Only a Monster

'An absolute page-turner. Only a Monster paints another vivid world inside the one we know, and uses a deft hand to bring it utterly alive.'- Chloe Gong


Don't forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never tell anyone about monsters.

Only a monster would kill a hero. Right?

Every family has its secrets, but the summer Joan Chang-Hunt goes to stay with her Gran in London, she learns hers is bigger than most. The Hunts are one of twelve families in London with terrifying, hidden powers.

Joan is half-monster. And what's more, her summer crush Nick isn't just a cute boy - he's hiding a secret as well; a secret that places Joan in terrible danger.

When the monsters of London are attacked, Joan is forced on the run with the ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family who are sworn enemies of her own. Joan is drawn deeper into a world that simmers with hostilities, alliances and secrets. And her rare and dangerous power means she's being hunted. She'll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.

'Vanessa Len's world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I've ever read, utterly fresh and unique. It's a page-turning YA adventure with breathtaking twists and a rich, dangerous setting. I loved the girl antihero at its centre, and the depth of the themes that it tackles. But most of all I love the way it turns the genre on its head. Put down everything and read it!' - CS Pacat

'Only a Monster is captivating and unique and - dare I say it - utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!' - Lynette Noni

Joan is enjoying her summer in London with her eccentric family and dream job at the historic Holland House. After unexpectedly losing several hours out of her day after a fall, she discovers that her family are not just eccentric, they are monsters-monsters that are capable of time travel, but at the expense of human lives. Not only that, but the cute boy Joan was hoping to date turns out to be a legendary monster slayer who has vowed to kill all of her kind. Now on a quest to save her family, Joan must go into battle with the beautiful Aaron, the heir to a rival monster family, and embrace her own terrifying powers in order to survive. Vanessa Len's debut YA novel is an intriguing urban fantasy that is sure to appeal to fans of Sarah J Maas and Cassandra Clare. While there are several well-worn tropes at play, the world-building is impressive and will immerse the reader in the world of monsters. Len uses Joan's monster identity (half monster, half human) to explore the wider prejudices she faces as a biracial young woman, and it is refreshing to see an Anglo-Asian character who is not simply a token addition. It is the secondary characters, however, who are the most interesting. From Joan's ruthless grandmother and snooty Aaron and his monster family, to Nick the monster slayer and Joan's beautiful but feisty older cousin Ruth, all have secrets that intrigue the reader and provide many twists and turns in the plot. No doubt readers will be eagerly awaiting further additions to this proposed trilogy. Erin Wamala has previously worked in publishing and is currently both a practising teacher librarian and the owner of The Kids' Bookshop.

Vanessa Len is an Australian author of Chinese-Malaysian and Maltese heritage. An educational editor, she has worked on everything from language learning programs to STEM resources, to professional learning for teachers. Vanessa is a graduate of the Clarion Workshop in San Diego, and she lives in Melbourne.

Joan Chang-Hunt has no idea she's part monster until she's thrust into a battle between the boy she has a crush on and one of the most ruthless monster families of London. A brilliantly compelling YA fantasy from a dazzling new Australian talent. Don't forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never tell anyone about monsters. Only a monster would kill a hero. Right? Every family has its secrets, but the summer Joan Chang-Hunt goes to stay with her Gran in London, she learns hers is bigger than most. The Hunts are one of twelve families in London with terrifying, hidden powers. Joan is half-monster. And what's more, her summer crush Nick isn't just a cute boy - he's hiding a secret as well; a secret that places Joan in terrible danger. When the monsters of London are attacked, Joan is forced on the run with the ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family who are sworn enemies of her own. Joan is drawn deeper into a world that simmers with hostilities, alliances and secrets. And her rare and dangerous power means she's being hunted. She'll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . . . . . she is not the hero. 'Vanessa Len's world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I've ever read, utterly fresh and unique. It's a page-turning YA adventure with breathtaking twists and a rich, dangerous setting. I loved the girl antihero at its centre, and the depth of the themes that it tackles. But most of all I love the way it turns the genre on its head. Put down everything and read it!' - CS Pacat ' Only a Monster is captivating and unique and - dare I say it - utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!' - Lynette Noni

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