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The Outersphere #1
Where There Be Monsters
For fans of AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS and THE MARVELLERS, Alby C. Williams' debut middle grade fantasy is a sweeping adventure filled with monsters, mysteries, and mischief.
Eleven-year-old Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere.
When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam.
For there’s mischief afoot that’s threatening the balance between the worlds, its magic, and its monsters. And it’s up to Glory to find a solution before it’s too late.
Eleven-year-old Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere.
When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam.
For there’s mischief afoot that’s threatening the balance between the worlds, its magic, and its monsters. And it’s up to Glory to find a solution before it’s too late.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2025
13 people are currently reading
12450 people want to read
About the author
Alby C. Williams
4 books59 followersAlby C. Williams hails from the land of snow and salt potatoes. They are a storyteller, poet and artist of dubious skill but endless enthusiasm. If you catch them in their spare time, you might mistake them for a cat based on the amount of yarn in their immediate vicinity, but don't be fooled---they're actually several pigeons in a trench coat. Visit them at albycwilliams.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 11, 2025
This was such a cute story and reminiscent of Amari and the Night Brothers while still being its own entity.
More to come.
More to come.
April 21, 2025
Rating: Really Enjoyed It, 4 Stars
Where There be Monsters by Alby C Williams was an absolute delight. In this we follow Glory Brown, a mazy-headed (neurodivergent) young girl, living at her parent's inn for travelers of the Outersphere. One day she is in her back garden, in the midst of a monster surge, when a young, lost boy comes through the hedge, seeking a safe place to hide from the Level 4 monster that is chasing him. Glory takes him in, and learns that he is a Parlimentarian (world walker) who has been cursed. She travels with him to help him find a way to get back to his school and break the curse.
This was a grand old time. I greatly enjoyed following Glory as a main character. She is neurodivergent and has a different way of seeing the world, which I thought was handled really well. I thought it was really interesting viewing her friendship with Marcus through her eyes. She overreacts and interprets things very differently, which led to a lot of conflict. But I loved that they worked through it and that multiple different adults helped bridge that gap in understanding.
Honestly, that was probably one of my favorite things about this book was that the adults actually did things. The children are a big focal point because they have Moxie, which repells monsters, but the adults are still right there along with them, trying to figure out how to stop this monster surge, break the curse, and sort out the government corruption. Her mom at one point encourages her to run her plans past an adult to make sure they make sense. I loved how much her family loved and supported her through everything that goes down.
I found this to be a super interesting world with monsters, Monsterfolk, world traversing, curses, magic berries, glowing birds, and a magic school. I thought it was creative and fun to explore with Glory.
I think that my main complaint with this one was that it started out super strong, but there were so many different threads that it sort of got bogged down with the different storylines. There was a lot going on for the story that was being told, and I feel like that led to some of the pieces feeling rushed or not as fleshed out as it could have been.
Thank you to Netgalley and Roaring Book Press for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Where There be Monsters releases on May 6, 2025.
Where There be Monsters by Alby C Williams was an absolute delight. In this we follow Glory Brown, a mazy-headed (neurodivergent) young girl, living at her parent's inn for travelers of the Outersphere. One day she is in her back garden, in the midst of a monster surge, when a young, lost boy comes through the hedge, seeking a safe place to hide from the Level 4 monster that is chasing him. Glory takes him in, and learns that he is a Parlimentarian (world walker) who has been cursed. She travels with him to help him find a way to get back to his school and break the curse.
This was a grand old time. I greatly enjoyed following Glory as a main character. She is neurodivergent and has a different way of seeing the world, which I thought was handled really well. I thought it was really interesting viewing her friendship with Marcus through her eyes. She overreacts and interprets things very differently, which led to a lot of conflict. But I loved that they worked through it and that multiple different adults helped bridge that gap in understanding.
Honestly, that was probably one of my favorite things about this book was that the adults actually did things. The children are a big focal point because they have Moxie, which repells monsters, but the adults are still right there along with them, trying to figure out how to stop this monster surge, break the curse, and sort out the government corruption. Her mom at one point encourages her to run her plans past an adult to make sure they make sense. I loved how much her family loved and supported her through everything that goes down.
I found this to be a super interesting world with monsters, Monsterfolk, world traversing, curses, magic berries, glowing birds, and a magic school. I thought it was creative and fun to explore with Glory.
I think that my main complaint with this one was that it started out super strong, but there were so many different threads that it sort of got bogged down with the different storylines. There was a lot going on for the story that was being told, and I feel like that led to some of the pieces feeling rushed or not as fleshed out as it could have been.
Thank you to Netgalley and Roaring Book Press for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Where There be Monsters releases on May 6, 2025.
April 16, 2025
Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Where There Be Monsters" by Alby C. Williams is a great book for young readers. It's a fantastic introduction to the fantasy/magic world, and I feel it's very age-appropriate for middle schoolers and even elementary schoolers who read at a middle school level. The representation of a young Black girl doing magic is strong, and I love it. For this to be Alby C. Williams' debut fantasy novel, with adventures filled with monsters, magic, mysteries, and mischief, she did an amazing job! I will definitely allow my daughter to listen to the audiobook and read the book.
The audiobook is great, and the narrator, Tyla Collier, did a great job telling the story and bringing it to life! She was easy to listen to and understand. Listened at 2x speed.
Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere.
When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
•middle school
•black fantasy
•magical
Thank you, NetGalley, and MacmillanAudio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"Where There Be Monsters" by Alby C. Williams is a great book for young readers. It's a fantastic introduction to the fantasy/magic world, and I feel it's very age-appropriate for middle schoolers and even elementary schoolers who read at a middle school level. The representation of a young Black girl doing magic is strong, and I love it. For this to be Alby C. Williams' debut fantasy novel, with adventures filled with monsters, magic, mysteries, and mischief, she did an amazing job! I will definitely allow my daughter to listen to the audiobook and read the book.
The audiobook is great, and the narrator, Tyla Collier, did a great job telling the story and bringing it to life! She was easy to listen to and understand. Listened at 2x speed.
Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere.
When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
•middle school
•black fantasy
•magical
Thank you, NetGalley, and MacmillanAudio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2025
Oh, I loved this one and think it will be a great book for your middle grade adventure/fantasy readers! It seems like it would be a “stay up way too late with a flashlight and a book under your covers” kind of read.
Glory Brown is 11, very ready for a life bigger than the quiet calm life on her world. She comes from a family of Spherinauts and wants to live up to her mother's reknowned reputation. She is what they call 'mazy-headed(a term used to describe her neurodivergence) and filled with curiosity that seems to never be fully satiated. (Side note: I adore that her neurodivergent brain is a strength in this story—not something to overcome, but something that connects her to her mother and helps her navigate wild, magical terrain.)
The world is so fun and so fresh—kids have Moxie (a kind of magic that only they can use), there’s a monster-filled place called the Seam, and the dream job is to be a Spherinaut (a kind of explorer who documents the Outersphere). Glory’s got explorer blood in her, and when a mysterious boy named Marcus shows up on a mission from the Parliamentarium (Spherinaut school = YES), she doesn’t hesitate—she grabs her books and jumps right into the adventure.
This has found family vibes, a boarding school twist, monsters (but not too scary), secret missions, and magic with rules that make sense. It’s full of those great middle grade tropes I love: the kid who doesn’t quite fit in, the mysterious legacy, the grown-up who’s not telling you everything, the adventure that’s bigger than it first seems.
The audiobook is fantastic—great pacing and voice work, easy to follow even with all the unique terminology and world building. Definitely worth grabbing in audio if your kids (or you) are audiobook lovers. It would be a great car listen on trips!
Quick note for families: there’s a brief mention of folks using various pronouns. It’s literally one line, not a central theme, but just a heads-up for those who like to preview.
This one was provided to me for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Glory Brown is 11, very ready for a life bigger than the quiet calm life on her world. She comes from a family of Spherinauts and wants to live up to her mother's reknowned reputation. She is what they call 'mazy-headed(a term used to describe her neurodivergence) and filled with curiosity that seems to never be fully satiated. (Side note: I adore that her neurodivergent brain is a strength in this story—not something to overcome, but something that connects her to her mother and helps her navigate wild, magical terrain.)
The world is so fun and so fresh—kids have Moxie (a kind of magic that only they can use), there’s a monster-filled place called the Seam, and the dream job is to be a Spherinaut (a kind of explorer who documents the Outersphere). Glory’s got explorer blood in her, and when a mysterious boy named Marcus shows up on a mission from the Parliamentarium (Spherinaut school = YES), she doesn’t hesitate—she grabs her books and jumps right into the adventure.
This has found family vibes, a boarding school twist, monsters (but not too scary), secret missions, and magic with rules that make sense. It’s full of those great middle grade tropes I love: the kid who doesn’t quite fit in, the mysterious legacy, the grown-up who’s not telling you everything, the adventure that’s bigger than it first seems.
The audiobook is fantastic—great pacing and voice work, easy to follow even with all the unique terminology and world building. Definitely worth grabbing in audio if your kids (or you) are audiobook lovers. It would be a great car listen on trips!
Quick note for families: there’s a brief mention of folks using various pronouns. It’s literally one line, not a central theme, but just a heads-up for those who like to preview.
This one was provided to me for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2025
I really liked the world building in this story. Glory Brown lives in the Seam, at the Light Inn. Which has been in the Brown family for generations as a sanctuary for travelers of the Seam. The Inn is important and provides a much needed public service but Glory yearns for more. She ultimately finds the adventure she is seeking when Marcus enters her life through a hedge.
This has magic, monsters, smart kids and supportive adults. Sometimes in middle grade novels it feels like parents are creatively removed from the action. I know this is so the kid can carry the story but it often leaves the adults absent or in some cases negligent. I liked that this story managed to focus on the kids but also included the parents actively supporting the kids. I don't want to spoil the story but I truly enjoyed how this played out. I think the basic premise of children having Moxie helped to support this adult involved structure. I'm an adult so my preferences don't matter in this genre. I'm just sharing what I liked.
Though this story is written at a middle grade level, I think it would appeal to grade schoolers as well. This is also a good book for parents to read with or to grade school age children who may not yet have the skills to read this on their own yet. Parents, teachers, and librarians build a love of reading in children by introducing kids to books they can all love.
This is delightfully narrated by Tyla Collier. Tyla has a rich and melodic voice which enhances this story beautifully. This is a perfect audiobook for immersion reading. The narration truly adds to the experience of this novel and I highly recommend consuming this on audio.
Thank you to Alby C. Williams, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This has magic, monsters, smart kids and supportive adults. Sometimes in middle grade novels it feels like parents are creatively removed from the action. I know this is so the kid can carry the story but it often leaves the adults absent or in some cases negligent. I liked that this story managed to focus on the kids but also included the parents actively supporting the kids. I don't want to spoil the story but I truly enjoyed how this played out. I think the basic premise of children having Moxie helped to support this adult involved structure. I'm an adult so my preferences don't matter in this genre. I'm just sharing what I liked.
Though this story is written at a middle grade level, I think it would appeal to grade schoolers as well. This is also a good book for parents to read with or to grade school age children who may not yet have the skills to read this on their own yet. Parents, teachers, and librarians build a love of reading in children by introducing kids to books they can all love.
This is delightfully narrated by Tyla Collier. Tyla has a rich and melodic voice which enhances this story beautifully. This is a perfect audiobook for immersion reading. The narration truly adds to the experience of this novel and I highly recommend consuming this on audio.
Thank you to Alby C. Williams, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
September 15, 2025
ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Let kindness be your guiding light, and Knowledge be your shelter.”
Such a fun middle grade fantasy, full of lessons and reasoning behind every expression of emotion— Perfect for the curious littles that ask and wonder about how everything works and why.
*I also love the subtle, but wonderful queer representation.
Glo is such a curious bb, inspired to be just like her Mom. And maybe even greater!!
So new to life outside her cozy inn, packed w/ a ton of action and adventure.
Marcus def helps showcase the trickiness to friendships— From pointing fingers to talking about Glo’s Mama. You can’t help wanting to ditch him lmfao, but there’s also the side where he stands w/ you against all odds.
I also have to show love to Penrose 🫶🏽 Such a fun side character— I just love his lil rhymes lol!!
Tyla Collier did an amazing job narrating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Let kindness be your guiding light, and Knowledge be your shelter.”
Such a fun middle grade fantasy, full of lessons and reasoning behind every expression of emotion— Perfect for the curious littles that ask and wonder about how everything works and why.
*I also love the subtle, but wonderful queer representation.
Glo is such a curious bb, inspired to be just like her Mom. And maybe even greater!!
So new to life outside her cozy inn, packed w/ a ton of action and adventure.
Marcus def helps showcase the trickiness to friendships— From pointing fingers to talking about Glo’s Mama. You can’t help wanting to ditch him lmfao, but there’s also the side where he stands w/ you against all odds.
I also have to show love to Penrose 🫶🏽 Such a fun side character— I just love his lil rhymes lol!!
Tyla Collier did an amazing job narrating.
May 13, 2025
This was a really cute middle grade fantasy book. This book was packed with magic, monsters and mischief. I loved following the main character, Glory, in this story. The author did a great job of creating a unique magic system and world. This was a great start to a new series and an excellent debut novel.
Read this if you like:
📖 Neurodivergent reps
📖 Found family
📖 Unique magic systems
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Neurodivergent reps
📖 Found family
📖 Unique magic systems
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.
April 23, 2025
Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for the LARC. I see a hit for Alby C. Williams. This is the first book in the Outersphere series and it was so much fun to listen to.The fantasy world is filled with dangerous monsters and even dangerous humans who want to run the world their way. Glory has one dream, she wants to be just like her mom, a Magpie. Her plans are thrown off when Marcas shows up with an important message. Glory and Marcus must save her mom and maybe their home. A must read for all.
May 8, 2025
Special thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC. All thoughts below are 100% my own!
Where There Be Monsters is a sweet middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring Glory Brown, a neurodivergent eleven-year-old who's long dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps only to realize just how dangerous, even unfair, the world is. The setting offers a cozy steam-punkish vibe both in Glory's homeworld as well as in the Parliamentarium, a school for children to learn about the Outersphere and how to embrace their strengths and knowledge.
There is clearly a lot of love, passion and thought that went into the world-building and the magic system. The book features wonderful characters and creative creatures that are wonderfully illustrated across the pages. The story itself has just the right balance of action with emotional growth. Adults are just as active and impactful in this book as the young heroine and her friend. The children aren't the sole drivers, but of course, play the most important roles still.
Throughout the plot, the book takes important pauses to instill important lessons such as empathy, understanding and learning when to let go. I also admire how neurodivergence was handled, allowing the readers to not only relate but hopefully learn techniques to help them be productive and stay focused.
While the magic system and the world building are great, I can't help but wonder if younger readers especially might end confused. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to connect the dots at times. It could be because there are several threads going on at once that sometimes their resolution feel a bit rushed. It's a little odd because I can't say there aren't enough descriptions. If anything, towards the beginning, I felt we may be getting too much lore dump at once.
The other thing I'm not so sure about is the relationship between Marcus and Gloria. While I understand the conflicts between them were supposed to be used to show that they're still children but also as a way to teach young readers important life lessons, at the end of the day it left me feeling puzzled. Gloria appears very self-centered when it comes to their friendship that it's hard to feel for her. Between constantly blaming him for his curse, when she herself was cursed despite him trying to stop her, to her jealousy but still screaming that he's her friend.
Still I really adored the universe and found it very creative and fun. I would love to see what the author comes up with next and I'm definitely considering a copy for my niece.
Where There Be Monsters is a sweet middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring Glory Brown, a neurodivergent eleven-year-old who's long dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps only to realize just how dangerous, even unfair, the world is. The setting offers a cozy steam-punkish vibe both in Glory's homeworld as well as in the Parliamentarium, a school for children to learn about the Outersphere and how to embrace their strengths and knowledge.
There is clearly a lot of love, passion and thought that went into the world-building and the magic system. The book features wonderful characters and creative creatures that are wonderfully illustrated across the pages. The story itself has just the right balance of action with emotional growth. Adults are just as active and impactful in this book as the young heroine and her friend. The children aren't the sole drivers, but of course, play the most important roles still.
Throughout the plot, the book takes important pauses to instill important lessons such as empathy, understanding and learning when to let go. I also admire how neurodivergence was handled, allowing the readers to not only relate but hopefully learn techniques to help them be productive and stay focused.
While the magic system and the world building are great, I can't help but wonder if younger readers especially might end confused. I found myself flipping back and forth trying to connect the dots at times. It could be because there are several threads going on at once that sometimes their resolution feel a bit rushed. It's a little odd because I can't say there aren't enough descriptions. If anything, towards the beginning, I felt we may be getting too much lore dump at once.
The other thing I'm not so sure about is the relationship between Marcus and Gloria. While I understand the conflicts between them were supposed to be used to show that they're still children but also as a way to teach young readers important life lessons, at the end of the day it left me feeling puzzled. Gloria appears very self-centered when it comes to their friendship that it's hard to feel for her. Between constantly blaming him for his curse, when she herself was cursed despite him trying to stop her, to her jealousy but still screaming that he's her friend.
Still I really adored the universe and found it very creative and fun. I would love to see what the author comes up with next and I'm definitely considering a copy for my niece.
August 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Alby C. Williams, and @Macmillan.Audio for the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars
The audiobook was excellent. The narrator Tyla Collier brought this story to life. She is such a great narrator as Glory. I would listen to more of her audiobooks in the future.
3 stars
I am disappointed with this one. I thought it was going to be my next favorite middle-grade new series. I enjoyed the magic systems and characters. I was lost on the different types of monsters and how moxie is used. This book has so much potential. It would have benefited from some world-building and descriptions. It was hard to see where the characters went next without describing it in detail. Those are my opinions. I would love to see what other books Alby C. Williams comes out with next.
5 stars
The audiobook was excellent. The narrator Tyla Collier brought this story to life. She is such a great narrator as Glory. I would listen to more of her audiobooks in the future.
3 stars
I am disappointed with this one. I thought it was going to be my next favorite middle-grade new series. I enjoyed the magic systems and characters. I was lost on the different types of monsters and how moxie is used. This book has so much potential. It would have benefited from some world-building and descriptions. It was hard to see where the characters went next without describing it in detail. Those are my opinions. I would love to see what other books Alby C. Williams comes out with next.
March 7, 2025
Glory dreams of becoming a Spherinaut and searching for and studying magical creatures. Her mom is the greatest Spherinaut today and people across all the lands reference the Brown Books her ancestors have written to navigate an uncertain world. Glory knows something strange is going on with magic as she’s frightened by a small, tree-like creature in the Light Inn’s garden. Most of the monsters she knows are friends to humans but there are level four beasts that are wild and dangerous. There’s clearly a surge of feral monsters happening but this outbreak doesn’t seem to be from natural causes.
All children are born with Moxie which Glory’s parents believe is connected to curiosity. Older people lose their Moxie so readers might infer this means adults are less inquisitive. For some reason, monsters are repelled by Moxie so Glory feels protected from potential dangers she might face in the world. Glory’s mind tends to jump around from thought to thought, her father calls it mazy head, and he often reminds her to slow down. Young readers will admire Glory’s desire to find answers and her determination to explore the Outersphere. Her family’s motto is “Let kindness be your guiding light and knowledge be your shelter”. Glory’s an obedient daughter and is proud that she doesn’t know how to lie but is she willing to disobey her parents and help a person in need? Glory is another young character in a middle-grade book who doesn’t fully appreciate the lethal threats lurking beyond her safe haven.
The story has an underlying plot of mystery and intrigue. The unnatural surge of monsters has everyone worried and trying to understand its cause. Glory’s mother believes it’s related to the mining of magical siphonite leaving pockets under the ground. Readers will slowly suspect something suspicious is going on with the siphoning of magic. Gertrude Paxton, former head of the Dominicule of Siphonry, is vying for more power and Glory hears the woman’s name or reads about her everywhere. Then there’s Marcus, the Parliament student Glory is helping. He’s wearing a cursed charm and was told to deliver a secret message but he won’t say who gave it to him. Glory touched the charm once so she’s now cursed too. These events describe a secret conspiracy and Glory finds herself thrown into the middle of it.
What didn’t work as well:
The relationship between Glory and Marcus is puzzling at times. They’re working together to break Marcus’s curse but manage to bicker over comments each other makes. Also, Glory gives him a hard time about the effects of his curse but there’s little talk about the fact that she’s cursed too. Some of their comments are confusing.
The final verdict:
This adventure/mystery will entertain young readers as the characters attempt to discover the cause of the monster surge. Magic is used as an energy source but the characters can’t use it as their own special powers. It’s an interesting twist on magic and a select school for young characters and I recommend you give it a shot.
All children are born with Moxie which Glory’s parents believe is connected to curiosity. Older people lose their Moxie so readers might infer this means adults are less inquisitive. For some reason, monsters are repelled by Moxie so Glory feels protected from potential dangers she might face in the world. Glory’s mind tends to jump around from thought to thought, her father calls it mazy head, and he often reminds her to slow down. Young readers will admire Glory’s desire to find answers and her determination to explore the Outersphere. Her family’s motto is “Let kindness be your guiding light and knowledge be your shelter”. Glory’s an obedient daughter and is proud that she doesn’t know how to lie but is she willing to disobey her parents and help a person in need? Glory is another young character in a middle-grade book who doesn’t fully appreciate the lethal threats lurking beyond her safe haven.
The story has an underlying plot of mystery and intrigue. The unnatural surge of monsters has everyone worried and trying to understand its cause. Glory’s mother believes it’s related to the mining of magical siphonite leaving pockets under the ground. Readers will slowly suspect something suspicious is going on with the siphoning of magic. Gertrude Paxton, former head of the Dominicule of Siphonry, is vying for more power and Glory hears the woman’s name or reads about her everywhere. Then there’s Marcus, the Parliament student Glory is helping. He’s wearing a cursed charm and was told to deliver a secret message but he won’t say who gave it to him. Glory touched the charm once so she’s now cursed too. These events describe a secret conspiracy and Glory finds herself thrown into the middle of it.
What didn’t work as well:
The relationship between Glory and Marcus is puzzling at times. They’re working together to break Marcus’s curse but manage to bicker over comments each other makes. Also, Glory gives him a hard time about the effects of his curse but there’s little talk about the fact that she’s cursed too. Some of their comments are confusing.
The final verdict:
This adventure/mystery will entertain young readers as the characters attempt to discover the cause of the monster surge. Magic is used as an energy source but the characters can’t use it as their own special powers. It’s an interesting twist on magic and a select school for young characters and I recommend you give it a shot.
May 30, 2025
Where There Be Monsters is a magical story about standing up for what is right and learning how to deal with the challenges within the world. I adored Glory throughout the book and appreciated the growth she underwent. Everything about her internal journey felt extremely natural, and I wish I had read this as a child. Seeing how Glory tackled issues imperfectly, but corrected when needed, would have helped me develop my compassion as a kid.
This book has amazing world-building, which takes place in a futuristic society that still feels comparable to our current world. I love the monsterfolk, especially Penrose, and how they add to the magical world. The images we get of the monsters/monsterfolk throughout the story are a wonderful addition. The magic system, including Moxie, was extremely unique, and I felt that it was explained fairly well.
The antagonist of the book, I thought, had a lot of depth, and the more we learned about them, the more I felt for them, but it didn't make their actions correct. I love how aspects were dealt with throughout the novel, and much of it aided in Glory's character growth. I do wish Marcus felt a little more fleshed out. Sometimes he felt like he was just there, other times he was starting to give me what I hoped for from him. He did grow on me by the end, but I did not feel as attached to him as I did to some of the other characters, such as Grandpa Ike.
The book seemed to be set up to be a series, and I hope so! I want to watch Glory continue to grow and explore the world. This is perfect for people who are looking for:
-BIPOC rep (Main character and many more)
-Neurodivergent MC
-LGBTQIA+ side characters
-Strong family bonds
-Unique magical worlds
-Kids who make mistakes and learn from them
-Realistic antagonist
Final rating: 4.5
Thank you, NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, and Macmillan, for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has amazing world-building, which takes place in a futuristic society that still feels comparable to our current world. I love the monsterfolk, especially Penrose, and how they add to the magical world. The images we get of the monsters/monsterfolk throughout the story are a wonderful addition. The magic system, including Moxie, was extremely unique, and I felt that it was explained fairly well.
The antagonist of the book, I thought, had a lot of depth, and the more we learned about them, the more I felt for them, but it didn't make their actions correct. I love how aspects were dealt with throughout the novel, and much of it aided in Glory's character growth. I do wish Marcus felt a little more fleshed out. Sometimes he felt like he was just there, other times he was starting to give me what I hoped for from him. He did grow on me by the end, but I did not feel as attached to him as I did to some of the other characters, such as Grandpa Ike.
The book seemed to be set up to be a series, and I hope so! I want to watch Glory continue to grow and explore the world. This is perfect for people who are looking for:
-BIPOC rep (Main character and many more)
-Neurodivergent MC
-LGBTQIA+ side characters
-Strong family bonds
-Unique magical worlds
-Kids who make mistakes and learn from them
-Realistic antagonist
Final rating: 4.5
Thank you, NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, and Macmillan, for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I am not the intended audience for this book, but I do enjoy fantasy whether it be middle grade, YA, or adult so I wanted to read this one based on the description. I was really disappointed.
There is very little about The Light Inn and what the Browns do there. Same goes for the Brown Book. The play off of the Green Book was such a creative idea that I think this is a missed opportunity to build up the story.
I'm not sure what Glory wants to learn about using her Moxie because based on the description of it, Moxie is just that kids repel monsters and adults don't. There didn't seem to be any "using" of it.
The "mazy headed" thing was confusing and calling it that was off-putting. It took me awhile to understand that she meant that her mind was like a maze, so her thinking was often all over the place. I don't know if the intended audience will understand that.
There were also way too many different things to keep track of that the story was muddled (Moxie and monsters and Monsterfolk and Spherinauts and Parlimentarium and Dominarium and orreries and curses and nightshine berries and on and on). It was too much to focus on.
Lastly, the Parlimentarium and it's Houses were very much Hogwarts, the Dominarium was very much the Ministry of Magic, and the plant monster/mandrake was very much the Demogorgon from Stranger Things.
First off, I am not the intended audience for this book, but I do enjoy fantasy whether it be middle grade, YA, or adult so I wanted to read this one based on the description. I was really disappointed.
There is very little about The Light Inn and what the Browns do there. Same goes for the Brown Book. The play off of the Green Book was such a creative idea that I think this is a missed opportunity to build up the story.
I'm not sure what Glory wants to learn about using her Moxie because based on the description of it, Moxie is just that kids repel monsters and adults don't. There didn't seem to be any "using" of it.
The "mazy headed" thing was confusing and calling it that was off-putting. It took me awhile to understand that she meant that her mind was like a maze, so her thinking was often all over the place. I don't know if the intended audience will understand that.
There were also way too many different things to keep track of that the story was muddled (Moxie and monsters and Monsterfolk and Spherinauts and Parlimentarium and Dominarium and orreries and curses and nightshine berries and on and on). It was too much to focus on.
Lastly, the Parlimentarium and it's Houses were very much Hogwarts, the Dominarium was very much the Ministry of Magic, and the plant monster/mandrake was very much the Demogorgon from Stranger Things.
August 8, 2025
This is a 3 for my personal enjoyment and a 5 for the world-building and storytelling.
First of all, the world-building... Wow! It's so vivid and clever and creative. I will say, that it might not hit right for fans of high fantasy. This is riding the sci-fi line in the ways so many low fantasy or urban fantasy stories do. Because of that though, I found some of the references to old earth issues to feel out of place. I'm not sure it's necessary for Grandpa to bring up the racism on earth when the prejudice against Blighters is a major plot point. The author might have served their story better to let the Blighters prejudice and Monster Folk fear stand as an analogy for racism without referencing it directly.
One struggle I had with the storytelling was the main character's focus on lying. She repeatedly states things like "I hate liars", "I never lie", etc... And then lies repeatedly and quickly. She is mad that others lie to her, but doesn't understand the ways that her lies of omission are equally inappropriate. If this had been a life lesson the 11 year old lead was going to learn, it would have been different, but she never seemed to grasp how frequently she was doing the thing she supposedly hates.
I thought the story was unique and interesting. It reminds me a bit of The Magician's Nephew, if Polly and Digory had found themselves in a steampunk/gaslamp series of worlds. I definitely think that a lot of kids would really love this and look forward to the next installment.
First of all, the world-building... Wow! It's so vivid and clever and creative. I will say, that it might not hit right for fans of high fantasy. This is riding the sci-fi line in the ways so many low fantasy or urban fantasy stories do. Because of that though, I found some of the references to old earth issues to feel out of place. I'm not sure it's necessary for Grandpa to bring up the racism on earth when the prejudice against Blighters is a major plot point. The author might have served their story better to let the Blighters prejudice and Monster Folk fear stand as an analogy for racism without referencing it directly.
One struggle I had with the storytelling was the main character's focus on lying. She repeatedly states things like "I hate liars", "I never lie", etc... And then lies repeatedly and quickly. She is mad that others lie to her, but doesn't understand the ways that her lies of omission are equally inappropriate. If this had been a life lesson the 11 year old lead was going to learn, it would have been different, but she never seemed to grasp how frequently she was doing the thing she supposedly hates.
I thought the story was unique and interesting. It reminds me a bit of The Magician's Nephew, if Polly and Digory had found themselves in a steampunk/gaslamp series of worlds. I definitely think that a lot of kids would really love this and look forward to the next installment.
May 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Glory is 11 and lives in a universe where travelling to another planet is as easy as walking through a doorway IF you are able to avoid the monsters that are roaming the worlds. Lucky for her she has plenty of Moxie, which monsters avoid. All she wants to do is travel and explore, but her Mom, who is an explorer herself, tells her she is too young and not ready yet. When her Mom is away and a boy shows up at the Inn needing help Glory sets off on an adventure that ends up being way more than she expected.
First, I thought the world building in this book was pretty inventive and incredible. The explanations behind the magic and the monsters and how everything was tied together was very well thought out and flowed very well with the story. The characters were realistic and relatable and were very far from perfect. I loved how Glory's ADHD is expressed as being Mazyheaded and how it shows how schedules and activity make it better AND how her thought process helps her come to some pretty amazing conclusions.
Honestly, I thought this was a pretty great book. My only criticism, and this is minor, is that there were a few times that I had to go back and read a part again to make sure that I understood some of the technical parts behind the magic. I think this will be a wonderful book for kids.
Glory is 11 and lives in a universe where travelling to another planet is as easy as walking through a doorway IF you are able to avoid the monsters that are roaming the worlds. Lucky for her she has plenty of Moxie, which monsters avoid. All she wants to do is travel and explore, but her Mom, who is an explorer herself, tells her she is too young and not ready yet. When her Mom is away and a boy shows up at the Inn needing help Glory sets off on an adventure that ends up being way more than she expected.
First, I thought the world building in this book was pretty inventive and incredible. The explanations behind the magic and the monsters and how everything was tied together was very well thought out and flowed very well with the story. The characters were realistic and relatable and were very far from perfect. I loved how Glory's ADHD is expressed as being Mazyheaded and how it shows how schedules and activity make it better AND how her thought process helps her come to some pretty amazing conclusions.
Honestly, I thought this was a pretty great book. My only criticism, and this is minor, is that there were a few times that I had to go back and read a part again to make sure that I understood some of the technical parts behind the magic. I think this will be a wonderful book for kids.
July 27, 2025
This book was, sadly, meh. The premise was cool: a young neurodivergent girl living with her parents who run a hotel called The Light Inn in the middle of a monster-filled stretch until a mysterious boy arrives in need of help with a strange curse. But execution...
1) The plot itself jumps around so much, it feels like multiple books squeezed into one. Slight spoilers: It's just too much, and makes the plot feel very disjointed. And by the end, I didn't even understand why the villain was even being villainous. I also did not feel scared by the villain, I just felt confused.
2) The world-building. Maybe it's because I prefer fantasy and this book edged the line between fantasy and sci-fi, but I was so confused about the worlds. I am a Master's student. I'm not stupid. But it was never clear if the different "worlds" were different planets within the same universe, or different universes one could slip through. And without being able to properly place our story in the universe, it was hard to fully enjoy.
Overall, good premise and representation, but the execution made me confused.
1) The plot itself jumps around so much, it feels like multiple books squeezed into one. Slight spoilers: It's just too much, and makes the plot feel very disjointed. And by the end, I didn't even understand why the villain was even being villainous. I also did not feel scared by the villain, I just felt confused.
2) The world-building. Maybe it's because I prefer fantasy and this book edged the line between fantasy and sci-fi, but I was so confused about the worlds. I am a Master's student. I'm not stupid. But it was never clear if the different "worlds" were different planets within the same universe, or different universes one could slip through. And without being able to properly place our story in the universe, it was hard to fully enjoy.
Overall, good premise and representation, but the execution made me confused.
May 2, 2025
📖 Bookish Thoughts:
This was such a fun middle grade magical adventure! Eleven-year-old me would’ve been obsessed. Glory is spunky, determined, and maybe too curious for her own good! 🤣 She had such a sweet, kind-hearted nature and a really innocent way of seeing the world.
I especially appreciated the rep of Marcus having two moms. It felt natural and important without ever being a “thing.”
This story was the perfect mix of whimsy, fun, and adventure. A great listen for younger readers—or nostalgic older ones like me! And the audiobook was fantastic—I really enjoyed the narrator!
🖤 Read if you love:
• Magical realism
• Secret missions
• Interdimensional travel
• Strong family bonds
• Found family vibes
• Kids saving the world
⭐️ Book Rating: 4.5
🎧 Audiobook Rating: 4.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy and ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a fun middle grade magical adventure! Eleven-year-old me would’ve been obsessed. Glory is spunky, determined, and maybe too curious for her own good! 🤣 She had such a sweet, kind-hearted nature and a really innocent way of seeing the world.
I especially appreciated the rep of Marcus having two moms. It felt natural and important without ever being a “thing.”
This story was the perfect mix of whimsy, fun, and adventure. A great listen for younger readers—or nostalgic older ones like me! And the audiobook was fantastic—I really enjoyed the narrator!
🖤 Read if you love:
• Magical realism
• Secret missions
• Interdimensional travel
• Strong family bonds
• Found family vibes
• Kids saving the world
⭐️ Book Rating: 4.5
🎧 Audiobook Rating: 4.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy and ARC. All thoughts are my own.
June 19, 2025
This took me a little while to finish because I wasn't immediately sucked into a world that I didn't want to leave. It built over time to tell the story of Glory, whose family runs an inn in which the monsters pass through but that's at the cusp of a place called the Seam and where Glory wants to practice the magic of her mother, an ability called Moxie that is given to kids.
What becomes the first in a fantasy middle grade series includes pictures and reports of specific creatures which adds a fun element similar to Impossible Creatures but it lacks *something* to make it stand out that I can't quite put my finger on, however the world-building will continue to be a major player in the series.
What becomes the first in a fantasy middle grade series includes pictures and reports of specific creatures which adds a fun element similar to Impossible Creatures but it lacks *something* to make it stand out that I can't quite put my finger on, however the world-building will continue to be a major player in the series.
September 14, 2025
Glory Brown lives in the Seam, a magical world, but she is stuck at the inn with her father and grandfather while her mother is off adventuring around the Outersphere. Although she loves her family, one day Glory hopes to join the Parlimentarium, maybe as a magpie, and follow in her mother's footsteps as a Spherinaut. The appearance of a mysterious boy named Marcus catapults Glory into situations she is not ready for as she and Marcus uncover secrets that threaten the delicate balance of magic and monsters throughout the Outersphere. Glory will need to use all her wits along with the Brown Book that her mother has created, to navigate the monster surge and its cause and help save the Parliamentium from the greedy, revenge-filled person who seeks to destroy everything she cannot control. I enjoyed the ideas of this book and look forward to reading others from this author.
April 22, 2025
This book had so much potential and I was hoping for so much more than I got from it.
There was way to much in the book to follow everything just kinda turned into a mess of information to the point I felt like to even follow the plot I needed to pull out a notepad and keep notes.
Personally I want to relax and enjoy a book while I read it not have to stop and write down information to keep track of what is what and what is going on.
I find it hard to believe that the demographic that this book was written for would be able to follow this book without getting heavily confused.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for the arc.
There was way to much in the book to follow everything just kinda turned into a mess of information to the point I felt like to even follow the plot I needed to pull out a notepad and keep notes.
Personally I want to relax and enjoy a book while I read it not have to stop and write down information to keep track of what is what and what is going on.
I find it hard to believe that the demographic that this book was written for would be able to follow this book without getting heavily confused.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for the arc.
May 12, 2025
Middle grade adventure story with magic, monsters and neurodiversity.
Glory is excited to follow in her mom’s footsteps to fight off monsters and protect the world but eager to get started right now! Which gets her into some trouble and fun.
I enjoyed how Glory thought and experienced the world and how that differed from what other people experienced and how that created conflict and also connection. Also the adults aren’t useless which !!! Yay!
I think as this continues I will enjoy the story even more it did seem to have a lot going on at times and hopefully we can circle back in the next book.
Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc
Glory is excited to follow in her mom’s footsteps to fight off monsters and protect the world but eager to get started right now! Which gets her into some trouble and fun.
I enjoyed how Glory thought and experienced the world and how that differed from what other people experienced and how that created conflict and also connection. Also the adults aren’t useless which !!! Yay!
I think as this continues I will enjoy the story even more it did seem to have a lot going on at times and hopefully we can circle back in the next book.
Thanks to netgalley and Macmillan audio for an alc
May 27, 2025
A great adventure awaits middle grade students who want to experience travel among celestial locations in a fantasy world that is suddenly and inexplicably at risk of invasion by monsters. The main character, Glory Brown, is a spunky 11 year old who is really, really wanting to start exploring and serving her society just like her mother. Her mother, grandfather, and father, who don’t quite agree, are strong adult figures who guide and love her, helping her become her best self (a happy change from too many fantasy middle grade books I’ve read recently). The other key characters are thoughtfully developed, with clear motives driving their actions and interactions with Glory and each other.
The beginning of the book was rather confusing with an excessive amount of terminology unique to this novel. This slowed my pace of reading because they are not intuitively connected to English; I think it would make the text too difficult for young readers who would otherwise enjoy the story. Once I became more familiar with so many different words, the pace and my interest increased.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this middle grade novel.
The beginning of the book was rather confusing with an excessive amount of terminology unique to this novel. This slowed my pace of reading because they are not intuitively connected to English; I think it would make the text too difficult for young readers who would otherwise enjoy the story. Once I became more familiar with so many different words, the pace and my interest increased.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this middle grade novel.
May 7, 2025
4.5 stars
This was a lot of fun! It has a rich magical world that you get thrust into. Our female MC is neurodivergent and is someone you end up really caring about. The stakes seem real for the plot, but appropriate for a middle grade reader. I think for some readers looking for a more hard magic system, they might be left wanting more explanations, but I think the rest of the series could just dive deeper. It works as a great intro book to this world.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
This was a lot of fun! It has a rich magical world that you get thrust into. Our female MC is neurodivergent and is someone you end up really caring about. The stakes seem real for the plot, but appropriate for a middle grade reader. I think for some readers looking for a more hard magic system, they might be left wanting more explanations, but I think the rest of the series could just dive deeper. It works as a great intro book to this world.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
September 16, 2025
Intricate and complex -- the world building is amazing, and I love how much of the narrative is tied to Glory's family. It's wonderful how the strange (and there is a lot strange) connects and resonates with Earth history (the Green Book) and with questions about personhood (the monsters). There are many things left unexplained, and it feels a little vague in the transitions at times, but Glory is the mazy-headed heroine that this book needs, and her kind heart and vast intelligence is something to see.
October 13, 2025
I also read books before I give them to my nieces and nephews, at least until they graduate to YA. This one did not disappoint. All five of them are getting this one as part of their Christmas gifts. This is ideal for readers who cherish heartfelt friendships and fantastical journeys. With themes of neurodiversity, teamwork, and creative discovery, this story will especially resonate with those who value inclusive, collaborative tales. More than just a magical quest, it’s a warm and uplifting exploration of family, friendship, and the wonder that lies beyond the ordinary.
April 13, 2025
I received a free ARC from NetGalley. Read this to my 9yo and we both really loved it. The magic/political system was a tiny bit complicated but we stuck with it. Glory is a fantastic main character and we were rooting so hard for her to save the day. I think my son really liked the magical animals/monsters and the SECRET PASSAGE! We laughed and cheered and as a mom I cried really hard at the end lol.
April 22, 2025
Where There Be Monsters is a great fantasy debut for young readers. I love the diversity and representation in this book with Glory, the strong female main character who is a young black girl who can do magic. Seeing through her eyes I think she is a character young readers can look up to. I would have loved to be able to read Where There Be Monsters growing up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this ARC. This is an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this ARC. This is an honest review.
April 28, 2025
In this science fiction/fantasy tale, Glory, who has grown up at their family’s safe, cozy inn, stumbles upon a strange boy, Marcus, who has lost his way. He is on a top secret mission that takes him between worlds, and Glory wants more than anything to escape her mundane setting and go out on an adventure with him. She also wants to learn how to use her special powers, which she hopes will happen if she leaves home. This book is reminiscent of Amari and the Night Brothers, but is a solid choice all on its own. Highly recommended for middle grade readers.
May 3, 2025
I just loved Glory. I loved her curiosity and her moxie (ha!) and how much she yearns to go and explore other worlds. She was an absolute joy.
I really loved the monsterfolk too, and the Light Inn overall. Such a lovely world the author has created!
I wanted to like Marcus more than I actually did. I felt like the relationship between him and Glory left a bit to be desired.
Overall, this was a fun mystery in a wonderful new world, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
I really loved the monsterfolk too, and the Light Inn overall. Such a lovely world the author has created!
I wanted to like Marcus more than I actually did. I felt like the relationship between him and Glory left a bit to be desired.
Overall, this was a fun mystery in a wonderful new world, and I look forward to reading more from this author!
May 28, 2025
Such a wonderfully unique, imaginative middle grade fantasy! It has all my favourite things (portals, creatures, clever heroines, intrigue, and fascinatingly strange settings) and the story absolutely does NOT disappoint! The combination of tech, warring scholars, and world-jumping adventures reminded me of Phillip Pullman's works, but WHERE THERE BE MONSTERS has a vibe all of its own. Glo's mazy-headed voice was a delight to follow, and I'll be itching for the sequel!
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