VANESSA LEN
(Book 1 of the Monsters trilogy)
Note: there are alternate covers of this book. This is the UK edition ->
Synopsis:
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.
Content:
Language: Use of minor swear words, a few uses of "f" and "s" throughout.
Violence: There is relatively little violence in the book. However, there is one mass murder (though not much description of blood and gore), some descriptions of wounds and bodies. There is also a mention of mental torture and killings, as well as violent imprisonment. Throughout, there are a few mentions of the monster community being cruel to humans and other monsters.
Sex: a few kisses, not too descriptive
LGBTQ: There is a married gay side couple.
My Review: Good news: relatively little time travel in here! Which means, less mind-boggling plot holes. Of course, I have questions and some things didn't make sense to me, but I thought it was overall enjoyable.
In book two, I'm hoping for more world-building though. I felt a little lost throughout the whole thing (though I did really like the characters). I also found the ending to be annoying—again, book two, I'm counting on you.