6.22.2024

We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim

 

This early review copy was gifted to me by Penguin Teen through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: We Shall Be Monsters
Author: Tara Sim
Publisher: Penguin Teen, Nancy Paulsen Books
Genre: Fantasy, YA Horror
Source: digital, NetGalley
Pages: 400

Synopsis

Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the horror is not the monsters you face but the ones you create.

After her sister Lasya’s sudden death, Kajal vows to do whatever it takes to bring her back. No cost is too great, even if it means preventing Lasya’s soul from joining the cycle of reincarnation. But as Kajal prepares for the resurrection, her sister’s trapped soul warps into a bhuta—a violent, wraith-like spirit hell-bent on murdering those who wronged it in life. With each kill, the bhuta becomes stronger and fiercer, and Kajal’s chances of resurrecting Lasya with her soul intact grow slimmer.

Blamed for Lasya’s rampage and condemned as a witch, Kajal is locked away with little hope of escape. That is, until two strangers who label themselves rebels arrive and offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom’s fallen crown prince, aiding their coup to overthrow the usurper who sits the throne. Desperate to return to Lasya’s body, Kajal rushes to revive the crown prince . . . only to discover that she’s resurrected another boy entirely.

All her life, Kajal has trusted no one but her sister. But with Lasya dead and rebels ready to turn her over to the usurper’s ruthless soldiers, Kajal is forced to work with the boy she mistakenly revived. Together, they must find the crown prince before the rebels discover her mistake, or the bhuta finally turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for Lasya’s death: Kajal.


Thoughts

Reading "We Shall Be Monsters" was an emotional journey that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. The story was beautifully written and deeply moving. It brought me to tears on more than one occasion, and its impact on me was profound.

Kajal, the main character, truly touched my heart with her struggle to revive her sister and not be alone anymore. The author did an exceptional job of conveying Kajal's desperation and despair, which was deeply heartbreaking. As I followed her journey, I felt her pain and her guilt over believing that she only causes death and destruction. She was a character who just desired to right her wrongs, but with each step, she felt like she was digging herself into a deeper hole. This constant struggle of hers was a theme that resonated strongly with me throughout the book.

Another character that left a great impression on me was Tavinder. I found myself smitten with him right from the start. His magnanimous nature, his desperate love for his brother, and his solid conviction that one’s birth doesn't determine the type of person they are destined to become, all made him a character I could greatly admire. He was a hero, through and through, and I fell in love with his character for embodying such noble and admirable traits.

One aspect that added an extra layer of depth and beauty to the story was the brilliant incorporation of Indian mythology. It was stunningly depicted and wove a fantastical tale around the retelling of Frankenstein. Frankenstein is a novel that holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite science fiction pieces, and this retelling did it absolute justice. The constant theme of what it is that truly makes a monster was as heart-wrenching in this interpretation as it was in the original tale.

"We Shall Be Monsters" is a book that will stay with me for a long time, just as the original Frankenstein has. It is a tale that explores despair, hope, love, guilt, and the notion of monstrosity in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. Its impact is lasting, its characters memorable, and its story deeply moving. I highly recommend it to any reader who appreciates a well-told, emotional, and thought-provoking tale.


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