The Monstrumologist (1)
A Printz Award Honor Book
“Horror lovers will be rapt.” —Publishers Weekly
An orphan apprenticed to a monster hunter reveals their “page-turning, nightmarish adventures” (Kirkus Reviews) in this first book of the diary-style, historical gothic Monstrumologist young adult series.
These are the secrets I have kept.
Will Henry, an orphan in nineteenth-century New England, works as the assistant to a doctor with a most unusual specialty: monster hunting. In the short time he has lived with the doctor, Will has grown accustomed to his late-night callers and dangerous business. But when one visitor comes with the body of a young girl and the monster that was eating her, Will’s world changes forever.
The doctor has discovered a baby Anthropophagus—a headless monster that feeds through a mouth in its chest—and it signals a growing number of Anthropophagi. Will and the doctor must face the horror threatening to overtake and consume the world…before it is too late.
“Horror lovers will be rapt.” —Publishers Weekly
An orphan apprenticed to a monster hunter reveals their “page-turning, nightmarish adventures” (Kirkus Reviews) in this first book of the diary-style, historical gothic Monstrumologist young adult series.
These are the secrets I have kept.
Will Henry, an orphan in nineteenth-century New England, works as the assistant to a doctor with a most unusual specialty: monster hunting. In the short time he has lived with the doctor, Will has grown accustomed to his late-night callers and dangerous business. But when one visitor comes with the body of a young girl and the monster that was eating her, Will’s world changes forever.
The doctor has discovered a baby Anthropophagus—a headless monster that feeds through a mouth in its chest—and it signals a growing number of Anthropophagi. Will and the doctor must face the horror threatening to overtake and consume the world…before it is too late.
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Community Reviews
Ugh, I loved this book.
Let's be clear, though. It satisfies several tastes I have: morbid curiosity, the Victorian gothic, and an expansive vocabulary.
I really did thoroughly enjoy this book.
It surrounds little Will Henry, a lad of twelve, and his master, Pellinore Warthrop, the Monstrumologist. One night, a mysterious corpse is brought in, Anthropophagi, and it leads them down a dark and twisting road of suspense, the supernatural, science, mystery, and deception. Particularly I loved the relationship between Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop, which was delightfully complicated.
This was a super gross book, though. There were many points where I would audibly gasp or exclaim over something horrific in my book, such as gouging out eyeballs or pulling feet off with boots. Yuck. Having said that, the gross factor actually intensified the enjoyment of the book. This book was quite creepy and the gross factor amped it up.
Personally, I listened to the Penny Dreadful soundtrack while I read most of this book, thoroughly freaking myself out. I don't know if I'll read the next one or not, but this one was certainly worth my time.
Let's be clear, though. It satisfies several tastes I have: morbid curiosity, the Victorian gothic, and an expansive vocabulary.
I really did thoroughly enjoy this book.
It surrounds little Will Henry, a lad of twelve, and his master, Pellinore Warthrop, the Monstrumologist. One night, a mysterious corpse is brought in, Anthropophagi, and it leads them down a dark and twisting road of suspense, the supernatural, science, mystery, and deception. Particularly I loved the relationship between Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop, which was delightfully complicated.
This was a super gross book, though. There were many points where I would audibly gasp or exclaim over something horrific in my book, such as gouging out eyeballs or pulling feet off with boots. Yuck. Having said that, the gross factor actually intensified the enjoyment of the book. This book was quite creepy and the gross factor amped it up.
Personally, I listened to the Penny Dreadful soundtrack while I read most of this book, thoroughly freaking myself out. I don't know if I'll read the next one or not, but this one was certainly worth my time.
I liked it and didn't so much. It's kind of gothic horror. It's kind of X-Files monster-y. It's fun, but perhaps bit overlong. And it is gross. I cannot overstate this: IT IS GROSS. If you like your story laced with sprays of blood, peeling flesh, oozing puss, unidentifiable body parts strewn about, and putrid smells all described in aching detail, this is a book for you. I like the premise. I like the characters. And I am intrigued enough to continue the series.
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