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Empty Monsters
Aden Onnery is the eldest son of a family of midwives who use their power to eradicate magic. As a boy, he was never meant to take on the Onnery mantle, but an accident of birth has left him marked and strange. His whole life he has believed that the Onnerys destroy the monsters that will bring the end of his people, until he is forced to enter into a bargain with a magical survivor.
In order to save his sister from the harsh law of the colonial powers, Aden chooses to enter the world outside his experience and go against everything he has been taught to believe. He must help save the very thing his family are meant to exterminate—a magical lineage in his people. In doing so, Aden will confront the truth that the monsters are his own family.
EMPTY MONSTERS weaves magic, family, and love into a bitter tonic about growing up and accepting that even the best intentions can exact a terrible price, and love is never simple.
In order to save his sister from the harsh law of the colonial powers, Aden chooses to enter the world outside his experience and go against everything he has been taught to believe. He must help save the very thing his family are meant to exterminate—a magical lineage in his people. In doing so, Aden will confront the truth that the monsters are his own family.
EMPTY MONSTERS weaves magic, family, and love into a bitter tonic about growing up and accepting that even the best intentions can exact a terrible price, and love is never simple.
- GenresFantasy
404 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2018
3 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Cat Hellisen
45 books276 followersPresumably a person, occasionally a table.
I write stories.
I write stories.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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February 21, 2018I edited a draft of this book, so no rating. But ohmigod this one really hit the mark with me. Then again, I'm a huge-ass fan of the Hobverse books. To be able to work on them makes me even happier.
March 7, 2018
I loved this book and didn't want it to end! I was getting really angsty watching the percentage meter creep towards 100% on my Kindle because I wanted - NEEDED - more of this world and these characters!
Empty Monsters isn't your typical swashbuckling, sword-and-sorcery style fantasy. It's quiet and introspective, more character study than adventure, and that's what made it so refreshing. It also has a unique setting which smacks of South Africa lending the story additional flavours.
As for the characters, they are all complex and complicated, real and flawed, often acting on their own selfish desires rather than with any sense of heroic altruism. I actually really appreciated that this story didn't have a traditional or typical 'hero' figure at its helm. The characters are all very relatable and I can't wait to spend more time with them (dear author, hope you're reading this and already writing the next book!).
The story is also delightfully queer while exploring the concept of family, the one we're born into and the one we choose for ourselves. This was another refreshing aspect of the story and one I've rarely (if ever) seen explored in fantasy in this way.
Overall, I think this book was an excellent read with lush prose, rich world-building and superb character development. I would happily reread this and read everything set in this universe. I can only hope there will be more books in this series, and soon!
Empty Monsters isn't your typical swashbuckling, sword-and-sorcery style fantasy. It's quiet and introspective, more character study than adventure, and that's what made it so refreshing. It also has a unique setting which smacks of South Africa lending the story additional flavours.
As for the characters, they are all complex and complicated, real and flawed, often acting on their own selfish desires rather than with any sense of heroic altruism. I actually really appreciated that this story didn't have a traditional or typical 'hero' figure at its helm. The characters are all very relatable and I can't wait to spend more time with them (dear author, hope you're reading this and already writing the next book!).
The story is also delightfully queer while exploring the concept of family, the one we're born into and the one we choose for ourselves. This was another refreshing aspect of the story and one I've rarely (if ever) seen explored in fantasy in this way.
Overall, I think this book was an excellent read with lush prose, rich world-building and superb character development. I would happily reread this and read everything set in this universe. I can only hope there will be more books in this series, and soon!
March 3, 2018
Enjoyed this so so much. Am ready to get into the Hobverse now.
It's a long book, but you certainly don't feel it at all. You get swept up into it all. This is a tale of family ties, hi-jinks, long plans and magic. There's moments of break your heart anguish, some laughs and a world full of flawed, complex and wonderful people.
Gil and Ade forever.
It's a long book, but you certainly don't feel it at all. You get swept up into it all. This is a tale of family ties, hi-jinks, long plans and magic. There's moments of break your heart anguish, some laughs and a world full of flawed, complex and wonderful people.
Gil and Ade forever.
May 10, 2018
Ade lives in a world where there is no magic left for the low class people. He is the descendant from a cast of women who erase magic from babies when they are born; but Ade is not appropriate for this job, because he is a man.
Tabeth is one of those children who were born with magic, but she never encountered the woman who should have robbed her magic and given it to the river. Tabeth is not safe. She has to hide her magic and try to hide herself from those who want magic only for the upper class.
"Empty Monsters" is a coming of age novel about a young man who knows nothing about the world, and a woman who knows too much.
Ade and Tabeth lives will intertwine in a journey to discover their true nature and to awaken a new future for those who suffer oppression.
The story has convoluted ways of telling us that everybody is different and we need to find our own way, no matter how broken we feel inside: one of the reasons I like it so much.
The characters are full of flaws. Tabeth is selfish and manipulative, but she has to be if she wants to survive in a world that doesn’t allow her class to even grow beyond birth.
Ade, on the other hand, is loyal and naïve. He cares for his family and tries to honor his debts, which means he will have to chose his loyalties and call into question his close relation with his mother.
I was gratefully surprised with this novel. I didn’t expect such a well developed world, and so different from classic fantasy novels. Instead of feeding on the classic elves and dwarfs, Cat Hellisen has developed a world of her own, where I can see traces of the apartheid in a fantasy world that is full, rounded, with subtle details that only a seasoned author can develop.
No wonder, when I did more research about the author,I discovered Hellisen has written other novels in this universe. They are now on my reading list.
This fantasy world has a life of its own. It has rich imagery, and a hierarchical society with complex hereditary laws. A world full of strange traditions, magic, ruling classes and people who are deprived even of their own minds just to render them powerless. But this world is breaking apart under the wave of change coming for everybody.
Cat Hellisen has created not only a beautiful story, but a great one. It starts slowly, giving time to taste the nuances of the characters, and grows in tension to build a storm that threatens to drown all the characters, and the reader.
The imagery is great, the world is original. It has LGBTQ themes, subtly engraved in the story. I cannot ask more from a novel. In fact, it has much more than I could expect. Hellisen has become one of my favourite authors.
Tabeth is one of those children who were born with magic, but she never encountered the woman who should have robbed her magic and given it to the river. Tabeth is not safe. She has to hide her magic and try to hide herself from those who want magic only for the upper class.
"Empty Monsters" is a coming of age novel about a young man who knows nothing about the world, and a woman who knows too much.
Ade and Tabeth lives will intertwine in a journey to discover their true nature and to awaken a new future for those who suffer oppression.
The story has convoluted ways of telling us that everybody is different and we need to find our own way, no matter how broken we feel inside: one of the reasons I like it so much.
The characters are full of flaws. Tabeth is selfish and manipulative, but she has to be if she wants to survive in a world that doesn’t allow her class to even grow beyond birth.
Ade, on the other hand, is loyal and naïve. He cares for his family and tries to honor his debts, which means he will have to chose his loyalties and call into question his close relation with his mother.
I was gratefully surprised with this novel. I didn’t expect such a well developed world, and so different from classic fantasy novels. Instead of feeding on the classic elves and dwarfs, Cat Hellisen has developed a world of her own, where I can see traces of the apartheid in a fantasy world that is full, rounded, with subtle details that only a seasoned author can develop.
No wonder, when I did more research about the author,I discovered Hellisen has written other novels in this universe. They are now on my reading list.
This fantasy world has a life of its own. It has rich imagery, and a hierarchical society with complex hereditary laws. A world full of strange traditions, magic, ruling classes and people who are deprived even of their own minds just to render them powerless. But this world is breaking apart under the wave of change coming for everybody.
Cat Hellisen has created not only a beautiful story, but a great one. It starts slowly, giving time to taste the nuances of the characters, and grows in tension to build a storm that threatens to drown all the characters, and the reader.
The imagery is great, the world is original. It has LGBTQ themes, subtly engraved in the story. I cannot ask more from a novel. In fact, it has much more than I could expect. Hellisen has become one of my favourite authors.
i-wrote-this
December 28, 2019I wrote it, so no review or rating.
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April 8, 2018~That was the thing with Lammers, they were so milky they soaked up all the things they felt and let it stain them.~
~It all seemed dreary, this back and forth over love. She liked a good fuck, and she knew men who'd oblige her when she'd the need, but she'd not allow distraction. It was, from what she could tell, a painful and idiotic occupation, love.~
~Here in the Central Sharif Station the low-Lammers and Hobs got the right to speak their piece, and then the right to shut up and accept whatever the sentence was.~
~What was there to a girl using a boy? It happened all the time the other way around. And we hate them for it.~
~Maybe we are not moths beating ourselves stupid in a jar at all, maybe we are birds. A scream of widders, foretellings and warnings.~
~It all seemed dreary, this back and forth over love. She liked a good fuck, and she knew men who'd oblige her when she'd the need, but she'd not allow distraction. It was, from what she could tell, a painful and idiotic occupation, love.~
~Here in the Central Sharif Station the low-Lammers and Hobs got the right to speak their piece, and then the right to shut up and accept whatever the sentence was.~
~What was there to a girl using a boy? It happened all the time the other way around. And we hate them for it.~
~Maybe we are not moths beating ourselves stupid in a jar at all, maybe we are birds. A scream of widders, foretellings and warnings.~
May 28, 2019
Excellent book
Empty Monsters is a standalone story about colonialism, subjugation, magic, relationships, and most of all, about people. People that you want to like, but can’t always. People that lie, to others and to themselves, and know they’re lying, and sometimes try to justify it, and sometimes don’t. People that are complex, and have bad things happen to them, and sometimes it’s their fault and sometimes it isn’t. People who are capable of great self-interest, but also guilt for it, and compassion. The writing is atmospheric, and draws one into the story and world quite well. There are occasional typos, and occasional cases of perspective flips, but these were few and easy to gloss over. The world is rich, and poor, and marshy, and hot and dry, and interesting. Magic is real, tangible and electric. In short, this book is great.
Readers who like characters that are conflicted people, who feel real and fallible will find plenty here. Those looking for a character-driven story would enjoy this one. People who enjoy stories about relationships - romantic, platonic, or familial - should check this one out. There was more romance in this book than I expected, so if that goes against your preferences, be forewarned. That said, I found it very well done; and though there are some explicit sex scenes, I didn’t find it gratuitous or overdone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was invested in the characters, intrigued by the magic, affronted by the injustices of the world, and engaged by the writing. I would certainly recommend this book.
Empty Monsters is a standalone story about colonialism, subjugation, magic, relationships, and most of all, about people. People that you want to like, but can’t always. People that lie, to others and to themselves, and know they’re lying, and sometimes try to justify it, and sometimes don’t. People that are complex, and have bad things happen to them, and sometimes it’s their fault and sometimes it isn’t. People who are capable of great self-interest, but also guilt for it, and compassion. The writing is atmospheric, and draws one into the story and world quite well. There are occasional typos, and occasional cases of perspective flips, but these were few and easy to gloss over. The world is rich, and poor, and marshy, and hot and dry, and interesting. Magic is real, tangible and electric. In short, this book is great.
Readers who like characters that are conflicted people, who feel real and fallible will find plenty here. Those looking for a character-driven story would enjoy this one. People who enjoy stories about relationships - romantic, platonic, or familial - should check this one out. There was more romance in this book than I expected, so if that goes against your preferences, be forewarned. That said, I found it very well done; and though there are some explicit sex scenes, I didn’t find it gratuitous or overdone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was invested in the characters, intrigued by the magic, affronted by the injustices of the world, and engaged by the writing. I would certainly recommend this book.
April 10, 2018
I very much enjoyed this. Like, had to make myself turn off the lamp and go to sleep enjoyed it.
It was great to get back to the Hobverse world and the magic and authenticity of it. Great to see the worldbuilding expand and have roots. Great to read these flawed, unique characters and Hellisen's dreamy writing juxtaposed with stark truths.
It was great to get back to the Hobverse world and the magic and authenticity of it. Great to see the worldbuilding expand and have roots. Great to read these flawed, unique characters and Hellisen's dreamy writing juxtaposed with stark truths.
April 24, 2018
Pregnancy, childbirth, and the difficulties of motherhood are not often covered in any great depth in fantasy books, where mothers usually just give birth to the Chosen One and then die so they are conveniently out of the way of the story. So it was really refreshing to read a book dealing with these topics with raw honesty (plus magic). I also don't think I've ever read any book with a male midwife as the main character before.
This book is sometimes dark and twisted, with multiple levels of deceit and betrayal, but with just enough leavening of humour and optimism to stop it sliding into 'grimdark' territory. The actual plot is relatively small-scale but very much feels like part of something bigger - and the world feels much bigger than what we see in the story.
The writing is vivid and very readable, and the characters are very strongly drawn and sympathetic (well, most of them). For me this loses a star for two reasons: 1) there were some typos which I found a distraction (nitpicking I know but I do find these things throw me out of a story); 2) the part when Ade threw me out of sympathy with him, and imho he didn't do enough to redeem himself by the end of the story.
This book is sometimes dark and twisted, with multiple levels of deceit and betrayal, but with just enough leavening of humour and optimism to stop it sliding into 'grimdark' territory. The actual plot is relatively small-scale but very much feels like part of something bigger - and the world feels much bigger than what we see in the story.
The writing is vivid and very readable, and the characters are very strongly drawn and sympathetic (well, most of them). For me this loses a star for two reasons: 1) there were some typos which I found a distraction (nitpicking I know but I do find these things throw me out of a story); 2) the part when Ade threw me out of sympathy with him, and imho he didn't do enough to redeem himself by the end of the story.
May 29, 2019
When you read a lot, a book with intriguing magic and unique characters is a joy. The world-building and people drew me in, and the story held me fast. I loved the relationships between family and found-family, as well as the lovers and longings.
There were more typos than I prefer, and I find that happens more with ebooks for some reason. I would buy this in hardback for the shelves, as I think it was entertaining and deep enough to enjoy as a re-read.
There were more typos than I prefer, and I find that happens more with ebooks for some reason. I would buy this in hardback for the shelves, as I think it was entertaining and deep enough to enjoy as a re-read.
March 15, 2018
It was such a delight to fall back into this world. I want to write all the smart things about this book but my brain is bursting with "IT'S JUST SO GOOD!" and other incoherent things. Cat's writing has never disappointed me. Took this book slow because I wanted it to last but could have easily devoured it in a day.
May 29, 2019
I did really enjoy reading this book, and was interested in how the magic system was explained (and what is yet to potentially be explained), but did wonder about what the second of the two key relationships really added to the story. I did also have questions in my mind about at what age it started... I may not have done the maths properly.
Hopefully all will become clear in future books!
Hopefully all will become clear in future books!
April 5, 2022
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book after not enjoying or fully understanding Beastkeeper. I had already bought both and I am glad I read this one as I enjoyed it much more. African fantasy at its finest.
June 9, 2018
Who, what a story! With deep insight into Ade's character, the story builds intense pressure to the unexpected ending.
September 17, 2018
Excellent. This book takes place in years prior to the events of When the Sea is Rising Red and House of Sand and Secrets, and in my opinion, it's even better.
May 5, 2019
An iconoclastic coming of age story that could only have found a voice though self publication. And very lucky are we to have it too!
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. SHOW THIS BOOK TO YOUR FRIENDS!!
A wonderfully original tale of a post magic, post war world, where a young man must confront his family's dark history as well as his own burgeoning independence. So many themes are at play here that in the hands of a less confident writer they could become muddled and lose their focus, but not Cat, who effortlessly juggles multiple balls and never loses the readers attention.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this novel and was completely blown away it. I look forward to more stories set in this universe.
If you're hunting for an original voice then look no further than Empty Monsters.
Oh and one last thing: Ade and Gil 4ever!
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. SHOW THIS BOOK TO YOUR FRIENDS!!
A wonderfully original tale of a post magic, post war world, where a young man must confront his family's dark history as well as his own burgeoning independence. So many themes are at play here that in the hands of a less confident writer they could become muddled and lose their focus, but not Cat, who effortlessly juggles multiple balls and never loses the readers attention.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this novel and was completely blown away it. I look forward to more stories set in this universe.
If you're hunting for an original voice then look no further than Empty Monsters.
Oh and one last thing: Ade and Gil 4ever!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews