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Making Friends With Monsters
FACT #1 ABOUT MONSTERS: MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEY EXIST
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
Why?
Monsters! That's why!
They stick their scungy little noses into everything.
Twelve-year-old Sam learns this lesson the hard way. His fact-finding mission about Monsters starts off with the best of intensions. He just wants to help his older brother, Ben.
After a terrible accident awakens his own Monster, Sam's behaviour starts causing problems with everyone, including the girl he loves.
He discovers the family secret that caused Ben's downward spiral and realizes that someone else also has a Monster. And the hideous beast did something really bad.
If Sam is to get through this mess, he needs to find a way to make friends with his Monster before the ravenous beast turns around and swallows him whole.
Themes include: Mental health, suicide, and family dysfunction.
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
Why?
Monsters! That's why!
They stick their scungy little noses into everything.
Twelve-year-old Sam learns this lesson the hard way. His fact-finding mission about Monsters starts off with the best of intensions. He just wants to help his older brother, Ben.
After a terrible accident awakens his own Monster, Sam's behaviour starts causing problems with everyone, including the girl he loves.
He discovers the family secret that caused Ben's downward spiral and realizes that someone else also has a Monster. And the hideous beast did something really bad.
If Sam is to get through this mess, he needs to find a way to make friends with his Monster before the ravenous beast turns around and swallows him whole.
Themes include: Mental health, suicide, and family dysfunction.
299 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2023
About the author
Sandra L. Rostirolla
5 books56 followersAWARDS & ACCOLADES:
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2023
Ingramspark Best Selling YA Fiction
Booklife Editor's Pick
Good Housekeeping Bookclub Pick
Author Academy Award
Dante Rossetti Award
Literary Classics Award
Eric Hoffer Award - Finalist
The Wishing Shelf Award - Finalist
Booklife Prize - Semifinalist
Readers Favorite - Five Stars
Born in Sydney, Australia, Sandra's talents as a lyricist led her to her now husband, composer Kurt Oldman, who co-wrote and produced her CD, THYME. Realizing that writing, rather than singing, was her passion, Sandra began writing screenplays, making the quarterfinals of the American Screenwriters Association Screenwriting Competition, top 200 of Page International, and top fifteen percent of the Nicholl Fellowship.
She wrote and directed the short animation, The Adventures of Gilbert the Goofball, which was runner-up for Best Animation at the Action on Film Festival, and her short story, Lucky Quarter, was a finalist for the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Award.
Selected to participate in the Australians in Film Writers Room, Sandra work-shopped the screenplay version of her novel, Cecilia. She remains active with the core Alumni group, which meets monthly to review and critique each other’s work.
When she’s not imagining fantastical stories grounded by rules and reasoning, Sandra’s usually renovating something around the house, sneaking away with her husband for a last minute ski-trip, or dealing with the unruly strays that seem to enjoy terrorizing her cat.
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2023
Ingramspark Best Selling YA Fiction
Booklife Editor's Pick
Good Housekeeping Bookclub Pick
Author Academy Award
Dante Rossetti Award
Literary Classics Award
Eric Hoffer Award - Finalist
The Wishing Shelf Award - Finalist
Booklife Prize - Semifinalist
Readers Favorite - Five Stars
Born in Sydney, Australia, Sandra's talents as a lyricist led her to her now husband, composer Kurt Oldman, who co-wrote and produced her CD, THYME. Realizing that writing, rather than singing, was her passion, Sandra began writing screenplays, making the quarterfinals of the American Screenwriters Association Screenwriting Competition, top 200 of Page International, and top fifteen percent of the Nicholl Fellowship.
She wrote and directed the short animation, The Adventures of Gilbert the Goofball, which was runner-up for Best Animation at the Action on Film Festival, and her short story, Lucky Quarter, was a finalist for the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Award.
Selected to participate in the Australians in Film Writers Room, Sandra work-shopped the screenplay version of her novel, Cecilia. She remains active with the core Alumni group, which meets monthly to review and critique each other’s work.
When she’s not imagining fantastical stories grounded by rules and reasoning, Sandra’s usually renovating something around the house, sneaking away with her husband for a last minute ski-trip, or dealing with the unruly strays that seem to enjoy terrorizing her cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 8, 2023
In a Nutshell: Almost brilliant! A couple of things didn’t work well for me, but on the whole, this is a hidden indie treasure, albeit a somewhat emotional and depressing one. Better suited to the older YA segment and adults. Triggers galore: Reader discretion advised.
Story Synopsis:
I don’t even know where to begin showering praise on this YA work. I loved almost everything about it, right from its purpose to its writing to its character development to its scenic descriptions.
The purpose: The author’s introductory statement (which brought tears to my eyes) sets the right tone for the book. She mentions how her father had killed himself when she was thirteen, and how this led to her growing up amid dysfunction. The idea behind this book is to offer young readers a way of understanding mental health issues, euphemistically called ‘monsters’ in this book. Most of the content makes me feel that she nailed the agenda.
The writing: Not once did I feel that I was reading an indie work. Sam’s first person narration is endearing. You can sense his vulnerabilities and his determination at the start, and can sense the slow change in his perspective to anger and resentment.
The characters: Every single Nolen was written in a way that brought them alive. From the frustration of the father, the desperation of the mother, the rebelliousness of Ben, the unflinching optimism of little Abby, and of course the anxious sensitivity of the narrator Sam, the sketching was wonderful. There’s no way you will complete this book without loving Abby with all your heart. There are a few memorable secondary characters as well.
The setting: This gem showed me a side of Australia I have not often read in fiction and brought it vividly alive. The impact of the drought in the rural area of Tamworth is portrayed in a gut-wrenching yet relatable way.
The themes: Mental health is the key focal area of the story, and the author makes good use of this in multiple ways. Sam’s “notes” about the monsters are brilliant and simplistic, and I am sure they will offer all of us (and not just YAs) a unique way of looking at our inner demons. I’ve read many MG/YA books covering mental health, and this is among the very best.
The cover art and the title: Both brilliant. Both perfectly suitable for the story.
Does this mean that the book was perfect in every way? Well, you know me. I always have at least one complaint. 😉 This time, I have two complaints, a major one and a minor one.
Major issue: I knew the book had triggers, and the author does warn about it right at the start, but I think it went too far in collecting traumatising topics. It was almost like the author had a checklist and with every subsequent chapter, the items on the list were getting ticked.
[Spoiler about triggers here: ]
Minor issue: There are a few scenes in the book where Sam is made to narrate thoughts I didn’t find appropriate. Lines like “Her two perfect breasts swing like happy melons in a hammock” don’t look good coming from a sensitive twelve-year-old. Yes, boys that age might start thinking about women and breasts, and it might be accurate and all that, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it, right?
That’s it. No other issues. If you are okay with the overabundance of traumatic events in the book, then this would be a brilliant work offering a novel perspective of the mental health monsters within us. The nature of the content makes me push the recommended age to 16+, though our narrator is only 12.
4.5 stars, which I am rounding down because of my reservations about the excessive negative triggers and the needless sexist content. The characters and the ‘monster’ idea makes the book worthwhile.
My thanks to Pinkus Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Making Friends With Monsters”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
2006. Tamworth, Australia. Twelve-year-old Sam Nolen’s life isn’t a happy one. His family farm has been affected by the ongoing drought, and the resultant stress has created a lot of monsters in the family. His dad has one, his seventeen-year-old brother Ben has one, and sometimes, even his six-year-old sister Abby has her own little monster. Sam tried his best to keep track of all the monsters and even writes on about what he has learnt about monsters, all so that he can help his family. However, there is soon a devastating accident, and Sam discovers that he too has a monster of his own.
The story comes to us in Sam’s limited first person perspective.
I don’t even know where to begin showering praise on this YA work. I loved almost everything about it, right from its purpose to its writing to its character development to its scenic descriptions.
The purpose: The author’s introductory statement (which brought tears to my eyes) sets the right tone for the book. She mentions how her father had killed himself when she was thirteen, and how this led to her growing up amid dysfunction. The idea behind this book is to offer young readers a way of understanding mental health issues, euphemistically called ‘monsters’ in this book. Most of the content makes me feel that she nailed the agenda.
The writing: Not once did I feel that I was reading an indie work. Sam’s first person narration is endearing. You can sense his vulnerabilities and his determination at the start, and can sense the slow change in his perspective to anger and resentment.
The characters: Every single Nolen was written in a way that brought them alive. From the frustration of the father, the desperation of the mother, the rebelliousness of Ben, the unflinching optimism of little Abby, and of course the anxious sensitivity of the narrator Sam, the sketching was wonderful. There’s no way you will complete this book without loving Abby with all your heart. There are a few memorable secondary characters as well.
The setting: This gem showed me a side of Australia I have not often read in fiction and brought it vividly alive. The impact of the drought in the rural area of Tamworth is portrayed in a gut-wrenching yet relatable way.
The themes: Mental health is the key focal area of the story, and the author makes good use of this in multiple ways. Sam’s “notes” about the monsters are brilliant and simplistic, and I am sure they will offer all of us (and not just YAs) a unique way of looking at our inner demons. I’ve read many MG/YA books covering mental health, and this is among the very best.
The cover art and the title: Both brilliant. Both perfectly suitable for the story.
Does this mean that the book was perfect in every way? Well, you know me. I always have at least one complaint. 😉 This time, I have two complaints, a major one and a minor one.
Major issue: I knew the book had triggers, and the author does warn about it right at the start, but I think it went too far in collecting traumatising topics. It was almost like the author had a checklist and with every subsequent chapter, the items on the list were getting ticked.
[Spoiler about triggers here: ]
Minor issue: There are a few scenes in the book where Sam is made to narrate thoughts I didn’t find appropriate. Lines like “Her two perfect breasts swing like happy melons in a hammock” don’t look good coming from a sensitive twelve-year-old. Yes, boys that age might start thinking about women and breasts, and it might be accurate and all that, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it, right?
That’s it. No other issues. If you are okay with the overabundance of traumatic events in the book, then this would be a brilliant work offering a novel perspective of the mental health monsters within us. The nature of the content makes me push the recommended age to 16+, though our narrator is only 12.
4.5 stars, which I am rounding down because of my reservations about the excessive negative triggers and the needless sexist content. The characters and the ‘monster’ idea makes the book worthwhile.
My thanks to Pinkus Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Making Friends With Monsters”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
December 13, 2023
I feel the helplessness of the characters and it shouldn’t hurt this much! I really hope no one gets to experience such hard times because of a person we all care about becomes someone we hardly know.
The story is quite realistic and the characters so damn convincing! It is so well written!
This is the story about a twelve year old whose accident makes his “monsters” wake up. His family is struggling with a secret regarding his brother Ben.
It’s the writing that impresses me the most. Each character stands out and they are as real as it gets. Each chapter analyses our dark side and the ranges of emotions we experience. I say again, I am quite impressed.
I love the parents. They are not the usual fictional parents who are either too interested/ know it all or not that interested or barely present. They are just like our own not so perfect parents who are trying their best but feel too helpless when their kids grow up.
The writing is mesmerising if I have to explain it in one word. The book is a great representation of mental health conditions and family dysfunction.
A must read recommendation.
Thank you, Pinkus Books, for the advance reading copy.
The story is quite realistic and the characters so damn convincing! It is so well written!
This is the story about a twelve year old whose accident makes his “monsters” wake up. His family is struggling with a secret regarding his brother Ben.
It’s the writing that impresses me the most. Each character stands out and they are as real as it gets. Each chapter analyses our dark side and the ranges of emotions we experience. I say again, I am quite impressed.
I love the parents. They are not the usual fictional parents who are either too interested/ know it all or not that interested or barely present. They are just like our own not so perfect parents who are trying their best but feel too helpless when their kids grow up.
The writing is mesmerising if I have to explain it in one word. The book is a great representation of mental health conditions and family dysfunction.
A must read recommendation.
Thank you, Pinkus Books, for the advance reading copy.
September 5, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first started reading this novel. And at the beginning, it was somewhat depressing. But as I continued reading, it became clear that there was a message behind the story. A message that would evoke deep and moving images in my mind.
Samuel Nolen is seeing and feeling the effects of an unexpected six-year drought. As a sheepherding family, the drought has caused undue hardship for everyone. The family have had to drastically cut back on water usage and they were forced to sell their sheep stock at a loss. Even toilet flushing became a luxury.
As bare necessities became luxuries, and the Nolen family struggles to make ends meet, each of them begin to crumble under the enormous stress. The result is a dysfunctional family desperately in need of rescue.
Making Friends With Monsters is a thought provoking novel that brings to the forefront life issues many of us have encountered or experienced at one point or another. It is not an easy read due to the subject matter. But the messages within it needs to be front and center when difficult subjects arise.
I loved how author Rostirolla crafted such a moving story and incorporated the first person point of view from a twelve-year-old perspective. Having the narrative unfold in this way softened the impact of the difficult subject matter.
Rostirolla’s characters are so real and they could be your neighbors down the street. Her protrayal of Samuel especially, was very touching and I could feel the pain of what he was going through. There are a number of other characters that really added some depth and nice final touches.
In the end, we are awarded with twenty-six takeaways or tenets that help us understand the “monster” inside each and everyone of us. Five excellent stars.
I received a digital ARC from Pinkus Books through Edelweiss+ and NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Samuel Nolen is seeing and feeling the effects of an unexpected six-year drought. As a sheepherding family, the drought has caused undue hardship for everyone. The family have had to drastically cut back on water usage and they were forced to sell their sheep stock at a loss. Even toilet flushing became a luxury.
As bare necessities became luxuries, and the Nolen family struggles to make ends meet, each of them begin to crumble under the enormous stress. The result is a dysfunctional family desperately in need of rescue.
Making Friends With Monsters is a thought provoking novel that brings to the forefront life issues many of us have encountered or experienced at one point or another. It is not an easy read due to the subject matter. But the messages within it needs to be front and center when difficult subjects arise.
I loved how author Rostirolla crafted such a moving story and incorporated the first person point of view from a twelve-year-old perspective. Having the narrative unfold in this way softened the impact of the difficult subject matter.
Rostirolla’s characters are so real and they could be your neighbors down the street. Her protrayal of Samuel especially, was very touching and I could feel the pain of what he was going through. There are a number of other characters that really added some depth and nice final touches.
In the end, we are awarded with twenty-six takeaways or tenets that help us understand the “monster” inside each and everyone of us. Five excellent stars.
I received a digital ARC from Pinkus Books through Edelweiss+ and NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 11, 2023
Thank you to Sandra L. Rostirolla and @netgalley for a free copy of this ARC.
Rural Australia, 2006. Sam Nolen is filled with misery. With a drought ruining his family’s farm and his older brother moody and distant, the sensitive twelve-year-old wishes he knew how to make his loved ones happy. But when the loyal preteen is left to help his dad after his older sibling storms out, Sam’s world shatters when he suffers a terrible accident.
Struggling to recover and feeling like a freak, the imaginative boy discovers an inner monster whispering dark thoughts in his mind. And when he learns the seductive joy of hiding behind his anger, he starts following his family down a self-destructive path.
Can Sam find his own way out of the shadows before they become all-consuming?
Firstly, let me just say wow! What a book that hit my heart in a million places and left me utterly distraught yet impassioned. Rostirolla compassionately yet unapologetically deals with sensitive issues that I know are close to her own heart as well as many others and this book left me in tears, angry, but most importantly… heard.
Sam is a typical teenager that traverses one difficult and horrid situation after another whilst all the while commenting and offering an insight to his ‘monster’ and the impact that his and others’ monsters have on his life. The monster metaphor is the perfect way of creating a voice for those innermost feelings we all have and a witty way of trying to explain and come to terms with why we feel or react the way we do in certain situations and I loved it!
Dealing with issues such as grief, injury, suicide, poverty and many other taboo issues normally reserved for an older audience, Rostirolla has created a novel that expresses the feelings we all have felt and sadly situations many of us have often experienced in a way that is not only accessible to a younger audience, but is neither patronising or diluted.
This book is a must read for all, kids, teenagers and parents alike and I couldn’t applaud it enough. The sincerity and empathy that covers the pages of this novel whilst dealing with such difficult and heart rending issues is remarkable.
Rural Australia, 2006. Sam Nolen is filled with misery. With a drought ruining his family’s farm and his older brother moody and distant, the sensitive twelve-year-old wishes he knew how to make his loved ones happy. But when the loyal preteen is left to help his dad after his older sibling storms out, Sam’s world shatters when he suffers a terrible accident.
Struggling to recover and feeling like a freak, the imaginative boy discovers an inner monster whispering dark thoughts in his mind. And when he learns the seductive joy of hiding behind his anger, he starts following his family down a self-destructive path.
Can Sam find his own way out of the shadows before they become all-consuming?
Firstly, let me just say wow! What a book that hit my heart in a million places and left me utterly distraught yet impassioned. Rostirolla compassionately yet unapologetically deals with sensitive issues that I know are close to her own heart as well as many others and this book left me in tears, angry, but most importantly… heard.
Sam is a typical teenager that traverses one difficult and horrid situation after another whilst all the while commenting and offering an insight to his ‘monster’ and the impact that his and others’ monsters have on his life. The monster metaphor is the perfect way of creating a voice for those innermost feelings we all have and a witty way of trying to explain and come to terms with why we feel or react the way we do in certain situations and I loved it!
Dealing with issues such as grief, injury, suicide, poverty and many other taboo issues normally reserved for an older audience, Rostirolla has created a novel that expresses the feelings we all have felt and sadly situations many of us have often experienced in a way that is not only accessible to a younger audience, but is neither patronising or diluted.
This book is a must read for all, kids, teenagers and parents alike and I couldn’t applaud it enough. The sincerity and empathy that covers the pages of this novel whilst dealing with such difficult and heart rending issues is remarkable.
April 10, 2023
The authors's note at the beginning, was useful in preparing the reader about the content of the book.
Using the term 'monster' to encapsulate emotions and behaviours, is a gentler way to explore really overwhelming emotions and topics.
Rating the book seems wrong because this is someone's reality and no number of stars can capture the extent of what other readers may feel, nevertheless here are 5⭐️s and more!
This is a powerful book that should be read by all ages.
Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy.
Using the term 'monster' to encapsulate emotions and behaviours, is a gentler way to explore really overwhelming emotions and topics.
Rating the book seems wrong because this is someone's reality and no number of stars can capture the extent of what other readers may feel, nevertheless here are 5⭐️s and more!
This is a powerful book that should be read by all ages.
Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy.
February 20, 2023
5/5
OKEY, no sé ni por dónde empazar porque Q U E L I B R A Z O. Todavía no caigo todo lo que fue leer este libro. Es un libro que necesita procesarse definitivamente. Quiero empezar agradeciendo a NetGalley que me dieron la oportunidar de leer el ARC. El libro sale el 04 de abril y yo que ustedes me anoto la fecha para leer lo antes posible este libro ;)
Al principio pensé que iba a ser un libro de fantasía porque hablaba de hacer amigos con monstruos. Pero en realidad es un libro juvenil sobre la salud mental y sobre la familia. Estoy segurísima que es un libro que todos deben leer y que espero que pronto sea traducido a más idiomas porque merece ser más leído.
Lo que más me gustó fue la referencía que hace el protagonista sobre los monstruos. Él llamandolos así a esa parte de uno que no es muy linda y que lastima a otros, y a uno mismo obviamente. Amé también todo el analisís que hizo a partir de esto y como lo cerró, tanto el tema como el libro.
Se trató muy bien el tema de la salud mental y de su importancia. Además hay una familia disfuncional y se puede ver todo esto reflejado en cada miembro, como en personajes no familiares al protagonista. Deja una muy linda y buena enseñanza y te deja recalculando demasiado. Y, cómo no, te hace llorar todo el libro por las cosas que van pasando. Pero vale la pena cada palabra de este libro, que encima es súper cortito y ligero.
Es un libro fuerte y que tiene sus TW en la sinopsis, pero que no hay que tomar a la ligera porque es muy fuerte de leer. Sin más que decir, haganse un favor y lean este librazo.
OKEY, no sé ni por dónde empazar porque Q U E L I B R A Z O. Todavía no caigo todo lo que fue leer este libro. Es un libro que necesita procesarse definitivamente. Quiero empezar agradeciendo a NetGalley que me dieron la oportunidar de leer el ARC. El libro sale el 04 de abril y yo que ustedes me anoto la fecha para leer lo antes posible este libro ;)
Al principio pensé que iba a ser un libro de fantasía porque hablaba de hacer amigos con monstruos. Pero en realidad es un libro juvenil sobre la salud mental y sobre la familia. Estoy segurísima que es un libro que todos deben leer y que espero que pronto sea traducido a más idiomas porque merece ser más leído.
Lo que más me gustó fue la referencía que hace el protagonista sobre los monstruos. Él llamandolos así a esa parte de uno que no es muy linda y que lastima a otros, y a uno mismo obviamente. Amé también todo el analisís que hizo a partir de esto y como lo cerró, tanto el tema como el libro.
Se trató muy bien el tema de la salud mental y de su importancia. Además hay una familia disfuncional y se puede ver todo esto reflejado en cada miembro, como en personajes no familiares al protagonista. Deja una muy linda y buena enseñanza y te deja recalculando demasiado. Y, cómo no, te hace llorar todo el libro por las cosas que van pasando. Pero vale la pena cada palabra de este libro, que encima es súper cortito y ligero.
Es un libro fuerte y que tiene sus TW en la sinopsis, pero que no hay que tomar a la ligera porque es muy fuerte de leer. Sin más que decir, haganse un favor y lean este librazo.
April 14, 2023
Sad, very depressed but important to understand mental health in children . I like the ideia of the monsters represent emotions like anger, sadness and frustration. Sometimes Sam´s family problems was so much drama, but really like to way Sam build new friendships and accepts his "monsters".
December 14, 2023
This is one of the best young adult novels I've read, even though the things that happen to this one unfortunate family make it read a little bit like the Book of Job. While I think that some American kiddos might struggle a bit with the Australian language and slang, ("Twat" doesn't mean the same thing here as it does there.) it carries a clear message we all have a worst self regardless of age, income, or station in life. It teaches readers how to acknowledge and accept their whole range of feelings, but at the same time, it's not preachy. Characters are relatable and realistic. It deals with some difficult topics without becoming immersed in them.
April 10, 2023
I believe that, without any doubt, it’s one of the most special and necessary readings I ever read.
This book addresses topics that may be sensitive to some people, so I don’t recommend reading it if you’re having a hard time with mental health, such as: how we manage our negative emotions, how living in a broken family can affect children, the grief, overcoming a major loss, or the importance of talking to someone who is going through the same thing to help heal.
And the best thing is that, despite doing so from the perspective of a twelve-year-old, not only treats the issue with the seriousness it deserves, but exposes it in a simpler way that manages to make you reach reflections that from an adult point of view it costs more to think.
As I said, it deals with serious issues, but it does not take it to joke, it simply simplifies the reasoning. I was afraid that I would treat all this badly, but I’m glad to be able to say that was not the case at all.
A reading that, although short, I recommend reading little by little to enjoy it 100%. The author’s pen has had a lot to do, I want to follow closely his next works.
This book addresses topics that may be sensitive to some people, so I don’t recommend reading it if you’re having a hard time with mental health, such as: how we manage our negative emotions, how living in a broken family can affect children, the grief, overcoming a major loss, or the importance of talking to someone who is going through the same thing to help heal.
And the best thing is that, despite doing so from the perspective of a twelve-year-old, not only treats the issue with the seriousness it deserves, but exposes it in a simpler way that manages to make you reach reflections that from an adult point of view it costs more to think.
As I said, it deals with serious issues, but it does not take it to joke, it simply simplifies the reasoning. I was afraid that I would treat all this badly, but I’m glad to be able to say that was not the case at all.
A reading that, although short, I recommend reading little by little to enjoy it 100%. The author’s pen has had a lot to do, I want to follow closely his next works.
March 17, 2023
Sam Nolen’s family is experiencing the effects of an unexpected six-year drought. They are a sheep-herding family, so the drought has hit them especially hard. They are forced to cut back drastically on water usage by selling some sheep, taking shorter showers, and installing an outdoor toilet. As the Nolen family struggles to survive, they each deal with the stress in different ways.
Sandra Rostirolla crafts the story from twelve-year-old Sam’s perspective. This softens some of the blow of the subject matter. Rostirolla crafts each character to feel real as though they could be someone you know in real life. The way Sam was written in particular was very touching and as I read, I could feel the pain of what he was going through. I particularly enjoyed Sam's tips about the “monster” inside each of us. I highly recommend this story to everyone! It is a must-read book for 2023. I give it 5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pinkus Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sandra Rostirolla crafts the story from twelve-year-old Sam’s perspective. This softens some of the blow of the subject matter. Rostirolla crafts each character to feel real as though they could be someone you know in real life. The way Sam was written in particular was very touching and as I read, I could feel the pain of what he was going through. I particularly enjoyed Sam's tips about the “monster” inside each of us. I highly recommend this story to everyone! It is a must-read book for 2023. I give it 5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pinkus Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 28, 2024
When I say a book has not shocked me to the core as many times as this one had, I'm not even exaggerating a tiny bit. I had my jaw drop open and by hand fly to my mouth on multiple occasions as I realized what was unfolding before me.
This book was many good things. Lots of believable and well-set-up twists. That's the hardest thing to do. I also believed the characters on the page. No one felt like a caricature or stereotype. Everyone was fully fledged. I also had so many emotions throughout the story. The author captured feelings really well and conveyed them masterfully.
I will say, there were some cheesy parts within this. The monster reference was a little played out by the end. It's a great way to talk about these big topics with kids, so I wouldn't change anything. But I did get a tiny bit tired by the end of it.
*SPOILERS*
It also felt as though every single bad thing that could've happened to this family happened. From having an arm ripped off, to suicide, to accidental death, to pregnancy, to finding out your biological father, to cutting, it just felt a bit much. What more could we have added? Oh yeah, attempted murder! It all made sense and added to the misery of everything, but it was. So. Much. Misery.
Other than that, I felt fully captured by the story and couldn't wait to tell my husband about the next flabbergasting thing that happened.
I thought about the book a lot while reading it, and that is probably the highest praise I could ever offer.
This book was many good things. Lots of believable and well-set-up twists. That's the hardest thing to do. I also believed the characters on the page. No one felt like a caricature or stereotype. Everyone was fully fledged. I also had so many emotions throughout the story. The author captured feelings really well and conveyed them masterfully.
I will say, there were some cheesy parts within this. The monster reference was a little played out by the end. It's a great way to talk about these big topics with kids, so I wouldn't change anything. But I did get a tiny bit tired by the end of it.
*SPOILERS*
It also felt as though every single bad thing that could've happened to this family happened. From having an arm ripped off, to suicide, to accidental death, to pregnancy, to finding out your biological father, to cutting, it just felt a bit much. What more could we have added? Oh yeah, attempted murder! It all made sense and added to the misery of everything, but it was. So. Much. Misery.
Other than that, I felt fully captured by the story and couldn't wait to tell my husband about the next flabbergasting thing that happened.
I thought about the book a lot while reading it, and that is probably the highest praise I could ever offer.
December 15, 2023
Several times during the reading of this book I wanted to throw it out the window. I was infuriated by this story for so many reasons. This story devastated me. And I genuinely believe every person on the planet should read this book.
This story follows Sam as he grows up in a land devastated by drought and nurtured by toxicity in a dysfunctional family. In the course of this everyday life, Sam begins to recognize that every one has a monster, and he endeavors to learn about them. As more tragedy strikes Sam and his family, he comes to learn that he has a monster too, and it is threatening to swallow him whole.
If you hadn't guessed it, monsters are a metaphor/analogy for mental health and the emotions within us that cause us to behave in ways others (and ourselves) perceive as cruel and harmful.
As someone who has a complicated history with mental illness, I feel like this was a guidebook to understanding myself.
On nearly every page, Sam experiences or witnesses something uncomfortable and jarring. But guess what? Mental illness is uncomfortable and jarring. ESPECIALLY when a child is being impacted by it, which is the real eye opening devastation of this story. This book's promise to be honest and authentic delivered with the gut punch that is needed to draw awareness to how hungry our monsters and other's monsters are.
This is marketed for middle grade audiences. While I believe that adults should not be naive to the struggles 12 year olds face every single day, it was difficult at times to reconcile that some of this content is appropriate for such young audiences. I'm trying to remember the person I was at 12 and if this is a book I could actually digest as intended.
However, I think this line of thinking is exactly why young children and teens so often do not get the life saving help they need, because adults don't think it's appropriate content for them. When in fact, it is exactly the appropriate thing for them if it can save their life, their family, or even their community.
I think this book is right for everyone who is struggling or has struggled with mental health or knows someone of the same, no matter their age. Of course, this makes it extremely difficult to determine who should or should not read this book as mental health is such a personal journey for every single person.
ESPECIALLY for young audiences who often have their struggles dismissed or undervalued by the adults who make their decisions, because so many adults don't think a 12 year old is old enough to understand trauma and depression.
Monsters aka mental health and mental illness is uncomfortable. Just because we don't like it and don't want our children exposed to it, doesn't mean they aren't already being exposed to it and experiencing it and need help understanding it better. And that's exactly what this book provides.
That said. I don't think this is exclusively a middle grade book. This is a book for EVERYONE who wants to understand mental health and mental illness. I know I understand mine so much better after reading this book, and I'm 33. It should be textbook material if it wasn't a fictional character. It should be required reading for anyone who has been recommended for therapy or has experienced trauma in their life, I would say ESPECIALLY if they are younger audiences.
This content, however, is triggering and traumatic. And I wonder if it might have the opposite effect in readers who have little to no experience with such deep and heartbreaking content. As such, please be advised of the trigger warnings and the author's powerful foreword before you begin to read this book.
And this isn't even touching on the OTHER themes of this book. Aka climate change and the devastation staring us all in the face. While many places in the world are experiencing life threatening droughts, such as where this book takes place in Australia, there are many places which are not, such as where I live in Georgia, US. But the threat of global calamity exists and will effect every single human being on the planet, and this book offers a snapshot of the strain and stress such environmental changes can have on a family.
This book slid into my favorite contemporary fiction novel of all time, and it's one I will proudly display on my shelves and recommend to my kids.
This story follows Sam as he grows up in a land devastated by drought and nurtured by toxicity in a dysfunctional family. In the course of this everyday life, Sam begins to recognize that every one has a monster, and he endeavors to learn about them. As more tragedy strikes Sam and his family, he comes to learn that he has a monster too, and it is threatening to swallow him whole.
If you hadn't guessed it, monsters are a metaphor/analogy for mental health and the emotions within us that cause us to behave in ways others (and ourselves) perceive as cruel and harmful.
As someone who has a complicated history with mental illness, I feel like this was a guidebook to understanding myself.
On nearly every page, Sam experiences or witnesses something uncomfortable and jarring. But guess what? Mental illness is uncomfortable and jarring. ESPECIALLY when a child is being impacted by it, which is the real eye opening devastation of this story. This book's promise to be honest and authentic delivered with the gut punch that is needed to draw awareness to how hungry our monsters and other's monsters are.
This is marketed for middle grade audiences. While I believe that adults should not be naive to the struggles 12 year olds face every single day, it was difficult at times to reconcile that some of this content is appropriate for such young audiences. I'm trying to remember the person I was at 12 and if this is a book I could actually digest as intended.
However, I think this line of thinking is exactly why young children and teens so often do not get the life saving help they need, because adults don't think it's appropriate content for them. When in fact, it is exactly the appropriate thing for them if it can save their life, their family, or even their community.
I think this book is right for everyone who is struggling or has struggled with mental health or knows someone of the same, no matter their age. Of course, this makes it extremely difficult to determine who should or should not read this book as mental health is such a personal journey for every single person.
ESPECIALLY for young audiences who often have their struggles dismissed or undervalued by the adults who make their decisions, because so many adults don't think a 12 year old is old enough to understand trauma and depression.
Monsters aka mental health and mental illness is uncomfortable. Just because we don't like it and don't want our children exposed to it, doesn't mean they aren't already being exposed to it and experiencing it and need help understanding it better. And that's exactly what this book provides.
That said. I don't think this is exclusively a middle grade book. This is a book for EVERYONE who wants to understand mental health and mental illness. I know I understand mine so much better after reading this book, and I'm 33. It should be textbook material if it wasn't a fictional character. It should be required reading for anyone who has been recommended for therapy or has experienced trauma in their life, I would say ESPECIALLY if they are younger audiences.
This content, however, is triggering and traumatic. And I wonder if it might have the opposite effect in readers who have little to no experience with such deep and heartbreaking content. As such, please be advised of the trigger warnings and the author's powerful foreword before you begin to read this book.
And this isn't even touching on the OTHER themes of this book. Aka climate change and the devastation staring us all in the face. While many places in the world are experiencing life threatening droughts, such as where this book takes place in Australia, there are many places which are not, such as where I live in Georgia, US. But the threat of global calamity exists and will effect every single human being on the planet, and this book offers a snapshot of the strain and stress such environmental changes can have on a family.
This book slid into my favorite contemporary fiction novel of all time, and it's one I will proudly display on my shelves and recommend to my kids.
February 22, 2023
This was a very enjoyable book, despite all the horrible things that happen to the family, and knowing many people will relate to at least some part of it, it's definitely one I'll be recommending and sharing. At the beginning, some of the Australian terminology and products that I wasn't familiar with had me looking them up, but within one or two chapters, even with stuff I hadn't come across yet, I knew exactly what was being said like they were part of my day to day life. Regarding the characters, I immediately connected to and empathized with the main character, Sam, with how well his personality and emotions were presented. I also appreciated that the author limited the number of secondary characters, which made it very easy to keep track of everything in the story. While it's a fairly quick and easy read, it's filled with unexpected twists that keeps it interesting to the end.
October 22, 2023
Making Friends With Monsters packs a heavy punch. And that punch is followed by another. And another. And more after that. There is so much tragedy and sadness in this novel. It hurts. But somehow this novel defies and resists and withstands the relentless onslaught of what life is like with monsters, and ultimately prevails as an uplifting story of love and family. This is a book that will remain with readers long after the last page has been read. What better praise for a novel than that? There is real power in the messaging of this book, real lessons about death, and injury, and illness, and not only relating to mental illness. This is really, however, a book about life, compassion and empathy.
Make no mistake, Making Friends With Monsters is a rough and tough read. With each tragic event and the ensuing heartache that follows, 10 year old Sam, the main protagonist, compiles a list of #Facts about the monsters that exist in our lives.
But what makes it palatable is that there is not an ounce of pontification, no preaching, no rigid prescriptive response. There is, instead, insight and observation and hope.
Particularly powerful for me was an observation in the closing pages of this beautiful book… But first some context from me, as a reader. In recent years topics related to consciousness, self, meditation and mindfulness have become of great interest to me. I seek out books and podcasts on these topics. Mindfulness, above all else, is, I believe, the true key to happiness. I am a keen but inexperienced and ever-struggling student of mindfulness. I have come to learn, however, that the power in recognising our emotional response to events in our lives is inherently linked to our understanding and processing of those emotions. We feel anger; and we must recognise that we feel anger. We experience grief; and we need to recognise that what we are feeling is grief. The same applies to sadness, anxiety, everything, even happiness. Experience, acknowledge, and know: This too shall pass; this too shall pass: this too shall pass… So, back to the observation, subtle but perceptive, in the final pages of this memorable book… “Now that I’m more aware of my Monster, it’s better at working with me. So long as I acknowledge my anger— my Monster is less likely to go berserk.”
A small but powerful book with a compelling message. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Make no mistake, Making Friends With Monsters is a rough and tough read. With each tragic event and the ensuing heartache that follows, 10 year old Sam, the main protagonist, compiles a list of #Facts about the monsters that exist in our lives.
But what makes it palatable is that there is not an ounce of pontification, no preaching, no rigid prescriptive response. There is, instead, insight and observation and hope.
Particularly powerful for me was an observation in the closing pages of this beautiful book… But first some context from me, as a reader. In recent years topics related to consciousness, self, meditation and mindfulness have become of great interest to me. I seek out books and podcasts on these topics. Mindfulness, above all else, is, I believe, the true key to happiness. I am a keen but inexperienced and ever-struggling student of mindfulness. I have come to learn, however, that the power in recognising our emotional response to events in our lives is inherently linked to our understanding and processing of those emotions. We feel anger; and we must recognise that we feel anger. We experience grief; and we need to recognise that what we are feeling is grief. The same applies to sadness, anxiety, everything, even happiness. Experience, acknowledge, and know: This too shall pass; this too shall pass: this too shall pass… So, back to the observation, subtle but perceptive, in the final pages of this memorable book… “Now that I’m more aware of my Monster, it’s better at working with me. So long as I acknowledge my anger— my Monster is less likely to go berserk.”
A small but powerful book with a compelling message. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 19, 2023
*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I am tough on reviewing books star-wise, I feel. And I gave this book 4 stars. In just 198 pages, this book sucked me in within the first 50 pages. I finished it in 1.5 days. It's a super easy read, but very intellectual in relation to mental health, and well-written. It doesn't matter if you don't come from Australia, you can still read the book and understand all the nuances, which I appreciate as I have a hard time focusing while reading, as I have ADHD. It is easy for me to lose interest in a book if its too complicated to read.
I would definitely add this book to my physical collection, and recommend you do as well. Holy plot twist batman.
#netgalley #makingfriendswithmonsters #sandralrostirolla
I am tough on reviewing books star-wise, I feel. And I gave this book 4 stars. In just 198 pages, this book sucked me in within the first 50 pages. I finished it in 1.5 days. It's a super easy read, but very intellectual in relation to mental health, and well-written. It doesn't matter if you don't come from Australia, you can still read the book and understand all the nuances, which I appreciate as I have a hard time focusing while reading, as I have ADHD. It is easy for me to lose interest in a book if its too complicated to read.
I would definitely add this book to my physical collection, and recommend you do as well. Holy plot twist batman.
#netgalley #makingfriendswithmonsters #sandralrostirolla
December 27, 2022
Thank you to the amazing author, Sandra Rostirolla, for allowing me to read an arc of this book! And thank you to my wonderful son, Vance, for making the connection!
Oh my goodness, oh my…. What a great read! I didn’t know what I was in for, and I was taken by surprise. We’re in Australia for this one, and Sandra takes us there to meet a farming family that is struggling through a long drought and a LOT of family problems, all seen through the eyes of a young intelligent boy, Sam, who is 11-12 years old. Sam has a brother who is several years older and very popular at school but lately is very troubled, and a younger sister who is 6 and has never seen a rain storm. The situation will get worse for these people right from the beginning, but take it easy, the disfunction and mental illness is just warming up.
After a few chapters, I was wondering if this was just going to be an over-the-top depressing book, in which case, this review was going to be an embarrassing event, mostly for me. But never fear, Sandra the amazing writer has a plan! Thank God!
And what a plan it was! I was overwhelmed by the structure of the story, how she wove it together. Interspersed throughout the chapters are the “Facts about Monsters” that Sam reveals to us as he tries to make sense of the Monsters that everyone, of course, has: “Most people don’t know they exist” and “They can turn on you at a moment’s notice” and “We all have one. The key is to not wake them up” plus several other insightful Facts. It all worked together to give an imperfect perfect ending.
I learned about myself, about others, how to handle other people, knowing that they do have monsters as well, and how to make friends with my own monster. I didn’t want it to end but I really did want to STOP CRYING! 😭😄
It does have a good ending. Am I allowed to say that? Did I give too much away? I hope not.
Do be sure to read her “Why I Wrote This Story” at the beginning.
Thank you Sandra!
Oh my goodness, oh my…. What a great read! I didn’t know what I was in for, and I was taken by surprise. We’re in Australia for this one, and Sandra takes us there to meet a farming family that is struggling through a long drought and a LOT of family problems, all seen through the eyes of a young intelligent boy, Sam, who is 11-12 years old. Sam has a brother who is several years older and very popular at school but lately is very troubled, and a younger sister who is 6 and has never seen a rain storm. The situation will get worse for these people right from the beginning, but take it easy, the disfunction and mental illness is just warming up.
After a few chapters, I was wondering if this was just going to be an over-the-top depressing book, in which case, this review was going to be an embarrassing event, mostly for me. But never fear, Sandra the amazing writer has a plan! Thank God!
And what a plan it was! I was overwhelmed by the structure of the story, how she wove it together. Interspersed throughout the chapters are the “Facts about Monsters” that Sam reveals to us as he tries to make sense of the Monsters that everyone, of course, has: “Most people don’t know they exist” and “They can turn on you at a moment’s notice” and “We all have one. The key is to not wake them up” plus several other insightful Facts. It all worked together to give an imperfect perfect ending.
I learned about myself, about others, how to handle other people, knowing that they do have monsters as well, and how to make friends with my own monster. I didn’t want it to end but I really did want to STOP CRYING! 😭😄
It does have a good ending. Am I allowed to say that? Did I give too much away? I hope not.
Do be sure to read her “Why I Wrote This Story” at the beginning.
Thank you Sandra!
March 19, 2023
Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Making Friends with Monsters deals with mental health struggles that are on the rise for teens and young people that are on the rise today. The pros of this book are the awareness and acceptance that Sam comes to in dealing with grief, family dysfunction and stress that comes in many different forms. The cons were every possible negative situation that could happen, did happen and that made the story feel slightly unrealistic and overly dramatic.
May 20, 2023
For a novel that tries to bring to life the difficulty people face in mantaining "mental health" when everything goes wrong for them, this one is much better written than most. Sam, Ben, Abby, and their parents could almost be drawn from life, even though the author specifically says that her family's story of mental problems was different. Early teen readers can probably relate to Sam...though it may put some of them off reading the book if they're warned that, fairly early in the book, Sam loses his right hand.
Almost everything that happens in this story needs a content warning. At the beginning, when Abby's pet lamb dies, we learn that Sam's family sheep farm has had several low-yield years; Sam's mother worries, when Sam's father leaves taking his gun, that he's thinking about suicide rather than hunting. It turns out later that she's projecting her own feelings onto her husband. In a country renowned for the high median level of alcohol tolerance, Sam's mother appears to be alcohol intolerant. Sam doesn't realize at first that that's why Ben has become so disagreeable...having noticed how much more he resembles his mother's brother-in-law than he does the man he and Sam have always called father. Sam is trying to ease little Abby around the rough edges their elders all seem to have developed when he falls into the moving machinery and wakes up in a hospital. When Ben commits suicide and his girlfriend turns up pregnant, and Sam starts to understand what was on Ben's mind, their mother doesn't *only* attempt suicide. Her part-time job for years has involved sitting with a patient who's hoarded a suicide kit of three pills, and one evening when Sam's father is out she mixes the pills into the "cordials" she serves herself, Sam, and Abby, but luckily one pill is only enough to make an adult ill, and Sam and Abby are feeling too sad to drink theirs. And Sam's girlfriend, though in no danger of being pregnant, reveals that she's a cutter.
What's not to like, if you're prepared to like a story that presents so much distress, is that the story ends where a better story about these characters might begin. They're still only talking about their emotions. I'd like to see them move through their emotions and take some action to change those facts of their real live that are subject to change. There are many good, true stories about people who've moved past the "monsters" of emotional misery and had inspirational lives, but although no biography of Abraham Lincoln, Marie Curie, or dozens of other famous people could leave out the horrors of their early lives, nobody else seems even to have tried to integrate tortured childhood, early struggles, and success story like Maya Angelou.
Almost everything that happens in this story needs a content warning. At the beginning, when Abby's pet lamb dies, we learn that Sam's family sheep farm has had several low-yield years; Sam's mother worries, when Sam's father leaves taking his gun, that he's thinking about suicide rather than hunting. It turns out later that she's projecting her own feelings onto her husband. In a country renowned for the high median level of alcohol tolerance, Sam's mother appears to be alcohol intolerant. Sam doesn't realize at first that that's why Ben has become so disagreeable...having noticed how much more he resembles his mother's brother-in-law than he does the man he and Sam have always called father. Sam is trying to ease little Abby around the rough edges their elders all seem to have developed when he falls into the moving machinery and wakes up in a hospital. When Ben commits suicide and his girlfriend turns up pregnant, and Sam starts to understand what was on Ben's mind, their mother doesn't *only* attempt suicide. Her part-time job for years has involved sitting with a patient who's hoarded a suicide kit of three pills, and one evening when Sam's father is out she mixes the pills into the "cordials" she serves herself, Sam, and Abby, but luckily one pill is only enough to make an adult ill, and Sam and Abby are feeling too sad to drink theirs. And Sam's girlfriend, though in no danger of being pregnant, reveals that she's a cutter.
What's not to like, if you're prepared to like a story that presents so much distress, is that the story ends where a better story about these characters might begin. They're still only talking about their emotions. I'd like to see them move through their emotions and take some action to change those facts of their real live that are subject to change. There are many good, true stories about people who've moved past the "monsters" of emotional misery and had inspirational lives, but although no biography of Abraham Lincoln, Marie Curie, or dozens of other famous people could leave out the horrors of their early lives, nobody else seems even to have tried to integrate tortured childhood, early struggles, and success story like Maya Angelou.
March 7, 2023
MAKING FRIENDS WITH MONSTERS by Sandra Rostirolla
While I’ve read for years about the horrendous droughts in Australia, Making Friends with Monsters makes this harsh environment on a sheep farm a stark reality for the readers. No rain means all the plants and grass have dried up. There is no water for the family, nor is there water for the livestock. The protagonist, Sam, who is going into the 7th grade, witnesses one catastrophe after another happen to himself, to his immediate family, and to his community.
Sandra L. Rostirolla, the author, uses the metaphor of a Monster to distance uncomfortable feelings from Sam who thinks he is in the grips of a Monster. This works for the protagonist, but when others are also described as having their own Monsters, it might be overdone.
Making Friends with Monsters is very well written, and there are some phrases that are beautiful: “with the sunlight barely kissing the sky.” If this book is for other than an Australian audience, it might be beneficial to describe some of the less familiar concepts: what, for instance, is a “broken safety cover” or “lamingtons.” Some of the language is raw, and I wonder about the appropriateness of lines such as one concerning how to relate to girls: “Sometimes it helps if alcohol is involved.”
As a child psychologist as well as an inveterate reader, while I understand that the author is trying to show that people can get rid of their Monsters by getting in touch with their feelings, this book is about such a severely dysfunctional family that when the ending indicates better times are coming, it seems doubtful.
Although the story is set in the Australian outback, because of the severity of the drought and desperation, it reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and, in its practically unremitting series of catastrophes, of The Road by Cormic McCarthy.
While reading this book, I had to remind myself that the book is directed toward adolescents. Because recent statistics indicate so many adolescents are very depressed, I found myself wondering if this book would have been better directed toward an older audience. The story certainly keeps moving and adults will enjoy it. Overall. the book gives an amazingly good picture of an adolescent trying to understand himself while part of a loving family that has been crippled by horrendously harsh environmental conditions and severe poverty.
While I’ve read for years about the horrendous droughts in Australia, Making Friends with Monsters makes this harsh environment on a sheep farm a stark reality for the readers. No rain means all the plants and grass have dried up. There is no water for the family, nor is there water for the livestock. The protagonist, Sam, who is going into the 7th grade, witnesses one catastrophe after another happen to himself, to his immediate family, and to his community.
Sandra L. Rostirolla, the author, uses the metaphor of a Monster to distance uncomfortable feelings from Sam who thinks he is in the grips of a Monster. This works for the protagonist, but when others are also described as having their own Monsters, it might be overdone.
Making Friends with Monsters is very well written, and there are some phrases that are beautiful: “with the sunlight barely kissing the sky.” If this book is for other than an Australian audience, it might be beneficial to describe some of the less familiar concepts: what, for instance, is a “broken safety cover” or “lamingtons.” Some of the language is raw, and I wonder about the appropriateness of lines such as one concerning how to relate to girls: “Sometimes it helps if alcohol is involved.”
As a child psychologist as well as an inveterate reader, while I understand that the author is trying to show that people can get rid of their Monsters by getting in touch with their feelings, this book is about such a severely dysfunctional family that when the ending indicates better times are coming, it seems doubtful.
Although the story is set in the Australian outback, because of the severity of the drought and desperation, it reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and, in its practically unremitting series of catastrophes, of The Road by Cormic McCarthy.
While reading this book, I had to remind myself that the book is directed toward adolescents. Because recent statistics indicate so many adolescents are very depressed, I found myself wondering if this book would have been better directed toward an older audience. The story certainly keeps moving and adults will enjoy it. Overall. the book gives an amazingly good picture of an adolescent trying to understand himself while part of a loving family that has been crippled by horrendously harsh environmental conditions and severe poverty.
January 4, 2023
I received an ARC from the author and was intrigued by the title along with a quote on the back cover:
"Fact 1 about monsters: most people don't know they exist."
Before you even begin the novel, the author has included a personal message as to why she wrote it. Initially, I appreciated this additional insight as I always enjoy knowing a bit more about the making of a book. Later I came to understand it was absolutely necessary because, you see, Making Friends with Monsters deals with some, oof, heavy topics i.e. mental health, suicide, family dysfunction. The story is told through the perspective of Sam, a sweet boy, roughly eleven or twelve, as he watches his family begin to unravel. Trying to make sense of it, he creates his own language/understanding of what’s happening to his family—they have “monsters” within them. And so he sets out to learn everything he can about these “monsters”. He even learns he’s got one too. We all do...
The first few chapters in, I had concerns that this might just be a really depressing book, in which case my review would be pretty depressing, but I've given it a well-deserved five stars because, as it turns out, Sandra L. Rostirolla (the author) is a bit of a genius. She doesn't sugarcoat the grim reality of her characters, but she's not out to sensationalize it either. For this, I trusted her and I'm glad I did because if you continue reading, you’ll see that she has skillfully woven together an honest and layered story (about mental health, etc.) that is everything—sad, hopeful, heartbreaking, beautiful—all at once. Spoiler: I absolutely loved the ending. It might not be a Hollywood-type happy ending, but it was the best possible ending you could hope for.
I also want to highlight what I think is the MOST IMPORTANT thing about this book. The reason, I believe, it can save lives. It offers kids (and adults) a language to speak about things that are often too hard to speak of. It’s so much easier to share, understand, and process your struggles when you can speak about them as “your monster” and not as “you”.
Brilliant.
"Fact 1 about monsters: most people don't know they exist."
Before you even begin the novel, the author has included a personal message as to why she wrote it. Initially, I appreciated this additional insight as I always enjoy knowing a bit more about the making of a book. Later I came to understand it was absolutely necessary because, you see, Making Friends with Monsters deals with some, oof, heavy topics i.e. mental health, suicide, family dysfunction. The story is told through the perspective of Sam, a sweet boy, roughly eleven or twelve, as he watches his family begin to unravel. Trying to make sense of it, he creates his own language/understanding of what’s happening to his family—they have “monsters” within them. And so he sets out to learn everything he can about these “monsters”. He even learns he’s got one too. We all do...
The first few chapters in, I had concerns that this might just be a really depressing book, in which case my review would be pretty depressing, but I've given it a well-deserved five stars because, as it turns out, Sandra L. Rostirolla (the author) is a bit of a genius. She doesn't sugarcoat the grim reality of her characters, but she's not out to sensationalize it either. For this, I trusted her and I'm glad I did because if you continue reading, you’ll see that she has skillfully woven together an honest and layered story (about mental health, etc.) that is everything—sad, hopeful, heartbreaking, beautiful—all at once. Spoiler: I absolutely loved the ending. It might not be a Hollywood-type happy ending, but it was the best possible ending you could hope for.
I also want to highlight what I think is the MOST IMPORTANT thing about this book. The reason, I believe, it can save lives. It offers kids (and adults) a language to speak about things that are often too hard to speak of. It’s so much easier to share, understand, and process your struggles when you can speak about them as “your monster” and not as “you”.
Brilliant.
March 27, 2023
Simply put, this book was brilliant.
Author Sandra L. Rostirolla tackles a difficult but profoundly important topic with love and authenticity in this middle-grade book. The story follows 12-year old Sam, whose home life is slowly falling apart around him. He doesn't notice at first—the decay is slow, and he adjusts to his "new normal" every time things get just a tiny bit worse—but when several traumatic things happen in quick succession, he's forced to confront the ugly truth. Not just about his life, but about himself. He has a Monster. It's been living inside him, caged up, but now he's letting it run free.
At first, the Monster makes him strong: it helps him shut down all the frightening, big feelings he doesn't want to feel. Then it starts to get out of hand, going on rampages. It funnels every feeling into anger, which is the easiest to bear. When things get really bad, Sam finds he's no longer in control of his Monster. It controls him.
Sam must learn to navigate his new (even worse) normal, his feelings about everything that's happening to him, and his Monster. He must, as the title suggests, learn to live in balance with the Monster. We all have a Monster inside us, and sometimes we need them to get through the worst days of our lives. But it's important to remember that our Monsters don't define us; we are more than our Monsters, and we can't let them take the reins all the time.
It's rare that I read middle-grade, and ever rarer that I read contemporary fiction. However, this story was gripping from start to finish, with beautiful writing and raw, honest truths that will resonate with readers of all ages. I have a young reader in my life who's battling a Monster of his own, and I know in a few years I'll be getting this book for him. It's important to be open and honest about the subjects this book deals with, and to let children (and adults) know it's okay to have Monsters. It's even okay to make friends with them.
Author Sandra L. Rostirolla tackles a difficult but profoundly important topic with love and authenticity in this middle-grade book. The story follows 12-year old Sam, whose home life is slowly falling apart around him. He doesn't notice at first—the decay is slow, and he adjusts to his "new normal" every time things get just a tiny bit worse—but when several traumatic things happen in quick succession, he's forced to confront the ugly truth. Not just about his life, but about himself. He has a Monster. It's been living inside him, caged up, but now he's letting it run free.
At first, the Monster makes him strong: it helps him shut down all the frightening, big feelings he doesn't want to feel. Then it starts to get out of hand, going on rampages. It funnels every feeling into anger, which is the easiest to bear. When things get really bad, Sam finds he's no longer in control of his Monster. It controls him.
Sam must learn to navigate his new (even worse) normal, his feelings about everything that's happening to him, and his Monster. He must, as the title suggests, learn to live in balance with the Monster. We all have a Monster inside us, and sometimes we need them to get through the worst days of our lives. But it's important to remember that our Monsters don't define us; we are more than our Monsters, and we can't let them take the reins all the time.
It's rare that I read middle-grade, and ever rarer that I read contemporary fiction. However, this story was gripping from start to finish, with beautiful writing and raw, honest truths that will resonate with readers of all ages. I have a young reader in my life who's battling a Monster of his own, and I know in a few years I'll be getting this book for him. It's important to be open and honest about the subjects this book deals with, and to let children (and adults) know it's okay to have Monsters. It's even okay to make friends with them.
June 11, 2023
This book is so incredibly important to young and older readers alike. Told from the perspective of 12 year old Sam Nolen, it is easy for young adults to relate, as well as older adults, especially parents, because they are able to understand just how important mental health is for themselves and their children.
The Nolen family is dealt hardship after hardship, first with a drought that effects their livelihood by making it difficult to keep their sheep farm afloat. Additionally they have reached the point of having to ration their water usage. Sam sees the adverse affects these issues are having on his family and realizes that they all have their own "monster" within them. He makes it his mission to learn the most that he can about these monsters so that he can better help his family cope with them; but when tragedy strikes and Sam's life as he knows it is upended he must defeat his own monster, or perhaps learn to use it to his advantage. Not long after, another tragedy rocks Sam's family and as he searches for answers, he finds more than he was ready to face. With buried secrets coming to life, Sam begins to understand why his family's monsters have been holding onto them.
Though difficult subject matter, the author lightens the blow by telling it from the perspective of an adolescent and successfully evoking empathy for the family. The story is relatable, as the hardships faced are realistic can happen to anyone. My favorite thing about the book is how textured and layered it is, yet easy to follow and get lost in. Though throughout the book you may find yourself feeling sad, you're rewarded with hope, knowledge, and understanding. It is a gripping and touching story that you should not pass up.
The Nolen family is dealt hardship after hardship, first with a drought that effects their livelihood by making it difficult to keep their sheep farm afloat. Additionally they have reached the point of having to ration their water usage. Sam sees the adverse affects these issues are having on his family and realizes that they all have their own "monster" within them. He makes it his mission to learn the most that he can about these monsters so that he can better help his family cope with them; but when tragedy strikes and Sam's life as he knows it is upended he must defeat his own monster, or perhaps learn to use it to his advantage. Not long after, another tragedy rocks Sam's family and as he searches for answers, he finds more than he was ready to face. With buried secrets coming to life, Sam begins to understand why his family's monsters have been holding onto them.
Though difficult subject matter, the author lightens the blow by telling it from the perspective of an adolescent and successfully evoking empathy for the family. The story is relatable, as the hardships faced are realistic can happen to anyone. My favorite thing about the book is how textured and layered it is, yet easy to follow and get lost in. Though throughout the book you may find yourself feeling sad, you're rewarded with hope, knowledge, and understanding. It is a gripping and touching story that you should not pass up.
May 3, 2023
Living through year upon year of drought in rural Australia is taking its toll on the Nolen family. Sam worries that his dad won’t be able to handle the pressure of seeing his sheep farm fail. He’s also got his older brother to worry about because he’s not acting like himself and keeps storming out of the house.
“Fact #1 about Monsters: most people don’t know they exist.”
As Sam starts to discover the truth about the monsters each of us holds within us, he succumbs to the destructive power of his own monster. He can’t stop his brother from leaving and, after an accident that leaves him wounded and angry, there’s not much he can do to help his dad either. What he doesn’t realise at first is that some monsters are very good at staying hidden right up until the moment they tear everything apart.
With several traumatic twists, this is a story that is guaranteed to keep you hooked, while also tackling some pretty difficult topics. Rostirolla opens the book with a message to readers and parents explaining that the story deals with themes of grief, suicide, and physical and emotional trauma. Though darkness abounds, the light is powerful enough to shine through.
“Meaning, it’s okay to be sad, or nervous, or shy, or scared, or angry, or any of the hundreds of ways of being most of us would rather not be.”
Sam is a relatable character; a boy at the start of his teen years with so many ‘normal’ problems to deal with alongside the really big stuff. Young readers of Sam’s age will feel a strong connection to him. An amazing book for developing empathy and understanding of topics that can affect us all.
Librarian lowdown:
Suicide is discussed implicitly throughout but in a sensitive and empowering way
Also discussed are drugs, overdoses, alcohol, violence, death, mental health issues, trauma, abortion
KS3+ but make young readers aware of specific triggers
Thank you to NetGalley UK, Pinkus Books and Sandra L. Rostirolla for the digital ARC.
“Fact #1 about Monsters: most people don’t know they exist.”
As Sam starts to discover the truth about the monsters each of us holds within us, he succumbs to the destructive power of his own monster. He can’t stop his brother from leaving and, after an accident that leaves him wounded and angry, there’s not much he can do to help his dad either. What he doesn’t realise at first is that some monsters are very good at staying hidden right up until the moment they tear everything apart.
With several traumatic twists, this is a story that is guaranteed to keep you hooked, while also tackling some pretty difficult topics. Rostirolla opens the book with a message to readers and parents explaining that the story deals with themes of grief, suicide, and physical and emotional trauma. Though darkness abounds, the light is powerful enough to shine through.
“Meaning, it’s okay to be sad, or nervous, or shy, or scared, or angry, or any of the hundreds of ways of being most of us would rather not be.”
Sam is a relatable character; a boy at the start of his teen years with so many ‘normal’ problems to deal with alongside the really big stuff. Young readers of Sam’s age will feel a strong connection to him. An amazing book for developing empathy and understanding of topics that can affect us all.
Librarian lowdown:
Suicide is discussed implicitly throughout but in a sensitive and empowering way
Also discussed are drugs, overdoses, alcohol, violence, death, mental health issues, trauma, abortion
KS3+ but make young readers aware of specific triggers
Thank you to NetGalley UK, Pinkus Books and Sandra L. Rostirolla for the digital ARC.
June 16, 2023
Holy crap, this book broke my heart, and I absolutely could not put it down.
At the center of Making Friends with Monsters is 12-year-old Samuel Nolan. Trapped in a 6-year drought, the young boy witnesses first-hand how the lack of water is creating stress and anxiety for everybody around him. He does his best to stay positive, but he sees monsters are everywhere and tempers soon fray while anger and desperation become the overriding emotions. The Nolan family struggles to make ends meet and when tragedy strikes them yet again, Samuel is the victim and the realizes his own monster is climbing ever closer to the surface.
This book was honestly, kind of amazing. Deep and emotional, this carefully crafted novel had a slew of triggers – drug abuse, mental health and suicide, just to name a few – but I thought the author did a great job addressing them with respect and sensitivity. The warning she included at the beginning was also appreciated because this is not a light read. Her choice to use the term ‘monsters’ to describe the struggles of the characters was, I felt, appropriate. It is both descriptive, and broad to encompass the many matters included in this book. I can completely understand if the reader is not in a good head space, this may not be the best book to pick up; however, this should be read.
To be honest, I’m not sure what else I could say except this was a powerful read. Full of drama, action and emotion, definitely give this a chance.
Thank you Voracious Readers and Sandra Rostirolla for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
At the center of Making Friends with Monsters is 12-year-old Samuel Nolan. Trapped in a 6-year drought, the young boy witnesses first-hand how the lack of water is creating stress and anxiety for everybody around him. He does his best to stay positive, but he sees monsters are everywhere and tempers soon fray while anger and desperation become the overriding emotions. The Nolan family struggles to make ends meet and when tragedy strikes them yet again, Samuel is the victim and the realizes his own monster is climbing ever closer to the surface.
This book was honestly, kind of amazing. Deep and emotional, this carefully crafted novel had a slew of triggers – drug abuse, mental health and suicide, just to name a few – but I thought the author did a great job addressing them with respect and sensitivity. The warning she included at the beginning was also appreciated because this is not a light read. Her choice to use the term ‘monsters’ to describe the struggles of the characters was, I felt, appropriate. It is both descriptive, and broad to encompass the many matters included in this book. I can completely understand if the reader is not in a good head space, this may not be the best book to pick up; however, this should be read.
To be honest, I’m not sure what else I could say except this was a powerful read. Full of drama, action and emotion, definitely give this a chance.
Thank you Voracious Readers and Sandra Rostirolla for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 4, 2025
Monsters is a rare and resonant gem—a middle-grade novel that doesn’t just tell a story, but dares to explore the raw edges of grief, guilt, and mental health with honesty, heart, and hope.
Twelve-year-old Sam is one of those unforgettable narrators: brave, flawed, and achingly real. His journey into the shadowy territory of family secrets and inner demons is both suspenseful and emotionally charged. What starts as an innocent attempt to help his brother spirals into a deeply personal battle, where the “Monster” becomes a powerful metaphor for trauma, anxiety, and the things we bury too deep to name.
The writing is lyrical yet grounded, striking a perfect balance between accessible storytelling and emotional complexity. The author handles difficult topics—suicide, depression, family dysfunction—with remarkable sensitivity, never talking down to young readers but instead trusting them to understand, feel, and reflect.
What truly sets Monsters apart is its compassion. Rather than villainizing the darkness, it invites empathy, self-awareness, and the radical idea that healing doesn’t mean banishing the Monster—it means learning to live with it.
This is not just a story for kids. It’s a mirror for anyone who has ever struggled to understand their own pain or watched someone they love fade under the weight of theirs.
Profound, powerful, and ultimately uplifting—Monsters belongs on every bookshelf.
Five stars. A must-read for fans of Wonder, Bridge to Terabithia, and A Monster Calls.
Twelve-year-old Sam is one of those unforgettable narrators: brave, flawed, and achingly real. His journey into the shadowy territory of family secrets and inner demons is both suspenseful and emotionally charged. What starts as an innocent attempt to help his brother spirals into a deeply personal battle, where the “Monster” becomes a powerful metaphor for trauma, anxiety, and the things we bury too deep to name.
The writing is lyrical yet grounded, striking a perfect balance between accessible storytelling and emotional complexity. The author handles difficult topics—suicide, depression, family dysfunction—with remarkable sensitivity, never talking down to young readers but instead trusting them to understand, feel, and reflect.
What truly sets Monsters apart is its compassion. Rather than villainizing the darkness, it invites empathy, self-awareness, and the radical idea that healing doesn’t mean banishing the Monster—it means learning to live with it.
This is not just a story for kids. It’s a mirror for anyone who has ever struggled to understand their own pain or watched someone they love fade under the weight of theirs.
Profound, powerful, and ultimately uplifting—Monsters belongs on every bookshelf.
Five stars. A must-read for fans of Wonder, Bridge to Terabithia, and A Monster Calls.
March 13, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Sam loves his family, but his brother has been different lately. Sam dubs the difference as Ben's "Monster" taking control, and Sam puts it upon himself to make sticky notes as he learns more and uncovers truths about how Monsters work inside people and how everyone has one.
Only twelve years old, Sam experiences the loss of friends and family, as well as going through his own unexpected traumatic experience (of which I will not reveal, but it was definitely a jaw-dropping moment in the book). Sam has to learn to live with his own monster, and he understands it can be hard to live with and keep under control when life gets overwhelming.
With a constant reminder that we are human and we lash out, react, or retaliate to circumstances differently, we all need to take care of our mental health and know the signs of our own moments of anger or depression. This novel deals with suicide, self-harm, and other forms of mental illness that can make it a challenging read, especially or the intended age of the audience, but these topics pack a powerful punch, and Sam's sticky notes are a brilliant way to demonstrate how we explore our own feelings and the way we outwardly present ourselves and treat others. Making Friends with Monsters is a book of brilliance that resonates with an age where Mental Health has become a top priority for all.
Sam loves his family, but his brother has been different lately. Sam dubs the difference as Ben's "Monster" taking control, and Sam puts it upon himself to make sticky notes as he learns more and uncovers truths about how Monsters work inside people and how everyone has one.
Only twelve years old, Sam experiences the loss of friends and family, as well as going through his own unexpected traumatic experience (of which I will not reveal, but it was definitely a jaw-dropping moment in the book). Sam has to learn to live with his own monster, and he understands it can be hard to live with and keep under control when life gets overwhelming.
With a constant reminder that we are human and we lash out, react, or retaliate to circumstances differently, we all need to take care of our mental health and know the signs of our own moments of anger or depression. This novel deals with suicide, self-harm, and other forms of mental illness that can make it a challenging read, especially or the intended age of the audience, but these topics pack a powerful punch, and Sam's sticky notes are a brilliant way to demonstrate how we explore our own feelings and the way we outwardly present ourselves and treat others. Making Friends with Monsters is a book of brilliance that resonates with an age where Mental Health has become a top priority for all.
May 23, 2023
*I received an E-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
From the viewpoint of middle child Sam, a struggling farming family deals with numerous traumatic events. As the family experiences more and more unfortunate circumstances, a tragic accident threatens to tear them apart. From the award-winning author, Sandra L. Rostirolla, comes a painfully realistic view of how our inner monsters can take over.
As we follow along, Sam goes from acknowledging others' "monsters" to learning more and more about them and how to confront his own. Additionally, the ongoing mystery of what caused some of the bad energy in his home is slowly being revealed. This all leads to a truly heartbreaking discovery that shows just how desperate our monsters can really make us.
It was very challenging for me to read this book. I would strongly advise reading the trigger and content warnings before trying this one if you struggle with mental health issues. In my own life, I battle depression. I found this book so hard to read because of just how real it portrayed that struggle. I can definitely say that it is probably the best depiction of depression in a book that I have read so far. The author's ability to capture the complexity of the emotions and thoughts that come with depression is truly remarkable. It was both comforting and challenging to read a book that so accurately reflected my own experiences with mental health. I could see myself in multiple family members at different points in my own life. It made me feel seen, which is not something I experience often.
Making Friends With Monsters is a powerful book that realistically depicts mental illness. I think everyone should read it --HOWEVER-- please be mindful and take care of yourself. If you think this book may trigger you, skip it or save it for later.
From the viewpoint of middle child Sam, a struggling farming family deals with numerous traumatic events. As the family experiences more and more unfortunate circumstances, a tragic accident threatens to tear them apart. From the award-winning author, Sandra L. Rostirolla, comes a painfully realistic view of how our inner monsters can take over.
As we follow along, Sam goes from acknowledging others' "monsters" to learning more and more about them and how to confront his own. Additionally, the ongoing mystery of what caused some of the bad energy in his home is slowly being revealed. This all leads to a truly heartbreaking discovery that shows just how desperate our monsters can really make us.
It was very challenging for me to read this book. I would strongly advise reading the trigger and content warnings before trying this one if you struggle with mental health issues. In my own life, I battle depression. I found this book so hard to read because of just how real it portrayed that struggle. I can definitely say that it is probably the best depiction of depression in a book that I have read so far. The author's ability to capture the complexity of the emotions and thoughts that come with depression is truly remarkable. It was both comforting and challenging to read a book that so accurately reflected my own experiences with mental health. I could see myself in multiple family members at different points in my own life. It made me feel seen, which is not something I experience often.
Making Friends With Monsters is a powerful book that realistically depicts mental illness. I think everyone should read it --HOWEVER-- please be mindful and take care of yourself. If you think this book may trigger you, skip it or save it for later.
January 28, 2024
Phew. Okay. I'm not quite sure I would recommend this book for a young person, as many incredibly traumatic things happen back-to-back throughout the story and it doesn't give much time to recover from one thing before the next piles on. Possibly too much for a young person- especially one who is dealing with trauma.
The book includes fighting between family members, a years-long drought and a family facing poverty, a friend of the family's suicide, a family pet being attacked by wild animals (then put down by gun), description of a person in a car being killed by a train, a child's arm being torn off (I shattered my arm in an accident a few years ago, so this was particularly triggering for me), child murder (and 2 more attempted murders) by their own mother, rape, self-harm, and possibly more that I am forgetting.
All that said, it's a quick read, I never got bored. And somehow the author has made it a slightly light-hearted read despite its extreme heaviness. The main character is lovable and caring, and he's surrounded by a few equally interesting characters. The story ended on a hopeful message, and I do think it gives a new and interesting way to look at mental health and trauma.
The book includes fighting between family members, a years-long drought and a family facing poverty, a friend of the family's suicide, a family pet being attacked by wild animals (then put down by gun), description of a person in a car being killed by a train, a child's arm being torn off (I shattered my arm in an accident a few years ago, so this was particularly triggering for me), child murder (and 2 more attempted murders) by their own mother, rape, self-harm, and possibly more that I am forgetting.
All that said, it's a quick read, I never got bored. And somehow the author has made it a slightly light-hearted read despite its extreme heaviness. The main character is lovable and caring, and he's surrounded by a few equally interesting characters. The story ended on a hopeful message, and I do think it gives a new and interesting way to look at mental health and trauma.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
Wow, wow, wow.
The moment I began reading this book I lost track of time. It transported me to another world. Never before have I read such an authentic Australian voice unique Australian lingo peppered in. The journey it took me on! My gosh. I felt it all. The highs, the lows, the self reflection, the magic, the power. After I finished the book I felt I was floating on air and could completely see this as a film. I learned valuable lessons along the way and have already passed it on to my friends who I know will also benefit. The relationships are so very real, harsh and tender, confusing and redeeming and you get a real 3D picture of each character. They are all very vivid in my head. My other favorite book set in Australia is My Brilliant Career - and this has similar elements of environmental struggles, intrigue and pain. I could almost smell and touch the drought, taste the Tim Tams, see the white knuckles on a steering wheel, and the feeling of dealing with the inner monster we all possess. A very important book told through a beautiful eye. I thoroughly recommend for all ages 12 and up!
The moment I began reading this book I lost track of time. It transported me to another world. Never before have I read such an authentic Australian voice unique Australian lingo peppered in. The journey it took me on! My gosh. I felt it all. The highs, the lows, the self reflection, the magic, the power. After I finished the book I felt I was floating on air and could completely see this as a film. I learned valuable lessons along the way and have already passed it on to my friends who I know will also benefit. The relationships are so very real, harsh and tender, confusing and redeeming and you get a real 3D picture of each character. They are all very vivid in my head. My other favorite book set in Australia is My Brilliant Career - and this has similar elements of environmental struggles, intrigue and pain. I could almost smell and touch the drought, taste the Tim Tams, see the white knuckles on a steering wheel, and the feeling of dealing with the inner monster we all possess. A very important book told through a beautiful eye. I thoroughly recommend for all ages 12 and up!
March 23, 2023
Trigger warnings for Making Friends With Monsters include: suicide, death, depression and mental health issues.
☆
☆
I wasn't entirely sure about this book when I first picked it up. But I liked that the chapters were short enough that I could read multiple in one go without feeling like I was reading a massive amount.
~
I think the premise of Monsters threw me off a little bit because I didn't know what to expect from that, but once that became clear I loved it. When things were revealed about different characters towards the end of the book, I was surprised, but I'm not entirely sure why I was, because when it was said it felt obvious from the signs.
~
Overall, it was a really enjoyable book, the characters were well written and I really liked them, especially the way the emotions felt real and the responses to situations throughout the story felt accurate to how someone might feel.
•
Thank you to BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
☆
☆
I wasn't entirely sure about this book when I first picked it up. But I liked that the chapters were short enough that I could read multiple in one go without feeling like I was reading a massive amount.
~
I think the premise of Monsters threw me off a little bit because I didn't know what to expect from that, but once that became clear I loved it. When things were revealed about different characters towards the end of the book, I was surprised, but I'm not entirely sure why I was, because when it was said it felt obvious from the signs.
~
Overall, it was a really enjoyable book, the characters were well written and I really liked them, especially the way the emotions felt real and the responses to situations throughout the story felt accurate to how someone might feel.
•
Thank you to BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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