#m is for monster

[supertaliart]

Hey! If you like my fandom comics and illustrations, you might like my graphic novel, M is for Monster. It's a Frankenstein-inspired story with non-binary and queer characters that plays with the "came back wrong" trope. It's available to order or buy from bookstores and a lot of libraries!

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Fiction Free-for-All Book Bracket Tournament: Round 1D

Book summaries below:

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher (Sworn Soldier series)

When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia.

What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves.

Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

Horror, fantasy, gothic, mystery, historical fiction, turn-of-the-century, retelling, novella, series, adult

M Is for Monster by Talia Dutton

A scientist attempts to bring her younger sister back to life with unexpected results in this Frankenstein-inspired graphic novel about ghosts, identity, and family

When Doctor Frances Ai's younger sister Maura died in a tragic accident six months ago, Frances swore she would bring her back to life. However, the creature that rises from the slab is clearly not Maura. This girl, who chooses the name "M," doesn't remember anything about Maura's life and just wants to be her own person. However, Frances expects M to pursue the same path that Maura had been on—applying to college to become a scientist—and continue the plans she and Maura shared. Hoping to trigger Maura's memories, Frances surrounds M with the trappings of Maura's past, but M wants nothing to do with Frances' attempts to change her into something she's not.

In order to face the future, both Frances and M need to learn to listen and let go of Maura once and for all. Talia Dutton's debut graphic novel, M Is for Monster, takes a hard look at what it means to live up to other people's expectations—as well as our own.

Graphic novel, horror, fantasy, grief, retelling, young adult

[the-acceptance-project]

I was messaging a new buddy of mine and she made me think of this panel of the supportive voice of reason, Gin, of "M is for Monster." (Great new graphic novel by Talia Dutton @supertaliart, check it out.) So this is my reminder to everyone that your scars are kick-ass, beautiful, handsome, and dashing, and if you're not there in your journey yet than I hope that one day you will be able to view them as such.

[dapperenby13]

Just reread my favorite graphic novel and almost cried. If you like Frankenstein or stuff based of grief and identity I really recommend ‘M is for Monster’ it’s a really beautiful graphic novel

[therefugeofbooks]

M Is for Monster is a thought-provoking graphic novel that explores themes of family and identity. The main character struggles to meet the expectations of others, but ultimately must decide what is best for them. The story is also a captivating retelling of Frankenstein. I highly recommend giving it a chance!

[godzilla-reads]

⚡️ M is for Monster by Talia Dutton

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“The moment you existed you should have been loved. Unconditionally and truly.”

When Doctor Franes Ai’s younger sister Maura died in a tragic accident, Frances tries to bring her back. However, the creature that rises from the slab is clearly not Maura. Despite this, Frances tries to teach her to be the sister she once was, while the creature- M- is discovering who she wants to be on her own.

I tried really hard not to cry while reading the ending of this book and I managed to succeed, if not a bit sniffly. This is a beautiful graphic novel of transformation and the burden of living in someone else’s expectations. It was so well done from the greenish-blue color palette to the usage of space in the panels.

As a nonbinary person, I thought this story touched a lot on the gender queer experience as M is trying to figure out who she wants to be without the overhanging expectation of being someone else. This book was so good, you’ll just have to read it to see.

Also, I loved the use of explaining pronouns right away.

[sporksaber]

I just read m is for monster, and my first thought was that I wished it was longer. Immidiently after I made myself recontextualize that thought because I've been reading mostly long web novels and fanfics primarily and how they work is very different. I dont think it needed to be longer, it gives each character distinct traits and a bit of complexity to their motivations with the length it has. The pacing didnt feel wierd and it really draws you in. I personally think it was a little bland, but probably only because it felt so quick. I think I need to reread it later to fully have an opinion though.

I liked it a lot. Will be following the author and it's definitly somthing I'd pick up again even if I didn't own a copy.

[badassbutterfly1987]

2025 Book Reviews (January-June)

5 stars:

The Madman's Tale (John Katzenbach, 2004): A man who has struggled with schizophrenia reflects back on his time in a mental asylum as a younger man, and feels compelled to write the truth about the unsolved murder of a nurse during his time there. I do have small quibbles (like the reveal of who the killer is feels a little contrived) but not big enough to knock it down a star. The language is definitely dated but makes sense for a book with scenes set in 1979 and in the mid-2000s, and it wins strong points for challenging the "mentally ill means dangerous" stereotype and showing the characters as people.

4 stars:

M is for Monster (Talia Dutton, 2022): A scientist attempts to reanimate her dead sister but while the body is revived, the personality is a fundamentally new person. Afraid that admitting that will get her killed and rebuilt, M attempts to go along with the lie with the help of the ghost of the dead sister's help. A pretty art style with a compelling story but odd pacing.

Let's Go Karaoke (Yama Wayama, 2022): A yakuza member drags a junior high schooler in the choir into helping him prepare for an important karaoke competition. It's a cute and funny manga for light reading. The two leads form a fun friendship, even if I was a bit wary wondering if the manga intended romantic vibes but it doesn't end up going in that direction (depending how interpet their reunion three years later).

Anna and the Swallow Man (Gavriel Savit, 2016): A solid example of an author's debut book. It contains beautiful prose and weaves WWII-era Polish history with folktale. Definitely a tear jerker but not overly cynical. The ending is ambiguous in a way that isn't entirely satisfying.

3 stars:

Joyride (Jack Ketchum, 2008): 3 star book. It has an interesting concept in which a woman and her lover kill her abusive ex-husband because he won't stop harrassing them, the murder is witnessed by a man who doesn't want to turn them in but does want to commit more murders with them. It's okay, nothing spectacular but written competently enough. Characters tend to be a bit flat and static (the investigating cop's background of being recently divorced, neglectful of their daughter, and therapy visits don't really connect to the plot or themes of the story) and a few things that feel like set ups don't go anywhere.

Pretty Girls (Karin Slaughter, 2015): A teenage girl goes missing and is revealed to have an unexpected connection to another missing girl two decades before; the remaining sisters of the previous girl end up investigating. The first third takes a while to get moving, the middle pulled me in, but the final third got increasingly convoluted and the solutions felt a little lacking. The messy bond between the sisters is interesting to read if you can tolerate just how casually mean all the characters are. They (especially the men) tend to be creepy, deceptively nice, and/or useless; the nicer ones like the boyfriend and teenage daughter just float in the background as themes more than people. There is a subplot revealed through their deceased father's old letters about his private investigation, including his interviews with an imprisoned serial killer he suspects knows something; this information unfortunately is revealed to the audience-only and this otherwise intriguing plot point could be excised with little trouble.

2 stars:

The Red Room (Nicci French, 2001): Starts interesting enough. A psychologist named Kit Quinn is called to help the police on a case in which an emotionally troubled man is both witness and suspect in a murder, one that is revealed to be connected to an otherwise entirely different murder. The fact that the primary suspect had previously assaulted her comes up plenty in conversation but it doesn't feel like it actually affects the narrative or lead. It feels like the book is trying to say something about police incompetence and snap judgments regarding people in troubled circumstances (poor, homeless, drug addicts) but it doesn't go beyond that and Kit doesn't really challenge them beyond chasing after unsubstantiated gut feelings and random straws that conveniently connect. The majority of the book is spent meandering around waiting for the next plot point to happen. I actually found the scenes with eccentric roommate Julie and the unexpected fling with Will (grumpy community member who runs an unofficial hostel for troubled teens and young adults) to be more compelling, which isn't the best sign for a mystery crime novel.

1 star:

Nonfiction:

Think Like a Monk (Jay Shetty, 2020): Talks about incorporating Buddhism into his daily life.

Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (Eve Rodsky, 2021): Self-help book for women feeling swamped by career and family responsibilities.

Plot Perfect (Paula Munier, 2014): A decent guide to how to write book/movie/etc. plots, breaking it down to individual elements.

Your First Novel (Ann Rittenberg, Laura Whitcomb, Camille Goldin, 2018): A fantanstic step-by-step guide on how to draft and publish a novel for first-time writers.

[pooksbedamned]

An idea I’ve been kicking around and @moon-valley-drive is making it come to life with me

The Wee Witch Alphabet

M is for Monsters

Hiding under her bed

[supertaliart]

Inktober Day 4: Mirrors lie, but keep you company. M and Maura this time! Both from my graphic novel, M is for Monster.

[bee2iinmybraiin]

If you’re looking for a graphic novel with almost that exact premise!! May I present to you M is for Monster by Talia Dutton :)

I love the "came back wrong" trope but from the opposite side.

Imagine you are dead. And then you are RIPPED from the embrace of decay into the world of the living again. Your memories are hazy and you don't recognize any of these people, but they act like they're close to you? Like they love you? So you try to get your memories back, to act like you belong here, but everybody tries to forget you died. And you can't. It is omnipresent. And just trying to grapple with that fact pushes the people who "love" you away, and they're incapable of understanding, and they're so confused, what's wrong N̶̄̀O̶͛͗T̷̉́ ̷͋͝Y̴̎̌Ȍ̴̈U̸̓R NÄM̴̃͑E̵̾̇? And you just need them to understand, you aren't that person! You aren't! You don't know who that person is! You don't know why any of this is happening, but they're unwilling to bend, they keep insisting you are that person, your memories will come back, everything will be normal again, and you want to scream and cry and claw yourself open to show them you're different. Your existence as a being wholly separate from whoever you "used to be" is a sin unto itself. All you can do is scrabble for life and to them, you're killing whoever they loved to do it.

just. lots of fun in that concept, you know?

[these-lovely-monsters]

[NSFW | 18+]

Characters: m!ghost x f!reader

Content: semi-public sex (public but hidden), fingering

Imagine you have a ghost boyfriend who can turn himself invisible at will. Using this ability, he likes to tease you in public where no one can see what he's doing to you as you try your hardest not to react.

While you're at work, sitting at your desk in the open floor plan office space, he likes to hover between your legs with his hand shoved up your skirt. No one can see him as he finger fucks you right next to Sue from the billing department and Mike from sales.

With two fingers plunged into your pussy and his thumb rubbing circles on your clit, you take deep measured breaths and try not to make a sound. As he curls his fingers in just the right way, hitting your gspot with every thrust, you grip the edge of your desk while your legs tremble. At one point Sue looks over at you with concern so you give her a weak smile and a thumbs up.

When he leans in to suck on your neck, you finally explode, closing your eyes and biting down hard on your bottom lip to keep quiet. He continues to pump his fingers in and out until you eventually sag in your seat as the last of the aftershocks fade.

He gives your neck one last lick and you clap a hand over the spot, realizing he most definitely gave you a hickey there. You can feel him grinning stupidly as he drops a kiss on your lips and then he vanishes, leaving you soaking and satisfied at your desk while no one is the wiser.

Tip Jar :)

[jonathanpongratz]

Graphic Novel Review: M is for Monster

  Hey there bookworms! Is this week crazy or is it just me? I’m currently dealing with some car repairs and school work is relatively busy as well. I got my kitty Ajax’s teeth cleaned yesterday and though he was really disoriented from the anesthesia at first, he’s back to his normal self. Anyways, back to the post at hand! I read another book. This time I read M is for Monster by Talia…

[idolomantises]

Lovebug Employees: Full Cast

[Tapas / Patreon]

[mx-monster]

Thinking horny thoughts about Minotaurs so here’s a lazy Drabble

Cw: m/f, breeding kink

Male!minotaur god of agricultural x Female!human offering

your villages crops are failing. If it continues there won’t be enough to store for winter. In the face of a grueling winter and the real possibility of starvation, the villagers turn to the god of agriculture. They choose you as the offering. They lathering you in sweet smelling oils and dress you in the finest scarlet dress the village possesses. Gold necklaces are clasped around your neck, silver bracelets slipped onto your wrists. A crown of wildflowers rested on your brow.

You’re paraded through the village while neighbors, family, and friends gather on the streets chanting prayers and singing hymns to catch the God’s attention.

You’re left standing alone in a barren field One of the many your village had tried and failed to cultivate. The light of the full moon bathing you in its silvery light.

It doesn’t take long before He’s towering over you. He was magnificent.

“Do you know what this ritual entails?”

What do you say to a God? How do you say it? So you don’t answer. At least, not with words. Without looking away from the God before you, you lower yourself to the ground. Dress pooled around your waist, you spread your thighs and bear your sex to His hungry eyes.

He spends hours between your legs. Alternating between opening you up on his thick fingers and dragging his large, hot tongue along the seam of your cunt. He pushes you to the edge of ecstasy, only to reel you back in.

Your thighs are slick with the proof of your need. You feel wetness steadily leak from your cunt onto your ass. He slides his hips in between your thighs, the blunt head of his cock teasing your slick entrance.

“You’re ready. Know that if we do this I will spill inside. My seed will take and you will become pregnant. Do you understand?”

You nod. God, you understood. You wanted it more than you wanted anything else.

“Say it.”

“I want it, please. I-I need it. I need it so bad,” you sobbed, frustrated tears streaming down your cheeks. He had spent so long teasing you, you’d absolutely die without release. You nearly screamed in relief when He began slowly fucking into you. He was so thick. Even with all the preparation you felt every inch of Him splitting you open.

“Such a greedy cunt you have,” He grunted, “taking me so well. Begging for my cock so prettily. I’ll give it to you. Give you anything. Everything.”

It doesn’t take long before you felt an orgasm rip it’s way through you. Your vision blacks out as a wrecked scream tore from your throat. You felt his cock pulse, spilling hot seed into your starved cunt.

When you finally came back to your body you noticed that the once barren field was now filled with healthy vegetation.

“Your village will one day be the capital of a mighty and prosperous kingdom. Our children’s children will sit at it’s head and one day pass their crown to the heads of their children. But that is a conversation for later,” he pulled you close, enveloping you in a strong embrace, “now, we rest.”

[papathe5th]

OH, SHIT

OH, FUCK

THAT BOY IS A MONSTER