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A Mastery of Monsters #1
A Mastery of Monsters
Ninth House meets Legendborn in this thrilling first book in a dark academia fantasy series about a teen who’s willing to do anything to find her brother—even infiltrate a secret society full of monsters.
When August’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. But August knows her brother would never have left her voluntarily, especially not after their mother so recently went missing.
The only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their remaining family. And after August is attacked by a ten-foot-tall creature with fur and claws, she realizes that her brother might be in more danger than she could have imagined.
Unfortunately for her, the only person with a connection to the mysterious creature is the bookish Virgil Hawthorne…and he knows about them because he is one. If he doesn’t find a partner to help control his true nature, he’ll lose his humanity and become a mindless beast—exactly what the secret society he’s grown up in would love to put down.
Virgil makes a proposition: August will join his society and partner with him, and in return, he’ll help her find her brother. And so August is plunged into a deadly competition to win one of the few coveted candidate spots, all while trying to accept a frightening reality: that monsters are real, and she has to learn to master them if she’s to have any hope of saving her brother.
When August’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. But August knows her brother would never have left her voluntarily, especially not after their mother so recently went missing.
The only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their remaining family. And after August is attacked by a ten-foot-tall creature with fur and claws, she realizes that her brother might be in more danger than she could have imagined.
Unfortunately for her, the only person with a connection to the mysterious creature is the bookish Virgil Hawthorne…and he knows about them because he is one. If he doesn’t find a partner to help control his true nature, he’ll lose his humanity and become a mindless beast—exactly what the secret society he’s grown up in would love to put down.
Virgil makes a proposition: August will join his society and partner with him, and in return, he’ll help her find her brother. And so August is plunged into a deadly competition to win one of the few coveted candidate spots, all while trying to accept a frightening reality: that monsters are real, and she has to learn to master them if she’s to have any hope of saving her brother.
592 pages, Hardcover
First published July 29, 2025
102 people are currently reading
15738 people want to read
About the author
Liselle Sambury
10 books1,950 followersLiselle Sambury is the Trinidadian-Canadian author of the Governor General’s Literary Awards Finalist, Blood Like Magic. Her work spans multiple genres, from fantasy to sci-fi, horror, and more. In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to demystifying the sometimes complicated business of being an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 8, 2025
I wanted to try Liselle Sambury for a while now and apparently I picked the longest book possible to finally do so. But the Legendborn meets Ninth House pitch was right up my alley and also quite accurate as it turns out. This book is actually very similar to Legendborn in my opinion: there's a black girl starting university and getting involved in campus secret societies that revolve around monsters and, possibly, the apocalypse. No King Arthur stuff in here, but if you're a fan of Legendborn you will probably like this book too.
17-year-old August Black is spiraling. Her mother disappeared without a trace and her brother goes missing some time after that too. She spends all the money from her unenthusiastic job on drinks and partying and, frankly, has no idea what she's doing. After a horrible night out and an attack by a terrifying creature she gets involved with Virgil Hawthorne and the society he's part of. Virgil promises to help her searching for her missing family members, but only if August joins him as his partner in a possibly lethal competition. Turns out that he is months away from turning into a human-killing monster and in dire need of a partner who binds to him and prevents him from losing his mind. Binding monsters is the whole deal of the society, but monster and master have to pass multiple challenges and tests first. August joins Virgil and the book then more or less only covers her way into the society. She's considered an outsider with no prior supernatural knowledge and she has a rough time to say the least. She's starting intense physical education, she's learning about the monsters and the history of the society and she's supposed to take normal university classes on top of it all. August is under a lot of pressure with the constant feeling of not being good enough and I thought her a very well-developed character. She's insecure about some things but still not ready to please anyone. She's blunt and snarky and she does take no shit from nobody. She might seem unlikable to other people, but I loved her, honestly. She has to deal with literally everything and still has such a strong voice. Virgil, a certified good boy, calm and academic, is a good match for her and they had a great dynamic. There is no romance (imagine that) and instead we get August settling into a new friend group and that was just lovely. I see romantic potential for the sequel, though.
I do have to say that the introduction to the society was a bit convoluted. There were multiple infodump passages and there are so many characters introduced all at once that it was kinda overwhelming. There were way too many side characters to really keep track of, but a few, like Corey or Margot, did stand out and were nice to read about. The different challenges weren't really my favorite either, because some kinda gave child birthday party games, like the corn maze or the egg hunt. The execution of the challenges was good and there often were intense moments with other competitors, but I just wish that the whole setup was different to begin with. The last few chapters were wild though, and I really liked how the old ways of the society were constantly questioned by August and Virgil. Let's just say that the society doesn't go out of its way to actually help the people who turn into monsters and that the system is also prone to corruption. I love it when the main character gets dragged into a supernatural world that's just not the solution to all problems, but complex and rather complicated in its own way.
The book didn't exactly drag, but it was still very long and I think that some scenes could have been cut to make the story a bit more compact. There is a lot of great commentary on all different kinds of topics in here (body image, performance pressure, academic privilege, black heritage) and I think that a shorter book would have highlighted these themes even more. I am interested in continuing in this series, but a sequel hasn't been officially announced yet and I also don't know how well this story will stay on my mind. For now I can call it a refreshing YA fantasy that doesn't rely on common tropes or romance but that still provides an intriguing plot and great characters.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing / Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
17-year-old August Black is spiraling. Her mother disappeared without a trace and her brother goes missing some time after that too. She spends all the money from her unenthusiastic job on drinks and partying and, frankly, has no idea what she's doing. After a horrible night out and an attack by a terrifying creature she gets involved with Virgil Hawthorne and the society he's part of. Virgil promises to help her searching for her missing family members, but only if August joins him as his partner in a possibly lethal competition. Turns out that he is months away from turning into a human-killing monster and in dire need of a partner who binds to him and prevents him from losing his mind. Binding monsters is the whole deal of the society, but monster and master have to pass multiple challenges and tests first. August joins Virgil and the book then more or less only covers her way into the society. She's considered an outsider with no prior supernatural knowledge and she has a rough time to say the least. She's starting intense physical education, she's learning about the monsters and the history of the society and she's supposed to take normal university classes on top of it all. August is under a lot of pressure with the constant feeling of not being good enough and I thought her a very well-developed character. She's insecure about some things but still not ready to please anyone. She's blunt and snarky and she does take no shit from nobody. She might seem unlikable to other people, but I loved her, honestly. She has to deal with literally everything and still has such a strong voice. Virgil, a certified good boy, calm and academic, is a good match for her and they had a great dynamic. There is no romance (imagine that) and instead we get August settling into a new friend group and that was just lovely. I see romantic potential for the sequel, though.
I do have to say that the introduction to the society was a bit convoluted. There were multiple infodump passages and there are so many characters introduced all at once that it was kinda overwhelming. There were way too many side characters to really keep track of, but a few, like Corey or Margot, did stand out and were nice to read about. The different challenges weren't really my favorite either, because some kinda gave child birthday party games, like the corn maze or the egg hunt. The execution of the challenges was good and there often were intense moments with other competitors, but I just wish that the whole setup was different to begin with. The last few chapters were wild though, and I really liked how the old ways of the society were constantly questioned by August and Virgil. Let's just say that the society doesn't go out of its way to actually help the people who turn into monsters and that the system is also prone to corruption. I love it when the main character gets dragged into a supernatural world that's just not the solution to all problems, but complex and rather complicated in its own way.
The book didn't exactly drag, but it was still very long and I think that some scenes could have been cut to make the story a bit more compact. There is a lot of great commentary on all different kinds of topics in here (body image, performance pressure, academic privilege, black heritage) and I think that a shorter book would have highlighted these themes even more. I am interested in continuing in this series, but a sequel hasn't been officially announced yet and I also don't know how well this story will stay on my mind. For now I can call it a refreshing YA fantasy that doesn't rely on common tropes or romance but that still provides an intriguing plot and great characters.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing / Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2025
Before his Sophomore year of University, August's brother, Jules, goes missing. The general consensus is that he was overwhelmed with school, and other things going on in his life, and decided to skip town.
August knows that is impossible. Jules has been her rock since their family fell apart, and he would never do that to her. Especially considering how upsetting it was when their mother disappeared. Their family spiraled from there.
August is one tough cookie though, and she doesn't care what anyone says. She will find Jules. He left behind a note, and although cryptic, she knows he is in trouble.
After a 10-foot tall creature, resembling a mix between a werewolf and a psychotic Easter Bunny, attacks her in the park, she realizes her brother might be in way more danger than she ever could have guessed.
Virgil Hawthorne, a bookish and mysterious boy she met after a night of partying a little too hard, could be the key she needs to get to the bottom of the creatures existence, and Jules whereabouts.
As it turns out, Virgil needs assistance with something as well, and he feels like August could be the answer. All she has to do is join the Secret Society he's a part of. The two strike a deal and set out to achieve both of their goals.
I love Liselle Sambury, and this is a great start to an all-new series for her. I am already anticipating the next book. I wouldn't say this was a perfect reading experience, but it definitely intrigued me and held my attention.
It's such a nice blend of SFF-concepts, and I loved the complexity of the 'magic' system, for lack of a better word. It's not really magic, but I'm not quite sure how to describe it. Whatever you want to call it, it's so interesting.
Additionally, this contains one of my favorite tropes, a competition, and I loved learning about the politics and factions within this Secret Society. I'm just hoping I don't forget all of the details by the time the 2nd-book releases.
Even though I enjoyed this quite a bit, I'm not sure I would want to reread it before picking up the sequel. It's a long one and that's quite a time commitment.
I sort of had this same thought before picking up the 2nd-book in the Blood Like Magic duology. However, if my memory serves me correctly, Sambury did such a sensational job opening up the 2nd book, refreshing the Readers memory without making it repetitive, that I truly had nothing to worry about.
I have a feeling this one is going to be the same. Either way, I'll be grabbing a copy of the sequel as soon as I possibly can.
Thank you to the publisher, Margaret K. McElderry Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. If any of the following buzzwords sound intriguing to you, you need to pick this one up:
Monsters, dark SFF, Dark Academia and a competition trope.
August knows that is impossible. Jules has been her rock since their family fell apart, and he would never do that to her. Especially considering how upsetting it was when their mother disappeared. Their family spiraled from there.
August is one tough cookie though, and she doesn't care what anyone says. She will find Jules. He left behind a note, and although cryptic, she knows he is in trouble.
After a 10-foot tall creature, resembling a mix between a werewolf and a psychotic Easter Bunny, attacks her in the park, she realizes her brother might be in way more danger than she ever could have guessed.
Virgil Hawthorne, a bookish and mysterious boy she met after a night of partying a little too hard, could be the key she needs to get to the bottom of the creatures existence, and Jules whereabouts.
As it turns out, Virgil needs assistance with something as well, and he feels like August could be the answer. All she has to do is join the Secret Society he's a part of. The two strike a deal and set out to achieve both of their goals.
I love Liselle Sambury, and this is a great start to an all-new series for her. I am already anticipating the next book. I wouldn't say this was a perfect reading experience, but it definitely intrigued me and held my attention.
It's such a nice blend of SFF-concepts, and I loved the complexity of the 'magic' system, for lack of a better word. It's not really magic, but I'm not quite sure how to describe it. Whatever you want to call it, it's so interesting.
Additionally, this contains one of my favorite tropes, a competition, and I loved learning about the politics and factions within this Secret Society. I'm just hoping I don't forget all of the details by the time the 2nd-book releases.
Even though I enjoyed this quite a bit, I'm not sure I would want to reread it before picking up the sequel. It's a long one and that's quite a time commitment.
I sort of had this same thought before picking up the 2nd-book in the Blood Like Magic duology. However, if my memory serves me correctly, Sambury did such a sensational job opening up the 2nd book, refreshing the Readers memory without making it repetitive, that I truly had nothing to worry about.
I have a feeling this one is going to be the same. Either way, I'll be grabbing a copy of the sequel as soon as I possibly can.
Thank you to the publisher, Margaret K. McElderry Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. If any of the following buzzwords sound intriguing to you, you need to pick this one up:
Monsters, dark SFF, Dark Academia and a competition trope.
Read
August 2, 2025This was not for me. I never thought a book could be a slow burn while doing massive amounts of info dumping, but here we are. The plot is too complicated and frankly, just weird. I was forcing myself to continue for awhile, until I gave up because life is too short to read books you don’t care for. DNF @20%.
Thank you to NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the eARC. All opinions are mine.
August 14, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author but all opinions are my own!
The first in a series that has a satisfying conclusion to the main plot arc of the book and doesn't leave you hanging, but does leave you wanting more! I love to see that. A Mastery of Monsters is a fantasy dark academia following a girl who must join a secret society to find out what happened to her missing brother. It's a smart take on the genre that interrogates institutions who say they are about equality and inclusivity, and yet in practice fail to live up to that.
You should be aware that there is a LOT of world-building to digest in early parts of the book and it took me awhile to figure out the details of what exactly was going on. That said, I do think the payoff is worth it - this turns into an action-packed, twisty story with a deadly competition and a couple of mysteries at the center of it. Some things are revealed by the end, but we also get breadcrumbs of more to come. It's a fun and layered book that is pretty fast paced once you get into it. I will read on in the series! The audio narration is great, but if you struggle to differentiate a large cast of characters the physical book might be a helpful tool. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author but all opinions are my own!
The first in a series that has a satisfying conclusion to the main plot arc of the book and doesn't leave you hanging, but does leave you wanting more! I love to see that. A Mastery of Monsters is a fantasy dark academia following a girl who must join a secret society to find out what happened to her missing brother. It's a smart take on the genre that interrogates institutions who say they are about equality and inclusivity, and yet in practice fail to live up to that.
You should be aware that there is a LOT of world-building to digest in early parts of the book and it took me awhile to figure out the details of what exactly was going on. That said, I do think the payoff is worth it - this turns into an action-packed, twisty story with a deadly competition and a couple of mysteries at the center of it. Some things are revealed by the end, but we also get breadcrumbs of more to come. It's a fun and layered book that is pretty fast paced once you get into it. I will read on in the series! The audio narration is great, but if you struggle to differentiate a large cast of characters the physical book might be a helpful tool. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
June 23, 2025
A Mastery of Monsters
by Liselle Sambury
A Mastery of Monsters #1
Y(Y)A Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Simon and Schuster Children's...
Ages: 14+
Keeping to herself after her mother disappeared, August felt as if she only had her brother. Then one night, walking alone, August is attacked by a monster. Virgil, a boy she just met, comes to her aid, but a few days later, her brother disappears, leaving a note not to look for him. She refused to obey him.
Believing the monster that had attacked her might have something to do with her brother's disappearance, August finds Virgil to get his help. He was willing, but only if she would help him. He needed a partner to help control the monster inside of him, and the only way to achieve this was if August won a competition. But if she fails, Virgil will end up a permanent monster imprisoned below ground, and, if she lives, she won't know what happened to her brother.
Even with the action that grabbed my attention at the beginning of this book, it was a slow read! Most of the issue was with the writing... For young adults, either in or about to start college, they talked like tweens, which makes me think it's aimed at middle school students. But August's 'acceptance' of the monsters was too easy. ('OMG! a monster is chasing me, run....' Next day.... 'There's monsters, okay...')
But I can say that as the story progressed, the writing and the characters matured. This was one of those books that I got lucky pushing through instead of DNFing.
I didn't care much for August. She was a typical trauma-suffering teenager, but flat. Giving her background earlier, those things she did before her mom disappeared would have given her some depth; instead, she was just there with an uncaring attitude. But the side characters had more depth and character than August. Virgil was kind of the same, but his backstory was presented at a time that gave him 'credibility'. He should have been a MC, because he needed the help, but he didn't have a big part in this story. The minor characters had more page time than him.
As for the story, it was a decent idea, though it reminded me a lot of other 'game trope' type books. A deeper dive into the 'society(s)' is needed because those are the backbone of these 'games' and the monsters. Sure, there was some, but not a deep enough dive to allow the reader to feel a part of them. But the 'game' part of the story, (think HP), I didn't care for. Yes, you need a way to get the best of the best, but I just felt there could have been a better/different way to go about it.
The title was what grabbed my attention, and while it lines up with the story, it made me expect more monsters, magic, and 'control' of said monsters. The cover is cool, but really has nothing to do with the story. I noticed no finches in it, but the knives had a role.
While there is some romance, it isn't graphic, but there is violence, thus making it suitable for readers fourteen and older.
This is the first book of the series, and, yeah, I'm a little interested in finding out what happens, but I won't be adding the next one to my TBR, though, if I stumble across it, I might grab it if I can get it on the cheap.
2 Stars
by Liselle Sambury
A Mastery of Monsters #1
Y(Y)A Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Simon and Schuster Children's...
Ages: 14+
Keeping to herself after her mother disappeared, August felt as if she only had her brother. Then one night, walking alone, August is attacked by a monster. Virgil, a boy she just met, comes to her aid, but a few days later, her brother disappears, leaving a note not to look for him. She refused to obey him.
Believing the monster that had attacked her might have something to do with her brother's disappearance, August finds Virgil to get his help. He was willing, but only if she would help him. He needed a partner to help control the monster inside of him, and the only way to achieve this was if August won a competition. But if she fails, Virgil will end up a permanent monster imprisoned below ground, and, if she lives, she won't know what happened to her brother.
Even with the action that grabbed my attention at the beginning of this book, it was a slow read! Most of the issue was with the writing... For young adults, either in or about to start college, they talked like tweens, which makes me think it's aimed at middle school students. But August's 'acceptance' of the monsters was too easy. ('OMG! a monster is chasing me, run....' Next day.... 'There's monsters, okay...')
But I can say that as the story progressed, the writing and the characters matured. This was one of those books that I got lucky pushing through instead of DNFing.
I didn't care much for August. She was a typical trauma-suffering teenager, but flat. Giving her background earlier, those things she did before her mom disappeared would have given her some depth; instead, she was just there with an uncaring attitude. But the side characters had more depth and character than August. Virgil was kind of the same, but his backstory was presented at a time that gave him 'credibility'. He should have been a MC, because he needed the help, but he didn't have a big part in this story. The minor characters had more page time than him.
As for the story, it was a decent idea, though it reminded me a lot of other 'game trope' type books. A deeper dive into the 'society(s)' is needed because those are the backbone of these 'games' and the monsters. Sure, there was some, but not a deep enough dive to allow the reader to feel a part of them. But the 'game' part of the story, (think HP), I didn't care for. Yes, you need a way to get the best of the best, but I just felt there could have been a better/different way to go about it.
The title was what grabbed my attention, and while it lines up with the story, it made me expect more monsters, magic, and 'control' of said monsters. The cover is cool, but really has nothing to do with the story. I noticed no finches in it, but the knives had a role.
While there is some romance, it isn't graphic, but there is violence, thus making it suitable for readers fourteen and older.
This is the first book of the series, and, yeah, I'm a little interested in finding out what happens, but I won't be adding the next one to my TBR, though, if I stumble across it, I might grab it if I can get it on the cheap.
2 Stars
Want to read
July 21, 2024[Dark academia with a protagonist who] agrees to team up with a boy who is only months away from becoming a flesh-eating monster.
July 27, 2025
Book Stats:
📖: 592 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Format: eARC from NetGalley
Series: 1/2
Themes:
💫: Equality
💫: Sexism/Racism
Representation:
🩸: Black Cast
🩸: Fat MFC
Tropes:
💗: Morally gray characters
💗: Secret Society
💗: Deadly competition
🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Augustus is living life, navigating her grief and not making the best choices. When her brother disappears under mysterious circumstances, she finds herself engaged with a secret society of monsters and the people who mastered them.
General Thoughts:
I had a very mixed experience with this book. It is extremely dense and world building heavy. Which at times I really appreciated, and other times was just so much that it became confusing. Trying to keep the two separate secret societies straight as well as their overlapping rules and regulations got a little heavy at times. The length of the book was also extremely daunting and I felt like it could've been cut down without so much heavy info dumping at times.
However, the characters were extremely well done. They were interesting and well developed. I was interested in all of the different characters that were involved and their parts in the story. August was an extremely complicated and layered character that I felt had a lot going for her and kept me intrigued in the story.
The mysteries surrounding the plot line was also extremely engaging. It definitely kept me going and reading even during times of dense info dumping a world building that otherwise kind of made my mind wander. I am hoping since this book was so heavy concerning world building that the second book will focus more on plot and character development.
I really enjoyed the parallels between the themes in the book and current times today. I felt like they were utilized well and added air of relatability to the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed Moore than I didn't. I fully believe I will continue on with the Neurology because I have to see what happens.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: 592 pages
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry
Format: eARC from NetGalley
Series: 1/2
Themes:
💫: Equality
💫: Sexism/Racism
Representation:
🩸: Black Cast
🩸: Fat MFC
Tropes:
💗: Morally gray characters
💗: Secret Society
💗: Deadly competition
🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Augustus is living life, navigating her grief and not making the best choices. When her brother disappears under mysterious circumstances, she finds herself engaged with a secret society of monsters and the people who mastered them.
General Thoughts:
I had a very mixed experience with this book. It is extremely dense and world building heavy. Which at times I really appreciated, and other times was just so much that it became confusing. Trying to keep the two separate secret societies straight as well as their overlapping rules and regulations got a little heavy at times. The length of the book was also extremely daunting and I felt like it could've been cut down without so much heavy info dumping at times.
However, the characters were extremely well done. They were interesting and well developed. I was interested in all of the different characters that were involved and their parts in the story. August was an extremely complicated and layered character that I felt had a lot going for her and kept me intrigued in the story.
The mysteries surrounding the plot line was also extremely engaging. It definitely kept me going and reading even during times of dense info dumping a world building that otherwise kind of made my mind wander. I am hoping since this book was so heavy concerning world building that the second book will focus more on plot and character development.
I really enjoyed the parallels between the themes in the book and current times today. I felt like they were utilized well and added air of relatability to the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed Moore than I didn't. I fully believe I will continue on with the Neurology because I have to see what happens.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 7, 2025
A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury
ARC from Simon and Scuster Canada
Release date: June 3rd 2025
-The authors note hit bro I needed to hear that 🥹
-this being based in Kingston ON period canadian rep we love it 🇨🇦
-omg i love Virgil he’s so cute and straight forward I like it
-I love the monster and dark academia vibes its giving a little bit teen wolf and or shadow hunters tv show but make it academic if that makes sense
-I love that Virgil gives nerdy teddy bear and August a badass black cat the contrast works beautifully I love their back and forth and forced proximity
-the brother and mother mystery has me on my toes
-I feel like I to am getting ready for the competition learning, training, grasping the concepts
-Learning about this world, the monsters and Learners society is so cool
-I love the diversity, black excellence rep I feel so seen its nice to see in a fantasy book
-“Virgil has spent most of his life passively accepting his circumstances. But you, you make him fight.”
-Virgil has been through so much my baby i love him so much 🥹
-August is so strong damn
-the test / competition gives very much hunger games vibes im so invested my heart rate is upppp
-“You cannot achieve liberation within a system of bondage”
-wow what an adventure what a thrill what a world this book was amazing truly a masterpiece
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC from Simon and Scuster Canada
Release date: June 3rd 2025
-The authors note hit bro I needed to hear that 🥹
-this being based in Kingston ON period canadian rep we love it 🇨🇦
-omg i love Virgil he’s so cute and straight forward I like it
-I love the monster and dark academia vibes its giving a little bit teen wolf and or shadow hunters tv show but make it academic if that makes sense
-I love that Virgil gives nerdy teddy bear and August a badass black cat the contrast works beautifully I love their back and forth and forced proximity
-the brother and mother mystery has me on my toes
-I feel like I to am getting ready for the competition learning, training, grasping the concepts
-Learning about this world, the monsters and Learners society is so cool
-I love the diversity, black excellence rep I feel so seen its nice to see in a fantasy book
-“Virgil has spent most of his life passively accepting his circumstances. But you, you make him fight.”
-Virgil has been through so much my baby i love him so much 🥹
-August is so strong damn
-the test / competition gives very much hunger games vibes im so invested my heart rate is upppp
-“You cannot achieve liberation within a system of bondage”
-wow what an adventure what a thrill what a world this book was amazing truly a masterpiece
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Want to read
June 17, 2025"A YA dark academia fantasy in which a girl must join a secret society that may be responsible for the disappearance of her brother. To infiltrate their ranks, she agrees to team up with a boy who is only months away from becoming a flesh-eating monster—and in exchange, she has to win a deadly competition to master control of his monstrosity."
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August 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
“Even as a monster, nothing is more dehumanizing than having someone decide they know everything about you because of what you look like.”
A Mastery of Monsters is my third book by Liselle Sambury. While I still prefer her Blood Like Magic duology a lot more, I feel that this series has a lot of potential with fleshed out characters, neurodivergent and plus-sized rep, and literal and metaphorical monsters.
This novel is compared to Legendborn and I do see a lot of similarities to it. August is our chosen one where she enters a secret society to search for her missing brother and learns that monsters exist. The society specialises in the bonding of master and monster, in which individuals turning into monsters forge a bond with a trusted partner to prevent them from losing their humanity. However, August must take part in a deadly competition as this bond must be earned. She also meets Virgil, a man on the verge of turning, who promises to search for her missing brother if she allies with him and participates in the trials to help him.
I see a lot of people hating August, but I will forever be an August defender. I think the people that are hating on August are missing the point since she’s intentionally written to be insufferable initially. I never hated August, even in the beginning. She has a lot of redeemable qualities especially with her devotion to her brother. Her anger and impulsiveness felt very justified to me where she’s unafraid of talking back to people that deserve it. I like that there’s a self awareness to her personality as well where she acknowledges how flawed she is, and knows when to recognize an ally or friend and realise when she’s messed up.
The relationship August and Virgil had has to be my favorite part of the novel! When it comes to love interests, Liselle never misses. Virgil is the sweetest cinnamon roll out there and I adore him so much. He balances out August’s spitfire personality so well and I love the faith he has in August every time. Hit Virgil up if you ever need a moral boost because the guy has the biggest heart out there, always putting everyone before himself even when he’s on the verge of losing his humanity. I ate up every scene August and Virgil were in. Their chemistry was so good and the banter was bantering. There were so many moments where I blushed and I loved seeing them gradually grow to care for one another, especially August who is always so closed off and acidic. I also loved that both of them were plus-sized and it made their connection to one another more meaningful and sweet.
The concept was really interesting where it was about individuals turning into literal monsters, but also explores the metaphorical connotation of what makes a monster and reflects the darker parts of society. Liselle doesn’t shy away from the harder societal themes in her novel, and it was interesting exploring the different factions within the society and the different political views they had in how they believe monsters should be treated. She also touches upon other themes throughout the novel that still feel relevant today.
This novel does feel very compacted at times with the many characters being introduced in the novel, so much so that I lost track of them as it went on. I only really remember Corey and Margot besides Virgil and August, and I hope that the sequel focuses more on building these four characters instead of adding more since I felt like the others didn’t feel as significant nor fleshed out, rather only there to make up numbers in the society and trials. It also took me a while to wrap my head around the world, which did feel convoluted and exposition heavy in the beginning. The execution of the trials could have been better as well as it didn’t necessarily feel the most creative or exciting and it also felt fillery in between trials. At almost 600 pages, I feel that a lot of things could have been condensed to get to the point quicker.
Overall, I think the world has a lot of potential and I think this was a decent start to the series even if I feel that Blood Like Magic was a lot better written. August and Virgil really carried this one for me and I cannot wait to see more of them in the sequel.
3.5 but rounding it up for Virgil <3
“Even as a monster, nothing is more dehumanizing than having someone decide they know everything about you because of what you look like.”
A Mastery of Monsters is my third book by Liselle Sambury. While I still prefer her Blood Like Magic duology a lot more, I feel that this series has a lot of potential with fleshed out characters, neurodivergent and plus-sized rep, and literal and metaphorical monsters.
This novel is compared to Legendborn and I do see a lot of similarities to it. August is our chosen one where she enters a secret society to search for her missing brother and learns that monsters exist. The society specialises in the bonding of master and monster, in which individuals turning into monsters forge a bond with a trusted partner to prevent them from losing their humanity. However, August must take part in a deadly competition as this bond must be earned. She also meets Virgil, a man on the verge of turning, who promises to search for her missing brother if she allies with him and participates in the trials to help him.
I see a lot of people hating August, but I will forever be an August defender. I think the people that are hating on August are missing the point since she’s intentionally written to be insufferable initially. I never hated August, even in the beginning. She has a lot of redeemable qualities especially with her devotion to her brother. Her anger and impulsiveness felt very justified to me where she’s unafraid of talking back to people that deserve it. I like that there’s a self awareness to her personality as well where she acknowledges how flawed she is, and knows when to recognize an ally or friend and realise when she’s messed up.
The relationship August and Virgil had has to be my favorite part of the novel! When it comes to love interests, Liselle never misses. Virgil is the sweetest cinnamon roll out there and I adore him so much. He balances out August’s spitfire personality so well and I love the faith he has in August every time. Hit Virgil up if you ever need a moral boost because the guy has the biggest heart out there, always putting everyone before himself even when he’s on the verge of losing his humanity. I ate up every scene August and Virgil were in. Their chemistry was so good and the banter was bantering. There were so many moments where I blushed and I loved seeing them gradually grow to care for one another, especially August who is always so closed off and acidic. I also loved that both of them were plus-sized and it made their connection to one another more meaningful and sweet.
The concept was really interesting where it was about individuals turning into literal monsters, but also explores the metaphorical connotation of what makes a monster and reflects the darker parts of society. Liselle doesn’t shy away from the harder societal themes in her novel, and it was interesting exploring the different factions within the society and the different political views they had in how they believe monsters should be treated. She also touches upon other themes throughout the novel that still feel relevant today.
This novel does feel very compacted at times with the many characters being introduced in the novel, so much so that I lost track of them as it went on. I only really remember Corey and Margot besides Virgil and August, and I hope that the sequel focuses more on building these four characters instead of adding more since I felt like the others didn’t feel as significant nor fleshed out, rather only there to make up numbers in the society and trials. It also took me a while to wrap my head around the world, which did feel convoluted and exposition heavy in the beginning. The execution of the trials could have been better as well as it didn’t necessarily feel the most creative or exciting and it also felt fillery in between trials. At almost 600 pages, I feel that a lot of things could have been condensed to get to the point quicker.
Overall, I think the world has a lot of potential and I think this was a decent start to the series even if I feel that Blood Like Magic was a lot better written. August and Virgil really carried this one for me and I cannot wait to see more of them in the sequel.
3.5 but rounding it up for Virgil <3
July 31, 2025
2025 reads: 186/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings (provided on-page by author): death of a parent, death of a teenager, fatphobia, mentions of disordered eating, dismemberment, drug and alcohol use, violence/gore, suicide mention
when august’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. but august knows he’d never leave her of his own volition, especially since their mom went missing recently. the only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their family. when she’s attacked by a ten-foot creatures with fur and claws, she realizes her brother is in more danger than she could’ve imagined. she traces the creature back to virgil hawthorne, who knows about the creature because he is one. he makes august a proposition: august will join his society and partner with him to help control his true nature, and he’ll help her find his brother. august is swept up into a world of monsters and plunged into a deadly competition all while trying to save her brother.
i’ve loved all of liselle sambury’s other books, so i was very eager to start this one! i was intrigued by the promises of an academic setting, deadly competition, and the mystery surrounding august’s brother, jules. these were all such interesting aspects, and i loved how sambury made these tropes her own. from the dedication through the epilogue, i was hooked. i’m glad this is just book one because i know sambury will do amazing things with the rest of the series. i can’t wait for book two!
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings (provided on-page by author): death of a parent, death of a teenager, fatphobia, mentions of disordered eating, dismemberment, drug and alcohol use, violence/gore, suicide mention
when august’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. but august knows he’d never leave her of his own volition, especially since their mom went missing recently. the only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their family. when she’s attacked by a ten-foot creatures with fur and claws, she realizes her brother is in more danger than she could’ve imagined. she traces the creature back to virgil hawthorne, who knows about the creature because he is one. he makes august a proposition: august will join his society and partner with him to help control his true nature, and he’ll help her find his brother. august is swept up into a world of monsters and plunged into a deadly competition all while trying to save her brother.
i’ve loved all of liselle sambury’s other books, so i was very eager to start this one! i was intrigued by the promises of an academic setting, deadly competition, and the mystery surrounding august’s brother, jules. these were all such interesting aspects, and i loved how sambury made these tropes her own. from the dedication through the epilogue, i was hooked. i’m glad this is just book one because i know sambury will do amazing things with the rest of the series. i can’t wait for book two!
Want to read
September 27, 2023You had me with Liselle Sambury writing dark academia but A BOY WHO'S MONTHS AWAY FROM TURNING INTO A FLESH EATING MONSTER?
Pleeeeease
Pleeeeease
June 7, 2025
This one sort of falls between 3 and 3.5⭐ for but overall it's a hard one to rate. I can see where the Legendborn similarities come into play with the ~secret society~ and the black fmc involved in a larger plot she had no idea about, but something about this didn't really gel as well as that story did.
Starting with the things I liked:
- I think the world building was dense which lends itself well to a series which this seems like it's headed towards. I can tell that there was a lot of thought behind the factions and the monsters, and the magic system more or less made sense when it was being introduced.
- I think the overall mystery was actually pretty good even if by the halfway point I had a list of suspects that proved to be correct. This book had a lot of political scheming and it was done well. Lots of layers and clearly there's going to be a lot to unpack.
- The action scenes were good and this definitely was one of the better YA stories featuring ~challenges. The stakes were actually high and people did die lol.
For the things I was meh about/didn't like:
- Honestly, it was hard to like any of the characters in this. August the fmc was rude and selfish and she only got marginally better by the end. I get that she had trauma which rightfully would've impacted the way she behaved but she wasn't the only one. Everyone in this story had backstory trauma but she gave too much main character energy and just did things without thinking of how it would affect other people. This was made worse because it was always someone that she needed help from to solve her own questions.
The only person I really liked in this was Virgil and that's not saying much when you think about how many named characters are in this story. A LOT. Margo, Corey, Riley, Henry, Adam, Caden, Virgil, Jules, Mya like? This isn't even ALL of the characters. It got to be a little much which leads me to my next issue..
- this book is entirely too long. I don't know that this needed to be 600 pages? Like, the pacing was good for the first half, but then it gets bogged down in the middle by a lot of nothing. It all ends up leading to a bigger picture but I felt like we could've gotten to the point quicker. By the end I was waiting for it to wrap up. I get that the mystery & politics were dense but I don't even feel like I completely understood the mechanics of those things by the end of this.
- This also tried to tackle too many ...real world adjacent issues in one book imo and most of them were starting to get a little too obvious. Parental abandonment, anarchy, racism, suicide, elitism, fatphobia...the list goes on. Some of them were TOO on the nose. Like the factions being: progressives, traditionalists, and pro-libs? I understand the points being made with this though but it just felt too real world adjacent for this to be a magical society.
In addition, this whole magical society maybe had too many parts involved. Like I said above I don't even think I'm 100% clear on how exactly this organization works and I would think that by the end of 600 pages that I should be? Not only that, there's like 2 (maybe 3 if you count the Pro-Libs) magical societies in this one book that you have to keep track of. Things definitely weren't even halfway clear until 300 pages in which imo is too many.
- Lastly, the romance I didn't really think added anything to this. It wasn't like hardcore in your face, but it's obviously there and I think August and the book had too much going on to add a romantic sub sub sub plot. Considering what we learn from this, I'm not even sure how that makes sense but I'll be tuning in for the following book(s).
I don't know. I didn't hate it, and I think if you enjoyed Legendborn you would like this (I did), but this sort of exhausted me to read. I will keep tuning in for the next book and hopefully things move quicker in part 2 after this set up book. The plots in this one are literally just getting started so at the very least the scheming will be good.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Simon and Schuster, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and NetGalley!
Starting with the things I liked:
- I think the world building was dense which lends itself well to a series which this seems like it's headed towards. I can tell that there was a lot of thought behind the factions and the monsters, and the magic system more or less made sense when it was being introduced.
- I think the overall mystery was actually pretty good even if by the halfway point I had a list of suspects that proved to be correct. This book had a lot of political scheming and it was done well. Lots of layers and clearly there's going to be a lot to unpack.
- The action scenes were good and this definitely was one of the better YA stories featuring ~challenges. The stakes were actually high and people did die lol.
For the things I was meh about/didn't like:
- Honestly, it was hard to like any of the characters in this. August the fmc was rude and selfish and she only got marginally better by the end. I get that she had trauma which rightfully would've impacted the way she behaved but she wasn't the only one. Everyone in this story had backstory trauma but she gave too much main character energy and just did things without thinking of how it would affect other people. This was made worse because it was always someone that she needed help from to solve her own questions.
The only person I really liked in this was Virgil and that's not saying much when you think about how many named characters are in this story. A LOT. Margo, Corey, Riley, Henry, Adam, Caden, Virgil, Jules, Mya like? This isn't even ALL of the characters. It got to be a little much which leads me to my next issue..
- this book is entirely too long. I don't know that this needed to be 600 pages? Like, the pacing was good for the first half, but then it gets bogged down in the middle by a lot of nothing. It all ends up leading to a bigger picture but I felt like we could've gotten to the point quicker. By the end I was waiting for it to wrap up. I get that the mystery & politics were dense but I don't even feel like I completely understood the mechanics of those things by the end of this.
- This also tried to tackle too many ...real world adjacent issues in one book imo and most of them were starting to get a little too obvious. Parental abandonment, anarchy, racism, suicide, elitism, fatphobia...the list goes on. Some of them were TOO on the nose. Like the factions being: progressives, traditionalists, and pro-libs? I understand the points being made with this though but it just felt too real world adjacent for this to be a magical society.
In addition, this whole magical society maybe had too many parts involved. Like I said above I don't even think I'm 100% clear on how exactly this organization works and I would think that by the end of 600 pages that I should be? Not only that, there's like 2 (maybe 3 if you count the Pro-Libs) magical societies in this one book that you have to keep track of. Things definitely weren't even halfway clear until 300 pages in which imo is too many.
- Lastly, the romance I didn't really think added anything to this. It wasn't like hardcore in your face, but it's obviously there and I think August and the book had too much going on to add a romantic sub sub sub plot. Considering what we learn from this, I'm not even sure how that makes sense but I'll be tuning in for the following book(s).
I don't know. I didn't hate it, and I think if you enjoyed Legendborn you would like this (I did), but this sort of exhausted me to read. I will keep tuning in for the next book and hopefully things move quicker in part 2 after this set up book. The plots in this one are literally just getting started so at the very least the scheming will be good.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Simon and Schuster, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and NetGalley!
August 30, 2025
Mini Book Review: Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the complimentary copy of the book!
I have been reading Liselle Sambury's books for awhile now and they have been hit or miss with me. This one started off really strong and I was really invested and then I just became confused. There was a lot happening and eventfully had gotten confused by all the characters. Everything that was included was important to the story but I don't know I feel like something could have been edited out and the story would not be compromised. I know this will be a series and the ending did make it seem like the next one will continue. I am not sure at this point if I will continue but perhaps I will give it a go.
I really like the creative liberties that Liselle does and all her books are so different. I would love to see what she could do in the adult space. I think she could really write the heck out of an adult horror book - maybe one day!
I paired my reading with the audio and Angel Pean was stellar! I always enjoy the books she narrator. Her tone is very relaxing and makes the listening very easy.
I have been reading Liselle Sambury's books for awhile now and they have been hit or miss with me. This one started off really strong and I was really invested and then I just became confused. There was a lot happening and eventfully had gotten confused by all the characters. Everything that was included was important to the story but I don't know I feel like something could have been edited out and the story would not be compromised. I know this will be a series and the ending did make it seem like the next one will continue. I am not sure at this point if I will continue but perhaps I will give it a go.
I really like the creative liberties that Liselle does and all her books are so different. I would love to see what she could do in the adult space. I think she could really write the heck out of an adult horror book - maybe one day!
I paired my reading with the audio and Angel Pean was stellar! I always enjoy the books she narrator. Her tone is very relaxing and makes the listening very easy.
August 2, 2025
Liselle Sambury's latest novel delivers a refreshing and incisive exploration of power, control, and identity within the framework of dark academia fantasy. A Mastery of Monsters follows August Black as she infiltrates a secret society to find her missing brother Jules, only to discover a world where monsters are real and those who claim to master them wield dangerous influence.
The Heart of the Story: August's Unflinching Journey
August Black emerges as a protagonist who refuses to be contained by anyone's expectations. Her voice carries the sharp wit and defensive cynicism of someone who has learned to protect herself through attitude and distance. When her brother disappears from Queen's University, August's investigation leads her into partnership with Virgil Hawthorne, a shapeshifter desperately seeking a "Master" to help him control his monstrous nature.
The partnership between August and Virgil forms the emotional core of the novel. Sambury skillfully develops their relationship from reluctant alliance to genuine partnership, avoiding easy romantic resolutions in favor of deeper questions about autonomy, loyalty, and what it means to truly know someone. August's fierce protectiveness and Virgil's quiet strength create a dynamic that feels both inevitable and hard-earned.
Monsters as Metaphor: The Society's Dark Truth
The Learners' Society operates as both literal organization and powerful metaphor for systems that promise protection while demanding submission. Sambury's world-building reveals a complex hierarchy where "monsters" must find human "Masters" to avoid losing their humanity entirely. This premise becomes increasingly unsettling as the novel progresses, raising uncomfortable questions about who truly holds power and who benefits from these arrangements.
The society's structure mirrors real-world institutions that perpetuate inequality while claiming noble purposes. The competition August enters ostensibly determines who deserves the privilege of partnership, but the process itself reveals the arbitrary nature of institutional power and the ways marginalized individuals are forced to compete for basic dignity.
Political Intrigue and Character Development
Sambury excels at weaving political complexity throughout the narrative without overwhelming the character-driven plot. The various factions within the society - Progressives, Traditionalists, Pro-Libs, and Scientists - each represent different approaches to the "monster problem," but none emerge as entirely virtuous. This nuanced portrayal prevents the novel from falling into simplistic good-versus-evil dynamics.
The revelation about August's brother Jules provides genuine shock while maintaining narrative logic. His transformation from protective older brother to unwilling monster forces both August and readers to confront the arbitrary nature of who becomes victim versus perpetrator within oppressive systems.
Sambury's Sharp Writing Style
The author's prose carries August's voice with remarkable consistency, blending teenage skepticism with genuine emotional vulnerability. Sambury has a particular talent for dialogue that reveals character - August's defensive quips, Virgil's careful politeness, and the various authority figures' coded language all feel authentic and purposeful.
The action sequences maintain clarity and momentum without sacrificing character development. The competition scenes, particularly the maze challenge and monster affinity tests, serve as more than mere plot devices - they reveal character motivations and force relationships to evolve under pressure.
Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to provide easy answers. The society's claims about an approaching apocalypse remain ambiguous, forcing readers to question institutional narratives while acknowledging genuine threats. Sambury skillfully balances skepticism with the need for some form of collective action.
However, certain plot revelations feel slightly rushed in the final act. The truth about Bernie's manipulations and the broader conspiracy could have benefited from additional development earlier in the narrative. Additionally, some secondary characters, particularly within the various factions, occasionally blur together despite their different political positions.
Dark Academia Done Right
Unlike many dark academia novels that rely primarily on aesthetic atmosphere, A Mastery of Monsters grounds its academic setting in genuine institutional critique. Queen's University becomes more than backdrop - it represents the ways educational institutions can simultaneously offer opportunity and perpetuate exclusion.
The novel's exploration of who gets to attend university, under what conditions, and at what cost adds contemporary relevance to the fantasy elements. Virgil's dependence on August for basic educational access highlights how institutional barriers affect real lives in immediate ways.
Final Verdict
A Mastery of Monsters succeeds as both thrilling fantasy adventure and thoughtful examination of power structures. Sambury has crafted a novel that entertains while challenging readers to consider their own relationships with institutions that claim to protect while demanding submission.
The book establishes compelling groundwork for future installments while providing satisfying resolution to August's immediate journey. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the best fantasy literature can interrogate real-world problems through imaginative frameworks that make familiar issues visible in new ways.
This is dark academia that bites back against its own genre conventions, offering genuine political insight alongside supernatural thrills. Sambury continues to establish herself as a voice worth following in contemporary fantasy literature.
The Heart of the Story: August's Unflinching Journey
August Black emerges as a protagonist who refuses to be contained by anyone's expectations. Her voice carries the sharp wit and defensive cynicism of someone who has learned to protect herself through attitude and distance. When her brother disappears from Queen's University, August's investigation leads her into partnership with Virgil Hawthorne, a shapeshifter desperately seeking a "Master" to help him control his monstrous nature.
The partnership between August and Virgil forms the emotional core of the novel. Sambury skillfully develops their relationship from reluctant alliance to genuine partnership, avoiding easy romantic resolutions in favor of deeper questions about autonomy, loyalty, and what it means to truly know someone. August's fierce protectiveness and Virgil's quiet strength create a dynamic that feels both inevitable and hard-earned.
Monsters as Metaphor: The Society's Dark Truth
The Learners' Society operates as both literal organization and powerful metaphor for systems that promise protection while demanding submission. Sambury's world-building reveals a complex hierarchy where "monsters" must find human "Masters" to avoid losing their humanity entirely. This premise becomes increasingly unsettling as the novel progresses, raising uncomfortable questions about who truly holds power and who benefits from these arrangements.
The society's structure mirrors real-world institutions that perpetuate inequality while claiming noble purposes. The competition August enters ostensibly determines who deserves the privilege of partnership, but the process itself reveals the arbitrary nature of institutional power and the ways marginalized individuals are forced to compete for basic dignity.
Political Intrigue and Character Development
Sambury excels at weaving political complexity throughout the narrative without overwhelming the character-driven plot. The various factions within the society - Progressives, Traditionalists, Pro-Libs, and Scientists - each represent different approaches to the "monster problem," but none emerge as entirely virtuous. This nuanced portrayal prevents the novel from falling into simplistic good-versus-evil dynamics.
The revelation about August's brother Jules provides genuine shock while maintaining narrative logic. His transformation from protective older brother to unwilling monster forces both August and readers to confront the arbitrary nature of who becomes victim versus perpetrator within oppressive systems.
Sambury's Sharp Writing Style
The author's prose carries August's voice with remarkable consistency, blending teenage skepticism with genuine emotional vulnerability. Sambury has a particular talent for dialogue that reveals character - August's defensive quips, Virgil's careful politeness, and the various authority figures' coded language all feel authentic and purposeful.
The action sequences maintain clarity and momentum without sacrificing character development. The competition scenes, particularly the maze challenge and monster affinity tests, serve as more than mere plot devices - they reveal character motivations and force relationships to evolve under pressure.
Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
The novel's greatest strength lies in its refusal to provide easy answers. The society's claims about an approaching apocalypse remain ambiguous, forcing readers to question institutional narratives while acknowledging genuine threats. Sambury skillfully balances skepticism with the need for some form of collective action.
However, certain plot revelations feel slightly rushed in the final act. The truth about Bernie's manipulations and the broader conspiracy could have benefited from additional development earlier in the narrative. Additionally, some secondary characters, particularly within the various factions, occasionally blur together despite their different political positions.
Dark Academia Done Right
Unlike many dark academia novels that rely primarily on aesthetic atmosphere, A Mastery of Monsters grounds its academic setting in genuine institutional critique. Queen's University becomes more than backdrop - it represents the ways educational institutions can simultaneously offer opportunity and perpetuate exclusion.
The novel's exploration of who gets to attend university, under what conditions, and at what cost adds contemporary relevance to the fantasy elements. Virgil's dependence on August for basic educational access highlights how institutional barriers affect real lives in immediate ways.
Final Verdict
A Mastery of Monsters succeeds as both thrilling fantasy adventure and thoughtful examination of power structures. Sambury has crafted a novel that entertains while challenging readers to consider their own relationships with institutions that claim to protect while demanding submission.
The book establishes compelling groundwork for future installments while providing satisfying resolution to August's immediate journey. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the best fantasy literature can interrogate real-world problems through imaginative frameworks that make familiar issues visible in new ways.
This is dark academia that bites back against its own genre conventions, offering genuine political insight alongside supernatural thrills. Sambury continues to establish herself as a voice worth following in contemporary fantasy literature.
dnf
July 23, 2025DNF @11%
This book was too long to start out so boring. I immediately didn’t like the main character because teen partying (like excessive to the point of not remembering the night afterwards) doesn’t interest me. Also, a character with an extremely bleak backstory and no friends doesn’t interest me. Not my type of book.
This book was too long to start out so boring. I immediately didn’t like the main character because teen partying (like excessive to the point of not remembering the night afterwards) doesn’t interest me. Also, a character with an extremely bleak backstory and no friends doesn’t interest me. Not my type of book.
July 27, 2025
Special thanks to the author & @simonteen #SimonTeenInfluencer for my gifted finished copy‼️
Let me just say I love Liselle Sambury so if she writes it I’m reading it. Book 1 of the Mastery of Monsters Trilogy brings readers a slow-burning dark academia fantasy novel filled with secrets, flesh-eating monsters, deadly attacks, missing people, found family, and a secret society skilled in mastering monsters to help during the apocalypse.
This initially started out super slow for me. I didn’t really get into the book until I was over 40-50% in. There was a lot of world building, learning about the society, and the history behind the monster mutations. At times this became a little overwhelming but it’s all important to the plot. There were also quite a few characters to keep track of which I didn’t like. But I loved the map we’re given in the beginning of the book that helps you easily visualize where everything is on and around the campus.
I love how the monsters were given this shapeshifting ability to appear as human until something triggers them to flip form. You could literally be standing next to one and not know it. But all monsters aren’t as bad as they seem. Watching Virgil and August’s friendship grow proved that. They had to build a sense of trust in order to work together and the more they learned from each other the stronger their monster/master bond would be. And although August had different intentions for joining the society Virgil was still willing to help find her brother even if that meant he’d be betrayed in the process. I also thought their ranking classifications were cool with the Bachelor and Master status.
Overall, I enjoyed this one the last 30% was the most action-packed. But the author gives us well-drawn characters, a bloody competition, a vengeful rivalry, sabotage, a chain of masters gone rogue, cannibalism, and some supernatural elements with a bit of suspense and mystery. If you’re a fan of the Legendborn series you might enjoy this book‼️
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Let me just say I love Liselle Sambury so if she writes it I’m reading it. Book 1 of the Mastery of Monsters Trilogy brings readers a slow-burning dark academia fantasy novel filled with secrets, flesh-eating monsters, deadly attacks, missing people, found family, and a secret society skilled in mastering monsters to help during the apocalypse.
This initially started out super slow for me. I didn’t really get into the book until I was over 40-50% in. There was a lot of world building, learning about the society, and the history behind the monster mutations. At times this became a little overwhelming but it’s all important to the plot. There were also quite a few characters to keep track of which I didn’t like. But I loved the map we’re given in the beginning of the book that helps you easily visualize where everything is on and around the campus.
I love how the monsters were given this shapeshifting ability to appear as human until something triggers them to flip form. You could literally be standing next to one and not know it. But all monsters aren’t as bad as they seem. Watching Virgil and August’s friendship grow proved that. They had to build a sense of trust in order to work together and the more they learned from each other the stronger their monster/master bond would be. And although August had different intentions for joining the society Virgil was still willing to help find her brother even if that meant he’d be betrayed in the process. I also thought their ranking classifications were cool with the Bachelor and Master status.
Overall, I enjoyed this one the last 30% was the most action-packed. But the author gives us well-drawn characters, a bloody competition, a vengeful rivalry, sabotage, a chain of masters gone rogue, cannibalism, and some supernatural elements with a bit of suspense and mystery. If you’re a fan of the Legendborn series you might enjoy this book‼️
Rating: 3.5⭐️
July 28, 2025
Thank you @simonteen @simon.audio #partner for the gifted copies of this book!
Dark academia and monsters? Say whaaaaa?! 🖤 A Mastery of Monsters delivered on the this highly tense and wild adventure that I did not want to put down. Did I mention there are Monsters?! Muahahahaha. Loved them! The creatures were so well done and honestly one of my favorites part of the whole book.
This one is a bit of a chonker (be prepared!), and while I do think it could’ve been trimmed down just a touch, the ride was still totally worth it. The concept was super cool...characters paired with monsters to train for the actual apocalypse? Mind blown. And no one was better suited for the lead than August. I found her extremely relatable with how she handled the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. No one wants to lose their mama! She definitely had a lot of pressure and weight on her shoulders but handled it all like a champ.
Watching August grow throughout the book was really satisfying. She didn’t always make the choices I would’ve (which made her feel real!), but her badassery felt earned and strong. And let’s talk about VIRGIL. 🥹 What a honey bear. I just adored all of his sweetness.
My only small gripe was the world-building. It was creative and immersive but felt a bit too heavy for me. Two different societies and a large cast meant I had to keep a few notes early on to keep everything straight. But once I got into the groove, it was worth the extra brainpower. Wee! I enjoyed the audiobook too because it pulled me into the story and really brought the world alive.
If you’re into atmospheric YA fantasy with monstrous twists, layered characters, and an end-of-the-world backdrop, this one should be on your list. 👏
Dark academia and monsters? Say whaaaaa?! 🖤 A Mastery of Monsters delivered on the this highly tense and wild adventure that I did not want to put down. Did I mention there are Monsters?! Muahahahaha. Loved them! The creatures were so well done and honestly one of my favorites part of the whole book.
This one is a bit of a chonker (be prepared!), and while I do think it could’ve been trimmed down just a touch, the ride was still totally worth it. The concept was super cool...characters paired with monsters to train for the actual apocalypse? Mind blown. And no one was better suited for the lead than August. I found her extremely relatable with how she handled the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. No one wants to lose their mama! She definitely had a lot of pressure and weight on her shoulders but handled it all like a champ.
Watching August grow throughout the book was really satisfying. She didn’t always make the choices I would’ve (which made her feel real!), but her badassery felt earned and strong. And let’s talk about VIRGIL. 🥹 What a honey bear. I just adored all of his sweetness.
My only small gripe was the world-building. It was creative and immersive but felt a bit too heavy for me. Two different societies and a large cast meant I had to keep a few notes early on to keep everything straight. But once I got into the groove, it was worth the extra brainpower. Wee! I enjoyed the audiobook too because it pulled me into the story and really brought the world alive.
If you’re into atmospheric YA fantasy with monstrous twists, layered characters, and an end-of-the-world backdrop, this one should be on your list. 👏
May 4, 2025
Simply delightful.
Currently reading
March 7, 2025Aside from the fact that this book sounds amazing it’s also for fans of Ninth House? And Legendborn?? Sign me up!
August 17, 2025
“People loved me more when I hated myself.”
I’m so obsessed with this book. It takes a cold hard look at the world and calls it out while also being a spectacular fantasy.
It’s the best book I’ve read in a while and waiting for book 2 is going to be excruciating.
I’m so obsessed with this book. It takes a cold hard look at the world and calls it out while also being a spectacular fantasy.
It’s the best book I’ve read in a while and waiting for book 2 is going to be excruciating.
May 20, 2025
Terrifying monsters, dark academia, and a secret society.
August’s brother disappears, and the only person willing to help find him is Virgil, who happens to be a monster of your worst nightmare. He introduces her to the Mastery of Monsters, a society that matches people who act as masters that can control a monster’s transformation. To become a master, you must compete in several life-threatening challenges to be deemed worthy of the task. August soon discovers this society is more complicated and sinister than she could ever have imagined.
I recommend this book for fantasy readers and young adults. Young adults will relate to August; she is battling several issues, including people-pleasing, mental health, and racism. August is struggling with family issues, including the absence of her mother and brother, as well as estrangement from her father. The Mastery of Monsters is an elaborate society with a complex history and a precise way of becoming a master. Monsters must match with a master to try to achieve a normal life instead of living underground.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
August’s brother disappears, and the only person willing to help find him is Virgil, who happens to be a monster of your worst nightmare. He introduces her to the Mastery of Monsters, a society that matches people who act as masters that can control a monster’s transformation. To become a master, you must compete in several life-threatening challenges to be deemed worthy of the task. August soon discovers this society is more complicated and sinister than she could ever have imagined.
I recommend this book for fantasy readers and young adults. Young adults will relate to August; she is battling several issues, including people-pleasing, mental health, and racism. August is struggling with family issues, including the absence of her mother and brother, as well as estrangement from her father. The Mastery of Monsters is an elaborate society with a complex history and a precise way of becoming a master. Monsters must match with a master to try to achieve a normal life instead of living underground.
Thank you Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2025
Delicious Monster✔️
Tender Beast✔️
A Mastery of Monsters✔️
Everything I’ve read by @lisellesambury has been 4 stars or more and A Mastery of Monsters shows she continues to deliver the best monster reads!
A Mastery of Monsters was a magical ride that pulled me in from the very first page. August Black will do anything to find her missing brother, including joining a secret society where you’re bonded to a literal monster 😳
That’s how she ends up linked to Virgil: perfectly polished, a rule-follower… and a monster himself. August agrees to compete for the chance to bond with him and maybe save them both.
While this was a thick one, I finished it up as quick as life would allow. Like most fantasy reads this book consisted of ALOT of world building and the structure of the society. While it was a bit much to keep up with at times, it didn’t take away from the story and was explained easily.The action, tension, and layered politics had me hooked!
August is one of those main characters that’s hard to love but impossible not to root for. And Virgil? Soft, sweet, and heartbreaking….I’d protect him at all costs.
The battles and trials gave Hunger Games energy and were definitely my favorite part. Action packed and intense!
My only complaint? 592 pages and that ending?!?! I wasn’t ready😮💨
📚 Add this to your TBR if you’re into:
🖤 Black academia
🧌 Monsters with feelings
🪄 Magical realism
⚔️ High-stakes trials
🌈 🦿Inclusive rep
💗 Slow burn romance
🔍 Secrets, lies & conspiracies
Publication Date: July 29t
Tender Beast✔️
A Mastery of Monsters✔️
Everything I’ve read by @lisellesambury has been 4 stars or more and A Mastery of Monsters shows she continues to deliver the best monster reads!
A Mastery of Monsters was a magical ride that pulled me in from the very first page. August Black will do anything to find her missing brother, including joining a secret society where you’re bonded to a literal monster 😳
That’s how she ends up linked to Virgil: perfectly polished, a rule-follower… and a monster himself. August agrees to compete for the chance to bond with him and maybe save them both.
While this was a thick one, I finished it up as quick as life would allow. Like most fantasy reads this book consisted of ALOT of world building and the structure of the society. While it was a bit much to keep up with at times, it didn’t take away from the story and was explained easily.The action, tension, and layered politics had me hooked!
August is one of those main characters that’s hard to love but impossible not to root for. And Virgil? Soft, sweet, and heartbreaking….I’d protect him at all costs.
The battles and trials gave Hunger Games energy and were definitely my favorite part. Action packed and intense!
My only complaint? 592 pages and that ending?!?! I wasn’t ready😮💨
📚 Add this to your TBR if you’re into:
🖤 Black academia
🧌 Monsters with feelings
🪄 Magical realism
⚔️ High-stakes trials
🌈 🦿Inclusive rep
💗 Slow burn romance
🔍 Secrets, lies & conspiracies
Publication Date: July 29t
June 15, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
In this book:
✨️ dark academia vibes
✨️ forced proximity (or maybe better description is "bonded pair")
✨️ political scheming
✨️ high stakes trails (think hunger games)
✨️ magical realism elements
Wheeewwwww, where do I even begin? A Mastery of Monsters centers around a secret society whose goal is to pair "monsters" (people with a genetic mutation that literally turn into terrifying monsters) with "masters" (people bonded to a monster that allows said monsters to keep their humanity). Sounds simple right? NOPE! This story had so many layers, twists, and additions.
Things I enjoyed:
- August is THAT girl lol she had me giggling and rooting for her almost the entire book. There was a second in the middle where I wanted to shake her and ask wtf she was doing buuutttt she got it together and I really do see her choices as part of her character arc/growth. I found myself liking August for the same reasons Virgil said he did: she says what she wants when she wants and does what she wants. As a black mid/plus size woman in society there's always pressure to do/be something "more acceptable" and August was having NONE of that 🙌🏽
- Virgil is a cute little (actually v muscular) teddy bear. We love him- I will be accepting no Virgil slander 😤
- The world building was dense (this I found to be good + bad, more mentioned below), because August was new to this entire world the reader did get the benefit of learning along with her.
- In my opinion the society (and this story overall) is in part a commentary on society. The author tackled big topics like sexism, structural racism, fat phobia, people pleasing, micro/macro-aggressions etc. It was refreshing to see honestly, there is sooo much to unpack here. Some reviews have said that too many hard topics were addressed but in my opinion August is a black woman in academia- the amount of hard topics she faces is spot on lol (except the monsters of course)
Things I didnt like:
- The world was dense!! The down side of this is it was easy to get lost. There was A LOT going on here. 2 main societies both with many factions, several key "main characters" to keep track of and a few side characters whose back story was also important. There's the plot of saving Virgil but also the mystery of her mom + brother. AND there's significant time devoted to poking holes in the society to get the reader and August to critically think (I actually enjoyed this part, but just stating that there was a lot going on lol)
- this book was 600 pages, while I dont necessarily have an issue with the length because I do see how all the pieces were necessary to the story, I did spend the first 30-40% lowkey confused lol there was a lot of dialogue info dumping in the beginning thag at times made it difficukt. I kept going back to make sure I understood the magic/science foundation, who the characters were and political leanings. What i do have an issue with is after 600 pages Im still not sure I completely understand the magic system + society- but maybe thats purposeful?
- I wish there was a glossary to help keep some of the characters and factions straight.
- I NEED MORE ANSWERS! Im sad I have to wait for book 2 lol
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review
In this book:
✨️ dark academia vibes
✨️ forced proximity (or maybe better description is "bonded pair")
✨️ political scheming
✨️ high stakes trails (think hunger games)
✨️ magical realism elements
Wheeewwwww, where do I even begin? A Mastery of Monsters centers around a secret society whose goal is to pair "monsters" (people with a genetic mutation that literally turn into terrifying monsters) with "masters" (people bonded to a monster that allows said monsters to keep their humanity). Sounds simple right? NOPE! This story had so many layers, twists, and additions.
Things I enjoyed:
- August is THAT girl lol she had me giggling and rooting for her almost the entire book. There was a second in the middle where I wanted to shake her and ask wtf she was doing buuutttt she got it together and I really do see her choices as part of her character arc/growth. I found myself liking August for the same reasons Virgil said he did: she says what she wants when she wants and does what she wants. As a black mid/plus size woman in society there's always pressure to do/be something "more acceptable" and August was having NONE of that 🙌🏽
- Virgil is a cute little (actually v muscular) teddy bear. We love him- I will be accepting no Virgil slander 😤
- The world building was dense (this I found to be good + bad, more mentioned below), because August was new to this entire world the reader did get the benefit of learning along with her.
- In my opinion the society (and this story overall) is in part a commentary on society. The author tackled big topics like sexism, structural racism, fat phobia, people pleasing, micro/macro-aggressions etc. It was refreshing to see honestly, there is sooo much to unpack here. Some reviews have said that too many hard topics were addressed but in my opinion August is a black woman in academia- the amount of hard topics she faces is spot on lol (except the monsters of course)
Things I didnt like:
- The world was dense!! The down side of this is it was easy to get lost. There was A LOT going on here. 2 main societies both with many factions, several key "main characters" to keep track of and a few side characters whose back story was also important. There's the plot of saving Virgil but also the mystery of her mom + brother. AND there's significant time devoted to poking holes in the society to get the reader and August to critically think (I actually enjoyed this part, but just stating that there was a lot going on lol)
- this book was 600 pages, while I dont necessarily have an issue with the length because I do see how all the pieces were necessary to the story, I did spend the first 30-40% lowkey confused lol there was a lot of dialogue info dumping in the beginning thag at times made it difficukt. I kept going back to make sure I understood the magic/science foundation, who the characters were and political leanings. What i do have an issue with is after 600 pages Im still not sure I completely understand the magic system + society- but maybe thats purposeful?
- I wish there was a glossary to help keep some of the characters and factions straight.
- I NEED MORE ANSWERS! Im sad I have to wait for book 2 lol
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review
June 9, 2025
I admit this took me a few chapters before I was fully drawn in, but once I was, I couldn’t put the book down. Liselle Sambury creates a fantasy world that’s so rich, descriptive, and fully realized that it’s easy to immerse yourself in the story. There’s so many levels to the plot, that just when you think you’ve got it figured out there’s a pivot. What remains consistent throughout though, is our main FMC, August. Don’t get me wrong, she experiences growth and in ways is fundamentally changed by the end of the story, but she’s our anchor. Her tenacity, intelligence, and willingness to fight for what she cares about never change.
At the beginning of the novel August is broken. Her mother has disappeared, her father has pulled away in his grief, she’s thrust upon an aunt she doesn’t know, and the brother she’s close to is off at college. August is adrift in life, no longer sure of her purpose in the world is, until her brother too disappears leaving behind a cryptic note of warning. This is where our story truly begins, when August finds her purpose, which is to ultimately find her brother. To do this she must partner with our MMC Virgil, who introduces August to the world of the campus secret society. Monsters are real, and in order to get the information she needs to save her brother, August will have to help Virgil and join the society.
When I say there’s multiple levels going on, I mean there are warring factions within the society, politics surrounding a tense election to choose a new society leader, and a Black Students Club on campus that may be more than what it appears. And did I mention Monsters are real?! August has to navigate all of this from the place of someone who doesn’t want to form connections, but who reluctantly concedes she may need them. While the main story is about August trying to find her brother, it’s also about August finding herself, finding a found family who give her permission to make those connections she formerly shunned.
There’s a sufficient resolution to the main plot as the story concludes, but there are so many intriguing plot lines left dangling that I can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC. Rating: 4.5⭐️
At the beginning of the novel August is broken. Her mother has disappeared, her father has pulled away in his grief, she’s thrust upon an aunt she doesn’t know, and the brother she’s close to is off at college. August is adrift in life, no longer sure of her purpose in the world is, until her brother too disappears leaving behind a cryptic note of warning. This is where our story truly begins, when August finds her purpose, which is to ultimately find her brother. To do this she must partner with our MMC Virgil, who introduces August to the world of the campus secret society. Monsters are real, and in order to get the information she needs to save her brother, August will have to help Virgil and join the society.
When I say there’s multiple levels going on, I mean there are warring factions within the society, politics surrounding a tense election to choose a new society leader, and a Black Students Club on campus that may be more than what it appears. And did I mention Monsters are real?! August has to navigate all of this from the place of someone who doesn’t want to form connections, but who reluctantly concedes she may need them. While the main story is about August trying to find her brother, it’s also about August finding herself, finding a found family who give her permission to make those connections she formerly shunned.
There’s a sufficient resolution to the main plot as the story concludes, but there are so many intriguing plot lines left dangling that I can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC. Rating: 4.5⭐️
July 17, 2025
Liselle Sambury returns with another well-crafted story in a rich, dark academia fantasy.
I always enjoy Sambury's work, and this time around was no different. A Mastery of Monsters weaves a tale of secret societies and monsters, full of twists and turns, politics rife with bias with secret agendas, and a young Black woman trying to fight against a system determined to chew her up and spit her out, no matter the cost.
August Black was an incredible main character; she is determined, true to herself, and loyal, while also still a messy young adult. I loved seeing her growth as a character throughout the story; her arc was well thought out, and spoke well to her true self. She went from being the expectation of perfect, exceptional Black daughter to the young woman full of rage, passion, and love, finally able to express herself and not hide away from those who care about her most.
And Virgil! Ugh, the cuteness aggression with him was real. I adore him and his heart and personality, and I think he's the perfect match for August in every way. I cannot wait to see him fully in action in the next book!
The worldbuilding and lore, while heavy handed at times, was done well, in my opinion. It felt like I was right alongside August, learning everything at the same pace and my brain scrambling to keep up and remember everything. It added a lot to the reading experience for me!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am on the edge of my seat for book 2!
I always enjoy Sambury's work, and this time around was no different. A Mastery of Monsters weaves a tale of secret societies and monsters, full of twists and turns, politics rife with bias with secret agendas, and a young Black woman trying to fight against a system determined to chew her up and spit her out, no matter the cost.
August Black was an incredible main character; she is determined, true to herself, and loyal, while also still a messy young adult. I loved seeing her growth as a character throughout the story; her arc was well thought out, and spoke well to her true self. She went from being the expectation of perfect, exceptional Black daughter to the young woman full of rage, passion, and love, finally able to express herself and not hide away from those who care about her most.
And Virgil! Ugh, the cuteness aggression with him was real. I adore him and his heart and personality, and I think he's the perfect match for August in every way. I cannot wait to see him fully in action in the next book!
The worldbuilding and lore, while heavy handed at times, was done well, in my opinion. It felt like I was right alongside August, learning everything at the same pace and my brain scrambling to keep up and remember everything. It added a lot to the reading experience for me!
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am on the edge of my seat for book 2!
August 11, 2025
I've loved Liselle Sambury's other books so when I found out she'd be writing a dark academia book I was hyped. But unfortunately this really didn't work for me.
The Characters:
While there was a lot of complexity in the backstories and family legacies and Blackness of the characters, they felt very simplified and caricature. He's afraid of being a monster and willing to sell himself to master/slave servitude dynamics; she's angry about her missing mom and their messy history and (non-explicit) anorexia. But everything about that is kept to essentially just the surface level I just stated, rather than plumbing the nuance and depth that's clearly available.
The Academia?:
She's accepted to this school and people keep tabs on her a little bit so she knows she can't skip classes... but I think that's it? And honestly I don't even remember the school aspects being mentioned much after that. She can't slack off and has to train, but almost all the training we see is with her friends in private, and all the slacking off we know about is just her narration but nothing we're privvy to.
I actually forgot until I saw the synopsis just now before writing my review that this was supposed to be a dark academia. It has no atmosphere, no intellectualism, and the only curiosity I felt about exploring topics (from the culture to the history to the clear propaganda to the serum to how all the magic works) was my own. Most of the MC's "investigating" her missing family members, even, just boils down to finding this one chick and hanging out with her. Even after finding out myseries and damning information, the only lurking and eavesdropping she does is related to finding out her standing in the competition.
The Games:
Yes, she's an underdog. Yes, the games are rigged. Yes, there's one dude who inexplicably has a target painted specifically on her back and is like a dog with a bone.
These are the YA staples and I found them really tiring. For as untrained and new as she is, she shouldn't feel like the top of the class. Even when they purposefully set her up for failure, she still comes out on top. And never interrogates why she's so well-suited to what's being tested.
There's basically a single non-physical contest (vaguely related to the society's history) and not only is the reader unable to solve it at that point (due to a lack of world-building) but it's really unsatisfying to learn that there was no solution, it just mattered that the kids developed a system and stuck to it, not what that system was.
The Secret Societies:
I think these organizations were introduced and intentionally kept vague so there was stuff to explore in the sequels, but it really felt so under-baked as to lose all of my intrigue. Clearly there are at least two conflicting histories being told, but the main character doens't get further than pointing that out.
The Writing:
The world-building was probably the most inelegant piece of this book as it was delivered through lengthy exposition via dialogue. But also, for as much as characters seemed to yap on and on about it, I still know and care so little.
Monsters are a mutation of patient zero, monsters are passed down in families, monsters are meticulously tracked by the societies, monsters can exist in the wild outside of the families, monsters are unknown to the societies, monsters are born not made, monsters come from being bitten by other monsters, the society exists to train monsters for the coming prophecied war as tools, the society kills monsters, etc etc etc.
The world-building is messy and often contradictory and never felt tangible to me.
Funny side note: at the end -for reasons- the main character is all monologuing in her narration about how she's gonna train so hard and get so good that she can be a master of 2 monsters at the same time-- something rarely done and only by the tippy top. But then this chick she barely knows and has hardly interacted with comes by and is like nah, I'll bond to your family member you've known your whole life, you go ahead and eternally bond to this boy you've known a few weeks, even though it's literally standard practice for siblings to bond. Which immediatley renders her master of 2 monologuing moot.
Overall:
This book was fine, reading it was fine. But I don't think it lived up to its premise. I felt like things were stretched and not fleshed out so they could be in sequels and it messed with the flow of this first book that's meant to hook you.
The Characters:
While there was a lot of complexity in the backstories and family legacies and Blackness of the characters, they felt very simplified and caricature. He's afraid of being a monster and willing to sell himself to master/slave servitude dynamics; she's angry about her missing mom and their messy history and (non-explicit) anorexia. But everything about that is kept to essentially just the surface level I just stated, rather than plumbing the nuance and depth that's clearly available.
The Academia?:
She's accepted to this school and people keep tabs on her a little bit so she knows she can't skip classes... but I think that's it? And honestly I don't even remember the school aspects being mentioned much after that. She can't slack off and has to train, but almost all the training we see is with her friends in private, and all the slacking off we know about is just her narration but nothing we're privvy to.
I actually forgot until I saw the synopsis just now before writing my review that this was supposed to be a dark academia. It has no atmosphere, no intellectualism, and the only curiosity I felt about exploring topics (from the culture to the history to the clear propaganda to the serum to how all the magic works) was my own. Most of the MC's "investigating" her missing family members, even, just boils down to finding this one chick and hanging out with her. Even after finding out myseries and damning information, the only lurking and eavesdropping she does is related to finding out her standing in the competition.
The Games:
Yes, she's an underdog. Yes, the games are rigged. Yes, there's one dude who inexplicably has a target painted specifically on her back and is like a dog with a bone.
These are the YA staples and I found them really tiring. For as untrained and new as she is, she shouldn't feel like the top of the class. Even when they purposefully set her up for failure, she still comes out on top. And never interrogates why she's so well-suited to what's being tested.
There's basically a single non-physical contest (vaguely related to the society's history) and not only is the reader unable to solve it at that point (due to a lack of world-building) but it's really unsatisfying to learn that there was no solution, it just mattered that the kids developed a system and stuck to it, not what that system was.
The Secret Societies:
I think these organizations were introduced and intentionally kept vague so there was stuff to explore in the sequels, but it really felt so under-baked as to lose all of my intrigue. Clearly there are at least two conflicting histories being told, but the main character doens't get further than pointing that out.
The Writing:
The world-building was probably the most inelegant piece of this book as it was delivered through lengthy exposition via dialogue. But also, for as much as characters seemed to yap on and on about it, I still know and care so little.
Monsters are a mutation of patient zero, monsters are passed down in families, monsters are meticulously tracked by the societies, monsters can exist in the wild outside of the families, monsters are unknown to the societies, monsters are born not made, monsters come from being bitten by other monsters, the society exists to train monsters for the coming prophecied war as tools, the society kills monsters, etc etc etc.
The world-building is messy and often contradictory and never felt tangible to me.
Funny side note: at the end -for reasons- the main character is all monologuing in her narration about how she's gonna train so hard and get so good that she can be a master of 2 monsters at the same time-- something rarely done and only by the tippy top. But then this chick she barely knows and has hardly interacted with comes by and is like nah, I'll bond to your family member you've known your whole life, you go ahead and eternally bond to this boy you've known a few weeks, even though it's literally standard practice for siblings to bond. Which immediatley renders her master of 2 monologuing moot.
Overall:
This book was fine, reading it was fine. But I don't think it lived up to its premise. I felt like things were stretched and not fleshed out so they could be in sequels and it messed with the flow of this first book that's meant to hook you.
July 8, 2025
4⭐️
A secret society developed around pairing monsters with human masters who can control them in preparation for the apocalypse is a wild premise but I think A Mastery of Monsters did it right! August was such an interesting character. Watching her deal with the grief of her mother's disappearance, the fear over her brother's disappearance, and the stress of making it into the bachelor program was fascinating. I loved the growth she went through; she was repeatedly told she was selfish and never thought about anyone else and at the beginning of her partnership with Virgil she still was planning on betraying him. But watching how hard August fought to win in order to keep Virgil and the friends she'd made along the way was so heart warming. Virgil was also such a great character and I loved that he wasn't just willing to take the anger the members of the society threw at him because of his parents actions.
This book covered such deep topics and really showed that the secret society mirrored our society as a whole. Between the sexism, racism, micro/macro-aggressions, and fat phobia, The Learners' Society was ultimately another 'good 'ole boy's' club that is against change. This book being described as Ninth House meets Legendborn was a perfect comparison as August and Co. try to force change.
I did think that the world building was a bit dense at times and made things hard to follow. The fact that there were two societies at the college with their own main characters and rules that end up overlapping was a lot. I appreciated the mystery behind August's mother's disappearance and how it related to her brother's disappearance but it took awhile to get to the point it was important to the main story. As the first book in a series, I think world building is often dense so I kind of expected it. Now I just have to wait for the second book because I need to know what happens next!
Thanks Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing this ARC to me!
A secret society developed around pairing monsters with human masters who can control them in preparation for the apocalypse is a wild premise but I think A Mastery of Monsters did it right! August was such an interesting character. Watching her deal with the grief of her mother's disappearance, the fear over her brother's disappearance, and the stress of making it into the bachelor program was fascinating. I loved the growth she went through; she was repeatedly told she was selfish and never thought about anyone else and at the beginning of her partnership with Virgil she still was planning on betraying him. But watching how hard August fought to win in order to keep Virgil and the friends she'd made along the way was so heart warming. Virgil was also such a great character and I loved that he wasn't just willing to take the anger the members of the society threw at him because of his parents actions.
This book covered such deep topics and really showed that the secret society mirrored our society as a whole. Between the sexism, racism, micro/macro-aggressions, and fat phobia, The Learners' Society was ultimately another 'good 'ole boy's' club that is against change. This book being described as Ninth House meets Legendborn was a perfect comparison as August and Co. try to force change.
I did think that the world building was a bit dense at times and made things hard to follow. The fact that there were two societies at the college with their own main characters and rules that end up overlapping was a lot. I appreciated the mystery behind August's mother's disappearance and how it related to her brother's disappearance but it took awhile to get to the point it was important to the main story. As the first book in a series, I think world building is often dense so I kind of expected it. Now I just have to wait for the second book because I need to know what happens next!
Thanks Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing this ARC to me!
July 28, 2025
3.75⭐️
“You can not achieve liberation, in a system of bondage”
August brother is missing, the circumstances around his disappearance are suspicious and she’ll do anything to find him! Virgil, is a monster, who needs to bond with a partner to prevent himself from fully converting and staying in his monster form. He sees August as the perfect candidate. To do this, she must attend school and infiltrate a secret society. She decides to team up with him in the hopes of finding more info on her brother. Virgil gets a partner to save himself, and she gets hopefully closer to finding her brother.
I enjoyed this read! I enjoyed the suspense of the high stakes competitions that August had to go through. This is described as Legendborn meets 9th house, and while I haven’t read Ninth House, I’ve read Legendborn and absolutely loved it. I can definitely confirm that this gives Legendborn vibes minus the powers, ether, etc. I loved the parallels between this book and real world issues. There are underlying themes of racism, classism, legacy, and even maybe shots at Big Pharma! I personally love books like this, read between the lines! There is mystery, suspense and a touch of budding romance. August initially wasnt a very likeable FMC but I was proud of her transformation.
The middle portion like 30-50% gets a little dense and slow, as it’s a lot of world building. Don’t give up! Push through and it starts to move fast and gets really action packed! I found myself flying through at the 70% mark! Book 1 in a series is always the build up/world building book. I’m looking forward to book 2! I’m also interested in the possible budding romance…
You’ll love this if you enjoy:
High stakes competition
Legendborn
Dark academia
Found family
Conspiracies
Corruption
Slow burn
“You can not achieve liberation, in a system of bondage”
August brother is missing, the circumstances around his disappearance are suspicious and she’ll do anything to find him! Virgil, is a monster, who needs to bond with a partner to prevent himself from fully converting and staying in his monster form. He sees August as the perfect candidate. To do this, she must attend school and infiltrate a secret society. She decides to team up with him in the hopes of finding more info on her brother. Virgil gets a partner to save himself, and she gets hopefully closer to finding her brother.
I enjoyed this read! I enjoyed the suspense of the high stakes competitions that August had to go through. This is described as Legendborn meets 9th house, and while I haven’t read Ninth House, I’ve read Legendborn and absolutely loved it. I can definitely confirm that this gives Legendborn vibes minus the powers, ether, etc. I loved the parallels between this book and real world issues. There are underlying themes of racism, classism, legacy, and even maybe shots at Big Pharma! I personally love books like this, read between the lines! There is mystery, suspense and a touch of budding romance. August initially wasnt a very likeable FMC but I was proud of her transformation.
The middle portion like 30-50% gets a little dense and slow, as it’s a lot of world building. Don’t give up! Push through and it starts to move fast and gets really action packed! I found myself flying through at the 70% mark! Book 1 in a series is always the build up/world building book. I’m looking forward to book 2! I’m also interested in the possible budding romance…
You’ll love this if you enjoy:
High stakes competition
Legendborn
Dark academia
Found family
Conspiracies
Corruption
Slow burn
August 18, 2025
This was a captivating story that had me invested from page one.
August’s character felt so real, her relatability was off the charts. She’s a late teen (young adult) that doesn’t know her role in the world, but does know that she no longer wants to live for someone else. After her mom goes missing, right after an argument, August is gutted. Her mother is missing and the police have closed the case. She decides that she is fed up with the expectations that have been placed on her and is going to live life as she chooses, which is apparently no longer going off to University, getting a part-time job, binge drinking and dancing her way through clubs. After a student is killed and her brother goes missing, August is thrust into a world of secret societies, University classes, and monsters. The reader is taken on a wild ride of training exercises, brutal competition, and navigation through class and race discrimination. There are so many themes explored in this book, along with many twists and turns that you won’t see coming, as well as intriguing characters. My only complaint is that is was a little on the long side, I felt that is could have been pared down a bit or that some of the revelations towards the end could have been pushed to the next instalment. However, do not let this deter you from reading this book, there is plenty to keep you engaged.
This is the perfect read going into the autumn’s spooky season, but also for those battling their own monsters. If you enjoy dark academia, then this is book would be a great choice.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honestly and my own.
August’s character felt so real, her relatability was off the charts. She’s a late teen (young adult) that doesn’t know her role in the world, but does know that she no longer wants to live for someone else. After her mom goes missing, right after an argument, August is gutted. Her mother is missing and the police have closed the case. She decides that she is fed up with the expectations that have been placed on her and is going to live life as she chooses, which is apparently no longer going off to University, getting a part-time job, binge drinking and dancing her way through clubs. After a student is killed and her brother goes missing, August is thrust into a world of secret societies, University classes, and monsters. The reader is taken on a wild ride of training exercises, brutal competition, and navigation through class and race discrimination. There are so many themes explored in this book, along with many twists and turns that you won’t see coming, as well as intriguing characters. My only complaint is that is was a little on the long side, I felt that is could have been pared down a bit or that some of the revelations towards the end could have been pushed to the next instalment. However, do not let this deter you from reading this book, there is plenty to keep you engaged.
This is the perfect read going into the autumn’s spooky season, but also for those battling their own monsters. If you enjoy dark academia, then this is book would be a great choice.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honestly and my own.
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