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A Mastery of Monsters #2
A Clash of Carnivores
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26The 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.
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.
608 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Liselle Sambury
11 books2,075 followersLiselle 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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 11, 2026
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: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did Not Finish
July 8, 2026DNF @ 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.
June 9, 2026
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.
Thank you NETGALLEY and SIMON TEEN for the earc in exchange for my honest review.
March 21, 2026
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.
***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.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Author
"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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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!
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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!
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