A Clash of Carnivores

A Mastery of Monsters #2

by Liselle Sambury

The thrilling sequel to A Mastery of Monsters, following the fiercely determined eighteen-year-old August Black as she infiltrates a secret society hiding the frightening reality that monsters are real, while unraveling the mystery behind her brother’s disappearance.

August risked everything to find her brother, joining a deadly secret society protecting the chilling truth that monsters are very, very real. She thought when she found him that she would leave the society behind.

Instead, she fought and bled to bond herself to a Monster for life.

Now, despite her efforts to stay unattached, her connection to her Monster partner, Virgil, continues to grow. She can’t stop replaying the memory of their forbidden kiss that Virgil wants to pretend never happened.

Their strained bond is put to the test as they prepare for the Monster’s Ball, a brutal tournament where pairs battle for the coveted title of Master. But despite the danger of the contest, August is consumed with finding her mom’s killer and getting revenge. Her vendetta leads to her accidentally form a rare second bond with Nolan, a Wild Monster who wants nothing to do with her. And if the three of them can’t work together, they’ll be kicked out of the tournament before it even begins.

But August can’t pull her focus away from revenge—even if it means becoming the worst sort of monster herself. She believes that vengeance will cure her grief, but it may just be the thing that breaks her bonds for good.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dark Academia, Horror, Fiction

608 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

Liselle Sambury is the Trinidadian-Canadian author of the Governor General’s Literary Awards Finalist, Blood Like Magic. Her work spans multiple genres, from fantasy to sci-fi, horror, and more. In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to demystifying the sometimes complicated business of being an author.

Reviews

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clash of carnivores by Liselle Sambury
ARC simon and schuster canada
Release: Aug 4th 2026
-ohh how I missed this world and school so much, I love the different POVs with the head of school, Virgil and August.
-“The only thing worse then death is preventable death” WELL DAMN
-the concept of Wilds are so cool and scary lol
-the tension between them 🔥 the gravity of their situation is so intense , Monster and masters, the games/ competition and finding the moms murder it’s so intense and intriguing
-oop the love triangle
-eating up the murder mystery
-“when I told you to stay way from Monsters, and instead you tied yourself to one for forever” AND I OOP 👀
-so many beautiful life lessons and sayings in this book wow 🥹
-this ending had me gagged at 3 separate times wow just wow what a book this was EVERYTHING I need the third book NOWWW
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[AndiMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel to A Mastery of Monsters, picks up where the last left off, as the last book was the first semester where the Bachelor candidacy took place, this is the next semester where the Monster's Ball begins, another tournament that pits Bachelor and Monster pairs against each other. August is still reeling from the revelations that she discovered in the last book, and she's looking for revenge. Someone in the Learner's Society is behind her mother's disappearance and the events leading up to the disappearances of Sammie and Jules. August's plans to win the Monster's Ball to become a Master-in-training are slightly derailed when she becomes bonded to another monster, a Wild monster named Nolan, who isn't interested in the Monster's Ball or being attached to August and Virgil.

This book expands upon the information gleaned from the first book as a new leader takes the helm of the Learner's Society, but a shift in power leaves the society on shaky ground. Wilds are monsters that don't need a Master to bond with in order to maintain control, and they all derive from one specific ancestor. They hold a precarious position in society as they can act independently thus making them potentially dangerous should one become violent as they're harder to track down. Because of their independence, the Learner society seeks to assert control over them, so there's a very rocky relationship between the two groups.

The plot of this book follows August attempting to uncover the mastermind behind the last book's shenanigans while trying to get used to being bonded to both Virgil and Nolan. August struggles to tap into the physical abilities that the bond allows her without giving in to the monster that's awaken in her mind.

This sequel also offers the second POV of Riley, the Queen's Black Student Society that appeared in the last book searching for answers to the disappearance of her best friend Sammie. Riley's POV isn't as present as August's, but it still shows a clear arc for her character and growth and progression of her goals. More information on the Queen's Black Student Society is given, and a further connection to the Learner's Society is explored that offers insight into why Sammie disappeared in the last book.

Overall, this book was a worthy follow-up to the first book. The straight forward fights that pit one Master/Monster pair against another were fun, and it was nice to see how the connection between Master and Monster's developed. The Monster's Ball is primarily for Bachelor's, those that pass the first tournament from the last book, who now have to further evolve so that the Bachelor can tap into the powers of the Monster, and the Monster can better control their transformations. It was fun to see the various ways the characters we've come to know overcome fighting amongst each other.

The Monster's Ball also features Masters-in-training fighting to defend their title to transition to Masters as well as Bachelor's and Master's-in-training that failed to place in top percentile to pass the Monster's Ball. So, we get to see characters that helped train our protagonist kick some serious ass as well as the introduction of new characters that add to the backstory of one of our characters.

Between the tournament and the mystery of whodunit, there's a lot of ground that's gained in the story, but the addition of Nolan is one element that feels shakier than the rest of the story. Watching the author's vlogs, I was aware that a love triangle would be included, and I wasn't looking forward to it as this isn't a trope I like even in the best of circumstances. Nolan wasn't a terrible addition to August and Virgil's dynamic, but I disliked the way that the romantic and physical attraction is portrayed here. It is, understandably, forbidden for monsters and masters to have relationships as the former is dependent on the latter for control, and the relationship is a lifelong commitment, so there's an inherent power imbalance. Virgil, unsurprisingly, is much more cautious of crossing the line with August, while August doesn't disagree with the restriction, but still doesn't want to pretend that an attraction between her and Virgil doesn't exist.

Nolan doesn't care to fit into the Learner's Society's mold, and their desires and he's only playing along with August and Virgil for the Monster's Ball with the hope of helping the image of Wild monsters. Nolan isn't ashamed of admitting his attraction to August, and encourages her to stop holding herself back for the society's sake; he's a bit more extreme version of August. All of this is fine, but what I dislike is that the monster bond has a physical implication as that's how abilities are shared between Master and Monster. This creates a very icky sensation where if two characters in this trio are intimate, than the other can sense it. Why do we go from August making out with Virgil, giving him an ultimatum of either you want me and you'll act on it or we're strictly business, and he chooses professionalism and leaves to Nolan walking in and her sleeping with him? I didn't like it at all, and it felt so unnecessary. August feeling rejected by Virgil is fine, but I hated she felt the need to console herself with Nolan.

As usual, I didn't love the execution of the love triangle and felt it was really unneeded. I wonder if Liselle, the author, wanted this element, or if this was encouraged by an outside source. The twisting and turning of the plot threads leading us to who could be the mastermind of all the horrible events is an entertaining ride. Parts of the ending annoyed me-the withholding of crucial information until it's too late, and a lack of strategy on the part of our protagonists in the tournament-but I still think it was a worthwhile sequel, and I look forward to where the last book goes from here.

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Clash of Carnivores by Liselle Sambury is a thrilling and action-packed sequel that completely ups the stakes for 18 year old August Black. I loved the intense drama of the Monster's Ball tournament and the complicated dynamic that forms after August accidentally creates a rare second bond with a wild monster named Nolan. The book does a fantastic job exploring August's heavy grief and her dangerous obsession with revenge, which makes her a really complex and flawed protagonist to root for. My only minor critique is that the romantic tension and the strained bond between August and her main partner, Virgil, felt a little drawn out and repetitive at times. Overall, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because the dark secret-society vibes and the awesome monster battles make it a perfect read for fans of high-stakes fantasy!

Thank you NETGALLEY and SIMON TEEN for the earc in exchange for my honest review.

[Forze del Male · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd like to thank my local bookstore for providing me with the physical ARC for this review :)

***This review contains spoilers! Please read at your own risk.*** Also mild trigger warning


I was excited for this book based on the description and concept. The premise is incredibly interesting and I liked some of the characters, mainly Virgil.
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The book lost me with the introduction of the love/lust triangle though. August and Virgil end up bonding with a wild monster (Nolan) and have to adapt to the new challenges associated with the triple bond. This inherently is an interesting concept but its execution wasn't the greatest. August and Virgil both like each other but Virgil draws the line and refuses not to act on his feelings but struggles. Theres a scene in this book where August wants Virgil to sleep with her and despite him wanting to, he chooses not to. As soon as he leaves, Nolan enters her room and he and August sleep together. The next day its revealed that Virgil felt/sensed their night of passion non-consensually through their spirit bond 😭 like brooo😭 Theres a bunch of trigger warnings in the beginning of the book I was honestly surprised that wasn't one of them.

Im interested to see what unfolds in the third book but this dampened my enthusiasm for it. I'm honestly surprised that this is a YA book.

Also, this is probably just a me problem but the f*** word is written on nearly every page. It just felt a bit repetitive after a while and like an add in word to bypass broadening a thought or sentence.

[Loreweaver · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A Clash of Carnivores is a fantastic continuation of the A Mastery of Monsters series. I reread the first novel immediately before starting this one, and the two flowed together almost seamlessly. Everything that made the first book so interesting, particularly the worldbuilding, complicated characters, and relationships between the different factions, is developed further here.

One of the greatest strengths of this series is the intricate relationship between the Learners' Society, the Wilds, and Riley's group, QBSS. Each has its own history, interests, and internal dynamics, and Sambury does an excellent job of exploring how these groups interact and come into conflict. Riley becomes a point-of-view character alongside August, who remains the primary protagonist, giving us a much deeper understanding of QBSS and its inner workings. A Wild also takes on a prominent supporting role as the group faces an increasingly mysterious threat connected to the overarching mystery. These additional perspectives and relationships expand the world without making it feel disconnected from the central story.

The characterization is another major strength. The characters feel remarkably human, with believable motivations, flaws, loyalties, and contradictions. Even when their decisions are frustrating, they generally make sense within the context of who these people are and the circumstances shaping them. The complicated histories between individuals and factions give the conflicts a depth that goes beyond simple divisions between heroes and villains.

Where the novel fell flat for me was in its central romances around August. Despite being invested in the characters themselves, I couldn't bring myself to care much about their romantic relationships. If anything, I found myself agreeing with the argument that romantic relationships between bonded Masters and Monsters shouldn't be permitted because of the inherent power imbalance. Interestingly, I found a supporting romance considerably more engaging than the central romantic storylines.

One aspect of August's love triangle that I did appreciate, however, was seeing a plus-size young woman positioned at the center of it and treated as unambiguously desirable. Her body isn't presented as something her romantic interests must overlook or accept despite themselves. She is wanted, which is refreshing, particularly when so many stories still treat larger women as though romantic desirability is something they have to earn or prove. I also thought Sambury handled August's body image struggles very well. Her insecurities feel authentic without becoming her defining characteristic, and the story allows her to be desirable while still having a complicated relationship with her own body.

Ultimately, A Clash of Carnivores succeeds because of its worldbuilding, characterization, and the increasingly complex relationships between its competing factions. The romances didn't work particularly well for me, but the broader interpersonal and political dynamics more than compensated for that weakness. Sambury has created a fascinating world populated by characters who feel like real people, and this sequel builds on the first novel's strengths while expanding the scope of its central mystery. I'm eager to see how everything comes together in the next installment.

[sunny_reads_]

DNF @ 20% - This book lost me. There’s too much going on making this story not only confusing but also boring. I’m disappointed because secret societies and monsters are totally my thing, but I’m not a fan of the way this story is being played out.

[RAWFIZZLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars ⭐️

this was lengthy…that ending tho👀

[Nicole Zelniker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The power to kill a God, and finally, it feels like I'm close enough to taste it."

Respectfully, what the FUCK!? And I mean that with all the love and affection in the world because this might be my new favorite Liselle Sambury book. The relationships we left off with evolve so stunningly over the course of August's second semester, including new ones (looking at you, Nolan and Ellis). Having Riley's POV also allowed us to explore the relationships in her life as well.

August's rage is at the center of this sequel. As August learns to handle the monster inside of her, she walks the line between justice and revenge, her two monsters – (Because there are two now! Not a spoiler if it's in the blurb, I think!) – each pulling her in different directions. Nolan added a really fun (in an intense, kind of want to pull my hair out way) dynamic to August and Virgil's existing relationship, and having one of the Wilds in our core group allowed the author to explore the lore around the community in a way that felt very natural.

Catch me waiting (im)patiently for the threequel.

[Prof. Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Clash of Carnivores by Liselle Sambury is an absolute tour de force that left me utterly captivated from start to finish. Sambury’s mastery of character development, world-building, and high-stakes tension is on full display in this exhilarating sequel, and I find myself both admiring and despising her main characters—fickle, immature, and utterly human in their flaws, yet perfectly crafted to serve the gripping narrative.

August Black is a protagonist I love to hate. Her indecisiveness, her wavering trust, and her reckless pursuit of revenge make her deeply imperfect, yet I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigates the treacherous waters of her secret society and her own tumultuous emotions. Her growth throughout the story is palpable; she begins as a girl unsure of herself, haunted by grief and loss, and gradually emerges as a fierce, if battered, fighter. Sambury’s portrayal of her internal struggles adds layers of complexity that make every victory feel earned and every setback heartbreaking.

The stakes in this installment are sky-high—from self-reflection to outright war. The battles are not just physical but psychological, as August grapples with her monstrous bonds and the dangerous unpredictability of her targets. Her connection to Virgil, her bonded Monster, is a beautifully flawed relationship—passionate, fraught, and tinged with longing. As she accepts her monster, she’s also tasked with managing a second one, Nolan, a Wild Monster who refuses to be tamed. August’s journey is a wild ride of realignment and adaptation, constantly adjusting her perspective as her targets shift at lightning speed. It’s a masterclass in suspense and character evolution.

The tournament, the Monster’s Ball, is a brutal backdrop that elevates the story’s intensity. Sambury vividly depicts the cutthroat nature of the competition, where alliances are fragile, and betrayal lurks behind every corner. I loved how the stakes felt personal—August’s quest for her mother’s killer intertwines with the tournament, making every moment tense and unpredictable. The complex dynamics between August, Virgil, and Nolan kept me guessing and emotionally invested—each character’s motivations and fears adding depth to the story.

What I appreciated most is Sambury’s ability to depict the messy, imperfect nature of her characters’ choices. August’s obsession with revenge threatens to destroy her bonds—and perhaps herself—but her vulnerability makes her relatable. The support system she gradually builds, trusting in her allies, adds warmth to the chaos, reminding me that even in the darkest moments, connection and trust can be redemptive.

In conclusion, A Clash of Carnivores is a brilliantly crafted, emotionally charged sequel that delivers non-stop action, compelling character arcs, and a richly imagined world. Sambury’s storytelling prowess keeps you guessing until the very last page. If you love stories that explore the monstrous within us and the battles—both external and internal—that define us, this book is an absolute must-read. I can’t wait to see what Liselle Sambury has in store next!

[Anna G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy of one of my most anticipated reads of this year.

I'd like to start with what I wrote last year for my review of A Mastery of Monsters: "I just have a feeling this won't fall into the issue of the 2nd book in a trilogy being weak because of how set up the trilogy seems to be (to me at least)." Well, my feeling was correct, this was another banger from Liselle and I CANNOT wait to get my claws on that final book, it will definitely wreck me.

That being said: There will inherently be spoilers below as this is a second book in a triology. I would highly recommend book one so you can get to book two as soon as possible. Be warned moving forward with reading this review. It won't be so spoiler focused, but there will be some

All the reason for the 5 stars this deserves:
- I love August as our main character. She is so wholly herself between the two novels and her inner monologue we get regarding thoughts keeps me wanting to come back to read more of her, even if she isnt' the perfect FMC.
- You do get two perspectives in this book. I loved our second perspective and it fit into the world that was built in book one. I would not be surprised if we got 3 perspectives based on how the story is going.
- The entire concept of the Monster Ball is well executed, and how August performs in the Monster Ball (because of course she has different rules for her...you'll see). I would love to see this on screen but the writing does a well enough job painting the pictures in my head. I also love being able to continue to see all the characters we've met before and meet some important new ones along the way.
- I feel this was a great mix of action, adventure, mystery and romance in the YA sphere. Being able to get a bit of everything in a book makes me want to read it again.
- THE TWISTS AT THE END. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. I was so shocked and no matter when book 3 comes out, I'll remember exactly where we left off based on the shock I faced reading the ending.

Overall, if you need a fast paced YA dark academy fantasy, head back to book 1 before starting here. (Also I will take book 3 tomorrow please, thanks!)

[Laney Estel · Rating 4 out of 5]

She bonded to one Monster on purpose. The second one was absolutely an accident.

Are you in? 🐾
🧠 Micro Synopsis
August thought finding her brother would be her way out of the secret society protecting the truth about monsters. Instead she is now bonded for life to her Monster partner Virgil and has accidentally formed a rare second bond with a Wild Monster named Nolan who wants nothing to do with her. With the brutal Monster's Ball tournament ahead and a vendetta for her mother's killer consuming her, August has to figure out how to hold it all together before her bonds break and her grief turns her into the very thing she is fighting against.
🔥 Reasons to Read This If You Love…
Monster Bonds 🐾 · Tournament Arcs ⚔️ · Revenge Plots 🔥

This is book two in the series and it clocks in at 600 pages which sounds like a lot but the pacing genuinely kept up the whole way through.
A big chunk of the story is either the Monster's Ball competition or the hunt for specific items they need, and that structure keeps the action moving constantly.
There are a lot of characters in this book, genuinely a lot, and even I had trouble keeping track of all of them at times.
The two POVs between August and Riley, who heads another society house on campus, were easy enough to follow and I appreciated that the book kept that manageable.
The tension between August and Virgil is the kind of slow burn that is genuinely painful in the best possible way.
The accidental second bond with Nolan adds a really interesting layer of chaos to everything that was already happening.
The overall mystery of the series is still not resolved and there is a third book coming, which honestly left me relieved rather than frustrated.
The world building continues to expand in ways that feel earned rather than overwhelming.
August's vendetta and what it costs her emotionally is such a compelling thread running through the whole story.
If you read book one and loved it, this one absolutely delivers and then some.

[Ashley - The Tattered Page]

<ɪ>ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴏғ ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ғʀᴏᴍ ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏɪ>

🎧📖 𝐸-𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧

𝒜 𝒞𝓁𝒶𝓈𝒽 𝑜𝒻 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓋𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓈 ʙʏ ʟɪsᴇʟʟᴇ sᴀᴍʙᴜʀʏ

𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs

✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨

ᴀs ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ ᴘʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇs ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴜᴛᴀʟ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ's ʙᴀʟʟ, sʜᴇ's ᴛᴏʀɴ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ sᴛʀᴇɴɢᴛʜᴇɴɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴏɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ, ʜᴜɴᴛɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ's ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇsɪsᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇɴɢᴇᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛᴇɴs ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ sʜᴇ ғᴇᴀʀs.

𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:

ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ sɪᴍᴏɴᴛᴇᴇɴ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴇ-ᴀʀᴄ!

𝑀𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉. 𝒢𝓇𝒾𝑒𝒻, 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝑔𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝒷𝒾𝒹𝒹𝑒𝓃 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈? 𝒩𝑜𝓉 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽.

ʟɪsᴇʟʟᴇ sᴀᴍʙᴜʀʏ sᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ 𝒜 𝑀𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝑀𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴀɪsᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs ɪɴ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴘᴏssɪʙʟᴇ ᴡᴀʏ.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴇxᴘᴀɴᴅs ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟʟʏ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ's ʙᴀʟʟ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs ʀᴇʟᴇɴᴛʟᴇss ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴡᴇɪɢʜᴛ ᴏғ ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ's ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴅᴇᴄɪsɪᴏɴ ғᴇᴇʟ ɪᴍᴘᴏssɪʙʟᴇ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ sᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘs ᴇᴠᴏʟᴠᴇ—ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙᴏɴᴅ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴀᴜɢᴜsᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴠɪʀɢɪʟ—ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ɢʀɪᴇғ, ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ᴛʀᴜʟʏ ᴍᴇᴀɴs ᴛᴏ ʜᴏʟᴅ ᴏɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴɪᴛʏ ᴀᴅᴅs ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟᴇ ᴅᴇᴘᴛʜ ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ-ғɪʟʟᴇᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴏs.

ᴛʜɪs sᴇǫᴜᴇʟ ɪs ᴅᴀʀᴋᴇʀ, ʙɪɢɢᴇʀ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴇᴠᴀsᴛᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɪᴛs ᴘʀᴇᴅᴇᴄᴇssᴏʀ. ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ, sʜᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ ᴛᴡɪsᴛs, ᴍᴏʀᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴀʏ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇs, ɪ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɢᴇs ғᴀsᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ.

𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
🐉 ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀs
🏛️ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ
⚔️ ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴛᴏᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇɴᴛ
❤️ ғᴏʀʙɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
🖤 ᴍᴏʀᴀʟʟʏ ɢʀᴀʏ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs
🤝 ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ
👑 ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ
🩸 ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ ǫᴜᴇsᴛ
✨ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ʙᴏɴᴅs
🔥 ʜɪɢʜ-sᴛᴀᴋᴇs ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ

𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒...
🖤 ᴀ ᴅᴇᴀᴅʟʏ ᴇᴅᴜᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
🐉 ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ-ғɪʟʟᴇᴅ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ
🏛️ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ sᴏᴄɪᴇᴛɪᴇs
⚔️ ᴛᴏᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀʀᴄs
❤️ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴏᴠᴇɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ
✨ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ-ᴅʀɪᴠᴇɴ ʏᴀ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ

🗣️ 𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓉:
ᴇᴀʀʟʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡᴇʀs ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴘʀᴀɪsᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ sᴇǫᴜᴇʟ's ᴇxᴘʟᴏsɪᴠᴇ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴅᴇᴇᴘᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇxɪᴛʏ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀ ᴀᴄᴄʟᴀɪᴍ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ's ʙᴀʟʟ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴇxᴘᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴍʏᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀʏᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴘᴏʟɪᴛɪᴄᴀʟ ɪɴᴛʀɪɢᴜᴇ. ɪᴛ ʜᴀs ᴀʟsᴏ ᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ᴀ sᴛᴀʀʀᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴋɪʀᴋᴜs ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡs.

𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
𝒜 𝒞𝓁𝒶𝓈𝒽 𝑜𝒻 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓋𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓈 ɪs ᴀ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟɪɴɢ sᴇǫᴜᴇʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴇxᴘᴀɴᴅs ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴀsᴘᴇᴄᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ sᴇʀɪᴇs—ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀs, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋ, ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴏssɪʙʟᴇ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʜɪɢʜᴇʀ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs. ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ, ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇᴛɪᴛɪᴏɴs, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇx ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴜɴғᴏʀɢᴇᴛᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀɴɪᴏɴs, ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs.

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: <ᴀ ʜʀᴇғ="ʜᴛᴛᴘs://ᴡᴡᴡ.ɪɴsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ.ᴄᴏᴍ/ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ/">@ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇᴀ>

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @simon.audio @simonteen #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Dun dun dunnnnn....I somehow loved this even MORE than the first book! I love it when that happens in a series! Liselle has officially cemented herself as an I must read her books because in particular this book had SO MANY of my favorite things.

If you haven’t started this series yet, it follows August Black as she navigates a dangerous secret society where monsters are real!. Magical bonds can mean life or death, eek! Survival depends on proving yourself in deadly trials. Y’all know how much I freakin love games and trials by now, right?! In this sequel, the stakes climb even higher because August enters the brutal Monster’s Ball. And she’s now just looking for answers...she’s maybe got some revenge plots up her sleeves. 🖤🐉

Things I absolutely LOVE about this series:
✨ Secret societies? YES.
👹 Monsters? YES.
🕯️ Dark academia vibes? YES.
⚔️ High stakes trials and competitions? ABSOLUTELY Yeeeehawwww!

I was completely immersed from beginning to end because there is tension from the very get go. Without giving spoilers I’ll just say the bonding experience was intense :) I just adore all the challenges and I found myself intently listening to every moment like I was actually partaking myself in these trials! LOL. 

🎧 I must also call out how amazing the audiobook was! Angel Pean and Sandra Okuboyejo were the narrators and they absolutely crushed these performances. They brought so much personality to the characters that I found myself looking for excuses to keep listening. This is one of those audiobooks that completely elevates an already incredible story. If you’re an audiobook person - this one is great!

This was everything I wanted from a sequel and then some. If you love dark academia, monsters, deadly competitions, secret societies, and fantasy then RUN to the store because this one just published this week and you can get your grubby little fingers on it TODAY!

[Katie | niftyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should be noted that this is NOT the sequel in a duology, as it has a mind-blowing cliffhanger that has me salivating like the monsters in it for the next book 🤯 I went into A CLASH OF CARNIVORES thinking it was going to wrap up A MASTERY OF MONSTERS in a cute little bow on Virgil. Then I realized that as August was figuring things out, more layers were being added to unpack. Liselle Sambury is quite the brilliant mastermind; when we are hit with a flabbergasting ending, she gives us a mind-bending epilogue. I had ideas after finishing the first book; as of now, I’m a blank slate because this is an excellent example of why I love fantasy novels. Being so immersed in the characters, relationships, and world that when you finish, it seems like you lived it. 

I dually read and listened to the first book. This time I chose to listen to CLASH OF CARNIVORES, and I think I made an excellent decision. Angela Pean returned as the narrator and is exceptional as August! And we had a second narrator, Sandra Okuboyejo, who I really enjoyed as well. Both narrators bring a lot of emotion to the characters' voices, and I love how easily they make you feel like you are listening to multiple narrators because all the voices are so distinct. 

I’ll be not-so-patiently waiting for the next book because I need to know what happens, but now would be a good time to catch up on these because they are fantasy-length and a fabulous time! 

Thanks, Simon Audio, for the ALC!


Content warnings: (per author’s website) death of a parent, child death, discussions of fatphobia, mentions of disordered eating (restriction, overexercising), drug and alcohol use, violence/gore, mention of suicide 

[Nifemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clash of carnivores is a book meant to be devoured! This book picks up immediately after the first with August and Virgil training to go from bachelors Masters and before we can get settled in there is carnage! We quickly find ourselves also trying to figure out who killed the former doctorate candidate as well as August's mom.

I Loved the mystery and adventure of trying to figure out who the mastermind behind everything was. It was so so well done had me questioning everyone and coming up with my own theorie. Slowly gaining more lore regarding the 1st doctorate and patient zero had my heart racing. Morover, This mystery was masterfully interwoven into the highstake monsters ball tournament!

The tournament was so interesting to engage with I loved the fights and watching our newly formed trio tackle the competition. I especially loved reading about all the different beasts, their powers and weaknesses. No match felt predictable and drawn out which is always a fear with these sorts of stories but the author managed to constantly raise the stakes in a way the was beliveable.

I also appreciated all the character development in the whole cast, from Riley and QBSS to Corey and her estranged brother as well as Margot and Issac all their stories felt like they made the world richer. I also enjoyed the addition of Nolan to Virgil and August's monster bond. Honestly my least favourite part was the emotional virgil but at the same time it's nice to get a male character who is in his feelings and has trauma who isn't just tough guying it out like Nolan.

Overall this book was everything one could want from a sequel and I simply cannot wait for the finale.

[Asia Levine · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This was right on time for monster season! While not exactly a spooky read, it was packed with larger than life monsters, high-stakes action, and intense competitions that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

In this sequel to A Mastery of Monsters, August Black is back with even more on her plate. She’s determined to uncover who was responsible for her mother’s death, find a unique weapon, and somehow win the Monsters Ball tournament, not just alongside Virgil, but Nolan as well, as they navigate the complicated three-way Master & Monster bond they’ve formed. Of course this means a love triangle develops.

August is carrying so much grief and anger, fueled by her desire for revenge. One of my favorite parts of this book was watching her struggle between who she thinks she should be and who she truly is at her core. We also get a few additional POVs this time around. While they weren’t necessarily the POVs I would have chosen, I can definitely see why they were included as the story continues to expand.

And at nearly 600 page just know this story isn’t finished. Book 3 is coming. Even with its size, I was entertained the entire time. The ending had me shocked and left me desperate for more answers.

But also can we talk about how Sambury isn’t talked about enough?!?! The way she creates layered characters, intricate worlds, and terrifying monsters deserves so much more attention. Her stories are ambitious, emotional, inclusive, and immersive. Delicious Monsters and Tender Beasts are two of my all-time favorite YA thriller reads, and with this series she’s proving once again that she can do it all. She simply does not miss for me.

[taes.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★✫
4.5 stars.

Review:

𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑏𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐿𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑦, 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑜𝑛 & 𝑆𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑑𝑎, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐸-𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 ♥︎

✪I not only absolutely loved the first novel in this trilogy, A Mastery in Monsters but I’ve truly adored every book I’ve read written by Liselle Sambury so far, so believe me when I say that I was truly EXCITED when I got approved for this ARC!

✪In the first book we pretty much only get August’s pov the entire time we read. In this novel, we also get to see the pov of Riley, August’s QBSS friend. At first I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the second pov.. I kind of thought that it was gonna pointless cause the first book was perfect from just August’s pov but it definitely grew on me as I continued to read and in the end I actually ended up really appreciating seeing the crazy plot twists from her side as well as August’s!

✪Like a lot of popular romantasy novels, in this one we’re introduced to another love interest for August, and while I do have to admit that I would much prefer a PROPER love triangle (which is everyone loving everyone!!), I’m actually not bad about the addition of Nolan. I just feel like while I absolutely adore Virgil and August and think they have the best chemistry, I feel like Nolan fits really well in them and brings something out in the group that wasn’t there before! I just really enjoyed the this trio and truly can’t wait to see them in the next book!!

Recommend?: I mean duh obviously!

[thee.millennialreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 ✨
———
Man… wtf?! That ending! A lot was revealed, but it just opened the door for more questions.

In this second installment, we get a new monster added to the pair of August & Virgil. Enter Nolan the constantly brooding ginger who is a Wild! If their bond wasn’t tested before, it definitely is now. So many things happen between the 3 of them that were frustrating, exciting, surprising, and sometimes a little predictable. I was still invested the entire time and that ending has me like 😩😩😩

The majority of the story was a continuation of August’s mom’s murderer of course, because August needs her revenge right? But somehow the Doctorate plays a twisted role in all of this, but which Doctorate is it? So we’re trying to figure that out the whole book while going through whole ass MONSTER MATCHES! & tbh that was my favorite part. I was constantly waiting for the next match to see if our triumvirate improved the bond and evolved in their skills.

We were also given Riley’s perspective. I don’t remember where she came from, so she was an interesting character and she did play an important role, but in the beginning I was like WHO DIS WOMAN? 🤨

Umm… Liselle when is the next installment coming out? 👀 because you lowkey cracked my heart in that epilogue…. And please give August some healing. Idk if I can sit through her crashing out and self sabotaging anymore. I mean she’s figuring it out, but let’s wrap that up. We got some serious 💩 going on!

[fanboyriot · Rating 3 out of 5]

In all honesty I think I would have liked this book more if it were in third person point of view instead of first person. The plot was engaging and interesting in theory but I just felt like the execution was off.

This book started out well and had some interesting drama at the beginning that ended with bounding a wild monster with August and Virgil. I kinda liked the trio they had going on at the start. But some of the relationship dynamics were off and without spoilers it just felt randomly messy; involving two people having a steamy night and the bond making the other character sense what happened (non-consensually). Definitely more of the older YA books but all the sexual content is closed door, it’s mentioned lightly.

I really liked this world and its setting. It will be interesting to see how this series ends but at this point I definitely liked the first book more.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)

POV: First Person
Spice Level: (closed door)
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Virgil
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🗡️🤫😈

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Suicide

[Girl_that_readss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Clash of Carnivores is the darker, action-packed sequel to Mastery of Monsters.

Unlike its predecessor, this one is dual POV, which was interesting.

It also has multiple plotlines, some of which come together in the end while others remain a mystery. So far, everything has been intricately connected. I can’t wait to see where it all leads in the final book!

August has gotten even more intense. She grapples with her inner demons while navigating her relationships and competing in the Monster’s Ball. She’s determined, morally grey and blunt as always. There was so much going on. She never had a dull moment.

Virgil was as sweet as ever. I can’t wait to learn more about him and his past in the next instalment. Nolan was an interesting addition to the cast of characters that I wasn’t expecting. The trio they made with August was hilarious! I loved their dynamic at the start, which only got more interesting as the story progressed. I’m curious about what will happen to them.

My main issue was the addition of so many different subplots. While they were entertaining and left me eager to keep reading, they felt a little overwhelming toward the end of the book. I also didn’t find any of the twists all that shocking.

Overall, an entertaining sequel that has left me eager for the conclusion!

[caro | sanjariti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lush, dark academia fantasy that will sink its teeth into you and never let go — and readers will enjoy every moment of it.

I really enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, and I was very excited to read the sequel. A Mastery of Monsters set the scene, and A Clash of Carnivores takes what we started with and pulls together a series of incredible character arcs, interwoven with tension, mystery, and love.

August Black continues to be our incredible main character. Her arc in this sequel is so much more profound, and spoke a lot to her desires and values, as well as the growth and strength she knew she was capable of. She's still just as messy in the first book, but that's what I love about her—it makes her all the more relatable in a world full of monsters. Virgil, as always, was wonderful but also had me worried and sick to my stomach during some of the fight scenes. August and I were both stressing! His journey of growth continues, and I really hope he and August are able to make it through together. And our new... friend, Nolan, was such an intriguing addition to our bonded pair. From the very beginning of their so-called relationship to the final page, I was nothing but impressed with him. He really adds to August and Virgil's dynamic, while standing well on his own. I cannot wait to see more of him in the third book! Sambury's character work is simply incredible, as per usual.

This time around, we finally get to see the world-building and lore put into action. With the Monster's Ball, we get a brutal backdrop that truly elevates the story’s intensity. Sambury depicts the cutthroat nature of this competition vividly, and I loved how the stakes felt deeply personal—August’s quest for her mother’s killer intertwines with her need to win the tournament, making every moment all the more tense and unpredictable. With the outcome we get, readers will be sure to feel just as much as August does.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this sequel, and am on the edge of my seat for book 3, especially after that cliffhanger!

[Daviddiaries · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!! UNCLE??? ALIVE??? Holy fucking shit. This was such a whirlwind and I loved every second of it. I loved Riley’s pov and seeing her interactions with everyone and her thoughts on them. I also loved that she finally accepted herself and gave into her desires with Cory. The addition of Nolan as something I was a little nervous about just in regards to how it’d shift the group but I loved his character and what he added. We learned so much and yet were still tricked which makes sense while also shocking me. When they said August’s grandma lost her child I knew it couldn’t be true but with so much happening it slipped my mind. But never in a million years would I have guessed that Adam was that child making him August’s uncle…holy mother of plot twists. And then that epilogue?????? Annie is alive???? It’s so interesting because part of me thought maybe she didn’t die and it was faked but again…so much was happening that it slipped my mind. So now I have no clue who to trust because time and time again we keep getting gagged with twists and turns. Ugh I need book 3 immediately.

[Janna Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Clash of Carnivores was an exciting continuation of August’s story, with even higher stakes and plenty of complicated emotions surrounding her bonds with Virgil and Nolan. I really enjoyed the Monster’s Ball and the idea of these bonded pairs being thrown into a brutal competition, especially with August having to work alongside Nolan despite their immediate tension. Her growing connection with Virgil also brought some great romantic tension, particularly with both of them trying to deal with the aftermath of that forbidden kiss. August’s determination to find her mother’s killer added another emotional layer, although I did sometimes want her to step back and realize how much her obsession with revenge was affecting the people around her. The monster world continues to be one of the most interesting parts of the series, and I liked seeing more of the dangers and rules surrounding the bonds. There’s plenty of action, secrets, messy relationships, and revenge here, and I was invested in seeing whether August could hold onto herself while becoming more entangled with the monsters.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This picks up soon after the end of A Mastery of Monsters and almost immediately took an unexpected turn that I wasn’t a big fan of. I stuck with it though and this installment in the series continues to bring a lot of what I liked about the first book. The monsters, their abilities, the fight scenes are all very well written. Complex family dynamics continue to be a fixture though I felt they weren’t quite as deeply explored as in the first book. And the blossoming romances had some sweet moments as well.

Unfortunately, I personally struggled with the YA of it all. This is not the books fault, nor is it a problem in the quality of writing. I was frustrated with the teenage characters acting like teenagers. Which signaled to me that YA books may just not be for me anymore. My rating reflects my personal experience with this book however, I will continue to highly recommend this series ( and all of Liselle Sambury’s books) to its target audience.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC. This is my honest review.

[siyaa]

DNF @ 25%
I was really intrigued by the premise of A Clash of Carnivores, especially after the ending of the last book. I actually loved it at the start. It was action-packed and jumped straight into the story, which immediately grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, as I continued reading, I wasn't able to connect with the story in the way I'd hoped. There was a lot happening, and I found myself becoming less engaged as the plot progressed. While this wasn't the right fit for me at this time, I'd definitely be open to giving it another try in the future. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG!! That discovery at the end! I gasped so loud, I scared my kids. I didn't realize how much I missed this world till I started listening. It was so good.
This is a dual POV, and it was very well done. I enjoyed learning more about the secret society, and competition. The Wilds were very intriguing and I want to learn more about them. A genre blending listen that kept me engaged till the very shocking end. I honestly feel like I can’t trust anyone going into the third book.

The narrators, Angel Pean, and Sandra Okuboyejo did an amazing job. They breathed life into these characters. They felt so real, and I couldn’t help but root for them till the very end.

A very special thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio via Librofm for the gifted ALC.

[Kassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

This was just as good as the first book! There were so many moving parts, and each chapter ended on a powerful note. This book delved deeper into the conflict with the Wilds. I loved all the mysterious political scheming. Moreover, the addition of Nolan to August and Virgil's bond created an interesting new dynamic. I also enjoyed August's honest, blunt humour. And of course, Virgil remains a sweetheart. This is really an excellent YA urban fantasy series. I originally thought it was a duology, but this ended on a cliffhanger, so I'm assuming there will be another book, which I'm happy about, as I've become very invested in these characters!

[Zu Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took a minute to get back into (as much as I loved the first it's amazing how many little things you forget waiting for the sequel!) but once I did I was sucked back in. Just when I thought it was too easy and I had it all figured out, I was completely surprised and upended.

Liselle Sambury has made a rich world full of complex and diverse characters. Honestly it's cinematic with its description!

[Ashley Sarratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great second book in the series! It took me 20% of the book to remember who all the characters were from book 1, but after that I really enjoyed this book. There was plenty of action and emotion! I loved the new characters introduced in this book. I loved the ending so much! I can’t wait to see what the third book brings! I love this series so much!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 srars rounded up

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The epilogue of A Clash of Carnivores just made my jaw DROP! Wanted to fling my ereader across the room, cuz whhhaaaaatttttttt 🫪😱 I need Book 3 right now but ACOC isn't even out yet how am I to function help 😭

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Thank you SimonTeen for the advanced review copy!