Monster and Apprentice

by Jessica Khoury

After a life on the streets Rolan is chosen to apprentice under a feared monster hunter to slay Cryptics—deadly magical creatures born of secrets in this middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of Witcher and Demon Slayer.

Rolan Strider has never belonged—not at school, not in the city of Crisanth, and definitely not in the life of his crime-lord father. So when he’s caught vandalizing one of the city’s lanterns—a serious offense in a world where darkness breeds monsters—he expects prison. Instead, he’s claimed by the Arcanist, a legendary warrior who hunts terrifying creatures born from the secrets people hide.

Dragged beyond the safety of the city, Rolan is forced to train under Luc’s harsh guidance—learning to read, fight, and wield Arcana, the strange power drawn from slain Cryptics. And for the first time, Rolan begins to feel at home.

But the beast Luc has been hunting for years is closer than Rolan ever imagined—and tied to his own past in ways that could destroy them both.

To survive, Rolan must face the truth, wield the power of the very secrets he fears, and decide who he wants to be in this action-packed an outlaw, a hero…or something else entirely.

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she's dreamed of being an author.

When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and oil and watercolor painting. She is also a professional mapmaker, and spends far too much time scribbling tiny trees and mountains for fictional worlds.

Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of the Corpus trilogy, The Forbidden Wish, Last of Her Name, and The Mystwick School of Musicraft.

Reviews

[Wendi Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of Monster and Apprentice by Jessica Khoury and recently finished. On her IG, she mentioned she was looking for ARC readers and because I love her other books, I messaged her.

I was pleasantly surprised in that I went into it expecting it to read like a middle grade book, yet I found myself emotionally impacted by the beauty of the story. The characters and their development are well written and I especially loved the themes of found family, how to have courage when one is afraid, and the value of truth and faith. Admittedly, I am a Jessica Khoury fan, but I think this may be my favorite of hers so far. I was engaged from the beginning and had real tears at the end.

I think this book would be great for upper middle schoolers, and high schoolers who love fantasy. If you are an adult who enjoys YA, I also recommend this for you.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly fun, funny, magical, and tender. I devoured it. I loved it so much, and it was exactly the enjoyable read I needed to get out of a reading slump. There is so much charm to the characters (Rolan made me chuckle multiple times), the story is so compelling and offers a unique fantasy story, and the writing is delightful. Thank you to the author for an ARC. Young readers are going to adore this!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster and Apprentice (Hardcover)
by Jessica Khoury
This is an intriguing book concept. The characters are well written with storylines that young readers will connect with. The manifestation of secrets into destructive monsters. The secrets cost paid by innocent individuals is show in a physical concept. The monsters made from secrets are violent and relentless. The idea that learning a secret brings a choice to keep it or to share it. Both have consequence.

[Owen Gavrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing plot that kept me needing more and more. The characters all seem unique and interesting with different backstories and it wrapped itself up perfectly. I demand a sequel (or maybe two). Actually make that 4. My mom was lucky enough to get an advance reader copy

[Madelyn Hitchcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author as an ARC.
This book was AMAZING! It had perfect amounts of humor and serious events. The world and character building is beautiful. I was laughing and crying with the characters, and I felt so immersed into the world. If you like fantasy, I totally recommend this book to you. It is probably one of my new favourite books.

[Jana Sucre · Rating 5 out of 5]

(REVIEW WRITTEN BY MY 9 YEAR OLD WHO RECEIVED AN ARC AS PART OF A COMPETITION BY JESSICA KHOURY ON INSTAGRAM)

I genuinely thought Luc was dead. Go on and melt Luc. Do it. I love how Rolan is constantly backtalking Luc/everyone/life. Wow, when I saw the picture on chapter 40, I did NOT expect that to be the cryptic's TAIL. Gimme more.