Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings

Now, to be perfectly honest, The Monstrumologist isn't as mind-blowing as the glowing reviews would have you believe. Rick Yancey has written a compulsively readable horror story - part mythology, part gothic mystery - that builds era, suspense, and aura perfectly. Within the pages of Will Henry's startling tale of monstrumologists and deadly creatures that roam the Earth alongside us is also a tale of friendship, of bonds that run deeper than blood. Unlike The 5th Wave, Yancey's debut is fast-paced and impossible to set down from beginning to end. Although both novels contain tell-tale signs, such as the gripping last few sentences of each chapter or the exploration of the gray matter within humanity, they are very different too. I, for one, much prefer this piece. Not only did the mystery keep me up late at night, but the relationship between Will Henry, an orphan, and Dr. Warthrop, the titular monstrumologist who takes him in after his parents pass away, is one that is both sincere and heart-wrenching. From the surface, it seems to be very much a business deal - Warthrop provides for Will Henry and Will Henry helps Warthrop, no matter the loss of his innocence or childhood in the process. And yet, as the novel progresses, we see a deeper affection between the two, one that is only fully visible through the strife in their lives as well. Yancey's novel doesn't break new ground in literature, but it is solid escapist literature at its best. If you're looking for your next good scare, rich with a side dose of characterization, excellent writing, and even a smidge of world-building to tease you, then this is your best bet. What are you waiting for? Snap to!