Description

Book Synopsis

In every story there is a hero and a monster.

'Mind-bending, heart wrenching, and unputdownable!' Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Caraval series and Once Upon a Broken Heart

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother's eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

Then a Good Samaritan attempt gone wrong sends Joan spinning through time, and her life quickly begins to unravel. Her family aren't just eccentric: they're monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn't just a cute boy: he's a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She'll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.

Dive deep into the world of Only a Monster, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin: hidden worlds dwell in the shadows, beautiful monsters with untold powers walk among humans, and secrets are the most powerful weapon of all.

** Praise for Only a Monster **

'Darkly delicious fun' Natasha Ngan

'What a fantastic, immersive read - I couldn't stop turning the page!' Naomi Novik

'A captivating new voice in fantasy' Hafsah Faizal

'An absolute page-turner' Chloe Gong

'A fabulous start to a phenomenal new series' Adalyn Grace



Trade Review
Mind-bending, heart-wrenching, and unputdownable! Don't feel bad if this book tricks you into rooting for the monster instead of the hero. Vanessa Len has written a masterful debut novel - I loved the time-travel, the star crossed romance, and the monsters * Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Caraval series and Once Upon a Broken Heart *

Darkly delicious fun. If you've been looking for your newest YA urban fantasy obsession - you've found it

* Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire *
What a fantastic, immersive read - I couldn't stop turning the page! An exciting, original and complex fantasy about monsters, heroes, and all the people in between * Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of Uprooted and A Deadly Education *

Vanessa Len's Only a Monster is captivating and unique and - dare I say it - utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!

* Lynette Noni, author of The Prison Healer *
Vanessa Len's world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I've ever read, utterly fresh and unique * C.S. Pacat, USA Today bestselling author *
With a pace that will leave you breathless, Only a Monster introduces a captivating new voice in fantasy with a dynamic story that blurs the lines between hero and monster * Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame *
An absolute page-turner. Only a Monster paints another vivid world inside the one we know, and uses a deft hand to bring it utterly alive. Vanessa Len blurs the age-old lines between good or evil, hero or monster, in the most captivating way * Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights *
A fabulous start to a phenomenal new series that reminded me of why I first fell in love with YA. Fast-paced and full of clever, monstrous characters you can't help but root for, Only A Monster is a book that should be on everyone's TBR. I'm already dying to get my hands on the sequel to find out what happens next! * Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth *
Only A Monster is a wonderfully clever and intriguing take on the classic tale of hero versus monster. Vanessa Len has crafted a rich and immersive world filled with unique magic, thrilling action, and a heart-wrenching star-crossed romance. A marvellous and twisty debut that will pull you in right from the start! * June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold *
Exquisitely crafted, this riveting read opens up a multitude of dimensions and turns the notion of heroes and monsters on its head. Vanessa Len has woven a spellbinding tale laced with mystery, magic, humor, and heartbreak * Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve *
A thoughtful, well-constructed tale... a thumpingly enjoyable read * SFX *
Readers who enjoyed epic tales like The Nightingale Floor and its sequels by Lian Hearn will appreciate this book * Armadillo Magazine *
When Joan discovers her family's monstrous secret she realises she needs to find her own inner demon to protect them in this brilliantly twisty and original fantasy thriller * Waterstones *
This novel perfectly encapsulated a doomed teenage love and I think it's one of the best young adult novels to hit the market this year * My London *

Only a Monster: The captivating YA contemporary

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 22 Jun 2026.

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      Description

      Book Synopsis

      In every story there is a hero and a monster.

      'Mind-bending, heart wrenching, and unputdownable!' Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Caraval series and Once Upon a Broken Heart

      It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother's eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

      Then a Good Samaritan attempt gone wrong sends Joan spinning through time, and her life quickly begins to unravel. Her family aren't just eccentric: they're monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn't just a cute boy: he's a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

      As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She'll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

      . . . she is not the hero.

      Dive deep into the world of Only a Monster, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin: hidden worlds dwell in the shadows, beautiful monsters with untold powers walk among humans, and secrets are the most powerful weapon of all.

      ** Praise for Only a Monster **

      'Darkly delicious fun' Natasha Ngan

      'What a fantastic, immersive read - I couldn't stop turning the page!' Naomi Novik

      'A captivating new voice in fantasy' Hafsah Faizal

      'An absolute page-turner' Chloe Gong

      'A fabulous start to a phenomenal new series' Adalyn Grace



      Trade Review
      Mind-bending, heart-wrenching, and unputdownable! Don't feel bad if this book tricks you into rooting for the monster instead of the hero. Vanessa Len has written a masterful debut novel - I loved the time-travel, the star crossed romance, and the monsters * Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Caraval series and Once Upon a Broken Heart *

      Darkly delicious fun. If you've been looking for your newest YA urban fantasy obsession - you've found it

      * Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire *
      What a fantastic, immersive read - I couldn't stop turning the page! An exciting, original and complex fantasy about monsters, heroes, and all the people in between * Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author of Uprooted and A Deadly Education *

      Vanessa Len's Only a Monster is captivating and unique and - dare I say it - utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!

      * Lynette Noni, author of The Prison Healer *
      Vanessa Len's world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I've ever read, utterly fresh and unique * C.S. Pacat, USA Today bestselling author *
      With a pace that will leave you breathless, Only a Monster introduces a captivating new voice in fantasy with a dynamic story that blurs the lines between hero and monster * Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame *
      An absolute page-turner. Only a Monster paints another vivid world inside the one we know, and uses a deft hand to bring it utterly alive. Vanessa Len blurs the age-old lines between good or evil, hero or monster, in the most captivating way * Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights *
      A fabulous start to a phenomenal new series that reminded me of why I first fell in love with YA. Fast-paced and full of clever, monstrous characters you can't help but root for, Only A Monster is a book that should be on everyone's TBR. I'm already dying to get my hands on the sequel to find out what happens next! * Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth *
      Only A Monster is a wonderfully clever and intriguing take on the classic tale of hero versus monster. Vanessa Len has crafted a rich and immersive world filled with unique magic, thrilling action, and a heart-wrenching star-crossed romance. A marvellous and twisty debut that will pull you in right from the start! * June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold *
      Exquisitely crafted, this riveting read opens up a multitude of dimensions and turns the notion of heroes and monsters on its head. Vanessa Len has woven a spellbinding tale laced with mystery, magic, humor, and heartbreak * Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve *
      A thoughtful, well-constructed tale... a thumpingly enjoyable read * SFX *
      Readers who enjoyed epic tales like The Nightingale Floor and its sequels by Lian Hearn will appreciate this book * Armadillo Magazine *
      When Joan discovers her family's monstrous secret she realises she needs to find her own inner demon to protect them in this brilliantly twisty and original fantasy thriller * Waterstones *
      This novel perfectly encapsulated a doomed teenage love and I think it's one of the best young adult novels to hit the market this year * My London *

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