Once a Monster

by Robert Dinsdale

London, 1861: Ten-year-old Nell belongs to a crew of mudlarks who work a stretch of the Thames along the Ratcliffe Highway. An orphan since her mother died four years past, leaving Nell with only broken dreams and a pair of satin slippers in her possession, she spends her days dredging up coals, copper and pieces of iron spilled by the river barges – searching for treasure in the mud in order to appease her master, Benjamin Murdstone.

But one day, Nell discovers a body on the shore. It’s not the first corpse she’s encountered, but by far the strangest. Nearly seven feet tall, the creature has matted hair covering his legs, and on his head are the suggestion of horns. Nell’s fellow mudlarks urge her to steal his boots and rifle his pockets, but as she ventures closer the figure draws breath – and Nell is forced to make a decision which will change her life forever . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Fiction, Historical, Retellings

512 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2023

About the author

Robert Dinsdale was born in North Yorkshire and currently lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

He is the author of PARIS BY STARLIGHT, THE TOYMAKERS, GINGERBREAD, LITTLE EXILES and THE HARROWING

Reviews

[Gareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique and totally enjoyable story from beginning to end this is! I thoroughly relished this novel, with its punchy prose and story line that keeps you engaged. Not only does the book do a fantastic job of demonstrating the power of hope over adversity but it’s also a beautiful testament to self-discovery and the power of friendship, even when stemming from the most unlikely and strangest of circumstances. And if it’s a villain you want, Murdstone is this novel certainly has echoes of the Dickensian rogue Fagan! I was starting to fatigue of the many books that fall in to the ‘re-telling’ category, but this is one that had a fresh and unique feel about it and for me was a delight.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once A Monster seems to be a bit of a Marmite book. I loved it. It made a refreshing change to have a story based on Greek myth that was not a feminist re-telling. Instead what we have is the story of Minos brought into the 19th century (a little Dockensian but none the worse for that).

One morning Nell, a mudlark bound to Benjamin Murdstone, finds the body of a man but the body turns out to still be alive. Nell nurses Minos back to health and a bond forms between the unlikely pair. Quick to take advantage of any oddity coming from the river Murdstone works out a way of exploiting this friendship, particularly after he gets sight of the strange tattoo carved into Minos's back - a tattoo which looks like something he's seen in a book of Greek myth.

The book follows Nell's desire to become the dancer her late mother told her she could be and Minos's need to find out who he really is.

The characters of Nell and Minos are beautifully drawn and Robert Dinsdale has managed to imbue Murdstone and some of his cronies with thoroughly distasteful characteristics.

This is a tale of good v evil. Greek myth dragged through the ages in the body of a man/monster.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The narrative never lagged, the pace and tone were perfect. It was a joy to read. It made me angry, happy and even tearful at times (I can be a bit of a romantic). Loved it.

Highly recommended for fans of Greek myth, Dickensian style stories or just people, like me, who enjoy a thoroughly well told story.

[Krystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glad to be done with this rather disappointing read.

I was in it for the mythology retelling, but apparently this was also an Oliver Twist retelling? Which honestly is probably why I hated it.

A Minotaur washes up on the shore and a poor kid, Nell, finds him. They form a bizarre friendship, while Nell's greedy overlord tries to work out how to make money off it so he can once again lift himself from the slums.

I cared nothing for Murdstone and the mudlarks, so that being most of the story meant I was very bored. Nothing much really happens, and there is a lot of musing on the state of things for every single character which really slowed the story down. All the ideas are spoon-fed, rather than allowing the reader to contemplate such topics through the story itself.

None of the characters held any interest to me at all. They seemed really flat, with very little personality.

The whole idea of the minotaur being THE creature from the myths, having lived aeons and somehow survived, was completely squandered. There's nothing here for the lovers of mythology - just the familiar myth transported to a bizarre setting then mostly ignored.

I really couldn't find anything about this to like. The single reason I persevered and finished it was because I requested a copy from the publisher. Sadly, it was a huge disappointment for me.

Not recommended for those hoping for a mythology retelling, but perhaps fans of Dickensian tales will appreciate it more.

With thanks to Macmillan for a copy

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memorable read! I was entirely seduced by Robert Dinsdale’s tale spinning, the Dickensian feel and a very refreshing take on the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Ive never read anything else by this author but I plan to correct that shortly! Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[Megs · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating : 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I don’t think I’m the first person to say I didn’t expect the Dickensian vibe, but it was such a nice change from my usual reads! I absolutely fell in love with Minos, that final chapter had me BAWLING.

It definitely wasn’t the usual mythology retelling that I love, but more of a reimagining. It was still AMAZING though. I do think it was a little long in parts, but with so many twists and turns I just needed to keep going! All of the characters were so richly written, especially the main characters Minos and Nell.
I also enjoyed the way it kept mirroring back to Minos’ past, especially with the original myth. The antagonists were incredibly written, with what I would say semi-redeemable qualities and showed they had a human side, but ultimately were extremely dislikable despite this! All in all this was a truly excellent read ❤️

In three words: enthralling, atmospheric, unique

📖 Book details:
Page count: 512
Setting: London, 1861
Release date: 21st Sept 2023!

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is crossposted on Goodreads, Netgalley UK & my Instagram @literarlo .

[Kayleigh | Welsh Book Fairy · Rating 4 out of 5]

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Once A Monster
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Robert Dinsdale
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mythology/Historical Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 21st September 2023
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 16th August 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★

“I like to think the Greeks knew a little about this sorry old business of being alive. That’s something we’ve forgotten in Modern Times. We Englishmen remain a puritanical breed. Being good or bad isn’t a human choice. Being good and bad–that’s the human condition.”

I adore the blending of the genres: Greek mythology stirred into a pot of filthy and industrious 1860s London is not one I could have imagined would work, but Robert Dinsdale somehow managed to enforce the imagery of muddy orphaned children fishing for treasures in the riverbanks whilst ducking and dodging the perils of urban life and mixing this scene with the literal and figurative revival of a myth. I particularly enjoyed the clever parallels between the Greek labyrinth and the London sewers.

The storytelling was deeply immersive, Dinsdale utilised a personable and vivid Dickensian prose to add depth and gravity to the book whilst holding a certain magical horror element through the character of Minos and the savage beauty of the ballet through Nell’s perspective. The author chooses the break the fourth wall every now and then to guide the reader through the story which gave me a frisson of excitement each time as I knew the story was about to develop in some way.

There is thematic exploration of human morality; the dichotomy of good and evil blurred into multiple moments that serves as the pendulum of individual choices of a righteous man and a wrongful one. These character decisions feel Dorian Gray in its nature; the more hideous choices baring a physical change on the characters, once again lending the story the feel of a timeless classic.

Once A Monster is thoughtful, savage, and has an air of finality in name whilst slow paced, hypnotic, and an air of continuity in nature. This book is great for those who want to slowly trudge through a labyrinth of Robert Dinsdale’s making, detailing every mark on the wall and each turn the story is about to take through historical London with a monster.

—Kayleigh🤍

♡Booksta
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[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia Twist meets the Minotaur. How do friendships begin and how do they change us?

Nell (Olivia 😏) is a mudlark, searching for treasure on the banks of the Thames. She is just one more orphan in a group of children that are kept and exploited by Benjamin Murdstone (Fagin). She lost her mother a few years previously and her biggest wish is to become a ballet dancer. One day she finds a corpse in the mud of the riverbank. But what she thinks is a dead body turns out to be a very alive man with brutish looks and protrusions on his head that could be the remnants of horns…

“One moment a man, one moment a monster. This is just the ordinary truth of existence. And there you stand, on the line that divides one from the other, poised on the precipice – ready to choose.”

The story is very much about the choices that the characters make and the choices that are thrust upon them.

“It must have been a very special thing to have memories you want to cling to, instead of memories – if memories they were – from which you must run.”

Nell very much clings to the memories of her mother and how her live could have been. Minos struggles to retrieve his memories and clues to his past, Ariadne, Theseus, Knossos, the labyrinth and the horrible things he did when he was just a beast and barely a man. Redemption maybe comes a little too easily.

I had high hopes for this book, the first few pages hinted at an exciting story. Sadly, a third into the audio I was contemplating to throw in the towel. Great idea, well written, but so very longwinded! I did stick with it though, although I never really connected emotionally with Nell or Minos (the minotaur). This was not a winner for me, but the last chapter was bittersweet and it all ended nicely. I can understand that this book could make readers cry.

Recommended for readers that like retellings of Greek mythology and that have more patience than I do.

[Kaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
Once A Monster is a historical fiction with magical realism running through it. It follows ten year old Nell, a mudlark, who discovers a monstrous-looking man barely alive on the riverbed. Kind-hearted Nell tries to nurse the man, Minos, back to health but unfortunately, her cruel master, Benjamin Murdstone, has other, more profitable, plans for him.
As the friendship grows between Minos and Nell, Minos’s past begins to haunt him and he’s left wondering who he is, a man or a monster. In order to protect Nell from his beastly side and grant her the life of dance she’s always wished for, Minos makes a deal with Murdstone. However, uncovering the past is more dangerous than any of them had realised.

Thoughts:
On paper, Once A Monster should have been my cup of tea since it was historical fiction mixed with some fantasy elements linked to the Greek myth of the minotaur. At the start, I was drawn in to Nell’s plight and the mystery around Minos, however, as the story progressed I found my attention waning.
I think perhaps the pacing was a little off. Up to about the halfway mark, the tension was building and I was eagerly reading then suddenly, it began to drag. There were some scenes in the middle that really seemed to slow down the pace and seemed stretched out unnecessarily. I, unfortunately, found I had to force myself to finish the book and this then affected my enjoyment of it.

The other issue, for me, I believe was the voice. For most of the book, we see through Nell’s perspective and because she is only ten years old, it can come across as childish but this is not a children’s book. I found it a little hard to believe that Nell would cling so tightly to one instance from her early childhood with the ballet troupe and that this is what goes on to fuel her dreams to join them. In reality, she has very little knowledge of the dancing world and how hard it can be. This in itself made her come across as a little naïve, as did how quickly she placed her trust and became attached to Minos. This is not a girl who has been sheltered from the harsher aspects of life, so her naivety was a little jarring with her background and again, made her seem childish.
I did enjoy Bantam’s perspective and thought he might come into play to discuss the deeper questions around morality and nature versus nurture.  However, I didn’t feel he was given enough space in the novel to do so and our time with him was fleeting.
Minos, in my view, doesn’t come across as a fully fleshed out character and still seems very much the confused creature he was at the beginning of his life. I will admit it was also hard to sympathise with Minos when you come to understand just how many people he’s brutally killed in his long lifetime.
Our time with Murdstone, however, does paint a picture beyond the vicious villain archetype. At his heart, Murdstone is a very desperate man trying to reclaim his past glory and lives in fear of his quickly approaching death. It doesn’t justify his cruelty but it does go some way to explaining it.
I think perhaps I was yearning for a more adult voice to tell this story but overall, I was only given snatches of more mature perspective.

I think author did a great job of setting the scene of 1800s London and of the hard lives of the mudlarks. Dinsdale did well building up the entrancing world of dance at the Alhambra Circus, whilst hinting at some of the harsh realities of being a dancer. The weaker parts for me were the flashback scenes into Minos’ past lives. During these scenes, I never truly felt drawn in and this may be the reason I found it hard, as well as all the people he killed, to connect with Minos as a character.

A theme to this novel I feel is very much ‘good versus evil’ and when it comes to the human characters I feel for the most part this is done well. However, when it comes to Minos, who should be the focus of this, I found it lacking. By the end of the story, it seems Minos starts to shed the monster not through his own will but because of Nell and Nell’s family – is it really redemption if it’s done on the behalf of someone else?
Additionally, and probably a more personal take, I find it hard to believe that someone who has killed others, in such a gruesome fashion, can ever be redeemed, no matter how much time has passed. Plus his guilt seemed more focused on the fact he gave into his monstrous ways rather than those he hurt in doing so.
Lastly, I’d argue that becoming a man isn’t necessarily a sign of overcoming the evil within but that’s just my own view.

The ending, for me, didn’t gel well with the rest of the story and it seemed like the writing style switched just so the author could do a quick sum up of the rest of Nell’s and Minos’ lives. We lost Nell’s voice almost completely at the end, despite her being a prominent character throughout the rest of the book. Minos took over and I’m not sure, for reasons previously mentioned, that worked for me. Also, from the tone of the rest of the book the ending came across, for lack of a better word, a little twee and leaned heavily into ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’. I think I would have preferred it if the story had been kept open at the end and we had been left to our own wonderings as to the fates of Nell and Minos.

Whilst there were aspects of Once A Monster that I enjoyed, they weren’t strong enough to keep me gripped throughout the story. The world and historical setting is well developed and I would say the historical fiction side of this novel is its strongest. It does start out fairly strong but unfortunately, come the latter half, I didn’t feel it was as engaging. The main issues for me were voice and pacing, as well as difficultly in connecting with Minos. These aspects I will admit may come down to personal tastes and as such I would recommend reading multiple reviews of before deciding whether to pick this up for yourself. Overall, I would give it 2.5 out of 5, an average score (rounded up to 3 for Goodreads, as it doesn't deserve 2).

[Susy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars
I love mythology and I love retellings so the premise sounded interesting, however I didn’t like the execution. Too long, too many repetitions, difficult setup mixing the present with memories/the past. I felt like we kept going around and around in circles, for way too long. Maybe this is the reason I didn’t feel any connection with the characters, I cared less and less as we moved along. Coming to a point where an end that could’ve been emotional, just didn’t do a thing for me.

Characters 3
Atmosphere 4
Writing Style 5
Premise 6
Plot 3
Execution/Setup 1
Enjoyment/Engrossment 2
Narration 7

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Once a Monster” is a dark, Dickensian tale of ambition, betrayal and greed. “Once a Monster” is also a story of loss, friendship, hope, and stories.

Given into the care of Mr. Murdstone by her dying seamstress mother, Nell works, with a team of other children, as a mudlark. They all surrender their finds to Murdstone (a Fagin-like guy), who sells them, pockets most of the cash for himself, and keeps the children dependent on him for a warm place to sleep and some food. It’s not the life Nell expected, or wanted. Her mother sewed costumes for dancers, which Nell desperately wants to be after getting a chance to watch dancers perform, and even got to stand on a stage when a dancer kindly offered her the opportunity. Nell has a prized pair of ballet shoes, which she hides in her mattress from the other kids and Mr. Murdstone.

Everything changes when Nell finds a man severely beaten in the river. He’s massive, and doesn’t look quite human with a protruding lower jaw and possible small horns on his head. Nell forces the other kids to help her get the man out of the water and into a cave. When Noah, the eldest in the gang, betrays her to Murdstone, the gang boss plots to use the giant, who calls himself Minos, as a way to restore his ailing finances, which he has depleted buying all manner of quack tonics for his failing, ailing body.

At the same time, a dancer arrives from Paris, and sets herself up as a teacher for middle class and wealthier clients. She’s got secrets, and ambitions.

Nell, Minos, Murdstone, and Sophie Chretien’s lives all end up entwined, as Murdstone schemes to pass Minos off as the Minotaur (the one that Theseus killed with Ariadne’s help). This would not seem so crazy as Minos, through dreams and gradually surfacing memories, remembers the Labyrinth, and numerous other things he experienced over hundreds of years.

These memories, or nightmares, force him to confront who and what he wants to be, while Nell strives to be the only thing she’s ever wanted to be, and Sophie finds ways to be free to dance. Their journeys take them from the Thames then through darkness and much struggle and danger before they all achieve their aims through hard work, hope and friendship.

It’s a beautifully written and paced story, with fantastic atmosphere and historical detail. I particularly liked how author Dinsdale handled the Minotaur myth, offering an explanation of the remarkable way the half-man, half-beast survived Theseus, and made his long way from the labyrinth to London, and became the beloved friend of young Nell.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Pan Macmillan for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[ClaireJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved reading about the Greek myth of the Minotaur and this is a complete reimagining of that story. It gives you Dickensian vibes mixed up in Greek myth. Something you wouldn’t think would work but it merges together perfectly.

You are taken to Victorian London where you meet a young girl Nell who befriends a man called Minos who she finds injured. He is huge and looks almost animal like. He has memories of life from hundreds of years ago - but how is this possible? He tries to work out who he really is. Is he more a monster or a man?

Nell and Minos form an unbreakable bond. However, there are evil people out there who want to take advantage of them.

I absolutely adored Nell and Minos. Their friendship is so sweet and the lengths they go to to help each other is so touching. The determination and desire of Nell to become a dancer is a joy to read about and how Minos wants to see her live her dream.

Once A Monster is an emotional story of dreams, identity and breaking barriers. A tender and beautifully written story.

[Dan Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The year is 1861, and it is London we find ourselves in.
Ten-year-old Nell belongs to a ragtag crew of mudlarks who not only sift through the effluent of the great city for whatever treasures they can, but also hope to one day find something which could elevate them away from such dangerous and unpredictable work along the Thames. An orphan since her poor mother left this life, leaving Nell with only shattered dreams and a pair of the most gorgeous satin ballet slippers, for once even she held onto something that gave her hope.
Nell spends her days dredging up coals, copper, pieces of iron spilled by river barges - searching for anything in order to appease her unkind master, a one Benjamin Murdstone.
One day, Nell discovers a body on the shore, and no this isn’t the first time she has stumbled upon a corpse, but it most certainly is the strangest.
Nearly seven feet tall, matted fur all over, and what are those protrusions on his head, horns? Surely not…
Nell decides to help this washed up soul and soon befriends Minos but she cannot keep him hidden from her master forever and when that time comes, there will be consequences for all, for Minos himself starts to remember just how he made his way from the labyrinth meant to keep him prisoner, to the gritty and unforgiving streets of London, and he will learn that much time may have passed, but there are always monsters closer than we think possible.
Powerfully imaginative, spellbinding and beautifully written, this is truly a unique retelling of the legend of the Minotaur.

[Littlebookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Nell discovers a body washed up on the shore of the Thames, little does she know that her life is about to change forever. Set in Victorian England, this tells the story of 10 year old Nell, a mudlark, and the legendary Minotaur.

Once a Monster is imaginative and vividly brought to life by Robert Dinsdale, who offers here a mixture of historical fiction with an element of myth and magic woven into the story. Here is an alternative version of the story of the Minotaur, told through flashes, but with the majority of the story centred in Victorian London, and having a rather Dickensian vibe to it.

We have a group of mudlarks, working for the larger than life Benjamin Murdstone, a man who rose up from the river, only to fall again, and who is determined to claw his way back to prosperity before his end, no matter the cost. When Nell stumbles across Minos, Murdstone sees this as his long awaited golden opportunity.

Victorian London is vividly brought to life, and we have a colourful cast, and all in all a heartwarming story of the friendship that develops between Nell and Minos, a story that explores the idea that perhaps we all have a monster within us, but that it is the choices we make that carve our identity. It is ultimately a story of redemption. There are also themes of following one's dreams, as we see Nell longing to leave her life on the river and one day perform on the stage as a ballerina.

Whilst this was for the most part an enjoyable enough read, I will say that I was perhaps left somewhat disappointed as the story went on, and it failed to quite live up to its potential. The first half of the book was certainly the more engaging for me personally, as I thought the scene was set well, time spent getting to know our main characters, with enough intrigue and tension woven in the story. However, the second part rather dragged for me. I certainly think the book would have benefited from being shorter, as overall the story was a simple one, and it began to feel rather repetitive and predictable.

Also the way the story is told, I simply never really engaged with the flashes of Minos' past, set in Ancient Greece, and am not sure this was the best way to reimagine a story of the Minotaur. Whilst the different aspects of the book were interesting of themselves, I just don't know how well they meshed together.

Overall, an interesting concept, bur rather dragged out. This was not a patch on Dinsdale's The Toymakers.

[George Daniell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book from start to finish - great concept of using mythology in an Oliver Twist type of setting

[Maria Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a fan of Greek mythology and Victoriana I was drawn to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. This imaginative story is richly detailed and well woven. The description of Victorian London with its orphans and preying villains more than once brought the tale of Oliver Twist to my mind. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s no secret that I ADORE Dinsdale’s earlier book The Toymakers, so when I saw his new release was going to be a Minotaur retelling I leapt at the chance to read an early copy.

As always, I was blown away by the beauty of the prose, the delicate descriptions that paint the most vivid pictures but without being overly flowery or drawn out. I felt every step of the cobbled streets, every path of the labyrinth.

This is a mythology retelling, but not in a way I’ve seen done before. This takes ancient myth and supplants it firmly in Dickensian London, and oh my is it a glorious mix!

Even if you’re not a mythology fan I would urge you to give this one a try; you absolutely don’t need to know any of the Minotaur myth before you dive in, as it guides you gently as you go. I’m not normally a fan of retellings myself (they more often don’t work for me than do) so this was a refreshing change that brought something new to the story, using the myth to give the character a history rather than as a direct retelling, and I adored it for that.

For me what makes this such a beautiful and impactful novel is the friendship between our two main characters, little mudlark orphan Nell and the giant uncertain yet powerful Minos. They are such an unlikely pair, but I swear they will warm your heart.

My only slight complaint is pacing (isn’t it always, I think I’m just picky). It’s a little slow in patches, and longer than it needed to be, but honestly, with writing this glorious I didn’t really mind. I’d happily read page after page of such perfect prose. Still one I’d absolutely recommend, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting more from Dinsdale. Whatever he has up his sleeve next, I can’t wait!

Thanks so much to to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kae Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvel.

What an absolute privilege to read an eARC of this gorgeous book by Robert Dinsdale. Once a Monster completely exceeded my expectations. It is not entirely a myth retelling but a creative reimagining and continuation of the minotaur's story. This books is as engaging as it is enchanting written in a style that really enhances the connection to mythology and magic.

Read this if:
📖 You love greek myths
🇬🇧 Victorian London is your favourite setting
🤔You like a bit of philosophy with your fiction

Some more thoughts:

📚 Follows Nell, a young orphan girl and Minos, a man who doesn't know who he is through twists and turns as they discover their identities and dreams. It's fantastic! My slight criticism is that it dragged a bit in the middle bit the ending more than made up for it.

🙋 Minos, Nell and Murdstone (the villain) are incredibly well characterised, their motivations were all really clear and their development throughout was engaging. Secondary characters are also done really well, it feels like each of them could have their own novel to tell their full story.

📍Primarily London, 1861 but with flashbacks to Knossos etc.

🟰 This is a great book for fans of retellings like Circe but also, if you enjoyed Theatre of Marvels then you will love this!

[Melanie Caldicott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Dinsdale is a masterful storyteller and this is another example of how well he crafts his novels.

I loved the characterisation which managed to pay homage to other Victorian literature without being clichéd. Instead, I felt Dinsdale went deeper into what forms a Fagan, or the Stevenson discussion of the choice between good and evil.

I think the blending of Victorian London and Ancient Greece worked really well and created a rich, adventurous, compelling narrative.

What others have said about the pacing and length is true and this novel could have had a hundred pages shaved off. But as it was so well written it kept me interested to the end and as a whole I really enjoyed it.

This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

[Victoria Catherine Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows that the Minotaur of Knossos was slain by Theseus, but what if there's another version of the myth that that tells us the Minotaur is still alive centuries later, roaming the globe and gradually becoming more human as he sheds the monster within? And what if that Minotaur appears to wash up on the banks of the River Thames only to be found by a ten year old girl?

📚

I love Robert Dinsdale and spend every December banging on about The Toymakers for 31 days straight, but I also love Greek mythology, so imagine my delight when I saw Dinsdale's Once A Monster, which promised a blend of both magic and myth. Realising it was set on a river, I went in expecting something similar to Diane Setterfield's Once Upon A River (another of my favourite books for magic), but was surprised to find Dinsdale instead channelling Oliver Twist. Nell, the 10 year old who finds the Minotaur, is a mudlark who, along with a band of other children, is owned by chief mudlark, Benjamin Murdstone (a definite Fagin if ever there was one), and is resigned to a life of searching for treasure amongst the mud. Ultimately, it was the Dickensian vibe (and not the Greek myth), that won out in this story, making it more of a sequel than a retelling.

📚

Dinsdale has an enviable ability to articulate the best of humanity, and to capture the magic amongst the mundane. The story of a creature part-man and part-beast proves a powerful vessel for his exploration of what it means to be human, and humankind's struggle between good and evil. While Once A Monster was never quite as captivating, nor as magical, as The Toymakers, and was perhaps slightly too long, it nonetheless was a solid comfort read infused with little sprinkles of magic.

📚

"When you have found goodness in this world, it is your duty to hold onto it, to summon it back whenever the world shows you its worst."

📚

[Paperback Mo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.
I bought this after having read (and loved) The Toymakers, thinking I'd love the writing style.
This book was just so damn boring. Everything was so drawn out and after realising I'd only read 5% even thought I'd spent ages reading it I decided to DNF

[Donna (will never finish her TBR) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book more, as the beginning was fantastic and it captured me. But about 60% through I started to drift, and my attention was waning.

I did however like the intertwining of mythology with Victorian times. That was great spin.

The narrator was fantastic and he brought Minos to life, as well as other characters. But for me, the story lasted too long.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greek mythology is getting tougher and harder to approach in new and interesting ways, but Dinsdale has succeeded with his breathtaking Victorian London-set retelling of the Minotaur narrative. The Greek myth of the Minotaur is charmingly reimagined in Dickens' novel Once a Monster. This is what I envision Greek mythology would look like if the Brothers Grimm wrote it. I don't believe I have ever read a novel with an intersection like this, thus the notion is unique. The fourth wall is periodically broken throughout the novel, which is written as though it were being told by a storyteller. It has the appearance of being read aloud while curled up next to a warm fire.
#bookreview #greekgodsandgoddesses #Greekmythology #onceamonster #generalfiction #historicalfiction

[Daan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middenstuk was een beetje traag, maar het einde was erg mooi

[Susan J. Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gothic mythology set in Victorian London that imagines the evolution of the Minotaur’s story. There’s a significant hint of Oliver Twist woven into this tale, except our protagonist is a young girl (Nell) with a talent for dance. Murdstone is the equivalent of the avaricious Fagin, but is at once both kinder and more cruel, having risen through the ranks of society only to find himself back on the river. He runs the mudlarks, sending them out each morning to drag through the detritus at the water’s edge, desperate for the tides to wash up the final treasure of his life that will restore him to his former glory.
It’s a reflection of the best and worst sides of human nature that asks, ‘what makes a man a monster?’
There’s an exquisitely beautiful ending to the story that will bring tears to your eyes.
Five stars from me, and a big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan U.K. audio for the chance to listen to an ARC.
Justin Avoth narrates, and I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job with this story.
Once a Monster released on 21 September.
This is a review of the audiobook.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the locations in the novel here


Greek myth retold in the style of Dickens but with added marvels.

There’s so much to love about this novel. The scene setting is to die for! – We are thrust into the trade of the mudlarkers who search for buried treasure on the banks of the Thames. Nell is one of them and she stumbles onto a body – Minos – who is barely alive. She brings him back to health whilst others want to rob from him. A bond forms between them and that’s when the story really takes off .

The relationship between Nell and Minos is one of the loveliest and most poignant I have read in a while. Beauty and the Beast in many ways but with added feeling and tenderness. There is a bond that will see Nell risk everything and Minos to find his way in this odd world. Meanwhile, Nell is struggling as her mother is dead and she desperately wants to become a dancer as her mother told her she could be.

I loved meeting the entire cast of characters. There’s no illustrations like in Dickens work but none needed as they are so expertly drawn. A story of good and evil and all the muddy areas in between.

The entire reading experience was a joy to behold and I urge everyone to read this.

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 3*
Writing skill : 3*
Plot: 3*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 5*

I really really wanted to love this, but I found the story a bit convoluted. It switched between perspectives, and locations, often and within chapters. It was just a bit hard to follow. I also found you needed to know a lot about the mythological story of Minos, which I didn't. I have recently discovered the mythology genre and what I've read so far explained things so well it was easy to follow what was happening having no prior knowledge of the original story.
The winning factor of this book was the imagery and the relationship between Minos and Nell, I was invested and championing them. If you're a massive mythology fan, i think you may get on with this story much better than I did.

I received both the eBook and the audio version of this book, and would also rate the audio 3*.

[Angus Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novel truly unlike others I have read before. A Dickensian tale crossed with the legends of Ancient Greece, and a heartwarming and heartbreaking story that left me feeling bittersweet yet hopeful.

I have always found the setting of 19th Century London to be a gothic and dreary place, as is so oft described within novels, and Robert Dinsdale is no different in his description of a decrepit and slum like existence for those who live in squalor of those days.

The vast majority of the characters can take their dues from many books set in this period, and in fact, many reminded me of crosses between well-known Dickens characters, Nell being a form of hybrid between Oliver Twist and Pip from Great Expectations, and Murdstone being a Fagin-esque character with a hint of Scrooge within. The one character throughout who doesn’t seem to fit this setting is quite rightly, Minos himself, the supposed Minotaur of Knossos.

Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with Greek Myth is aware of the Minotaur, and while the story does lean into his legend, Minos is a compelling character in his own right. His story is told through the constant debate of one simple question “Is he more man, or beast?”. The answer throughout is never as simple as ‘He is Man’ or ‘He is Beast’, but rather provides something far more complex in the warring that we as people often find amongst ourselves in our want to do good, and whether we let our intrusive thoughts win. There is a Yin and Yang philosophy, not just to Minos, but to most characters within the book, as the inevitable but still compelling question is asked “What makes us human, and separates us from the beasts?”

Similar to the Toymakers, another fantastic book of Dinsdale’s, there is a fairy tale like magic to the telling of the tale, yet also keeping with some gritty realism, and you feel drawn in and comforted by the words and stories spun, even in the bleak and grisly setting of the slums of London. It is a slow burn story, that culminates in a fantastic but low-stakes finale, allowing you to tap into the emotions of the characters rather than focus on any grand high stakes plot. There is something to be said for personable stories instead of ones with world ending consequences, and this is simply the personal journey of Minos and his connection with a rag girl named Nell, and honestly I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I hope that Dinsdale continues to weave his fairytale magic into this world.
Rating 4.5/5

[rina dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Robert Dinsdale fan. The Toymakers is one of my all-time faves, so I was excited to read Once A Monster. I will admit to being apprehensive, though. I didn't quite understand how the minotaur and Victorian London were going to go together, but alas, I didn't need to worry because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There's no doubt about it. Robert has mastered the craft of storytelling. The sense of time and place, as well as the imagery he evokes, is nothing short of exquisite, I was down on the river, mudlarking with Noah and Nell and then dancing with Sophia, it really is that descriptive you feel like you're a part of the story. The villains such as Murdstone are villainous, and there's plenty of other characters with mean traits, but what outshone all that was the relationship between Nell and Minos. The tenderness, the friendship it is really beautiful to witness.
Overall, Once A Monster
is an enchanting, captivating story, and I would recommend it to fans of Greek myths and not. It made a pleasant change from some of the usual myth retelling.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ToyMakers is one of my all time favourites and I recommend Robert Dinsdale’s writing to everyone. Once A Monster is another masterpiece in storytelling - full of magic, intrigue and the most wonderful characters. Nell’s story is beautifully crafted - her life so harsh at such a young age- the friendship she has with Minos is a welcome relief. Her strength and loyalty are only matched by her passion for what is right and I loved her fortitude. The history told of the Minotaur is rich and full of legends that blend perfectly with Victorian London.

[Lu · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so boring Jesus frigging Christ