Monsters Buddy Read

[Karen’s Library]

YES, in gruesomeness!! I can't get the images from Chapter 53 out of my head. Hahahah... Erase, erase, erase...!!

[Katelyn]

Yeah, this book is definitely gruesome. I'm only on chapter 47 but it's good to know i have more gruesomeness to look forward to in chapter 53... *looks around nervously* I've been reading this at work and my manager just walked in and asked why I looked so disgusted. Haha!

[Karen’s Library]

Conversation I just had with Ilsa on Facebook:

Karen Benson: I'm halfway done with Monsters. Ilsa! I can't get Chapter 53 out of my freaking head!!

Ilsa J. Bick: Heh. Mission accomplished.

[Karen’s Library]

Jen wrote: "I'm at Chapter 73. Holy CRAP when are these characters going to catch a break? [spoilers removed]
This book is crazy, just flat crazy. There is no following any kind of what you think is going t..."

Apparently, this just keeps going and going and going per Jen. :-P

[Karen’s Library]

Katelyn wrote: "Yeah, this book is definitely gruesome. I'm only on chapter 47 but it's good to know i have more gruesomeness to look forward to in chapter 53... *looks around nervously* I've been reading this at ..."

That made me laugh picturing you trying to sneak a read at work.

[Caitlin]

Karen, that's awesome. She is so awesome. I am at 32% myself. Oh my goodness!

[Katelyn]

Karen wrote: "Conversation I just had with Ilsa on Facebook:

Karen Benson: I'm halfway done with Monsters. Ilsa! I can't get Chapter 53 out of my freaking head!!

Ilsa J. Bick: Heh. Mission accomplished."
That's awesome! Haha!

[Karen’s Library]

Whoops. Correction! Chapter 54!!! MY brain apparently got a bit scrambled after reading it.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

LOL!!! She is a crazy woman!

[Karen’s Library]

She enjoys tormenting us!!

[Caitlin]

I think I might be a bit if a masochist then because I'm enjoying the torment lol. It's. Just. So. Good!

[Karen’s Library]

50% in. I'm in awe! No gore in this chapter. (view spoiler)[In fact, it was weird finding out how normal they all were before the zap. We've only known these kids as the Changed.

Questions are finally being answered. Yay! And so far, the Spared all had horrible things happen to them. Even if the Changed are saved somehow, how are these kids, Changed and Spared, going to be able to not have nightmares for the rest of their lives?

And I love Ellie!! She really became amazing after what she put us through in book 1.

What is going on with Chris? How the heck did he survive and then heal like he did?

And Penny pregnant? Wonder if the baby will be normal? (hide spoiler)]

Some answers are revealed finally but now more questions! I am thinking the gruesome is finally calming down quite a bit.

Now we're getting somewhere! Hang in there guys! Keep going!

[Karen’s Library]

Caitlin wrote: "I think I might be a bit if a masochist then because I'm enjoying the torment lol. It's. Just. So. Good!"

Same here, Caitlin! I'm curious to see if anyone else finds Chapter 54 as disturbing as I did. Jenny, for me, it was comparative to how disturbed you were by Michael Grant's (view spoiler)[bugs. I can't even type it up without the total heebie jeebies. It involves eyes. Ewww, ewwww, ewwww. And eye jelly (hide spoiler)].

[Katelyn]

Caitlin wrote: "I think I might be a bit if a masochist then because I'm enjoying the torment lol. It's. Just. So. Good!"

I'm with ya Caitlin! This book is definitely getting better and better as I read on, even though it is becoming more and more gruesome.
P.S. I love your name! :)

[Karen’s Library]

Eep! It's official! Ilsa J. Bick is coming to answer our questions from November 11th through the 17th!! David set up the thread, so pop in and say hey and start thinking up questions to ask. I think anything goes with her! She's got a quirky sense of humor!

So excited!

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Caitlin]

Okay, so... I'm on chapter 50 and (view spoiler)[ am I the only one who just wanted to tell at the guys "just go up to the bell! Go up there before it's too late!" I'm seriously going crazy watching these guys block a darn basement door! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen’s Library]

Caitlin wrote: "Okay, so... I'm on chapter 50 and [spoilers removed]"

Ha Caitlin! I know! That entire section was kind of freaky! (view spoiler)[Poor Tori!

And what about that whole sequence with the hidden food! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen’s Library]

Jen wrote: "I'm at Chapter 73. Holy CRAP when are these characters going to catch a break? [spoilers removed]
This book is crazy, just flat crazy. There is no following any kind of what you think is going t..."

I finally made it to your spoiler, Jen! I'm at Chapter 76, 58% in. I took a day off from this book because everyone's right. It's so intense! You literally don't get a chance to come up for air, chapter after chapter!

[Caitlin]

Just hit part for (chapter 55) and I'm gonna say chapters 52-54 were all quite chilling. I'll admit, I felt more empathy for different characters then I felt grossed out. It was so well written though. And I think what Ilsa does well is that she doesn't add gore for gores sake. Does that make sense? Like, it all has a purpose, albeit a twisted one but still

[Caitlin]

So the end of chapter 56...

(view spoiler)[ "Well, I agree," Hunter said. "If that were the only story or all there was to discover."
"What more is there?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On how much you know about Simon Yeager," Hunter said, "and Penny Ernst." (hide spoiler)]

Am I the only one who freaked here from excitement?! I was waiting for that moment since forever!!!!

[Karen’s Library]

Caitlin wrote: "So the end of chapter 56......"

Oh absolutely not! See my spoiler in my message 62 from when I was at 50%!!! I sat up in my bed with a big WTH????!! But don't read it until you're at 50%!!!

[Caitlin]

I will :) I get so tempted to read spoilers ahead but I'm restraining myself! lol

[Katelyn]

Caitlin wrote: "Just hit part for (chapter 55) and I'm gonna say chapters 52-54 were all quite chilling. I'll admit, I felt more empathy for different characters then I felt grossed out. It was so well written tho..."

I agree with you. I just finished 54 and while it was gross, I liked that it wasn't just disgusting just to be disgusting. I'm loving that this book is getting somewhere now! I want answers!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

OK OK, you all are killing me, but I'm finally jumping back into this book, starting from 19% :) Can't wait!!

[Caitlin]

52% in. Phew! My goodness! Karen... I totally understand and agree with all of your message 62!!! So much stuff!

And welcome back David! It's nice to have a head start on you for once. Even if it's only for a day! Lol.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Lol thanks!

[Caitlin]

Just reached chapter 103. 75% and

(view spoiler)[ I almost started crying just now! When Tom realized the little girl was Ellie and then she noticed him!!! So sweet. So touching. It was perfect. But I hope Chris is okay and I'm a bit worried about what's going to happen when Tom realizes who he is :/

Also, am I the only one getting extremely attached to Wolf??? I'm so worried for him! (hide spoiler)]

I'm so addicted to this book!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Um 38% I think :) Oh gosh, the whole thing with (view spoiler)[ Tori (hide spoiler)] was awful!

[Caitlin]

Agreed David! It was quite shocking. It caught me so off guard!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

I'm in the same place, and yes, it was horrible!

[Karen’s Library]

Chapter 100. 76% in. Seriously? (view spoiler)[Tom is lying in a cubbyhole, Chris is upstairs and Ellie is sitting right outside. This is killing me. Tom, find Ellie already!! I'm going to have a freaking heart attack! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen’s Library]

David wrote: "Um 38% I think :) Oh gosh, the whole thing with [spoilers removed] was awful!"

Yea, was not expecting that at all!!

[Karen’s Library]

Caitlin wrote: "Just reached chapter 103. 75% and

I almost started crying just now! When Tom realized the little girl was Ellie and then she noticed him!!! So sweet. So touching. It was perfect. But I hope Chris..."

Just hit Chapter 103 so I can finally read your spoiler.

(view spoiler)[I do have tears in my eyes!! Ooohhhh..!! Tom, Ellie, Mina!!!

And, yea... Hopefully Ellie saves Chris from Tom's wrath. Surely Tom realizes that Weller was lying about it all!

Do you think Wolf has a chance to be normal again? He doesn't seem fully Changed. Of course, how do you live with yourself after? (hide spoiler)]

This is so good, how am I going to put it down tonight to sleep?

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

52% Gosh, I'm getting really confused with a lot of the names and backstory, but now I really want to know what the heck (view spoiler)[ the boat fire and flare gun (hide spoiler)] have to do with anything!

[Caitlin]

You'll find out David. Don't you worry ;) just keep reading!!!

[Karen’s Library]

David wrote: "52% Gosh, I'm getting really confused with a lot of the names and backstory, but now I really want to know what the heck [spoilers removed] have to do with anything!"

It's actually relevant! The last half of the book, for me, seems to be the best.

[Caitlin]

I'm at 92%... And I'm LOSING MY MIND!!!

[Caitlin]

I just finished... I don't know what to do...

I feel like this was a prank. How can that be the end?! Ugh... I will actually respond once my brain stops spinning...

[Katelyn]

Caitlin wrote: "I just finished... I don't know what to do...

I feel like this was a prank. How can that be the end?! Ugh... I will actually respond once my brain stops spinning..."

Uh oh, now I'm nervous.

[Caitlin]

It was SPECTACULAR!!!

Katelyn, I seriously can't wait for you to finish :D

[Katelyn]

Caitlin wrote: "It was SPECTACULAR!!!

Katelyn, I seriously can't wait for you to finish :D"

Me either! I'm only on page 454 unfortunately. It's taking me forever.

[Karen’s Library]

Katelyn wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "I just finished... I don't know what to do...

I feel like this was a prank. How can that be the end?! Ugh... I will actually respond once my brain stops spinning..."

Uh oh, now I..."

Me too!! Ugh and SPECTACULAR are both words that don't go together. Hehehheheh... I'm at 79%. Will finish up tonight after yet ANOTHER Board meeting. 3 back to back... Put a fork in me, I am DONE. :-P I just want to get home and READ already.

[Caitlin]

Yay! Karen I hope you understand my contradiction better when you finish ;) I am so massively addicted to Bick's writing now!

[Jen]

Done. Done, done, done, and I am so glad. My thoughts:

(view spoiler)[I just can't visualize that much constant action. My brain is tired.

My brain is tired because Alex's brain is tired. That was something when she took control of all the changed.

She'd better not leave Tom. I don't think she will.

I think she saved Wolf.

I am SO glad this book is over. This was not a pleasant experience. I'm not sure how to rate it; it was written well but just too horrific for me. Too much.
(hide spoiler)]

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

I'm freaking out now, what with Jen's two star review and all your excited comments and spoilers that (Wah! I can't read!). I'm at 55% and going rather slow.

One thing about the gore, I have to be honest, I think it's losing its impact as there's so much of it I don't really notice anymore. Another eyeball scooped out, more intestines spilling, yada yada, I'm tending to skim those parts...

But I'm still very much interested in how everything will fit together, and gosh, I really want these poor characters to catch a break already!

[Jen]

David wrote: "I'm freaking out now, what with Jen's two star review and all your excited comments and spoilers that (Wah! I can't read!). I'm at 55% and going rather slow.

One thing about the gore, I have to b..."

Those 2 stars are just a reflection of my initial reaction - and honestly, this book just wasn't something I really liked. I don't want to bring the rating down on the book - but I just had such a problem getting through it that if I'm honest, it's just a 2-star book for me. All that nonstop action was great for someone who likes that sort of thing. But I visualize everything, and it just got to be too much. I did like the science of the changed and Finn and Alex's monster.

Not sure what I thought of the ending, really.

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

I hear you about the action, I became so ready for the "slower" parts that I found myself enjoying them more than the action :) I finished by the way, still trying to get my thoughts together! She is a very talented writer though, the way she describes things is impressive!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Finally up to 52% and its getting good now! (view spoiler)[I'm still a little confused on what happended with Penny and Simon on the boat though (hide spoiler)]

[Katelyn]

I finally finished it and all I can think is: wow. I don't even know what to say. I was surprised that I actually really loved the ending. That series was like a crazy roller coaster.

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

I'm now up to 70% and its going much faster now! I was hoping to finish it today, but I had to take a nap before work...wasn't feeling well. And then I proceeded to have daymares involving ghosts. *shivers* It actually gave me goosebumps IN MY DREAM!!! I've never had that happen before! Off the topic, sorry!

Anyways, really liking this a lot better after the halfway point, and things are starting to make more sense now.