Monster and Apprentice

by Jessica Khoury

For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed stenciled edges while the special edition supply lasts.

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.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Action, Childrens

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published 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

[Ashlee McCreight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book and I absolutely adore it! Although it is suggested for middle grades, I am a 35 year old mom to 3 kiddos and thoroughly enjoyed every page. It made me feel all the feels-I laughed out loud, I cried a little, and I found myself saying “just one more chapter” each night as I read. A rather silly young boy and a grumpy older man as main characters; I’m there! Best friends with inside jokes who always help each other out; count me in! A core value of telling the truth and expressing the importance of being honest; I love it!

I would definitely recommend this book to any middle grade/lower grade high school student, anyone who enjoys reading YA books, or anyone looking for a fun adventure with a young main character. It was very heartwarming mixed with action and characters you will love forever.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Gifted by the publisher—thank you so much for the copy! ✨

Monster and Apprentice by Jessica Khoury

This is exactly why I love Bookstagram recommendations. I kept seeing middle grade readers praise this one so naturally, I had to pick it up and I’m SO glad I did📚

Roland expects trouble after vandalizing one of his city’s lanterns but instead of prison he finds himself apprenticed to a legendary warrior who hunts the terrifying creatures known as cryptics. What follows is a dangerous adventure filled with monsters…secrets…magic and plenty of unexpected twists.

And honestly? This one felt so fresh✨ The world was unlike anything I’ve come across in middle grade but it was also incredibly easy to follow. I loved the characters, the atmosphere, and watching Roland figure out where he belongs.

Also…confession: the cover probably wouldn’t have caught my attention on its own🙈 But those page edges?! SO fun🖤 I’m always happy when a Bookstagram recommendation completely surprises me and this one absolutely did. If you love middle grade fantasy with monsters…magic…secrets and adventure definitely add this to your list!

🗡️👹📖

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books, for the ARC of this book, Monster and Apprentice.

4.5 ⭐I did an immersive read (audiobook and ebook) and this was a pleasant surprise.
I went into it blind and didn't realize that it was a "middle grade" book until I pulled it up on Goodreads. I don't typically lean towards books that are meant for younger people, but this book was really good. I thought the story was fantastic and was written really well. I think that this book would have been even better if it was an adult/horror novel!
I loved Supper and Apple!
The end was fantastic!

[Carina Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I knew I was going to love. As I adore the author and middle grade fantasy have always been a favorite of mine. It made me very happy to be able to tell right away that I already loved it. As the writing was great and I adored the main character, Rolan, at once. He was the very best to read about.

Such a wild and broken boy, but so very good inside and such a great person to read about. I loved getting to know him. He was thirteen years old, and the book is all his point of view. Which I loved. As pretty much always with fantasy books, it felt like this book was set in the past. Which is my most favorite setting of all.

I'm going with five stars for this beauty of a book. It had all that I wanted. It was all kinds of fun to read. Mostly sad, though. But in a good way, somewhat. Filled with monsters, though I would say the humans were worse. Will not be sharing too much about this book, just some small details, I think. It tells the story of thirteen year old Rolan. He lives in a walled up city, surrounded by dark forest. The city is always lit with burning lamps. Because in the shadows, monsters can show up. And oh, how I loved that part of this book. The Cryptics. The monsters. They were just awesome. I loved how they were made from a secret you kept. A bad one, that is. If the monster was not killed early, it would later on grow larger and hunt you down. Which was awesome. Ha.

We get to know Rolan so very much. And I just adored this boy. He lived in the streets, without a home or a family. But he had a best friend, Anaya. They used to live on the streets together, stealing things and making trouble. Until she got to be an apprentice for the apothecary, leaving Rolan behind in the streets. It hurt my heart that they were having some issues because of this. As Anaya changed when she got a home. And Rolan did not, feeling left behind and alone. Not too much about this, but oh, it hurt my heart.

The book starts with Rolan doing a little bit of crime. Wanting revenge on the baker for not letting him steal some thrown away food. He ends up getting caught by the guards, and thrown in the smaller jail. Where he has been so many times before. Poor boy. But this time was different. The guard he hated most, Hoff, figured out he had turned thirteen. And could now be sent to the real prison, for ten years. Which was the absolute worst. Rolan ends up attacked by his first Cryptic, which was a great scene.

Days go by, and no one claims him. If he had family to claim him within three days, he could avoid prison. And he did have a father. The crime lord of this city. But he did not claim him. And oh, getting to know the actual relationship between Rolan and his father in this book just hurt my heart too much. His father was the worst. And Rolan just wanted him to love him. Sobs. He just wanted to belong. And his father did not want him. He also hurt him. Which made me all kinds of angry. Hmph. As Rolan deserved the very best.

Okay, maybe not fully at first. He was kind of a brat. On his way to the prison, he ends up meeting the Arcanist. The one person who fights and kills the Cryptics. For some reason, this man ends up claiming Rolan as his apprentice. Making sure Rolan does not go to prison. Rolan fully intended to leave him, but he was poisoned by the Cryptic who attacked him. And somehow ended up way outside of town in the house of the Arcanist. I loved reading about these two together. It was all kinds of fun yet also so sweet.

I have already shared way too much about the beginning of this book. Sigh. I just could not stop writing. Oops. Shall share less about the rest of the book, though. At first Rolan is scared of this mysterious man. It is said that he feeds kids to the monsters, and that he eats the monsters too. It made me sad, seeing how scared he was at first. The poor boy. But oh, how I loved him. Luc was not a scary man, though. But he could be. I loved how he got Rolan into a bath and cut his hair. Hurt my heart as to why he needed it.

This book is about Rolan staying with Luc. And learning what it means to be an Arcanist. Learning more about the monsters around in this world. How they came to be. How to kill them, though Luc does that part. Luc teaches him to read. And to fight. And to be a better person. As Rolan grew up mostly alone on the streets. And I loved how he grew. I loved the time he got to spend with his friend as well. I so adored Anaya. They had some small fights that were too rude, though. No romance, but there could be. I loved it.

What I loved about this book was that it was mostly about Rolan and Luc living together. A sort of father and son relationship. With Rolan growing to care for him more, and Luc caring for him. They had some issues, and this one scene towards the end of the book broke me. With the moth. It was the absolute rudest. Hmph. And the scene in the cave before that. So rude. So very heartbreaking. But so incredibly good as well. I loved how Rolan learning to love people, to let them in. After having been hurt so long.

There was so much to know in this book. The city hated the Arcanist. They blamed him for pretty much everything. But he did nothing but protect them. I so loved learning about the Cryptics and how they were made of terrible secrets. And how killing them made you see this secret as well. Shudders. It was so well done. And I just need more. Hmph. The final battle was pretty epic. Okay, I have shared way too much about this book. I just wanted to share that I loved it so. I loved Rolan so much. And Luc. And the goat.

Okay, I am going to admit that I was a tiny bit disappointed when I realized that Rolan was not going to turn into a monster. As I felt a little bit tricked by the summary, haha. Considering it mentions that Luc is hunting a beast, tied to Rolan and his past. So I had thought it may mean that Rolan was this beast. But no. No shapeshifting in this story. Little bit disappointed, but I also did not mind at all. As the story was all kinds of awesome without it. But let's be honest, Rolan as a monster would have been very epic too, ha.

One of the things I loved most about Monster and Apprentice was that it was so real and honest. I loved how Rolan opened up with his feelings, though it took him some time. I loved how damaged he was, how he was finally starting to heal. I loved how the book was about found family. I loved reading about all the monsters and learning so many secrets. Honestly, I just really loved this book and I am so glad that I read it. It was exciting and sad and incredible. The ending was open, though, and I would love a second book.

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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2026...

[Jessica Brainard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster and Apprentice by Jessica Khoury is a fast-paced, inventive middle-grade fantasy that delivers action, heart, and a clever magic system built around secrets.

In the kingdom of Anoranth (centered on the city of Crisanth), darkness breeds monsters called Cryptics—savage creatures that form when people hold secrets too long; the secrets eventually escape, grow claws and teeth, and hunt their originators. Light from special lanterns keeps them at bay. Thirteen-year-old Rolan Strider is a smart-mouthed street kid who has never belonged—not at school, not in the city, and not in the orbit of his crime-lord father. Caught vandalizing one of the city’s lanterns (a serious crime), he expects prison. Instead, the legendary Arcanist Luc claims him as an apprentice. Luc is a scarred, tattooed, taciturn monster hunter who trains Rolan to read, fight, and wield Arcana (power drawn from slain Cryptics). For the first time, Rolan starts to feel he might have a place. But the particular beast Luc has pursued for years turns out to be closely tied to Rolan’s own past, forcing the boy to confront buried truths and decide whether he will be an outlaw, a hero, or something in between.
Khoury (author of the Mystwick School of Musicraft series and other middle-grade and YA titles) also illustrates the book, adding maps and chapter art that enhance the world. The central master-apprentice relationship drives the story: Rolan and Luc begin by using and disliking each other, then gradually build trust and mutual respect amid banter, danger, and shared secrets. The premise is original and resonant—secrets literally become monsters—and the action sequences (especially the climactic battle) are lively. Kirkus called it “an action-packed, if not seamless, tale with a marvelously inventive premise,” praising the chemistry between Rolan and Luc while noting that some secondary characters (particularly the female supporting cast) get less development and more often need rescuing. The ending leaves threads open for a sequel.

Strengths: Engaging protagonist, strong mentor dynamic, creative magic system, and plenty of adventure and humor that should appeal to fans of The Witcher, Demon Slayer, Percy Jackson, or Ranger’s Apprentice. The first printing includes sprayed/stenciled edges.Caveats: The pacing and secondary character arcs are not perfectly even, and the lack of full resolution may frustrate readers who prefer self-contained stories.Overall, this is a solid, entertaining entry in middle-grade fantasy (ages roughly 8–12 / grades 3–7; 384 pages, Margaret K. McElderry Books, July 14, 2026). It balances monster-slaying thrills with themes of belonging, trust, family wounds, and facing the truths we hide. Recommended for readers who like action-oriented fantasy with emotional undercurrents—and for anyone curious about a world where the monsters are born from the secrets we keep.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What worked:

The initial description of the Arcanist is creepy and creates mysterious expectations. He’s concealed under a hooded cloak, and a glimpse of his face reveals a dark beard and scarred skin. All of the duke’s guards are afraid to be near the man, as tales of his viciousness are rampant. It’s said that he eats the corpses of slain Cryptids and absorbs their powers. A captain of the guard warns Rolan that ten years in prison will be safer than becoming the Arcanist’s apprentice. However, Rolan figures he can go with the Arcanist and run away at his first opportunity.

The Arcanist is named Luc, and Rolan may be testing his mettle more than Cryptids. Luc offers shelter and steady meals, but he knows that Luc wants to leave. Rolan snoops into places he shouldn’t, and he doesn’t always follow directions. He resists taking a bath but eventually finds himself in a trough full of water. The turning point in their relationship may be when Rolan foolishly tries to follow Luc into the forest but finds himself face to face with a large Cryptid. Rolan is resistant to learning how to read (How does reading help fight Cryptids?), but he eventually agrees if Luc will teach him to fight. Their connection is tested due to Rolan’s lack of discipline and Luc’s secrets.

The plot takes an unexpected turn around its midpoint. Rolan is separated from Luc and returns to the town he left earlier. Cryptids grow from secrets, and the town is full of them. Secrets are the foundation of the story, and readers know that a huge secret will be revealed at some point. An enormous Cryptid is haunting the forest, and Rolan notices that the Arcanist is worried about it. To complicate matters, the people fear the Arcanist because they think he learns about their secrets from slain Cryptids. Rolan can’t believe the townspeople hate and fear Luc when he’s the person protecting them from Cryptid attacks. Even though he may not be ready, Rolan feels he needs to help the Arcanist and prove himself.

What didn’t work as well:

Rolan often has thoughts about his father, but their past relationship is hazy. Rolan thinks about joining his father’s gang, but there’s no evidence the man has any fondness for him. This situation may confuse readers, but it displays Rolan’s strong desire to be wanted.

The final verdict:

Readers may be drawn to this book by the monsters, but the story has heart. Rolan’s stubborn, self-centered attitude is amusing, but the subtle tenderness between Luc and him is the true highlight. I highly recommend you try this book for yourself.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Monster and Apprentice, readers find Rolan, a twelve-year-old boy apprenticed to a monster hunter called The Arcanist. After getting caught vandalizing a street lamp, Rolan is threatened with ten years in prison. When his criminal father never shows up to help him, Rolan has no choice but to accept the Arcanist's offer if he wants to avoid prison. Living outside the city near the forest where the biggest Cryptics hide, Rolan learns about being a cryptic hunter. With a snarky mouth that doesn't endear him to most people, Rolan starts to feel at home with Luc (the Arcanist) as he learns to read, do math, and fight. But with each Cryptic the result of a secret (the bigger the secret, the bigger the Cryptic), Rolan must choose whether he wants to be responsible for carrying a secret for each Cryptic he kills without being able to share them. Deadly secrets related to both Luc's and Rolan's pasts force both of them to chose what is most important to them. And does Rolan really want to dedicate himself to a cause and a job that is neither appreciated nor honored but rather feared and hated.

Starting off with a bang, readers find Rolan hanging from a street lamp talking to a friend. Rolan won me over immediately with his snark and his courage. But his willingness to aggravate everyone around him with his recklessness, he quickly finds himself in way over his head. Underneath the bravado lies a boy who desperately wants to be loved and wanted, first by his father and then by Luc. His efforts to prove himself worthy lead to Rolan getting in trouble over and over again. The secondary characters add depth to the story including Rolan's best friend, Anaya, who is now working as the apothecary's apprentice who still cares for Rolan despite his foolishness. Luc, the Arcanist has secrets of his own that threaten to destory his developing relationship with Rolan. Even Rolan's rotten father has more depth than one might expect. The fantasy world is very well developed and easy to imagine. Several themes shine through related to found family, friendship, and sacrifice and choice not to mention the power for good or evil of secrets. Khoury has created a masterpiece of fiction that many young readers will eagerly devour as I did. Not to mention a book cover that hits it out of the park. Highly recommended for middle grade readers who love a fantasy with depth that takes one on a compelling journey.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Nothing sparks a lively book club quite like monsters, magical adventures & kids who aren't afraid to share exactly what they think!

Our Young Readers Book Club had an absolute blast reading Monster & Apprentice by Jessica Khoury & Rostam Wrecks the Realm by Olivia Abtahi. Both books led to nonstop discussions, plenty of laughs & more than a few "Wait...WHAT?!" moments.

🐉 Monster & Apprentice completely pulled us into its world. I loved the mix of action, mystery & heart as Rolan discovers where he truly belongs. The monster-filled world felt exciting without losing sight of the characters & I found myself rooting for Rolan as he grew into someone stronger & more confident.

What the kids had to say:
💬 "The monsters were creepy but really cool!"
💬 "Luc was tough, but he was my favorite."
💬 "I want to know what happens next!"

🚀 Rostam Wrecks the Realm was a totally different adventure & our group couldn't stop laughing at Rostam's larger-than-life mistakes. I loved how the story mixed science fiction, Persian mythology, humor & important lessons about responsibility. It was imaginative, fast-paced & gave us so much to talk about.

What the kids had to say:
💬 "Rostam kept making me laugh!"
💬 "I didn't expect THAT to happen!"
💬 "Can we read another one with him?"

What I appreciated most about both books was how different they were while still giving our readers memorable characters, exciting adventures & meaningful conversations. One delivered dark fantasy with monsters & courage, while the other offered a hilarious space adventure packed with mythology & heart. Watching our young readers light up during our discussion reminded me exactly why I love sharing books with kids.

⭐ Both books earned enthusiastic recommendations from our Young Readers Book Club & we'd happily hand either one to adventurous middle grade readers looking for their next great read.

✨️ Thank you, Simon Kids, Olivia Abtahi & Jessica Khoury, for sharing these books with us!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the middle grade label fool you - this book is enjoyable to readers of any age.

Monster and Apprentice is as close to perfect as any novel I've read in a while. Character development, world-building, pacing, plot - all are incredibly strong. Rolan is a mischievous, clever boy who lives on the streets. Best friend Anaya roamed the streets with him until she became an apprentice for local apothecary Evaine, who feeds and clothes Rolan when he'll accept help. Underneath Rolan's tough outer shell is a boy who wishes more than anything to be loved and wanted, but his crime boss father only shows up when he needs something from his son. Rolan is on his way to prison when Luc, the Arcanist who battles Cryptic monsters, offers to take him on as an apprentice. Between years behind bars or battling monsters, Rolan chooses the monsters.

I loved watching Rolan and Luc get to know each other. Their relationship is full of highs and lows, and it's the heart of the story. A boy who's looking for someone who cares, and a man who hasn't cared about anyone in years - they need each other more than they know. Luc teaches Rolan important qualities such as honor, courage, truth, and bravery, traits Rolan never learned from his father. He also trains Rolan to destroy Cryptids, beasts created from secrets people hide. The bigger the secret, the more terrifying the monster. But Luc is holding onto some of his own, and secrets always come to light sooner or later.

Emphasizing friendship and found family, Khoury has crafted a beautiful story that may occasionally bring a tear to your eye. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy heartwarming, action-paced fantasies, incredibly well-rounded characters, and challenging mentor/mentee dynamics.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Ave · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received by NetGalley

Don’t let the middle‑grade label fool you, this story is packed with action, heart, and surprisingly complex characters that make it enjoyable for readers of any age.
I had a great time reading this book and I’m already excited to see what the author publishes next. Rolan, a young thief surviving on the streets, suddenly finds himself with an unexpected apprenticeship that launches him into an adventure full of danger, lessons, and meaningful choices.
The characters are impressively well‑rounded, and I appreciated how each one contributed something important to the story. The writing is engaging and easy to follow, making it perfect for younger readers while still being entertaining for adults. I never found myself bored. The pacing stays tight and the action keeps you invested.
One of my favorite elements was the mentor/mentee dynamic. Watching their relationship develop added emotional depth. Also, i loved how the theme of honesty was woven into the story.
Overall, this is a heartwarming, action‑packed fantasy that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, especially those looking for a story that balances adventure with meaningful character growth.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ When I realized it wasn't a portal or urban fantasy or urban, I jumped right into it.

Super cool concept of magic and world building. A young thief finds his path to be the apprentice of a hunter of magical creatures (monsters) that are born by from secrets kept and secrets that can harm, but nor all are dark. Rolan learns to see the bigger picture and to think more than himself and his character development is great, so is the world and secondary characters' story.

Has a lot of hilarious moments (don't feed apples to the horse), beware of Supper (the goat). Rlonan's thoughts and commentaries are perfect to balance the darkness abd emotional. Definitely want this to be a series and can't wait for the next one. Easy to visualize, also wished it was an RPG I could play.

The master is grumpy and a lonely knight hurt by the past, but Rolan is a great healer.

Has a hint of cozy but with a lot of action as well. We written, full of elements that are fantasy adventure favorites without feeling derivative of one specific work.

[Hele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The protagonist, Rolan, stands out for his recklessness and sarcastic comments, which will end up leading him into more than one problem. His attitude sometimes exasperates the reader and most of the other characters. However, beneath the surface lies a child yearning for love and acceptance. The secondary characters are also very well written, from Luc to Rolan's father; they all possess nuances that enrich the story.

The world-building and magic system immediately captivated me. The idea of ​​the darkest, deepest secrets transforming into monsters is quite original. On the other hand, I felt the pace was a little slow, some chapters lacking that tension and intrigue that makes you want to continue. The final events were unnecessarily drawn out, making the ending predictable.

Overall, this was an enganging read that I would recommend to middle grade readers. Thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via Netgalley.

[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.

[Ranjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and finished reading this yesterday.

Don’t let the YA label fool you — Monster and Apprentice is the kind of fantasy that pulls adult readers in just as deeply. The world-building is richly imagined, the monster mythology is genuinely inventive, and the characters carry real emotional weight.

What sets this apart is the characterization. Nearly every major character feels fully inhabited — complex yet driven by emotions that actually make sense. At the heart of it all is the relationship between Rolan and his gruff mentor Luc: reluctant, layered, and beautifully rendered. The grumpy mentor / unwilling mentee dynamic is a familiar one, but Khoury earns every beat of it against a convincing and unique backdrop.

A coming-of-age story with depth, warmth, and genuine craft. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author kindly provided my daughter with an advanced copy of her newest book, Monster and Apprentice. Here’s her honest review:
Jessica Khoury's new book “Monster and Apprentice” was a great book about a young boy who goes to live as an apprentice with someone named Luc. The two learn to interact with each other and end up developing a very special bond. The main character Rolin is a scrappy street smart who’s best friend Anaya is slowly drifting away from him. What I loved about this book is the relationship between characters and how every part of the story is so well written. If you love fantasies and adventure books then this book may easily become your favorite book like it did mine. I am a 12 year old reader in the 6th grade, and I think this book is great for all age groups, including my mom.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Picked the best 1st netgalley book!.
I really didnt know what was coming next.
Rolan grew up with his dad as a bad influence. A thief and liar. He didnt know love until he met Luc which took him in and showed him how to read, bathe and mostly kept food in his stomach. He later has to make a decision of staying with his true family"PA" , or realizing hes better off with Luc. He takes a oath to fight the cryptics which is a lot more then using his sword and acting brave.
He learns real love and realizes a lot of people care and love him more then he realizes.

This is a good middle grade book to read in class or even at home.
Books like these I wish I had taken the time in school to read. Its a lot harder reading with a full time job and responsibilities now.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fantasy story this one one started off with the slow build of world building which Khoury is fantastic at. I loved the idea of secrets becoming monsters. This book is more character driven than plot driven so it’s a slow build of action. Khoury takes time to develop her characters into fully fleshed out people who care deeply for. The action picks up at the mid way point and , in combination with the character development, it had me tearing up by the end. I almost gave up on this book because of the slower moving plot but I’m really glad I didn’t. The cover will sell this one to my students but I will have to encourage them to keep reading. But man is it beautifully written.

[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.

[Jenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received this book as an ARC!

I read this with my 12 and 9 year old daughters. They loved it! They loved the humor especially, and overall really enjoyed the story. And of course, they want to know if a second book is coming out!

From an adult perspective this was really such a great book with lots of lessons: family isn’t always blood, secrets can hurt people, and it’s important to own up to mistakes.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

People state you can’t judge a book by its cover. Codswallop. You absolutely can judge a book by its cover. The contents just might not live up to expectations.

But this book comes with fangs on the front and back covers—and on the foredges! It’s delightfully creepy, exactly the type of cover to appeal to your budding little goth girl or boy. It certainly drew my attention.

Within, the novel takes us down dark and winding paths as a young boy finds a most unusual education, father and a surrogate family and a truly terrifying tank of a man learns what it means to pursue justice, redemption and vengeance. Rolan Strider has the name of a hero, the cheekiness and verbosity of a rogue and the makings of a paladin. He’s ably matched by a healer and her apprentice, his former partner-in-crime Anaya. If these tropes seem like something out of a Dungeons &Dragons campaign, well, so be it.

There is also the not-so-subtle subtext about the dangers of keeping ugly secrets. They have a way of coming to light, bringing shame, disaster and the condemnation of the neighbors. Truly horrific secrets bring truly horrific consequences and often come home to roost.

This story brims with action, terror, magic, conspiracies, questing, good old-fashioned weapon play and fantastic storytelling. I recommend it for children, adolescents and adults who crave a different kind of monster slaying. The ending also hints heavily that there may be sequels in the offing. This quester certainly wouldn’t mind.

[Jordyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from Jessica Khoury on Instagram.

This was so good! There aren't enough middle grade fantasy books with male protagonists and this one checks all the boxes. I'm such a sucker for the found family trope. Will be recommending this to readers once it comes out!

[Mike Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my 11yo daughter: "I really loved your book, Jessica! It was really well-written and thoughtful, with lots of humor and adventure. I loved all the different characters you created for it, and all the twists and turns in the story. Overall, AMAZING job! I'm sure Monster and Apprentice will be a bestseller. :) "

[Jillian Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The main character, Rolan Strider, was incredibly well-developed and enjoyable to read about. This heartwarming story was full of twists and turns that made it nearly impossible to put the book down, while also perfectly creating a theme of found family.

On top of that, the magical world is developed and carefully put together, making it easy to become engrossed in the story. Monster and Apprentice was a pure joy to read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves uplifting stories about bravery and courage.

[Carley Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't even remember why i had this one on hold at the library, but wow, it was so enjoyable! the concept of secrets literally growing claws and teeth and eventually coming back to stalk the secret keeper is such a cool idea.

it was quick, fun, with some really endearing emotional parts as well. i loved the found family aspect.

[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.

[MidKnightess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that melted my heart. I found the main character to be very relatable and realistic. This book deals with abuse, greed, grief, and finding self worth. A found family sorta book and I adored it.

[Veray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting world where the power of secrets is found in monsters. I loved the characters and the fun whimsy of the narrator. There are lots of twists and turns and a sweet ending.

[Heather Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5, another solid read by one of my fave authors!