Dreams can be deadly, even when your fated mate is a dark fae prince the monsters fear.Rule #1 Don't talk to your hallucinations.Rule #2 Don't let anyone know your fears.Rule #3 Don't let anyone get too close.I’m El Adams, Eleanor if you want to get fancy. Our family moves around a lot. Every first day of a new school, my sister Jax ends up being hit on by a creep, and I go to detention for rescuing her. Hitting on boys for me is beating the crap out of them, but this town is different.I can’t stand people touching me, ever since I was abducted I don’t remember when I was eleven, but this time, for the first time, I touched a guy and didn’t want to die. It’s love at first touch. He’s bigger than anyone, stronger, graceful, and he can handle my hallucinations and weirdness.Until I realize that they aren’t hallucinations and my nightmares are coming for me.
I loved this story. Methuselah “Met” Barrow is a Dark Fae Prince from Hell who has lived as a human since he was two years old. He lives in the skin of Met Barrow who is dead, his Fae body is blue and he removes the human skin every so often to keep balance in the area and to feel the air against his real skin.
Ellie Adams is like nobody he has ever seen before. She is like a bright shining light. She arrived at school on her first day wearing a unicorn horn on her head. She wears different clothes than all the other girls like she couldn’t care less what anyone thinks about her, she wears glitter makeup and is always smiling and happy. She blurts out that she loves him after knowing him for just a few days.
The story is told from the POV of both El and Met. They each have their own issues but they are drawn to each other. The fact that she is human while he and quite a few other people around them are Supernatural make for some pretty funny situations. Though the problems each of them face are very real.
Met and quite a few of the dark Fae that live in Hell are under the rule of his aunt the Queen. She is an evil queen and though he is dark and prone to darkness, he has taken on the mantle of balance and he dislikes causing death unless he has to in order to keep balance between good and evil. So he hates going to Hell to see the Queen because she may ask him to do things he doesn’t like or he will be seen as weak.
Allie has horrible nightmares every night because she was kidnapped by a psychopath when she was eleven years old and was with him for fifteen days before she escaped or was found. She doesn’t remember any of it, but has horrible dreams where some demon named Mr. Night and his shadows torment her. Since she returned home she hates being touched, even by her family. Only small children don’t make her skin crawl. So she tries to avoid touch as much as possible.
Though for some reason, when Met touches her on the first day of school, she doesn’t feel the “ick” that she gets from everyone else. So she is enamored with him right away and wants to know more. She sits with him at lunch every day and becomes friends with him. The story going forward is funny, sweet, heartwarming, tragic, suspenseful, and crazy at times. But I really liked it. I give it a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5)!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.25 - Monster caught my heart! Monster is my first book of Juliann Whicker's, a YA Fantasy that I found to be heartbreaking, sweet, and quirky, among numerous other descriptors. I absolutely fell in love with El and Met.
Monster is a story of such extremes. It is light and darkness, innocence and evil, trauma and healing, monsters and unicorns. We have the dual POV's of 'Monster' (Met - Methuselah Barrow) and 'Unicorn' (El - Eleanor Adams). You immediately go in with the understanding that El is the survivor of the worst evil. El has a passion and love of dance, but at age 11, she was abducted from a competition and was missing 15 days. She has no memory of the experience but is very traumatized, has horrible nightmares, takes medication, and can not stand to be touched. El's family (a family comprised of the 5 kids and 2 parents) is decidedly unique, or as El says, ... weird.
'...like I was the weird one here. When it came to my family, there was no one weird one.'
El dances to her own music (figuratively and literally) and wears whatever makes her happy that day, and she even wears a unicorn horn (for goring) at times. Lol, I loved the quirkiness, but also innocence and kindness of El. She lives as authenticly as she can and does so beautifully. She knows she is different, but she accepts it with an almost childlike innocence and with periods that go quite dark. El doesn't like to be touched, as she feels varying degrees of "ick" and revulsion from everyone (even her family), except for very young children and shockingly ...Met. Met is very complex. At a very strong 6'8", Met had been the perfect, popular star player on the hockey team and boyfriend of Felicity, his cheerleader girlfriend. He gave up popularity, hockey, and the girlfriend after an accident involving his best friend. Met is also the 'Monster of Monsters' and the law in the Valley of Balance. Met lives in duality and struggles with who he is, who he wants to be, and who he is expected to be, all while striving to preserve balance in all things. I found him to be so interesting, and I adore how he treated El. I don't want to spoil anything though by going into too many details.
Monster is a long book at 524 pages, but it didn't feel too long. The story draws you in with every step, touch, and word. The nuances of the story, the family and their relationships with each other, the way dance is portrayed, trauma/healing, truth, reality and nightmares, trust and acceptance - all of it a step in the dance. Dance of life and love. Dance and choreography add so much emotion and depth to Monster. There is a scene (or scenes, to be honest), I would love to see someone put into choreography, I would watch it over and over again. The dancing was one of my absolute favorite things, but the stabby scenes were great, too. Lol
I am really looking forward to book 2, Unicorn. Additionally, I love how Monster has El's image on the cover, and Unicorn has Met's.
Content/Trigger Warning: kidnapping, night terrors/nightmares, anxiety, panic, intrusive thoughts, overdose, hallucinations, violent outbursts, physical abuse, rape. There are a lot of possible triggers, but nothing is overtly graphic or on page. At around 93%, it is a bit more descriptive, and as it is shown in memory flashbacks with impressions or fade-to-black, you do not get the full brunt of the horrific events. It is well done, IMHO.
The Year of the Brief Review.....*cough* Loved the book, strong feel of light and dark/mystery and truth/monster and true monster....with heart break simmering at the surface. I do have to admit though, for the ADHD in me ..there were a few too many chapters, but I can't wait for the next book!
Made it to 70 percent and I have to give up. This book is in major need of some editing. Absolutely NOTHING happens for like the middle 50% of it. I can’t tell if the main character is very childlike due to whatever she is or if she has a mental disorder or if it’s just bad writing on the author’s part but I didn’t care enough to keep going to find out.
I love books by Juliann Whicker! Monster is another winner. Two young people find a surprising attraction where they should not. Juliann Whicker is SO good writing the adolescent mind that you feel like you are right back at that age. Also, her imagination is so complex that you never know where you'll end up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was so long and felt all over the place. The first 40% felt like one book that was about a girl who hated being touched, but finally found someone whose touch didn't repulse her. It was sweet and I didn't mind "the love at first touch."
After that it felt like a girl who slept with a slayer to escape her nightmares. At first you are under the impression that Wonder Boy enjoys the company of gentleman, but then he starts falling in love with Unicorn girl. It starts an unnecessary love triangle.
The third story we finally meet the man of El's nightmares, who turns out to be a gOoD gUy. This is where the trigger warning comes into play. There is extreme child abuse that should have been disclosed in the book summary. If I had known what would occur in the incubus den when she was kidnapped, I would not have chosen to read this story.
So what should have been a sweet story about Met and El turned into a weird love square. The story would have been much better if Abe and El kept a wholesome, platonic relationship. And Mr.Nightmare turning from abuser to rescuer was ick. I'm sure August/Icarus could have made a better character, but I just feel really disappointed.
I'm not saying this story is a bad one or that you shouldn't read it. I just want people to be aware of the TW and to read at their own discretion.
So when I read the summary, I was excited. I thought it was original and would prove to be exciting. Let's just say it moves incredibly slow. Like at a snail's pace and then towards the end everything is shoved at you. If bits and pieces would have surfaced, I think it would have added more to El's character and woven a more intricate emotional bond to her. For me, it was too immature and a lot of rationale made no sense.Another gripe I had was within the first and second page a creature/immortal is introduced but I believe the author assumed the reader had an idea of what some of these creatures were because she offered no real explanation of what they were. From El's POV I guess that could be rationalized but not Met's. I don't know it kinda rubbed me the wrong way, because I was always told assume your readers knows nothing. I am pretty sure my favorite characters were Abe,Jax, and Qual. I think that probably says a lot since none are main characters. I really wanted to like it and it had a wonderful storyline, just didn't quite deliver to my tastes.
Unusual tale “Monster” is a quirky, confusing, convoluted tale of a human, El who was abducted and abused by Supernaturals possibly demons, adopted into a family of supernaturals and slayers. This tale is funny at times and sad at others. This is a character-driven story and you don’t get El’s full backstory until the end, nor do you get the HEA you are expecting. This is an interesting story that is like life, it’s messy, confusing, and just trying to find that HEA. I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
Monster is the first installment into the Her Dark Fae Prince series by Juliann Whicker.
Oh, what a mind-fuck! The positive/negative skew of the mysterious Mr. Night haunting El’s dreams is the biggest contention of the book. (Only while completely taking the nature of her kidnapping, and subsequent trauma out of the equation.)
I adore Met as the male lead. His existential crisis throughout the book. Struggling with being the arbitrator off balance for the Valley while having such evil origins. And his constant fight against no only his nature, but how murky monster status will affect the love he has for his unicorn.
With all that El has faced and her coping mechanisms, it’s still shocking that she can be so entirely bubbly and effervescent after all that she’s conquered. Most shocking was discovering the events and trauma that affected her at such a young age.
I’m interested to learn how remembering and facing her past will affect her disposition in the future. Because, given the complete switch in character for her at the end of the book, she probably won’t entirely mind Met’s darker side all the time. Then there’s her somewhat confusing magic, is it her birthright to possess powers, or only facilitated by the necklace she got from the bone witch?
I wonder if she and maybe even Jax will go into the family business of slayer? If there’s a way Jax could use her natural tendencies to somehow capture other bad guys? Or if she’s destined to go dark side and either die or be lost to this family?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I found Monster to be an original addicting read. With two points of view to get the story from different angles I think is what hooked me the most. When El finds the one who’s touch isn’t ick like the rest of the worlds, life gets more interesting. Not that life isn’t interesting in her mix matched family. I like to imagine there is never a dull moment in their home ever. El has always danced to her own drums a unicorn in the masses, but always outshined by her sister. That is until she meets Met, a boy who is literally hiding his true self. A dark elf from hell that will one day rule as king, but for now he is just trying to survive high school. With the past, the unknown future, and the in between you can’t help but get sucked in and taken for a whirl wind. I’m really hoping this wasn’t a stand alone and there will be more because I didn’t feel like there was enough closure at the end. So fingers crossed this isn’t the end! I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout in exchange for my honest opinion, thanks bunches for the opportunity!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you love forbidden romance with a dark twist, you will LOVE this book. Dark vs. Light, Good vs. Evil. This book has it all,. a unicorn, slayers, vamps and monsters. Throw in some teenage angst and worried, controlling parents and your story is complete. El is that weird girl with no filter. She asks the questions that no one else dares ask and makes comments before she's thought things through. She's earned herself the nickname of Unicorn Girl because of the various horns she wears on her forhead quite often. She could care less what people think and avoids everyone because they are gross. Met is the star of the high school hockey team with some questionable friends and a dark secret only some creatures of the night know. He also happens to be the only boy that El doesn't find "ick". Get lost in the dark world of succubi, elves, witches and goblins. And don't forget Mr. Night who haunts El's dreams. Dreams of pain and pleasure that make it impossible for her to remember reality.
I had fun reading this book. It has nice twist and turns. It's a book about love, a book about a true Adams family. About a girl wearing a unicorn on her head going to school. A Fun girl, light, lovable, but also a girl with a problem of touching. Everybody she touches feels icky. A girl just falling in love with a dark prince, despite her real scary dreams. A book about another girl wrestling with her birthright of being a succubus. About a vampire and a black prince, all in the same school. It all ads up to a nice read, a good twist in the plot too. I had a bit of a hard time with Mister Night. Just a bit to creepy. This made the book very dark towards the end. Just go read for yourselves. It will be a good read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have a huge soft spot for Watergirl. I was worried I would never enjoy rambling quirky weirdos for characters, but Monster delivered. El is awesome & her boyfriend might have some stuff lurking in shadows, but their relationship is all kinds of complex and awesome. There was also a lot of very real emotion in this, even so early in the series, something I can appreciate because it has made the ups and downs of the story so much more authentic. I also love that Julianne doesn’t skimp on her books, they’re not too short, always long enough for me to really connect with and get to know her characters without stalling or being boring. So many series books feel short, like they’ve cut off my read at the knees, but that’s not been the case here. I’ll be not-so-patiently waiting for the next book in this series.
I enjoyed this story but it took me a bit to get into this story but once I did it ended up being a great read but I must warn you that there are physical abuse and rape scenes so this book might not be for you. EL can’t stand being touched by anyone she doesn’t have a problem with children touching her maybe it’s because of their innocence. On the first day at a new school she meets Met he touches her but she doesn’t have that horrible feeling when he does, Met is a dark elf who’s from hell he hides his true self in human skin he falls in love with EL and he doesn’t want to be evil but the others of his race are evil Met just wants to be good. This is my 1st read and review for this author it’s a weird dark kind of story but I recommend this book.
I really didn't know what to expect from this novel as I'd never read anything from Julian before. I was so pleasantly surprised! Company interrupted my initial read, but when they left I found myself reading at all hours of the day and night until I finished this wonderfully romantic dark fantasy. The characters are strong, their emotions real, and their interactions superb. The finish came too soon and left me wanting to read more. I don't know if Julian is planing a series of these characters, but I'll watch for a sequel. Exquisite writing.
What a different story. It made me happy, sad, mad and laugh at different parts of the story. I loved the concept of the story and was not disappointed. I really liked that it was not a straight forward story but really twisted and bent. I liked that I could not really guess what was going to happen next all the time but got a surprise instead. Just a fun read that had great characters that was easy to love and hate. It had its dark parts but they made the story and characters who they were.
Oh my god I absolutely love this book El suffers with what she thinks is hallucinations from Mr Night... She falls in love at first touch with Met the prince of dark elf that wears a human skin
This book put me through so many emotions I went from irritation anger happiness and at the end I was in tears this is a book I will read again and again and again I would most definitely recommend this book cant wait for book 2 !!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is beautiful. ABSOLUTELY. If you’re a fan of Ms. Whicker’s you know how excellent she is with quirky and different. This book had me feeling things. I literally heard the music. I’ll say it again- BEAUTIFULLY written. I think it is my new favorite series by Ms. Awesome herself. My precious being Darkly Sweet; which if you haven’t read - do so now! Great story. Thank you so much for this book. I cannot wait for book 2!
Absolutely would recommend to readers who love paranormal romance. The characters were strong and complex.The plot was different from other storylines I've read. Fast moving and emotional. So unpredictable that you totally become more involved with them and the characters were clearly described. It was a cliffhanger ending but I love the story so I'll definitely need the next book.
The storyline was dark and unique, interesting and almost mesmerizing. If you like tales of monsters in the night who do more than scare you, this book is for you. There is a pretty complex cast of characters, and the line between good and evil is blurred significantly. Add in some romance, growing friendships, and surprises, and you've got a page turner you don't want to put down.
I liked this book fantasy but dark and still possessive jealous male that wants to save her while he himself is submerged in the darkness.
"His voice was so low, a rumble deep beneath the earth. What would his voice sound like under a blanket -😆 uuuh lol jk jk- telling ghost stories with a flashlight?"
but still a lot of mystery to be discovered, can't wait for the next one.
Well developed and thought out story of monsters and misfits that work so well together. Intrigue and twistiness enough to hook you encouraging you to continue in the story. Although well written, and enjoyable, I found parts of the book dragged a little too much for me to give it a 5 star rating. Will I read the next book in the series? You bet!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by Julianne Whicker that I have read. I will most definitely be reading more! The characters are well placed and are easy to get attached to! The story line is most definitely one that will keep you rooted to your seat reading on and on! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, or any other genre like that!! An amazingly good read for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this story. It’s so interesting. The main characters are great. I really like El and Met! They both made me feel so sad for them. Especially El. Her story is really something. I would love to read more of this story to find out what happens next!
This story focuses on El and Methuselah. She is human and the new kid at school and he is a dark fae prince using the dead human body of Met. The relationship that builds between the two of them is fun and endearing. I was very entertained by the story and intrigued by the twists and turns. I look forward to the next one. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.