Granted, the Monstrumologist took me quite a bit of time to read (a week) BUT, I like to take my time with a complex read, plus I got slightly sucked into 30 Rock.

I loved that it trusted the intelligence of the reader. I liked that there were a few words I had to look up. The style of the Monstrumologist harkens back to Victorian horror classics with a flair of the modern. Then, of course, the layers get peeled back and what emerges is a complex character with a complex relationship with the main character Will Henry. From the surface, he seemed a callous, single-minded man, caring for nothing but his work. You see, at first I really did not like him. Anyways, I really went through the gamut of emotions with Warthrop. Well, this Pellinore chases the mystical anthropophagi all over the place, and let me tell you, those dudes are bad. Ah, I cannot read your name without thinking of the legend of King Arthur, and the Pellinore who chased a dragon all over God’s creation. Also, throughout the novel, I just had the urge to pat Will Henry on the head. I like it when my coming of age reads have monsters. OH and we see such a character evolution for Will Henry. He’s also got some nerves of steel since he sees some serious business, and doesn’t go running for the hills.

He’s thoughtful, often remembering to eat and sleep and fix some food when Warthrop is off being eccentric. He is obedient, always at Warthrop’s beck and call. Young Will Henry, orphan of the moment, as you may have gathered is the main character of The Monstrumologist. Mmm girl, these monsters are fierce in a non-Tyra sort of way. The monsters in this book aren’t the type you make out with, because they WILL EAT YOUR FACE OFF with their thousands of teeth. Thank you Rick Yancey, for writing the Monstrumologist. I mean, sure you have your RL Stines and your Christopher Pikes, but I wouldn’t put those on the gruesome level of King. For serious, I just want to see some blood and guts, and some brave kids taking down a monster, not making out with the monster. FYI coming from me and my tastes, that is a compliment of the highest order. What ensues in The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey is Stephen-King quality macabre. You see, monsters are real and therefore studied by a branch of science hitherto known as monstrumology. His parents die in a fire and he is sent to live with Pellinore Warthrop, resident Monstrumologist. Well, for pretty much every fictional orphan EVER except Will Henry. Aside from the whole dead parent thing, being an orphan is awesome. I mean, Anne Shirley, Oliver Twist, the Boxcar Children. I am pretty sure orphans have all the fun.

Rick yancey the monstrumologist series