Original!  What makes a monster?  Can love truly make to live?
923472
My thoughts:

It took me awhile to get into the story.  It is nicely written and interesting.  I love the issues that run through the book and that the author was so insightful to offer such ideas in a vampire story, very original.  This is the first vampire book I have read that brings racism into the plot, that and revenge drive Gregory to hunt Cornelius.  To balance out the monster that is Gregory, the autor brings the reader love as the driving force for Cornelius and Rita.

At the very start of the book, I wasn't sure if I truly loved Cornelius as a character.  I had a hard time with the fact that he had to kill to feed - just because it's different from most vampire stories.  But, as I read the story I found myself completely investing in Cornelius.  He is a carefully, thoughtfully created character who spans centuries with his ideas, ideals, and theories.  He is noble, compassionate and kind.  In contrast, Gregory is the very ipitmy of a heartless, thoughtless, vicious monster.  I love the twist with Gregory at the end.

I liked Rita's character from the start, but wonder at how rapidly she falls for Cornelius considering how much he warns her against it.  Her dedication to Cornelius and her desire to protect and be with him are heartwarming.

The book ends with an creative twist and I can't wait to start the next book in the series, Vampyre 2000: Ill of the Dead.
2246599
No, really, this is a drama about a family coming back together.  The monster, who is the title of the film, is the mover of the plot only in that it kidnaps the girl.  The father, and the rest of the family, spend the rest of the film trying to find her and save her.  Even the governments involved focus more on the virus the monster has than the monster itself.  In the end it seems like they're not even worried about killing it.  The cast is great and I plan to try to find more movies based on the stars and the directors.  In fact, I only do have a few.  The extras are fun, very interesting and go on forever!  Love the humor and the behind the scenes features.
2432490
I often wonder if such a beast exists. The author tries to show that it might! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written, has serious ideas enveloped in a dry self-mocking humor. I will not tell you the story, read it! You will like it I am sure!
1649867
Rachel Barnards At Ones Beast is a compelling take on the original tale. The beast begins an innocent boy, infected with the scouring of other peoples hate. Its a book that asks, what makes a person good or bad?

The boy falls in a pit of black thoughts and comes out so covered with the streaks of mental filth that he appears a monster. Inside his thoughts rage feelings of despair, hopelessness and suffocating oppression. He runs deep into the forest to escape the village that now fears him.

Years later the girl is truehearted enough to sacrifice herself for the town that betrayed her and is sent alone to the forest to appease the beast. Although she is the beautiful one on the surface of things and the most free, in the end its the boy that surprises us.

I love that he will not become evil, no matter what seeks to force change upon him. Read a book that says truth will not stay hidden, and proves that misguided and suspicious people are never too old to learn that appearances cant judge whats in the human heart.

At times the book was dark to read, and yet I expect young people will sympathize with the difficulties that are perpetrated upon our main characters. By the end I had a difficult time putting the book down!
2854895
I loved this sequel! If you have not read the first book please do! Any monster lover will absolutely love these two books. I had the chance to read and review the first book earlier this year and rated it 4/5. This second book is great and definitely deserves 5/5. There was a lot more character development in this book and the story is well written and progressed at a good pace. I normally don't praise a book as much however this really was a good book and for a brief moment really made me nervous regarding the fate of one particular character. I like the sudden twists in certain parts of the story and the overall ending. The author did a good job editing, formatting the book and taking the time to make sure certain details were looked at (chapter names, spacing, paragraphs). Details like these although small make a big difference for the reader especially on Kindle. If you like monsters, action, and thrills check this series out
4297628
Tell me who doesn't like a story with a bit of magic, monsters and romance! Well, this story has all these features and it is written so well that one never seems to lose interest. Now, is it just me or does anybody else wish for a sequel?
204305
I love this story both for its uniqueness and darkness. Everything about it is infinitely creative and original, from the thumb-striking clock that marks the passage of time with an "ouch" instead of the same old "cuckoo," to the fantastically twisted characters. However, this is not really a book for children. I think it is best read by teens and adults, (or mature younger readers!) The story involves two wicked individuals working for the Devil Himself to destroy the world. There is still hope though, in two raggedy animals who have just one night to foil their masters' plans! For an extra fun experience, I suggest you read this book in real time. It takes place in the course of that single evening, and there is even a clock every few pages to let you know how much time remains! If you crave dark stuff, or just enjoy really original stories, you'll fall in love with THE NIGHT OF WISHES!
3078615
Hello, this is a very good and interesting read.  Are the Vampires the real monsters?  You will have to read it to find out.  Thanks.
3829346
This book was unique,  different and absolutely something I could see happening in movie. Use a little imagination people. A creature living in the closet for years,  I mean come on,  the backstory on that needs to be pretty interesting,  which it was. I wish could make friends with the monster in my closet. I give it 5 stars,  and people who gave this girl poor reviews,  take it from an indie author,  it's not easy making it on your own but at least she's trying. And to Emily,  keep on tugging on along, a few bad reviews won't kill you,  I'll make you stronger!
1605537
The devil is getting some good press lately. Maybe he'll turn into a fairy godmother and if that statement doesn't damn me to hell I don't know what will. It's a great ending that is totally unexpected but may love always conquer all.  Enjoy!
1762145
This could have been jut another monster movie-but it wasn't.  And why not?  Because it is the only such film, as far as I know, where both  the humans AND the monster(s) survive-a truly novel concept!
769132
Absolutely original!! The reality of love, sacrifice, and more love. Unbelievably honest! The prequel made it that much harder to put this book (or E-Reader) down! Shocked, thrilled and utterly in awe!! Wow...just wow!! Nashoda Rose, amazing!!!
3038451
This is an original concept that I love. Take vampires and parasites and put them together for a terrific YA sci-fi book. I love how the main character slowly relaxes her morals in order to live more conveniently. Great ending. I recommend for any sci-fi buff or vampire reader. Any monster lover, actually.
1983415
Classics aren't really my thing, so while yes, I know the generalized story of Frankenstein (because its like I live under a rock) I haven't actually read the book. Still, when this one landed on my door step, I was excited to read it because the whole idea behind it intrigued me.

And I loved every minute of it.

There many, many aspects of This Monstrous Thing that I loved. I loved the meaning behind the book; and how all the characters try to define what/who is human and what makes us a monster. That, in conjunction with the historical steam punk setting made this such a page turner for me.

The characters were are brilliantly written and while I liked more than others, each one plays a large part in the story. I adored Alasdair. He has flaws for sure, and one could argue what he did to Oliver was selfish and in a sense, I agree. His regrets about that night Oliver died  and bringing him back, have plagued him for two years. Its something that I want to talk about  but there is so much to say. His character was real to me, because he had real regrets and felt so much remorse for what he had done. But he also had those selfish thoughts of just leaving Oliver to his own devices. While yes, this is purely selfish I think its a realistic thought many would have. In any case.. I also loved how Mary herself was written into the story, too.

Oliver  while described more monster than man after Alasdair brings him back  really isn't and this is what sparks the debate on what defines a monster. Oliver felt alone, isolated and looked the part  and thats primarily Alasdairs doing, if I were honest.

I loved how we got flashbacks into the past with Alasdair, Oliver and Mary. You get a better look inside their bond, the strains in their bonds and its slowly revealed what really happened the night Oliver died. It was brilliant.

I was truly blown away by This Monstrous Thing. An interesting, vivid setting with clockworks, amazingly written characters and thought provoking questions of humanity, even if you haven't read the original Frankenstein (like me) its a MUST read! I highly recommend it!
1864743
I really enjoyed this movie. The "monsters" in this movie were simply rocks from outer space that grew to the size of skyscrapers when exposed to water and absorbed silicon to build themselves rather than the typical living creature that attacks out of hunger, etc. which makes this movie unique. This is one movie that I would like to see a remake of if anyone decides to do so. I highly recommend this movie to anyone. I also highly recommend this seller to anyone.
4259729
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a beautifully written, yet haunting tale of a girl raised by monsters, in a world where so many secrets are kept about things right in front of you, and behind locked doors.

The girl, Karou, is a very intriguing young woman who is an art student and has a love of oddly colored hair, tattoos, and making interesting wishes. I like that she is not afraid to stand up for herself (and a kick a little ass) but it's also nice to see that's she is not perfect, and has made bad dating choices in her life (because hey, haven't we all?). This makes her a very realistic teenage girl character, and I found it so enjoyable readying about her and her friend Zuzana.

I think one of the ironic, and best parts of this book, is the fact that the monsters themselves (the ones who raised Karou) don't seem all that "monsterly". The are kind, caring and compassionate as you would expect (or hope) a family to be toward their child. They do have to keep secrets from Karou often, but that is to protect her from the dangers of their world.

  "It is a condition of monsters that they do not perceive themselves as such. The dragon, you know, hunkered in the village devouring maidens, heard the townsfolk cry 'Monster!' and looked behind him."

The settings in this story are amazing! I mean Prague! Oh yes please! And that little place they are always eating at, that has the coffins and skeletons everywhere? That is totally my type of place. Can I tell you I secretly want to be Karou right now! Eat at cool places, take art classes in Prague, change may hair color and tattoos with a single wish, step through a door that takes me to the opposite side of the world...but I digress...

There wasn't much I didn't like about this book, especially the first act let's call it. It had a somewhat tense, yet romantic, Romeo and Juliet type feel, made even more vibrant by the beautiful flow of the author's lyrical writing. A real love for an ages, a perfect definition of a love that knows no boundaries, not even time.

  "Your soul sings to mine. My soul is yours, and it always will be, in any world. No matter what happens. I need you to remember that I love you."

As much as I understand the need to only feed your reader's a little at a time, I did feel some of the secrets were kept too long. I mean, as interesting as the whole underlying of what the teeth represented, I think we could have been told a little sooner... I was also, not really upset with, but slightly irritated by the break in the book toward the end. I almost feel like maybe it could have been spattered throughout the book as told through Akiva's eyes instead of re-enacted completely, in the past, almost like a separate novel. It really through me out of my special little reading zone.

And of course...the end... Typical cliffhanger of DOOM! Not amused...November...where are you? I guess I will have to wait for Days of Blood and Starlight!
2515394
Wow, I love how our imagination can weave threads of love or fear into a simple snippet of cloth! How life or death may balance on the precipice of either a lie or the true in this case!