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Vanilla
Who knew innocence could cause so much death? The cure for the sick is in the Devil’s blood. He invests this magic in the children. One child’s life saved in exchange for a sacrifice. And parents are eager to sacrifice. But what happens when the Devil comes across a child he cannot find the will to return? A child he wishes to keep. Vanilla sits in the concrete room—the one she has lived in since she can remember—and smiles when the Devil enters. She reaches her arms out, lets him cradle her against his chest, and calls him Daddy. Daddy fills her mind with nightmares of the Outside. With all its creatures, lurking, waiting to steal her from him. And she dreams of staying with him forever. But forever is infeasible. That is, until the Devil makes his own sacrifice. Vanilla is the dark, psychological novel debut from Mona Kabbani. Slated for publication on March 13th, 2021, the New Moon.
390 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2021
69 people are currently reading
1203 people want to read
About the author
Mona Kabbani
12 books427 followersMona Kabbani is a horror fan, writer, and reviewer obsessed with psychology and the human condition. She emulates the conflict of the good versus the bad and all of the in between in her work while providing an entertainingly horrifying experience. She is the author of The Bell Chime, which won the award for Best Horror Novella of 2020 from LoHF, Vanilla, and For You. She is a Lebanese immigrant living the dream in New York City where much of her writing is inspired. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @moralityinhorror for more and sign up for her mailing list on her website, www.moralityinhorror.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
March 24, 2021
I have to be honest. When it comes to books I’m a little set on my own ways, which is to say I usually tend to stay within a certain restricted (although not small) set of authors. The only times I get out of it is when a series involving a character I like changes authors or when a friend tells me to read something from an author they enjoy.
Well, I may have to change my ways. Why?
Because of Mona Kabbani.
I found Mona Kabbani while looking for reviews. She’s a reviewer of mainly horror books, which is one of my favorite genres, and shortly after finding her reviews I found that not only she had a book out but she was releasing another one.
So, in an abnormal moment for my book-buying mind, I ordered it. Well, I ordered both if I’m to be accurate.
And I don't regret doing that.
“She stares and it stares back. Its unwavering body is barely definable beneath the trench coat, but hauntingly tall. Its blue eyes and silver hair shine like scales even through the thin streaks of streetlight.”
I started reading “Vanilla” almost the moment I got it (I decided to start with this one and not "The Bell Chime", Mona’s first book, so I could read it without any spoilers).
From the first few pages you know you are in for something that will be on a completely different level.
You feel the life that these characters possess, the struggles they live. You feel the horror.
It’s horror, yes. But it’s a type of horror that you already feel, because it’s the horror of life.
I won’t be going on an in-depth analysis of the characters because some things you have to find on your own, but I must say that I could identify myself with them at any point in the book. Because you can feel the humanity in them, or a lack thereof, and you can’t escape the psychological connection with your own humanity.
“She could fill her belly once more. One more time, like a glutton. Like an insatiable predator. Like a leech curled over its food source, drinking and drinking from the host until the host’s body lies limp and empty.”
I couldn’t put the book down. It was like candy dissolving in my tongue and I just couldn’t help but crush it between my teeth to release its sweetness.
I devoured its near four hundred pages in the space of twenty four hours, though I must have read it in five to six hours.
It’s not just wanting to know more about the story, either present or past, or that you want to know how the characters will overcome their next obstacle. It’s the way it’s written. It makes you want to keep going, without stopping. It’s pure magic.
You’ll be so absorbed that you will read fifty pages and not even notice. That’s what happened to me.
To end this, I’ll just say that as soon as I have the time, and a TBR list that’s smaller than it is now, I will read this again and this time I will take my time and just hope that I can make the sweet taste of it last a little longer in my mouth.
Well, I may have to change my ways. Why?
Because of Mona Kabbani.
I found Mona Kabbani while looking for reviews. She’s a reviewer of mainly horror books, which is one of my favorite genres, and shortly after finding her reviews I found that not only she had a book out but she was releasing another one.
So, in an abnormal moment for my book-buying mind, I ordered it. Well, I ordered both if I’m to be accurate.
And I don't regret doing that.
“She stares and it stares back. Its unwavering body is barely definable beneath the trench coat, but hauntingly tall. Its blue eyes and silver hair shine like scales even through the thin streaks of streetlight.”
I started reading “Vanilla” almost the moment I got it (I decided to start with this one and not "The Bell Chime", Mona’s first book, so I could read it without any spoilers).
From the first few pages you know you are in for something that will be on a completely different level.
You feel the life that these characters possess, the struggles they live. You feel the horror.
It’s horror, yes. But it’s a type of horror that you already feel, because it’s the horror of life.
I won’t be going on an in-depth analysis of the characters because some things you have to find on your own, but I must say that I could identify myself with them at any point in the book. Because you can feel the humanity in them, or a lack thereof, and you can’t escape the psychological connection with your own humanity.
“She could fill her belly once more. One more time, like a glutton. Like an insatiable predator. Like a leech curled over its food source, drinking and drinking from the host until the host’s body lies limp and empty.”
I couldn’t put the book down. It was like candy dissolving in my tongue and I just couldn’t help but crush it between my teeth to release its sweetness.
I devoured its near four hundred pages in the space of twenty four hours, though I must have read it in five to six hours.
It’s not just wanting to know more about the story, either present or past, or that you want to know how the characters will overcome their next obstacle. It’s the way it’s written. It makes you want to keep going, without stopping. It’s pure magic.
You’ll be so absorbed that you will read fifty pages and not even notice. That’s what happened to me.
To end this, I’ll just say that as soon as I have the time, and a TBR list that’s smaller than it is now, I will read this again and this time I will take my time and just hope that I can make the sweet taste of it last a little longer in my mouth.
May 10, 2024
The Bell Chime by Mona Kabbani The Bell Chime was one of my favorite reads in 2021. It was perfect in every way. Length, pacing, beautiful writing - all of it fit me just right. You should all read it! I didn’t have quite the same experience with Vanilla but it does have the same darkly gorgeous writing so if you like dark fiction, I don’t think you will regret giving this one a read. But be a little bit wary of reading reviews (except this one, ha) because many give it all away which is a bummer because the surprises are the best.
Vanilla wasn’t a quick read for me and I put it down and had to force myself to pick it back up a few times in the first third. It’s about a young girl named Vanilla who has spent her childhood locked in a room with only a glaring light, a stuffed dog, a stethoscope, a syringe, and a stain to keep her company. “Daddy” visits the locked room to break up the monotony and is the highlight of her half-life. One day he leaves the door open and she hears shrieking but things continue on as always for quite a bit before Vanilla is let loose into the world of “creatures”.
This book was so unsettling in many ways but the grooming and the obsession were very hard to read and bothered me the most. So much more than the gruesome stuff that happens later on. There wasn’t much else going on in the first half of the book besides Daddy’s visits and Vanilla alone in a room and I nearly quit many times. After a bit, it all started to feel repetitive and I wanted something else to happen. You may have a different experience.
When something else does happen, the book picks up and becomes horrifyingly gruesome. I loved that and I loved the unpredictableness of the entire story. I never knew where it was going and that kept me reading. Despite the absolute feral chaos that finally begins to happen and the oddest sweetness that underlies it, the overall tone is one of despair and it’s a bit of a dreary read so prepare yourself to wade into some depressing head space for long stretches.
Vanilla wasn’t a quick read for me and I put it down and had to force myself to pick it back up a few times in the first third. It’s about a young girl named Vanilla who has spent her childhood locked in a room with only a glaring light, a stuffed dog, a stethoscope, a syringe, and a stain to keep her company. “Daddy” visits the locked room to break up the monotony and is the highlight of her half-life. One day he leaves the door open and she hears shrieking but things continue on as always for quite a bit before Vanilla is let loose into the world of “creatures”.
This book was so unsettling in many ways but the grooming and the obsession were very hard to read and bothered me the most. So much more than the gruesome stuff that happens later on. There wasn’t much else going on in the first half of the book besides Daddy’s visits and Vanilla alone in a room and I nearly quit many times. After a bit, it all started to feel repetitive and I wanted something else to happen. You may have a different experience.
When something else does happen, the book picks up and becomes horrifyingly gruesome. I loved that and I loved the unpredictableness of the entire story. I never knew where it was going and that kept me reading. Despite the absolute feral chaos that finally begins to happen and the oddest sweetness that underlies it, the overall tone is one of despair and it’s a bit of a dreary read so prepare yourself to wade into some depressing head space for long stretches.
June 3, 2022
“The worst monsters are the ones invisible to you.”
This was an interesting take on how an innocent child would deal with the transitions of becoming a predator/monster. How naivety would hinder their understanding that they are, in fact, a predator, by the actions they feel drawn to take. Kabbani did an excellent job of blurring the lines between right and wrong, good and bad, innocent and evil, with her character, Vanilla.
Overall, I found this story to be quite enjoyable. However, I felt the pacing in the beginning was slow and it took awhile for me to understand what the plot was about. But, once the plot was finally revealed—the story picked up. About 50% of the way in, I really became engaged with the characters and I devoured the second half of the book with eager anticipation.
Kabbani is a great writer. There is no doubt about that. She creates descriptive scenes that utilises all the senses for a fuller experience of the world she has created and the characters involved. I did find some of the narrative to be a bit repetitive in parts (mostly in the beginning).
I would recommend this book to fans of gothic horror, classic horror, and psychological thrillers. If you don’t connect with the book right away—I urge to stick with it cause it does pick up and the story becomes quite fascinating.
This was an interesting take on how an innocent child would deal with the transitions of becoming a predator/monster. How naivety would hinder their understanding that they are, in fact, a predator, by the actions they feel drawn to take. Kabbani did an excellent job of blurring the lines between right and wrong, good and bad, innocent and evil, with her character, Vanilla.
Overall, I found this story to be quite enjoyable. However, I felt the pacing in the beginning was slow and it took awhile for me to understand what the plot was about. But, once the plot was finally revealed—the story picked up. About 50% of the way in, I really became engaged with the characters and I devoured the second half of the book with eager anticipation.
Kabbani is a great writer. There is no doubt about that. She creates descriptive scenes that utilises all the senses for a fuller experience of the world she has created and the characters involved. I did find some of the narrative to be a bit repetitive in parts (mostly in the beginning).
I would recommend this book to fans of gothic horror, classic horror, and psychological thrillers. If you don’t connect with the book right away—I urge to stick with it cause it does pick up and the story becomes quite fascinating.
June 22, 2021
I began my review of The Bell Chime with the words “I’m a snob,” and went on to wax lyrical on the reasons why my usual literary snobbery and compulsive internal need to mentally correct throughout the reading of a book happily were not triggered in reading Mona Kabbani's first work.
I’m happy to announce that said snobbery still was not triggered when it came to her follow-up novel, Vanilla.
As with The Bell Chime, an avalanche of praise has been roaring forth since its release in March. As you’ve probably guessed, I feel that praise is worthy indeed.
VANILLA, Mona’s first full length novel, struck me as some mad amalgamation between Room by Emma Donoghue, I Am Legend, and Let the Right One In. Except the book isn’t completely ‘mad’; it exhibits what I perceive as Mona’s trademark care, craft, and deliberation, with a resounding sense that every sentence has been fretted over and reshaped like clay until she was confident it could be no better. This is a trait I admire very much in a writer, and it was a joy to read the resulting poetry seeping from each and every passage.
That’s not to say that there isn’t madness lurking within. I’m hesitant to even reveal the specific horror archetype with which Mona plays in this novel, since I knew nothing of the story when I went in. I advise you to do the same: allow yourself to sink into Mona’s dreamy prose and into the story. Skilful time-jumps, individual characters that coax from you both sympathy and dread, a superbly original concept, and some bloody brutal kill sequences that would make Dario Argento squirm.
There’s a little girl in a concrete room waiting for you, hoping you’ll join her on a journey that not only called to my mind some of my favourite novels in the genre, but also painted a completely fresh picture the likes of which I’ve never encountered.
Believe the hype. Take that little girl’s hand and join her for the horrors to come.
Join VANILLA.
I’m happy to announce that said snobbery still was not triggered when it came to her follow-up novel, Vanilla.
As with The Bell Chime, an avalanche of praise has been roaring forth since its release in March. As you’ve probably guessed, I feel that praise is worthy indeed.
VANILLA, Mona’s first full length novel, struck me as some mad amalgamation between Room by Emma Donoghue, I Am Legend, and Let the Right One In. Except the book isn’t completely ‘mad’; it exhibits what I perceive as Mona’s trademark care, craft, and deliberation, with a resounding sense that every sentence has been fretted over and reshaped like clay until she was confident it could be no better. This is a trait I admire very much in a writer, and it was a joy to read the resulting poetry seeping from each and every passage.
That’s not to say that there isn’t madness lurking within. I’m hesitant to even reveal the specific horror archetype with which Mona plays in this novel, since I knew nothing of the story when I went in. I advise you to do the same: allow yourself to sink into Mona’s dreamy prose and into the story. Skilful time-jumps, individual characters that coax from you both sympathy and dread, a superbly original concept, and some bloody brutal kill sequences that would make Dario Argento squirm.
There’s a little girl in a concrete room waiting for you, hoping you’ll join her on a journey that not only called to my mind some of my favourite novels in the genre, but also painted a completely fresh picture the likes of which I’ve never encountered.
Believe the hype. Take that little girl’s hand and join her for the horrors to come.
Join VANILLA.
September 11, 2025
I'm torn between a 3 and a 4 star. I loved the first 30% and the vibes were great the whole way through, but it did get quite repetitive and boring towards the middle. The concepts really cool and I feel that's the reason I've decided to go for the higher rating, the devil as a father? How can that not intrigue you atleast a little bit? The writing was nice, the characters were morally grey but still loveable and the cover is gorgeous, I just really wish this was cut down to 250-300 pages lol
March 14, 2021
Full disclosure: I am Mona Kabbani's editor. So why am I writing a review? Because I am, first and foremost, a fan.
THE BELL CHIME was a gorgeous debut, but I actually think VANILLA is even more beautiful. The story she is telling here is not one of neuroses but of possession, of the meaning of love—actual love—and of free will. Very rarely do you see an author who so carefully weaves themes into nearly every line of her work.
Also unlike THE BELL CHIME is the sheer amount of time we get to live in the head of our protagonist. This is a thick book, and it feels like a gift with this story, because of how well we can acquaint ourselves with Vanilla and with the only life she's ever known, inside a small concrete room, with her teddy bear and her syringe and her stethoscope.
VANILLA is one part ROOM, one part horror coming-of-age tale. I'd tell you the true subgenre of horror this falls under, but I think part of the fun of VANILLA is in the discovery.
I will most likely read this novel several more times and I imagine it will feel something like an archeological dig, uncovering layer upon layer of Kabbani's artistry, of Vanilla's story, of Victor's and Tiffany's very different pulls on her.
Highly recommended to all fans of horror.
THE BELL CHIME was a gorgeous debut, but I actually think VANILLA is even more beautiful. The story she is telling here is not one of neuroses but of possession, of the meaning of love—actual love—and of free will. Very rarely do you see an author who so carefully weaves themes into nearly every line of her work.
Also unlike THE BELL CHIME is the sheer amount of time we get to live in the head of our protagonist. This is a thick book, and it feels like a gift with this story, because of how well we can acquaint ourselves with Vanilla and with the only life she's ever known, inside a small concrete room, with her teddy bear and her syringe and her stethoscope.
VANILLA is one part ROOM, one part horror coming-of-age tale. I'd tell you the true subgenre of horror this falls under, but I think part of the fun of VANILLA is in the discovery.
I will most likely read this novel several more times and I imagine it will feel something like an archeological dig, uncovering layer upon layer of Kabbani's artistry, of Vanilla's story, of Victor's and Tiffany's very different pulls on her.
Highly recommended to all fans of horror.
March 22, 2021
“An apparition stands on the other side of the street, watching her from the shadows of a dark alley.”
Where do I begin?! This was a wonderful and beautifully written coming-of-age horror story about the protagonist Vanilla. I was so immersed in the story and just when I thought I knew what I was reading, the story would take other turns. It was a pleasure to read such a mysterious and layered story; getting into the history of precocious and curious Vanilla, a golden-blond pig-tailed girl, who we meet sitting in a concrete room. She sits in this room for as long as she can remember and lovingly plays with her blue dog, a stethoscope, and a syringe and we read of her powerful and loving attachment to her “Daddy” aka the Devil. She has been conditioned to fear the Outside and its creatures and isn’t aware of the world so filled with magnificence as well as malevolence. Truly a wonder of a read! There was horror – moments of gore and rage but there were also moments of tenderness, wonder, and awe as well as the painstaking steps one entity will go in order to protect the one it loves with unwavering affection.
Where do I begin?! This was a wonderful and beautifully written coming-of-age horror story about the protagonist Vanilla. I was so immersed in the story and just when I thought I knew what I was reading, the story would take other turns. It was a pleasure to read such a mysterious and layered story; getting into the history of precocious and curious Vanilla, a golden-blond pig-tailed girl, who we meet sitting in a concrete room. She sits in this room for as long as she can remember and lovingly plays with her blue dog, a stethoscope, and a syringe and we read of her powerful and loving attachment to her “Daddy” aka the Devil. She has been conditioned to fear the Outside and its creatures and isn’t aware of the world so filled with magnificence as well as malevolence. Truly a wonder of a read! There was horror – moments of gore and rage but there were also moments of tenderness, wonder, and awe as well as the painstaking steps one entity will go in order to protect the one it loves with unwavering affection.
August 31, 2023
Why are you crying? ..because I just read Vanilla 🥲 So I have been meaning to read this for a while and when I posted on my stories about it I got a ton of messages saying "this book is just *you*" "you will love it" and yes, you were all absolutley correct! I loved the vampirism aspect (shock) and thought it was an effective tool in exploring the theme of love, obssesion and morality, I'm not usually a fan of time jumps and find them jarring but these were smoothly done, the prose is painfully evocative and the character of Vanilla was a truly special one, the dichotomy between innocence and violence is beautifully wrote, a heart breaking psychological horror that will stay with me for a while 🫀
March 25, 2021
"I think I died...and I think I'm somehow living in death." - Vanilla
I firmly believe that Mona Kabbani is the future of horror fiction.
Her storytelling abilities seem instinctual and effortless, like writing is in her blood, and this is one of the darkest offerings she has shared with her readers so far. The narrative is heartwrenching and savage, prose like protracted fangs seeking to drain emotion from willing veins. It's one of the freshest takes on vampirism that I've read in ages, but it's so much more than that. Kabbani's monsters yearn and struggle and feel, and the nature of that flawed humanity makes her characters incredibly relatable. Vanilla is a little girl growing up in a concrete box, and you'll see how a child's selfless love endures even in the face of cruelty & control...
A dark triumph of a novel, and Kabbani isn't just a horror writer to watch. She's one to learn from.
I firmly believe that Mona Kabbani is the future of horror fiction.
Her storytelling abilities seem instinctual and effortless, like writing is in her blood, and this is one of the darkest offerings she has shared with her readers so far. The narrative is heartwrenching and savage, prose like protracted fangs seeking to drain emotion from willing veins. It's one of the freshest takes on vampirism that I've read in ages, but it's so much more than that. Kabbani's monsters yearn and struggle and feel, and the nature of that flawed humanity makes her characters incredibly relatable. Vanilla is a little girl growing up in a concrete box, and you'll see how a child's selfless love endures even in the face of cruelty & control...
A dark triumph of a novel, and Kabbani isn't just a horror writer to watch. She's one to learn from.
September 21, 2021
I liked the concept for this story, but unfortunately the execution didn’t work as well as I expected. The introduction to Vanilla was interesting and sucked me right in, but started to feel repetitive the longer the plot remained in the same room. Most of the action takes place in the last quarter of the book and I liked several scenes, but also felt like I was playing catch up to figure out what was happening. I don’t mind twists or surprises, but in this case I would have preferred more background for Tiffany and Victor earlier in the story. I do think the author writes beautifully and even though Vanilla didn’t work for me, other fans of vampire/coming of age/love horror could connect with this one better than I did. I look forward to reading more from Mona in the future.
February 23, 2022
I recently went back to this book and truly enjoyed it! I think Mona is super talented and i have bought both Bell Chime and Vanilla paperback. This story is very creative but that is the author all over. The book is very descriptive which for me can sometimes be off putting but you know what...here it is done well. I am going to start Bell chime again and give a proper review.
April 15, 2021
Loved it! Review to come...
April 15, 2022
This was a book I wouldn’t normally dive into, but having so much respect for Mona’s determination in the author community, I jumped in and happily swam out of the pools of blood.
Vanilla’s journey from a isolated room to navigating the Outside was original, yet felt like I watched her grow up myself. Her ability to stay true to what she always knew while being released into the real world kept me intrigued, expecting the chaos that eventually came.
Though she wasn’t ever in serious danger, watching her face adversity was swift.
Victor’s dynamic towards Vanilla and Tiffany were so vast and seeing him as monstrous and equally affectionate was enjoyable. I know I shouldn’t like him, but couldn’t help it.
Vanilla was fresh, claustrophobic, and thrilling. I hope Mona’s next novel brings more originality and her signature style that the indie author community needs!
Vanilla’s journey from a isolated room to navigating the Outside was original, yet felt like I watched her grow up myself. Her ability to stay true to what she always knew while being released into the real world kept me intrigued, expecting the chaos that eventually came.
Though she wasn’t ever in serious danger, watching her face adversity was swift.
Victor’s dynamic towards Vanilla and Tiffany were so vast and seeing him as monstrous and equally affectionate was enjoyable. I know I shouldn’t like him, but couldn’t help it.
Vanilla was fresh, claustrophobic, and thrilling. I hope Mona’s next novel brings more originality and her signature style that the indie author community needs!
April 5, 2021
A slow burn that blisters you in the end, VANILLA is a gripping psychological horror story that keeps you guessing.
The depictions of isolation, loneliness, affection and restrained aggression are all painfully accurate in this quasi-vampire story. There are moments of innocence and moments of pure savagery, and reminders that some of the worst monsters in the world are not monsters at all. They're human.
An impressive second showing by Kabbani, and definitely recommended.
The depictions of isolation, loneliness, affection and restrained aggression are all painfully accurate in this quasi-vampire story. There are moments of innocence and moments of pure savagery, and reminders that some of the worst monsters in the world are not monsters at all. They're human.
An impressive second showing by Kabbani, and definitely recommended.
February 5, 2022
Vanilla is the story of a sickly girl (the eponymous Vanilla) nursed to health by one she knows as "Daddy". Daddy is really a doctor, of sorts, who has found a way to heal the very sick. His medical practice is kept in the shadows, for reasons you will find out!
Once she is grown, Vanilla must find a way to strike out on her own. Totally reliant on Daddy all her life, she is ill-equipped emotionally, but finds help in a true friend. Unfortunately, the "cure" she has received from the doctor carries with it tendencies and needs that she cannot ignore. Ultimately, she is driven to an unexpected and terrible fate.
Vanilla is a horror story told in a very creepy yet loving way, with evocative prose that delights and surprises with similes and metaphors sometimes beautiful, sometimes jarring, always appreciated. The author's prose is well-developed and perfectly suited to the tale at hand.
Once she is grown, Vanilla must find a way to strike out on her own. Totally reliant on Daddy all her life, she is ill-equipped emotionally, but finds help in a true friend. Unfortunately, the "cure" she has received from the doctor carries with it tendencies and needs that she cannot ignore. Ultimately, she is driven to an unexpected and terrible fate.
Vanilla is a horror story told in a very creepy yet loving way, with evocative prose that delights and surprises with similes and metaphors sometimes beautiful, sometimes jarring, always appreciated. The author's prose is well-developed and perfectly suited to the tale at hand.
March 27, 2021
This book is so good. It drew me in pretty quickly and if I wasn’t working pretty much 24 hours a day I would have sat down and read it in one day. The writing is very addicting, I found this to also be the case with The Bell Chime.
Imagine your entire life consists of being locked away in a tiny cement room with a couple of old toys and a dad who is basically absent but loves you with all his heart; knowing nothing about life and death and then suddenly being thrown into the world, which you believe to be full of scary creatures who will hurt you. Pretty scary if you ask me.
Vanilla was written so beautifully. She was so innocent and clueless. I felt so sad for her I wanted to hug her and help her to understand. I didn’t connect so much with Tiffany but she was written well and I enjoyed the dialog between her and Vanilla.
I wasn’t really sure where this was going and it definitely surprised me a few times. I felt creeped out, sad, warmth/love, empathy and anger. A whole range of emotions. It takes a good writer to make me feel all these things!
This is really such a dark story but it warmed my heart! I look forward to reading whatever Mona puts out next!!
Imagine your entire life consists of being locked away in a tiny cement room with a couple of old toys and a dad who is basically absent but loves you with all his heart; knowing nothing about life and death and then suddenly being thrown into the world, which you believe to be full of scary creatures who will hurt you. Pretty scary if you ask me.
Vanilla was written so beautifully. She was so innocent and clueless. I felt so sad for her I wanted to hug her and help her to understand. I didn’t connect so much with Tiffany but she was written well and I enjoyed the dialog between her and Vanilla.
I wasn’t really sure where this was going and it definitely surprised me a few times. I felt creeped out, sad, warmth/love, empathy and anger. A whole range of emotions. It takes a good writer to make me feel all these things!
This is really such a dark story but it warmed my heart! I look forward to reading whatever Mona puts out next!!
March 19, 2021
Two things I don't normally do: read books by lesser known author's (something I need to do more), and write reviews for books I've read. This book is an exception to both.
I have been following Mona on social media for a while now, and despite the endless praise I saw her debut novella getting I never got around to reading it (another thing I intent to change in the very near future). Vanilla is a masterfully crafted story, that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat from the prologue until the very last page. When I read it was a love story, I wasn't sure it was going to be for me; but Vanilla is a raw love story in the most unconventional of ways. It blew my socks off and surpassed every expectation I had, it plays on every emotion possible. It's premise was perfectly executed, it felt truly original and is unlike anything I've ever read.
Both this novel, and author deserve recognition on an international level, and I look forward to going back to read the Bell Chime. Thank you for an exceptional read.
I have been following Mona on social media for a while now, and despite the endless praise I saw her debut novella getting I never got around to reading it (another thing I intent to change in the very near future). Vanilla is a masterfully crafted story, that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat from the prologue until the very last page. When I read it was a love story, I wasn't sure it was going to be for me; but Vanilla is a raw love story in the most unconventional of ways. It blew my socks off and surpassed every expectation I had, it plays on every emotion possible. It's premise was perfectly executed, it felt truly original and is unlike anything I've ever read.
Both this novel, and author deserve recognition on an international level, and I look forward to going back to read the Bell Chime. Thank you for an exceptional read.
May 8, 2021
Is it wrong if you were never taught otherwise? All the emotions this book will give you. Good vs Evil. But what’s good and what’s evil.. really...
If you’re a fan of psychological horror, just go and buy it already!
If you’re a fan of psychological horror, just go and buy it already!
May 11, 2021
'Watch her humanity deconstruct into beautiful red carnage'..
Dark. Relentless. Disturbing. Violent. This is horror to its core. The book opens in a diner. We meet Tiffany, a waitress harassed by two annoying male customers. Already the book is unrelenting in its hopelessness - a New York diner and its inhabitants late at night, doing their duties while suffering the whims of others. Then she sees Him across the street: the one she knows. The one who catches up to her, telling her she has a job to do. She has to hunt someone down. Or else.
This is a book about vampirism. Immortality. And love. But not the healthy kind. But during this book, I found myself wondering if love is healthy at all. Is it just a form of obsession, to lesser and greater degrees? The villain in this novel is obsessed, and he dotes on the gift given to him a long time ago. A gift he keeps in a dirty room, the subject of his experiments. A gift that breathes and dreams of the Outside: a young girl called Vanilla.
This is a very dark book. While Mona Kabbani's last release (The Bell Chime) was contemplative and poetically dark, this time around the story is angrier, more violent, with body parts leaping off the pages and ricocheting off my forehead from time to time. I would even call this book part of the body horror sub-genre, as a character in the book even mentions David Cronenberg, the body horror film director.
This was an interesting take on the immortality/vampire setting, and Mona really did a fantastic job writing the story from Vanilla's point of view: a prisoner, someone who had never seen the comings and goings of everyday life, someone who could not understand the strangeness of the world that we take for granted.
My only wish was that it had been a more psychological story, like her last release, rather than straight up horror and vampirism. But that's just a personal taste thing, and I'm sure Mona Kabbani has many books to come in her future. I'll be adding them to my shelf!
Dark. Relentless. Disturbing. Violent. This is horror to its core. The book opens in a diner. We meet Tiffany, a waitress harassed by two annoying male customers. Already the book is unrelenting in its hopelessness - a New York diner and its inhabitants late at night, doing their duties while suffering the whims of others. Then she sees Him across the street: the one she knows. The one who catches up to her, telling her she has a job to do. She has to hunt someone down. Or else.
This is a book about vampirism. Immortality. And love. But not the healthy kind. But during this book, I found myself wondering if love is healthy at all. Is it just a form of obsession, to lesser and greater degrees? The villain in this novel is obsessed, and he dotes on the gift given to him a long time ago. A gift he keeps in a dirty room, the subject of his experiments. A gift that breathes and dreams of the Outside: a young girl called Vanilla.
This is a very dark book. While Mona Kabbani's last release (The Bell Chime) was contemplative and poetically dark, this time around the story is angrier, more violent, with body parts leaping off the pages and ricocheting off my forehead from time to time. I would even call this book part of the body horror sub-genre, as a character in the book even mentions David Cronenberg, the body horror film director.
This was an interesting take on the immortality/vampire setting, and Mona really did a fantastic job writing the story from Vanilla's point of view: a prisoner, someone who had never seen the comings and goings of everyday life, someone who could not understand the strangeness of the world that we take for granted.
My only wish was that it had been a more psychological story, like her last release, rather than straight up horror and vampirism. But that's just a personal taste thing, and I'm sure Mona Kabbani has many books to come in her future. I'll be adding them to my shelf!
May 29, 2021
"Dying is pain"
If I could only choose one thing to love most about this novel, it would be its beautiful relationship between innocence and violence.
I didn't read the synopsis until I finished the book and I feel it summarizes the plot perfectly. The Devil's blood is the cure for wellness. It comes with an exchange... a sacrifice. But what happens when the Devil comes across a child he wishes to keep forever? But forever comes with a sacrifice of his own.
Mona's writing in this novel reminded me of Stephen King's. There is a lot of detail and inner dialogue, but it's all written so eloquently🤍 There was also this reoccurring theme of sexual harassment throughout the story; I felt that Mona did an excellent job making me feel on edge for the characters who were going through it.
Vanilla's character is so innocent that I was surprised every time something not so innocent took place. I really want to say that I truly loved the supporting characters for their genuine love and acceptance of Vanilla; who was so different from them.
Go into this story with an empty and open mind. The pace of this novel is not the pace of Mona's novella "The Bell Chime". But as you read, you'll begin to notice that Vanilla has this way of softening the hard hearts of other characters and winning them over. Keep reading and I bet she will do the same to you. In terrifying fashion with a hint of innocence🤍
If I could only choose one thing to love most about this novel, it would be its beautiful relationship between innocence and violence.
I didn't read the synopsis until I finished the book and I feel it summarizes the plot perfectly. The Devil's blood is the cure for wellness. It comes with an exchange... a sacrifice. But what happens when the Devil comes across a child he wishes to keep forever? But forever comes with a sacrifice of his own.
Mona's writing in this novel reminded me of Stephen King's. There is a lot of detail and inner dialogue, but it's all written so eloquently🤍 There was also this reoccurring theme of sexual harassment throughout the story; I felt that Mona did an excellent job making me feel on edge for the characters who were going through it.
Vanilla's character is so innocent that I was surprised every time something not so innocent took place. I really want to say that I truly loved the supporting characters for their genuine love and acceptance of Vanilla; who was so different from them.
Go into this story with an empty and open mind. The pace of this novel is not the pace of Mona's novella "The Bell Chime". But as you read, you'll begin to notice that Vanilla has this way of softening the hard hearts of other characters and winning them over. Keep reading and I bet she will do the same to you. In terrifying fashion with a hint of innocence🤍
November 15, 2022
Let me start by saying that I read the short description of this book before diving in and I think that caused part of the problem. I read “devil” and assumed one of our main character was supposed to be “The Devil” - you know, Lucifer. Nope - lower d. So when I figured out most of the way through that this was more akin to vampire/blood devil it felt like a let down.
That aside I struggled. It felt really slow/repetitive for me, the characters lacked something for me to grab onto, and even when for a quick moment towards the end you feel like you might be rooting for a ‘better ending’ you’ll feel like a WTF ending happens. I would have liked to see this one end very differently.
That aside I struggled. It felt really slow/repetitive for me, the characters lacked something for me to grab onto, and even when for a quick moment towards the end you feel like you might be rooting for a ‘better ending’ you’ll feel like a WTF ending happens. I would have liked to see this one end very differently.
August 4, 2022
I love slow burns as much as the next horror junkie, but this was just a long-winded, purple-prosed build up with absolutely no payoff. Maybe I’m just salty that the book description makes it seem like a possession/demon story when it really is a tired vampire tale? Maybe I’m just salty that such a gorgeous cover was wasted on such a boring, pointless story? There’s plenty to be salty about here. Honestly, I’m flabbergasted at all the glowing reviews, because to me this novel just felt like a waste of my time.
June 15, 2023
i didn’t enjoy this one that much. the writing style was too omniscient for my taste so i never got any surprise to the characters, albeit this is a personal thing. however the characters also felt really two-dimensional and not fleshed out and i didn’t really sympathize or root for anybody particularly. i did enjoy vanilla’s first kill though, super carnal and the kind of female rage and release i hoped for when i bought the book
March 30, 2021
Mona has created an amazing tale of vampirism and possessive love, with an insidious antagonist . Vanilla is an incredibly well written tale that is deeply upsetting, the way Vanilla was raised in a cell by the antagonist and the love she felt for them is horrifying and a reminder of real world horrors. The way that the character of Tiffany gets used as a pawn to lead Vanilla into the grasp of Victor is a wonderfully dark way for the story to go. The vampirism in the story is wonderful in part because of how you could take it as symbolic of Victor's possesiveness over Vanilla, at least in my oppinion. Mona has created a marvelously macabre masterpiece. Another amazing work by an amazing author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2021
Vanilla
This book is absolutely amazing and it’s honestly left me at a loss for words. That’s not usually something I find happening, but this book is just so stunning.
From the first glance at the cover and reading the blurb, I knew it was going to be an amazing book.
My expectations were defied.
The descriptions are phenomenal and vivid.
The characters are unforgettable.
Vanilla is something else. A beautiful stunning character. She’s amazing and fascinating. Reading her thoughts, feelings, and experiences made time fly by.
And Vanilla’s Daddy is shrouded in mystery making him an even more fascinating character.
As I read more and more I was kept on the edge of my seat and it really kept me guessing.
This book is absolutely amazing and it’s honestly left me at a loss for words. That’s not usually something I find happening, but this book is just so stunning.
From the first glance at the cover and reading the blurb, I knew it was going to be an amazing book.
My expectations were defied.
The descriptions are phenomenal and vivid.
The characters are unforgettable.
Vanilla is something else. A beautiful stunning character. She’s amazing and fascinating. Reading her thoughts, feelings, and experiences made time fly by.
And Vanilla’s Daddy is shrouded in mystery making him an even more fascinating character.
As I read more and more I was kept on the edge of my seat and it really kept me guessing.
March 30, 2022
This was an absolutely amazing story by Mona Kabbani. I didn't know what to expect coming into it. The more I got into Vanilla, the more absorbed I got into the tale, wanting to know more and more about her life. It was a great psychological horror tale that illustrates various themes. I feel bad for Vanilla through most of the story...until the very end (no spoilers here) and I love how she connected with Tiffany when they met. This book gave me definite chills while I was reading it and with an ending that I did not see coming, I suggest you give this book a read as well!
April 6, 2022
"She stares and it stares back. Its unwavering body is barely definable beneath the black trench coat, but hauntingly tall. Its blue eyes and silver hair shine like scales even through the thin streaks of streetlight. Its presence sets her nervous system on fire."
It's safe to say Mona Kabbani has firmly cemented herself in the horror genre.
I had no idea what this book was going to be about and the synopsis is rather vague which is a fantastic way to enter this story.
I fell in love with Vanilla instantly. A young child growing up in a concrete room with need for nothing except her daddy's love and lolly pops.
I won't go in depth into the details of this book because I want people to read it and I want you to go in as blind as I did. I want you to be as blown away as I was. To have your heart ache and to feel the love and tears at the same time as feeling disgust and horror.
I have no words to describe how brutal this book is on your soul.
I can't recommend this book enough.
It's safe to say Mona Kabbani has firmly cemented herself in the horror genre.
I had no idea what this book was going to be about and the synopsis is rather vague which is a fantastic way to enter this story.
I fell in love with Vanilla instantly. A young child growing up in a concrete room with need for nothing except her daddy's love and lolly pops.
I won't go in depth into the details of this book because I want people to read it and I want you to go in as blind as I did. I want you to be as blown away as I was. To have your heart ache and to feel the love and tears at the same time as feeling disgust and horror.
I have no words to describe how brutal this book is on your soul.
I can't recommend this book enough.
August 5, 2022
SPOILER FREE
I was nothing short of blown away Mona's novella The Bell Chime earlier this year.
She's two for two in my book now.
Emotionally speaking, reading Vanilla was like being hit by an iron fist wearing a velvet glove. There is such a beautiful dichotomy between the beauty of this book and the feelings it evokes. It's comforting and disturbing at the same time.
I won't get into the plot here because the way it unfolds is one of the best parts of the book. Just know that you're dealing with a very small cast of characters, a (mostly) small space, and a whole hell of a lot of creepy vibes crammed in.
Of The Bell Chime gave me vertigo, the Vanilla ignited claustrophobia, both in the best ways possible.
Mona is an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to see what else she does 💀🖤💀
I was nothing short of blown away Mona's novella The Bell Chime earlier this year.
She's two for two in my book now.
Emotionally speaking, reading Vanilla was like being hit by an iron fist wearing a velvet glove. There is such a beautiful dichotomy between the beauty of this book and the feelings it evokes. It's comforting and disturbing at the same time.
I won't get into the plot here because the way it unfolds is one of the best parts of the book. Just know that you're dealing with a very small cast of characters, a (mostly) small space, and a whole hell of a lot of creepy vibes crammed in.
Of The Bell Chime gave me vertigo, the Vanilla ignited claustrophobia, both in the best ways possible.
Mona is an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to see what else she does 💀🖤💀
April 26, 2023
I’m right in the middle with this one, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. Some parts were incredibly interesting and at times I was thoroughly enjoying this novel and convinced it would be a five star read because there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good vampire story. This one had some original and unique ideas that I really did enjoy but then one element in particular threw me off the story. The characters are just so insufferable at times that I wanted to rip my eyeballs. They were seriously next level annoying and had no redeeming factors whatsoever. So while the story was great, the characters prevented it from being as good as it could have been.
July 23, 2021
"What he thought was for her own good will now be her undoing...he just couldn't let her die."
What would happen if you were raised by a monster without realizing it? A monster that provides you with unlimited lollipops can't really be too bad... This Vanilla's existence in a nutshell -- until one day she gets out from her small concrete room (the only world she knows) and walks among who she has been told are the "creatures". She begins doing some dark things out of instinct, and even so her innocence will have you rooting for her.
I'm not going to give much away, this is a great read! If you haven't you need to read it for yourself!
What would happen if you were raised by a monster without realizing it? A monster that provides you with unlimited lollipops can't really be too bad... This Vanilla's existence in a nutshell -- until one day she gets out from her small concrete room (the only world she knows) and walks among who she has been told are the "creatures". She begins doing some dark things out of instinct, and even so her innocence will have you rooting for her.
I'm not going to give much away, this is a great read! If you haven't you need to read it for yourself!
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