Never a Hero (Only a Monster, 2)

These Violent Delights meets This Savage Song in this sequel to the contemporary fantasy Only a Monster from Vanessa Len that New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber called "mind-bending, heart wrenching, and unputdownable!”

Despite all of the odds, Joan achieved the impossible. She reset the timeline, saved her family – and destroyed the hero, Nick.

But her success has come at a terrible cost.

She alone remembers what happened. Now, Aaron, her hard-won friend – and maybe more – is an enemy, trying to kill her. And Nick, the boy she loved, is a stranger who doesn’t even know her name. Only Joan remembers that a greater and more dangerous enemy is still out there.

When a deadly attack forces Joan back into the monster world, she finds herself on the run with Nick – as Aaron closes in.

Torn between love and family and monstrous choices, Joan must find a way to re-gather her old allies to face down the deadliest of enemies, and to save the timeline itself.

Vanessa Len’s stunning Only a Monster trilogy continues with this second instalment, a thrilling journey where a secret past threatens to unravel everyone's future. 

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Published Aug 29, 2023

528 pages

Average rating: 7.75

4 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

thatgaybookworm
May 29, 2025
10/10 stars
Disgusting. If I knew my heart was going to be tormented in such a cruel way, I would have never read the sequel to Len's beautiful series. (I'm lying of course, this was a melancholic heartbreak and I loved every second) So many twists I was constantly left in shock and devastation as to what may happen next. I love Joan's character development and how we witness her unyeilding mental strength through Len's descriptive and emotively moving writing style. I was gripped every second, unsure whether to cheer for victories or scream in betrayal. I don't want to spoil too much, so to summerise; if you enjoy supernatural, fated yet forbidden romance with constant needle-piercing heartbreak and lightning-fast plot twists that will have you yearning for more? Well, this book is perfect for you.
Luna Atmosphere
Aug 28, 2024
7/10 stars
Better than the first one! I still hate time travel! It always goes horribly wrong and it happened again. Something about timelines and stuff happening or never happening freaks me OUT. I liked this one more because I liked how it played with the consequences of the last book. I do not care for Nick, he’s just not my guy so it was kinda tough to get through alllll the Nick stuff. I’m definitely team Aaron, he’s my favorite. Loved learning more about him, I’m hoping for a win for him. Assuming this is a trilogy, so looking forward to the next one more than I was looking forward to this one. Pleasantly surprised tho.

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