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The Monsters of Rookhaven #1
The Monsters of Rookhaven
'Humans, as is there wont, have a terrible habit of making a mess of everything.'
Mirabelle has always known she is a monster. When the glamour protecting her unusual family from the human world is torn and an orphaned brother and sister stumble upon Rookhaven, Mirabelle soon discovers that friendship can be found in the outside world.
But as something far more sinister comes to threaten them all, it quickly becomes clear that the true monsters aren't necessarily the ones you can see.
A thought-provoking, chilling and beautifully written novel, Pádraig Kenny's The Monsters of Rookhhaven, stunningly illustrated by Edward Bettison, explores difference and empathy through the eyes of characters you won't want to let go.
'Kenny is a thrilling writer and knows how to chill his readers' Telegraph
Mirabelle has always known she is a monster. When the glamour protecting her unusual family from the human world is torn and an orphaned brother and sister stumble upon Rookhaven, Mirabelle soon discovers that friendship can be found in the outside world.
But as something far more sinister comes to threaten them all, it quickly becomes clear that the true monsters aren't necessarily the ones you can see.
A thought-provoking, chilling and beautifully written novel, Pádraig Kenny's The Monsters of Rookhhaven, stunningly illustrated by Edward Bettison, explores difference and empathy through the eyes of characters you won't want to let go.
'Kenny is a thrilling writer and knows how to chill his readers' Telegraph
Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
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About the author
Pádraig Kenny
8 books137 followersPádraig Kenny is an Irish writer who hails from Newbridge in County Kildare.
His debut novel Tin was published in 2018 and was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. It has been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and several other awards.
His second novel Pog was published in April 2019 and was Independent Bookseller's Book of the Month.
His third novel The Monsters of Rookhaven was published in September 2020 by Pan Macmillan. It won the Honour Award for Fiction in the 2021 KPMG Children's Books Ireland awards and was Waterstones Children's Book of the Month in October 2021, and has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It has also been optioned by Dream Logic Studios with the intention of adapting it into an animated movie. The sequel, The Shadows of Rookhaven, was published in 2021. The Shadows of Rookhaven won the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Honour Award for Fiction in 2022.
His fifth novel "Stitch" was published by Walker Books in 2024. It was Times Children's Book of the Month in January 2024. This will be followed by a sixth novel in 2025.
His debut novel Tin was published in 2018 and was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. It has been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal and several other awards.
His second novel Pog was published in April 2019 and was Independent Bookseller's Book of the Month.
His third novel The Monsters of Rookhaven was published in September 2020 by Pan Macmillan. It won the Honour Award for Fiction in the 2021 KPMG Children's Books Ireland awards and was Waterstones Children's Book of the Month in October 2021, and has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It has also been optioned by Dream Logic Studios with the intention of adapting it into an animated movie. The sequel, The Shadows of Rookhaven, was published in 2021. The Shadows of Rookhaven won the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Honour Award for Fiction in 2022.
His fifth novel "Stitch" was published by Walker Books in 2024. It was Times Children's Book of the Month in January 2024. This will be followed by a sixth novel in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
October 14, 2020
I didn't truly understand what "deliciously dark" meant until I read this book, and for it being a middle grade, it was quite the monstrous treat.
Mirabelle is part of "The Family", a family of monsters that live at Rookhaven, a Manor that is closed off by a veil to the rest of the people. One day, a split in the veil allows two kids - Jem and Tom - to enter, opening their world up to "The Family". They all have much to learn from one another as the world of monsters and humans collide.
I didn't quite know what to expect from this going into it. I was really intrigued by the world of "The Family" and what they represent, and Mirabelle's growing friendship with Jem was a treat to read. There are also segments told from Piglet's perspective - a monster that is locked in a room in the Manor but never let out - that can be truly chilling. In fact there's a moment in the book that was rather harrowing and I thought "wow this is dark and slightly horrifying".
The illustrations by Edward Bettison throughout are also extremely atmospheric and gorgeously gothic, and they really do add so much to the text. I haven't quite seen anything like it in a middle grade, or read anything like it too, a perfect blend of The Addams Family and Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children. Perfect to read around Halloween time.
Mirabelle is part of "The Family", a family of monsters that live at Rookhaven, a Manor that is closed off by a veil to the rest of the people. One day, a split in the veil allows two kids - Jem and Tom - to enter, opening their world up to "The Family". They all have much to learn from one another as the world of monsters and humans collide.
I didn't quite know what to expect from this going into it. I was really intrigued by the world of "The Family" and what they represent, and Mirabelle's growing friendship with Jem was a treat to read. There are also segments told from Piglet's perspective - a monster that is locked in a room in the Manor but never let out - that can be truly chilling. In fact there's a moment in the book that was rather harrowing and I thought "wow this is dark and slightly horrifying".
The illustrations by Edward Bettison throughout are also extremely atmospheric and gorgeously gothic, and they really do add so much to the text. I haven't quite seen anything like it in a middle grade, or read anything like it too, a perfect blend of The Addams Family and Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children. Perfect to read around Halloween time.
October 20, 2021
I loved this gothic tale of monsters.
A great adventure tale of friendship and monsters. Well written and paced with characters you needed to know more about.
I particularly loved how we just dived straight into the story and each characters traits became apparent.
Great October read.
A great adventure tale of friendship and monsters. Well written and paced with characters you needed to know more about.
I particularly loved how we just dived straight into the story and each characters traits became apparent.
Great October read.
December 20, 2020
The first thing to recognise about The Monsters of Rookhaven is how beautiful it is. It's a really rather perfectly put together book, which is always a good sign. It tells you that the publisher understands this book, that they know what they want from it, and that they know what the book can support. Packaging, artwork (Edward Bettison is playing a blinder here), even the choice of paper - it's all thematic: it tells us about what's to come. That suggestive lure on the shelf. That thing that catches your eye and makes you think 'this one's for me'. The Monsters of Rookhaven does that with such, such style.
And that style's not just superficial, it goes all the way through this and helps deliver a read of curious and affecting power. I am not the sort of person who picks up this sort of book (I just - I've never really been a 'let's read about monsters and the gothic' type of person) and so when the publishers sent it to me, I was doubtful. But then I was convinced, almost immediately, for Kenny's prose is strong and confident and wildly imaginative. There's elements here that remind me of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, yes, but also early 90s children's fantasy and in particular The Woven Path (the first of the remarkable Wyrd Museum trilogy from Robin Jarvis).
One of the strengths of The Monsters of Rookhaven is that it's a book with intent: you have the hoary old cliches of the gothic solidly inverted and tested and broken through with such determination, buttressed all the way along with that vividly soaring artwork of Edward Bettison. I wouldn't be surprised if there was something of a sequel on the way - or at least, something else set in that same world. I wouldn't be able to let it go easily, I know that.
There's a lot here that might scare particularly nervy readers (especially with the introduction of one particular character in the second half of the book), but Kenny asks us to look past that and see what and who people really are. It's a potent message and one that's done with a lot of style and purpose. Family is family; however, whoever, wherever and whatever you may find it. This is a stylish thing and one that has such a distinct air about it. It's worth the time.
My thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
And that style's not just superficial, it goes all the way through this and helps deliver a read of curious and affecting power. I am not the sort of person who picks up this sort of book (I just - I've never really been a 'let's read about monsters and the gothic' type of person) and so when the publishers sent it to me, I was doubtful. But then I was convinced, almost immediately, for Kenny's prose is strong and confident and wildly imaginative. There's elements here that remind me of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, yes, but also early 90s children's fantasy and in particular The Woven Path (the first of the remarkable Wyrd Museum trilogy from Robin Jarvis).
One of the strengths of The Monsters of Rookhaven is that it's a book with intent: you have the hoary old cliches of the gothic solidly inverted and tested and broken through with such determination, buttressed all the way along with that vividly soaring artwork of Edward Bettison. I wouldn't be surprised if there was something of a sequel on the way - or at least, something else set in that same world. I wouldn't be able to let it go easily, I know that.
There's a lot here that might scare particularly nervy readers (especially with the introduction of one particular character in the second half of the book), but Kenny asks us to look past that and see what and who people really are. It's a potent message and one that's done with a lot of style and purpose. Family is family; however, whoever, wherever and whatever you may find it. This is a stylish thing and one that has such a distinct air about it. It's worth the time.
My thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
November 20, 2024
Labai labai faina knyga. Sakyčiau, skirta nuo 10-12 metų vaikams, bet fantastiką mėgstantiems suaugusiems irgi puikiai tiks. Pradėsiu nuo to, kad ją skaityt įdomu ne tik dėl turinio, bet ir dėl vaizdo: ji pilna netikėtų piešinių, tamsių puslapių, paryškinimų ir visokių padailinimų.
Ir istorija gera: nuo žmonjos paslėptas dvaras, kuriame gyvena monstrai. Visokių ypatybių ir galių turinčios būtybės, sudariusios sutartį su miestelėnais, kad vieni kitų neskriaus, kol monstrai nesirodys. Bet, žinoma, atsiranda nuotykiai, netikėti svečiai, ilgai slėptos paslaptys ir jautrūs momentai.
Gražus ir paveikus kūrinys. Mano galva, būtent tas, kuris minėto amžiaus vaikus gali sudominti knygomis. O jei ir taip domisi - bus desertas. Kiek primine "Ypatingų vaikų namus" bei "Namas žydrame vandenyne". Įdomu, jautru, kupina nuotykių ir tikrai įsimintina.
Ir istorija gera: nuo žmonjos paslėptas dvaras, kuriame gyvena monstrai. Visokių ypatybių ir galių turinčios būtybės, sudariusios sutartį su miestelėnais, kad vieni kitų neskriaus, kol monstrai nesirodys. Bet, žinoma, atsiranda nuotykiai, netikėti svečiai, ilgai slėptos paslaptys ir jautrūs momentai.
Gražus ir paveikus kūrinys. Mano galva, būtent tas, kuris minėto amžiaus vaikus gali sudominti knygomis. O jei ir taip domisi - bus desertas. Kiek primine "Ypatingų vaikų namus" bei "Namas žydrame vandenyne". Įdomu, jautru, kupina nuotykių ir tikrai įsimintina.
February 17, 2022
3.5
Un roman jeunesse agréable, à mi-chemin entre Miss Peregrine et les enfants particuliers et la maison au milieu de la mer céeruléenne. J'ai bien aimé l'ambiance assez dark de ce roman, certains moments et personnages m'ont même beaucoup touchée. J'ai trouvé que des thèmes comme le deuil étaient abordés finement, et l'objet livre doit être vraiment magnifique avec plein d'illustrations (je l'ai lu en ebook).
Je regrette que certaines petites choses soient juste effleurées et pas complètement expliquee (le fonctionnement de la famille, les règles, leur histoire) et que certains personnages soient un poil trop lisse (Mirabelle je te parle).
Mais sinon une bonne lecture jeunesse dont je lirais la suite ! Merci aux éditions Lumen et à Netgalley pour le SP.
Attention : ne lisez pas ce livre sur liseuse, certaines pages sont imprimées en blanc sur noir et apparaissent totalement noires sur liseuse, donc illisibles.
Un roman jeunesse agréable, à mi-chemin entre Miss Peregrine et les enfants particuliers et la maison au milieu de la mer céeruléenne. J'ai bien aimé l'ambiance assez dark de ce roman, certains moments et personnages m'ont même beaucoup touchée. J'ai trouvé que des thèmes comme le deuil étaient abordés finement, et l'objet livre doit être vraiment magnifique avec plein d'illustrations (je l'ai lu en ebook).
Je regrette que certaines petites choses soient juste effleurées et pas complètement expliquee (le fonctionnement de la famille, les règles, leur histoire) et que certains personnages soient un poil trop lisse (Mirabelle je te parle).
Mais sinon une bonne lecture jeunesse dont je lirais la suite ! Merci aux éditions Lumen et à Netgalley pour le SP.
Attention : ne lisez pas ce livre sur liseuse, certaines pages sont imprimées en blanc sur noir et apparaissent totalement noires sur liseuse, donc illisibles.
December 15, 2022
4,25⭐️
Les Monstres de Rookhaven c’est un peu comme un conte gothique destiné à la jeunesse mais avec plusieurs niveaux de lecture pour que les adultes prennent aussi plaisir au récit.
J’ai tout simplement adoré l’histoire de Mirabelle et de sa famille atypique, recluse dans un manoir au milieu d’une forêt sombre. Une famille de monstres à l’origine floue, au passé mystérieux et aux secrets bien gardés qui nous pose une question essentielle. Qui sont les vrais monstres ? Ceux aux dents pointues ou ceux aux actions effroyables ? La réflexion était délicieuse et tout à fait abordable pour un public plus jeune. J’ai eu par moment des frissons de peur mais juste ce qu’il faut ! Étant la plus grande chochotte de l’histoire de France je peux vous assurer que le plaisir était là.
L’émotion était bien présente. J’ai été maintes fois émue notamment par les chapitres de Goret, personnage énigmatique qui apprend au contact de l’humanité les émotions humaines. On nous parle aussi de deuil avec une justesse touchante qui je l’avoue m’a parfois mis les larmes aux yeux. J’ai été assez étonnée qu’on aborde les horreurs de la guerre, des blessures de ceux qui restent et de ceux qui ont perdu un être cher. Et puis il y a évidemment la peur de l’inconnu, de l’étranger et de la différence qui nous paralyse à l’encontre de tout choix rationnel. Ces thèmes sont finement traités et renforcent notre attachement aux personnages.
Si l’ambiance ténébreuse et brumeuse nous ravie, l’objet livre vaut amplement le détour ! Certaines pages sont stylisées avec des dessins qui reflètent l’atmosphère fuligineuse du roman et nous pousse à continuer cette histoire intrigante qui sait nous surprendre avec quelques révélations.
Les Monstres de Rookhaven c’est un peu comme un conte gothique destiné à la jeunesse mais avec plusieurs niveaux de lecture pour que les adultes prennent aussi plaisir au récit.
J’ai tout simplement adoré l’histoire de Mirabelle et de sa famille atypique, recluse dans un manoir au milieu d’une forêt sombre. Une famille de monstres à l’origine floue, au passé mystérieux et aux secrets bien gardés qui nous pose une question essentielle. Qui sont les vrais monstres ? Ceux aux dents pointues ou ceux aux actions effroyables ? La réflexion était délicieuse et tout à fait abordable pour un public plus jeune. J’ai eu par moment des frissons de peur mais juste ce qu’il faut ! Étant la plus grande chochotte de l’histoire de France je peux vous assurer que le plaisir était là.
L’émotion était bien présente. J’ai été maintes fois émue notamment par les chapitres de Goret, personnage énigmatique qui apprend au contact de l’humanité les émotions humaines. On nous parle aussi de deuil avec une justesse touchante qui je l’avoue m’a parfois mis les larmes aux yeux. J’ai été assez étonnée qu’on aborde les horreurs de la guerre, des blessures de ceux qui restent et de ceux qui ont perdu un être cher. Et puis il y a évidemment la peur de l’inconnu, de l’étranger et de la différence qui nous paralyse à l’encontre de tout choix rationnel. Ces thèmes sont finement traités et renforcent notre attachement aux personnages.
Si l’ambiance ténébreuse et brumeuse nous ravie, l’objet livre vaut amplement le détour ! Certaines pages sont stylisées avec des dessins qui reflètent l’atmosphère fuligineuse du roman et nous pousse à continuer cette histoire intrigante qui sait nous surprendre avec quelques révélations.
October 13, 2021
This is such a gorgeously spooky and compassionate kids' book, full of eerie (and often scary!) magic, a thrilling sense of wonder, and a huge well of compassion. It's based around a family of monsters (very Addams Family in tone, in a very good way - it also reminded me of Ray Bradbury's short story "The Homecoming," about a boy in a loving family of vampires), one of whom scares most of the others badly, but all of whom love each other very much. There's also a nearby village, with a Glamour (like a door or a veil) in-between locked by a key - but when a tear opens in that boundary, everything begins to change. I loved all of the different characters, and I really loved the perfect ending. At first, I wondered whether the narrative style might be just a bit too distant to be really compelling - but then I ended up racing through the book and absolutely devouring it (all in one night!) because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen (and I was SO delighted by everything that did in the end). A perfect Halloween read!
The illustrations throughout, by Edward Bettison, are beautiful and perfectly atmospheric.
The illustrations throughout, by Edward Bettison, are beautiful and perfectly atmospheric.
October 23, 2020
This broke my heart in so many ways, but such a beautiful story!
There’s nothing more that I love than a gothic fairy tale!
If you asked me to describe this book, I would say it’s a cross between We Have Always Lived In the Castle, Frankenstein, and Ghost Squad. But let me be clear in that it’s a story entirely unique!
The author does a wonderful job of exposing the true monsters of the world and just the world building and character building he does!!
And the illustrations by Edward Bettison are just..**chef kissing fingers**
There’s nothing more that I love than a gothic fairy tale!
If you asked me to describe this book, I would say it’s a cross between We Have Always Lived In the Castle, Frankenstein, and Ghost Squad. But let me be clear in that it’s a story entirely unique!
The author does a wonderful job of exposing the true monsters of the world and just the world building and character building he does!!
And the illustrations by Edward Bettison are just..**chef kissing fingers**
October 6, 2022
Io e l’autore abbiamo una cosa in comune: amiamo i mostri!
Ragion per cui non potevo non leggere questo romanzo. Per non parlare della copertina. E delle illustrazioni. E dell’impaginazione. E… ok, forse sono un po’ di parte sotto l’aspetto visivo. Ma veniamo alla storia vera e propria.
La trama mi ha ricordato un mix tra “La famiglia Addams” e la serie “Miss Peregrine”, tant’è che trasmette dei messaggi piuttosto simili: ovvero che il sangue non definisce la famiglia; il dolore ci aiuta a crescere; bisogna apprezzare e accettare la diversità; a volte i veri mostri sono dentro di noi e via dicendo… Insomma, solo perché uno ha un aspetto bizzarro non vuol dire che sia cattivo.
Aggiungo anche che l’avere una protagonista occhialuta e riccioluta di nome Mirabelle che non ha particolari poteri rispetto ai suoi famigliari non ha aiutato molto.
… Non si nomina Piglet, no no no… Non si nomina Piglet…
Ridendo e scherzando dubito sia ispirato a Encanto. Anche perché i doni della famiglia Rookhaven sono molto diversi e i fiori sono carnivori e dotati di denti aguzzi.
Il romanzo è corale, per cui oltre a Mirabelle abbiamo il pov di Jem, orfana scappata dalla casa dello zio violento con il fratello Tom che diventerà sua amica; Freddie, figlio del macellaio che si occupa delle consegne a Casa Rookhaven e che vive nel villaggio attiguo; e infine Piglet, un’entità cosmica capace di vedere e sentire tutto dall’antro oscuro sotto la Casa.
Le atmosfere, l’ambientazione e il lore della storia sono molto interessanti e ben descritti, ma credo che la trama avrebbe potuto essere gestita meglio. Vi sono alcuni buchi e personaggi appena abbozzati e non ho apprezzato molto come l’inghippo si sia risolto alla fine. Qualche pagina di descrizione in più non sarebbe guastata, considerando quante ne vengono usate per la tematica del dolore. Ma per essere un libro per ragazzini, non ne sono rimasta delusa.
Anzi, sono curiosa di vedere se pubblicheranno anche il seguito.
Ideale se cercate qualcosa di bizzarro.
Ragion per cui non potevo non leggere questo romanzo. Per non parlare della copertina. E delle illustrazioni. E dell’impaginazione. E… ok, forse sono un po’ di parte sotto l’aspetto visivo. Ma veniamo alla storia vera e propria.
La trama mi ha ricordato un mix tra “La famiglia Addams” e la serie “Miss Peregrine”, tant’è che trasmette dei messaggi piuttosto simili: ovvero che il sangue non definisce la famiglia; il dolore ci aiuta a crescere; bisogna apprezzare e accettare la diversità; a volte i veri mostri sono dentro di noi e via dicendo… Insomma, solo perché uno ha un aspetto bizzarro non vuol dire che sia cattivo.
Aggiungo anche che l’avere una protagonista occhialuta e riccioluta di nome Mirabelle che non ha particolari poteri rispetto ai suoi famigliari non ha aiutato molto.
… Non si nomina Piglet, no no no… Non si nomina Piglet…
Ridendo e scherzando dubito sia ispirato a Encanto. Anche perché i doni della famiglia Rookhaven sono molto diversi e i fiori sono carnivori e dotati di denti aguzzi.
Il romanzo è corale, per cui oltre a Mirabelle abbiamo il pov di Jem, orfana scappata dalla casa dello zio violento con il fratello Tom che diventerà sua amica; Freddie, figlio del macellaio che si occupa delle consegne a Casa Rookhaven e che vive nel villaggio attiguo; e infine Piglet, un’entità cosmica capace di vedere e sentire tutto dall’antro oscuro sotto la Casa.
Le atmosfere, l’ambientazione e il lore della storia sono molto interessanti e ben descritti, ma credo che la trama avrebbe potuto essere gestita meglio. Vi sono alcuni buchi e personaggi appena abbozzati e non ho apprezzato molto come l’inghippo si sia risolto alla fine. Qualche pagina di descrizione in più non sarebbe guastata, considerando quante ne vengono usate per la tematica del dolore. Ma per essere un libro per ragazzini, non ne sono rimasta delusa.
Anzi, sono curiosa di vedere se pubblicheranno anche il seguito.
Ideale se cercate qualcosa di bizzarro.
October 8, 2021
I picked this up on a whim completely for the cover, and then put it for a year because it felt like an October read.
It took a while to get into this story which effected the rating the most. It was odd, but not surreal enough to have been captivating. Which is a shame because it really came together in the final third.
This felt like a vibe for Miss Peregrines or Wayward Children’s fans. But I preferred the writing style of WC.
It took a while to get into this story which effected the rating the most. It was odd, but not surreal enough to have been captivating. Which is a shame because it really came together in the final third.
This felt like a vibe for Miss Peregrines or Wayward Children’s fans. But I preferred the writing style of WC.
October 8, 2022
★★★★✩ 𝑇𝑟𝑒̀𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝗣𝗼𝗲́𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗻, 𝘂𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗿𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲̀𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
L’histoire est celle de Mirabelle. Elle vit dans le manoir de Rookhaven avec sa famille… un peu spéciale. Ombres, araignées, ours, ils viennent de l’Ether et ont des pouvoirs mystérieux. Tous, sauf elle. Alors quand Jem et son frère, deux jeunes humains orphelins, se retrouvent dans leur jardin, Mirabelle leur sauve la vie afin de s’en faire des amis…
Les Monstres de Rookhaven est un jeunesse qui se découpe en quatre parties. On est plongés dans un univers gothique, fun, et sombre. Un univers inspiré de La famille Adams, dans cet espace temps où le monstrueux touche la limite de la frayeur et du comique.
Mais, comme tout bon jeunesse, il a une quantité de beaux messages qui m’ont vraiment touché. La citation que j’ai mise plus haut le montre bien : qui sont vraiment les monstres ? Dans la note de l’auteur, Pádraig Kenny nous dit « en vieillissant, j'ai pris conscience qu'ils existaient vraiment. Ce sont des créatures sournoises qui ont la même apparence que nous, mais qui, à leur manière insidieuse, transforment des individus ordinaires en monstres à leur tour. »
J’ai beaucoup aimé cet univers, les différents personnages et point de vue. Il est parfait pour la saison, avec des personnages iconiques comme Goret (un personnage millénaire qui découvre l’amour dans un battement de coeur). Et si bien sûr c’est un livre qui s’adapte à notre regard d’adulte, il n’en reste pas moins dans un style d’écriture assez simple.
𝗣𝗼𝗲́𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗻, 𝘂𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗿𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗶 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲̀𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
L’histoire est celle de Mirabelle. Elle vit dans le manoir de Rookhaven avec sa famille… un peu spéciale. Ombres, araignées, ours, ils viennent de l’Ether et ont des pouvoirs mystérieux. Tous, sauf elle. Alors quand Jem et son frère, deux jeunes humains orphelins, se retrouvent dans leur jardin, Mirabelle leur sauve la vie afin de s’en faire des amis…
Les Monstres de Rookhaven est un jeunesse qui se découpe en quatre parties. On est plongés dans un univers gothique, fun, et sombre. Un univers inspiré de La famille Adams, dans cet espace temps où le monstrueux touche la limite de la frayeur et du comique.
Mais, comme tout bon jeunesse, il a une quantité de beaux messages qui m’ont vraiment touché. La citation que j’ai mise plus haut le montre bien : qui sont vraiment les monstres ? Dans la note de l’auteur, Pádraig Kenny nous dit « en vieillissant, j'ai pris conscience qu'ils existaient vraiment. Ce sont des créatures sournoises qui ont la même apparence que nous, mais qui, à leur manière insidieuse, transforment des individus ordinaires en monstres à leur tour. »
J’ai beaucoup aimé cet univers, les différents personnages et point de vue. Il est parfait pour la saison, avec des personnages iconiques comme Goret (un personnage millénaire qui découvre l’amour dans un battement de coeur). Et si bien sûr c’est un livre qui s’adapte à notre regard d’adulte, il n’en reste pas moins dans un style d’écriture assez simple.
March 27, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
A very middle of the road kind of read for me. I think I had such high expectations and was so excited for it that my disappointment lowered my enjoyment even more than it should have. I also think having listened to the audiobook didn't help because all though the voice actor had a different voice for all of the characters, there were some characters voices that really grinded my gears. Like nails on a chalk board! There was one character (I can't remember his name now) that every time he had a dialog, I thought It was an old lady and had to remind myself that it was in fact a man.
Speaking of forgetting... That's another issue. This book didn't stand out to me much and can easily see myself completely forgetting everything about this book. If not, forgetting I'd read it at all.
I do think this would be great for the age range this was intended for that enjoys spooky and magical books. This gave off major Adam's Family vibes and i did enjoy the tone and atmosphere of the book for that reason. So if your kid likes Adam's Family or anything in that sort of realm, this may be a good one for them.
I also thought the ending was very heart warming and meaningful. And it was genuinely the best part of the book! The atmosphere and the conclusion was honestly what saved the book for me and kept me from giving it a lower rating.
This just did not hit the mark for me and I'm really bummed about it. But I recommend if you pick this up, read it physically and don't listen to the audiobook. I think you'd get more enjoyment out of it that way, in my humble opinion.
A very middle of the road kind of read for me. I think I had such high expectations and was so excited for it that my disappointment lowered my enjoyment even more than it should have. I also think having listened to the audiobook didn't help because all though the voice actor had a different voice for all of the characters, there were some characters voices that really grinded my gears. Like nails on a chalk board! There was one character (I can't remember his name now) that every time he had a dialog, I thought It was an old lady and had to remind myself that it was in fact a man.
Speaking of forgetting... That's another issue. This book didn't stand out to me much and can easily see myself completely forgetting everything about this book. If not, forgetting I'd read it at all.
I do think this would be great for the age range this was intended for that enjoys spooky and magical books. This gave off major Adam's Family vibes and i did enjoy the tone and atmosphere of the book for that reason. So if your kid likes Adam's Family or anything in that sort of realm, this may be a good one for them.
I also thought the ending was very heart warming and meaningful. And it was genuinely the best part of the book! The atmosphere and the conclusion was honestly what saved the book for me and kept me from giving it a lower rating.
This just did not hit the mark for me and I'm really bummed about it. But I recommend if you pick this up, read it physically and don't listen to the audiobook. I think you'd get more enjoyment out of it that way, in my humble opinion.
December 6, 2022
12 year old me would be obsessed with this and read it over and over! So cute.
April 7, 2022
3,75 ✨
Un peu de temps pour le terminer lol.
J’ai bien aimé l’ambiance général du livre et la morale mais y’a pas eu un engouement particulier autour du livre. Il est assez sombre, à cause de certains personnages et l’ambiance du livre mais les membres de la famille deviennent rapidement attachants.
Un peu de temps pour le terminer lol.
J’ai bien aimé l’ambiance général du livre et la morale mais y’a pas eu un engouement particulier autour du livre. Il est assez sombre, à cause de certains personnages et l’ambiance du livre mais les membres de la famille deviennent rapidement attachants.
February 12, 2022
Pas mal. Un peu long sur la première moitié
February 10, 2022
Je n'ai pas compris l'intérêt de cette histoire... Certes l'ambiance est belle, surannée et intrigante, mais elle ne suffit pas à nourrir l'intrigue qui reste très sommaire et manichéenne dans sa finalité. J'ai donc perdu mon temps... Notons toutefois la beauté des images à l'intérieur !
November 26, 2021
2.5 stars
This is a peculiar little book, and I think it was the wrong sort of peculiar for me to really connect to and get into.
This historical fantasy, set after one of the world wars (I think the first?), has monsters living behind a glamour in an old estate, given meat by the villagers in exchange for staying to the estate. Except, the monsters aren't really monstrous, but a family that's other - and the villagers are whipped up against them.
The design of the house and the "monsters" felt slightly off-kilter, but not in the emphasised quirky way that I really enjoy. Instead, the design simply felt shoved to the back of the book, not quite gothic, not quite quirky - not quite getting an atmosphere or general vibe across.
And I think that lack of definable (or really tangible) atmosphere is what I was missing to really get into and enjoy the book. From the design of the cover and the blurb, I was expecting a spooky gothic. Then I started reading and wondering if I'd get something quirky, and that didn't happen - but I didn't really get an atmosphere at all off it.
It's a book that took a while to get going. The threat turns up maybe 180 pages into a 330 page book. Before then, it's a series of minor events that happen as the two children arrive. They sort of just end up in the house - still not entirely sure why Mirabelle invited them in, which was rather crucial. One of these events is a basis for the village getting angry, but they don't do anything about it until the villain turns up.
Without the villain, there didn't feel like there was a threat or doom hanging over it, because it all felt like it could be easily smoothed over. This meant that the book lacked tension propelling it along. It felt more like a leisurely stroll instead.
I was also a little surprised that only one of children who arrived was a narrator. I was expecting it to be both, but Tom doesn't narrate a word, and is in the background of the entire book. Instead, the other narrators (beyond Mirabelle and the other sibling Tom), the narrators are Freddie, one of the boys from the village (whose job it is to show what's happening in the village, so is sparse at the start and gradually has more to do) and Piglet.
Piglet is a monster the others are scared of, and narrates in a different tense with white words on black background (which was hard to read.) It's one of the bits that makes the book feel like it didn't have a single, coherent feel.
The illustrations are more like decorative elements than illustrations of what's happening as scenes. They were very nice, and felt like the book was trying to be sort of gothic but not quite getting there (still slightly torn between gothic and quirky in design.)
Overall, it's a book that I can see why others might like, but simply didn't click with me.
This is a peculiar little book, and I think it was the wrong sort of peculiar for me to really connect to and get into.
This historical fantasy, set after one of the world wars (I think the first?), has monsters living behind a glamour in an old estate, given meat by the villagers in exchange for staying to the estate. Except, the monsters aren't really monstrous, but a family that's other - and the villagers are whipped up against them.
The design of the house and the "monsters" felt slightly off-kilter, but not in the emphasised quirky way that I really enjoy. Instead, the design simply felt shoved to the back of the book, not quite gothic, not quite quirky - not quite getting an atmosphere or general vibe across.
And I think that lack of definable (or really tangible) atmosphere is what I was missing to really get into and enjoy the book. From the design of the cover and the blurb, I was expecting a spooky gothic. Then I started reading and wondering if I'd get something quirky, and that didn't happen - but I didn't really get an atmosphere at all off it.
It's a book that took a while to get going. The threat turns up maybe 180 pages into a 330 page book. Before then, it's a series of minor events that happen as the two children arrive. They sort of just end up in the house - still not entirely sure why Mirabelle invited them in, which was rather crucial. One of these events is a basis for the village getting angry, but they don't do anything about it until the villain turns up.
Without the villain, there didn't feel like there was a threat or doom hanging over it, because it all felt like it could be easily smoothed over. This meant that the book lacked tension propelling it along. It felt more like a leisurely stroll instead.
I was also a little surprised that only one of children who arrived was a narrator. I was expecting it to be both, but Tom doesn't narrate a word, and is in the background of the entire book. Instead, the other narrators (beyond Mirabelle and the other sibling Tom), the narrators are Freddie, one of the boys from the village (whose job it is to show what's happening in the village, so is sparse at the start and gradually has more to do) and Piglet.
Piglet is a monster the others are scared of, and narrates in a different tense with white words on black background (which was hard to read.) It's one of the bits that makes the book feel like it didn't have a single, coherent feel.
The illustrations are more like decorative elements than illustrations of what's happening as scenes. They were very nice, and felt like the book was trying to be sort of gothic but not quite getting there (still slightly torn between gothic and quirky in design.)
Overall, it's a book that I can see why others might like, but simply didn't click with me.
October 16, 2021
Beautiful cover, potentially great premise, disappointing story.
Given the clever if not especially unique plot, I was excited for this and thought it would be a delightfully creepy, fun read. I was very surprised by how heavy the themes were, particularly given the target age group.
It’s creepy, to be sure, but there’s not much that’s fun about it. The book spends a lot of time fixating on the grief of the child protagonists who lost someone in the war. A worthy exploration if done correctly, but the execution didn’t sit right with me for the target demographic, and I didn’t much care for it as an adult reader either.
The story is missing the atmospheric component required to make it a true eerie, spooky read, which mostly leaves the reader with bare acts of cruelty and sadness. TW for animal violence in an especially problematic scene that is unnecessary to the story, upsetting, and completely inappropriate for middle readers.
Some adult readers might enjoy this story (if nothing else, the characters are well-drawn), but it was a miss for me and I absolutely do not recommend it for the middle reader demographic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Given the clever if not especially unique plot, I was excited for this and thought it would be a delightfully creepy, fun read. I was very surprised by how heavy the themes were, particularly given the target age group.
It’s creepy, to be sure, but there’s not much that’s fun about it. The book spends a lot of time fixating on the grief of the child protagonists who lost someone in the war. A worthy exploration if done correctly, but the execution didn’t sit right with me for the target demographic, and I didn’t much care for it as an adult reader either.
The story is missing the atmospheric component required to make it a true eerie, spooky read, which mostly leaves the reader with bare acts of cruelty and sadness. TW for animal violence in an especially problematic scene that is unnecessary to the story, upsetting, and completely inappropriate for middle readers.
Some adult readers might enjoy this story (if nothing else, the characters are well-drawn), but it was a miss for me and I absolutely do not recommend it for the middle reader demographic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
April 16, 2022
Une histoire très middle grade selon moi, un monde fantastique que j'ai trouvé chouette quoique simpe et une intrigue qui prend son temps au début mais qui prend vraiment son envol à 150 pages environ. Moi, j'ai bien aimé car j'aime beaucoup les mises en place lentes mais il y a selon moi des maladresses d'écriture, notamment les grrrr de périphrases répétitives pour désigner les personnages... ça m'a gossée!!
October 27, 2023
Darker than middle grade fantasy usually is but a good mix of imagination and real world emotions.
October 12, 2021
'The Monsters of Rookhaven' is a beautifully illustrated book that is perfect for the Halloween season. It's a brilliant blend of magic and monsters, which is very reminiscent of the Addams family. There are a couple of moments which could scare younger readers, due to the detail of the author's description. Although, these moments are relatively brief, which ensures the reader is not left to dwell on them for too long. At the end, Kenny leaves an author's note which sums up this book's intention perfectly:
"As I've gotten even older I'd realized that real monsters do exist. They aren't the types that come to your bedroom window in the middle of the night with vampire fangs. They aren't clawed, slavering beasts that howl at the moon. These were monsters who spread hate and fear through whispers and lies. Deceitful creatures who look like us, but who in their own insidious way, turn people into monsters themselves.
This is a story about monsters. Monsters can be simple, they can be complicated. I love monsters. I always have. But I like to keep an eye out for the real ones."
"As I've gotten even older I'd realized that real monsters do exist. They aren't the types that come to your bedroom window in the middle of the night with vampire fangs. They aren't clawed, slavering beasts that howl at the moon. These were monsters who spread hate and fear through whispers and lies. Deceitful creatures who look like us, but who in their own insidious way, turn people into monsters themselves.
This is a story about monsters. Monsters can be simple, they can be complicated. I love monsters. I always have. But I like to keep an eye out for the real ones."
October 25, 2022
4,25⭐️
Wow ce livre m’a transpercé.
Il a joué avec mes émotions tout du long, non pas par rapport aux plots twist etc mais vraiment par les thèmes abordés : le deuil, la peur, la colère, là pour etc…
Je me suis énormément attachée aux différents personnages, et si vous me connaissez bien vous savez que c’est hyper important pour moi.
On a tout de même énormément de personnages dans ce livre, mais Pádraig Kenny a réussi a tous les rentrer dans mon coeur pendant cette lecture. Ils sont tous touchants à leur façon, certains sont drôles, certains sont nonchalants, mais l’amour qui les lie m’a fasciné.
Mention +++ à Goret, ses chapitres ont vraiment étaient mes préférés 🤍
Wow ce livre m’a transpercé.
Il a joué avec mes émotions tout du long, non pas par rapport aux plots twist etc mais vraiment par les thèmes abordés : le deuil, la peur, la colère, là pour etc…
Je me suis énormément attachée aux différents personnages, et si vous me connaissez bien vous savez que c’est hyper important pour moi.
On a tout de même énormément de personnages dans ce livre, mais Pádraig Kenny a réussi a tous les rentrer dans mon coeur pendant cette lecture. Ils sont tous touchants à leur façon, certains sont drôles, certains sont nonchalants, mais l’amour qui les lie m’a fasciné.
Mention +++ à Goret, ses chapitres ont vraiment étaient mes préférés 🤍
July 15, 2024
I blended read this one, with the physical and the audio and it was a winning combination! The narrator had some really good voices for the various characters and thoroughly brought the characters to life.
Thinking about it, The monsters of Rookhaven has a slight touch of Miss Peregrine's Home for Perculiar Children, which so happens to be one of my beloved stories.
This was such a a captivating read. I absolutely devoured (too soon?) the plot and loved the characters. Mirabelle was a fantastic protagonist and I loved the friendship she had with Jem, although I wish there had been a few more scenes with Tom as the story progressed because we got all this backstory of how close a bond the siblings had, only for it to be kind of non existent as soon as they discovered Rookhaven. For various reasons, yes, but all the same it certainly collapsed that particular thread of character development.
The storytelling was absolutely exquisite and despite finding similarities that I loved to another series, it still felt wholely unique and creative.
The conversation on monsters not being who you think was really thought provoking, especially in a story aimed at younger readers, which I thought was so important.
I adored everything about this!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy!
Thinking about it, The monsters of Rookhaven has a slight touch of Miss Peregrine's Home for Perculiar Children, which so happens to be one of my beloved stories.
This was such a a captivating read. I absolutely devoured (too soon?) the plot and loved the characters. Mirabelle was a fantastic protagonist and I loved the friendship she had with Jem, although I wish there had been a few more scenes with Tom as the story progressed because we got all this backstory of how close a bond the siblings had, only for it to be kind of non existent as soon as they discovered Rookhaven. For various reasons, yes, but all the same it certainly collapsed that particular thread of character development.
The storytelling was absolutely exquisite and despite finding similarities that I loved to another series, it still felt wholely unique and creative.
The conversation on monsters not being who you think was really thought provoking, especially in a story aimed at younger readers, which I thought was so important.
I adored everything about this!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy!
January 31, 2022
Featuring the *absolute creepiest* monster I have ever encountered in a middle-grade book. Reminded me a little bit of THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman, which I had an actual nightmare about. So.....read with caution if you're a wimp like me! :P (I liked it, though.)
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June 22, 2022Quelques erreurs de traduction par-ci par-la mais dans l’ensemble c’était bien.
Le livre se lit très vite. Jlai bien aimé la petite histoire mais ce n’est assurément pas un coup de coeur et je ne crois pas le relire un jour mais c’était tout de même plaisant à découvrir !
Le livre se lit très vite. Jlai bien aimé la petite histoire mais ce n’est assurément pas un coup de coeur et je ne crois pas le relire un jour mais c’était tout de même plaisant à découvrir !
January 2, 2022
A bit slow for me at the start but the tale unfurls into an exciting climax. Well-written gothic story.
October 26, 2023
Une histoire classique mais remplie de personnages attachants, c’est mignon et plein de bons sentiments. Les illustrations qui jonchent les pages sont très belles et ajoutent quelque chose au récit.
March 9, 2024
Not a bad story, but overall just okay for me. It’s giving Addams Family vibes.
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