Book Review of The Monstrumologist, By: Rick Yancey

Title: The Monstrumologist

By: Rick Yancey

Publisher: Simon&Schuster BFYR

Released:2009

Summary: "Will Henry, Snap to!" This is the call that wakes Will Henry in the dead of night and calls him down to his grisly duties. Will Henry, orphan and apprentice to the Monstrumologist, Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, engage in the study of things that go creep in the night and are the beings of nightmares. One night, Will Henry wakes to the Doctor's call and encounters a most gruesome sight. A monster by the name of Anthropophagi clasped in death's embrace atop the fresh corpse of a young girl. This discovery begins Will Henry and Dr. Warthrop's journey into the hunting of the fierce Anthropophagi and how these predators came to be on New England soil.

My Thoughts: This story was terrifying! At first, the Anthropophagi monster seemed kind of lame in its description, a headless monster who's eyes reside in its shoulders, with big barbed claws, and a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth in the region of its stomach. I wasn't expecting to be creeped out by this book, but as the novel picked up steam, the creepy atmosphere and chilling survivor stories of Anthropophagi attacks made me genuinely fearful and distressed. This book was full of gore from the first chapter to the last. It contained nauseating images and visuals that caused one's stomach to turn. It was a good thing this novel had no scratch and sniff sticker because it would have only smelled like death. This novel would be a great Halloween read or just a scary read in general. The characters are strong and complicated. For example, at the beginning of the book, Dr. Warthrop is a very gruff, unlikable character, but as the novel goes on the reader comes to understand why Dr. Warthrop is the way he is and sympathizes with him a little. I wouldn't recommend this novel  to middle grade readers, more so to older YA readers. The vocabulary used in the novel is complicated in some aspects which would make it hard for younger readers. As the story went on, my enjoyment for it grew. It's a macabre adventure story that will keep readers biting their nails and glued to their seats. I liked it. I also loved the little illustrations interspersed throughout the book, it added that little extra bit of specialness.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

HORRIFYING

and it won an award! (Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature)