This was a beautifully told Greek mythological story woven into Victorian England, and in many, many ways it worked, and in others it didn't have quite the magic that The Toymakers had.

This was a bit of a slog in places, and I found myself putting it down and picking up other books instead because while I was intrigued and captivated, it was also hard work in places. I am happy that I read it, and it's the type of book I would definitely recommend to those who love a good Greek mythology retelling (of which there are plenty of great contenders out there at the moment, and might be part of the problem).

The characters were maybe not three dimensional enough, those who were bad were thoroughly bad, those who were innocent made naive choices that made it difficult to really believe in the story. But the vivid descriptions peppered through, including of the smells of London, were magnificent. I could picture parts of this book so clearly. There were also questions that were left answered, but not in the mysterious kind of, and it's up to the audience to decide, more in the, we forgot about answering them so we didn't.

This is a good book, I am happy to have read it, but I think I had just started it expecting more.

Once A Monster seems to be a bit of a Marmite book. I loved it. It made a refreshing change to have a story based on Greek myth that was not a feminist re-telling. Instead what we have is the story of Minos brought into the 19th century (a little Dockensian but none the worse for that).

One morning Nell, a mudlark bound to Benjamin Murdstone, finds the body of a man but the body turns out to still be alive. Nell nurses Minos back to health and a bond forms between the unlikely pair. Quick to take advantage of any oddity coming from the river Murdstone works out a way of exploiting this friendship, particularly after he gets sight of the strange tattoo carved into Minos's back - a tattoo which looks like something he's seen in a book of Greek myth.

The book follows Nell's desire to become the dancer her late mother told her she could be and Minos's need to find out who he really is.

The characters of Nell and Minos are beautifully drawn and Robert Dinsdale has managed to imbue Murdstone and some of his cronies with thoroughly distasteful characteristics.

This is a tale of good v evil. Greek myth dragged through the ages in the body of a man/monster.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The narrative never lagged, the pace and tone were perfect. It was a joy to read. It made me angry, happy and even tearful at times (I can be a bit of a romantic). Loved it.

Highly recommended for fans of Greek myth, Dickensian style stories or just people, like me, who enjoy a thoroughly well told story.

The first half of the novel really pulled me in. The characters were interesting and I got invested immediately. I made it through probably the first quarter of the novel in one sitting and only stopped because I really, really needed to go to bed. In fact, I had to ban myself from reading it at bedtime after that.

Once Minos and Nell started meeting frequently, however, the narrative began to lag until it seemed to essentially be going nowhere. I was still interested in the characters, and still wanted to see where they would go, but I was also a bit bored of reading through a decent chunk of pretty mundane conversations.

I also didn't entirely understand the strong connections between the principle characters. To be honest, that Minos was so wrapped up in a ten-year-old girl was more creepy than endearing and that a savvy street kid - particularly a girl - wouldn't be immediately suspicious of his motives was a little unbelievable.

There were a few sections I didn't quite see the point of. Minos and Murdstone attempting to resurrect the past with the two doctors, the background with Sophia's husband - even the overlapping memory of Sophia and Nell's mother.

Overall, the characters were enjoyable, if the plot seemed forced and artificial. This book - and the characters - needed to be given more clarity and purpose to really pull off a retelling like this. The story of the Minotaur offered a rich lore to draw from - and combined with the back alleys of Victorian London there were many, many unrealized possibilities. I really wanted to love this book, particularly after such a strong beginning, but ultimately ended up feel unsatisfied and disappointed.

An interesting and unique concept blending Greek mythology and historical fiction, placing the famous Minotaur in Dickensian London. Unfortunately relied very heavily on tropes and was overwritten, making it a slog to get through. Not one for me.

This historical fantasy novel was an adventure that mixed magic and myth. The diversity stood out and it was incredibly well written. The slow pace was a real drawback and dampened the mood itself.

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. Although thr Victoria setting was well described and atmospheric, I found the pacing to be incredibly slow and I ended up not wanting to pick this up. I also thought the mixture of Myth and historical to be oddly jarring, and not in a good way.

3.5*

This was my first foray into Dinsdale's work, though I'd heard great things about The Toymakers. Once a Monster was a good introduction into Dinsdale's work, and I really connected with Nell and the world of the Mudlarks.

Though I felt the pacing could be better, the story was slow in parts, it was an imaginative retelling of a very familiar story that wove Minos' life between London and Knossos.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a twist on Greek mythology.

Not the retelling of the Greek myth that I expected, but enjoyable nevertheless as a reimagined version of the Minotaur’s story through a Victorian era lens. As a motherless child, Nell, a little mudlark, conveys the love and compassion of the mother from whom the Minotaur was taken and incarcerated and in return he subjects himself to being manipulated by her ‘caretaker’ so that she is able to fulfil her dreams. A little contrived in places to maintain the story’s flow, but an enjoyable read. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC to review.

Sadly, a curiously leaden outing from the author of the wonderful The Toymakers

This mash-up of two genres which I thoroughly enjoy, unfortunately stayed just that, a mash-up, and rather contrived, for me. Dickensian London meets Greek myth, with neither properly taking off, subject to far too many coincidences and clever nods to both genres, which didn’t really either enlighten, or amuse. The central character is a little foundling, daughter of a dead theatrical seamstress who sewed for ballet companies, is called Nell. And in case no one gets the allusion she is even addressed as Little Nell.

Taken in by a somewhat Fagin type character with a nest of children who are mudlarks, scavenging potential money making detritus from the river, Nell improbably rescues Minos, giant not-quite-a-man, somehow trapped in a mental labyrinth, with dreams of a savage past, who works dealing with London’s sewage .

There are far too many coincidences of people finding and re-finding each other, and a plot which seems to trudge along slowly.

I kept on going, rather grimly, as I thought that The Toymaker’s author – a book which had grabbed me from the off – must surely soon capture this reader fish on his previously skilful hook. Unfortunately this was not to be, the various Greek myth and Dickensian nods failed to delight or add depth. I finally gave up just over a third of the way through.

What a beautiful and unusual book. Dinsdale mixes mythology with life on the streets in Victorian London. Minos, a man with a past who can only come to terms with who he really is when he’s with Nell a mud lark is gradually transformed.

I was disappointed in this book. I have several other books by this author that i absolutely love but for me personally it was a let down in comparison.

I loved the idea of mixing Dickensian with Greek mythology and was excited to see how this author was going to pull it off however, i found the book to be very slow and the characters unengaging. It was a push to get though the book. Still love the author and previous books, this one was just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved the premise of this book. I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology retellings and I was very open to a more sympathetic depiction of the Minotaur.

This story definitely has a very Dickensian feeling. The descriptions of London are detailed and evocative. I loved the scenes of the mudlarks searching for treasure on the banks of the Thames.

However, I found the pace of the novel very slow. It didn’t really hold my attention and I was having to push myself to keep reading. As others have said the pace does pick up later in the book with an exciting ending which is worth holding out for.

A really inventive retelling but not as fast paced as I would have liked!

"Once a Monster" by Robert Dinsdale is perhaps the most enjoyable Greek Myth reimagining that I've read. Part Oliver Twist, part Frankenstein, Dinsdale manages to bring the myth of the Minotaur to life in Victorian London. This book restores faith in humanity and demonstrates that if you show a little bit of kindness then you can tame the beast. Might even have a little tear in my eye.

Dickens meets Greek myth - a very creative retelling of the Minotaur myth where the Minotaur escapes and over the centuries becomes more of a man, less of a monster. The setting was well wrought as were the characters, particularly the children and their master who are straight out of Dickens, and even though at times I found myself wondering whether the story could get more over the top I didn't want to put it down, so credit to the author there!

Overall a fast paced and entertaining mash up of Greek myth and Dickensian style fiction, begging the age old question – what makes us human? What makes us humane? Enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

A marvel.

What an absolute privilege to read an eARC of this gorgeous book by Robert Dinsdale. Once a Monster completely exceeded my expectations. It is not entirely a myth retelling but a creative reimagining and continuation of the minotaur's story. This books is as engaging as it is enchanting written in a style that really enhances the connection to mythology and magic.

Read this if:
📖 You love greek myths
🇬🇧 Victorian London is your favourite setting
🤔You like a bit of philosophy with your fiction

Some more thoughts:

📚 Follows Nell, a young orphan girl and Minos, a man who doesn't know who he is through twists and turns as they discover their identities and dreams. It's fantastic! My slight criticism is that it dragged a bit in the middle bit the ending more than made up for it.

🙋 Minos, Nell and Murdstone (the villain) are incredibly well characterised, their motivations were all really clear and their development throughout was engaging. Secondary characters are also done really well, it feels like each of them could have their own novel to tell their full story.

📍Primarily London, 1861 but with flashbacks to Knossos etc.

🟰 This is a great book for fans of retellings like Circe but also, if you enjoyed Theatre of Marvels then you will love this!

A minotaur in Dickensian London. An interesting concept, taking the mythical beast and dropping him in an entirely different setting from Ancient Greece.

However, characters such as the Fagin-like Murdstone and orphan girl Nell relied too heavily on tropes, the plot twists scrambled in knots, and the writing dragged, often being over-written.

A pity.

There are parts I absolutely loved this book and parts I truly didn’t however overall a really good read.

Definitely got a Dickens vibe and the main Characters of Minos and Nell were beautifully written. I thought the story was good and twisting back to the Greek Myth was great and the last chapter was fabulous.

The villain of the story, Murdstone was superb, you really disliked him and really felt he got what he deserved.

What I didn’t like was I felt the story dragged on a little in places, but I am glad I finished it as it was good.

I would give this a solid 4 stars and would recommend.

Thank you for giving me the chance to read.

This is, perhaps appropriately, a great baggy monster of a book, binding together different narratives in one. And yet it *works*. I do hope it does well.

Nell is a riverlark, and has been for the last 4 years since her mother died and she was taken in by Benjamin Murdstone, scouring the banks of the river to find any items of value that can be sold to keep a roof over their heads and some food on the table. One morning, Nell finds the body of a man washed up on the shore. Encouraged by the other mudlarks she approaches him to look for anything if value that they can take and sell. As she reaches down, he takes a breath. The rules of the river state that she alone must make the choice, whether or to take anything valuable from him and hope it’s enough to earn them a good meal. Nell makes the choice to get him to the safety of the nearest cavern and try and nurse him back to health. It’s only then can she see his true form. The man is huge, his face not quite human, his eyes too far apart and calcified protrusions on either side of his forehead. Not only that, but against all odds the next day his wounds are fully healed and he is almost back to full strength. After one of the mudlarks betrays her to Murdstone, he becomes obsessed with the man, seeing him as a way to make his fortune and take him far away from the river, to live out his life in the lavish lifestyle he believes. Yet again, Nell makes her choice. No!
This is a beautifully told story about the power of choice and the affect it can have on a person. A wonderful tale stemming from the wonders of greek mythology, one which will keep you gripped all the way through.