Erryn reviews ‘Lesser Known Monsters (Lesser Known Monsters Book 1)’ by Rory Michaelson. This book was released on October 31, 2020 and is 306 pgs long. The audiobook version of this story was released October 31, 2022 narrated by Rhys Jennings and is 8 hrs and 43 mins. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I’m always game to try a new author.
Being the chosen one isn’t always a good thing.
Oscar Tundale is not a hero. Anxious, indecisive, and awkward, he can barely get through a normal day. Now he’s about to find out monsters are real. Oscar’s friends—brave, stubborn Zara and hyperactive, paranoid Marcus—might help discover what hunts him and unravel the truth about the handsome doctor he pines for. But only heroes can save the world, so maybe the best Oscar can hope for is to not end it by accident.
The Lesser Known Monsters series is a dark queer fantasy featuring diverse characters on a found-family adventure. Perfect for fans of horror and paranormal romance who seek LGBTQ+ heroes.
Buy Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Review:
I’ll start by saying I’m not a fan or horror, but I’m always willing to try a new author. And I’m glad I picked up this audio by Rory Michaelson. I’ll start with the narration – I thought Rhys Jennings did a great job. He was perfect and delivered a stellar performance.
Now, this book isn’t just horror – it’s also about the paranormal. It makes sense the two go together. When things go bump in the night, it’s rarely human. These books pray on our deepest fears about creatures we don’t understand.
It took me a bit of time to understand the format and timelines. How things are never as they appear. How things can reset. But I quite fell into the story with this group of lovely queer characters and, of course, Oscar endeared himself to me. I could relate to his neuroses.
This is the first book in a trilogy and I hope the others will come to audio soon.
My Rating:
8.5/10 Pots of Gold (85% Recommended) – Compares to 4.25/5 Stars
Rory Michaelson is always doing too many things, and rarely the ones that they ought to be. The Lesser Known Monsters series includes Rory’s debut novel and short story collection. They were born and raised in the UK, love stories in all forms, and are easily bribed with cookies.
You can follow Rory on Twitter (and other social media platforms) for shenanigans @RoryMichaelson, or subscribe to their newsletter at RoryMichaelson.com.
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