The Monsters We Keep

by Kelsey Epler

Monsters masquerade as anything these days.

Liliya Benedis is desperate to hunt for the monsters that killed her mother. Instead, she’s stuck as a Keeper at the monster zoo, feeding and caring for the worst of their kind. But when her brother goes missing in the monster-infested lands outside the city, and the authorities won’t help her look for him, Liliya decides to find him herself. Untrained and unsupported, her best chance is illegally Binding herself to the zoo’s top the monster Addeon, Reaper of Sins.

But Addeon doesn’t come willingly-and poachers, the authorities, and feral monsters are all on their tail. If Liliya can't make Addeon cooperate, she could lose her brother forever, but in order for him to help her, they need to trust each other-something Liliya could never do with a monster.

They took her mother. They took her brother.

She’ll die before she lets a monster have her heart, too.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2024

Reviews

[Danielle •littleredandthebigbadbooks• · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐼’𝓋𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝓂𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃 … 𝐼 𝒶𝒸𝒸𝑒𝓅𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝒶𝓁𝓁”

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

Liliya is a Keeper at a zoo but not just any zoo, a zoo for monsters. Monsters are our sins and we’re supposed to hate them and no one hates the monsters she’s bound by duty to care for more than Liliya. And of all the monsters, she hates her personal charge, Addeon, the most… that is until he’s her only hope of saving her brother. Their journey forces Liliya to confront her prejudice and has her questioning: Is Addeon the monster or is she?

The Monsters We Keep had me captivated from start to finish. I loved watching Liliya grow as a character as she learning more and more about the truth of her world! And don’t even get me started on the chemistry between Addeon and Liliya 🥵 watching their relationship grow from enemies to reluctant allies to friends to more was *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻
And the ending ??? It has me DESPERATE for the next book
Also did I mention the author is Canadian ?? 🇨🇦

Here’s some more of what you’ll get from this amazing book:
👹 Lies and betrayal
👹 Corrupt government
👹 Monster romance
👹 Slow burn 🔥
👹 Enemies to lovers
👹 “Good girl” 🤤
👹 Forced Bond 🪢
👹 Book 1 of an unfinished trilogy

I beg you all to read this amazing book!

[Katie Koshney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. The world building draws you in to a place where monsters represent our sins and are hunted down to be kept in cages at zoos. Liliya is a keeper at the zoo of the Blessed Church, and is the personal keeper of the most dangerous monster inside, a reaper named Addeon. But being a keeper isn’t enough for Liliya, she is determined to become a hunter and get vengeance on the monsters who killed her mother. Then her brother goes missing one night and she is forced to make the decision of a lifetime. Does she wait and rely on the church to find her brother or take matters into her own hands and find her brother and the truth? Liliya illegally binds herself to Addeon, hoping she can make him cooperate and protect her while she finds the truth about what happened to her mother and now her brother.

This book had all the right ingredients to create a story that I could not put down! The enemies to lovers was different than others I have read recently and I loved how this trope was worked in! Also the way this slow burn was built up and created tension had me sitting on the edge of my seat for the whole book. I LOVED the relationship between Liliya and Addeon. This was one of my top books of 2024 and I can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The premise of this book grabbed me right away, and I loved the monster, Addeon. The world building, politics, and action were well done. Unfortunately, I had a problem connecting with the main character, Liliya, for most of the book. She came across as if she were a self-centered and much younger than a 20 year old, when she started calling herself an idiot, all I could do was agree. Fortunately, the last 20% of the book redeemed her for me, and I'm interested to see what happens next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rika Charmie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I created this account to leave this review. I'm currently reading this book at the request of a friend and felt the need to write this review after getting to (at the time of this review) chapter 17. This review will remain spoiler free.

The initial premise of the world is interesting, Monsters kept in cages in a zoo, sin eaters, hunters, bonds, and overbearing and unquestioned religious faction that controls everything à la Catholicism or Christianity in our current age. Unfortunately, nothing is ever really done with these interesting potential plots even by Chapter 17 in the book. None of the ideas are ever really fleshed out or given any real life, or depth in any real and meaningful way.
The Zoo is an interesting setting but all we're told about it is that these monsters are housed in it for our viewing pleasure with only the main monster (Addeon) being given a deluxe cage despite it also being hidden from the public (?) and inaccessible. Based on the plot, he isn't ready to be viewed by the public, however he's been caged for roughly over a decade presumably (since the monster's childhood) and still isn't shown to the public. Addeon is apparently the greatest monster documented but precautions for his cage are lackluster and at often times inconsistent. Even the main heroine despite this being her only real task for the first dozen chapters of the book seems inept at it. The layout of this zoo makes no sense as its both indoor and outdoor at the same time, but at the same time it isn't? The concept of keeping the monsters caged is grounded on humans needing them to repent their sins. Or eat their sins. However this idea is also poorly established as it isn't well conceptualized as humans need the monsters but being too close to them can harm humans and they require special equipment to be near them, which brings me to my next point.

The main protection against Addeon's power are a pair of glasses that, considering how dangerous he presumably is, aren't fitted correctly to the heroine. For being a critical piece of PPE it seems wholly weak and insufficient to have glasses that fall down ones face at every critical moment.
There is also a big gap in details regarding the monsters. Addeon seems to be the only humanoid monster described in the book, which brings to question why there is a romantic pull between these characters at all when he is a monster? Or Is he human? Is this eventual romance akin to being attracted to a bobcat or rhino?

The Church which controls the zoo and hunters guild initially seems very cultish in their aspirations, however, even despite that interesting premise. Nothing is done to really question that: Events happen and the Church's response is in direct conflict with the assumed proper response and it's never questioned. The heroine even while going against the church still swears by them to the point of idealism, yet that isn't fleshed out either. Its like there's no thought put into how this clearly sinister organization operates aside from surface level.

A large plot point, the "bond" is wildly inconsistent. It's treated as this unflinching agreement that thrusts the two characters together in a master/servant relationship yet its actual function remains illogical. The bond can't be broken, yet... it can? The bond of servitude forces their will on the servant, yet at any point in time the servant can break this bond or kill their master. What's the point of the bond? It's flimsy in practice and a waste of a strong concept. Clearly not very fleshed out or preplanned.

Addeon has the potential to be an interesting character. Unfortunately, like almost every other character in the book, he ends up being bland. Even injecting his tragic backstory, its marred with illogical decision making by the author in terms of bringing him to the Zoo.

The main heroine, Liliya. I understand the logic of a self insert character, but she started and remains wholly unlikeable. While she has her own self-recognized flaws, the writing makes her unbearable (moreso than what the author intended) to the point where I have to question why she's even the main character as there are no redeeming qualities for her. She has the potential to be so much more than one dimensional but sadly remains flat.

[Basil Zarahoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Monsters We Keep

This began with an interesting premise, the sins of many can be expiated by the exposure to a few.

Unfortunately, it quickly devolved into a fairly standard romance.

The writer spends endless chapters on the inner life of the characters. I know considerably more about how the lead character thinks about life than what this character is willing to do to make a life.

Now understanding the inner workings of a character can give depth to that character but when it goes on for pages and pages it becomes very dull indeed.

The secondary character has almost no inner life at all. This seems to be a strange way to build a story. I know more about one character’s thoughts, ambitions, insecurities and fears than I could ever want to and nothing about the other. Even if this is a way to distinguish the good character from the bad, it is storytelling with a hammer.

The world the writer builds is interesting if very sketchily built. I understand the pseudo-religious aspects of the life but nothing really about the way in which it affects the population. The only glimpse we get is the impact it has on the central character and their direct relations. Not a very broad view of what had such potential as a new and different world.

As the story grinds its way to the inevitable groping and passion we are told that two very different individuals have the necessary parts to couple without any explanation of why if this is the case one is specimen and the other is a citizen. Are they indeed just variations of human life or is one some other form and if so how can they connect on a physical level?

Considerably more interesting are the antagonists, villains and thugs all. These characters could easily fit in Kidnapped, but why they are so and how did they become so far removed from the greater society? We are given two distinct groups, well-meaning pseudo-religious drones and cruel, base outliers removed from all normal society.

Again no explanation is given for such a dramatic division.

This is a work which if viewed as a romance is reasonably pleasant, but if you are seeking something more fully developed and complete, it misses the mark. The urban fantasy and sci-fi elements are hung about like tinsel on a Christmas tree and serve much the same function, they glitter but have nothing to contribute to the whole project.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[bookhunter_at_night · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Monsters We Keep - Kelsey Epler

3.5⭐️/5 ~ 🇪🇸
•Agradezco a la autora por la copia anticipada•
~Aunque en general ha estado bien y hasta me ha enganchado (sobre todo después de conocer al MMC), hay ciertas partes que no me han convencido, aunque no son las más importantes para la historia. Es decir, el entorno de la historia, su ambientación, incluso el lugar y el tiempo me ha faltado, porque cuando hablan de “tienes que ir a este sitio o a otro” no sabía si se referían a un lugar en la misma ciudad (o lo que fuese, que tampoco lo sé) o en otra zona, y a mi parecer es un punto importante en una novela.
~Eso sí, el arco de la FMC me ha parecido bien hecho y muy suave, no hay cambios bruscos de un capítulo al siguiente. No diría que sea un enemies to lovers (¿aunque quizá por la parte de ella sí?), pero tensión hay, y que tensión, que pena que sea YA (😂). Y lo dicho, el MMC me encanta (sobre todo porque es muy sassy pero un buenazo).
~A la trama le ha faltado algo más, pero la idea está chula. Hay un segundo libro, pero aunque acaba en cliffhanger (así de la nada), no creo que lo siga (si no fuera por el último párrafo, tendría un final cerrado).

•••••

3.5⭐️/5 ~ 🇬🇧
•I thank the author for the advance copy•

~Although in general it was good and even hooked me (especially after meeting the MMC), there were certain parts that didn't convince me, although they weren't the most important for the story. I mean, the environment of the story, its setting, even the place and time was missing, because when they talk about "you have to go to this place or another" I didn't know if they meant a place in the same city (or whatever it was, which I don't know either) or in another area, and I think that's an important point in a novel.
~That said, I found the FMC arc to be well done and very smooth, no abrupt changes from one chapter to the next. I wouldn't say it's an enemies to lovers (although maybe for her part it is?), but there is tension, and what tension, too bad it's YA (😂). And as I said, I love the MMC (especially because he's very sassy but a good boy).
~The plot has lacked something more, but the idea is cool. There's a second book, but even though it ends in a cliffhanger, I don't think I'll follow it (if it wasn't for the last paragraph, it would have a closed ending).

[Cody Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Never forget”… “That I’m a monster, but so is everyone else.”

Monsters! Physical representations of humanity’s sins are put on display at the zoo for the world to see the horrors their sins have created and repent while they’re locked safely behind bars. Liliya is a Keeper at the monster zoo, working until she can challenge the Hunter exam and follow in her mother’s footsteps. Then she can finally hunt down the monsters that killed her mother. When her brother is suddenly taken, she decides to take matters into her own hands to find him and binds herself to one of the very creatures she hates and the worst of the monsters in the zoo, Addeon, Reaper of Sins.

So begins the hunt of Liliya and Addeon, a human who hates monsters and her unwilling monster partner. They’ll have to work together if they want to survive and solve the mystery of her brother’s disappearance, will they be able to work through their differences? Will Liliya’s deep-rooted prejudice against monsters blind her to other dangers as they uncover the truth of what happens outside the cages of the zoo?

Epler’s worlding building is nicely done, you’re given the current state of the world as seen through the lens of Liliya and the world evolves as she discovers that what she believes and what is reality don’t always line up. The action scenes are tight and well written, and the pacing is consistent throughout. The characters are relatable and their growth throughout the story, both individual and together, make sense given what they experience.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and look forward to seeing where Epler takes Liliya and Addeon next. Thank you for the ARC.

[Megan Flemings · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I received an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily, I am not being paid to leave this review.

When I first started reading The Monsters We Keep, I was not expecting much. Monsters that are our Sins? A zoo that displays monsters that people can gawk at? AND FINDING A MISSING PERSON? Man, I did not know what I was in for.

I'm going to start a bit backwards. When this book ended, I was sad. Book two isn't here and I don't want to wait. There was a slow burn romance that kept me hooked but it wasn't the entire premise of the book. Liliya (our MFC) works through several scenarios and grows and changes in such a good way. The world has it's own unique system which was different then any other book I have experienced. I was intrigued as there were a few story lines that tied so nicely together at the end. Addeon (our MMC) is a unique monster but feels like someone we've known before. He's broody and mysterious but lemme tell ya, you will like him. He is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. And while there is romance in this book, the spice isn't over powering and gives you enough to be satisfied.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The only criticism I have is how the MFC dwelled on the past a bit too much. This truly didn't take away from the book and story, it's just a characteristic that I have seen in other books which made it a tad underwhelming. Liliya does grow and change throughout the book which truly makes up for any downfall in that realm. I love her as a character and I am excited to see where she goes in the series.

[Alison Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the genre of fantasy, the sub-genre of Monster fantasy/romance has made a surprising rise. In The Monsters We Keep by Kelsey Epler, the reader is presented with an intriguing world where the Ministry of Repentance controls the populace with promises of redemption from their sins by the killing of monsters from the surrounding, hostile Outlands. For that purpose, many monsters are housed in the Central City Zoo, where, for a price, people can seek atonement by viewing or in different ways, interact with the captured creatures. With the exception of Addeon, The Reaper, a monster who consumes and reveals a person's darkest sins. His primary keeper, is Liliya, a young woman who despises monsters for killing her mother years before, on of the Ministry's most skilled Hunters. She wants to become a Hunter like her mother to exact some revenge. However, when her older brother Alec is disappears under mysterious circumstances and the Ministry seems uninterested in finding him, Lyliya takes the desperate move of binding Addeon to her in order to find him. From there the story unfolds with breathtaking speed as Liliya is forced to confront her own prejudice and discovers that not all the monsters are what or who she expects. As she and Addeon investigate the disappearance, while avoiding the Ministry and Monster Poachers, the lies the surround Liliya's life and dwell in her heart are gradually unravelled. This is great, fast-paced read that fantasy readers and those that enjoy this sub-genre will also love. Highly recommend.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book works on many levels, not least as a metaphor for today’s hate-filled society that points fingers at those who are different and makes them out to be monsters. But who are the real monsters here? I hated how the “monsters” were treated in this story. After her mother’s death, Liliya became a devote follower of the Blessed Council, believing everything she was spoon-fed and her only goal was to become a hunter so she could kill all the monsters she so hated. However, the disappearance of her brother sets her on a path that will shatter everything she’s believed and binds her to the one creature she swore she’d hate forever. The world-building was amazing, and although I may be coming out of left field, it reminded me of Stephen King’s Dark Tower in many ways. Perhaps it was the trek across the desolate landscape of the Outlands and the horrors they encountered along the way. Addeon is such a complex character too, with both a scary and vulnerable side, which confuses Liliya on many levels. Their banter is both revealing and charged with sexual tension, while their bond proves to be a two-way street. So, just as I was getting ready for a HEA, I was devastated at the unexpected ending.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Maybe our sins are harder to wash away than we though.”

“The Monsters We Keep,” by Kelsey Epler

Liliya is searching for the ones who killed her mother but is stuck as a Keeper at the monster zoo, feeding and taking care of the things she hates the most. Her brother suddenly goes missing in the monster infested lands outside the city and no one will help her find him. She decides the only way to accomplish this is to let lose the worst monster, Addeon, Reaper of Sins, from the zoo to assist her. Addeon wants nothing to do with Liliya.

I really liked this book. On top of enemies to lover’s trope and morally grey MMC that I love it had a unique world. The entire monster zoo idea was interesting and very dystopian idea. The tension between the two main characters was perfect and I loved how the MMC was actually really dangerous to even Liliya herself. I can’t wait for the next book. 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.

[Jessica's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Monsters We Keep is a slow-burn Young Adult Fantasy Romance set in a world reminiscent of the Wild West but with a unique twist—it's a world of Monsters and Men. The soft magic system, with its strict and intriguing rules that are only briefly touched upon, is sure to pique readers' interest. However, the story's true focus is the relationship between the two main characters, the forced companions, Addeon and Liliya.

Liliya, a determined, headstrong young woman in pursuit of her dreams, comes to terms with choices as her life abruptly changes. Meanwhile, Addeon, a Reaper “Monster” with powerful abilities to sense and eat sin, pushes all her buttons as they evade pursuit by those seeking to use Addeon.

There is some spice, but the Author keeps it PG-13 (off-page). The violence is graphic but not gory. It is a strong storyline with engaging, dynamic characters who actually develop and change as events unfold.

This is worthy of the TBR pile. 4.3/ 5 stars. Enjoy.

[Grey M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enemy of Heaven meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone. This is a wonderful read that takes very common themes within monster romance/fiction and truly makes them their own. I loved the realistic nature the descriptions and narration have that chronicle the journey Liliya takes and the complex traumas and emotions both she and Addeon experience. The ability to have both a naive female mc who is also strong and determined while dealing with a change of world view in a very realistic and not superficial way is such a joy to read. I’m excited to see where this story goes from here.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely held immersed in The Monsters We Keep a unique and mesmerizing fantasy that introduces a new and powerful voice to the genre. This is a story to be savored for its excellent writing that without fail pulls readers into the story of monster zoo keeper, Liliya Benedis who along with a diverse set of interesting characters, one of whom Addeon, Reaper of Sins, become integral parts of the future fate has laid out for them both. Enemies-to-lovers, surprising twists, intrigue and more made this perfectly paced and marvelously conceived world a very engaging read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such an enjoyable book for me! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I love books that incorporate creatures, fantasy, and a side of romantic tension. This book delivered that in unexpected ways, and I loved it!

From the beginning, I was hooked. The world Epler has created is unique and different from other books I've read, and I enjoyed the tension between Liliya (the human) and Addeon (the monster). I love the "wild west" kind of vibe there is in the story, and I appreciate that romance wasn't the main focus.

I'm very much looking forward to the next installment.

[RusticRabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this book! The world building went crazy and I was shocked at some of the turns it took! I like that the characters explored and learned about the world they are in as the reader also does. I feel like the characters are written very well. Liliya is not very well trained because she is forced to start her journey before she gets all the training she wanted, but she is resilient and stubborn and figures out a way to get things done. Both characters are mourning and help (and hurt) each other, but they make it work out. I can't wait for the next book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Liliya works as keeper at the monsters zoo, when her brother is taken she must bind herself to monster Addeon. Liliya doesn't trust him, how could she when monsters where the reason for her losing her mother and now brother. But as they work together things start to change but is everything in the past and present as it seems? The story give a cliffy vibe so hoping for more!, the story has you hooked, with adventure, suspense, desires, violence and nore

[cassandra edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the book and I cant wait to read the next. My emotions were up and down during the book and it kept me hooked. There was hate, love, betrayal and… I wish there was a little more romance but ill have to wait and see what the next book holds. I would definitely recommend this book to people and look forward to what comes next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! a great start for a wonderful trilogy... love Liliya and Addeon... this is their journey into finding her brother... Liliya is a monster zoo keeper... she wants to be a monster hunter... they killed her mother.. and now he brother is missing and nobody wants to help.. so , she'll do it herself.. well , with a little help ... that's Addeon... monster... now, everybody is after them... so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing itself was good, and the premise was interesting, but the pacing was the biggest issue for me. Throughout the story, the rhythm of the plot never changed— during fight scenes, romantic scenes, and plotting scenes, the speed of the story stayed the same: slow. This cut the tension of the story, and slowed the plot to a crawl, which was a bummer.

Also thank you to Book Sirens for the eARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lulu Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this is a first read for me and it’s now 1:30am I could not stop reading this book and I’m like noooo I need the next one like right now. This was like gut wrenching cliffhanger. This was a monstrous rollercoaster of emotions , I feel like I am definitely will have a hangover. This had so much mystery , action , steam and the twist keep coming. Please please we need the next book asap for my sanity sake.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book 1 in The Monsters Trilogy Book Series has a entertaining monster romance story and unique characters. These characters have engaging personalities, detailed histories and believable interactions. This story has action, adventure, twists, turns, chemistry, and love. This is a must read story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a suspenseful story of monsters and humans. It is a captivating tale and worth the read. It had many twists and turns in the story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Casilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with a beautiful rhyming writing style. It is a wild read and reminded me of Sanctuary of the Shadow. Which I really like the premise of the circus and beginning of that book. The Monsters We Keep holds the circus vibe in the zoo aspect and feels like the longer version of what Sanctuary of Shadow needed.

[Summer Steelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! I loved it and couldn't put it down! Enjoyed every word and will totally check out more by Epler.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mystic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was so good. Finished it in one setting, couldnt put it down. So much tension. Even when you think there is finally some quiet, nope
Recommend to read!!

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a dark and hot shifter romance that kept me hooked. I enjoyed the characters, story, and dark paranormal elements.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more Addeon ASAP!!

[Book Babe V · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS! A world of humans and monsters. Slow Burn. High tensions. Enemies to Lovers. Action. Adventure. Lies and truths.
You will not be disappointed in this page turner! Ends on a cliffhanger!

[Cassidy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING. I have been there since its conception and have seen it grow stronger with every revision pass, and I have fallen consistently more and more in love with Addeon. Probably more than my husband. Scratch that—definitely more than my husband. Has my husband hated and loved me in equal measure, but protected me despite that? Is my husband a sexy, sexy monster with green eyes that turn red when he's drinking sins? I THINK NOT.

Read it. And then read it again. And bathe in the glory that is one of my favourite romantasies EVER.