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Make Me a Monster
New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance.
Meka is used to death. After all, it's the family business.
As a newly certified mortician's assistant at her parents' funeral home, her days are not for the faint of heart. Luckily her boyfriend Noah isn't squeamish, and Meka is finally feeling ready to say the three little words that will change everything.
But then tragedy strikes, and Meka's world is torn apart. Nothing makes sense, especially the strange things start happening. Ravens are circling her home. Strangers are following her. Someone is leaving mysterious items at her door. And worst of all . . .
The dead don't seem to be staying dead.
Meka thought she understood death better than anyone. Turns out, the family business is a bit more complicated than it seems. And Meka isn't the only one desperate to unearth their secrets . . . because the truth may be worth dying for.
Meka is used to death. After all, it's the family business.
As a newly certified mortician's assistant at her parents' funeral home, her days are not for the faint of heart. Luckily her boyfriend Noah isn't squeamish, and Meka is finally feeling ready to say the three little words that will change everything.
But then tragedy strikes, and Meka's world is torn apart. Nothing makes sense, especially the strange things start happening. Ravens are circling her home. Strangers are following her. Someone is leaving mysterious items at her door. And worst of all . . .
The dead don't seem to be staying dead.
Meka thought she understood death better than anyone. Turns out, the family business is a bit more complicated than it seems. And Meka isn't the only one desperate to unearth their secrets . . . because the truth may be worth dying for.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2025
183 people are currently reading
20174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
May 14, 2025
This Frankenstein-inspired YA horror romance that had me clutching my Pedro Pascal throw blanket, and occasionally side-eyeing some mortuary details like the picky mortician I am. It’s creepy, and just a smidge frustrating in the most lovable way.
Meka works at her family’s funeral home, and I’m already geeking out. The book mentions little tidbits like Dryene/eyecaps/Lanol Care, and my mortician brain went, “Ooh, are we going full mortuary science nerd here?” But then, two minutes later, I see “coffin,” and I’m like, “Hold up, Kalynn, six-sided coffins are so 1800s.” (We primarily use caskets in the US. Not the same thing. Cue The more you know gif). I know, I know, most readers probably don’t care or know the difference, but I’m over here clutching my Trocar like, “Who’s gonna tell her?” It’s probably the feeling healthcare workers get watching Grey’s Anatomy or any other hospital drama. Still, Meka’s vibe is pure Tim Burton heroine… gritty yet soft, especially with her boyfriend, Noah, who’s so chill about her corpse-adjacent life I was ready to bake him cookies.
The plot slams into high gear when a tragedy rocks Meka to her core. It’s a gut-punch that left me stress-eating twizzlers. Suddenly, Meka’s world is a haunted house: ravens circling her home like goth party crashers, sketchy strangers stalking her, and… well… the dead not STAYING dead. Bayron’s atmosphere is foggy graveyards, and that prickly “someone’s watching me” vibe.
The Frankenstein twist? I’m obsessed. It’s clever. It’s not just a retelling; it’s a glow-up of the classic, with themes of love and loss that hit right in the feels. I may have teared up while clutching my tissue box like it was Noah himself.
But, okay, time for some snark. The pacing’s like my attempt at jogging—starts strong, then wheezes in the middle. Meka’s moping for a bit, and I’m like, “Girl, I get it, life’s rough, but let’s get this sh*t into gear!” Also, the term “dead body” kept throwing me out of the story. As a mortician, I’m trained to say “decedent” to keep things respectful—nobody wants to hear their loved one called a “dead body.” Every time it popped up, I was like, “Kalynn, why you gotta do me like this?” It’s probably not a big deal for non-morticians, but it’s like nails on a chalkboard for me. And some side characters—like those creepy strangers—felt like they showed up for a cameo and got cut before the good scenes. I wanted more from them.
This book’s a sparkly, spooky delight that made my imagination do cartwheels, but it’s not QUITE a perfect casket—er, I mean, masterpiece. The mortuary nitpicks and pacing hiccups held it back, but Bayron’s storytelling is so slay. It’s like a killer Halloween party with amazing punch but slightly stale snacks. If you love horror with a side of romance, creepy vibes, and a heroine you’d totally grab coffee with, Make Me a Monster is your vibe. Read it with the lights on, maybe with a cute playlist to balance the spooks.
Meka works at her family’s funeral home, and I’m already geeking out. The book mentions little tidbits like Dryene/eyecaps/Lanol Care, and my mortician brain went, “Ooh, are we going full mortuary science nerd here?” But then, two minutes later, I see “coffin,” and I’m like, “Hold up, Kalynn, six-sided coffins are so 1800s.” (We primarily use caskets in the US. Not the same thing. Cue The more you know gif). I know, I know, most readers probably don’t care or know the difference, but I’m over here clutching my Trocar like, “Who’s gonna tell her?” It’s probably the feeling healthcare workers get watching Grey’s Anatomy or any other hospital drama. Still, Meka’s vibe is pure Tim Burton heroine… gritty yet soft, especially with her boyfriend, Noah, who’s so chill about her corpse-adjacent life I was ready to bake him cookies.
The plot slams into high gear when a tragedy rocks Meka to her core. It’s a gut-punch that left me stress-eating twizzlers. Suddenly, Meka’s world is a haunted house: ravens circling her home like goth party crashers, sketchy strangers stalking her, and… well… the dead not STAYING dead. Bayron’s atmosphere is foggy graveyards, and that prickly “someone’s watching me” vibe.
The Frankenstein twist? I’m obsessed. It’s clever. It’s not just a retelling; it’s a glow-up of the classic, with themes of love and loss that hit right in the feels. I may have teared up while clutching my tissue box like it was Noah himself.
But, okay, time for some snark. The pacing’s like my attempt at jogging—starts strong, then wheezes in the middle. Meka’s moping for a bit, and I’m like, “Girl, I get it, life’s rough, but let’s get this sh*t into gear!” Also, the term “dead body” kept throwing me out of the story. As a mortician, I’m trained to say “decedent” to keep things respectful—nobody wants to hear their loved one called a “dead body.” Every time it popped up, I was like, “Kalynn, why you gotta do me like this?” It’s probably not a big deal for non-morticians, but it’s like nails on a chalkboard for me. And some side characters—like those creepy strangers—felt like they showed up for a cameo and got cut before the good scenes. I wanted more from them.
This book’s a sparkly, spooky delight that made my imagination do cartwheels, but it’s not QUITE a perfect casket—er, I mean, masterpiece. The mortuary nitpicks and pacing hiccups held it back, but Bayron’s storytelling is so slay. It’s like a killer Halloween party with amazing punch but slightly stale snacks. If you love horror with a side of romance, creepy vibes, and a heroine you’d totally grab coffee with, Make Me a Monster is your vibe. Read it with the lights on, maybe with a cute playlist to balance the spooks.
October 2, 2025
3.5⭐️ this book was the walking dead .. literally lol. I enjoyed this one a lot. The whole premise of the story is what really sold me but the background info intertwining a classic was niceeee.
September 30, 2025
this was such a delight to read! that may sound strange with the context of the book but hear me out.
i’m not usually one to read YA but the synopsis of this really had me interested and i was pleasantly surprised with how much this hooked me. one reason i usually don't go for YA is the dialogue being a bit hard to read sometimes but this never had the issue, a lot of the real world references actually made me laugh and the banter between characters felt so real it was hard not to. alongside the characters were really loveable, meka and noah’s relationship was just the sweetest and again felt truly genuine.
the plot was also really strong and griping, but also had depth and some thought provoking points about death and grief.
this was my first time reading a book by this author but i will definitely be reading more.
thank you netgalley for providing me this arc.
i’m not usually one to read YA but the synopsis of this really had me interested and i was pleasantly surprised with how much this hooked me. one reason i usually don't go for YA is the dialogue being a bit hard to read sometimes but this never had the issue, a lot of the real world references actually made me laugh and the banter between characters felt so real it was hard not to. alongside the characters were really loveable, meka and noah’s relationship was just the sweetest and again felt truly genuine.
the plot was also really strong and griping, but also had depth and some thought provoking points about death and grief.
this was my first time reading a book by this author but i will definitely be reading more.
thank you netgalley for providing me this arc.
October 27, 2025
I think the word baby was used 146,724 times in this book
October 15, 2025
This chilling read couldn’t be more perfect for this Halloween season! The blend of horror & folklore, mixed with this atmospheric setting worked very well together, making this an intriguing read from the first page! Meka is quite literally stuck between humanity and monstrosity! Her family owns a funeral home so she is use to death, but what she is not use to is the family secrets lurking that will ultimately rock Meka’s world!
I loved the banter between Meka and her friends, it was refreshing to see her enjoying her childhood and teenage years considering she has such a serious role in assisting her parents at the funeral home, dealing with death on a daily basis. Her relationship with her parents was also a highlight for me, I loved how they loved on each other!
Overall, a very enjoyable spooky read that was unsettling & haunting in the best way!
I loved the banter between Meka and her friends, it was refreshing to see her enjoying her childhood and teenage years considering she has such a serious role in assisting her parents at the funeral home, dealing with death on a daily basis. Her relationship with her parents was also a highlight for me, I loved how they loved on each other!
Overall, a very enjoyable spooky read that was unsettling & haunting in the best way!
January 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🚫 No Spice
WOW this book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up for some fun, light reading as my first book of the new year.
The book begins beautifully. I loved the gothic, morbid vibe, wrapped in a surprisingly sweet slice-of-life feel about a teenager trying to get to grips with her world. I genuinely didn’t know what I was getting myself into and at first, I thought I was settling into something cozy and gentle.
And then… about halfway through?
I was sobbing my heart out in the dead of night.
This book lulled me into a false sense of safety sunshine, normalcy, comfort before taking a sharp turn into something deeply emotional and dark. It forces you to confront death, morality, and the right and wrong of impossible choices. I went in expecting light reading and suddenly found myself thinking, “What would I do?” and “How could someone live with that?”
I was completely gripped. The grief, confusion, and emotional weight were handled so well that I couldn’t look away. It made me question things, feel things, and sit with uncomfortable emotions and that made it a genuinely powerful read.
Is the book perfect? No.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me:
The ending left me with a slightly bitter taste (though that may just be personal).
The father’s silence frustrated me long before everything fell apart, communication was clearly needed.
And I felt like two characters were slightly forgotten in the second half of the book.
That said, overall this was a really enjoyable, impactful, and surprisingly emotional quick read one that caught me completely off guard in the best (and most heartbreaking) way.
🚫 No Spice
WOW this book was not what I was expecting when I picked it up for some fun, light reading as my first book of the new year.
The book begins beautifully. I loved the gothic, morbid vibe, wrapped in a surprisingly sweet slice-of-life feel about a teenager trying to get to grips with her world. I genuinely didn’t know what I was getting myself into and at first, I thought I was settling into something cozy and gentle.
And then… about halfway through?
I was sobbing my heart out in the dead of night.
This book lulled me into a false sense of safety sunshine, normalcy, comfort before taking a sharp turn into something deeply emotional and dark. It forces you to confront death, morality, and the right and wrong of impossible choices. I went in expecting light reading and suddenly found myself thinking, “What would I do?” and “How could someone live with that?”
I was completely gripped. The grief, confusion, and emotional weight were handled so well that I couldn’t look away. It made me question things, feel things, and sit with uncomfortable emotions and that made it a genuinely powerful read.
Is the book perfect? No.
There were a few things that didn’t fully work for me:
The ending left me with a slightly bitter taste (though that may just be personal).
The father’s silence frustrated me long before everything fell apart, communication was clearly needed.
And I felt like two characters were slightly forgotten in the second half of the book.
That said, overall this was a really enjoyable, impactful, and surprisingly emotional quick read one that caught me completely off guard in the best (and most heartbreaking) way.
October 29, 2025
Make me a monster by Kaylynn Bayron
ARC from Libro FM
Release date: Sept 30th 2025
-Her working at a funeral home is creepy but also so interesting nobody really talks about it but it’s apart of the cycle of life. This gives perfect vibes for Halloween / spooky season
-her parents are so cool and different their career as morticians / family business is a different type of career lol
-things are getting suspicious and I’m on edge
-I love Noah and how supportive he is also love the name 🥰
-the bodies, figures, the ravens,dreams these vibes are scary and immaculate
-this was a thrilling and fun read
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
ARC from Libro FM
Release date: Sept 30th 2025
-Her working at a funeral home is creepy but also so interesting nobody really talks about it but it’s apart of the cycle of life. This gives perfect vibes for Halloween / spooky season
-her parents are so cool and different their career as morticians / family business is a different type of career lol
-things are getting suspicious and I’m on edge
-I love Noah and how supportive he is also love the name 🥰
-the bodies, figures, the ravens,dreams these vibes are scary and immaculate
-this was a thrilling and fun read
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
October 18, 2025
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW/CW Murder | Abduction | Dead Bodies
Make Me A Monster is a sort of Frankenstein YA retelling of a young girl that grew up in a funeral home but who learns that the dead don't always stay dead. A lot of that sounds great but unfortunately it did not work for me.
As mentioned the concept of a young girl growing up in a funeral home who discovers she can raise the dead is really interesting. It raises a lot of questions of course. How okay is it that to raise someone from the dead without their consent and to keep them walking around? And so many more questions
The problem was with the writing and the pacing. It felt like it took forever to get this story going. This was meant as a lead up to the actual reveal. But this reveal was so painfully obvious and the writing was not strong or subtle enough to keep me engaged. Meka didn't captivate me enough. By the time the actual plot got going I was not interested anymore. I finished it but it was because I had to.
TW/CW Murder | Abduction | Dead Bodies
Make Me A Monster is a sort of Frankenstein YA retelling of a young girl that grew up in a funeral home but who learns that the dead don't always stay dead. A lot of that sounds great but unfortunately it did not work for me.
As mentioned the concept of a young girl growing up in a funeral home who discovers she can raise the dead is really interesting. It raises a lot of questions of course. How okay is it that to raise someone from the dead without their consent and to keep them walking around? And so many more questions
The problem was with the writing and the pacing. It felt like it took forever to get this story going. This was meant as a lead up to the actual reveal. But this reveal was so painfully obvious and the writing was not strong or subtle enough to keep me engaged. Meka didn't captivate me enough. By the time the actual plot got going I was not interested anymore. I finished it but it was because I had to.
October 2, 2025
i’ve never met a kalynn bayron book i didn’t like!!!
as a lover of classic horror, this was such a fantastic ode to frankenstein. i absolutely loved it. bayron’s main character’s are always so enjoyable, and meka is no exception. the relationship with noah is so sweet and i just wanted them to stay in a perfect little happy bubble forever 🫠
bayron remains one of my favorite authors and this book is the perfect read for spooky season!!
as a lover of classic horror, this was such a fantastic ode to frankenstein. i absolutely loved it. bayron’s main character’s are always so enjoyable, and meka is no exception. the relationship with noah is so sweet and i just wanted them to stay in a perfect little happy bubble forever 🫠
bayron remains one of my favorite authors and this book is the perfect read for spooky season!!
October 8, 2025
Make Me a Monster is gothic, eerie, and full of heart the perfect spooky season read. This story takes everything I love about classic Frankenstein vibes and gives it a fresh, emotional twist.
We follow Meka, who works at her family’s funeral home, and life is already… pretty creepy. But when strange things start happening , ravens that won’t leave, mysterious gifts, and the dead not exactly staying dead things spiral into a dark and haunting mystery.
I adored the atmosphere, foggy graveyards, shadowy halls, that ever-present feeling that someone’s watching. It’s spooky without being gory, emotional without being melodramatic, and it hits that perfect YA horror-romance balance. Meka is smart, loyal, and so easy to root for, and her relationship with Noah was the sweetest kind of tragic.
Bayron’s writing absolutely shines here. The tension builds beautifully, the Frankenstein inspiration is clever and layered, and the story touches on love, grief, and identity in such a powerful way. It’s moody, haunting, and just the right amount of twisted.
If you love books that feel like a gothic fairytale dipped in shadows then this one’s for you. Thank you to Colored Pages book tours for the gifted arc.
We follow Meka, who works at her family’s funeral home, and life is already… pretty creepy. But when strange things start happening , ravens that won’t leave, mysterious gifts, and the dead not exactly staying dead things spiral into a dark and haunting mystery.
I adored the atmosphere, foggy graveyards, shadowy halls, that ever-present feeling that someone’s watching. It’s spooky without being gory, emotional without being melodramatic, and it hits that perfect YA horror-romance balance. Meka is smart, loyal, and so easy to root for, and her relationship with Noah was the sweetest kind of tragic.
Bayron’s writing absolutely shines here. The tension builds beautifully, the Frankenstein inspiration is clever and layered, and the story touches on love, grief, and identity in such a powerful way. It’s moody, haunting, and just the right amount of twisted.
If you love books that feel like a gothic fairytale dipped in shadows then this one’s for you. Thank you to Colored Pages book tours for the gifted arc.
July 28, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Make Me a Monster is a macabre and character-driven YA horror novel inspired by Frankenstein, with themes of grief, consent, and moral ambiguity woven throughout.
I really liked the concept. A girl growing up in a funeral home, learning to live with loss, and slowly uncovering something strange about her and her family. There’s a tender but tragic love story at the core, which the author pointed out has parallels with Dani and Jamie from The Haunting of Bly Manor, and some of those quieter emotional moments really landed.
But overall, I found the pacing uneven, and the writing didn’t fully hold me. Some characters faded away too quickly, and the story never quite built the tension or impact I was hoping for. It had all the right pieces, but they never fully came together for me.
I’m torn on how to rate it, but probably somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
Make Me a Monster is a macabre and character-driven YA horror novel inspired by Frankenstein, with themes of grief, consent, and moral ambiguity woven throughout.
I really liked the concept. A girl growing up in a funeral home, learning to live with loss, and slowly uncovering something strange about her and her family. There’s a tender but tragic love story at the core, which the author pointed out has parallels with Dani and Jamie from The Haunting of Bly Manor, and some of those quieter emotional moments really landed.
But overall, I found the pacing uneven, and the writing didn’t fully hold me. Some characters faded away too quickly, and the story never quite built the tension or impact I was hoping for. It had all the right pieces, but they never fully came together for me.
I’m torn on how to rate it, but probably somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
June 8, 2025
4.5⭐️
As a huge fan of Kalynn Bayron’s work, I’m glad to see she has another hit on her hands!
This Frankenstein inspired YA romance with a mix of horror left nothing to be desired! I laughed, cried, and side eyed sooo many people while reading this. I learned a lot (maybe more than I ever wanted to) about morticians and funeral homes but I’m not mad about it!
The Frankenstein twist was so unique and unexpected! How do authors create backstories for their characters and flush out the details and pacing!? I’ll never know but Bayron has it down pat!
As a huge fan of Kalynn Bayron’s work, I’m glad to see she has another hit on her hands!
This Frankenstein inspired YA romance with a mix of horror left nothing to be desired! I laughed, cried, and side eyed sooo many people while reading this. I learned a lot (maybe more than I ever wanted to) about morticians and funeral homes but I’m not mad about it!
The Frankenstein twist was so unique and unexpected! How do authors create backstories for their characters and flush out the details and pacing!? I’ll never know but Bayron has it down pat!
November 4, 2025
stepped out of my comfort zone and tried this Frankenstein inspired YA horror on audio (thank you to LibroFM for the ALC) and it was SO GROSS and so good. And so unsettling! I appreciated the adults were a part of the story (more like part of the problem amirite) and our protaganist is going through it wow.
Part of the reason I was excited to try this is the setting - the main character's parents own a funeral home and business, and she is a teen who is used to this work. There's a romantic subplot, but oh so much grief so do be warned.
The narrator was also very good. I'd definitely be back for more from this author.
Part of the reason I was excited to try this is the setting - the main character's parents own a funeral home and business, and she is a teen who is used to this work. There's a romantic subplot, but oh so much grief so do be warned.
The narrator was also very good. I'd definitely be back for more from this author.
October 21, 2025
Literally not a single genre Kalynn Bayron can't write.
Make Me a Monster is a twist on the Frankenstein origin story, with a focus on grief and moral ambiguity. It was dark and gritty and definitely had some heavy moments, but it was also sweet and atmospheric. Meka was a lovely protagonist to follow, headstrong and always ready to throw hands, but also very sensitive and loving.
I did find myself struggling to come back to this whenever I set it down. I think some of it may have been due to the pacing and some was just my own tastes, but it was a pretty quick read when I actually forced time for it.
Overall, if you love creepy, sad YA and don't mind body horror, I definitely recommend this. It's a great spooky season read.
Make Me a Monster is a twist on the Frankenstein origin story, with a focus on grief and moral ambiguity. It was dark and gritty and definitely had some heavy moments, but it was also sweet and atmospheric. Meka was a lovely protagonist to follow, headstrong and always ready to throw hands, but also very sensitive and loving.
I did find myself struggling to come back to this whenever I set it down. I think some of it may have been due to the pacing and some was just my own tastes, but it was a pretty quick read when I actually forced time for it.
Overall, if you love creepy, sad YA and don't mind body horror, I definitely recommend this. It's a great spooky season read.
October 5, 2025
Every once in a while, a book sneaks up on me in the best ways possible, and that’s exactly what happened with Make Me A Monster!
I love a great reimagining, and this was a fantastic one for Frankenstein. I loved piecing together more and more about Meka’s family and their…uniqueness! Some things I was right about but some things I could not have been more wrong, and I enjoy being surprised when this happens.
I loved Meka as a person so much. She was a perfect FMC in that she was a bit of an outcast, she was incredibly smart, and she was insanely loyal to the bitter end…and then some! At no point did she come across as unrealistic for a very mature person her age. I loved how there was no drama outside the actual plot of the book; the author wasted no time on typical teenager issues, which I thoroughly appreciated given such spooky subject matter. She actually felt like someone I could get along with and would definitely agree with on a lot of things.
I loved Noah as well. He was such a sweet first love for Meka, and honestly super cool about a lot of things that most kids his age would have screamed their heads off at (ahem…Caleb her friend). I felt like I got to experience butterflies right alongside Meka with how perfect he was at the sweet and romantic boyfriend bit. He was also insanely protective of her when he could do things she couldn’t, which just heightened his sweetness.
I loved the spooky themes that ran throughout the book and the ending that I truly didn’t see coming. There was a tasteful amount of horror/gore to the book, but not too much to be stomach turning in my opinion; perfect for a YA.
This was the perfect read for the start of spooky season, especially for those like me who love the old monster stories.
Thank you to Bloomsbury and Kalynn Bayron for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
I love a great reimagining, and this was a fantastic one for Frankenstein. I loved piecing together more and more about Meka’s family and their…uniqueness! Some things I was right about but some things I could not have been more wrong, and I enjoy being surprised when this happens.
I loved Meka as a person so much. She was a perfect FMC in that she was a bit of an outcast, she was incredibly smart, and she was insanely loyal to the bitter end…and then some! At no point did she come across as unrealistic for a very mature person her age. I loved how there was no drama outside the actual plot of the book; the author wasted no time on typical teenager issues, which I thoroughly appreciated given such spooky subject matter. She actually felt like someone I could get along with and would definitely agree with on a lot of things.
I loved Noah as well. He was such a sweet first love for Meka, and honestly super cool about a lot of things that most kids his age would have screamed their heads off at (ahem…Caleb her friend). I felt like I got to experience butterflies right alongside Meka with how perfect he was at the sweet and romantic boyfriend bit. He was also insanely protective of her when he could do things she couldn’t, which just heightened his sweetness.
I loved the spooky themes that ran throughout the book and the ending that I truly didn’t see coming. There was a tasteful amount of horror/gore to the book, but not too much to be stomach turning in my opinion; perfect for a YA.
This was the perfect read for the start of spooky season, especially for those like me who love the old monster stories.
Thank you to Bloomsbury and Kalynn Bayron for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
October 31, 2025
(Gifted at a Picturehouse Screening)
I'm sorry but I just cannot get behind a Frankenstein-inspired tale that doesn't treat the monster as a victim
I'm sorry but I just cannot get behind a Frankenstein-inspired tale that doesn't treat the monster as a victim
December 28, 2025
Make Me A Monster by Kalynn Bayron is a slow-burn, gothic YA horror that’s creepy in all the right ways, but also unexpectedly tender. 🖤Perfect spooky season vibes with actual heart 👻✨
We follow Meka, who works at her family’s funeral home and she’s always lived close to death… but now things are getting weird. Creepy strangers watching her, ravens that won’t leave, eerie little gifts, and the dead? Yeah, they’re not staying that way 🫣
It’s giving Frankenstein meets Addams Family with a twist: moody, macabre and layered with themes of grief, love and identity. Meka is a strong, relatable main character and her relationship with Noah is sweet, tragic and well written. I laughed, I cried (more than once 😭) and I was completely hooked by the second half. It grabs you and does not let go.
Even if you're not a hardcore horror reader (like me!) this one is worth it: beautifully written, atmospheric af and just a really unique, haunting read.
We follow Meka, who works at her family’s funeral home and she’s always lived close to death… but now things are getting weird. Creepy strangers watching her, ravens that won’t leave, eerie little gifts, and the dead? Yeah, they’re not staying that way 🫣
It’s giving Frankenstein meets Addams Family with a twist: moody, macabre and layered with themes of grief, love and identity. Meka is a strong, relatable main character and her relationship with Noah is sweet, tragic and well written. I laughed, I cried (more than once 😭) and I was completely hooked by the second half. It grabs you and does not let go.
Even if you're not a hardcore horror reader (like me!) this one is worth it: beautifully written, atmospheric af and just a really unique, haunting read.
October 4, 2025
This just felt so boring, predictable and unnecessary. If you’re comparing a book to Frankenstein I want to feel unnerved, and creeped out not questioning how the main character can put a load of washing on if they’re having a power cut. The relationship between our main character and her love interest was dull and I just felt disappointed with this one.
November 22, 2025
That was so weird... and sad.
October 15, 2025
I can always count on Kalynn Bayron to give me a great story with queer characters and a strong FMC! Make Me A Monster is everything I wanted it to be and so much more.
Meka’s family owns and operates a funeral home, so she’s no stranger to a dead body. Her friends might be a little freaked to go to her place, because at any point, they could be reminded of what happens there, but they go anyway to support her. The story begins with friends and family celebrating that she’s now a mortician in training. I can definitely understand how that may be a lot for your high school friends to deal with, but for the most part they are all really chill about it.
Every once in a while, something weird will happen and her parents will play it off as a normal thing that happens. Yes! Gas builds up in a body during embalming and they could just sit up… but they are still dead. Yes! The murder of crows her father feeds and takes care of could in fact speak, because they can repeat words they’ve heard. Yes. It’s normal to have the same scary dream every night since you were a young child, but they could take you to a doctor if you want… and then something tragic happens that changes everything.
That’s when we learn the truth.
For this being based on Frankenstein, I was a little shocked by the twists that popped up. So much so that I literally had to stop what I was doing while I was listening to the audiobook and put my hand over my mouth. Rarely does that happen.
I will say this, I was devastated by the ending. I had to stop after I finished and just marinate in it, because I definitely had hopes that it would end with cupcakes and unicorns and everyone would live happily ever after. But the reality is, the world isn’t like that. So prep the tissues when you start this! You’re gonna need them!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ARC, as well as libro.fm and the publisher for my ALC.
Meka’s family owns and operates a funeral home, so she’s no stranger to a dead body. Her friends might be a little freaked to go to her place, because at any point, they could be reminded of what happens there, but they go anyway to support her. The story begins with friends and family celebrating that she’s now a mortician in training. I can definitely understand how that may be a lot for your high school friends to deal with, but for the most part they are all really chill about it.
Every once in a while, something weird will happen and her parents will play it off as a normal thing that happens. Yes! Gas builds up in a body during embalming and they could just sit up… but they are still dead. Yes! The murder of crows her father feeds and takes care of could in fact speak, because they can repeat words they’ve heard. Yes. It’s normal to have the same scary dream every night since you were a young child, but they could take you to a doctor if you want… and then something tragic happens that changes everything.
That’s when we learn the truth.
For this being based on Frankenstein, I was a little shocked by the twists that popped up. So much so that I literally had to stop what I was doing while I was listening to the audiobook and put my hand over my mouth. Rarely does that happen.
I will say this, I was devastated by the ending. I had to stop after I finished and just marinate in it, because I definitely had hopes that it would end with cupcakes and unicorns and everyone would live happily ever after. But the reality is, the world isn’t like that. So prep the tissues when you start this! You’re gonna need them!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ARC, as well as libro.fm and the publisher for my ALC.
October 15, 2025
4.5 stars. 🫀"I don't want to be human.... I want to be numb."🫀
🥀Another day, another great book tour/review. Today's book tour is for Make Me A Monster by Kalynn Bayron. Out NOW!
🧠My Thoughts🧠
Oh, man. This was a fantastic Frankenstein retelling. At this point, I don't think Kalynn Bayron can do any wrong. I have read all of her books and the lowest rating has been 4.5 stars. I'm going to have to remember that when people ask who my auto-buy authors are. And the covers for her books? Whew whee! Yeah, okay, go pick this one up! It's a great spooky season read.
Also, the ending broke my heart. And I mean SHATTERED it.
🫀"I can't imagine what somebody who is essentially immortal would do if they had a mind to be awful."
🥀Another day, another great book tour/review. Today's book tour is for Make Me A Monster by Kalynn Bayron. Out NOW!
🧠My Thoughts🧠
Oh, man. This was a fantastic Frankenstein retelling. At this point, I don't think Kalynn Bayron can do any wrong. I have read all of her books and the lowest rating has been 4.5 stars. I'm going to have to remember that when people ask who my auto-buy authors are. And the covers for her books? Whew whee! Yeah, okay, go pick this one up! It's a great spooky season read.
Also, the ending broke my heart. And I mean SHATTERED it.
🫀"I can't imagine what somebody who is essentially immortal would do if they had a mind to be awful."
November 13, 2025
ALC was provided by Libro.fm & Bloomsbury Publishing
Content/Trigger Warnings: Night terrors, trauma/PTSD, loss of loved ones, grief, death, medical talk, mentions of financial hardship, anxiety, violence, blood, graphic injuries, home invasion, stalking, kidnapping/abduction, gun use, hostage situation, emesis, fire, death of animals
I have been meaning to read one of this author's novels for a while now and I'm so glad that I finally did with this book. After reading so many of their short stories and the way the author writes the visceral feelings of grief, loss, and the hardships of letting go and healing, this book is chalked up with those short stories of another well executed story of grief, the difficulties of letting go, and learning to heal and move on. I loved a lot of the paranormal elements as well. From the Edgar Allan Poe references to the similarities of Frankenstein, and of course having a main character who was easy to love were just the icing on the cake for me as a reader. I really loved my time reading this and the way things escalate, a lot of the fantasy and horror elements, and just the familial elements of both blood and found were perfect. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up more from this author and falling in love with more of their stories!
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|StoryGraph|Ko-fi|Throne
Content/Trigger Warnings: Night terrors, trauma/PTSD, loss of loved ones, grief, death, medical talk, mentions of financial hardship, anxiety, violence, blood, graphic injuries, home invasion, stalking, kidnapping/abduction, gun use, hostage situation, emesis, fire, death of animals
I have been meaning to read one of this author's novels for a while now and I'm so glad that I finally did with this book. After reading so many of their short stories and the way the author writes the visceral feelings of grief, loss, and the hardships of letting go and healing, this book is chalked up with those short stories of another well executed story of grief, the difficulties of letting go, and learning to heal and move on. I loved a lot of the paranormal elements as well. From the Edgar Allan Poe references to the similarities of Frankenstein, and of course having a main character who was easy to love were just the icing on the cake for me as a reader. I really loved my time reading this and the way things escalate, a lot of the fantasy and horror elements, and just the familial elements of both blood and found were perfect. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up more from this author and falling in love with more of their stories!
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|StoryGraph|Ko-fi|Throne
December 23, 2025
2,5⭐️ loved the cover, liked the story, meh writing, disliked some parts. YA Science Fiction Frankenstein inspired story. Entertaining and an easy read but it could have been way more. Wouldn’t pick it up again.
December 5, 2025
Creative and unique. Didn’t love some of the editorial choices.
July 22, 2025
I haven’t read it yet but I already know it’s a fiver for me
June 8, 2025
4.5 rounded up!
“There’s a dead body waiting for me at home and I’m excited to see her.”
MAKE ME A MONSTER was a deliciously spooky YA horror reminiscent of Frankenstein and The Addams Family.
Our main girl's family owns a funeral home - I mean, COME ON - and she has just become their newest mortician's assistant. I loved all of the characters in this story and all of the heart put into it (I only cried a few times, okay!!!), add a dash of the dead and I was set for a very fun literary journey!
Highly recommend picking this one up!
Thanks to Bloomsbury YA for the early copy for review! Out September 30, 2025.
“There’s a dead body waiting for me at home and I’m excited to see her.”
MAKE ME A MONSTER was a deliciously spooky YA horror reminiscent of Frankenstein and The Addams Family.
Our main girl's family owns a funeral home - I mean, COME ON - and she has just become their newest mortician's assistant. I loved all of the characters in this story and all of the heart put into it (I only cried a few times, okay!!!), add a dash of the dead and I was set for a very fun literary journey!
Highly recommend picking this one up!
Thanks to Bloomsbury YA for the early copy for review! Out September 30, 2025.
July 25, 2025
(Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury YA for this digital arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
Make Me a Monster had all the vibes of a modern day Adam’s Family with a Frankenstein-esque plot line.
This was supernatural elements in the modern world done right. In addition to that, I adored the young romance and family dynamics as they ran parallel courses throughout the narration.
I was not expecting the ending to rip me into tiny little shreds…but alas, here we are.
Bayron’s pen when it comes to spooky YA stories is unmatched.
Definitely pick this up for fall.
Make Me a Monster had all the vibes of a modern day Adam’s Family with a Frankenstein-esque plot line.
This was supernatural elements in the modern world done right. In addition to that, I adored the young romance and family dynamics as they ran parallel courses throughout the narration.
I was not expecting the ending to rip me into tiny little shreds…but alas, here we are.
Bayron’s pen when it comes to spooky YA stories is unmatched.
Definitely pick this up for fall.
October 2, 2025
thank you so much to the publisher, netgalley and colored pages blog tours for the early copy! all opinions are my own!
i don't know why i'm reading so much horror this year but apparently i'm enjoying it way too much, because i couldn't stop reading this book 😱 it has that same writing that hooked me when i read Sleep like Death, but this time there was a lot of mystery and death surrounding it i believe it's not a book you can read if you're grieving someone. the descriptions were on point, i really enjoyed reading about the work in a morgue and how much it can impact you. i wished the secondary characters had a bit of development but at least we had Noah, which was sooo sweet and i loved reading about a couple already established instead of having to follow the romance during the entire book.
even though i guessed most of the plot twists, it didn't make me enjoy it less. on the contrary, it made me read faster so i could see if i was right. the author does looooove to make you suffer, so at least i can give her points for that.
if i can, i hope i can continue reading from the author, i've enjoyed all the books i've read from her to this date!
i don't know why i'm reading so much horror this year but apparently i'm enjoying it way too much, because i couldn't stop reading this book 😱 it has that same writing that hooked me when i read Sleep like Death, but this time there was a lot of mystery and death surrounding it i believe it's not a book you can read if you're grieving someone. the descriptions were on point, i really enjoyed reading about the work in a morgue and how much it can impact you. i wished the secondary characters had a bit of development but at least we had Noah, which was sooo sweet and i loved reading about a couple already established instead of having to follow the romance during the entire book.
even though i guessed most of the plot twists, it didn't make me enjoy it less. on the contrary, it made me read faster so i could see if i was right. the author does looooove to make you suffer, so at least i can give her points for that.
if i can, i hope i can continue reading from the author, i've enjoyed all the books i've read from her to this date!
November 11, 2025
This book is in my top 5 of the year, maybe because I am grieving the loss of my mother this year, but this was intense and I cried harder than I have in a long time.
This runs deeper than a Frankenstein retelling, its necromancy tied into grief, family legacy, and love that wont let go.
The story built so well, building upon thrill, curiosity, and the right amount of creepiness, the descriptive writing, and human emotion really draws you in.
I found myself looking at this book introspectively. Because grief can sometimes cause us to hold onto others out of our own selfishness.......... but also in a bigger light, when we are broken and falling apart, how deep are we willing to go in order to temporarily piece things back together, instead of accepting and making the necessary steps to let go and heal.
Amazing read!
Highly recommend
This runs deeper than a Frankenstein retelling, its necromancy tied into grief, family legacy, and love that wont let go.
The story built so well, building upon thrill, curiosity, and the right amount of creepiness, the descriptive writing, and human emotion really draws you in.
I found myself looking at this book introspectively. Because grief can sometimes cause us to hold onto others out of our own selfishness.......... but also in a bigger light, when we are broken and falling apart, how deep are we willing to go in order to temporarily piece things back together, instead of accepting and making the necessary steps to let go and heal.
Amazing read!
Highly recommend
October 30, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was a Frankenstein retelling and my first Kalynn Bayron read. I honestly enjoyed it! Even though it dragged a bit in some parts, It was a solid spooky season pick. The audio was just okay, but the cover, was absolutely gorgeous. This was the main reason I wanted to read this book. The story follows Meka , a newly certified mortician’s assistant working at her parents funeral home. But then weird things start happening, and she realizes the family business is way more complicated than she thought, and It’s up to her to figure out the secrets.
This was a Frankenstein retelling and my first Kalynn Bayron read. I honestly enjoyed it! Even though it dragged a bit in some parts, It was a solid spooky season pick. The audio was just okay, but the cover, was absolutely gorgeous. This was the main reason I wanted to read this book. The story follows Meka , a newly certified mortician’s assistant working at her parents funeral home. But then weird things start happening, and she realizes the family business is way more complicated than she thought, and It’s up to her to figure out the secrets.
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