A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury -> Starting July 24th, 2025

[Aly]

When August’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. But August knows her brother would never have left her voluntarily, especially not after their mother so recently went missing.

The only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their remaining family. And after August is attacked by a ten-foot-tall creature with fur and claws, she realizes that her brother might be in more danger than she could have imagined.

Unfortunately for her, the only person with a connection to the mysterious creature is the bookish Virgil Hawthorne…and he knows about them because he is one. If he doesn’t find a partner to help control his true nature, he’ll lose his humanity and become a mindless beast—exactly what the secret society he’s grown up in would love to put down.

Virgil makes a proposition: August will join his society and partner with him, and in return, he’ll help her find her brother. And so August is plunged into a deadly competition to win one of the few coveted candidate spots, all while trying to accept a frightening reality: that monsters are real, and she has to learn to master them if she’s to have any hope of saving her brother.

[Aly]

Sorry I'm behind! I will try to read this over the weekend

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "Sorry I'm behind! I will try to read this over the weekend"

I am soooooo far behind! I'm not sure when I will start! LOL -- sorry!!

[Aly]

No worries! Start when you can

[Aly]

Ch 11 (view spoiler)[ August isn't super likeable this far. Her mom is gone and now her brother, but she treats everyone so poorly and I'm not a fan.

I feel bad for Virgil and the other kids who turn into monsters. I hope we learn more about what kinds of monsters they turn into (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 22 (view spoiler)[ It's clear her mom was part of the society. Maybe a master who ran away, or had a family member that was a monster? It makes me wonder if her brother was taken because he transformed?

I need August to put this together.

Also, I hate how horribly they treat the monsters. They can't help it and are also human, they deserve better than cages (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 33 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, Jules is a monster. How are people just randomly turning like that? I wonder if they aren't and someone is behind it?

Still don't really like August. She doesn't care much about her friends and I'm worried she'll abandon Virgil at the last minute.

This is a bit too long, some parts are dragging for me, though I do like the contest part. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 44 (view spoiler)[ The disqualification is so shitty. August and Virgil worked so hard and this blows. The whole thing sucks, I don't know why they don't have as many people as possible bond with the monsters to save them (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ a lot packed into the last bit! I'm really glad Natalie bonded with Jules so August could be with Virgil. I did not want him to be a monster, waiting for her some day.

I guess the mom is dead, though the way Jules said it, I'm not sure. And if the mom knew that Jules would be a monster one day, she shouldn't have left the kids so unprepared like that. (hide spoiler)] I thought this could have been shorter, but I enjoyed it and would read the sequel

[Carrie]

starting this one tonight!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

I'm hoping to start soon!!!

[Aly]

I hope you both like it!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "I hope you both like it!"

Thank youuuuu -- I can't wait to read your thoughts once I get started!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

I started this morning, but only managed to make it through the Prologue and a little into Chapter 1 before I had to start work, so no real thoughts thus far, except that, yeah, the tone definitely does remind me of Legendborn, which I believe is mentioned in the synopsis.

[Aly]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "I started this morning, but only managed to make it through the Prologue and a little into Chapter 1 before I had to start work, so no real thoughts thus far, except that, yeah, the tone definitely..."

Definitely some similarities with Legendborn

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To Ch 10: Well, now that August has (view spoiler)[seen inside the monster cult, there's no turning back! The missing brother vibe is also giving me Amari and the Night Brothers. I like how it feels like we're getting a little light Sci-fi concepts with the monsters as well; the transformations, etc. I'm definitely excited for a competition too, which I'm sure will involve training, which I love in a book (well, IRL too). (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now that August has [spoilers removed]"

I love books with competition. Fastest way to get me to read something ha

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now that August has [spoilers removed]"

I love books with competition. Fastest way to get me to read something ha"

Same! Definitely my favorite Fantasy trope!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is (view spoiler)[making it really hard to root for her right now. I love Corrie (apologize if spelling wrong, I am listening to the audiobook, so haven't seen it in print), and the way she just treated her, yikes. Like she has all these people trying to help her and she's just being so freaking stubborn. I thought the chat with her Aunt was progress, but it's like one step forward, two steps back! (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "Ch 11 ..."

Hahaha, yeah, I just wrote the same thing about her!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "Ch 22 It's ..."

Agree to all!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To Ch 36: I am loving the different (view spoiler)[trials. Of course the maze made me think of Goblet of Fire. Screw these guys trying to sabotage her too. So typical! LOL (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "Ch 33 Yeah..."

It probably could have been broken down into two books...

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

To Ch 38: Why did (view spoiler)[Jules say, you know? Is it their Mom behind all this!? Can you imagine... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 36: I am loving the different [spoilers removed]"

Ooh yes! I love the maze too

[Aly]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 38: Why did [spoilers removed]"

Ooh!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Done!!! This was so good! A little long, slightly complex system, but I got so into it. I am stoked for the next book. Loved the (view spoiler)[revelations at the end regarding their Mom and now August has a whole new fire lite under her butt!! (hide spoiler)] Also, just one time...I don't think so 🤣

[Aly]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "Done!!! This was so good! A little long, slightly complex system, but I got so into it. I am stoked for the next book. Loved the [spoilers removed] Also, just one time...I don't think so 🤣"

Haha. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "I started this morning, but only managed to make it through the Prologue and a little into Chapter 1 before I had to start work, so no real thoughts thus far, except that, yeah, the tone definitely..."

I had the same issues. I actually forgot I had started it and went to others before returning to this. I hate when work gets in the way of my reading. But is only one on my plate this minute and am getting it done today, lol!

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now that August has [spoilers removed]" (view spoiler)[ I also think that mom was part of the society....but is she missing of her own free will like she ran away or is something more behind her disapearance. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "Aly wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now that August has [spoilers removed]"

I love books with competition. Fastest way to get me to read something ha"

Sam..."
This one however seems to be drug out and not quite 1/2 way through....

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "I started this morning, but only managed to make it through the Prologue and a little into Chapter 1 before I had to start work, so no real thoughts..."

Hahahah, I know, work frequently gets in the way of readings. It's rude, frankly. LOL

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now " [spoilers removed]"

That's a great question, Carrie!

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "Aly wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 10: Well, now that August has [spoilers removed]"

I love books with competition...."

I had the audiobook, so I definitely feel like that helped!

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[I am not sure stubborn is what I would call her. Yes she has been through alot and to find out your brother is not missing but is also a murderer is rough, but she is a b......tch, lol (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 36: I am loving the different [spoilers removed]" I envisioned the Goblet also. Wondering if there is going to be a Cedric Diggory with all this out of control and sabotage "going" ons

[Carrie]

megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is [spoilers removed]"


How in the world are we only 1/2 way through?????Have I not been reading this for days?????I literally have been, but only half through at chapter 32 and it has been dragging for me since about chapter 3. ugh

[Aly]

Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is [spoilers removed]"


How in the world are we only 1/2 way through?????..."

It's too long I think

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is [spoilers removed]"
[spoilers removed]"

Hahahaha, that sums it up nicely, Carrie!!! LOL

[megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))]

Aly wrote: "Carrie wrote: "megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up)) wrote: "To Ch 30: Okay, I get that August has been through a lot of shit, but she is [spoilers removed]"


How in the world are we only 1/2 w..."

Agreed, I kind of wish it were broken in half, TBH. I would have been fine with more (view spoiler)[build-up in the beginning, more mystery about her brother. Then have her discovering the society and training to compete...then leaving the actual competition for book 2, but have them have been around 380 pgs a piece. Because some things I am not a hundred percent clear on and I feel like the politics were sort of thrown at us. I would have rather learned about it a little more naturally, taken time with the build and then left the whole competition, all the sabotage, etc., for the second book, which also could have built out more. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Finished (view spoiler)[
Wow August sure made an attitude turn around by the end. If only her brother especially and even her mother would have shared the truth from beginning, she might have been so bitchy. It would have helped her deal I think with all that was coming into her life. I never would have thought through about 75%, but I now look forward to the next one and knowing August with Virgil as her monster will find and defeat who killed her mother (hide spoiler)]