The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (Group Read October 2013)

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

[Diane]

Yeah! I started this last night - only a couple of chapters in by it definitely has my attention more than I thought it would.

[Gwennie]

Whoo hooo! I love this series! I'm on the third book already and I'm gonna read it this month!

Can't wait to see what you guys all think of it.

[Sandra]

I hope to join you in the second fortnight. I didn't know there were three books!

[Jenny]

The fourth and final one was just released, I think. There were originally supposed to be something like 5, but Simon and Schuster decided not to publish anymore after the third book because sales weren't high enough even though the books were well-received and won awards and whatnot. Fans were upset about this and started a campaign to convince S&S to allow the series to be finished, and S&S relented and agreed to publish one more.

[Sandra]

Jenny wrote: "The fourth and final one was just released, I think. There were originally supposed to be something like 5, but Simon and Schuster decided not to publish anymore after the third book because sales ..."

Same happened with Vampire Academy in Spain. They stopped publishing after VA3 and left Spanish fans hanged from the highest cliff ever.

[Gwennie]

That's crazy because this series is AWESOME! I'm really glad we got one more, but it's sad that we almost didn't get it.

[WTF Are You Reading?]

I just got my copy!

[Diane]

could they then self pub the next book or does that add complications because the beginning of the series was with S&S?

[Jenny]

Here's a link to the original story, with an interview: http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bo...

That is from when this stuff first started going down, so it doesn't report the outcome, which is that fans eventually convinced the publisher to allow him to finish the series with one more book. So, happy ending. If you like this one, buy the rest so S&S are sure to know it was a good decision. ;)

[Kim]

I am so excited to start this! The 5th Wave was the first of Yancey's work for me and I loved it. My hopes are high!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Oh, interesting. I didn't even put together that 5th Wave and this book were the same author. I want to try to read both books.

[Diane]

Last night before going to sleep I read the part where they visit the captain. Doesn't make for sweet dreams that is for sure! I am liking this book and cannot wait to have time to finish it over the weekend. Week days are just chapters here and there.

I have been wanting to read 5th wave since it came out - I didn't know it was the same author. Now I will have to spend more $ buying it :)

[Angie]

I'm starting this one now!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Is it pretty creepy?

[Jenny]

It's pretty creepy in parts, yeah.

[Angie]

I read the first chapter so far and my reaction was basically o_O . That was really bizarre!

[Diane]

Its creepy - but I like that. I want to say more but I will wait.

[Angie]

This is the most gruesome thing I have ever read. It's good though.

[John]

I'm looking forward to when the thread starts with spoilers allowed...I thought this book was enjoyable in parts but weak overall, so I look forward to learning what people like about it.

[Gwennie]

It was shocking to me, because I've read horror before but Yancy's imagery was so intense, lol. I loved it.

[Jenny]

John, you can post spoilers. Just place them inside <spoiler> tags.

[Angie]

I'm totally out of my element, since I don't read horror. But there's something a little fun about being disturbed. :P

I'm about to read the last chapter now...

[Diane]

I just finished this and liked it. I will definitely go on with the series. I really liked the journal format in this book where that is something that might bug me in others. I also liked how I was transported back in time with the mannerisms and language. The way that all 5 senses were vividly portrayed was impressive- it was so easy to picture this as a movie. Many books I would like to see as a movie but this one I kept picturing it as one. I cant wait to start discussing plot details as more people begin and finish reading this.

[Gwennie]

I agree completely, it would make a great movie.

I loved the use of Gothic horror. The descriptions and the historic world were incredible and creepy.

[Jenny]

Yeah, the historic setting helps quite a bit in the atmosphere department - more superstition, less means of easy communication or travel so less (and slower) spread of information, ASYLUMS. And I think the framed narrative works to an advantage here too. It's very Dracula in the way it's an impossible and totally disturbing thing, but because you read about it via documents the psychological result is an underlying feeling of there being some credibility to the story that wouldn't be there otherwise. It's all like, "I'm not saying there's anthropophagi running around eating people, but check this folio out."

[Maria]

I finished the first book last night, and I must say I loved the doctor's character. He reminds me of Dr. Frankenstein in his commitment to science and William of Baskerville from Eco's The Name of the Rose in his pursuit of the unexplained and mysterious. His dry wit added some windows of humor to what became a dark tale of past and present. I found myself laughing at his quirks and mannerisms. I also found humor in the insert about Jack the Ripper - a sly and subtle offside to the major narrative. The writing was impeccable, sophisticated, and layered with reflections about life, mentors, and love.

Anyone read the second book yet? What did you think?

[Gwennie]

I've read the second one. I loved it even more than the first one. If you liked Monstrumologist, DEFINITELY read Curse of the Wendigo.

[Diane]

I have "Curse" but am putting it off at the moment so I can work on the end of the year challenge. It takes a lot of self control for me not to read a series back to back when possible. I am sure I will get to it BEFORE I finish the end of the year challenge :)

[Jenny]

I have the second sitting here but haven't read it yet. Maybe I'll read it for the challenge. Plus, great Halloween reads!

[Gwennie]

I have the third on my list for this month. I'll definitely be reading it closer to halloween!

[Cinthia]

I don't normally read horror books, but I enjoyed reading this one. I didn't think the second one was as good as the first, and I'll be starting the third one in the series soon. Is he stopping at 4 books or will he write more?

[Jenny]

I'm pretty sure that the fourth book is the last one.

[Gwennie]

That's what I read too.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I'm about 25% and am really liking it so far. At first, I almost had an The Island of Dr. Moreau sort of feeling but it's moving away from that now. But this reminds me that I still need to read The Madman's Daughter because I think that book was actually inspired by Island of Dr. Moreau.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Okay, I'm putting this on hold for at least a few days, but not because I am giving up. I like what I've read but I have a couple of buddy reads and galley stuff that I scheduled and I am not caught up with my reading in time.

BBL. :p

[[deleted user]]

This was much more graphic than I was expecting, which kinda made me love it more!

[Rachel]

When I started this book and realized the main character was so young I thought "Crap, is this MG?" and then I read a little further and realized nope, definitely not for the eleven year old crowd.

Though I have to say, I keep picturing the monster like this and it takes a little of the atmosphere away, lol

[Angie]

OMgosh! I use to looooove Ah! Real Monsters! :D

[Jenny]

Try picturing it more like

[Gwennie]

Man yes! Way creepy!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I ended up finishing but I blame having to read this book in bits and pieces between other books for the reason why I didn't attach. It was my own fault, not the book's, because I think it was deliciously spooky and well-written.

Ah well. I'll have to try to do better with Raven Boys this month and not wait so long to get on it. :(

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Moving this to the Historical Fiction folder where it will remain open for discussion.

[Heidi]

Love this series! Sad it is done.

[Gwennie]

I still have the last one to read. I've been dragging it out, lol.

[Heidi]

It is different from the other books - even darker

[Gwennie]

I think I saw that. The reviews dropped for it so I'm a little nervous.

[Heidi]

I really don't think there was anyway for him to end that series where readers would be happy. I just went with it but it is a soul sucker!

[Gwennie]

Eeek!