Review: A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill

Author: Shaun Hamill
Publisher: Pantheon
Date of publication:  September 2019

Noah Turner sees monsters.

His father saw them—and built a shrine to them with The Wandering Dark, an immersive horror experience that the whole family operates.

His practical mother has caught glimpses of terrors but refuses to believe—too focused on keeping the family from falling apart.

And his eldest sister, the dramatic and vulnerable Sydney, won't admit to seeing anything but the beckoning glow of the spotlight...until it swallows her up.

Noah Turner sees monsters. But, unlike his family, Noah chooses to let them in... 

A Cosmology of Monsters is definitely a book that I don't think will be for everyone.  But, if you are into trying new things, I would steer you toward this one.   It was unlike anything I have read in a while. Ultimately, I did enjoy it.  I wasn't a big fan of the ending, but I can see why the author chose to end it that way. I liked Noah's character.  Watching him grow up and seeing how his relationship with his monster was a unique experience.   Initially, I thought this was a YA book, but it's not.  Things go in a particular direction that is very much adult.  So fair warning.

I really feel like this is a book that you are better off going into knowing as little as possible.  Knowing more than the synopsis above would really ruin the experience.  I definitely had no idea what the twist or reveal would be and that only enhanced my reading experience.  I was sucked in and captivated from start to finish.  It's little creepy, but not scary.  I definitely recommend this debut novel.  I think this author has gotten off to a good start and I can't wait to see what comes next.

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