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Chosen to be Monsters
War turns us all feral.
The loyalists bend, but do not break. Casualties pile higher and victory is just out of reach. Anca shields Eugen from the war as the Household’s feuding alliance reaches its limit. Worst of all, Anca fears that she is not cruel enough to end this war.
Her love for Eugen cuts as much as it soothes. The shadow of House Furloc looms large as he explores who he is without the Blood Flame. When a legend from his past returns, Eugen is forced to reckon with a legacy he chose to leave behind.
Their love is tested as the war pulls Anca deeper into the commander’s chair. No matter what Eugen says, this is Anca’s war. Her burden to bear. She can carry the cost, no matter how great, until she is forced to choose between Eugen and victory.
An unlikely ally offers her a way to end the war at the cost of Eugen’s life. Caught between duty and love once again, her choice will bring the old order crashing down around them. Unseen enemies move to topple House Sulia once and for all. Legend becomes reality and Households will burn. In the thrilling finale to the Fated Hunters duology, Anca must face if she is really any better than the monsters she hunts.
The loyalists bend, but do not break. Casualties pile higher and victory is just out of reach. Anca shields Eugen from the war as the Household’s feuding alliance reaches its limit. Worst of all, Anca fears that she is not cruel enough to end this war.
Her love for Eugen cuts as much as it soothes. The shadow of House Furloc looms large as he explores who he is without the Blood Flame. When a legend from his past returns, Eugen is forced to reckon with a legacy he chose to leave behind.
Their love is tested as the war pulls Anca deeper into the commander’s chair. No matter what Eugen says, this is Anca’s war. Her burden to bear. She can carry the cost, no matter how great, until she is forced to choose between Eugen and victory.
An unlikely ally offers her a way to end the war at the cost of Eugen’s life. Caught between duty and love once again, her choice will bring the old order crashing down around them. Unseen enemies move to topple House Sulia once and for all. Legend becomes reality and Households will burn. In the thrilling finale to the Fated Hunters duology, Anca must face if she is really any better than the monsters she hunts.
Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 18, 2025
{3.75/5}
CW: violence, gore, spice, some others
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “Chosen to be Monsters” is available now!
To be fair, I also would not handle the pressures of war very well.
It’s been two months, and Anca is fraying. The war demands too much that she isn’t willing to give— namely, Eugen. Enemies and death lurk around every corner, and as betrayals pile up, Anca begins to unravel completely.
I have exactly one (1) complaint about this entire story, and it’s almost certainly an entirely personal problem.
I’ll just start there, because the rest of the book was fantastic. We start off and Anca’s already struggling. She’s being doubted by every potential ally (except Eugen and Craita, bless them), her home is constantly under threat, and she’s terrified to lose the person she loves to a fight she started. She doesn’t exactly begin from a stable place. But then Things happen (which, spoilers, so no details here) and the girl just completely unravels. And, again, that’s fair. It’s traumatic. My issue arises with how she handles it moving forward. More specifically, it didn’t feel like we got enough exposition for the emotional fallout and how it was being handled (or not), and because of this the resolution felt a little anti-climactic. The action was great; it was just the way she continuously 180’d her emotions with no build out and the way it was handled at the end that didn’t hit for me. As I said, this is just a personal preference, and a lot of readers will probably have no issue with it.
Barring this (because this wasn’t even an issue until the last 20%ish of the book), the story was fantastic. Eugen has a lot more personality and flare, and it’s fun to see. Pre-total-collapse Anca is nuanced and well-executed; she’s doing her best and it’s straining her, but the two of them are trying to keep things together.
The plot itself is a perfect balance of action and politicking (which, for me, means a little heavier on the action side of things). I could not put it down once I started. There are some nice little twists thrown in when you least expect it, and there’s a lovely juxtaposition between [character] raging against unfounded prejudice and [same character] also displaying that same issue later in the story (the character never acknowledges that they do this, but I thought it was really well done).
I really enjoyed the expanded world-building, and I would absolutely love to see more stories from this world. The overall tone is gritty and blunt, but it fits the vibes perfectly. All in all, this was a fitting end for the duology, and I’m so pleased to have had a chance to read it.
CW: violence, gore, spice, some others
Thank you to the author for the ARC! “Chosen to be Monsters” is available now!
To be fair, I also would not handle the pressures of war very well.
It’s been two months, and Anca is fraying. The war demands too much that she isn’t willing to give— namely, Eugen. Enemies and death lurk around every corner, and as betrayals pile up, Anca begins to unravel completely.
I have exactly one (1) complaint about this entire story, and it’s almost certainly an entirely personal problem.
I’ll just start there, because the rest of the book was fantastic. We start off and Anca’s already struggling. She’s being doubted by every potential ally (except Eugen and Craita, bless them), her home is constantly under threat, and she’s terrified to lose the person she loves to a fight she started. She doesn’t exactly begin from a stable place. But then Things happen (which, spoilers, so no details here) and the girl just completely unravels. And, again, that’s fair. It’s traumatic. My issue arises with how she handles it moving forward. More specifically, it didn’t feel like we got enough exposition for the emotional fallout and how it was being handled (or not), and because of this the resolution felt a little anti-climactic. The action was great; it was just the way she continuously 180’d her emotions with no build out and the way it was handled at the end that didn’t hit for me. As I said, this is just a personal preference, and a lot of readers will probably have no issue with it.
Barring this (because this wasn’t even an issue until the last 20%ish of the book), the story was fantastic. Eugen has a lot more personality and flare, and it’s fun to see. Pre-total-collapse Anca is nuanced and well-executed; she’s doing her best and it’s straining her, but the two of them are trying to keep things together.
The plot itself is a perfect balance of action and politicking (which, for me, means a little heavier on the action side of things). I could not put it down once I started. There are some nice little twists thrown in when you least expect it, and there’s a lovely juxtaposition between [character] raging against unfounded prejudice and [same character] also displaying that same issue later in the story (the character never acknowledges that they do this, but I thought it was really well done).
I really enjoyed the expanded world-building, and I would absolutely love to see more stories from this world. The overall tone is gritty and blunt, but it fits the vibes perfectly. All in all, this was a fitting end for the duology, and I’m so pleased to have had a chance to read it.
October 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
“Anca Sulia, I am the vessel of your wrath. I merely want to make sure there’s something to build from once the killing is done.”
Anca is dead-set on victory... but she's also dead-set on protecting Eugen. He's had to adjust to his new role and fragility but she seems to consider him as one would fine china, wonderful within a controlled environment. Her loyalty and love for him is steadfast but her own worries and ambition (combined with betrayals) trap her in a version of tunnel vision that threatens to turn her into what she fights against.
"We will win. And we will do it without turning into monsters as they have. We can choose.”
Eugen is 100% my favorite character. He is a legend... a hunter... a monster. Many people have not accepted his presence in House Sulia... People believe once a monster, always a monster. It is more than that though. He's the last remaining from House Furloc and there are those that would do just about anything to make sure the last remaining Furloc ceases to exist.
Eugen struggles with feelings of uselessness and frustration. He's trying to find or forge his own path with the new parameters of his life. Eugen is someone that is clever, stubborn, and has strong instincts. This half of the story, for him, I certainly understand. I love how he does step outside the lines drawn for him, but it's to learn more, do more, and he uses the information to support House Sulia.
I definitely enjoyed book 1 more than book 2. That being said, I still enjoyed the complexities and characters of this story. I certainly believe the book is worth reading. I will admit this book is one I would enjoy rereading.
“I did it for us.”
“You did it for your idea of me."
eARC thanks to J Von Tobel.
“Anca Sulia, I am the vessel of your wrath. I merely want to make sure there’s something to build from once the killing is done.”
Anca is dead-set on victory... but she's also dead-set on protecting Eugen. He's had to adjust to his new role and fragility but she seems to consider him as one would fine china, wonderful within a controlled environment. Her loyalty and love for him is steadfast but her own worries and ambition (combined with betrayals) trap her in a version of tunnel vision that threatens to turn her into what she fights against.
"We will win. And we will do it without turning into monsters as they have. We can choose.”
Eugen is 100% my favorite character. He is a legend... a hunter... a monster. Many people have not accepted his presence in House Sulia... People believe once a monster, always a monster. It is more than that though. He's the last remaining from House Furloc and there are those that would do just about anything to make sure the last remaining Furloc ceases to exist.
Eugen struggles with feelings of uselessness and frustration. He's trying to find or forge his own path with the new parameters of his life. Eugen is someone that is clever, stubborn, and has strong instincts. This half of the story, for him, I certainly understand. I love how he does step outside the lines drawn for him, but it's to learn more, do more, and he uses the information to support House Sulia.
I definitely enjoyed book 1 more than book 2. That being said, I still enjoyed the complexities and characters of this story. I certainly believe the book is worth reading. I will admit this book is one I would enjoy rereading.
“I did it for us.”
“You did it for your idea of me."
eARC thanks to J Von Tobel.
August 30, 2025
I smashed through the first book the first time i read it because it was so good. before getting to alpha read the second book I reread the first book to refresh my memory as we know when you read so many books, a refresh is awesome. I highly recommend both of these books. I can't wait for this to be released so I can have it on my shelf with its sister.
the world J. Von Tobel has created is absolutely amazing. the characters, the concept, the conflict, the battle scenes, the love story and HERA. I LOVE HERA!! You will find out who that is when you get to read it. 😏 chefs kiss sir. amazing book.
the world J. Von Tobel has created is absolutely amazing. the characters, the concept, the conflict, the battle scenes, the love story and HERA. I LOVE HERA!! You will find out who that is when you get to read it. 😏 chefs kiss sir. amazing book.
January 7, 2026
This was an action-packed ending to the duology!
I really enjoyed how the narrative delved into the moral dilemma and internal conflict to avoid becoming the monsters they battled. It added so much depth and growth to the characters and their healing journey in the face of everything that they battled emotionally and physically throughout the series.
Seeing this side of Anca and Eugen's relationship and the ferocity of the feelings they shared was so heartwarming.
The author has a knack for writing complex characters that are easy to become emotionally invested in.
The ending was a perfect conclusion to their story!
Thanks so much to the author for the eARC!
I really enjoyed how the narrative delved into the moral dilemma and internal conflict to avoid becoming the monsters they battled. It added so much depth and growth to the characters and their healing journey in the face of everything that they battled emotionally and physically throughout the series.
Seeing this side of Anca and Eugen's relationship and the ferocity of the feelings they shared was so heartwarming.
The author has a knack for writing complex characters that are easy to become emotionally invested in.
The ending was a perfect conclusion to their story!
Thanks so much to the author for the eARC!
October 27, 2025
Anca and Eugen are trying to navigate their relationship as the war is ramping up.
I love Eugen! He has so much growth and change. He takes care of Anca and encourages her to become the best person possible.
Anca is trying to protect Eugen in his new choices to the point of smothering him. She has to learn how to love him while he stands beside her.
Anca and Eugen face challenges and discover they are stronger when they stand together! They make the other one stronger.
I am ready for more books from J. Von Tobel.
I love Eugen! He has so much growth and change. He takes care of Anca and encourages her to become the best person possible.
Anca is trying to protect Eugen in his new choices to the point of smothering him. She has to learn how to love him while he stands beside her.
Anca and Eugen face challenges and discover they are stronger when they stand together! They make the other one stronger.
I am ready for more books from J. Von Tobel.
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August 18, 2025I read this as an alpha reader so I’m not going to give it a star rating as there are some potential changes to the story line. If you loved Fated to be Monsters you will love this next installment. It continues Eugen and Anca as they navigate their new relationship as well as Eugene’s new role in the world. It is definitely not easy. Anca takes things head on as per usual in her badass way but now shes protecting Eugen to the point where it’s smothering him. How long do you think he can tolerate that? There are new enemies as well as new friends which add so much to the story (I wish it was more) overall this was a really good installment! There are some
Minor things I thought could be improved but it was completely optional- not impacting the main content/quality of the book.
Minor things I thought could be improved but it was completely optional- not impacting the main content/quality of the book.
September 16, 2025
Alpha reader so some things may change from when I read it but absolutely amazing!! Even if things change I have faith in this author that they’ll only change to make the book even better! Such a great end to a duology with amazing characters. I love how true they are to themselves and they we get complex characters!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews