Only A Monster is an immersive and intriguing take on the classic hero versus monster. The book follows the story of Joan Chang–Hunt and her family. The Hunt’s are a family of monsters and when Joan finds out, everything falls apart. After her family is attacked, Joan ends up on the run with the son of her sworn enemy. As they jump from one time period to another, readers are able to imagine how different places looked like at different time periods throughout history.

The novel is well written as readers embark on a journey with unique plot lines, diverse characters, and a compelling storyline. This masterpiece engages readers from the beginning and just keeps giving. This is an eye-opening novel which provokes you to question, “What makes a monster?” This line appears repeatedly throughout the story, sometimes blurry and at other times thin, making readers answer the question for themselves. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a sweeping romance in a young adult novel.

Reviewed by Celena, Age 14, St Michael’s College
Gold Coast QLD
Age Guide 13+