#Only a Monster

[theliterarymess]

Some of my collection of books with spredges!

[emci123]

"I do know, though," Aaron said, his gray eyes serious, "that if I gave you that brooch, I must have--" He hesitated.

You must have what Aaron? Just admit you are in love with her so I can live in peace.

:)

[skytsunrose]

Love when reading novels and they reference or mentions fandoms/pop culture things lmao. (Back to the future is my favorite movie ever and used to love Doctor who)

[dwindlebunnies]

I'm reading Only a Monster by Vanessa Len and it reads like a Miraculous Ladybug AU with Marinette and Felix as the main characters. Felinette isn't even one of my main ML ships but I can appreciate it. Felinette shippers, this book if for you. Look at the pretty cover.

Edit: Joan = Marinette, Aaron = Felix, Ruth = Alya, Nick = Lucas? I don't think Adrian is in this one at all.

[lyra-kane]

Books I want to read for ridiculous/lame reasons

1.only a monster by Vanessa len

I have no idea what this is about, but I heard it's a love triangle? One of the love interests is named aaron and is blonde, too? So yeah, I'm sold..

2. The Jasad heir by Sarah Hashem

I also have no idea what this is about, but palinlineart (on insta) said it was good so i trust her taste

3. Renegades by Marissa Meyer

So I heard it's about a bunch of super heros? And someone said If you like miraculous ladybug you'll like it too ? Mhm I'm sold

4. A tempest of tea by Hafseh Faizal

Tea and vampires were mentioned.. so yeah I want to read it

5. The Library 0f shadows by Rachel Moore

Library, ghosts, the cover give me spooky autumn vibes that's all i know

[mightydragoon]

Nick Ward and Joan Chang Hunt

The tragedy of Nick Ward and Joan Chang Hunt's romance in Vanessa Len's Monsters Series just gets to me, man. A lot of people prefer Aaron Oliver and Joan together and I get it I really do, Aaron has some of the funniest lines in the series and a really investing backstory.

But there is just something so intriguing and captivating about Nick and Joan. These are two people who have hurt each other one way or another and yet can't bring themselves to kill the other.

Nick was broken by his trauma he was kept in a time loop for possibly years, forcibly conditioned and forged into becoming a hero and the the thing is he isn't exactly wrong. Monsters steal time from people, a day, a lifetime it all adds up and even Joan recognises Monsters can use it for trivial shit.

Yet Nick never hurts Joan. He even starts the attacks on the Olivers specifically because they try to kill her. Even with their relationship at their worse, he can't kill her and Joan can't kill him despite trying to.

“I mean it,” she said. “You’re dead.” He gave her his familiar solemn smile, the one that he’d given her all the time at the house. “Aren’t we all,” he said. “Somewhere on the timeline.”

And it hurts how both of them recognise this is sides they must choose. Until Joan manages to restart everything and give Nick his family back.

I think things really got more to me once we got to Never a Hero and Nick forgot everything and we get to see him and Joan interact with each other and how he's already falling for her again. With Joan trying to keep him at arm's length but can't.

This isn't a Nick who was traumatised by seeing the deaths of his family over and over again, this is a Nick who was happy with his life until his life got uprooted again. And the way he tries to look out for Joan and Joan understandably be conflicted over the whole thing is great. Plus his reactions to the other timelines is just....It kills me. He's horrified at himself, man but also struck that there was a Nick and Joan happy with the other.

His eyes were still on the walkway too. And … Joan’s breath caught. He looked cracked open and raw. It lasted for just a moment. By the time he turned to meet her eyes, his expression was closed again.

It's the story of two people who know they probably shouldn't love the other and yet their hearts refuse to tell them so, two nerds who love history and worked together at a historical house, two kids who hunted the other. Two people who will remake and reforge the entire world just to protect the other for better or worse.

They were just two teens who wanted to be together and just wanted to be happy as a couple and help create peace for Monsters and Humans.

[bookishlyvintage]

everything I read in december [& thoughts]

[jamteayang]

book blurbs!! hell yes 💖

I’ve only been an editor for a hot second, so while other editors might be like “ho hum, a blurb from a NYT bestselling author? just another day at the office” -- I am screaming, crying, etc. I am starstruck! 

It is pretty freaking cool that YA authors I love to read have nice things to say about a book I edited. And it’s really fun to get to email these blurbs to the author (Jessica Mary Best!) and be like “hey! that’s you!! they’re talking about your writing!!!” 

So that’s my unsolicited perspective on the whole thing. Without further ado, some praise for Stars, Hide Your Fires by Jessica Mary Best: 

"With lush worldbuilding, high stakes, and a page turning mystery, STARS, HIDE YOUR FIRES is impossible to put down. Brilliantly crafted and delightfully fast-paced."—Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of SHE GETS THE GIRL

"A delightfully, mischievous adventure full of intrigue, betrayal, and a touch of romance. Get ready to join your new favorite rebel crew." —Dahlia Adler, author of COOL FOR THE SUMMER

"A delightful and gripping space mystery with twists and more twists; a charming and unlikely detective team; an adorable, banter-y romance; and an extravagant sci-fi ball!"—Vanessa Len, author of ONLY A MONSTER

And if “queer Knives Out in space” sounds like your jam, then consider: pre-ordering Stars, Hide Your Fires by Jessica Mary Best. Pre-orders are really important for the success of a book -- they signal to buyer accounts, booksellers, etc that this is a book they should be paying attention to. So if you do end up pre-ordering or requesting the book at your local library, thanks! I appreciate you. 

[monomatica]

Type Map for Never a Hero by Vanessa Len 🕰️

WOW this book is incredible. There’s so much going on that I wanted to include in this artwork aside from words: beautiful Joan, time travel, different years, a winged lion, the Hunt symbol, Eleanor’s sigil and a feeling of uncertainty over the unknown. The ending truly blew my mind and I cannot wait for the next book!

Also, I 🖤 Aaron, but Eleanor must be stopped.

Follow on Insta: @bookomatica Etsy Print Shop: Bookomatica

[aaronjoannick]

“I wish I were anywhere but here. I wish I were at home with a good book.”

Aaron Oliver

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

[theliterarymess]

The full spredges collection as of October 2023

[lesbianamalvada]

why is joan so impressed with nick for doing the bare minimum of thinking. like "oh he realizes all the strange-looking people attacking us are strangle looking." "after I told him we traveled in time because of that monster he put together that monsters can travel in time." "gotta watch out for this one." like??? how does this impress you?? then again we are talking about the girl who, despite being told at a young age that her and her family are monsters and seeing displays of their unnatural powers, is shocked when she finds out her and her family are monsters with unnatural powers.

[monstersw1thv1bes]

literally begging on my knees screaming and crying for vanessa len to finish and publish the third monsters book already so i dont forget everything abt the first 2 before that happens

[thesevenumbrellas]

Joan: Look, I know you think my judgement's clouded because I like Aaron and Nick a little bit.

Tom, holding Joan's notepad: You doodled your wedding invitation.

Joan: No, that's our joint tombstone.

Tom: My mistake.

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

☕️ MATCH YOUR COASTER ☕️

The only coasters I have besides the teabag one are my Only A Monster and Belladonna sets from Fairyloot, which already specifically match books 😂 so I kinda had options built-in for me.

[instagram]

Books and their coasters:

- Teabag galaxy coaster: Falls From Grace by Ruby Landers

- Belladonna coaster: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

- Chinese Phoenix crest coaster: Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

[ofstarsandmoonlightt]

guys this reminds me of that time in Lord of Shadows when Emma and Julian were discussing family mottos lol:

(📖: only a monster: vanessa len)