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The Rules #2
Monster of the Week
Spring semester of Bridger Whitt’s senior year of high school is looking great. He has the perfect boyfriend, a stellar best friend, and an acceptance letter to college. He also has this incredible job as an assistant to Pavel Chudinov, an intermediary tasked with helping cryptids navigate the modern world. His days are filled with kisses, laughs, pixies, and the occasional unicorn. Life is awesome. But as graduation draws near, Bridger’s perfect life begins to unravel. Uncertainties about his future surface, his estranged dad shows up out of nowhere, and, perhaps worst of all, a monster-hunting television show arrives in town to investigate the series of strange events from last fall. The show’s intrepid host will not be deterred, and Bridger finds himself trapped in a game of cat and mouse that could very well put the myth world at risk. Again.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2019
42 people are currently reading
1302 people want to read
About the author
F.T. Lukens
13 books3,669 followersF.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YA speculative fiction including the novels Otherworldly, Spell Bound, So This Is Ever After (2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist; 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee), In Deeper Waters (2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist; Junior Library Guild Selection), and the forthcoming Love at Second Sight (2025) as well as other science-fiction and fantasy works. F.T. resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
October 20, 2019
Okay, it's official, I've ADORED pretty much everything about this quirky AF series. : )
In this second installment, Bridger's life was starting to fall into place, with a boyfriend, a best friend, and a chosen family that he truly cared about, and was equally cared for in return.
Although Bridger still possessed a penchant for not knowing when to shut the hell up, getting himself into sticky situations, with both paranormals and humans, he had begun to mature and think before he took dangerous leaps. Mostly, but he was still Bridger, so... you know.
[Bridger...]
But Bridger's mostly-ordered existence got turned on its ear when supernatural journalist Summer Lore arrived in his hometown to overturn a whole bunch of stones that Bridger and his boss, Pavel, needed to stay out of the public eye to ensure the safety of the "Myths".
Unlike the first book, which was chaotic start to finish, the actual action in this story was limited to only a few occasions of what I'd term actually as "action".
Instead, there was a lot about Bridger's high school life, his 18th birthday, his impending graduation, and his continuing relationship with his boyfriend, Leo. I didn't really mind, and never found myself bored, but I wouldn't have frowned on a tiny bit more action being included.
[Leo...]
One aspect of the book that truly worked for me was the drama introduced by the return of Bridger's decade-long-absent dad, what that ultimately meant to the abandoned son, and how Pavel , there at a moment's notice, quite literally anytime that Bridger might need him.
If I had to pick a least favorite aspect of both books, it would be the limited amount of on-page time that Bridger and Leo spent with one another. Both of their schedules were hectic, but I freaking *craved* to see them spend their days living out of one another's pockets, but alas.
A close second least favorite would be how the book ended with a wishful HEA, but realistic HFN, as : (
These were two fairly minor niggles, though, allowing me to still thoroughly enjoy the series. However, that still doesn't stop me from praying that there is at least one more book to come, that would hopefully cement Bridger and Leo's romance into "Forever And Ever" territory.
Overall, the angst was manageable and the one steamy scene was totally off-page, so we didn't get to witness Bridger becoming less "unicorn-friendly", as he himself would put it.
I'd rate this second book at around 4.25 stars and highly recommend it to any lovers of M/M YA fantasy stories.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
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December 31, 2021
rep: bi mc with anxiety, Latino (half-Puerto Rican) gay li, sapphic side character, Easter European side character
tw: panic attacks, absent parent, homophobia
ARC provided by the publisher.
First of all, I have to admit I was not aware this is a second part of series, but even so - it was a pleasant read & I don’t feel like my lack of knowledge diminished it in any way. I probably will read the first book, though, because I love those characters now.
Monster of the Week ticks off all the right boxes for me, so I have to go through them one by one before this turns into a three-page long rambling nonsense.
(1) The found family trope! Bridger (the mc) has an excellent group of friends & loved ones who care about him and who come together for him. It’s truly amazing. But I also want to point out that (1.a) it melts into an almost actual family, with Bridger’s boss being a beautiful father figure for him.
(2) The narrative addresses that! More than once, and especially in a scene with Bridger’s biological dad. It was superb! So not only do we get multiple parent characters, be it bio or not, but they also show different ideas on parenting. And the book is very clear on which ones are appreciated. It highlights how important supportive parents are for kids, which is not something we see a lot of in YA lit. The same goes for extended family and this loving environment is shown time and time again.
(3) The book is pretty great in terms of diversity. I really love that Bridger is bisexual and that the word pops out on the page all the time and that there are a few discussions about what it means to be bi. And love even more that he’s in a committed relationship through the whole book. None of that ‘bi people are flaky & inconstant’ bulshit here!
(4) Speaking of Bridger’s relationship, another thing I adored is the importance put on consent! He and his boyfriend have multiple conversations about whether or not they’re ready to have sex & each time they’re framed as totally natural and just the thing that should be happening. They also just generally talk a lot and constantly support each other. It’s incredible to see a healthy relationship that screams it’s based on a friendship.
(5) This book is so funny!! It’s my exact type of humour, which might not work for everyone, but so what. It reminds me of Buffy a bit in that department and has that very distinctive vibe of “Where are you getting your juice? / My mother is doing all the shopping”.
Monster of the Week is a wild ride, with unicorns and pixies, and werewolves, and boyfriends who are baseball stars, and inside jokes between friends. It’s utterly optimistic and gives you so much hope without feeling like it’s trying too hard.
tw: panic attacks, absent parent, homophobia
ARC provided by the publisher.
First of all, I have to admit I was not aware this is a second part of series, but even so - it was a pleasant read & I don’t feel like my lack of knowledge diminished it in any way. I probably will read the first book, though, because I love those characters now.
Monster of the Week ticks off all the right boxes for me, so I have to go through them one by one before this turns into a three-page long rambling nonsense.
(1) The found family trope! Bridger (the mc) has an excellent group of friends & loved ones who care about him and who come together for him. It’s truly amazing. But I also want to point out that (1.a) it melts into an almost actual family, with Bridger’s boss being a beautiful father figure for him.
(2) The narrative addresses that! More than once, and especially in a scene with Bridger’s biological dad. It was superb! So not only do we get multiple parent characters, be it bio or not, but they also show different ideas on parenting. And the book is very clear on which ones are appreciated. It highlights how important supportive parents are for kids, which is not something we see a lot of in YA lit. The same goes for extended family and this loving environment is shown time and time again.
(3) The book is pretty great in terms of diversity. I really love that Bridger is bisexual and that the word pops out on the page all the time and that there are a few discussions about what it means to be bi. And love even more that he’s in a committed relationship through the whole book. None of that ‘bi people are flaky & inconstant’ bulshit here!
(4) Speaking of Bridger’s relationship, another thing I adored is the importance put on consent! He and his boyfriend have multiple conversations about whether or not they’re ready to have sex & each time they’re framed as totally natural and just the thing that should be happening. They also just generally talk a lot and constantly support each other. It’s incredible to see a healthy relationship that screams it’s based on a friendship.
(5) This book is so funny!! It’s my exact type of humour, which might not work for everyone, but so what. It reminds me of Buffy a bit in that department and has that very distinctive vibe of “Where are you getting your juice? / My mother is doing all the shopping”.
Monster of the Week is a wild ride, with unicorns and pixies, and werewolves, and boyfriends who are baseball stars, and inside jokes between friends. It’s utterly optimistic and gives you so much hope without feeling like it’s trying too hard.
November 24, 2021
As with the first book, the plot itself is the weakest part of this story. Otherwise, pleasant writing and characters, positive messages, fun setting.
In addition to suffering from a rather contrived feel ("Oh, I can make character Y do the obviously moronic thing to make the plot move the way I need" is a big writing no-no in my book) I was disappointed by a couple early-introduced elements that basically ended up going nowhere.
But it was nice to see the gang again.
In addition to suffering from a rather contrived feel ("Oh, I can make character Y do the obviously moronic thing to make the plot move the way I need" is a big writing no-no in my book) I was disappointed by a couple early-introduced elements that basically ended up going nowhere.
But it was nice to see the gang again.
June 3, 2019
Very pleased to be the first review for this book!
After receiving this galley at BookCon on Saturday, I knew this was the first ARC I had to dig into. I read Rules and Regulations last summer, so I was very eager to pick up the sequel. Thank you to Interlude/Duet and F.T. Lukens for providing the ARC! This book was excellent! I did not want to finish it. The world of Bridger and co. is so charming. It isn't a perfect world, but it's an interesting take on cryptids. I loved the theme of found family running throughout the book. The dialogue is very teen-ish, but its very witty, Bridger definitely made me laugh a few times with his snark. The romance was beautiful. I kind of wished there'd been more of Leo in the book, as he played a much more secondary role in this book compared to the first, but it is a short novel so there is only so much page space.
Overall though, I really loved this book and recommend to anyone who wants a good LGBT fantasy.
After receiving this galley at BookCon on Saturday, I knew this was the first ARC I had to dig into. I read Rules and Regulations last summer, so I was very eager to pick up the sequel. Thank you to Interlude/Duet and F.T. Lukens for providing the ARC! This book was excellent! I did not want to finish it. The world of Bridger and co. is so charming. It isn't a perfect world, but it's an interesting take on cryptids. I loved the theme of found family running throughout the book. The dialogue is very teen-ish, but its very witty, Bridger definitely made me laugh a few times with his snark. The romance was beautiful. I kind of wished there'd been more of Leo in the book, as he played a much more secondary role in this book compared to the first, but it is a short novel so there is only so much page space.
Overall though, I really loved this book and recommend to anyone who wants a good LGBT fantasy.
January 19, 2023
Fabulous & different follow up to the first book. This is not a standalone.
Bridger grows up (a little)
More monsters
More feels
Love this series!
YA
Sexy times off the page
Bridger grows up (a little)
More monsters
More feels
Love this series!
YA
Sexy times off the page
October 15, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Let me begin by saying that if you have not read F.T. Lukens’ first novel, The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths and Magics, then this second book in The Rules series, Monster of the Week, will not make a great deal of sense to you as it evolves naturally from the first installment. Also, my review may contain spoilers about the first story in the series, so please be forewarned.
Bridger, Leo, Astrid, Pavel, Elena, Nia, and Bran are all back and I couldn’t be happier. Once again F.T. Lukens weaves a special kind of magic in creating a fast-paced novel full of uniquely magical creatures, well-meaning but fumbling teenagers, and one marvelous wizard who keeps everyone safe in his own stumbling way. Our pixies, Nia and Bran, are still running their strange cosmetics line with Bridger fetching the much needed unicorn poop and other strange ingredients for them. They are just as sassy and secretive as before, yet they obviously love Bridger and will influence his life in a very real way before story’s end.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Let me begin by saying that if you have not read F.T. Lukens’ first novel, The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths and Magics, then this second book in The Rules series, Monster of the Week, will not make a great deal of sense to you as it evolves naturally from the first installment. Also, my review may contain spoilers about the first story in the series, so please be forewarned.
Bridger, Leo, Astrid, Pavel, Elena, Nia, and Bran are all back and I couldn’t be happier. Once again F.T. Lukens weaves a special kind of magic in creating a fast-paced novel full of uniquely magical creatures, well-meaning but fumbling teenagers, and one marvelous wizard who keeps everyone safe in his own stumbling way. Our pixies, Nia and Bran, are still running their strange cosmetics line with Bridger fetching the much needed unicorn poop and other strange ingredients for them. They are just as sassy and secretive as before, yet they obviously love Bridger and will influence his life in a very real way before story’s end.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
October 15, 2019
After finishing The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic with a smile on my face, I dove right into "Monster of the Week," looking forward to just as much cuteness and humor this time around.
"Monster" returns us to Bridger’s world when the ‘Monster of the Week’ TV show comes to film in Midden, putting the local myths and cryptids in danger of being outed. Meanwhile, another less-than-pleasant guest has returned to Bridger’s life...because of course things can’t go right, can they?, even for graduation!
As the second in the series, I expected (hoped) that "Monster" would take us deeper into the world of myths and find us a conflict with higher stakes now that all the characters have been established. After all, it had been the synopsis for "Monster," not "Rules," that had originally brought my attention to the series, and made me want to request it on Netgalley so badly .
Unfortunately, I’m no genie (or rather, I don’t have one at my disposal), and my wish did not come true. If anything we get less magic and mythology than we did in the first book and the stakes are the same, if not less tense.
Let’s break this down...
A quarter of the time in this book is spent catching us up on what happened in the first book, including details that we didn’t necessarily need to know. Although helpful for those who, unlike me, had to wait the full year to get back to Midden, it seemed a waste of page time.
Between these moments, half of the story focused on demonstrating how dang cute Leo and Bridger are together. Look at them be cutesy! Look at them snuggle! Look at them smooch!
I for sure ship Leo and Bridger, don’t get me wrong, but it got a bit too mushy for my taste, and although I love to see a happy and healthy relationship (and some messages about communication in relationships that would be great for YA readers!) I wished that there was something bringing tension or excitement to the story in these sections. I almost wished they would fight just for a little drama.
The last quarter is the actual guts of the novel. Just like in "The Rules" there are two conflicts, and just like the first, I found the secondary conflict much more interesting and tense than the main one. Summer Lore, the host of the ‘Monster of the Week’ show is too much of a dedicated-journalist caricature to feel like a real villain. I could never take her dialogue very seriously, partly because of her too-stereotypical mannerisms, and partly because her dialogue just sounded way younger (and whinier) than what I thought would fit her supposed age.
Also...can I just point out that the host of a monster show would probably not be an actual journalist, but an actress? And that whatever moral code she follows and skills she has are anything but what they teach in journalism school (trust me, I went!). A small aspect, sure, but one that consistently peeved me.
Even if I had thought of Lore as more of a threat, we end up having to wait for any type of real excitement and action until around Chapter 15, and by then we’re pretty close to the end.
But to be honest, none of this would have mattered that much to me if I still could have had the narration I liked so much in the first book. At times I got glimpses of that self-hating, sarcastic Bridger voice in between the cheesy God-I-love-Leo stuff, but there wasn’t nearly enough. His narration takes a backseat to a writing style that becomes much more summarizing than it was in "The Rules," a choice that ended up being the deciding factor in me really not enjoying this one as much as I wanted or expected to (or as much as "The Rules"). And I’m pretty sad about it!
I rated "Monster of the Week" 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Duet Books for the opportunity to read a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!
"Monster" returns us to Bridger’s world when the ‘Monster of the Week’ TV show comes to film in Midden, putting the local myths and cryptids in danger of being outed. Meanwhile, another less-than-pleasant guest has returned to Bridger’s life...because of course things can’t go right, can they?, even for graduation!
As the second in the series, I expected (hoped) that "Monster" would take us deeper into the world of myths and find us a conflict with higher stakes now that all the characters have been established. After all, it had been the synopsis for "Monster," not "Rules," that had originally brought my attention to the series, and made me want to request it on Netgalley so badly .
Unfortunately, I’m no genie (or rather, I don’t have one at my disposal), and my wish did not come true. If anything we get less magic and mythology than we did in the first book and the stakes are the same, if not less tense.
Let’s break this down...
A quarter of the time in this book is spent catching us up on what happened in the first book, including details that we didn’t necessarily need to know. Although helpful for those who, unlike me, had to wait the full year to get back to Midden, it seemed a waste of page time.
Between these moments, half of the story focused on demonstrating how dang cute Leo and Bridger are together. Look at them be cutesy! Look at them snuggle! Look at them smooch!
I for sure ship Leo and Bridger, don’t get me wrong, but it got a bit too mushy for my taste, and although I love to see a happy and healthy relationship (and some messages about communication in relationships that would be great for YA readers!) I wished that there was something bringing tension or excitement to the story in these sections. I almost wished they would fight just for a little drama.
The last quarter is the actual guts of the novel. Just like in "The Rules" there are two conflicts, and just like the first, I found the secondary conflict much more interesting and tense than the main one. Summer Lore, the host of the ‘Monster of the Week’ show is too much of a dedicated-journalist caricature to feel like a real villain. I could never take her dialogue very seriously, partly because of her too-stereotypical mannerisms, and partly because her dialogue just sounded way younger (and whinier) than what I thought would fit her supposed age.
Also...can I just point out that the host of a monster show would probably not be an actual journalist, but an actress? And that whatever moral code she follows and skills she has are anything but what they teach in journalism school (trust me, I went!). A small aspect, sure, but one that consistently peeved me.
Even if I had thought of Lore as more of a threat, we end up having to wait for any type of real excitement and action until around Chapter 15, and by then we’re pretty close to the end.
But to be honest, none of this would have mattered that much to me if I still could have had the narration I liked so much in the first book. At times I got glimpses of that self-hating, sarcastic Bridger voice in between the cheesy God-I-love-Leo stuff, but there wasn’t nearly enough. His narration takes a backseat to a writing style that becomes much more summarizing than it was in "The Rules," a choice that ended up being the deciding factor in me really not enjoying this one as much as I wanted or expected to (or as much as "The Rules"). And I’m pretty sad about it!
I rated "Monster of the Week" 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Duet Books for the opportunity to read a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 3, 2020
Very enjoyable, just like the first one. Bridger's a great character. This one is a bit different, in that it's more about Bridger figuring out his life and freaking out than it is an urban fantasy adventure. Pavel is back and is awesome again. Family is a big theme here and it's awesome when Bridger realises he can choose who his family is and he knows who *really* cares about him. I found this to be a quick, easy YA read. Another kickass cover in this series. There is a bit of mild homophobic talk and an on-page panic attack.
January 9, 2020
3.25 stars
Rather a disappointment after the first book. I loved the first one; truly a fun urban fantasy tale. This second one? Less urban fantasy and far more coming of age romcom. Far too much teenage angst for this reader. No interest being being trapped in a teenager’s mind.
Rather a disappointment after the first book. I loved the first one; truly a fun urban fantasy tale. This second one? Less urban fantasy and far more coming of age romcom. Far too much teenage angst for this reader. No interest being being trapped in a teenager’s mind.
February 22, 2022
F.T. Lukens doesn't disappoint and the sequel is as charming and adorable as the first book!
Bridger struggles with more supernatural and life issues, the blood family vs found family dilemma is wonderfully adressed, Bridger and Leo become even cuter and offer us some heartwarming scenes :)
Bridger struggles with more supernatural and life issues, the blood family vs found family dilemma is wonderfully adressed, Bridger and Leo become even cuter and offer us some heartwarming scenes :)
April 6, 2022
i loved this, it was very sweet and entertaining. it also ended really nice.
January 30, 2020
I stopped reading young adult books because I found them cheesy but this book made me excited about the genre again. Doesn’t take itself too seriously. Doesn’t try too hard to do anything another than tell an adorable ass tale. This is a witty, romantic, and exceedingly fun look at discovering one’s place in the world. Moral of this review: I had a really fun ass time reading this book. I usually have a lot of complaints but weirdly enough, I don’t ?
July 20, 2019
I’m gonna say it, and I don’t say it lightly: This is my new favorite series. And I haven’t said that since I was 10 and reading the Percy Jackson Books.
I’ll go one step further: this is my new favorite sequel. And I haven’t said that since what, Toy Story? Back to the Future? Dear god, I don’t even know.
I never leave long, full reviews like this but this is the first ARC I’ve had the pleasure of getting my hands on and finishing before the release date. Not to mention I met F. T. Lukens at BookCon and was NOT disappointed in her kindness, love, and excitement for her books.
If you’ve spoken to me at all this summer about books you know this series has been my end-all be-all. From the first book I fell in love with Bridger, Leo, and Astrid. Don’t even get me started on Pavel, Elena and the pixies (honestly? And Mindy. I said what I said). As Bridger began to call them family, I really did, too. The development of relationships in these books is gradual and unforced—sometimes even rocky. Lukens makes each character the perfect amount of flawed, which allows the interactions and struggles between them to be honest and realistic, despite the Unicorns in this universe.
Speaking of which, if you liked the magic and cryptids in the first book, the number of supernatural characters essentially doubles in the second book. I was worried it would feel forced—like the book was trying too hard to be cool and mystical. I never felt that though. Magical beings and cryptids were developed and individual beyond their titles of ghost or werewolf, turning them into realistic, holistic individuals. Their titles emphasize their personalities more than anything. Lukens is, dare I say, a mystical creature herself for being able to accomplish it so artfully.
On the back cover, the return of Bridger’s father is mentioned, so I’ll go into that a little as well. Lukens nailed it. Completely nailed it. The conversations between him and his father. His mother and his father. It’s all really spot on. So spot on, actually, I sometimes found myself startled by the similarities between it and my own life. And Bridger’s growth throughout the book surrounding the issue was genuinely inspiring. (Have I mentioned I love Bridger? I love Bridger.)
The reporter that is mentioned on the book’s back cover is just as ridiculous and annoying as you expect her to be. More so, even. I can’t decide if I loved to hate her or just hated her period, but she was a great villain. For sure. She had her goals and dimensions, no matter how badly I wanted to murder her.
And finally, lets talk about LGBT rep. Because it’s what lured me to this book in the first place. Bridger is the Disaster Bi representation I deserve as a Disaster Bi myself. He’s in a gay relationship, but is bisexual and certain of it, which is hard to find sometimes in Queer YA. The relationship between a white bisexual boy and a mixed, latino gay boy was... beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. Healthy queer relationships in YA forever. Lukens. Seriously. Tip-of-hat worthy.
So, to summarize, I’ll be the first to get my hands on book three if it ever comes out. Guaranteed. If there’s no book three, I’m so happy I got to love these characters. And you all definitely need to run and love them, too. Do not pass go. Do not collect two-hundred dollars.
I’ll go one step further: this is my new favorite sequel. And I haven’t said that since what, Toy Story? Back to the Future? Dear god, I don’t even know.
I never leave long, full reviews like this but this is the first ARC I’ve had the pleasure of getting my hands on and finishing before the release date. Not to mention I met F. T. Lukens at BookCon and was NOT disappointed in her kindness, love, and excitement for her books.
If you’ve spoken to me at all this summer about books you know this series has been my end-all be-all. From the first book I fell in love with Bridger, Leo, and Astrid. Don’t even get me started on Pavel, Elena and the pixies (honestly? And Mindy. I said what I said). As Bridger began to call them family, I really did, too. The development of relationships in these books is gradual and unforced—sometimes even rocky. Lukens makes each character the perfect amount of flawed, which allows the interactions and struggles between them to be honest and realistic, despite the Unicorns in this universe.
Speaking of which, if you liked the magic and cryptids in the first book, the number of supernatural characters essentially doubles in the second book. I was worried it would feel forced—like the book was trying too hard to be cool and mystical. I never felt that though. Magical beings and cryptids were developed and individual beyond their titles of ghost or werewolf, turning them into realistic, holistic individuals. Their titles emphasize their personalities more than anything. Lukens is, dare I say, a mystical creature herself for being able to accomplish it so artfully.
On the back cover, the return of Bridger’s father is mentioned, so I’ll go into that a little as well. Lukens nailed it. Completely nailed it. The conversations between him and his father. His mother and his father. It’s all really spot on. So spot on, actually, I sometimes found myself startled by the similarities between it and my own life. And Bridger’s growth throughout the book surrounding the issue was genuinely inspiring. (Have I mentioned I love Bridger? I love Bridger.)
The reporter that is mentioned on the book’s back cover is just as ridiculous and annoying as you expect her to be. More so, even. I can’t decide if I loved to hate her or just hated her period, but she was a great villain. For sure. She had her goals and dimensions, no matter how badly I wanted to murder her.
And finally, lets talk about LGBT rep. Because it’s what lured me to this book in the first place. Bridger is the Disaster Bi representation I deserve as a Disaster Bi myself. He’s in a gay relationship, but is bisexual and certain of it, which is hard to find sometimes in Queer YA. The relationship between a white bisexual boy and a mixed, latino gay boy was... beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. Healthy queer relationships in YA forever. Lukens. Seriously. Tip-of-hat worthy.
So, to summarize, I’ll be the first to get my hands on book three if it ever comes out. Guaranteed. If there’s no book three, I’m so happy I got to love these characters. And you all definitely need to run and love them, too. Do not pass go. Do not collect two-hundred dollars.
August 6, 2021
Monster of the week ,just like it’s first book, is an enjoyable read if you can suspend your beliefs and ignore the illogical ya elements.
The good -
Humorous and light
Well written main character
Good character development
Moderate pace
The bad -
Illogical ya elements
A little bit middle school writing
Simple and predictable plot
Plot and characters -
The plot was mostly enjoyable despite being quite simple and predictable. Unlike the first book which focused on a more adventurous and exciting plot, this one focuses more on characters and comfort. It is of course riddled with illogical ya elements which will need you to suspend your beliefs. However, a lot of these elements are in fact appealing to certain audiences.
The characters are in main focus here and a lot of these plot points depend on the actions of these characters. However, the novel do depend on the reader already being attached to the characters as there is no character build up. There is also the almost-flawless characters which might make it boring for some people
Plot, character & relationship development -
There is no problem here. The plot goes on a moderate pace which isn’t much because the characters are in real focus here. The character development however is only prominent in the main character. The rest of the characters remain the same throughout the novel. However, it is a light novel which makes up for the lack of character development.
As for the relationship development, The main couple is as cute as ever, in fact they become even more cute in this setting. The relationship of the mc with the other characters also remain unmoved for the most part. MC’s relationship with his father is interesting but in my opinion done a bit poorly.
Writing style -
The writing style remain humorous and light. It does seem a bit middle school at times especially when there is a bit of preaching tone at times. Also, it might also be too long and descriptive for some people.
It is still an easy and fun read.
Conclusion -
‘Monster of the week’ is another ya novel whose illogical ya elements become more obvious when you read it in another perspective. However, unlike other ya novels which made me cringe, this one make me fondly remember why I liked ya in the first place.
The good -
Humorous and light
Well written main character
Good character development
Moderate pace
The bad -
Illogical ya elements
A little bit middle school writing
Simple and predictable plot
Plot and characters -
The plot was mostly enjoyable despite being quite simple and predictable. Unlike the first book which focused on a more adventurous and exciting plot, this one focuses more on characters and comfort. It is of course riddled with illogical ya elements which will need you to suspend your beliefs. However, a lot of these elements are in fact appealing to certain audiences.
The characters are in main focus here and a lot of these plot points depend on the actions of these characters. However, the novel do depend on the reader already being attached to the characters as there is no character build up. There is also the almost-flawless characters which might make it boring for some people
Plot, character & relationship development -
There is no problem here. The plot goes on a moderate pace which isn’t much because the characters are in real focus here. The character development however is only prominent in the main character. The rest of the characters remain the same throughout the novel. However, it is a light novel which makes up for the lack of character development.
As for the relationship development, The main couple is as cute as ever, in fact they become even more cute in this setting. The relationship of the mc with the other characters also remain unmoved for the most part. MC’s relationship with his father is interesting but in my opinion done a bit poorly.
Writing style -
The writing style remain humorous and light. It does seem a bit middle school at times especially when there is a bit of preaching tone at times. Also, it might also be too long and descriptive for some people.
It is still an easy and fun read.
Conclusion -
‘Monster of the week’ is another ya novel whose illogical ya elements become more obvious when you read it in another perspective. However, unlike other ya novels which made me cringe, this one make me fondly remember why I liked ya in the first place.
August 30, 2019
3.5 stars
Monster of the Week is the sequel to The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic, and while it was an enjoyable read it didn't really bring much new to the table.
Content warnings include: homophobia, invasion of privacy, break-in and theft, panic attack, absent parent.
I did have a good time reading the book, but to me it didn't really expand the setting or add to the first book. The character development was minimal and the plot felt much lower stake than the first book - which isn't a bad thing, but I kept expecting something bigger or worse to happen. It didn't compare to the excitement of book1.
A lot of the tension was based on Bridger's anxiety and how it lead to him doing ill adviced actions. While I can 100% relate to that personally, I still found that frustrating to read about.
I particularly liked the friendship dynamics among Bridger's friends, and the found family theme around his boss, Pavel. The subplot about Bridger's father and how it was handled and resolved was something you don't often encounter in books, especially YA ones, which I appreciated.
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Monster of the Week is the sequel to The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic, and while it was an enjoyable read it didn't really bring much new to the table.
Content warnings include: homophobia, invasion of privacy, break-in and theft, panic attack, absent parent.
I did have a good time reading the book, but to me it didn't really expand the setting or add to the first book. The character development was minimal and the plot felt much lower stake than the first book - which isn't a bad thing, but I kept expecting something bigger or worse to happen. It didn't compare to the excitement of book1.
A lot of the tension was based on Bridger's anxiety and how it lead to him doing ill adviced actions. While I can 100% relate to that personally, I still found that frustrating to read about.
I particularly liked the friendship dynamics among Bridger's friends, and the found family theme around his boss, Pavel. The subplot about Bridger's father and how it was handled and resolved was something you don't often encounter in books, especially YA ones, which I appreciated.
I received and ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 15, 2020
Okay so.. I absolutely enjoyed the first book, but I feel like this book didn't needed to be written. The world would have been fine without this book in it, it honestly felt like a filler book of "where are they now.." which I don't think no one really needed.
I loved Bridger and Leo and Astrid and Pavel and everyone else but I think the first book did a great job in tying the story up with a bow by the end of it.
That being said, it was a fairly easy read. So if you liked the characters in the first books this will give you a longer story of the next few months after where the first book left off.
I loved Bridger and Leo and Astrid and Pavel and everyone else but I think the first book did a great job in tying the story up with a bow by the end of it.
That being said, it was a fairly easy read. So if you liked the characters in the first books this will give you a longer story of the next few months after where the first book left off.
December 17, 2022
It’s starts with Unicorn Poop and only gets better from there.
July 27, 2019
These books are an absolute joy to read and laugh-out-loud funny. This is one of those stories that will make drive your partner nuts by reading parts of it to them. (Personal experience. I know this.) This is the second installment in Lukens’ The Rules series. I would recommend reading the first book as it sets up and explains a lot of the insane world in which Bridger lives. You see… what’s awesome is that his world is perfectly normal… until it isn’t.
In this book, legends and myths are often very real and, for the most part, much friendlier than one might think. Friendly, that is, if you’re armed with an instruction book on how to deal with the world of mythical and legendary creatures, you have a boss who is an Intermediary with magical skills, and a best friend who kicks ass and a boyfriend who is a hero.
Bridger’s world changed drastically in The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic (The Rules, #1), he realized that werewolves and pixies and the like were real and that he had a crush on Leo… the heroic quarterback. When book 2 begins… Bridger is in his last year of high school, dating Leo, still learning the ins and out of the mythical world, still working for Pavel and still his loveable, bumbling self.
When a Ghosthunters type of TV show arrives in town, things begin to get complicated again for Bridger. The host is relentless, digging into the lives of Bridger and his friends. One of the lovely things in this book is that way that Bridger slowly comes to realize that he’s created a chosen family. Having his estranged father back in town really illustrates to Bridger that family is about a lot more than blood relations.
There is a little heart-ache in this book and the perfect amount of sweet friends to help Bridger move forward. These books definitely give me a warm fuzzy feeling while being incredibly entertaining! Very enjoyable.
In this book, legends and myths are often very real and, for the most part, much friendlier than one might think. Friendly, that is, if you’re armed with an instruction book on how to deal with the world of mythical and legendary creatures, you have a boss who is an Intermediary with magical skills, and a best friend who kicks ass and a boyfriend who is a hero.
Bridger’s world changed drastically in The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic (The Rules, #1), he realized that werewolves and pixies and the like were real and that he had a crush on Leo… the heroic quarterback. When book 2 begins… Bridger is in his last year of high school, dating Leo, still learning the ins and out of the mythical world, still working for Pavel and still his loveable, bumbling self.
When a Ghosthunters type of TV show arrives in town, things begin to get complicated again for Bridger. The host is relentless, digging into the lives of Bridger and his friends. One of the lovely things in this book is that way that Bridger slowly comes to realize that he’s created a chosen family. Having his estranged father back in town really illustrates to Bridger that family is about a lot more than blood relations.
There is a little heart-ache in this book and the perfect amount of sweet friends to help Bridger move forward. These books definitely give me a warm fuzzy feeling while being incredibly entertaining! Very enjoyable.
September 27, 2019
I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ever read the first book in a series and absolutely love it, and then when the sequel comes out, you are concerned that maybe the second book won’t be nearly as good as the first??
You don’t need to worry about that with Monster of the Week! Everything I loved about the first book is present in this novel too. The fast-paced action, the witty conversation and interior monologues, the adorable awkwardness that is Bridger Whitt, and the absolutely sweet love story between Bridger and his boyfriend Leo are all here, with a dash of magic and myth thrown in for good measure.
The only thing that was a little difficult for me was the confrontation scene between Bridger and his rather deadbeat dad, but that’s because I have a similar situation with my biological mother. Thank goodness I have always had my father and my (step, now adoptive)mother to cheer me on, in much the same way Bridger mom, plus Pavel and Astrid and Leo. I was also thrilled that Bridger was able to make his own family out of those who truly love as support him, as I’ve done the same throughout my nomadic life, thanks to the military. The family you choose is sometimes so much better than the family from which you originate.
If you loved The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic, you’ll definitely love this novel.
Highly recommended.
Ever read the first book in a series and absolutely love it, and then when the sequel comes out, you are concerned that maybe the second book won’t be nearly as good as the first??
You don’t need to worry about that with Monster of the Week! Everything I loved about the first book is present in this novel too. The fast-paced action, the witty conversation and interior monologues, the adorable awkwardness that is Bridger Whitt, and the absolutely sweet love story between Bridger and his boyfriend Leo are all here, with a dash of magic and myth thrown in for good measure.
The only thing that was a little difficult for me was the confrontation scene between Bridger and his rather deadbeat dad, but that’s because I have a similar situation with my biological mother. Thank goodness I have always had my father and my (step, now adoptive)mother to cheer me on, in much the same way Bridger mom, plus Pavel and Astrid and Leo. I was also thrilled that Bridger was able to make his own family out of those who truly love as support him, as I’ve done the same throughout my nomadic life, thanks to the military. The family you choose is sometimes so much better than the family from which you originate.
If you loved The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic, you’ll definitely love this novel.
Highly recommended.
July 21, 2019
Monster of the Week is a fun continuation of the story started in The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths and Magic. Book Two picks up Bridger's story as he deals with the drama of coming out to his absentee father, graduating high school, and attending prom, all the while also navigating mythological mayhem. Once again Lukens provides plenty of tongue-in-cheek humour without neglecting the emotional side of things. For me, this story doesn't quite have the zing of Book One, but it is still highly enjoyable and made me smile, and I would certainly be keen to read more in the series in the future.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2025
Not as strong as the first book, but everything came together well in the end.
Bridger was a bit exhausting to read this time. While the anxiety over coming out in the first book felt honest, in the sequel Bridger was a nervous wreck about absolutely everything. It became too much as it felt like the boy who cried wolf one too many times.
Pavel was equally great in this book. I love how his relationship developed with Bridger.
I'm not sure if there will be a third book, but it will be sad if this is the end.
Bridger was a bit exhausting to read this time. While the anxiety over coming out in the first book felt honest, in the sequel Bridger was a nervous wreck about absolutely everything. It became too much as it felt like the boy who cried wolf one too many times.
Pavel was equally great in this book. I love how his relationship developed with Bridger.
I'm not sure if there will be a third book, but it will be sad if this is the end.
April 3, 2020
3.5 🌟's
September 19, 2020
This series is lovely. First book: the cryptids were the menace. Second book: it's the humans. For a small bunch trying to protect both sides and keep the fragile equilibrium between species, chaos is bound to happen from time to time. Pavel, Elena, the fairies, Astrid, Leo and Bridger might be underestimating a little bit that snoopy reporter but things can get pretty wild when someone puts their mind into something. Leo and Bridger are couple goals and I wish them the best in College!
June 20, 2023
Not QUITE as good as the first entry, but still incredibly charming and fun. Includes a non-judgemental depiction of a panic attack with a strong example of how to appropriately help someone manage such an experience - not Ted Lasso good, but close.
4.5 stars, rounded up for the Nia and Bran.
4.5 stars, rounded up for the Nia and Bran.
July 12, 2024
Absurd-funny found family/romance/fantasy book for some easy reading. (As far as I remember the 1st book) this is feels like a more polished execution, maybe helped by the fact that the world and characters were already established in the 1st book.
May 24, 2020
I just love this author and this book. Light, interesting and fun to read.
June 28, 2020
This was such a fun and satisfying sequel! I love the author's humor and all the characters are so fun and relatable.
July 29, 2020
*3,5*
December 13, 2020
i love this magical found family story so much :(
September 11, 2025
4.25⭐️!!
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