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Monstersona
There’s a little monster in all of us.
After her parents’ divorce, 16 year old Riley Grishin is forced to move from Portland, Oregon all the way to Little Brook, Maine, a small town that serves as the headquarters for Titan Technologies, an international tech laboratory. Having left her friends and father behind, Riley spends most of her days running through the woods with her dog Tigger, and eavesdropping on her classmates—in particular, the gorgeous, but very strange, Aspen Montehugh.
On the night of the homecoming game, Riley wakes up to find her town on fire, terrorized by an unseen monster. With flames spreading rapidly, Riley and Tigger have no choice but to pile into her beat-up pickup truck and flee. Speeding out of town, they come across the only other Aspen.
When Riley and Aspen finally reach safety, they realize something far more sinister is afoot. According to the news, all other Titan Tech laboratories on the East Coast have been attacked. And even worse, they’re being followed by an SUV with blacked out windows. With all air travel grounded, Riley has no way to fly back to her dad, so she and Aspen embark on a cross country road trip, all the while pursued by men with guns, mad scientists, and the monstrous truth. Slowly, Riley realizes something's not quite right with Aspen, which puts her feelings for her—and her own humanity—to the ultimate test
Thelma and Louise meet Godzilla in this queer sci-fi adventure, that will appeal to fans of Erik. J Brown’s All That’s Left In The World and Charlotte Nicole Davies’ The Good Luck Girls.
After her parents’ divorce, 16 year old Riley Grishin is forced to move from Portland, Oregon all the way to Little Brook, Maine, a small town that serves as the headquarters for Titan Technologies, an international tech laboratory. Having left her friends and father behind, Riley spends most of her days running through the woods with her dog Tigger, and eavesdropping on her classmates—in particular, the gorgeous, but very strange, Aspen Montehugh.
On the night of the homecoming game, Riley wakes up to find her town on fire, terrorized by an unseen monster. With flames spreading rapidly, Riley and Tigger have no choice but to pile into her beat-up pickup truck and flee. Speeding out of town, they come across the only other Aspen.
When Riley and Aspen finally reach safety, they realize something far more sinister is afoot. According to the news, all other Titan Tech laboratories on the East Coast have been attacked. And even worse, they’re being followed by an SUV with blacked out windows. With all air travel grounded, Riley has no way to fly back to her dad, so she and Aspen embark on a cross country road trip, all the while pursued by men with guns, mad scientists, and the monstrous truth. Slowly, Riley realizes something's not quite right with Aspen, which puts her feelings for her—and her own humanity—to the ultimate test
Thelma and Louise meet Godzilla in this queer sci-fi adventure, that will appeal to fans of Erik. J Brown’s All That’s Left In The World and Charlotte Nicole Davies’ The Good Luck Girls.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2023
4 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Spencer
24 books61 followersMinnesota native Chloe Spencer is an award winning writer, indie gamedev, and filmmaker. She enjoys writing sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and romance. In her spare time she enjoys playing video games, trying her best at Pilates, and cuddling with her cats. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Film and Television from SCAD Atlanta. You can find more about her on www.chloespenceronline.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 8, 2023
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
When I saw the promo for this book, I was really excited. Strong female leads, monsters, a pup sidekick, a road trip, and bi rep. While many of these aspects were my favorites of the book, unfortunately as a whole I was underwhelmed.
Things I enjoyed:
-Our two lead characters. Even thought it is single POV, I felt I was able to connection to both girls and was invested in their outcome.
-The monster and the descriptions of the violence and chaos it creates is solid.
-I'm a sucker for road trips, and the girls find themselves forced into one when their town is destroyed and most of the East Coast is on fire. Along the way, they stop for food and rest (cue one bed scenario) and find themselves being hunted by men in suits.
-Glorious bi-rep with both of our leading ladies being bisexual.
-The prote3ctive and lovable pup sidekick.
-The throwback movie references .
-The sweet innocent romance that blossoms between the girls.
Honestly, this should have been a slam dunk for me. I don't know if it was the writing I didn't click with, but there was more than a few things that rubbed me the wrong way with side characters and certain situations.
TW: There's a scene where the MC wakes up near a murdered family and the author choose to note/describe a dead toddler.
When I saw the promo for this book, I was really excited. Strong female leads, monsters, a pup sidekick, a road trip, and bi rep. While many of these aspects were my favorites of the book, unfortunately as a whole I was underwhelmed.
Things I enjoyed:
-Our two lead characters. Even thought it is single POV, I felt I was able to connection to both girls and was invested in their outcome.
-The monster and the descriptions of the violence and chaos it creates is solid.
-I'm a sucker for road trips, and the girls find themselves forced into one when their town is destroyed and most of the East Coast is on fire. Along the way, they stop for food and rest (cue one bed scenario) and find themselves being hunted by men in suits.
-Glorious bi-rep with both of our leading ladies being bisexual.
-The prote3ctive and lovable pup sidekick.
-The throwback movie references .
-The sweet innocent romance that blossoms between the girls.
Honestly, this should have been a slam dunk for me. I don't know if it was the writing I didn't click with, but there was more than a few things that rubbed me the wrong way with side characters and certain situations.
TW: There's a scene where the MC wakes up near a murdered family and the author choose to note/describe a dead toddler.
March 15, 2023
this was so cute and fun!
Sapphic kaiju road trip story
Sapphic kaiju road trip story
February 6, 2023
Riley is not happy to have relocated to Little Brook, Maine. Her parent's got divorced, she left all of her friends, and she's miserable at school. Her mom got a new job with Titan Technologies and, in Riley's opinion, uprooted their whole lives for no good reason.
She's lonely and has no friends in Little Brook so, on the night of the homecoming game, Riley spends the evening alone with her dog Tigger watching, and promptly falling asleep during, Stranger Things on Netflix. When she awakens during the evening, she is surprised to see how bright it is outside; an unnatural orangish light. She steps outside to find the entire town on fire, with the fire moving closer and closer to her house. She grabs her dog, some clothes, and jump into her beat-up old truck to flee the town. As she is leaving, she happens across Aspen Montehugh, a popular (and, in Riley's opinion, beautiful) girl who is walking slowly in a dazed, zombieish state.
The pair, after a discussion with Riley's dad, decide to meet him in Minneapolis to fly to Seattle as air travel on the eastern US is grounded.
As they travel the girls are accosted by strange men in non descript SUVs; something is up with Aspen and Riley is determined to find out what.
This book was so much fun! There's fun body horror and monster vibes. Clandestine scientific experiments. Crazy governmental cover-ups. Its got it all. I really enjoyed this, especially with the first chapter being a scene of Day 10 of the journey first. It really gets you into the story and helps set the pace right away. Importantly the book is an exploration of grief and trauma covered in a lovely queer monster horror. There was a bit of a romance between the girls that felt a little rushed, but they only had like 10 days to fit it in...and shared trauma does tend to bond people pretty easily. If you enjoy queer horror or science fiction or massive monsters, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
She's lonely and has no friends in Little Brook so, on the night of the homecoming game, Riley spends the evening alone with her dog Tigger watching, and promptly falling asleep during, Stranger Things on Netflix. When she awakens during the evening, she is surprised to see how bright it is outside; an unnatural orangish light. She steps outside to find the entire town on fire, with the fire moving closer and closer to her house. She grabs her dog, some clothes, and jump into her beat-up old truck to flee the town. As she is leaving, she happens across Aspen Montehugh, a popular (and, in Riley's opinion, beautiful) girl who is walking slowly in a dazed, zombieish state.
The pair, after a discussion with Riley's dad, decide to meet him in Minneapolis to fly to Seattle as air travel on the eastern US is grounded.
As they travel the girls are accosted by strange men in non descript SUVs; something is up with Aspen and Riley is determined to find out what.
This book was so much fun! There's fun body horror and monster vibes. Clandestine scientific experiments. Crazy governmental cover-ups. Its got it all. I really enjoyed this, especially with the first chapter being a scene of Day 10 of the journey first. It really gets you into the story and helps set the pace right away. Importantly the book is an exploration of grief and trauma covered in a lovely queer monster horror. There was a bit of a romance between the girls that felt a little rushed, but they only had like 10 days to fit it in...and shared trauma does tend to bond people pretty easily. If you enjoy queer horror or science fiction or massive monsters, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Tiny Ghost Press who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2022
Not to be biased, but I think this book is pretty fantastic! Monstersona is a novel which borrows from my favorite sub-genres of horror, such as body horror and sci-fi horror. It's also a story about the healing power of love, uncovering family secrets, and navigating grief and trauma.
Because it is a sci-fi horror/body horror/monster horror story, it does include some triggering content, including the following: gore, death (including parental death), strong language, kidnapping, as well as physical violence and gun violence. Much of the story also focuses on the onset of PTSD and those symptoms, thoughts, and experiences. There are also brief discussions of biphobia and sexual assault.
You can preorder it from a variety of retailers on Tiny Ghost Press' website:
https://www.tinyghostpress.com/monste...
The book will release February 14th, 2023 in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats.
Because it is a sci-fi horror/body horror/monster horror story, it does include some triggering content, including the following: gore, death (including parental death), strong language, kidnapping, as well as physical violence and gun violence. Much of the story also focuses on the onset of PTSD and those symptoms, thoughts, and experiences. There are also brief discussions of biphobia and sexual assault.
You can preorder it from a variety of retailers on Tiny Ghost Press' website:
https://www.tinyghostpress.com/monste...
The book will release February 14th, 2023 in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats.
January 9, 2023
Disclaimer: I received an arc from Tiny Ghost Press for my honest review.
Few pages in I wasn’t sure, if I’m going to like this book, but then it completely blew me away. If I could describe this book in two words, it would be wild ride.
Honestly, so much happened, and I also like the character development, and ťhow Riley and Aspen grew closer and closer.
Tigger was the best boi throughout the book, and he deserves all the scratches and belly rubs in the world.
I really liked the ending, it was so beautifully done.
I’m not a huge fan of violence and gore so some of the scenes were bit harder to get through, but it’s still a solid 4.5* read.
Tw for violence, gore, death, biphobia, sexual assault (all tws are also included at the beginning of the book).
Few pages in I wasn’t sure, if I’m going to like this book, but then it completely blew me away. If I could describe this book in two words, it would be wild ride.
Honestly, so much happened, and I also like the character development, and ťhow Riley and Aspen grew closer and closer.
Tigger was the best boi throughout the book, and he deserves all the scratches and belly rubs in the world.
I really liked the ending, it was so beautifully done.
I’m not a huge fan of violence and gore so some of the scenes were bit harder to get through, but it’s still a solid 4.5* read.
Tw for violence, gore, death, biphobia, sexual assault (all tws are also included at the beginning of the book).
February 9, 2023
I was really hesitant about this book at the beginning. It just didn’t sound like something I would want to read, but oh boy was I wrong!
I had to force myself to pace this one out and not just binge read because I would be reading and then look at my progress and it was over halfway done! The ending made me a little sad and hopeful, but it honestly made the most sense.
Please please please go read this one! Tiny Ghost Press has been killing it with their releases.
Thank you Tiny Ghost Press and Chloe Spencer for sending me an eARC for my honest review!
Monstersona by Chloe Spencer releases February 14, 2023!
I had to force myself to pace this one out and not just binge read because I would be reading and then look at my progress and it was over halfway done! The ending made me a little sad and hopeful, but it honestly made the most sense.
Please please please go read this one! Tiny Ghost Press has been killing it with their releases.
Thank you Tiny Ghost Press and Chloe Spencer for sending me an eARC for my honest review!
Monstersona by Chloe Spencer releases February 14, 2023!
February 9, 2023
2.5/5 stars
I’m sorry, but several things in Monstersona just did not work for me. Monstersona is a YA scifi horror book following two young women. Riley has just moved to a small town with her recently divorced mom. On the night of the homecoming game, she wakes up to the whole town on fire and a monster on the lose. As she flees, she encounters her disheveled classmate Aspen on the road and gives her a ride. On the way to meet up with her dad across the country, they are pursued by some mysterious characters for unknown reasons.
I thought the book was well paced with its time-bound structure (the whole book takes place in the span of two weeks) giving it a sense of forward momentum. It also didn’t shy away from gore and even had some mild body horror (I don’t normally like body horror, but this did not bother me). I thought the book tried to give the atmosphere a post-apocalytic/dystopian feel, but it doesn’t really make sense given the contemporary setting and the fact that aside from what happened at the beginning, the rest of the country was otherwise running normally. This also removed much of the tension that I should have been feeling because they could have gotten plenty of help at any point in time if they had just thought to ask.
I started off liking Riley, but she wore thin as the story progressed. I started finding her insufferable with her hypocrisy, poor choices, and improper priorities. If there was a scale between her dad and Aspen’s actions, she tipped it completely the wrong way. Aside from proximity, I never actually got what Riley and Aspen saw in each other, thus I never bought into their exceedingly fast romance. Then the book ends quite anticlimactically with a relatively benign resolution to what was supposed to be a high stakes show down.
Monstersona had some great bones, but the meat was a bit off.
*I received an eARC from Tiny Ghost Press in exchange for an honest review.
I’m sorry, but several things in Monstersona just did not work for me. Monstersona is a YA scifi horror book following two young women. Riley has just moved to a small town with her recently divorced mom. On the night of the homecoming game, she wakes up to the whole town on fire and a monster on the lose. As she flees, she encounters her disheveled classmate Aspen on the road and gives her a ride. On the way to meet up with her dad across the country, they are pursued by some mysterious characters for unknown reasons.
I thought the book was well paced with its time-bound structure (the whole book takes place in the span of two weeks) giving it a sense of forward momentum. It also didn’t shy away from gore and even had some mild body horror (I don’t normally like body horror, but this did not bother me). I thought the book tried to give the atmosphere a post-apocalytic/dystopian feel, but it doesn’t really make sense given the contemporary setting and the fact that aside from what happened at the beginning, the rest of the country was otherwise running normally. This also removed much of the tension that I should have been feeling because they could have gotten plenty of help at any point in time if they had just thought to ask.
I started off liking Riley, but she wore thin as the story progressed. I started finding her insufferable with her hypocrisy, poor choices, and improper priorities. If there was a scale between her dad and Aspen’s actions, she tipped it completely the wrong way. Aside from proximity, I never actually got what Riley and Aspen saw in each other, thus I never bought into their exceedingly fast romance. Then the book ends quite anticlimactically with a relatively benign resolution to what was supposed to be a high stakes show down.
Monstersona had some great bones, but the meat was a bit off.
*I received an eARC from Tiny Ghost Press in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2025
I received a copy from the publisher
TW trauma & PTSD, mentioned biphobia, mentioned sexual assault, parental death, kidnapping, physical & gun violence, descriptions of dead bodies including a toddler, gambling addiction, mentioned infidelity
3.7
I just realized I never reviewed this when I read it... *checks watch* more than 2 years ago. So this one's got to be brief!
I did enjoy this one over all, as the whole concept of a sapphic kaiju roadtrip is absolutely my thing (any kaiju media is going to pique my interest, nevermind making it queer!). I think that Spencer does a good job, too, at keeping the plot going with tension that doesn't feel suffocating but definitely stays dangerous. There's also some cool scenes, with an effective framing device.
I also appreciated the fact that the dynamic between Aspen and Riley stays rocky for a good amount of time, instead of magically turning into a romance or even magically becoming besties. They do, obviously, eventually grow into more than hesitant strangers, but it takes time in a realistic way.
And that stays true for all the losses too- they are taken seriously, not brushed off or magically made to be better.
Aspen was a lower point for me. I found her lack of gratitude in the beginning very irritating, and I was hoping she'd get developed more. Instead, a lot of questions I had about her got left unanswered. I feel like more information about her mother, and about her creation, could have added a lot to this story and understanding her struggles more.
I also feel like the sexual assault plot line could have been deal with better. As is, it feels a bit hollow and underdeveloped- less purposefully added than incidental.
Pre-review comments below
more kaiju related media NOW 😍
TW trauma & PTSD, mentioned biphobia, mentioned sexual assault, parental death, kidnapping, physical & gun violence, descriptions of dead bodies including a toddler, gambling addiction, mentioned infidelity
3.7
I just realized I never reviewed this when I read it... *checks watch* more than 2 years ago. So this one's got to be brief!
I did enjoy this one over all, as the whole concept of a sapphic kaiju roadtrip is absolutely my thing (any kaiju media is going to pique my interest, nevermind making it queer!). I think that Spencer does a good job, too, at keeping the plot going with tension that doesn't feel suffocating but definitely stays dangerous. There's also some cool scenes, with an effective framing device.
I also appreciated the fact that the dynamic between Aspen and Riley stays rocky for a good amount of time, instead of magically turning into a romance or even magically becoming besties. They do, obviously, eventually grow into more than hesitant strangers, but it takes time in a realistic way.
And that stays true for all the losses too- they are taken seriously, not brushed off or magically made to be better.
Aspen was a lower point for me. I found her lack of gratitude in the beginning very irritating, and I was hoping she'd get developed more. Instead, a lot of questions I had about her got left unanswered. I feel like more information about her mother, and about her creation, could have added a lot to this story and understanding her struggles more.
I also feel like the sexual assault plot line could have been deal with better. As is, it feels a bit hollow and underdeveloped- less purposefully added than incidental.
Pre-review comments below
more kaiju related media NOW 😍
August 6, 2024
‘*‘ Meine Meinung ‘*‘
Und wieder verrät der Klappentext viel zu viel. Die Handlung ist schon ziemlich fortgeschritten, bis es endlich Neues gibt und wir den KT hinter uns lassen. Normalerweise finde ich es klasse, wenn zu Beginn etwas geschieht und dann in der Geschichte zurückgesprungen wird, um den Beginn zu verstehen. Doch dieses Mal war die Szene zu wichtig und verriet zu viel. Also war klar, wohin die Reise geht. Die Handlung war auch zu Vier Fünfteln vorhersehbar.
Okay, zwischendurch gab es Überraschungen und Twists, aber nicht so dramatisch, wie es hätte sein können.
Riley geht zwangsweise auf einen Roadtrip und erlebt dabei einiges. Sie traf Menschen, die ihr halfen und wiederum andere, die ihr nicht wohlgesonnen waren. Gut hat mir Rileys Herantasten an ihre homosexuelle Beziehung gefallen. Es ist als Teenager ja schon nicht einfach, heterosexuell zu sein und die Sachen zwischen den Geschlechtern auszuloten. Aber homosexuell ist noch eine Stufe schwieriger. Da es sich um eine amerikanische Story handelt, war auch alles FSK 6 und ganz brav.
Die Charaktere sind hübsche Klischees und könnten aus den üblichen Serien entsprungen sein. Häufig genug dachte ich an „Buffy“.
Der Schreibstil ist locker-flockig und ich flog nur so durch die Seiten. Mir hat es sehr gut gefallen, dass ich mal wieder Slang lesen und so meinen Sprachschatz erweitern konnte. Denn mal ehrlich, Redewendungen lernt man nur durch Bücher und Konversationen mit Muttersprachlern.
Alles in allem eine gute Idee, die aber durch den KT verraten wurde, vorhersehbar war und mit den Klischees nicht Neues lieferte. Das Thema “Coming of Age als lesbische junge Frau” hat dann die Bewertung auf 3 Monter-Sterne gehoben.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
There’s a little monster in all of us.
After her parents’ divorce, 16 year old Riley Grishin is forced to move from Portland, Oregon all the way to Little Brook, Maine, a small town that serves as the headquarters for Titan Technologies, an international tech laboratory. Having left her friends and father behind, Riley spends most of her days running through the woods with her dog Tigger, and eavesdropping on her classmates - in particular, the gorgeous, but very strange, Aspen Montehugh.
On the night of the homecoming game, Riley wakes up to find her town on fire, terrorized by an unseen monster. With flames spreading rapidly, Riley and Tigger have no choice but to pile into her beat-up pickup truck and flee. Speeding out of town, they come across the only other survivor: Aspen.
When Riley and Aspen finally reach safety, they realize something far more sinister is afoot. According to the news, all other Titan Tech laboratories on the East Coast have been attacked. And even worse, they’re being followed by an SUV with blacked out windows. With all air travel grounded, Riley has no way to fly back to her dad, so she and Aspen embark on a cross country road trip, all the while pursued by men with guns, mad scientists, and the monstrous truth. Slowly, Riley realizes something's not quite right with Aspen, which puts her feelings for her-and her own humanity-to the ultimate test
Und wieder verrät der Klappentext viel zu viel. Die Handlung ist schon ziemlich fortgeschritten, bis es endlich Neues gibt und wir den KT hinter uns lassen. Normalerweise finde ich es klasse, wenn zu Beginn etwas geschieht und dann in der Geschichte zurückgesprungen wird, um den Beginn zu verstehen. Doch dieses Mal war die Szene zu wichtig und verriet zu viel. Also war klar, wohin die Reise geht. Die Handlung war auch zu Vier Fünfteln vorhersehbar.
Okay, zwischendurch gab es Überraschungen und Twists, aber nicht so dramatisch, wie es hätte sein können.
Riley geht zwangsweise auf einen Roadtrip und erlebt dabei einiges. Sie traf Menschen, die ihr halfen und wiederum andere, die ihr nicht wohlgesonnen waren. Gut hat mir Rileys Herantasten an ihre homosexuelle Beziehung gefallen. Es ist als Teenager ja schon nicht einfach, heterosexuell zu sein und die Sachen zwischen den Geschlechtern auszuloten. Aber homosexuell ist noch eine Stufe schwieriger. Da es sich um eine amerikanische Story handelt, war auch alles FSK 6 und ganz brav.
Die Charaktere sind hübsche Klischees und könnten aus den üblichen Serien entsprungen sein. Häufig genug dachte ich an „Buffy“.
Der Schreibstil ist locker-flockig und ich flog nur so durch die Seiten. Mir hat es sehr gut gefallen, dass ich mal wieder Slang lesen und so meinen Sprachschatz erweitern konnte. Denn mal ehrlich, Redewendungen lernt man nur durch Bücher und Konversationen mit Muttersprachlern.
Alles in allem eine gute Idee, die aber durch den KT verraten wurde, vorhersehbar war und mit den Klischees nicht Neues lieferte. Das Thema “Coming of Age als lesbische junge Frau” hat dann die Bewertung auf 3 Monter-Sterne gehoben.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
There’s a little monster in all of us.
After her parents’ divorce, 16 year old Riley Grishin is forced to move from Portland, Oregon all the way to Little Brook, Maine, a small town that serves as the headquarters for Titan Technologies, an international tech laboratory. Having left her friends and father behind, Riley spends most of her days running through the woods with her dog Tigger, and eavesdropping on her classmates - in particular, the gorgeous, but very strange, Aspen Montehugh.
On the night of the homecoming game, Riley wakes up to find her town on fire, terrorized by an unseen monster. With flames spreading rapidly, Riley and Tigger have no choice but to pile into her beat-up pickup truck and flee. Speeding out of town, they come across the only other survivor: Aspen.
When Riley and Aspen finally reach safety, they realize something far more sinister is afoot. According to the news, all other Titan Tech laboratories on the East Coast have been attacked. And even worse, they’re being followed by an SUV with blacked out windows. With all air travel grounded, Riley has no way to fly back to her dad, so she and Aspen embark on a cross country road trip, all the while pursued by men with guns, mad scientists, and the monstrous truth. Slowly, Riley realizes something's not quite right with Aspen, which puts her feelings for her-and her own humanity-to the ultimate test
February 14, 2023
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited for a chance to read MONSTERSONA because it's been on my radar for a minute and I was not disappointed! Overall, I found this to be a quick read that was really well-paced — which is huge because there's a lot of action in the story doubled with road trip vibes, and it really came together for me.
I found the plot really compelling and was really struck by several scenes in the book. Spencer did a really good job balancing the body horror and sci-fi horror to me, where it definitely *went there* but not in a way that felt gratuitous. It added the necessary weight to give the story its stakes. I especially found the inciting incident to be really well done, but there were a lot of times during the book that were real page turners for me. The action scenes were all really well done.
I really enjoyed Riley and Aspen's dynamic, although there were certain parts where I wish we got to see more insight into their romance. It's a hard balance, because the story is very plot driven and I'm glad that Spencer didn't sacrifice any of the necessary details for the romance, but I still would have loved a couple more scenes to round out the relationship more to make it feel a *little* more believable. There was definitely some trauma-bonding going on (understandable) but it would have been nice to see how the two connected beyond that. That said, their journey together was very sweet and I think it's still going to mean a lot to readers.
I appreciated the time that was taken to explore the aftermath of the situation, and it was interesting to get a book where I'd argue instead of it being super apocalypse-y, it was more natural disaster-y (although nothing was "natural" about this disaster).
Overall I found it really well done, especially for a debut, and I'm excited to see more from Spencer in the future! I think this is a story that YA audiences will gravitate towards and see themselves in. There were a lot of moments that really grounded this story in a teenage perspective, which I really appreciated.
I was really excited for a chance to read MONSTERSONA because it's been on my radar for a minute and I was not disappointed! Overall, I found this to be a quick read that was really well-paced — which is huge because there's a lot of action in the story doubled with road trip vibes, and it really came together for me.
I found the plot really compelling and was really struck by several scenes in the book. Spencer did a really good job balancing the body horror and sci-fi horror to me, where it definitely *went there* but not in a way that felt gratuitous. It added the necessary weight to give the story its stakes. I especially found the inciting incident to be really well done, but there were a lot of times during the book that were real page turners for me. The action scenes were all really well done.
I really enjoyed Riley and Aspen's dynamic, although there were certain parts where I wish we got to see more insight into their romance. It's a hard balance, because the story is very plot driven and I'm glad that Spencer didn't sacrifice any of the necessary details for the romance, but I still would have loved a couple more scenes to round out the relationship more to make it feel a *little* more believable. There was definitely some trauma-bonding going on (understandable) but it would have been nice to see how the two connected beyond that. That said, their journey together was very sweet and I think it's still going to mean a lot to readers.
I appreciated the time that was taken to explore the aftermath of the situation, and it was interesting to get a book where I'd argue instead of it being super apocalypse-y, it was more natural disaster-y (although nothing was "natural" about this disaster).
Overall I found it really well done, especially for a debut, and I'm excited to see more from Spencer in the future! I think this is a story that YA audiences will gravitate towards and see themselves in. There were a lot of moments that really grounded this story in a teenage perspective, which I really appreciated.
January 29, 2023
Make Thelma and Louise teenage and sapphic, then add a boat load of summer blockbuster / old school Spielberg vibes, and you have Monstersona.
But that barely scratches the surface of this story.
Where to even begin? I would give it 6 stars if that were an option. This book dug deep inside of me and made me feel every emotion the protagonist Riley was feeling from the get-go.
A lot of words come to mind to describe this book and it’s writing; it’s funny, thrilling, heartfelt, and at times devastating. But after sleeping on it, the best word I can use is “Honest”. Spencer honestly and poignantly discusses heavy topics like grief, alienation from those around you, trauma, sexuality, and ultimately, forgiveness and hope. And she leaves it all on the page alongside a fantastic throwback playlist and a lot of road-trip food that you can’t help but kinda want.
At the same time, you have a coming of age story about two girls falling in love on a road trip and finding themselves in an action-packed chase across the American Midwest.
And I was here for all of it.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
But that barely scratches the surface of this story.
Where to even begin? I would give it 6 stars if that were an option. This book dug deep inside of me and made me feel every emotion the protagonist Riley was feeling from the get-go.
A lot of words come to mind to describe this book and it’s writing; it’s funny, thrilling, heartfelt, and at times devastating. But after sleeping on it, the best word I can use is “Honest”. Spencer honestly and poignantly discusses heavy topics like grief, alienation from those around you, trauma, sexuality, and ultimately, forgiveness and hope. And she leaves it all on the page alongside a fantastic throwback playlist and a lot of road-trip food that you can’t help but kinda want.
At the same time, you have a coming of age story about two girls falling in love on a road trip and finding themselves in an action-packed chase across the American Midwest.
And I was here for all of it.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2025
Okay, fun! We love a lab monster. I was very entertained and intrigued following Aspen and Riley on their journey, and the plot beats didn't disappoint. The story is absolutely a bit violent, but with a blurb from Andrew Joseph White that was expected.
As the story came to a close, there were two details that frustrated me, but that could easily be chalked up to the main character experiencing extreme trauma: 1) all-over-the-place feelings and decisions about her dad, and 2) falling deeply in love with Aspen over what like, 2 weeks? Again, not unrealistic but they dampened the ending for me a little. Either way, would still highly recommend!
As the story came to a close, there were two details that frustrated me, but that could easily be chalked up to the main character experiencing extreme trauma: 1) all-over-the-place feelings and decisions about her dad, and 2) falling deeply in love with Aspen over what like, 2 weeks? Again, not unrealistic but they dampened the ending for me a little. Either way, would still highly recommend!
January 25, 2024
This book is beautiful. I really love it. It’s compelling as heck, and I could hardly stop reading it even when I had to. It’s really good, and a sweet story even though it’s honestly a horrific story. It's super interesting, but I feel like there are some definite holes in it. There is so much trauma in this book, but I think it's handled pretty well. Despite the plot holes and the trauma, I think this book is so incredible that I will happily recommend it to the people I think would appreciate it.
March 26, 2023
It’s whatever year Cloverfield came out. I’m sitting at a computer at 4am, knowing I have to be at work at 7, and I haven’t slept. All because I’m looking at all of these dumb fan sites and theories about Cloverfield. I’ve been sort of nostalgic of that feeling lately. That overwhelmingly strong interest in something that I HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING. well, I can say now that for the 200 pages of Chloe Spencer’s Monstersona, that feeling was recreated. When I was reading this book I devoured every syllable like the answers I wanted were there, when I wasn’t I was excited to get home and read it. The one thing this book did to me that Cloverfield didn’t, I was left sobbing multiple times while reading. Not just over any events that happened, but just over how powerful the story of grief, growing up different, and learning about yourself is. The characters in this book put you on a chokehold and you experience every single emotion with them. I’ve always stated the best monster movie/book is one like The Howling that does this: you feel more for the characters and their journey, the monster is the background moving the characters through their journey. Chloe Spencer is masterful in that regard and Monstersona is a book that uses its monster element to take you on a personal journey with two incredible characters… and this hella cool dog. Lose some sleep with this book, you won’t regret it. K thx.
February 10, 2023
This was really fun! It leaned really hard into the gory monster horror which I loved. Even though this is a short book it packs a big punch when it comes to plot and character development. It does a great job of handling grief and trauma.
Rep: bisexual main characters, sapphic relationship
Rep: bisexual main characters, sapphic relationship
February 15, 2023
This was such a good read! Thanks Tiny Ghost Press for the ARC!
It’s horror, it’s gory, it’s queer, it kept me on my toes, it’s creepy, it’s funny at times, there’s a road trip involved - it’s everything I could have wanted from it! This book dealt with grief and trauma as well as love and learning how to manage all of them at once, which was done really well in my opinion. I could genuinely feel the emotions that Riley and Aspen were feeling during so many points in this book.
Plus Tigger the dog is the absolute greatest and deserves all the head scratches.
It’s horror, it’s gory, it’s queer, it kept me on my toes, it’s creepy, it’s funny at times, there’s a road trip involved - it’s everything I could have wanted from it! This book dealt with grief and trauma as well as love and learning how to manage all of them at once, which was done really well in my opinion. I could genuinely feel the emotions that Riley and Aspen were feeling during so many points in this book.
Plus Tigger the dog is the absolute greatest and deserves all the head scratches.
October 8, 2023
I really liked this! A sapphic road trip story with a giant monster girlfriend - what's not to love?
This book does contain a lot of gory scenes and descriptions; I'm generally fine with gore but even this got a bit much for me at times so just be wary.
Also, the dog survives, so don't worry about that :)
This book does contain a lot of gory scenes and descriptions; I'm generally fine with gore but even this got a bit much for me at times so just be wary.
Also, the dog survives, so don't worry about that :)
July 5, 2023
This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I desperately need a movie about this.
June 28, 2023
I'm APPALLED that this book isn't getting more attention! I started and finished it today because I just couldn't tear myself away from the action.
MONSTERSONA is about two 16-year-old bi girls fleeing the smoldering remains of their sleepy town as they're forced to navigate unprecedented grief, trauma, and self-determination. It's YA, and definitely reads as such at the beginning, but you get to watch in real time how trauma changes a person and how they respond to unimaginable stressors. It's also on the grittier side of YA, with gratuitous descriptions of graphic violence and gore (and explicit language). I don't really understand the YA scene these days, but I really love that there are stories like this one that aren't coddling teenagers or treating them as if they aren't vulgar little creatures (and I say that in the most loving way possible).
Other high points: giant monsters (obviously), a morally bankrupt corporation, a tender WLW romance, and a canine sidekick (WHO DOESN'T DIE!!). I also loved the specific flavour of the monsters, but I won't go into much detail about it to avoid spoilers.
The only issue I have with MONSTERSONA is that the solution for the climax felt a tad unconvincing, and a bit too convenient, but not entirely implausible. I was satisfied with how the action shook out, but I felt it could have been done with a bit more backbone.
Overall, I loved this book, I absolutely devoured it, and I'm gutted that it isn't the first of a series; I think there's a lot of good material here for a continued story, but it also stands very well on its own.
MONSTERSONA is about two 16-year-old bi girls fleeing the smoldering remains of their sleepy town as they're forced to navigate unprecedented grief, trauma, and self-determination. It's YA, and definitely reads as such at the beginning, but you get to watch in real time how trauma changes a person and how they respond to unimaginable stressors. It's also on the grittier side of YA, with gratuitous descriptions of graphic violence and gore (and explicit language). I don't really understand the YA scene these days, but I really love that there are stories like this one that aren't coddling teenagers or treating them as if they aren't vulgar little creatures (and I say that in the most loving way possible).
Other high points: giant monsters (obviously), a morally bankrupt corporation, a tender WLW romance, and a canine sidekick (WHO DOESN'T DIE!!). I also loved the specific flavour of the monsters, but I won't go into much detail about it to avoid spoilers.
The only issue I have with MONSTERSONA is that the solution for the climax felt a tad unconvincing, and a bit too convenient, but not entirely implausible. I was satisfied with how the action shook out, but I felt it could have been done with a bit more backbone.
Overall, I loved this book, I absolutely devoured it, and I'm gutted that it isn't the first of a series; I think there's a lot of good material here for a continued story, but it also stands very well on its own.
December 14, 2023
Took a bit to finish this because I didn't wanna take my hardcover to work and get it dirty but it was a solid book! I feel like the pacing was a bit wonky for me personally, but I enjoyed this messy, monster-filled, sapphic road trip!
November 16, 2023
A YA horror post-apocalyptic book.
👧🏼
Riley is miserable. She was forced to move across the country with her mom when her parents divorced. In Maine she has no friends, no life and can’t even drive. When her mom’s company explodes in fire, Riley grabs her dog and supplies to head out of town as the fire spreads. On the way she runs into the prettiest girl in school, Aspen Montehugh, whose father owns the company Riley’s mom worked for. Now both girls are on the run when they realize someone, or something, is after them.
🐶
This was a great novel with lots of scifi vibes, romance, monsters and action. I enjoyed the ride and fans of The Darkest Minds will also like this too!
CW: blood/gore, violence, death, parental death, biphobia, sexual assault, vomit
👧🏼
Riley is miserable. She was forced to move across the country with her mom when her parents divorced. In Maine she has no friends, no life and can’t even drive. When her mom’s company explodes in fire, Riley grabs her dog and supplies to head out of town as the fire spreads. On the way she runs into the prettiest girl in school, Aspen Montehugh, whose father owns the company Riley’s mom worked for. Now both girls are on the run when they realize someone, or something, is after them.
🐶
This was a great novel with lots of scifi vibes, romance, monsters and action. I enjoyed the ride and fans of The Darkest Minds will also like this too!
CW: blood/gore, violence, death, parental death, biphobia, sexual assault, vomit
April 15, 2024
Wow
I really had to read this in one sitting. It was such a good read, such a great story. The theme of trauma was strong and could feel a little jarring at times but it definitely fit the story.
I loved Riley and honestly Aspen was wonderfully written, distant at first but warming up to Riley in no time. The romance was sweet, the action was well written and easily followed, and the banter was fun and fitting throughout.
Definitely recommended. Just don't stay up too late like me because you can't put it down.
I really had to read this in one sitting. It was such a good read, such a great story. The theme of trauma was strong and could feel a little jarring at times but it definitely fit the story.
I loved Riley and honestly Aspen was wonderfully written, distant at first but warming up to Riley in no time. The romance was sweet, the action was well written and easily followed, and the banter was fun and fitting throughout.
Definitely recommended. Just don't stay up too late like me because you can't put it down.
April 3, 2023
Reclaiming through reading
As a trans woman, I didn’t get to grow up as a girl. I didn’t get to experience the fits and throes and triumphs of being a teenaged girl. In Monstersona I got to go back and fall in love. The book so comfortably speaks in the voice of teenaged desire and resilience.
The action was beautifully visceral and upsetting. The suspense was well executed and the plot kept me constantly engaged.
This is a terrific and fearless book and a thrill to read.
As a trans woman, I didn’t get to grow up as a girl. I didn’t get to experience the fits and throes and triumphs of being a teenaged girl. In Monstersona I got to go back and fall in love. The book so comfortably speaks in the voice of teenaged desire and resilience.
The action was beautifully visceral and upsetting. The suspense was well executed and the plot kept me constantly engaged.
This is a terrific and fearless book and a thrill to read.
December 31, 2023
3✨
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
A tiny monster book.
This was a quick, heart pounding horror with monsters and gore galore. Also a dog (that lives don't worry).
The sapphic romance was cute and no spoilers, but I love how it progressed despite the main twist and climatic points. Overall a good, solid fun read.
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
A tiny monster book.
This was a quick, heart pounding horror with monsters and gore galore. Also a dog (that lives don't worry).
The sapphic romance was cute and no spoilers, but I love how it progressed despite the main twist and climatic points. Overall a good, solid fun read.
September 12, 2023
ARC REVIEW
This was great! A beautiful love story in the midst of trauma and grief. The ending made me very teary but i loved it. Aspen and Riley have a great story and their development is brilliant. I really enjoyed how this was written i highly recommend this one!
This was great! A beautiful love story in the midst of trauma and grief. The ending made me very teary but i loved it. Aspen and Riley have a great story and their development is brilliant. I really enjoyed how this was written i highly recommend this one!
April 6, 2023
I will start off by saying that I'm not normally interested in YA nor horror. I also generally don't like roadtrip stories. However, I picked this up because I know the author and I wanted to support her, and I was very pleasantly surprised.
A few things that I particularly enjoyed:
-The dynamic between the two main characters is so great. I adore them both as individual characters (especially Riley, who reminds me a lot of myself at her age), but the two of them together is a whole other level of fun. I feel like their relationship developed very realistically through the book. A huge pet peeve of mine is insta-love, and that is absolutely not what this is. Their relationship development is top notch.
-The pacing works really well. There are moments for the characters to talk and to mourn, but there are never those long stretches of nothing happening that are in most road trip and long journey based books. Things happen just when they need to to keep the tension up without overwhelming the reader.
-In my opinion the beginning and the end were both very strong, which is not something I can say for most YA that I've read. The beginning really sets the stage and tells us who Riley is. The ending is the right amount of bittersweet, where Riley reflects on the past while also looking to her future.
The only thing that bothered me a little bit is that some of the twists were predictable for me. That said, I am about ten years older than the target market for this book, so I think that's more of a me being old problem.
A few things that I particularly enjoyed:
-The dynamic between the two main characters is so great. I adore them both as individual characters (especially Riley, who reminds me a lot of myself at her age), but the two of them together is a whole other level of fun. I feel like their relationship developed very realistically through the book. A huge pet peeve of mine is insta-love, and that is absolutely not what this is. Their relationship development is top notch.
-The pacing works really well. There are moments for the characters to talk and to mourn, but there are never those long stretches of nothing happening that are in most road trip and long journey based books. Things happen just when they need to to keep the tension up without overwhelming the reader.
-In my opinion the beginning and the end were both very strong, which is not something I can say for most YA that I've read. The beginning really sets the stage and tells us who Riley is. The ending is the right amount of bittersweet, where Riley reflects on the past while also looking to her future.
The only thing that bothered me a little bit is that some of the twists were predictable for me. That said, I am about ten years older than the target market for this book, so I think that's more of a me being old problem.
April 17, 2024
2.5
The first thing you need to know about Monstersona is that Tigger lives. Tiny Ghost Press actually confirmed this for me on their Instagram because I cannot handle Good Boys like Tigger dying in horror just for the sake of it (because LBR most animal death in horror is for the sake of it and serves no greater purpose).
Monstersona might be the first sci-fi horror I've ever read, and I must say it was an interesting intersection. It reminded me of quite a few different movies/TV shows because it had the end of the world vibes, on the run through an apocalyptic world, as well as creepy men in black suits wanting to kill you. I sometimes thought that maybe it tried to be too much, but for the most part I just went with it.
The bi rep was to be expected from a Tiny Ghost Press (a spooky and queer specific publisher) book, but it is always great to see queer rep expanding into new genres like sci-fi horror. For so long it was just contemporary books and no we have queer rep in so many genres and I am here for it.
I do have to admit I wasn't full invested in Riley and Aspen together but that could just be a me thing! I guess when a story is only set over 10 or so days then the romance is going to feel rushed, even if they are bonding over mutual traumatic experiences. But I am a sucker for romance development so what can I say?
Overall, Monstersona was really unique, and if you're looking for a story quite unlike anything you've read before with bonus bi rep, body horror, and a doggo sidekick then I suggest giving this a go!
The first thing you need to know about Monstersona is that Tigger lives. Tiny Ghost Press actually confirmed this for me on their Instagram because I cannot handle Good Boys like Tigger dying in horror just for the sake of it (because LBR most animal death in horror is for the sake of it and serves no greater purpose).
Monstersona might be the first sci-fi horror I've ever read, and I must say it was an interesting intersection. It reminded me of quite a few different movies/TV shows because it had the end of the world vibes, on the run through an apocalyptic world, as well as creepy men in black suits wanting to kill you. I sometimes thought that maybe it tried to be too much, but for the most part I just went with it.
The bi rep was to be expected from a Tiny Ghost Press (a spooky and queer specific publisher) book, but it is always great to see queer rep expanding into new genres like sci-fi horror. For so long it was just contemporary books and no we have queer rep in so many genres and I am here for it.
I do have to admit I wasn't full invested in Riley and Aspen together but that could just be a me thing! I guess when a story is only set over 10 or so days then the romance is going to feel rushed, even if they are bonding over mutual traumatic experiences. But I am a sucker for romance development so what can I say?
Overall, Monstersona was really unique, and if you're looking for a story quite unlike anything you've read before with bonus bi rep, body horror, and a doggo sidekick then I suggest giving this a go!
April 20, 2023
Writing: 6.5/10
Likability: 7/10
Characters: 6/10
World: 5/10
Monstersona was a fun, short read, but I after finishing it I don't find myself filled with satisfaction. It feels, in a way, like everything was for nothing, and none of the loss real, despite it being a central theme of the book. It feels like the author was ready for any conflict except for interpersonal conflict, whereupon she would build up the tension and then suddenly let it go slack without ever truly fixing or changing things between characters. Riley and Aspen's relationship was sweet and original, and I truly feel like there could have been something great for the two of them, but about halfway through the book, it feels like the plot just sort of lost its structural integrity. The main antagonistic force, in my opinion, is as opaque and formless as it is missing. While there are plenty of antagonists, and while some do change in interesting ways, every motivation and movement forward felt a little half-baked, like this is the first draft of what could have been a really great story, but sadly just missed the mark. All in all, I just wasn't satisfied with how this one played out, despite the mountain of potential I feel like this novel had as it started out. That being said, it was worth the time it took to read it, and it may be better suited to a less critical audience who are simply looking for some high-adrenaline monster-movie vibes with sapphic romance on the side.
Likability: 7/10
Characters: 6/10
World: 5/10
Monstersona was a fun, short read, but I after finishing it I don't find myself filled with satisfaction. It feels, in a way, like everything was for nothing, and none of the loss real, despite it being a central theme of the book. It feels like the author was ready for any conflict except for interpersonal conflict, whereupon she would build up the tension and then suddenly let it go slack without ever truly fixing or changing things between characters. Riley and Aspen's relationship was sweet and original, and I truly feel like there could have been something great for the two of them, but about halfway through the book, it feels like the plot just sort of lost its structural integrity. The main antagonistic force, in my opinion, is as opaque and formless as it is missing. While there are plenty of antagonists, and while some do change in interesting ways, every motivation and movement forward felt a little half-baked, like this is the first draft of what could have been a really great story, but sadly just missed the mark. All in all, I just wasn't satisfied with how this one played out, despite the mountain of potential I feel like this novel had as it started out. That being said, it was worth the time it took to read it, and it may be better suited to a less critical audience who are simply looking for some high-adrenaline monster-movie vibes with sapphic romance on the side.
August 23, 2023
This wasn’t quite what I thought it would be going in. I thought it would be a sapphic, end of the world, monster gore story. And it’s got those pieces in here, but the real focus is their road trip, where naturally everything goes wrong.
There’s no real sense of urgency or emergency for the most part of the book, despite the fact a good portion of the country is on fire. And while a little gory in places, it’s not overdone or anything in the realm of what I consider horror. (I fully recognise this is not on the author, but Goodreads tags). I’m not much of a horror reader, so I preferred it this way.
Riley is a bit of a clueless MC, and takes a really long time for her to figure out what’s happening. Apsen… is lacking in personality for a large portion of the book. She gets there, but it made for very bland interactions at the start. There are a lot of fun and connecting moments after that, and a bunch of pop culture references.
I love the whole road trip aspect and the dog sidekick. The monster is great and Godzilla-esque and creates a lot of gory carnage.
There is no definitive ending, it’s more a trail off story end leaving it open for sequels but enough for now.
There’s no real sense of urgency or emergency for the most part of the book, despite the fact a good portion of the country is on fire. And while a little gory in places, it’s not overdone or anything in the realm of what I consider horror. (I fully recognise this is not on the author, but Goodreads tags). I’m not much of a horror reader, so I preferred it this way.
Riley is a bit of a clueless MC, and takes a really long time for her to figure out what’s happening. Apsen… is lacking in personality for a large portion of the book. She gets there, but it made for very bland interactions at the start. There are a lot of fun and connecting moments after that, and a bunch of pop culture references.
I love the whole road trip aspect and the dog sidekick. The monster is great and Godzilla-esque and creates a lot of gory carnage.
There is no definitive ending, it’s more a trail off story end leaving it open for sequels but enough for now.
March 5, 2024
Monstersona is good read, gory as all get out...but really an exploration of grief, autonomy, and the ways our parents hurt us (knowingly or unknowingly) and what it means to grapple with that.
I feel like this book is incorrectly categorized as a YA novel due to the protagonists being in highschool. I wouldn't recommend this novel for anyone under 15 due to the heavy topics it covers, and I recommend anyone going in be aware that this book has a lot of dark and horrifying moments.
It read like a movie, which I mean that in the best way, and the story keeps you guessing. Heed the content warnings and don't let the cover fool you. While this is a story about monsters, it's much more than that.
I feel like this book is incorrectly categorized as a YA novel due to the protagonists being in highschool. I wouldn't recommend this novel for anyone under 15 due to the heavy topics it covers, and I recommend anyone going in be aware that this book has a lot of dark and horrifying moments.
It read like a movie, which I mean that in the best way, and the story keeps you guessing. Heed the content warnings and don't let the cover fool you. While this is a story about monsters, it's much more than that.
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