Skip to main content

Monster Slayers


Monster Slayers, written by Lukas Ritter, is a companion novel to A Practical Guide to Monsters.

My synopsis of this YA fantasy-adventure novel will be less telling as the back cover summary. The reason? Because I didn't read it before I read Monster Slayers and got some surprises that I wasn't expecting, some of which I feel were given away (or hinted at) on the back. So my suggestion is for you not to read the back cover either and instead just start devouring this thrilling, diverting read!

Here goes: Evin longs to be a hero of myth and legend - to battle monsters and seek different lands. He's shared this dream with his brother and best friend Jorick - yet remains stuck in his small village. But right when he decides that he is going to leave and seek out the chance to be daring and courageous, the opportunity meets him first. Tragedy strikes Evin's village and all the residents of his town are snatched away right before his eyes by terrifying monsters. Now, he and Jorick must figure out how to rescue their family members and neighbors - and be the heroes Evin's always wanted to be.

So, that's all I'm gonna say about the premise. ;)

I was already pretty interested in reading Monster Slayers because of how awesome Nocturne ended up being. Now that I have read two books in this series of companion novels (to the Practical Guides published by Wizards of the Coast), I can honestly say that though they have the Dungeons & Dragons label, you don't have to have ever played the role-playing game or know anything about it. I sure never have, and I have now thoroughly enjoyed both of these books!

Within the first few pages I was already connecting with Evin and soaking up the fantasy world, which is filled with magical walls, swords, daggers, monsters, swamp witches, elves, and wizards. There is something truly fun and entertaining about letting yourself be swept up in the advanture and escapism of fantasy like Monster Slayers.

Quickly, suspicions and mysteries are introduced to add to the already excellent, rip-roaring rescue mission plot. Monster Slayers is packed full of frightening fight sequences that are easy to read and almost impossible not to be involved in - especially since Evin is so likable and relatable.

I found Monster Slayers to be a recommendable, fast-paced, quick read - the quest seeming unachievable - which makes it all the more suspenseful. The monsters aren't cheesy - at least not in my opinion. They call to mind mythology and legends - and they are actually pretty darn freaky.

The biggest thing that all you bibliophiles need to know is that there is a HUGE "Whaaaa?" moment that occurs in an awesomely unexpected way that both changes and enhances everything that has happened in the novel so far. It is a big, intelligent, shocking, insanely cool twist that you really just can't miss, and which I can't say much more about.

And then later on - even when you think you've gotten a pretty good handle on what is going on - Monster Slayers throws yet ANOTHER revelation at you - making my appreciation of what started out as a straightforward, fun rescue mission novel into much more.

I thought Monster Slayers was great and is a must-read for all you fantasy lovers.

It made me all the more intrigued in what Wizards of the Coast has in store for the next Practical Guide companion novel.

I think you will be too!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

First Step: Admit You Have a Problem

Hi fellow Bibliophiles! I have been rather neglectful to this blog... instead continuing to stay buried in a book as I have during the holidays. I'm hopeful that most of you have been doing this too and can easily accept my apology. Have I been reading? Um, yeah! (Translation: duh.) Just haven't been able to pull myself away long enough to actually WRITE about what I'm reading. Lol. But that's me, a bibliophile, an addict, an addict who's fallen off the wagon and fully embraced her love of reading - especially with all this free time to do so!!! I've also been watching awesome holiday movies, eating yummy, but bad-for-me, food and hanging out with the people I love best! You too? I hope! ;) Anyway, I will return with a new book review next week, most likely on Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for your patience and keep reading!!!

Promotion Celebration for Maximum Ride!!!

Do you love the series Maximum Ride ? How about James Patterson? Are you a huge fan of action-packed books? Well, I’m thrilled to bring to you an opportunity to stock up on some awesome reading!!! ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS! MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE. Read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series. On sale in paperback 09/01/09! Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction? Now for the rules : The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 200

Author Q & A - Jan Eldredge Stops By!

Next Wednesday y'all will be getting my oh-so-humble opinion of Evangeline of the Bayou , the Summer 2018 Kids' Indie Next List selection! (That means it was picked via booksellers at independent bookstores countrywide.) Until then, I have a Q&A with the Louisiana born and raised author herself: Jan Eldredge! (Don't forget to come back next week for my review!!) A Conversation with JAN ELDRIDGE Author of Evangeline of the Bayou 1) The glossary in the back of the book is so helpful! Where did you learn about all these creatures? Which creature from the book is your favorite? I have a small, but growing, collection of books about mythical creatures around the world. If I couldn’t find what I was looking for there, I researched library books, online websites, and the occasional documentary. Something that really surprised me as I started learning more about mythical monsters was the number of different cultures that share very similar