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Royal Guide to Monster Slaying #1
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying
Monster hunting isn't for the faint of heart -- the first in a brand-new middle-grade series by NYT bestselling author, Kelley Armstrong.
Twelve-year-old Rowan is destined to be Queen; her twin brother, Rhydd, to be Royal Monster Hunter. Rowan would give anything to switch places, but the oldest child is always next in line, even if she is only older by two minutes. She resigns herself to admiring her monster hunting aunt's glorious sword and joining her queen mother for boring diplomatic teas. But tragedy shatters the longstanding rule, and Rowan finds herself hunting the most dangerous monster of all: a gryphon.
Accompanied by a feisty baby jackalope and a giant wolf that barely tolerates her, Rowan sets off on a journey that will see her join other unlikely allies: a boy with monster-hunting ambitions of his own, and a girl hiding dangerous motives. It will take all of Rowan's skills, both physical and diplomatic, to keep this adventure on track. The future of her kingdom depends on it.
Twelve-year-old Rowan is destined to be Queen; her twin brother, Rhydd, to be Royal Monster Hunter. Rowan would give anything to switch places, but the oldest child is always next in line, even if she is only older by two minutes. She resigns herself to admiring her monster hunting aunt's glorious sword and joining her queen mother for boring diplomatic teas. But tragedy shatters the longstanding rule, and Rowan finds herself hunting the most dangerous monster of all: a gryphon.
Accompanied by a feisty baby jackalope and a giant wolf that barely tolerates her, Rowan sets off on a journey that will see her join other unlikely allies: a boy with monster-hunting ambitions of his own, and a girl hiding dangerous motives. It will take all of Rowan's skills, both physical and diplomatic, to keep this adventure on track. The future of her kingdom depends on it.
268 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
75 people are currently reading
4518 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
293 books33.6k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
June 3, 2019
"The best way to raid a camp is divert attention. I am an expert at that. "
A Royal Guide to Monster Hunting has a lot to offer. We get a diverse cast of characters, a strong-willed, kick-ass princess turned monster hunter and a deadly enemy - the gryphon! Throw is some great friendships, lots of adventures and so many fun mythical creatures and you got yourself this great story.
I saw this pop up on the options to request over on Netgalley and I was instantly curious. The cover drew me in - I saw a bunch of fun looking creatures and that is always a big draw for me - not sure much regular animals because they always kill them - but if I see mythical creatures, I'm usually in. I was also familiar with the author and didn't know her to write middle-grade at all, so that piqued my interest. I've liked her YA thriller work - I haven't read her fantasy stuff, but I know it's very popular. Lastly, the author is Canadian - bonus points! I decided to request it, luckily I was approved and had a chance to read this little gem of a story.
The story starts off where we meet our main protagonist, Rowan, a young princess who is destined to be queen but wants nothing to do with it and her brother, Rhydd, who by default must be the Royal Monster Hunter. Both of them know they should be in the others spot because Rowan is the better hunter and Rhydd is much better at politics, but rules dictate differently. As a Royal Monster Hunter, you must drive the creatures from civilization so that no one gets hurt - this sometimes means killing the creature. The biggest threat are the gryphons, highly dangerous and hard to kill. Without giving much away, Rhydd and his party run into a gryphon - many people are hurt, someone is killed and Rhydd is left without the ability to walk without an aid. This changes everything and so Rowan finally gets a chance to prove herself as a monster hunter - she has to find someone to train her and that is where the real journey begins.
Rowan is a fantastic character, she is headstrong, sometimes stubborn, intelligent, resourceful and kind. Yes, she makes many mistakes but she learns and grows from them. The lessons about kindness towards animals in beautiful in this story. Rowan has a knack for communicating with many of the creatures and sometimes they even follow her. She has a grumpy warg and a feisty jackalope in her party right off the bat, and I loved them with every inch of my being.
I would definitely recommend this story, it has a great adventure and some really fun humor and mythical creatures... did I mention the creatures?!?!!? Completely worth checking out and I believe this will be more than one book, but I'm unsure how many the author is planning on releasing.
Thank you to Puffin Canada and Netgalley for an e-arc, in exchange for my honest review.
A Royal Guide to Monster Hunting has a lot to offer. We get a diverse cast of characters, a strong-willed, kick-ass princess turned monster hunter and a deadly enemy - the gryphon! Throw is some great friendships, lots of adventures and so many fun mythical creatures and you got yourself this great story.
I saw this pop up on the options to request over on Netgalley and I was instantly curious. The cover drew me in - I saw a bunch of fun looking creatures and that is always a big draw for me - not sure much regular animals because they always kill them - but if I see mythical creatures, I'm usually in. I was also familiar with the author and didn't know her to write middle-grade at all, so that piqued my interest. I've liked her YA thriller work - I haven't read her fantasy stuff, but I know it's very popular. Lastly, the author is Canadian - bonus points! I decided to request it, luckily I was approved and had a chance to read this little gem of a story.
The story starts off where we meet our main protagonist, Rowan, a young princess who is destined to be queen but wants nothing to do with it and her brother, Rhydd, who by default must be the Royal Monster Hunter. Both of them know they should be in the others spot because Rowan is the better hunter and Rhydd is much better at politics, but rules dictate differently. As a Royal Monster Hunter, you must drive the creatures from civilization so that no one gets hurt - this sometimes means killing the creature. The biggest threat are the gryphons, highly dangerous and hard to kill. Without giving much away, Rhydd and his party run into a gryphon - many people are hurt, someone is killed and Rhydd is left without the ability to walk without an aid. This changes everything and so Rowan finally gets a chance to prove herself as a monster hunter - she has to find someone to train her and that is where the real journey begins.
Rowan is a fantastic character, she is headstrong, sometimes stubborn, intelligent, resourceful and kind. Yes, she makes many mistakes but she learns and grows from them. The lessons about kindness towards animals in beautiful in this story. Rowan has a knack for communicating with many of the creatures and sometimes they even follow her. She has a grumpy warg and a feisty jackalope in her party right off the bat, and I loved them with every inch of my being.
I would definitely recommend this story, it has a great adventure and some really fun humor and mythical creatures... did I mention the creatures?!?!!? Completely worth checking out and I believe this will be more than one book, but I'm unsure how many the author is planning on releasing.
Thank you to Puffin Canada and Netgalley for an e-arc, in exchange for my honest review.
August 6, 2019
4.5/ 5 stars
I loved this book. This is the first book in a new middle grade fantasy series by one of my favorite authors!
The narrator is 12 year old Rowan (1st person POV). She is a princess and is supposed to be the next Queen. Her twin brother Rhydd will be the next Royal Monster Hunter. But she desperately wants that job.
This was such an enjoyable book. What a cute story! It was filled with unicorns and monsters. And was such a great read. I knew that I loved this author (I've read and loved so many of her adult and Young Adult books). But I was not sure how much I would like a book geared towards teens and tweens. I originally got the book to read with my 10 year old niece. But that did not end up happening. I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. It kept my interest. I was not bored. Rowan was such a great heroine. She might have been only 12 years old, but I loved her. This was such a charming book. I absolutely cannot wait to continue this series.
Thanks to netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read this book.
I loved this book. This is the first book in a new middle grade fantasy series by one of my favorite authors!
The narrator is 12 year old Rowan (1st person POV). She is a princess and is supposed to be the next Queen. Her twin brother Rhydd will be the next Royal Monster Hunter. But she desperately wants that job.
This was such an enjoyable book. What a cute story! It was filled with unicorns and monsters. And was such a great read. I knew that I loved this author (I've read and loved so many of her adult and Young Adult books). But I was not sure how much I would like a book geared towards teens and tweens. I originally got the book to read with my 10 year old niece. But that did not end up happening. I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. It kept my interest. I was not bored. Rowan was such a great heroine. She might have been only 12 years old, but I loved her. This was such a charming book. I absolutely cannot wait to continue this series.
Thanks to netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read this book.
July 13, 2022
My daughter recommended to me A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying written by Kelley Armstrong as a book that was unexpectedly amazing. She was reading it with my ten-year-old grandson and he couldn't get enough of it. She was surprised to find that she was equally enjoying the book and they have continued reading the series as soon as the books are published.
I enjoyed reading this fast paced novel and wanted to keep reading about Rowan's adventures. Kelley Armstrong is now one of my favourite authors, and I give it 5 gleaming stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading this fast paced novel and wanted to keep reading about Rowan's adventures. Kelley Armstrong is now one of my favourite authors, and I give it 5 gleaming stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 15, 2021
Read as part of my ongoing shelf audit (and because I needed a quick book break from Personal History). Verdict: Very cute, and for that reason this ARC copy will go back to the bookstore to be given away to a young reader who will cherish it.
This is a charming middle-grade adventure book which neatly sidesteps or subverts a lot of common tropes. The most notable aspect of it, to me, was the scientific approach characters take to these mythological monsters; there's a great emphasis on ecology, behavior, and even evolution, which is a refreshingly novel take. As a biologist, I loved this approach and the exploration of how creatures like gryphons and jackalopes fit into the natural world; it made things feel more plausible, and Rowan's scientific curiosity also endeared her to me greatly.
I think one of the highest compliments I can give this book is that it reminded me of The Dragonslayers, one of my childhood favorites. I think this book has the kind of young-reader-friendliness combined with intelligence that will make it a similarly beloved book for kids now.
This is a charming middle-grade adventure book which neatly sidesteps or subverts a lot of common tropes. The most notable aspect of it, to me, was the scientific approach characters take to these mythological monsters; there's a great emphasis on ecology, behavior, and even evolution, which is a refreshingly novel take. As a biologist, I loved this approach and the exploration of how creatures like gryphons and jackalopes fit into the natural world; it made things feel more plausible, and Rowan's scientific curiosity also endeared her to me greatly.
I think one of the highest compliments I can give this book is that it reminded me of The Dragonslayers, one of my childhood favorites. I think this book has the kind of young-reader-friendliness combined with intelligence that will make it a similarly beloved book for kids now.
December 25, 2019
I enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's other Middle Grade series and I liked the sound of this one, so I went in hoping this one would be just as good. And luckily it was. I had a lot of fun reading this one. I liked the story and following Rowan along on her adventures and meeting the different types of monsters.
The pace of the book is well done and there is plenty of action and danger as well. There is a bit of a sad scene toward the start of the book that I hadn't anticipated, but it all made sense and moved the story forward. I thought it was well done how it had impact and also had value storywise. I wasn't quite sure what I had expected from the story direction wise as I didn't remember much from the blurb and the initial set-up made me unsure what would change or happen next. I liked the direction things took.
Rowan was a great main character, what I liked about her first is her kindness and caring, both qualities that she shows in basically the first scene. She wants to help others and really cares about those close to her. I also liked her relationship with her twin Rhydd. I like how she interacts with the other characters and how she treats the monsters she encounters and cares about them too. She makes some mistakes along the way, but she does learn form those mistakes and I liked seeing her realizing when she wasn't handling something well. She is smart and capable, but also has her moments when she feels overwhelmed or scared.
There are some interesting side characters as well, but for me the monster side characters really stole the show. From Jacko the jackalope who was adorable and protective even though he was so small. To Malric the grumpy warg, who does care about her in her own way, seeing how they interacted and seeing him very slow warm up a bit toward her was amazing to see. Then there is a new monster that Rowan meets later on who has quite the personality and I liked seeing how Rowan bonded with her. I can't wait to read more about them. The human side characters are great too, like some characters who join Rowan on her adventure later in the book.
I liked the variety of monsters in this book. The world building is mainly confined to the monsters and some history of the world, which worked fine here I liked how we slowly learned more about the different types of monsters and saw how Rowan interacted with them. Some monsters are mythical creatures and other are combinations of other animals, I liked the wide variety and the uniqueness of these creatures or how the author gave her own twist to some mythical creatures for this book.
To summarize: This was an awesome read. I liked the monster filled world that the author created and following Rowan on her adventure. The pacing was well done and I liked how there was plenty of danger and adventure. Rowan was an awesome main character and I liked how kind and caring she was and also how she handles the monsters she encounters. There are some fun side characters, like Rowan's twin Rhydd and some characters she meets later who join her on her adventure. The monster side characters really stole the show for me, from Jacko to Malric to another monster she encounters later, they all were fun to read about and had their own personality. This was such a fun read and I am looking forward to book 2!
The pace of the book is well done and there is plenty of action and danger as well. There is a bit of a sad scene toward the start of the book that I hadn't anticipated, but it all made sense and moved the story forward. I thought it was well done how it had impact and also had value storywise. I wasn't quite sure what I had expected from the story direction wise as I didn't remember much from the blurb and the initial set-up made me unsure what would change or happen next. I liked the direction things took.
Rowan was a great main character, what I liked about her first is her kindness and caring, both qualities that she shows in basically the first scene. She wants to help others and really cares about those close to her. I also liked her relationship with her twin Rhydd. I like how she interacts with the other characters and how she treats the monsters she encounters and cares about them too. She makes some mistakes along the way, but she does learn form those mistakes and I liked seeing her realizing when she wasn't handling something well. She is smart and capable, but also has her moments when she feels overwhelmed or scared.
There are some interesting side characters as well, but for me the monster side characters really stole the show. From Jacko the jackalope who was adorable and protective even though he was so small. To Malric the grumpy warg, who does care about her in her own way, seeing how they interacted and seeing him very slow warm up a bit toward her was amazing to see. Then there is a new monster that Rowan meets later on who has quite the personality and I liked seeing how Rowan bonded with her. I can't wait to read more about them. The human side characters are great too, like some characters who join Rowan on her adventure later in the book.
I liked the variety of monsters in this book. The world building is mainly confined to the monsters and some history of the world, which worked fine here I liked how we slowly learned more about the different types of monsters and saw how Rowan interacted with them. Some monsters are mythical creatures and other are combinations of other animals, I liked the wide variety and the uniqueness of these creatures or how the author gave her own twist to some mythical creatures for this book.
To summarize: This was an awesome read. I liked the monster filled world that the author created and following Rowan on her adventure. The pacing was well done and I liked how there was plenty of danger and adventure. Rowan was an awesome main character and I liked how kind and caring she was and also how she handles the monsters she encounters. There are some fun side characters, like Rowan's twin Rhydd and some characters she meets later who join her on her adventure. The monster side characters really stole the show for me, from Jacko to Malric to another monster she encounters later, they all were fun to read about and had their own personality. This was such a fun read and I am looking forward to book 2!
August 11, 2019
"A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying" was a fast-paced adventure story that was also sweet and gentle. There's kidnapping, death, and treachery but also strong familial bonds, caring, loyalty, and compassion. Told from the point of view of Rowan, destined to be the next ruler, we get to know Rowan well, but not her twin, Rhydd. He's less well fleshed out than his sister, and their uncle Heward is a cardboard cliche.
Rowan and her twin Rhydd are bound by societal rules and expectations, to their dismay, but soon they learn about being careful about what you wish for. The book has gentle lessons about kindness, acceptance, compassion, expectations, girl power, and perseverance, but it's not a moralist story. Those themes are woven into grand adventures that are full of danger. Rowan was quick-witted, capable, impulsive, stubborn, and a blend of naivete and maturity, innocence and wisdom. She made mistakes and usually learned from them and grew. At times she seemed older and more mature than I expected for a twelve-year-old.
The "monsters", magical creatures really, were very well done and my favorite part of the story. Jacko the jackalope was fierce and adorable, and my heart bled for the warg, Malric. Armstrong took traditional mythological creatures, tweaked them a bit, and made them interesting. The back of the book has a mini field guide to magical creatures, with illustrations, as written by Rowan.
"A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying" was a fun, slightly improbable, but enjoyable fantasy with delightful illustrations.
Rowan and her twin Rhydd are bound by societal rules and expectations, to their dismay, but soon they learn about being careful about what you wish for. The book has gentle lessons about kindness, acceptance, compassion, expectations, girl power, and perseverance, but it's not a moralist story. Those themes are woven into grand adventures that are full of danger. Rowan was quick-witted, capable, impulsive, stubborn, and a blend of naivete and maturity, innocence and wisdom. She made mistakes and usually learned from them and grew. At times she seemed older and more mature than I expected for a twelve-year-old.
The "monsters", magical creatures really, were very well done and my favorite part of the story. Jacko the jackalope was fierce and adorable, and my heart bled for the warg, Malric. Armstrong took traditional mythological creatures, tweaked them a bit, and made them interesting. The back of the book has a mini field guide to magical creatures, with illustrations, as written by Rowan.
"A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying" was a fun, slightly improbable, but enjoyable fantasy with delightful illustrations.
August 11, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
This was pretty cute middle grade book. I liked the main character, although her interactions with some of the people she met in her journey seemed a bit awkward and stilted. I also liked all of the magical creatures in the book, especially Jacko the Jackalope. I liked that there was a focus on helping or relocating the creatures if possible and learning more about them rather than just running in and killing everything because they can. It was maybe a bit simplistic for me as an adult, but I think it would be very enjoyable for younger readers and I would possibly consider reading the next novel in the series.
This was pretty cute middle grade book. I liked the main character, although her interactions with some of the people she met in her journey seemed a bit awkward and stilted. I also liked all of the magical creatures in the book, especially Jacko the Jackalope. I liked that there was a focus on helping or relocating the creatures if possible and learning more about them rather than just running in and killing everything because they can. It was maybe a bit simplistic for me as an adult, but I think it would be very enjoyable for younger readers and I would possibly consider reading the next novel in the series.
May 19, 2021
This was a great princess adventure for young girls! It took a little while for Rowen to grow on me. At first she seemed kind of arrogant. But she is extremely brave and kind. And I loved all of her companions! Especially Jacko and Dain. But this was on the younger end of MG I would say. I really enjoy MG but this felt too young for me.
April 22, 2025
This was super cute and a lot of fun.
I loved the animals and the lessons to be kind over cruel.
The Jackalope was the best, although the names of the animals left something to be desired.
Worth a read for all ages.
4.5 Stars rounded up
I loved the animals and the lessons to be kind over cruel.
The Jackalope was the best, although the names of the animals left something to be desired.
Worth a read for all ages.
4.5 Stars rounded up
August 5, 2019
I've heard so many fantastic things about Kelley Armstrong but have never had the time to check out any of her books, I was so happy to see this available on Netgalley and I was not disappointed at all.
First of all, the cover art is so cute and such a joy to see! It's so rare to see a fantasy novel where the main character is a person of color especially a young black girl so that is a delight.
Reading this I was instantly engrossed. Meet Princess Rowan, she's a courageous, stubborn, and hardcore 12 year old. She is next in line to the throne but after the untimely death of her monster slaying aunt she finds herself as the successor as the royal monster. BUT and of course there's always a but, that's only possible if she kills the dreaded gryphon that plagues her kingdom and killed both her father and aunt. She's on a quest! And she of course meets all kinds of danger along the way but she also befriends both monsters and humans alike.
I cannot rave about this book enough. It was so sweet and enjoyable and I was on pins and needles the entire time. The characters were hilarious and the creatures seemed sweet and scary. Kelly Armstrong usually writes more adult fiction novels but she's also seemed to find her niche in middle grade and it's fantastic.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
First of all, the cover art is so cute and such a joy to see! It's so rare to see a fantasy novel where the main character is a person of color especially a young black girl so that is a delight.
Reading this I was instantly engrossed. Meet Princess Rowan, she's a courageous, stubborn, and hardcore 12 year old. She is next in line to the throne but after the untimely death of her monster slaying aunt she finds herself as the successor as the royal monster. BUT and of course there's always a but, that's only possible if she kills the dreaded gryphon that plagues her kingdom and killed both her father and aunt. She's on a quest! And she of course meets all kinds of danger along the way but she also befriends both monsters and humans alike.
I cannot rave about this book enough. It was so sweet and enjoyable and I was on pins and needles the entire time. The characters were hilarious and the creatures seemed sweet and scary. Kelly Armstrong usually writes more adult fiction novels but she's also seemed to find her niche in middle grade and it's fantastic.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 28, 2019
I wish this wasn't the case - I adore Kelley's novels - but this was a DNF @ 53% and I'm honestly surprised I pushed myself to reach that point. While there was nothing inherently bad about this one, it was just so. boring. I didn't care about the characters, I didn't care about the world, I didn't care royal decrees were being shattered by a pair of siblings taking on the roles that should be the other's birthright.
October 1, 2020
My 11 year old bookworm absolutely loved this book. We listened to this audio book while driving and the whole family enjoyed it. The action was fantastic and dialogue well written. This is one of my favorite authors so I was looking forward to sharing it with my daughter, we were not disappointed.
June 20, 2021
Dont judge a book by its cover. The cover of this book had me thinking this would be a very juvenile simple story. As it turns out I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and had me turning the pages, not in a rush to finish but rather becuase I was so enjoying the story and reading experience.
July 29, 2019
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong is the first book in a new middle grade to young adult fantasy series. It is currently scheduled for release on August 6 2019.
Twelve-year-old Rowan is destined to be Queen; her twin brother, Rhydd, to be Royal Monster Hunter. Rowan would give anything to switch places, but the oldest child is always next in line, even if she is only older by two minutes. She resigns herself to admiring her monster hunting aunt's glorious sword and joining her queen mother for boring diplomatic teas. But tragedy shatters the longstanding rule, and Rowan finds herself hunting the most dangerous monster of all: a gryphon. Accompanied by a feisty baby jackalope and a giant wolf that barely tolerates her, Rowan sets off on a journey that will see her join other unlikely allies: a boy with monster-hunting ambitions of his own, and a girl hiding dangerous motives. It will take all of Rowan's skills, both physical and diplomatic, to keep this adventure on track. The future of her kingdom depends on it.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying might be the tradition hero's quest, but the quirky characters and humor kept it from feeling like it. Rowan is impulsive and stubborn, but she also has a good understanding of her skills and her faults. I like that she learned from her missteps, and even when she knows a choice might not be the smartest, she tries to stick with what she thinks is right. Her brother, mother, and extended crew of family and friends all seem to be cut from the same cloth, looking to do the right thing and protect others as best they can even when things are looking bad for them personally. I liked the introduction and development of the secondary characters that are clearly going to be important as the story continues, although I am already starting to dread the almost inevitable romance that I fear will come in future installments. I love a great romance, but I feel like too often love or crushes are tossed into adventure and fantasy stories as one more problem for characters to deal with rather than just having a solid friendship without romantic implications. It can and should happen in real life, so it would be nice to see it happen more often in stories as well. I did enjoy the story, and thought there were some great moments of humor and inventiveness I was kind of hoping for a little more. I have greatly enjoyed Armstrong's work in the past and I think I was expecting to be blown away but I just was not.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying is a good story of a strong girl taking control of her future and doing everything she can to help other people (and creatures) along the way.
Twelve-year-old Rowan is destined to be Queen; her twin brother, Rhydd, to be Royal Monster Hunter. Rowan would give anything to switch places, but the oldest child is always next in line, even if she is only older by two minutes. She resigns herself to admiring her monster hunting aunt's glorious sword and joining her queen mother for boring diplomatic teas. But tragedy shatters the longstanding rule, and Rowan finds herself hunting the most dangerous monster of all: a gryphon. Accompanied by a feisty baby jackalope and a giant wolf that barely tolerates her, Rowan sets off on a journey that will see her join other unlikely allies: a boy with monster-hunting ambitions of his own, and a girl hiding dangerous motives. It will take all of Rowan's skills, both physical and diplomatic, to keep this adventure on track. The future of her kingdom depends on it.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying might be the tradition hero's quest, but the quirky characters and humor kept it from feeling like it. Rowan is impulsive and stubborn, but she also has a good understanding of her skills and her faults. I like that she learned from her missteps, and even when she knows a choice might not be the smartest, she tries to stick with what she thinks is right. Her brother, mother, and extended crew of family and friends all seem to be cut from the same cloth, looking to do the right thing and protect others as best they can even when things are looking bad for them personally. I liked the introduction and development of the secondary characters that are clearly going to be important as the story continues, although I am already starting to dread the almost inevitable romance that I fear will come in future installments. I love a great romance, but I feel like too often love or crushes are tossed into adventure and fantasy stories as one more problem for characters to deal with rather than just having a solid friendship without romantic implications. It can and should happen in real life, so it would be nice to see it happen more often in stories as well. I did enjoy the story, and thought there were some great moments of humor and inventiveness I was kind of hoping for a little more. I have greatly enjoyed Armstrong's work in the past and I think I was expecting to be blown away but I just was not.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying is a good story of a strong girl taking control of her future and doing everything she can to help other people (and creatures) along the way.
June 4, 2023
I loved this bo9k, 8 hope there is more.
July 22, 2019
I love fantasy adventure middle grade books. I’ve read enough of them, though, that sometimes they start seeming a little similar to me. There’s only so many kingdoms that need saving from various monsters. I was expecting more of the same when I saw the title A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying, but Kelley Armstrong surprised me with a breath of fresh air that had me grinning and engaged for all 288 pages!
Princess Rowan doesn’t want to be queen–she wants to be the royal monster hunter. But true to the rule, “be careful what you wish for,” her wish doesn’t come to her without a tragedy. Sent on a training mission, Rowan meets creatures of all kinds–human and monster alike–and has to overcome everything from politics to a gryphon in order to achieve her dream. But she takes up the sword and fights for her new title tooth and nail…even if it means facing her greatest fear.
Kids who went into the Fantastic Beast movies looking for magical creatures of all shapes and sizes and an adventure to discover them, and instead a found dark, ominous plot about oppression will want to give this book a try. There is a great plot–an absolutely wonderful plot about a girl growing into the role she’s always wanted and been best suited for, and learning how to do it well–but there is also an element of nature documentary. Each part of Rowan’s adventure introduces a new creature, from jackalopes (attack bunnies!) to pegasi, from giant spiders to gryphons, and her quick thinking and bravery in facing each of them teaches both Rowan and readers about these wondrous beasts. This book is very much an awesome adventure of growing up and facing fears, but it’s also a walk in the woods to take a look at what magic can be found.
This book satisfied my (perhaps very specific) itch for a Steve Irwin-but-magical-creatures story. The engaging and endearing characters have a similar energy and excitement about the beasts they encounter, and their enthusiasm makes the book a thrill ride. And the creatures really shine in this book, of course, and had me wanting more.
It’s a great blend of all the things I love about middle grade fantasy books, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Princess Rowan doesn’t want to be queen–she wants to be the royal monster hunter. But true to the rule, “be careful what you wish for,” her wish doesn’t come to her without a tragedy. Sent on a training mission, Rowan meets creatures of all kinds–human and monster alike–and has to overcome everything from politics to a gryphon in order to achieve her dream. But she takes up the sword and fights for her new title tooth and nail…even if it means facing her greatest fear.
Kids who went into the Fantastic Beast movies looking for magical creatures of all shapes and sizes and an adventure to discover them, and instead a found dark, ominous plot about oppression will want to give this book a try. There is a great plot–an absolutely wonderful plot about a girl growing into the role she’s always wanted and been best suited for, and learning how to do it well–but there is also an element of nature documentary. Each part of Rowan’s adventure introduces a new creature, from jackalopes (attack bunnies!) to pegasi, from giant spiders to gryphons, and her quick thinking and bravery in facing each of them teaches both Rowan and readers about these wondrous beasts. This book is very much an awesome adventure of growing up and facing fears, but it’s also a walk in the woods to take a look at what magic can be found.
This book satisfied my (perhaps very specific) itch for a Steve Irwin-but-magical-creatures story. The engaging and endearing characters have a similar energy and excitement about the beasts they encounter, and their enthusiasm makes the book a thrill ride. And the creatures really shine in this book, of course, and had me wanting more.
It’s a great blend of all the things I love about middle grade fantasy books, and I can’t wait for the next one!
August 27, 2019
Read-alike: How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Crowell
For fans of Pixar's Brave or Universals' Fantastic Beasts and where to find them films,
here is a read for those who enjoy strong female characters, a middle-grade novel that DOES NOT feature romance or angst, but instead features strong-minded and smart characters, a lot of great humor, and some truly unique "monsters" and what that definition is...
Join Rowan, the future queen-to-be, Alainor, a girl from a neighboring clan, and a mysterious young archer, Dain, as they set off on a journey to battle monsters, men, and even a potentially killer-bunny?
For fans of Pixar's Brave or Universals' Fantastic Beasts and where to find them films,
here is a read for those who enjoy strong female characters, a middle-grade novel that DOES NOT feature romance or angst, but instead features strong-minded and smart characters, a lot of great humor, and some truly unique "monsters" and what that definition is...
Join Rowan, the future queen-to-be, Alainor, a girl from a neighboring clan, and a mysterious young archer, Dain, as they set off on a journey to battle monsters, men, and even a potentially killer-bunny?
July 26, 2021
Totally fun. Princess Rowan wants to become the Royal Monster Slayer, after her beloved aunt Jannah eventually retires, even though as the 2-minutes older twin of her brother Rhyyd, she’s meant to become Queen. Rowan knows she would make a poor ruler, unlike her brother. He’s calm, thoughtful, diplomatic, and not really interested in slaying monsters. Rowan is driven, impulsive, kind and has a natural affinity for all creatures, and is incredibly eager to be the kingdom's slayer.
After a hunt for a gryphon goes terribly wrong, she’s becomes the acting monster slayer, provided she kill the gryphon in such a way that scheming councillor Heward can not refute her claim.
Along the way to this goal, Rowan picks up a jackelope companion, a formerly indentured boy now training with a monster slayer, and the daughter of a clan chief known to be the head of a band of thieves. The three kids make an effective team when working together; their banter and dialogue are good, and they manage to achieve quite a lot.
The Rowan we meet at the end of the book is still kind and impulsive, but tempered by her encounters with the gryphon, and the teamwork with the other two kids. Looking forward to book 2!
After a hunt for a gryphon goes terribly wrong, she’s becomes the acting monster slayer, provided she kill the gryphon in such a way that scheming councillor Heward can not refute her claim.
Along the way to this goal, Rowan picks up a jackelope companion, a formerly indentured boy now training with a monster slayer, and the daughter of a clan chief known to be the head of a band of thieves. The three kids make an effective team when working together; their banter and dialogue are good, and they manage to achieve quite a lot.
The Rowan we meet at the end of the book is still kind and impulsive, but tempered by her encounters with the gryphon, and the teamwork with the other two kids. Looking forward to book 2!
May 9, 2021
(Ok, not sure about illustrator credit just for the cover. Also not sure about the 'guide' bit as there's no guide, nor even training, but rather the world-building and learning is woven into the thrilling adventures. But.) (Oops. There are a few illustrations at the end, sort of like a guide. Wish I'd seen them from the beginning.)
Great story! And so *smart.* The right (small) dose of political intrigue. Very little actual magic. No map necessary to keep track of quests. Monsters are killed, but only as a last resort, rather, they're usually just driven back to the wilderness where they belong; if they are killed, their meat, hide, etc. are put to use. Children are both childlike and brave, impulsive and intelligent, fierce and kind. Adults die, but grieving rituals help, but grief wells up later, too. The action almost never lets up, and when it does, the conversations are interesting, too. Etc.
Of course there's diversity, as you can see by the cover. Traditional fantasy has a mix of different hair colors, well, this has a mix of hair and eye colors, physiques, and skin colors. People aren't either clever leaders or warriors, but both at the same time.
I particularly liked one bit where a child mocked another, verbal bullying, and while the 'victim' was hurt, she didn't act the victim by either sassing back or being cowed, but chose to briefly respond as if the comment were meant innocently, then, holding her head up, moved along to the next order or business. ... From now on, when I read a MG book with a victim who can't be, or at least behave as if they are, confident of their own worth, I'm going to be exasperated!
Not done yet, but close enough I can see I'm going to be motivated to continue the series. Not that I can guess where things can go after the ending that makes sense for me to predict here, but I have feeling I'll want more.
---
Ok done. Even though the 'wicked uncle' character is going to feature in book two, I get the impression from GR reviews that the focus will still be on the best parts/aspects of book one.
Too bad the blurb for book two has a spoiler for book one. But honestly, the journey is worth the destination (iow, it doesn't really matter to know the ending, and the book has reread value.)
The only nit I have to pick is how disrespectful Rowan is of the jackalope. He's clearly a mightier fighter than she gives him credit for being, and she shouldn't be wasting energy trying to dissuade and protect him. Let him contribute - sometimes being small & agile is the most effective way to reach a beast's more vulnerable parts, after all. And as it seems the jackalope is related to the hare (not the rabbit), and hares are born precocial, referring to the jackalope as 'just a baby' seems to be under-estimating its resourcefulness. Otoh, in general it's prey, not predators, that are born precocial, so who knows. I hope we get to learn more about jackalopes, and other monsters, in book two.
Great story! And so *smart.* The right (small) dose of political intrigue. Very little actual magic. No map necessary to keep track of quests. Monsters are killed, but only as a last resort, rather, they're usually just driven back to the wilderness where they belong; if they are killed, their meat, hide, etc. are put to use. Children are both childlike and brave, impulsive and intelligent, fierce and kind. Adults die, but grieving rituals help, but grief wells up later, too. The action almost never lets up, and when it does, the conversations are interesting, too. Etc.
Of course there's diversity, as you can see by the cover. Traditional fantasy has a mix of different hair colors, well, this has a mix of hair and eye colors, physiques, and skin colors. People aren't either clever leaders or warriors, but both at the same time.
I particularly liked one bit where a child mocked another, verbal bullying, and while the 'victim' was hurt, she didn't act the victim by either sassing back or being cowed, but chose to briefly respond as if the comment were meant innocently, then, holding her head up, moved along to the next order or business. ... From now on, when I read a MG book with a victim who can't be, or at least behave as if they are, confident of their own worth, I'm going to be exasperated!
Not done yet, but close enough I can see I'm going to be motivated to continue the series. Not that I can guess where things can go after the ending that makes sense for me to predict here, but I have feeling I'll want more.
---
Ok done. Even though the 'wicked uncle' character is going to feature in book two, I get the impression from GR reviews that the focus will still be on the best parts/aspects of book one.
Too bad the blurb for book two has a spoiler for book one. But honestly, the journey is worth the destination (iow, it doesn't really matter to know the ending, and the book has reread value.)
The only nit I have to pick is how disrespectful Rowan is of the jackalope. He's clearly a mightier fighter than she gives him credit for being, and she shouldn't be wasting energy trying to dissuade and protect him. Let him contribute - sometimes being small & agile is the most effective way to reach a beast's more vulnerable parts, after all. And as it seems the jackalope is related to the hare (not the rabbit), and hares are born precocial, referring to the jackalope as 'just a baby' seems to be under-estimating its resourcefulness. Otoh, in general it's prey, not predators, that are born precocial, so who knows. I hope we get to learn more about jackalopes, and other monsters, in book two.
November 27, 2019
This is a very fast paced action and adventure story. I like the whole concept, of royal monster hunters, and Rowan's desire to be one is quite obvious. Though how it comes about is kind of roundabout.
I'd hoped that there would be more interaction between Rhydd and Rowan, because of their twin bond. Maybe there will be in the future books of the series.
All of the different creatures we encountered so far are neat, though not all of them terribly unique. And I don't like that Jacko's name is Jacko. I think it's too plain and too simple. Although it was annoying for him to just be referred to as "the jackalope" too. so neither oprion is very good.
One scene I didn't care for was the one with the Jba fofi, which are tree spiders. Nothing agains the story or anything like that, but I just find them creepy, personally.
Since this is the first in a series, there's a lot of setup. I actually wish there were a bit more of the backstory in the beginning, rather than in the midst of all the adventure, because those parts took away from the pacing of the story.
Overall, it's a quick read full of action. I'm slightly curious to see what happens next.
*Please note that I won a copy of this book via Librarything giveaways*
I'd hoped that there would be more interaction between Rhydd and Rowan, because of their twin bond. Maybe there will be in the future books of the series.
All of the different creatures we encountered so far are neat, though not all of them terribly unique. And I don't like that Jacko's name is Jacko. I think it's too plain and too simple. Although it was annoying for him to just be referred to as "the jackalope" too. so neither oprion is very good.
One scene I didn't care for was the one with the Jba fofi, which are tree spiders. Nothing agains the story or anything like that, but I just find them creepy, personally.
Since this is the first in a series, there's a lot of setup. I actually wish there were a bit more of the backstory in the beginning, rather than in the midst of all the adventure, because those parts took away from the pacing of the story.
Overall, it's a quick read full of action. I'm slightly curious to see what happens next.
*Please note that I won a copy of this book via Librarything giveaways*
September 3, 2019
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying is an action packed first instalment in a new middle grade series by Canadian author, Kelley Armstrong. Featuring strong female characters, fast paced excitement, lots of mythical creatures, and an engaging storyline, this is one that will be enjoyed by Percy Jackson and Fantastic Beasts fans!
I only gave this three stars because while I did enjoy it, I did find that as an adult reader it did leave me wanting a bit more (sometime a bit too much action and not enough story) but I think the target 9-12 audience will really enjoy this one.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
I only gave this three stars because while I did enjoy it, I did find that as an adult reader it did leave me wanting a bit more (sometime a bit too much action and not enough story) but I think the target 9-12 audience will really enjoy this one.
ARC Provided by NetGalley
September 9, 2019
Politics in children's fantasy and adventure? Yep! This doesn't shy away from the hard stuff of running a kingdom with all that danger and intrigue, yet it doesn't get bogged down in it either. Armstrong takes a clever look at running a kingdom--at building a kingdom/a world--and keeping that kingdom running harmoniously within its different clans/people groups. All is not well under the surface here and there are hints at dangers to come further in the series! (And not just from the monsters.)
Very varied and enjoyable characters who grew and struggled and did not always succeed. I liked the art as well. Looking forward to more of this series!
Very varied and enjoyable characters who grew and struggled and did not always succeed. I liked the art as well. Looking forward to more of this series!
May 7, 2019
Wonderful and diverse fantasy novel (the first, it seems, of a series!) aimed at kids. Fans of magical monsters, adventure, and fantasy are sure to love it. In a market saturated by delicate white princesses with blonde flowing hair, it's great to see a black princess who saves both herself and her kingdom. Humorous and action-packed in turn, I hope this book finds many eager readers.
12 year old Princess Rowan is first born which means, per her clan's traditions, she is fated to be queen while her younger (by two minutes) brother is fated to be the kingdom's designated royal monster slayer. But Rowan has a gift for monsters which her brother lacks and when the opportunity comes for her to switch future careers with her sibling, Rowan takes it. Now, however, Rowan must defeat a murderous gryphon to retain both the coveted role of royal monster slayer and keep her family on the throne.
ARC via NetGalley
12 year old Princess Rowan is first born which means, per her clan's traditions, she is fated to be queen while her younger (by two minutes) brother is fated to be the kingdom's designated royal monster slayer. But Rowan has a gift for monsters which her brother lacks and when the opportunity comes for her to switch future careers with her sibling, Rowan takes it. Now, however, Rowan must defeat a murderous gryphon to retain both the coveted role of royal monster slayer and keep her family on the throne.
ARC via NetGalley
May 12, 2020
This book was given to me in exchange for a review, and I have to say I'm happy to do so. The protagonist is a strong female warrior chasing a dream, or in her mind a goal. Set in a world of dragons and other monsters, in a time period of long ago, (though not specified exactly) this gal manages some amazing feats during a fantastic adventure. I highly recommend this book!
May 16, 2023
Everything I could want in an adventure book for kids. The monster hunting princess and the beasts and human friends she more or less accidentally collects, do go through some serious trials and grow inside and out while doing so. Would love to watch it as an animated movie.
August 25, 2019
what a glorious little tale of heroism !!! I look forward to the sequel!
November 9, 2019
This is what you call GOOD tween fiction. This book blew me away with how amazing it was.
December 23, 2019
A cute, whimsical book of fantastical creatures and adventure. It took me a good 90 pages to really get into this book, but once I did, I devoured it in an afternoon. I look forward to the next!
January 17, 2020
The theme of this book is to always believe in yourself
February 1, 2020
The whole time reading this I kept thinking my daughter will love this book. It was a fun read for me.
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