Monstrumologist

Book review by Debra Bogart, Common Sense Media
Monstrumologist Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Gruesomely good gothic horror too violent for younger teens.

Rick Yancey Horror 2009
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Printz Honor winner is a horror story is set in 1888, and despite its fictional aspects, it remains true to the sexism of the times, and borders on misogyny. Although the Anthropophagy race of monsters will consume any human, here prostitutes are used as bait, and there are stories told of foreign lands where priests fed the monsters young, virginal girls. There are virtually no other female characters in the book. The violence in Monstrumologist is horrific, mature, and gruesomely graphic, making best for older teens.

Community Reviews

ManieSansDelire
ManieSansDelire Adult
June 28, 2011
age 12+

The most scary novel in the Young Adult section

The thing that I liked best about this book was that it had violence- but well-explained violence. Though not a book for those with a small vocabulary (or no dictionary), for the experienced reader, this is a must-read horror story. The first in what is at least a trilogy, "The Monstrumologist" creates believable fear. I rated this book Pause for age 12. A friend of mine, of that age, loved this book, was able to understand it, and was not fazed by the violence- but I also wouldn't recommend this to some of my more squeamish adult friends. This book is not for those without a strong stomach! No expense is spared in describing the feasts of the headless Anthropophagi, but it seems to me that this is the only vice, violence. There is little sexual content; the only real sexual content is the prostitute that Kearns, Cory, or the Ripper, whichever guise he goes under at the moment, uses as bait for the Anthropophagi. In fact, her profession is only mentioned in passing, as Kearns' explanation for his actions- "She is only a woman of the streets." This book is one of the finest of its genre, referring both to its YA status and horror. With the rarest of devices, believable horror, this monster story makes one ask again if monsters are real. Yes, my dear child, monsters are real. I happen to have one hanging in my basement.

This title has:

Too much violence
Pachi22
Pachi22 Adult
November 28, 2010
age 12+

perfect for teens

awesome book!!! the best monster book!!

This title has:

Too much violence
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

An old man reveals a childhood spent in the late 19th century as an apprentice to a monstrumologist -- a doctor who studied monsters. When a graverobber brings them the body of a young woman wrapped in the corpse of a headless monster, the doctor aborts the monster fetus from her and kills it. The race begins to find and kill any surviving members of the monsters called Anthropophagy. Will has grown up aiding with abominable experiments and dissections, but these creatures could not have been created by even the evilest minds. A hunt reveals that some evil man did import them to the U.S., and now more evil men appear to help hunt them -- some of them both evil and mad. At one point even Will becomes monster bait.

Is It Any Good?

This is shocking, graphically gory pus-and-guts splattered all over an action-packed story with some human moments. The gore and violence are so over the top that it's hard for anyone even the least bit squeamish to look past it. However Yancey is a popular young adult author and this book will have most mature horror fans riveted.

Female horror fans especially may be put off the book's very misogynistic nature. A story with this much imagination could certainly have avoided this -- the 1888 setting is no excuse.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why some readers like horror. What are the differences between Stephen King-like horror stories and this one? Does a gothic setting allow for themes or plots that would not be as acceptable set in modern times? Why or why not?

  • There are characters in this book who seem as evil as the monsters they hunt. Was Dr. Kearns evil? Was Dr. Warthrop evil?

  • Why was Will Henry loyal to the doctor? Was he right to be so loyal?

  • What was the reason the Anthropophayg were brought to the United States?

Book Details

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