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Creatures Most Vile
Stalked by monsters in the woods and her past, Anora finds safety in the quiet comforts of her small town life.
It’s another ordinary day when she's sent to a Guardian assessment designed to unleash rare supernatural abilities, until she blasts a tunnel of water across the room. Her coach calls her gift a blessing, but Anora knows it’s a death sentence. Now she must train as a Guardian and battle the very monsters that have tormented her entire life.
After being thrown into the arena with a clawed and cackling creature, Anora refuses to accept this new life. She appeals to the Commander and begs her trainers to let her go home. The more they refuse, the more Anora realizes this isn’t a training camp—it’s a prison and they will never let her leave. Now she must escape the camp before the Commander catches on, for if he does, he may turn out to be worse than the monsters lurking in the woods.
It’s another ordinary day when she's sent to a Guardian assessment designed to unleash rare supernatural abilities, until she blasts a tunnel of water across the room. Her coach calls her gift a blessing, but Anora knows it’s a death sentence. Now she must train as a Guardian and battle the very monsters that have tormented her entire life.
After being thrown into the arena with a clawed and cackling creature, Anora refuses to accept this new life. She appeals to the Commander and begs her trainers to let her go home. The more they refuse, the more Anora realizes this isn’t a training camp—it’s a prison and they will never let her leave. Now she must escape the camp before the Commander catches on, for if he does, he may turn out to be worse than the monsters lurking in the woods.
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2021
2 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Lauren
1 book16 followersMicrobiologist by day, author by night, Chelsea loves crafting and watching monster movies-which inspired the creatures in her debut novel, Creatures Most Vile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 9, 2021
Anora lives in a small village on the mainland that is terrorized by the creatures that live in the mountains. She's traumatized due to seeing her father brought down trying to save her from one such horrific creature and has crippling flashbacks. So when just before her graduation she's selected to train as a Guardian and fight what is her worst nightmare Anora is anything but happy ! No Anora is frightened, absolutely horrified and desperate to remain home and follow her dreams of a normal life. Too bad she's yanked away violently and Anoras trials are about to truly begin.
I feel that my use of the phrase"yanked away violently " says it all because the way these young people are treated by each other is very unpleasant indeed. The creatures are diverse and interesting but there's a huge gap in explaining why and how they came to be. I think right there the incomplete world building was at times frustrating and honestly I wanted to know more but the author really concentrated on Anora and the people who are suddenly running her life.
The Guardian's have all been chosen because they display remarkable abilities and Anora really struggled because unlike others she had no idea about her gifts and therefore never opportunity to practise or indeed come to terms with it. I did have immense sympathy for her although fear Anora is like Marmite and you either applaud her staying strong to what she wants or find her selfish and incapable of seeing the bigger picture.
The surrounding characters seemed confused at times deciding what they wanted and a sort of triangle began which didn't work for me unfortunately. There was something very obviously wrong and something happens that I could see coming all too easily which left this book on a cliff hanger and honestly I did feel it was a shame as I had wanted explanations. This is a debut and as such I am impressed and would read more but hope for the world building to be fleshed out . This is hard to rate as I did find myself eagerly turning the pages but left me somewhat dissatisfied so I feel three and a half raised to four because that's how it has to be recorded on Goodreads.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
I feel that my use of the phrase"yanked away violently " says it all because the way these young people are treated by each other is very unpleasant indeed. The creatures are diverse and interesting but there's a huge gap in explaining why and how they came to be. I think right there the incomplete world building was at times frustrating and honestly I wanted to know more but the author really concentrated on Anora and the people who are suddenly running her life.
The Guardian's have all been chosen because they display remarkable abilities and Anora really struggled because unlike others she had no idea about her gifts and therefore never opportunity to practise or indeed come to terms with it. I did have immense sympathy for her although fear Anora is like Marmite and you either applaud her staying strong to what she wants or find her selfish and incapable of seeing the bigger picture.
The surrounding characters seemed confused at times deciding what they wanted and a sort of triangle began which didn't work for me unfortunately. There was something very obviously wrong and something happens that I could see coming all too easily which left this book on a cliff hanger and honestly I did feel it was a shame as I had wanted explanations. This is a debut and as such I am impressed and would read more but hope for the world building to be fleshed out . This is hard to rate as I did find myself eagerly turning the pages but left me somewhat dissatisfied so I feel three and a half raised to four because that's how it has to be recorded on Goodreads.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
October 11, 2021
The full review is available here.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book. Creatures Most Vile is a fast-paced fantasy dystopia filled with monsters and dangers. It's a young-adult story with plenty of trigger warnings like anxiety, gore, and violence, that snatches you by the throat on page one and doesn't let go till the end.
While the romance/love triangle didn't sit well with me, they weren't enough to ruin my pleasure of reading the book. Judging by my own experience, I can say the MC's anxiety and panic attacks felt quite relatable. It's one of the main reasons I was so easily hooked, it just felt real. The massive cliffhanger at the end is something I could've lived without. But the reality is that this first book reads like something that sets up the stage and gives a few glimpses into the whole world. I'll definitely be reading the sequel, really can't for it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book. Creatures Most Vile is a fast-paced fantasy dystopia filled with monsters and dangers. It's a young-adult story with plenty of trigger warnings like anxiety, gore, and violence, that snatches you by the throat on page one and doesn't let go till the end.
While the romance/love triangle didn't sit well with me, they weren't enough to ruin my pleasure of reading the book. Judging by my own experience, I can say the MC's anxiety and panic attacks felt quite relatable. It's one of the main reasons I was so easily hooked, it just felt real. The massive cliffhanger at the end is something I could've lived without. But the reality is that this first book reads like something that sets up the stage and gives a few glimpses into the whole world. I'll definitely be reading the sequel, really can't for it.
June 26, 2021
This book absolutely blew me away! I am fully invested into this world that Chelsea has created. It’s hard to believe that this is her debut novel because it is really incredible. Anora is a wonderful main character, she’s got fire and determination no matter what has happened to her in her life. She’s presented with either accepting what she’s told is her future or fighting for what she thinks is right. And our girl is a fighter!! Finding allies in her new tumultuous world is not easy, or clear. The life of a guardian is not only not what Anora wants for herself, but not what is seems. Can Anora overcome her past and rise up? This novel is well written and fully immersive. I really think this could be adapted into a movie. I can’t wait for more so hurry up, Chelsea!! I need to know what happens next, don’t do this to my poor heart!
June 30, 2021
Anora is terrified of the creatures that creep over the mountain and attack her town. She is plagued by flashbacks of an event involving a creature when she was younger so her instinct is to run when one appears. During an evaluation in school her powers are uncovered and she is taken to train as a guardian, the elite force who protect civilians from the creatures. she is scared though and doesn’t want to face the creatures and she is angry that she hasn’t been given a choice.
This book was very well written, with tension built to the point I forgot I was reading. The plot moved at a steady pace and characters were realistic. The only thing that slightly dampened the book for me was anoras stubbornness. While I admired her spirit, her rebelliousness seemed misplaced and her plan flawed. Once she switched tactics I began to enjoy the book much more. It seemed like there may be a second book based on the way it ended which I would definitely read. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi/dystopian
Thanks to netgalley for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very well written, with tension built to the point I forgot I was reading. The plot moved at a steady pace and characters were realistic. The only thing that slightly dampened the book for me was anoras stubbornness. While I admired her spirit, her rebelliousness seemed misplaced and her plan flawed. Once she switched tactics I began to enjoy the book much more. It seemed like there may be a second book based on the way it ended which I would definitely read. I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi/dystopian
Thanks to netgalley for providing an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 1, 2021From the first page I was hooked! This author created a world I immediately wanted to know all about.
Anora had resigned herself to what the rest of her life would be and I feel like she had made peace with it. In the biggest twist, the Guardian assessment reveals her hidden abilities and her world is turned upside down. Her life will never be the same. I couldn't stop myself. I read this book in one sitting, following along as Anora navigates this new world she's been thrust into while battling monsters of her past. Anora creates friends, alliances, and enemies along the way.....but who can she trust???
Every page left me wanting more! I could not wait to see what happened next throughout the entire book. And I cannot wait for book 2!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Anora had resigned herself to what the rest of her life would be and I feel like she had made peace with it. In the biggest twist, the Guardian assessment reveals her hidden abilities and her world is turned upside down. Her life will never be the same. I couldn't stop myself. I read this book in one sitting, following along as Anora navigates this new world she's been thrust into while battling monsters of her past. Anora creates friends, alliances, and enemies along the way.....but who can she trust???
Every page left me wanting more! I could not wait to see what happened next throughout the entire book. And I cannot wait for book 2!!!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Zenith Publishing for providing this ARC!
Creatures Most Vile is a YA dystopian that follows Anora, a girl living in a world threatened by monsters that appear from the mountains near her home. In this world, Guardians, those 'blessed' with supernatural powers, are recruited to fight these monsters and maintain the safety of the population. So when Anora accidentally reveals powers during a school assessment, she is taken away to be trained as a Guardian - against her will and against everything she believes in.
This book was great! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire second half. I loved how Anora had absolutely no interest in being the hero (not even the reluctant hero). It was such a different take from a lot of YA and I found it super refreshing.
Anora is haunted by flashbacks of a monster attack from her past, and has learned to run hard and fast at the first sign of danger. I thought Anora's struggle with her past was portrayed well, and very relatable. I liked that she stuck to her guns about what she was and wasn't willing to do, and defended her right to having a choice over her fate. I was definitely rooting for her!
And um that ending?? I thought I knew exactly where this was going and then NOPE. I hope there is a second book coming because !!! Overall, Creatures Most Vile is a gripping read, and I would definitely recommend!
Creatures Most Vile is a YA dystopian that follows Anora, a girl living in a world threatened by monsters that appear from the mountains near her home. In this world, Guardians, those 'blessed' with supernatural powers, are recruited to fight these monsters and maintain the safety of the population. So when Anora accidentally reveals powers during a school assessment, she is taken away to be trained as a Guardian - against her will and against everything she believes in.
This book was great! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire second half. I loved how Anora had absolutely no interest in being the hero (not even the reluctant hero). It was such a different take from a lot of YA and I found it super refreshing.
Anora is haunted by flashbacks of a monster attack from her past, and has learned to run hard and fast at the first sign of danger. I thought Anora's struggle with her past was portrayed well, and very relatable. I liked that she stuck to her guns about what she was and wasn't willing to do, and defended her right to having a choice over her fate. I was definitely rooting for her!
And um that ending?? I thought I knew exactly where this was going and then NOPE. I hope there is a second book coming because !!! Overall, Creatures Most Vile is a gripping read, and I would definitely recommend!
July 17, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and GenZ for providing an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**Very light potential spoilers**
I'm not sure I've ever been more disappointed by the way a book ends than I am with Creatures Most Vile by Chelsea Lauren.
There were a lot of things to love about this book. The plot is fantastic; teenager Anora lives in a tiny town at the base of the Portemor Mountains, a mountain range absolutely teeming with horrible, vicious monsters of all shapes and sizes. Anora witnessed a horrific attack as a child that left her both mentally and physically scarred, and she lives in fear every day of the mosters that threaten to destroy her town and everyone in it if they so much as speak a little too loudly and draw attention from the mountains.
The day before Anora graduates high school she is found to have magic powers and is drafted to become a Guardian, a powerful warrior tasked with fighting the monsters and protecting the various towns from attacks. Except Anora isn't a warrior and she doesn't feel very powerful so when she is effectively kidnapped by Guardians and forced to join their ranks she makes it her mission to escape at all costs.
While main character Anora Baelin will likely be a divisive protagonist, I found her very relatable. I loved her stubbornness and her determination to fight against what she believed was wrong. Her trauma and PTSD are portrayed realistically and I was relieved that she did not suddenly get over it for plot convenience. She remains true to herself throughout the book, and I found it refreshing that she never gave in or started seeing things from the other side. She started the book wanting absolutely nothing to do with being a Guardian and she felt the same through the very last page.
The different powers held by the Guardians are diverse and entertaining, as are the monsters, of which no two seemed to be alike. There were Guardians who had mind control powers, Guardians who could control the elements, Guardians who could heat their skin until a touch of the finger caused third degree burns, a set of twins who could create an energy beam between their hands. There were snake-like monsters and humanoid monsters, and giant hulking beasts, and swarms of bugs with razor-sharp talons. While I loved the plot of this book, I would absolutely read an entire novel just about the Guardians fighting all the horrible monsters in the mountains because it was all so engaging.
The worldbuilding was interesting, but left something to be desired. We know there are these mountains which the monsters cross to attack the towns; we know there are various small towns scattered around the base and a much more advanced capital city tucked away on an island somewhere, safely away from potential attacks; and we know that for some reason there is an endless storm in the middle of the ocean that prevents any sea exploration but that's about it. Most of additional worldbuilding seems there simply for the sake of convenient explanations. For example, Anora, from her technologically stunted small town cut off from most advancement, has never heard the word "camera" but she's perfectly familiar with Jeeps, even though there don't seem to be any vehicles in her town. We don't get any explanation for the endless sea storm other than "that's why we can't find somewhere else to live." It was a tad frustrating at times because the part of the world we do get is fascinating and thrilling. I just wanted more.
I had two major problems with this book. The first problem is the love triangle. Again, Anora is a high school senior, most likely 17 or 18 years old, and one of her love interests, while his age is never directly stated, has been a squad leader in the Guardian for some time and at one point fondly remembers being 17. To me, he read as early-to-mid twenties, and his relationship with Anora made some parts very hard to read. This isn't even mentioning the fact that he personally harms Anora or directly puts her in harm's way numerous times. I can understand Anora forgiving him and looking past this, as she's just a teen and he's apparently super hot, but the book handwaves all his awfulness away with a half-assed reason why none of it was his fault and it was just awful. I more enjoyed her relationship with the other love interest, which was less insta-love and more age appropriate, but he was done dirty by the author and I'm not thrilled about it.
My biggest issue, and the reason this book is not 4/5 stars: the ending. Oh my, the ending. Nothing happened. At least, nothing that wasn't very obviously going to happen from about midway through the book. The thing that will obviously happen does, and then the book ends. There are no answers to any of the burning questions I had, no resolution for any characters in any way. We have no idea what happened to any of the side characters and not much more of an idea of what's happened to Anora. None of the mysteries are solved in any way. The book ends with the bad guy explaining all the bad things he's done and what he's going to do, movie villain style, and then he does exactly that. The end. It's clearly a set up for a sequel, but even as part of a series, a novel needs to have some kind of resolution or it's incredibly frustrating for the reader. I hated the ending to Creatures Most Vile more than I've hated any book's ending in recent memory, which is made all the more upsetting because I was so engrossed. The plot seemed to be leading somewhere BIG, and then everything fizzled.
There were a few other small problems, namely killing off one half of the only queer couple in the book (can we stop doing this, please?), and a bad guy whose personality seemed to change depending on what suited the scene, but those were minor comparatively.
If I could give this book two ratings, I'd give the first 75% 5 stars and the last 25% 1 or 2 stars, but since I can't I'll have to split the difference with 3. As frustrated as I am with the ending, I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series (which I assume there will be, given the million loose ends) but I might have to just because I'm so invested in this world and Anora's journey.
3.5/5 stars
Cw: anxiety, PTSD, flashbacks involving violent death, extreme bodily harm, torture (implied), on-page violent death, kidnapping
Merged review:
I'm not sure I've ever been more disappointed by the way a book ends than I am with Creatures Most Vile by Chelsea Lauren.
There were a lot of things to love about this book. The plot is fantastic; teenager Anora lives in a tiny town at the base of the Portemor Mountains, a mountain range absolutely teeming with horrible, vicious monsters of all shapes and sizes. Anora witnessed a horrific attack as a child that left her both mentally and physically scarred, and she lives in fear every day of the mosters that threaten to destroy her town and everyone in it if they so much as speak a little too loudly and draw attention from the mountains.
The day before Anora graduates high school she is found to have magic powers and is drafted to become a Guardian, a powerful warrior tasked with fighting the monsters and protecting the various towns from attacks. Except Anora isn't a warrior and she doesn't feel very powerful so when she is effectively kidnapped by Guardians and forced to join their ranks she makes it her mission to escape at all costs.
While main character Anora Baelin will likely be a divisive protagonist, I found her very relatable. I loved her stubbornness and her determination to fight against what she believed was wrong. Her trauma and PTSD are portrayed realistically and I was relieved that she did not suddenly get over it for plot convenience. She remains true to herself throughout the book, and I found it refreshing that she never gave in or started seeing things from the other side. She started the book wanting absolutely nothing to do with being a Guardian and she felt the same through the very last page.
The different powers held by the Guardians are diverse and entertaining, as are the monsters, of which no two seemed to be alike. There were Guardians who had mind control powers, Guardians who could control the elements, Guardians who could heat their skin until a touch of the finger caused third degree burns, a set of twins who could create an energy beam between their hands. There were snake-like monsters and humanoid monsters, and giant hulking beasts, and swarms of bugs with razor-sharp talons. While I loved the plot of this book, I would absolutely read an entire novel just about the Guardians fighting all the horrible monsters in the mountains because it was all so engaging.
The worldbuilding was interesting, but left something to be desired. We know there are these mountains which the monsters cross to attack the towns; we know there are various small towns scattered around the base and a much more advanced capital city tucked away on an island somewhere, safely away from potential attacks; and we know that for some reason there is an endless storm in the middle of the ocean that prevents any sea exploration but that's about it. Most of additional worldbuilding seems there simply for the sake of convenient explanations. For example, Anora, from her technologically stunted small town cut off from most advancement, has never heard the word "camera" but she's perfectly familiar with Jeeps, even though there don't seem to be any vehicles in her town. We don't get any explanation for the endless sea storm other than "that's why we can't find somewhere else to live." It was a tad frustrating at times because the part of the world we do get is fascinating and thrilling. I just wanted more.
I had three major problems with this book. The first, and this was simply a matter of writing style, were the dialogue tags. Characters don't say anything; instead they inquire, they announce, they mutter, they explain, they encourage, they insist, I even noted two instances of "he tsked." which was bizarre. The writing was mostly lovely and at one point Lauren had me almost moved to tears over a little story about sneakers. But the dialogue grew exhausting to read and I found myself rolling my eyes every time a character "announced" or "scolded" or "murmured."
The second problem is the love triangle. Again, Anora is a high school senior, most likely 17 or 18 years old, and one of her love interests, while his age is never directly stated, has been a squad leader in the Guardian for some time and at one point fondly remembers being 17. To me, he read as early-to-mid twenties, and his relationship with Anora made some parts very hard to read. This isn't even mentioning the fact that he personally harms Anora or directly puts her in harm's way numerous times. I can understand Anora forgiving him and looking past this, as she's just a teen and he's apparently super hot, but the book handwaves all his awfulness away with a half-assed reason why none of it was his fault and it was just awful. I more enjoyed her relationship with the other love interest, which was less insta-love and more age appropriate, but he was done dirty by the author and I'm not thrilled about it.
My biggest issue, and the reason this book is not 4/5 stars: the ending. Oh my, the ending. Nothing happened. At least, nothing that wasn't very obviously going to happen from about midway through the book. The thing that will obviously happen does, and then the book ends. There are no answers to any of the burning questions I had, no resolution for any characters in any way. We have no idea what happened to any of the side characters and not much more of an idea of what's happened to Anora. None of the mysteries are solved in any way. The book ends with the bad guy explaining all the bad things he's done and what he's going to do, movie villain style, and then he does exactly that. The end. It's clearly a set up for a sequel, but even as part of a series, a novel needs to have some kind of resolution or it's incredibly frustrating for the reader. I hated the ending to Creatures Most Vile more than I've hated any book's ending in recent memory, which is made all the more upsetting because I was so engrossed. The plot seemed to be leading somewhere BIG, and then everything fizzled.
There were a few other small problems, namely killing off one half of the only queer couple in the book (can we stop doing this, please?), and a bad guy whose personality seemed to change depending on what suited the scene, but those were minor comparatively.
If I could give this book two ratings, I'd give the first 75% 4 or 5 stars and the last 25% 1 or 2 stars, but since I can't I'll have to split the difference with 3. As frustrated as I am with the ending, I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series (which I assume there will be, given the million loose ends) but I might have to just because I'm so invested in this world and Anora's journey.
**Very light potential spoilers**
I'm not sure I've ever been more disappointed by the way a book ends than I am with Creatures Most Vile by Chelsea Lauren.
There were a lot of things to love about this book. The plot is fantastic; teenager Anora lives in a tiny town at the base of the Portemor Mountains, a mountain range absolutely teeming with horrible, vicious monsters of all shapes and sizes. Anora witnessed a horrific attack as a child that left her both mentally and physically scarred, and she lives in fear every day of the mosters that threaten to destroy her town and everyone in it if they so much as speak a little too loudly and draw attention from the mountains.
The day before Anora graduates high school she is found to have magic powers and is drafted to become a Guardian, a powerful warrior tasked with fighting the monsters and protecting the various towns from attacks. Except Anora isn't a warrior and she doesn't feel very powerful so when she is effectively kidnapped by Guardians and forced to join their ranks she makes it her mission to escape at all costs.
While main character Anora Baelin will likely be a divisive protagonist, I found her very relatable. I loved her stubbornness and her determination to fight against what she believed was wrong. Her trauma and PTSD are portrayed realistically and I was relieved that she did not suddenly get over it for plot convenience. She remains true to herself throughout the book, and I found it refreshing that she never gave in or started seeing things from the other side. She started the book wanting absolutely nothing to do with being a Guardian and she felt the same through the very last page.
The different powers held by the Guardians are diverse and entertaining, as are the monsters, of which no two seemed to be alike. There were Guardians who had mind control powers, Guardians who could control the elements, Guardians who could heat their skin until a touch of the finger caused third degree burns, a set of twins who could create an energy beam between their hands. There were snake-like monsters and humanoid monsters, and giant hulking beasts, and swarms of bugs with razor-sharp talons. While I loved the plot of this book, I would absolutely read an entire novel just about the Guardians fighting all the horrible monsters in the mountains because it was all so engaging.
The worldbuilding was interesting, but left something to be desired. We know there are these mountains which the monsters cross to attack the towns; we know there are various small towns scattered around the base and a much more advanced capital city tucked away on an island somewhere, safely away from potential attacks; and we know that for some reason there is an endless storm in the middle of the ocean that prevents any sea exploration but that's about it. Most of additional worldbuilding seems there simply for the sake of convenient explanations. For example, Anora, from her technologically stunted small town cut off from most advancement, has never heard the word "camera" but she's perfectly familiar with Jeeps, even though there don't seem to be any vehicles in her town. We don't get any explanation for the endless sea storm other than "that's why we can't find somewhere else to live." It was a tad frustrating at times because the part of the world we do get is fascinating and thrilling. I just wanted more.
I had two major problems with this book. The first problem is the love triangle. Again, Anora is a high school senior, most likely 17 or 18 years old, and one of her love interests, while his age is never directly stated, has been a squad leader in the Guardian for some time and at one point fondly remembers being 17. To me, he read as early-to-mid twenties, and his relationship with Anora made some parts very hard to read. This isn't even mentioning the fact that he personally harms Anora or directly puts her in harm's way numerous times. I can understand Anora forgiving him and looking past this, as she's just a teen and he's apparently super hot, but the book handwaves all his awfulness away with a half-assed reason why none of it was his fault and it was just awful. I more enjoyed her relationship with the other love interest, which was less insta-love and more age appropriate, but he was done dirty by the author and I'm not thrilled about it.
My biggest issue, and the reason this book is not 4/5 stars: the ending. Oh my, the ending. Nothing happened. At least, nothing that wasn't very obviously going to happen from about midway through the book. The thing that will obviously happen does, and then the book ends. There are no answers to any of the burning questions I had, no resolution for any characters in any way. We have no idea what happened to any of the side characters and not much more of an idea of what's happened to Anora. None of the mysteries are solved in any way. The book ends with the bad guy explaining all the bad things he's done and what he's going to do, movie villain style, and then he does exactly that. The end. It's clearly a set up for a sequel, but even as part of a series, a novel needs to have some kind of resolution or it's incredibly frustrating for the reader. I hated the ending to Creatures Most Vile more than I've hated any book's ending in recent memory, which is made all the more upsetting because I was so engrossed. The plot seemed to be leading somewhere BIG, and then everything fizzled.
There were a few other small problems, namely killing off one half of the only queer couple in the book (can we stop doing this, please?), and a bad guy whose personality seemed to change depending on what suited the scene, but those were minor comparatively.
If I could give this book two ratings, I'd give the first 75% 5 stars and the last 25% 1 or 2 stars, but since I can't I'll have to split the difference with 3. As frustrated as I am with the ending, I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series (which I assume there will be, given the million loose ends) but I might have to just because I'm so invested in this world and Anora's journey.
3.5/5 stars
Cw: anxiety, PTSD, flashbacks involving violent death, extreme bodily harm, torture (implied), on-page violent death, kidnapping
Merged review:
I'm not sure I've ever been more disappointed by the way a book ends than I am with Creatures Most Vile by Chelsea Lauren.
There were a lot of things to love about this book. The plot is fantastic; teenager Anora lives in a tiny town at the base of the Portemor Mountains, a mountain range absolutely teeming with horrible, vicious monsters of all shapes and sizes. Anora witnessed a horrific attack as a child that left her both mentally and physically scarred, and she lives in fear every day of the mosters that threaten to destroy her town and everyone in it if they so much as speak a little too loudly and draw attention from the mountains.
The day before Anora graduates high school she is found to have magic powers and is drafted to become a Guardian, a powerful warrior tasked with fighting the monsters and protecting the various towns from attacks. Except Anora isn't a warrior and she doesn't feel very powerful so when she is effectively kidnapped by Guardians and forced to join their ranks she makes it her mission to escape at all costs.
While main character Anora Baelin will likely be a divisive protagonist, I found her very relatable. I loved her stubbornness and her determination to fight against what she believed was wrong. Her trauma and PTSD are portrayed realistically and I was relieved that she did not suddenly get over it for plot convenience. She remains true to herself throughout the book, and I found it refreshing that she never gave in or started seeing things from the other side. She started the book wanting absolutely nothing to do with being a Guardian and she felt the same through the very last page.
The different powers held by the Guardians are diverse and entertaining, as are the monsters, of which no two seemed to be alike. There were Guardians who had mind control powers, Guardians who could control the elements, Guardians who could heat their skin until a touch of the finger caused third degree burns, a set of twins who could create an energy beam between their hands. There were snake-like monsters and humanoid monsters, and giant hulking beasts, and swarms of bugs with razor-sharp talons. While I loved the plot of this book, I would absolutely read an entire novel just about the Guardians fighting all the horrible monsters in the mountains because it was all so engaging.
The worldbuilding was interesting, but left something to be desired. We know there are these mountains which the monsters cross to attack the towns; we know there are various small towns scattered around the base and a much more advanced capital city tucked away on an island somewhere, safely away from potential attacks; and we know that for some reason there is an endless storm in the middle of the ocean that prevents any sea exploration but that's about it. Most of additional worldbuilding seems there simply for the sake of convenient explanations. For example, Anora, from her technologically stunted small town cut off from most advancement, has never heard the word "camera" but she's perfectly familiar with Jeeps, even though there don't seem to be any vehicles in her town. We don't get any explanation for the endless sea storm other than "that's why we can't find somewhere else to live." It was a tad frustrating at times because the part of the world we do get is fascinating and thrilling. I just wanted more.
I had three major problems with this book. The first, and this was simply a matter of writing style, were the dialogue tags. Characters don't say anything; instead they inquire, they announce, they mutter, they explain, they encourage, they insist, I even noted two instances of "he tsked." which was bizarre. The writing was mostly lovely and at one point Lauren had me almost moved to tears over a little story about sneakers. But the dialogue grew exhausting to read and I found myself rolling my eyes every time a character "announced" or "scolded" or "murmured."
The second problem is the love triangle. Again, Anora is a high school senior, most likely 17 or 18 years old, and one of her love interests, while his age is never directly stated, has been a squad leader in the Guardian for some time and at one point fondly remembers being 17. To me, he read as early-to-mid twenties, and his relationship with Anora made some parts very hard to read. This isn't even mentioning the fact that he personally harms Anora or directly puts her in harm's way numerous times. I can understand Anora forgiving him and looking past this, as she's just a teen and he's apparently super hot, but the book handwaves all his awfulness away with a half-assed reason why none of it was his fault and it was just awful. I more enjoyed her relationship with the other love interest, which was less insta-love and more age appropriate, but he was done dirty by the author and I'm not thrilled about it.
My biggest issue, and the reason this book is not 4/5 stars: the ending. Oh my, the ending. Nothing happened. At least, nothing that wasn't very obviously going to happen from about midway through the book. The thing that will obviously happen does, and then the book ends. There are no answers to any of the burning questions I had, no resolution for any characters in any way. We have no idea what happened to any of the side characters and not much more of an idea of what's happened to Anora. None of the mysteries are solved in any way. The book ends with the bad guy explaining all the bad things he's done and what he's going to do, movie villain style, and then he does exactly that. The end. It's clearly a set up for a sequel, but even as part of a series, a novel needs to have some kind of resolution or it's incredibly frustrating for the reader. I hated the ending to Creatures Most Vile more than I've hated any book's ending in recent memory, which is made all the more upsetting because I was so engrossed. The plot seemed to be leading somewhere BIG, and then everything fizzled.
There were a few other small problems, namely killing off one half of the only queer couple in the book (can we stop doing this, please?), and a bad guy whose personality seemed to change depending on what suited the scene, but those were minor comparatively.
If I could give this book two ratings, I'd give the first 75% 4 or 5 stars and the last 25% 1 or 2 stars, but since I can't I'll have to split the difference with 3. As frustrated as I am with the ending, I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series (which I assume there will be, given the million loose ends) but I might have to just because I'm so invested in this world and Anora's journey.
August 24, 2021
Wow! This was a hell of a debut, and I can't wait to read more! It started out so I tense and the drama only ratcheted up as we got further into the story. Admittedly I didn't love the main character, but I could understand her, which made it more interesting for me. Rather than being the best she could be and taking on her powers, she really fought them. "Not me, I'm not going along with this" was her motto. I kind of have to give her credit for that. She wanted to choose her future rather than dying for something she didn't want to do. How can I blame her for that?
The love triangle went pretty much as I thought it would, so I wasn't surprised by the ending, but it was definitely an awesome scene.
Can't wait to read book two and find out what the heck is going on!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The love triangle went pretty much as I thought it would, so I wasn't surprised by the ending, but it was definitely an awesome scene.
Can't wait to read book two and find out what the heck is going on!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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October 16, 2021The Review
The world-building in this novel was fantastic! The author did an incredible job of not only captivating readers with a strong protagonist who evolved greatly over the course of the narrative but crafted a merciless and haunting dystopian world full of monsters, both the ravenous and humankind. The mythos that the author crafted around these fictional nations and the creatures that inhabit them, as well as the Guardians and their purpose, was incredible to watch unfold and did a great job of putting a new spin on the dystopian SCI-FI genre.
The character arcs were what really brought me into this narrative fully. Anora was a fantastic hero to watch grow, as her arc from a scared and family-driven young girl into a strong and rebellious young woman was such a great and well-rounded story arc. The antagonists of this book were so vile and twisted, and the author did a great job of shocking readers with twists and turns that would change character perspectives constantly.
The Verdict
A heart-pounding, jaw-dropping, and entertaining read, author Chelsea Lauren’s “Creatures Most Vile” is a must-read dystopian sci-fi of 2021! The perfect read for sci-fi fans during the spooky season, the chilling monster attacks to set up the novel’s setting, and the twisted mind-games that the protagonist must endure making this a tense-filled world that cries out for a sequel.
The world-building in this novel was fantastic! The author did an incredible job of not only captivating readers with a strong protagonist who evolved greatly over the course of the narrative but crafted a merciless and haunting dystopian world full of monsters, both the ravenous and humankind. The mythos that the author crafted around these fictional nations and the creatures that inhabit them, as well as the Guardians and their purpose, was incredible to watch unfold and did a great job of putting a new spin on the dystopian SCI-FI genre.
The character arcs were what really brought me into this narrative fully. Anora was a fantastic hero to watch grow, as her arc from a scared and family-driven young girl into a strong and rebellious young woman was such a great and well-rounded story arc. The antagonists of this book were so vile and twisted, and the author did a great job of shocking readers with twists and turns that would change character perspectives constantly.
The Verdict
A heart-pounding, jaw-dropping, and entertaining read, author Chelsea Lauren’s “Creatures Most Vile” is a must-read dystopian sci-fi of 2021! The perfect read for sci-fi fans during the spooky season, the chilling monster attacks to set up the novel’s setting, and the twisted mind-games that the protagonist must endure making this a tense-filled world that cries out for a sequel.
October 24, 2021
More, please!
Chelsea Lauren’s debut novel delights readers with complex characters, horrific monsters, and descriptive imagery that leaves readers anxious for the next installment in what clearly needs to be a series. Anora, the reluctant heroine, is messy and real; the relationships she forms with others pinpoint her weaknesses and help her discover her strengths. Chelsea Lauren crafts Portemor monsters that inspire fear only to be surpassed by the even more nightmarish Commander himself. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.
Chelsea Lauren’s debut novel delights readers with complex characters, horrific monsters, and descriptive imagery that leaves readers anxious for the next installment in what clearly needs to be a series. Anora, the reluctant heroine, is messy and real; the relationships she forms with others pinpoint her weaknesses and help her discover her strengths. Chelsea Lauren crafts Portemor monsters that inspire fear only to be surpassed by the even more nightmarish Commander himself. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.
October 22, 2021
Loved it!
This is an enjoyable read! The characters are well developed. I could sympathize with Anora and the dilemma she faced, torn between what everyone expected of her and what she truly believed was the right thing to do. The bleakness and despair felt real. The monsters were terrifying! I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next!
This is an enjoyable read! The characters are well developed. I could sympathize with Anora and the dilemma she faced, torn between what everyone expected of her and what she truly believed was the right thing to do. The bleakness and despair felt real. The monsters were terrifying! I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next!
August 11, 2021
**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I could not get enough of this book. I binge read it. It was absolutely amazing. It's an amazing ride from start to finish. The plot is solid and you just get absord in everything that is happening. A must read.
I could not get enough of this book. I binge read it. It was absolutely amazing. It's an amazing ride from start to finish. The plot is solid and you just get absord in everything that is happening. A must read.
July 14, 2021
Genre: YA/ Dystopian/ Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
Trigger warnings: violence, death, blood, anxiety.
Favorite Quote/Excerpt: “I was still scarred, still broken. I always would be. But they had seared out the part of me worried about preservation. The girl who was left only craved revenge.”
Synopsis:
All Anora wants to do is live her life the way she wanted. Support her family with nurse pay in a world that has been ravaged by monsters. When she inadvertently manifests her powers during her Guardian assessment, she is sent off to train at the Guardian compound, much to her dismay. After being thrust into an arena with the very creatures that paralyze her with fear, she decides to not accept this life. Now she must find a way to convince the Commander to release her or escape…
Thoughts:
This book completely surprised me. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut novel! While it may not be perfect, the originality of the world and supernatural abilities was so refreshing and totally unexpected.
Anora’s character was professionally written. Her anxiety and fear could be felt through the page in a way that had me on edge feeling those same anxious feelings. There was a healthy mix of different characters, each unique from the other and made it quite easy to follow.
Plot wise, while a general idea could be formed and be correct, the few twists and turns were ones I did not count on and made it that more enjoyable to read.
There is some romance in this, but not a main part of the story. One part of the romance was one I wish was a bit different (I will not say anymore to avoid spoilers).
Lastly, I could not see anywhere that there is a second book, but MAN, did the author leave it open….and that is one writing style I just cannot get on board with! LOL, I want to know how this ends, like right now! I will say, if there is another book, she left you RIGHT where you want to read more!
Conclusion:
Overall, this was a remarkably interesting, intriguing fun read. If you are looking for a dystopian world full of monsters, angst, anxiety, and wanting to root for a stubborn and determined heroine? This book is for you, and I recommend you give it a read.
Creatures Most Vile debuts on October 12, 2021.
Rating: 4/5
Trigger warnings: violence, death, blood, anxiety.
Favorite Quote/Excerpt: “I was still scarred, still broken. I always would be. But they had seared out the part of me worried about preservation. The girl who was left only craved revenge.”
Synopsis:
All Anora wants to do is live her life the way she wanted. Support her family with nurse pay in a world that has been ravaged by monsters. When she inadvertently manifests her powers during her Guardian assessment, she is sent off to train at the Guardian compound, much to her dismay. After being thrust into an arena with the very creatures that paralyze her with fear, she decides to not accept this life. Now she must find a way to convince the Commander to release her or escape…
Thoughts:
This book completely surprised me. I honestly cannot believe this is a debut novel! While it may not be perfect, the originality of the world and supernatural abilities was so refreshing and totally unexpected.
Anora’s character was professionally written. Her anxiety and fear could be felt through the page in a way that had me on edge feeling those same anxious feelings. There was a healthy mix of different characters, each unique from the other and made it quite easy to follow.
Plot wise, while a general idea could be formed and be correct, the few twists and turns were ones I did not count on and made it that more enjoyable to read.
There is some romance in this, but not a main part of the story. One part of the romance was one I wish was a bit different (I will not say anymore to avoid spoilers).
Lastly, I could not see anywhere that there is a second book, but MAN, did the author leave it open….and that is one writing style I just cannot get on board with! LOL, I want to know how this ends, like right now! I will say, if there is another book, she left you RIGHT where you want to read more!
Conclusion:
Overall, this was a remarkably interesting, intriguing fun read. If you are looking for a dystopian world full of monsters, angst, anxiety, and wanting to root for a stubborn and determined heroine? This book is for you, and I recommend you give it a read.
Creatures Most Vile debuts on October 12, 2021.
September 16, 2021
I honestly can't believe this was a debut novel. I could not put it down. Creatures Most Vile was an intense page turner that kept me guessing and surprised at every turn. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen I was surprised by a new twist, especially at the end. I loved the ending even though it was definitely not what I expected. This is the first novel in a series and definitely ended on a cliff hanger which made me even more excited to read the next novel in this series. I could definitely see this novel as a movie. I feel like it could be the next Hunger Games. I can't wait for the next one Chelsea Lauren I need to know what happens to Anora!
September 7, 2021
In Creatures Most Vile, we meet Anora, an older teen about to graduate high school in a restricted mainland area of a country plagued by monsters. What she wants above all is to fulfill her prospective position as a nurse and support her aging parents and little brother. She needs to move past the flashbacks and debilitating trauma of watching her father be killed by a creat (creature). What she did not expect was to have her Guardian powers manifest, snowballing her into a militarized training in a mountain facility where creats roam free. The story takes us through Anora's acceptance of her powers, to her developing friendships and love interests with her peers and fellow recruits. When she uncovers a scheme which may be robbing the country of many of its promising youth, Anora must fight for what she knows is right--no matter the outcome. CMV is YA (possibly dystopian) fantasy. Fans of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series will gobble this up. I do hope the next book comes out soon, because that ending left me dazed.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
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June 30, 2022DNF 25%
TW: trauma, gore, death of a family member
It's been more than two weeks since I last opened this book and I can't find the energy to do so again.
What I liked: the isolated village with dangerous monsters that eat people, the main character going through ptsd after the gruesome death of her father, the MC's happy relationship with her family...That's it for the few chapters I read.
Other than that, the book failed to grip me. I don't know if it's explained later or not but I don't understand why no other cities would help this one, and why the people are not allowed to leave. Either the information is lacking or it's given way too late for me to care about it.
The characters weren't my thing either, they weren't compelling. I simply didn't care...
From what I read in other reviews my lack of enjoyment is only going to get worse if I continue.
TW: trauma, gore, death of a family member
It's been more than two weeks since I last opened this book and I can't find the energy to do so again.
What I liked: the isolated village with dangerous monsters that eat people, the main character going through ptsd after the gruesome death of her father, the MC's happy relationship with her family...That's it for the few chapters I read.
Other than that, the book failed to grip me. I don't know if it's explained later or not but I don't understand why no other cities would help this one, and why the people are not allowed to leave. Either the information is lacking or it's given way too late for me to care about it.
The characters weren't my thing either, they weren't compelling. I simply didn't care...
From what I read in other reviews my lack of enjoyment is only going to get worse if I continue.
October 23, 2021
I like books that grab me right from the start. THIS is one of those books! This is my first YA Dystopian Fantasy book, but it will not be my last! As Anoras'story is told, you go through a range of emotions and I didn't want to stop reading! I think this author is very talented and can't wait for Book 2!
September 24, 2021
Wow! I am shocked to learn this is Chelsea Lauren's debut because it was phenomenal - well thought out and developed! The world-building is lush and beautiful and it read like a world I would believe really truly existed. It is an absolutely wonderful and well-done story arc.
October 13, 2021
Creatures most vile: 4.5/5 stars (rounded to 5)
What I like most about this book is the main character. She is written so well. Anora is complex, broken/rebuilt, an antihero but also a heroine. She makes me think.
*Spoilers*
She does not take the path I think most characters would. I think in a lot of books with young girls tasked with saving the world throw themselves into it and don't ever question or waver from the path. Anora is the opposite, and doesn't want the responsibility of saving the world, especially when plagued by severe PTSD from her father's death. I can't blame her, her world is scary. I think it makes her more real, even if it's not the story I always *want* to read, it's a story that deserves to be told and was told well in this book.
That said, Anora is not someone I instantly clicked with, right from page one. But she grew on me, making that bond between me (as the reader) and her (as her story) deeper. More like a true friendship cause her faults were laid out bare for me to see at the get-go and I learned to love her and feel for her plight.
The 1/2 star deduction happens with world building. This world is a parallel world of our own, with a lot of the same societal, cultural norms (like marriage, high school, college, etc), but also is....not? The moon is blue or red sometimes and during her training, Anora is introduced to a projector/camera and doesn't know what to call it. So she struggles to describe it. Same with "treadmill /safe runner." And it just feels weird. It removed me from the story just in those few incidences. Nothing major just a personal preference.
Plot moved along quickly, there isn't long drawn out training or battle scenes. There are a lot of battles and training, but the scenes feel quick and emotionally impactful. Which I enjoy.
I really think this is a great book, I can't believe it's a debut! Can't wait to read more from this promising author!
I received an ARC of this book from netgalley/Zenith Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
What I like most about this book is the main character. She is written so well. Anora is complex, broken/rebuilt, an antihero but also a heroine. She makes me think.
*Spoilers*
She does not take the path I think most characters would. I think in a lot of books with young girls tasked with saving the world throw themselves into it and don't ever question or waver from the path. Anora is the opposite, and doesn't want the responsibility of saving the world, especially when plagued by severe PTSD from her father's death. I can't blame her, her world is scary. I think it makes her more real, even if it's not the story I always *want* to read, it's a story that deserves to be told and was told well in this book.
That said, Anora is not someone I instantly clicked with, right from page one. But she grew on me, making that bond between me (as the reader) and her (as her story) deeper. More like a true friendship cause her faults were laid out bare for me to see at the get-go and I learned to love her and feel for her plight.
The 1/2 star deduction happens with world building. This world is a parallel world of our own, with a lot of the same societal, cultural norms (like marriage, high school, college, etc), but also is....not? The moon is blue or red sometimes and during her training, Anora is introduced to a projector/camera and doesn't know what to call it. So she struggles to describe it. Same with "treadmill /safe runner." And it just feels weird. It removed me from the story just in those few incidences. Nothing major just a personal preference.
Plot moved along quickly, there isn't long drawn out training or battle scenes. There are a lot of battles and training, but the scenes feel quick and emotionally impactful. Which I enjoy.
I really think this is a great book, I can't believe it's a debut! Can't wait to read more from this promising author!
I received an ARC of this book from netgalley/Zenith Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
I need to know what happens next!
This was a great book, it had plenty of action to be a page-turner the whole way through! Anora is forced to discover that she has elemental powers, and is sent to a Guardian camp to work on her abilities and fight monsters that plague her country. The problem- she doesn't want to do any of this. It was a refreshing take to see a character with magical powers that they don't want- I feel like most stories feature a protagonist who is excited for their magical reveal. This story ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
The one critique I have on this book is that I feel like the author jumped right into the story at the beginning without enough background on the creatures. What are they? Where do they come from and why? Why are the citizens forced to live on an island that is infested with monsters, instead of all just moving somewhere else? I would have loved to have had these points addressed, if even just as a short story in the prologue.
This was a great book, it had plenty of action to be a page-turner the whole way through! Anora is forced to discover that she has elemental powers, and is sent to a Guardian camp to work on her abilities and fight monsters that plague her country. The problem- she doesn't want to do any of this. It was a refreshing take to see a character with magical powers that they don't want- I feel like most stories feature a protagonist who is excited for their magical reveal. This story ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
The one critique I have on this book is that I feel like the author jumped right into the story at the beginning without enough background on the creatures. What are they? Where do they come from and why? Why are the citizens forced to live on an island that is infested with monsters, instead of all just moving somewhere else? I would have loved to have had these points addressed, if even just as a short story in the prologue.
July 16, 2021
2.5☆
As per usual, I'm the unpopular opinion. I don't know how to describe my feelings for this book other than ...meh.
Before I rant about everything I didn't like, I did like the premise and the quiet place x divergent x how to train your dragon vibes it had. I just personally didn't live for the rest.
I hated the main character, she was so annoying, stubborn, would not listen and was overall dumb. What especially annoyed me was her refusal to listen to warnings from the older guardians. Any normal, scared teenager, even if they don't like where they are, would listen.
In general, the book was so predictable, I even knew that the ending was going to happen (however, I didn't think it would be the end, which is one of the reasons I hated the ending). Also, it felt too fast and some things weren't congruent and were confusing.
The ending was so bad, it was so predictable, and even if I hadn't guessed what was going to happen, it would've still pissed me off. I hope this book will have a sequel, because if it doesn't, it will make me hate the ending even more.
Finally, number one on the list of things I disliked: the love triangle. WHY and neither of the relationships was developed enough in my opinion. That's all I'm going to say.
REP: PTSD, wlw couple
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As per usual, I'm the unpopular opinion. I don't know how to describe my feelings for this book other than ...meh.
Before I rant about everything I didn't like, I did like the premise and the quiet place x divergent x how to train your dragon vibes it had. I just personally didn't live for the rest.
I hated the main character, she was so annoying, stubborn, would not listen and was overall dumb. What especially annoyed me was her refusal to listen to warnings from the older guardians. Any normal, scared teenager, even if they don't like where they are, would listen.
In general, the book was so predictable, I even knew that the ending was going to happen (however, I didn't think it would be the end, which is one of the reasons I hated the ending). Also, it felt too fast and some things weren't congruent and were confusing.
The ending was so bad, it was so predictable, and even if I hadn't guessed what was going to happen, it would've still pissed me off. I hope this book will have a sequel, because if it doesn't, it will make me hate the ending even more.
Finally, number one on the list of things I disliked: the love triangle. WHY and neither of the relationships was developed enough in my opinion. That's all I'm going to say.
REP: PTSD, wlw couple
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2021
"You have the power. Blessed by the Mother above. Congratulations." These are the words every person in Alberune hopes to hear. In Creatures Most Vile, Chelsea Lauren's debut novel, a small number of people are gifted with abilities to fight the monsters plaguing their land. As far as Anora's concerned, becoming a Guardian is nothing more than a death sentence. But when her powers are discovered, she's taken from her home, her family, and everything she knows. After countless attempts at forcing her to utilize her talents, her trainers' methods become more extreme. The horrors she witnesses leave her asking herself who the real monsters are.
There are so many great things to love about this novel. For me, the highlight was the monsters. Not only are they all unique, but the fact that their origins are mysterious and open-ended keeps readers guessing. And they are introduced organically when the characters face them, rather than all at once.
Another great detail is Anora's character. She is a firecracker from beginning to end. She's the type of person readers will root for because her morals remain strong, even when it's hard. She refuses to be pushed around, and that will make readers fall in love with her.
Something that readers may take issue with is Anora's love triangle/square? She seems as though she develops feelings for any boy who shows her the smallest amount of kindness. It comes across as a bit immature, but she is only 17/18, so it makes perfect sense. It doesn't take away from the storyline much, even though one possible love interest has a borderline uncomfortable power/age imbalance.
The end of the novel may also disappoint readers. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that the last 10% is pretty predictable. With all the tension building and unanswered questions, the ending didn't quite measure up.
Because of all this, I'm rating Creatures Most Vile four out of five stars. The creativity of the novel breathes new life into the dystopian genre. But some of the fine details take away from the incredible plotline. If you loved The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or The Red Queen, this one is a must-read. Just be ready to impatiently dangle off the edge of a cliff until we get the next installment.
Merged review:
"You have the power. Blessed by the Mother above. Congratulations." These are the words every person in Alberune hopes to hear. In Creatures Most Vile, Chelsea Lauren's debut novel, a small number of people are gifted with abilities to fight the monsters plaguing their land. As far as Anora's concerned, becoming a Guardian is nothing more than a death sentence. But when her powers are discovered, she's taken from her home, her family, and everything she knows. After countless attempts at forcing her to utilize her talents, her trainers' methods become more extreme. The horrors she witnesses leave her asking herself who the real monsters are.
There are so many great things to love about this novel. For me, the highlight was the monsters. Not only are they all unique, but the fact that their origins are mysterious and open-ended keeps readers guessing. And they are introduced organically when the characters face them, rather than all at once.
Another great detail is Anora's character. She is a firecracker from beginning to end. She's the type of person readers will root for because her morals remain strong, even when it's hard. She refuses to be pushed around, and that will make readers fall in love with her.
Something that readers may take issue with is Anora's love triangle/square? She seems as though she develops feelings for any boy who shows her the smallest amount of kindness. It comes across as a bit immature, but she is only 17/18, so it makes perfect sense. It doesn't take away from the storyline much, even though one possible love interest has a borderline uncomfortable power/age imbalance.
The end of the novel may also disappoint readers. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that the last 10% is pretty predictable. With all the tension building and unanswered questions, the ending didn't quite measure up.
Because of all this, I'm rating Creatures Most Vile four out of five stars. The creativity of the novel breathes new life into the dystopian genre. But some of the fine details take away from the incredible plotline. If you loved The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or The Red Queen, this one is a must-read. Just be ready to impatiently dangle off the edge of a cliff until we get the next installment.
There are so many great things to love about this novel. For me, the highlight was the monsters. Not only are they all unique, but the fact that their origins are mysterious and open-ended keeps readers guessing. And they are introduced organically when the characters face them, rather than all at once.
Another great detail is Anora's character. She is a firecracker from beginning to end. She's the type of person readers will root for because her morals remain strong, even when it's hard. She refuses to be pushed around, and that will make readers fall in love with her.
Something that readers may take issue with is Anora's love triangle/square? She seems as though she develops feelings for any boy who shows her the smallest amount of kindness. It comes across as a bit immature, but she is only 17/18, so it makes perfect sense. It doesn't take away from the storyline much, even though one possible love interest has a borderline uncomfortable power/age imbalance.
The end of the novel may also disappoint readers. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that the last 10% is pretty predictable. With all the tension building and unanswered questions, the ending didn't quite measure up.
Because of all this, I'm rating Creatures Most Vile four out of five stars. The creativity of the novel breathes new life into the dystopian genre. But some of the fine details take away from the incredible plotline. If you loved The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or The Red Queen, this one is a must-read. Just be ready to impatiently dangle off the edge of a cliff until we get the next installment.
Merged review:
"You have the power. Blessed by the Mother above. Congratulations." These are the words every person in Alberune hopes to hear. In Creatures Most Vile, Chelsea Lauren's debut novel, a small number of people are gifted with abilities to fight the monsters plaguing their land. As far as Anora's concerned, becoming a Guardian is nothing more than a death sentence. But when her powers are discovered, she's taken from her home, her family, and everything she knows. After countless attempts at forcing her to utilize her talents, her trainers' methods become more extreme. The horrors she witnesses leave her asking herself who the real monsters are.
There are so many great things to love about this novel. For me, the highlight was the monsters. Not only are they all unique, but the fact that their origins are mysterious and open-ended keeps readers guessing. And they are introduced organically when the characters face them, rather than all at once.
Another great detail is Anora's character. She is a firecracker from beginning to end. She's the type of person readers will root for because her morals remain strong, even when it's hard. She refuses to be pushed around, and that will make readers fall in love with her.
Something that readers may take issue with is Anora's love triangle/square? She seems as though she develops feelings for any boy who shows her the smallest amount of kindness. It comes across as a bit immature, but she is only 17/18, so it makes perfect sense. It doesn't take away from the storyline much, even though one possible love interest has a borderline uncomfortable power/age imbalance.
The end of the novel may also disappoint readers. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that the last 10% is pretty predictable. With all the tension building and unanswered questions, the ending didn't quite measure up.
Because of all this, I'm rating Creatures Most Vile four out of five stars. The creativity of the novel breathes new life into the dystopian genre. But some of the fine details take away from the incredible plotline. If you loved The Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or The Red Queen, this one is a must-read. Just be ready to impatiently dangle off the edge of a cliff until we get the next installment.
July 18, 2021
**e-ARC received by the author and publisher of NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.**
First, I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing ARC. What can I say for this book? It is perfect read! I got hooked by the first chapter because it is easy to read, and it is well written. Every chapter is so exciting, I cannot even put it down. I stayed up all night just to finish this book. The world building of this book is well structure and fantastic, even the monsters are well written, and I do not want to live on their world, but I want to see more pictures or fanarts of this book. Wishing there are more readers who are reading this book so I can share my thoughts on this.
Anora became my favorite character instantly though she annoys me sometimes. I hate it when Anora is difficult and stubborn to other characters who are trying to help her, to the point that I wanna skip the whole chapter just to skip her rambling. But I also understand her that shes confused and scared. I do not really get the love interest on this book, it felt like it was forced and unnecessary. I thought that Brod is like a brother to her.
I need more of this book, hoping to read the next book.
First, I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing ARC. What can I say for this book? It is perfect read! I got hooked by the first chapter because it is easy to read, and it is well written. Every chapter is so exciting, I cannot even put it down. I stayed up all night just to finish this book. The world building of this book is well structure and fantastic, even the monsters are well written, and I do not want to live on their world, but I want to see more pictures or fanarts of this book. Wishing there are more readers who are reading this book so I can share my thoughts on this.
Anora became my favorite character instantly though she annoys me sometimes. I hate it when Anora is difficult and stubborn to other characters who are trying to help her, to the point that I wanna skip the whole chapter just to skip her rambling. But I also understand her that shes confused and scared. I do not really get the love interest on this book, it felt like it was forced and unnecessary. I thought that Brod is like a brother to her.
I need more of this book, hoping to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this book. The imagery and descriptive details throughout the book are outstanding. The author keeps the readers on their toes throughout the entire book. It's unpredictable and is difficult to put down. Sometimes I struggle to read fantasy books, but this book has the perfect amount of details and suspense that hooks you in and would make anyone love fantasy!
December 2, 2021
Great read now awaiting the sequel!
Great book. It was very engaging kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next then ends with the reader wanting more.
Great book. It was very engaging kept me interested and wondering what was going to happen next then ends with the reader wanting more.
September 2, 2021
Thank you, GenZ Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this title in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Trigger Warning: PTSD, Violentrs, torture, child soldiers, age gap love interest & death
This book is like an alternate Quiet place and X-men mass up.
*Spoiler Alert*
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While this book has a strong start, the ending was less desired.
Okay, let's start with the pros; this book has such an interesting heroine, world structure and power system with the guardians. I think how this book dealt with PTSD and the support and the lack of support from the guardians were really accurate; it was frustrating.
The cons that really let me down were the ending because nothing really happened, and while I needed the middle for growth of character and relationships, nothing really happened, and the ending just showed that. Also, that love triangle was strange and really uncomfortable, ESPECIALLY with Bron because he was a lot older (It doesn't say, but he gave me late 20 vibes), and the main character was 17, and that's a big NO-NO. This book really needed a sequel to have saved itself, but I know there wasn't enough.
So because I enjoyed a lot of the first half I give it 3 stars.
Trigger Warning: PTSD, Violentrs, torture, child soldiers, age gap love interest & death
This book is like an alternate Quiet place and X-men mass up.
*Spoiler Alert*
*
*
*
*
While this book has a strong start, the ending was less desired.
Okay, let's start with the pros; this book has such an interesting heroine, world structure and power system with the guardians. I think how this book dealt with PTSD and the support and the lack of support from the guardians were really accurate; it was frustrating.
The cons that really let me down were the ending because nothing really happened, and while I needed the middle for growth of character and relationships, nothing really happened, and the ending just showed that. Also, that love triangle was strange and really uncomfortable, ESPECIALLY with Bron because he was a lot older (It doesn't say, but he gave me late 20 vibes), and the main character was 17, and that's a big NO-NO. This book really needed a sequel to have saved itself, but I know there wasn't enough.
So because I enjoyed a lot of the first half I give it 3 stars.
December 10, 2021
Anora is being hunted by monsters. She learns she is to be trained as a guardian to fight the very monsters that plague her. She refuses and tries to leave but they won't let her. The characters are fierce and the world building makes you feel like you are part of the story. I thought this book was quite exciting. It is a perfect beginning for a brand new author. Give it a try.
February 9, 2023
Hello Fellow Readers,
The premise for this book is what really caught my eye as I was interested in seeing what the world of Creatures Most Vile contains. I really love world building Lauren has done and I was very interested in the fact that you couldn't make noise or else it would attract the creatures, yet everyone still had to go about their day to day life, like attend school and shop for groceries.
I got to say that Anora was very realistic, here is a girl who just wants to live a quiet normal life, but is suddenly has powers that forces her to change her life's direction and become a Guardian. She is now torn away (and I mean that literally) from her life to start training, which combined with childhood trauma would drive anyone to their knees. I did sometimes get frustrated with Anora with some of the things she did and choices she made but I had to keep reminding myself that she is just a teenager thrust into something that is very, very unpleasant. I didn't really like the romance or the love triangle this book was trying to have, but I am not a big fan of love triangles in general.
I do wish I knew why these creatures are here and where they came from, but I am hoping there is a second book that we can find out more, because Lauren has so much potential with this world. Another reason I hope there is a second book is because the ending really felt too open ended and felt like a cliff hanger with no real resolution.
Overall, a YA fantasy book whose world has a lot of potential.
The premise for this book is what really caught my eye as I was interested in seeing what the world of Creatures Most Vile contains. I really love world building Lauren has done and I was very interested in the fact that you couldn't make noise or else it would attract the creatures, yet everyone still had to go about their day to day life, like attend school and shop for groceries.
I got to say that Anora was very realistic, here is a girl who just wants to live a quiet normal life, but is suddenly has powers that forces her to change her life's direction and become a Guardian. She is now torn away (and I mean that literally) from her life to start training, which combined with childhood trauma would drive anyone to their knees. I did sometimes get frustrated with Anora with some of the things she did and choices she made but I had to keep reminding myself that she is just a teenager thrust into something that is very, very unpleasant. I didn't really like the romance or the love triangle this book was trying to have, but I am not a big fan of love triangles in general.
I do wish I knew why these creatures are here and where they came from, but I am hoping there is a second book that we can find out more, because Lauren has so much potential with this world. Another reason I hope there is a second book is because the ending really felt too open ended and felt like a cliff hanger with no real resolution.
Overall, a YA fantasy book whose world has a lot of potential.
January 22, 2022
This is an amazing debut. Genuinely refreshing in YA dystopia work.
Chelsea does such a good job telling this story from the point of view of a teenage girl struggling with PTSD. There were many times I disagreed with Anora's decisions but they were always true to her character.
World building is top-notch and fast. From chapter 1 you get a real feel for Anora's small village in the shadow of creature-infested mountains.
There are only a couple things keeping this book from being a 5. One is pacing, the middle section of CMV is stagnant with little plot advancement or character development. The other is a love triangle that feels forced.
No spoilers but that ending, though!? You kidding me!? I loved it!
Make no mistake this is a remarkable debut and I am so excited to see what Chelsea writes next!
Chelsea does such a good job telling this story from the point of view of a teenage girl struggling with PTSD. There were many times I disagreed with Anora's decisions but they were always true to her character.
World building is top-notch and fast. From chapter 1 you get a real feel for Anora's small village in the shadow of creature-infested mountains.
There are only a couple things keeping this book from being a 5. One is pacing, the middle section of CMV is stagnant with little plot advancement or character development. The other is a love triangle that feels forced.
No spoilers but that ending, though!? You kidding me!? I loved it!
Make no mistake this is a remarkable debut and I am so excited to see what Chelsea writes next!
October 11, 2021
I was immediately sucked into this book! Anora is a young woman who discovers that she has supernatural powers that forces her life to move in a direction she never wanted. This book has an intriguing world that I am genuinely interested in learning all the secrets. I really feel for Anora, not only is she traumatized by her childhood experiences with the monsters but now she is forced into being a guardian and fight against them. The ending definitely left me wanting more, I cannot wait to see what comes next.
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