Here There Be Monsters by Josh Wright takes us on a thrilling journey through a world filled with vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, beastkins, frankensteins, and mummies, among other paranormal beings.
Table of Contents
Review
In his debut novel, Here There Be Monsters, Josh Wright weaves a titillating tale and teleports us to an alternate reality filled with werewolves, zombies, vampires, witches, shapeshifters, beastkins, and mummies, among other paranormal beings.
Centuries ago, a magical portal opened and heralded the arrival of the ferocious Thirteen. Magic infiltrated our world. Paranormals of all kinds began to appear. In the beginning, they were all under the spell of the Thirteen. A bitter war was waged between the paranormal and the humans. With the seeming defeat of the Thirteen, the paranormal gradually regained their senses. Yet, the bitter rivalry between them and the humans remained.
In the present day, the paranormal community is trying its best to live alongside humans. However, organizations like Refiner’s Fire and the Torch Bearers, helmed by Gideon Copeland-Roberts, are on a mission to widen the gap between the communities through their hate-mongering. Werewolf Lupe Herrera had to overcome a lot of obstacles to become a police captain in Prodigium, a city with a sizable paranormal population. Yet, with the increasing xenophobia, her position is tenuous. When a string of brutal murders takes place in the city, Lupe suspects a conspiracy, especially considering the fact that all the victims are paranormals. With no one to trust in her department, she turns to a private investigator named Mallory LeBlanc. After fighting countless battles, Mallory is weary of life. While investigating the murder of Jim Callahan, a werewolf, his paths cross with Bennu Anippe. Bennu has woken up as a mummy after centuries of being dead. Jim becomes her only friend in the new world. When he is killed, she swears to bring his murderer to justice. Bennu has her own share of secrets, many of which she herself is unaware of.
Why are only specific paranormals targeted in Prodigium? Is there a conspiracy underfoot? Will Mallory, Bennu, and Lupe be able to solve the murder mysteries? What will happen when the past comes back to haunt Mallory and Bennu? Will they be able to face their pasts and save the world?
The first book in the Out of the Shadows series, Here There Be Monsters is a hair-raising novel. I was so enmeshed in the story that I was on the edge of my seat till the very end. Josh Wright is undoubtedly a masterful storyteller. In his very first book, he creates a world that completely enthralls us. Though similar to our world, Wright’s world has its own distinct history and culture. I love how he seamlessly weaves fantastical elements with real facts of history. Also, I find it admirable how the plight of the paranormals echoes the racism, discrimination, and xenophobia still prevalent today.
Josh Wright has created incredibly relatable characters. Mallory LeBlanc has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is jaded and tired of living. He has made mistakes and learned from them. His gradual transformation into the warrior he once was is admirable. Bennu is an enigma. She has more powers than the average mummy. New to the world inhabited by paranormals, it is interesting to see her adapt. I loved the little insights into her past life in Egypt. I can’t wait to read more about her in the next book. Lupe Herrera is hardworking and honest. She gave up a lot to be the first female as well as paranormal police captain. Her perseverance showcases the struggles that women as well as people of color still have to go through in the real world. Though Jim had a small role, he won my heart. Similarly, Father Gareth left his mark on me. Theseus is a character who can easily be misunderstood. I love how Wright gives us his side of the story. Having said that, I am still unsure whether or not to like him. Robert Hastings embodies the extremist leaders of today. Gideon Copeland-Roberts intrigued me the most. Throughout the story, I was trying to uncover his many layers. I have to say he is the one who surprised me even at the end.
Here There Be Monsters has many twists and turns. You never know what will come your way while reading the book. Nothing is predictable. The action sequences are beautifully written. Mallory, Bennu, and Lupe’s stint in Chiron’s Glenn is especially noteworthy.
Josh Wright makes sure to keep us glued to the very end. In fact, he presents us with a climax that keeps us hankering for the next book, Walk Like An Egyptian. I highly recommend Josh Wright’s Here There Be Monsters to fans of the fantasy genre. People who enjoy a well-crafted paranormal novel will love this book.
About the Author
Meet Josh Wright, a fourth-generation Oklahoman now settled in Piedmont, Oklahoma with his wife and two lively children. His mind is a treasure trove of superhero lore, movie trivia, and the whimsical world of Scooby Doo mysteries. Despite his self-confessed knack for misplacing everyday items around the house, Josh’s passion for storytelling and cinematic nuances shines through. He effortlessly turns mundane moments into memorable tales and bridges connections with his community through humor and genuine curiosity. Whether exploring superhero sagas or going into family adventures, Josh Wright infuses every day with creativity, laughter, and a touch of Oklahoma charm.
Book Details
- Title: Here There Be Monsters
- Author: Josh Wright
- Genre: Fantasy
- Theme: Supernatural, Action, Adventure, Magic, Suspense
- Publication Date: December 22, 2023
- ISBN or ASIN: B0CQV7HYJS
- Number of Pages: 361
- Minimum Audience Age: 12
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 2
- Religious themes: 1
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 3
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 2
- Other adult themes: 1
Rating
- Content: 5 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
- Uniqueness: 5 stars
- Editing: 4 stars
- Other factors: 5 stars
- Overall: 4.8 out of 5
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[…] post Editorial Review: “Here There Be Monsters” by Josh Wright appeared first on The Chrysalis BREW […]
Isn’t it sad that our first reaction to having awesome, paranormal creatures around us is xenophobia? Realistic, but so sad. I love the history and culture part! I’m sure the imagined history of these creatures is fascinating.