimately this is not something I'd want to continue. The book itself was well written and paced (which bumps it up to 3 stars for me), so I think if dark fantasy/romantasy is your vibe, you very well might enjoy this one!

Thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for the eARC!

This uses the Ancient Rome fantasy romance element perfectly and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I was engaged with the storyline and was glad everything worked with what was happening going on. It worked with the overall feel of this and was everything that I wanted in the description. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and worked with the time-period going on. Shalini Abeysekara has a strong writing style and am glad I got to read this.

I hesitated at first over requesting a review copy of this book. I like romantasy, but a few I've read in recent times have left me feeling cold, with sex scenes taking over the story. Thankfully I decided to try This Monster of Mine, because that was not the case with this book at all; in fact, it was an incredibly strong debut work. The world building was excellently handled, and both that and the well-drawn characters drew me in from the first few chapters. The tale moved at an excellent pace throughout and I kept wanted to read 'just one more chapter'. The slow buildup of the relationship between Sarai and Kadra was expertly written, and by the time we reached the book's single sex scene, it was highly anticipated and impactful, helping to shape the characters rather than being there just for titillation, which is exactly what I have been looking for and struggling to find in romantasy lately. This is a very dark and violent story, which was totally fine by me but will perhaps not be suitable for all readers. However, if that doesn't put you off and you are looking for a romantasy that has character depth and a good plot, I definitely recommend This Monster of Mine. I will be keen to read more from this author in the future and I am giving this book 5 stars.

Sharp, dark and gripping romantasy that really packs a punch. I can go either way on this genre but this landed with me. Great characters and a gripping plot.

THIS BLEW MY FUCKING MIND

I literally don’t know what to even say. This was phenomenal please fucking read this 😭

Huh. That was a little anticlimactic.

I love the FMC, Sarai. She has the kind of strength I admire. What she went through... it was awful and tragic and horrifying.

Brutal is one word I would use to describe this book. Gruesome. Terrifying. But also? Hopeful.

It's scary how much this book reflects reality. Greed bores so much pain. All of one's selfish desires fulfilled through the suffering of others. It's heartbreaking.

I didn't love the romance. I think the story would have been fine without it. The MMC should have groveled more.