READ THIS BOOK!

This romantic fantasy debut is EVERYTHING you want in a book!

Set in a fantastical world based on Ancient Rome and with enough political intrigue and plot twists to make your head spin, TMOM is one to watch. The first in a duology and set to be one of my favourite reads of the year.

Shalini, you're incredible!

I absolutely love This Monster of Mine. I initially found it a little bit difficult to get into so. So much so that I actually went back after 15% and restarted the book but I'm so glad I did this and stuck with it because by the end I was obsessed with it! There is initially a lot of world building and introduction to a number of characters but once you get to grips with the characters it flows really well and I couldn't put it down. The characters are complex and felt very real. I loved the slow burn romance and the development of the plot. Overall a really great fantasy book which I will definitely be recommending! Look be keeping an eye out for future work by this author.

I enjoyed This Monster of Mine overall, although I did find it a little hard to get into at first.
Sarai is such a strong character, I don't blame her for her rage at all after what happened to her.
Cisuré, I couldn't stand her. So self-righteous and just such an awful friend.
Kadra, I suspected there was more to him that what met the eye. Same with Aurelius.
Definitely full of (well earned) feminine rage. I do wish that the magic system was further explored, though.

This was very intriguing. I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

This book was incredible, I couldn’t put it down! The characters felt so real and complex, and the relationships between them were deep and emotional. The slow burn romance was honestly one of my favorite parts—it was done so well.

Even though the story takes place in a fantasy world inspired by Ancient Rome, it felt very real and relevant to the world we live in today. It explores themes like corruption, abuse of power, the wealthy avoiding consequences, and how people sometimes trust political and religious leaders too blindly. I really enjoyed the political intrigue and the mystery elements too, I feel like they blended well within the fantasy setting of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantasy mystery with a slow burn romance.

Shalini Abeysekara’s The Monster of Mine is a dark, intoxicating blend of fantasy, mystery, and slow-burn tension that keeps readers utterly enthralled. With its morally complex characters, sharp worldbuilding, and a protagonist torn between vengeance and desire, this novel is perfect for fans of The Shadows Between Us and Gideon the Ninth.

Eighteen-year-old Sarai has spent years haunted by the attempt on her life—an attack that went unpunished. Now, as a Petitor, a prosecutor with the magical ability to detect lies, she finally has the power to seek justice. But her assignment places her alongside Tetrarch Kadra, a ruthless judge with a reputation for cruelty—and the man Sarai suspects to be her would-be murderer. Determined to bring him down, she plays a dangerous game: investigating crimes with him by day while secretly plotting his downfall by night. But Kadra is more than just a monster; he is cunning, compelling, and devastatingly persuasive. And when Sarai’s search for the truth plunges her into a deadly political conspiracy, she is forced to question not only her mission—but also the pull Kadra has on her very soul.

Abeysekara’s writing is lush and hypnotic, weaving a tale that is as much about power and corruption as it is about obsession and morality. The dynamic between Sarai and Kadra crackles with tension, drawing readers into their perilous dance of mistrust and attraction. The mystery unfolds with masterful pacing, keeping the stakes high and the suspense razor-sharp.

The Monster of Mine is a stunning, edge-of-your-seat fantasy thriller that doesn’t just ask what makes a monster—it asks whether you can love one. With its gripping intrigue, electrifying romance, and morally gray brilliance, this book will sink its claws into you and refuse to let go

This Monster of Mine by Shalini Abeysekara

✨ A dark, politically charged fantasy with an unforgettable romance—this book has me hooked! ✨

As an ARC reader of this book, I want to thank Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for the opportunity to read and review this ahead of release!

One of the biggest strengths of This Monster of Mine is its incredible world-building. It’s immersive yet easy to follow, like stepping into an alternate version of Rome with a dark, fantastical twist. Shalini Abeysekara paints a world that’s rich, atmospheric, and brimming with tension.

And let’s talk about the protagonist—Sarai. She’s not your typical heroine, and I love that! There’s something deeply compelling about a character whose physical scars reflect her past traumas, making her journey all the more gripping. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the same old cookie-cutter female leads. Sarai is stubborn, self-assured, and relentless in pursuit of what truly matters, which makes her stand out in the best way.

Of course, I can’t forget Kadra. Dark, brooding, and dangerously captivating, he’s the kind of jaded character that keeps you on edge. His complexity makes him the perfect balance of grit and allure, and I know I’m not the only one swooning over him. (I mean, “I will ask many things of you, but I will not ask for perfection.”—how can you not fall for that?? 😍)

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: This book delves into some heavy themes, so I highly recommend checking the content warnings before diving in.

If you’re craving a dark romance intertwined with political intrigue, this is it. And the best part? It’s a duology! No endless waiting for five more books—just one more installment to anticipate eagerly.

Also, let’s take a moment to appreciate Shalini’s writing style—it’s pure poetry. When Kadra’s voice was described as “smooth, mellifluous, unforgettable”, I had to highlight it immediately. Her words breathe life into the world and characters, making every moment feel vivid and unforgettable.

I’m officially keeping my eyes peeled for a special edition—I need to see this world brought to life through custom artwork! And of course, I’ll be following Shalini Abeysekara’s work closely because if this book is anything to go by, she’s an author to watch.

✨ Rating: 5/5 ✨
If you love dark fantasy, morally grey characters, and swoon-worthy romance, This Monster of Mine is a must-read!

My first thoughts of this book are that it starts off in a pretty gruesome way.

Parts of the book I enjoyed and parts I didn’t. The world building is somewhat confusing to understand and it takes a while for it to really become clear. Yet it constantly uses phrases that it never elaborates on or clarifies. At some point I decided to forget trying to understand the world and focus on the mystery running through the book.

That being said, it was very obvious who the perpetrator was which is disappointing.

The FMC hovers between forgettable and mildly likeable. She is constantly getting physically hurt- why are her guards not better at their jobs?! And her choice in friends is very frustrating. I enjoyed the romance and dynamic between the FMC and MMC. Though the books setting is inspired by Ancient Rome , I had a hard time picturing that and didn’t feel like the world was described in a way that alluded to its inspiration.

Overall, the book had some flaws but I thought it was an okay read.

5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

If you want to be utterly obsessed, read this book. The twists and turns kept me guessing right until the last chapter. I could not put it down and stayed up far too late reading it. WORTH IT! ♥️

While this is not the spiciest of books, which is usually my go-to book choice, I absolutely devoured this book. I actually appreciated the spice we did get even more because of the juicy tension between the FMC and MMC.

It gave absolutely everything a romantasy book should: a deep and intriguing plot, betrayal, enemies to lovers, lost memories, tension, a smidgen of spice, a "touch her and die" trope, an intricate magic system, murder, beautiful world-building, a badass FMC who is smart and feisty, and a morally gray MMC.

The magic system and world building is complex and detailed and I loved the Roman esque feel to the book. Sarai was complex and understandable how she battles between her desire to please her friend and her own sense of right and wrong.

The slow burn romance was epic but did not overshadow the plot and Kedra is the perfect morally grey MMC and epitomes the burn the world for her trope.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodderscape for the eARC opinions my own

3 stars

I binged this between last night and today, and although I did enjoy many things in this book, like the magic system was amazing, and the setting felt fantastic, I didn't love it.
I think my issue with this book was the writing style. It was too... convoluted, a little bit messy... like there were many things happening, yet some were boring or i didn't care about, or others felt underdeveloped. For example, the magic system, although it was great it was also underused. Why?
One thing I did like was the romance, I love it was slow burn and that the story focuses more on Sarai's vengeance than the romance. And speaking about Sarai... when are we going to stop making all our romantasy heroines 18? Make her 22, heck make her 25! Why 18?
Anyway, this was fun and gritty and dark, and although I didn't love it, I had fun reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this was a wonderful surprise! I'm surprised that this is Shalini Abeysekara's debut novel, the premise sounded amazing, and I really enjoyed it. For me, This Monster of Mine had a strong feel of Trudi Canavan's The Magicians Guild (The Black Magician Trilogy), which I mean as the best possible compliment.

There's not too much to say without revealing spoilers, but I enjoyed our dark magician, Kadra, who was suspected of foul play by Sarai and demonised by everybody, except, seemingly, his people in the quarter of the city he rules. Sarai herself is an interesting character, focused on revenge, and with visible scarring and deformities, which she hides by magic, caused by an attack four years ago. The story is pretty simplistic – I guessed who the 'baddies' were almost immediately and there's not loads of nuance, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. I liked the magic ideas and what world-building we got to see. This is a very, very slow burn with only a little bit of spice happening right near the end of the book.

While this didn't end on a cliffhanger, there were hints and plenty of elements that weren't wrapped up that I would love to see developed into another story. Keeping my fingers crossed that there is a book two or another book set in this world.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC, this is my honest opinion.

Shadow daddy but he has lightening.
After being almost killed four years ago at the city’s prestigious Academi with no memory of it, Sarai vows to uncover the perpetrators and get her revenge.

Due to her magical ability to detect lies, she is selected as Petitor to work as an esteemed prosecutor for one of the Tetrarchs - the most powerful people in charge. Only thing is, it is with sadistic, violent, MONSTROUS Tetrarch Kadra, who has a reputation for brutality. And she recognises his voice for some reason. Hmmmm….

Okay, but the SLOW BURN was slowwww. The tension, the angst… just tear off each other’s shirts already.

Serai is a girl who is ANGRY. She is out for vengeance. Justice means more to her than laws and politics.
Funnily enough, she and Tetrarch Kendra have this in common.

<b>Her heart halted. A long-suppressed part of her snapped awake, rattling its cage, all hunger and sharp teeth, like it had been waiting for this very second. She shoved the ugliness back under, watching Kadra with the sinking realization that it had woken for him.
</b>
There is manipulation, lowkey gaslighting and brainwashing, the law being used to serve the powerful and wealthy… definitely a critique on real-life business and the justice system.

This was promising, but I think it tried to do too much. The plot and tension and characters were great even if Kadra was a ripoff unavailable dark and moody but gentle for her shadow daddy.

However, the magic system was under utilised and not really explained. This book could have worked well without it and it just seemed inconsistent and a way to get out of tricky situations etc.

I also found the mystery element extremely obvious as well as the big reveal. Like, from the time we met the characters involved.
I didn’t really see the Rome-inspired tie-in.

Saying that, this was really addicting and it’s only after I sat with it a while that I noticed these issues. The actual reading experience was great. This, I am torn between three and four stars.

I would kind of describe this as The Justice of Kings but waaay more new adult romantasy.

Arc gifted by Hodderscape and Stoughton.

4.5 stars!!

Vicious, violent and visceral, this book had my blood boiling in the best way possible. What an incredible debut! This Monster of Mine follows Sarai, a girl who had a near death experience as a teenager without closure that now works as a magical prosecutor to investigate her own attempted murder. But what happens when your prime suspect is your love interest??

Initially, it did take me a while to get into the story. I think even by the end of the novel, the terminology was still quite confusing to me until I realised there was a glossary at the back, but the strengths of the novel far outweigh the flaws. Already the prologue is incredibly dark and gruesome, throwing you into the night of Sarai’s attempted murder and wondering how we got here and who the culprit was. I had a STRONG vehemence for all the tetrarchs who were all so well written to be insufferable, manipulative and corrupt. The realistic portrayal of the corrupt justice system had my blood pressure spiking throughout the novel. Everyone was just so suspicious from the beginning and my trust issues were through the roof, though admittedly I did predict the perpetrator early on and did find it a bit predictable.

This book really TESTED me. Shalini knows how to elicit the worst emotions out of you that makes Sarai’s rage feel palpable and 100% justifiable to the audience. Trying not to name drop the main suspects, but I was a volcano about to erupt every time Cisure opened her freaking mouth. One more word from her and I was going to LOSE it. I have a lot of unpleasant words for Cisure and the rest of the side characters, but Cisure is definitely number one on the list of people I would like to burn!! She was such an insufferable gaslighter I was on the verge of tossing my kindle across the room each time she appeared.

If you think you’re having a bad day, Sarai has it a million times worse. The things that happen to her are just so terrible and brutal it is impossible to dislike her. I wanted to hug her every time something happened to her. I really liked Sarai’s character and her sense of righteousness to combat all the injustice happening so that no one ever goes through the same horrible fate like her all those years ago. Her rage is quiet and bitter yet strong enough that you feel angry with Sarai and want to root for her. She is incredibly strong despite all the horrible things she witnesses and has happened to her, which makes her desire for vengeance incredibly justifiable.

“I will ask many things of you, but I will not ask for perfection.”

I am now adding Kadra to my book bf list because that man is EVERYTHING. Sarai’s first interaction with Kadra was so electrifying I was holding my breath the entire time. He’s ruthless yet fair, cruel yet kind. Everything he says to Sarai is so sweet and his actions even sweeter, making you ponder if his feelings towards her are real or merely a façade to manipulate and use her as a pawn for control. The slow burn was perfect for me and the romance definitely contributed to my high rating for this novel! We love a morally gray man who worships and raises you on a pedestal and will absolutely kill for you.

While I couldn’t really picture the Ancient Rome setting and struggled with the terminology, I highly recommend this book for fans looking for a well written dark romance and a well told political story with a satisfying ending!

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

📚 Book Review 📚
This Monster of Mine | Shalini Abeysekara

🌟🌟🌟

Themes:

✨Political Intrigue
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🔥Slow Burn
🥀 Murder Mystery
🫶Non Binary Rep

Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review

Sarai dreams of justice for an incident 4 years ago that’s left her scarred, her dreams of being a healer in ruins and her memory from that night gone. The only thing she can remember is the voice of a man.

Now oppurtunity has raised and Sarai is able to go back to the place this happened to find out who was behind her attack.

To do this she must agree to become a Petritor (like a prosecutor) and work for Kadra, one of the bloodthirsty ‘rulers’ of Edessa. Everyone thinks he’s responsible for the rise in deaths of Petritors and Sarai is shocked to realise it’s his voice she recognises.

From here it’s mystery, political intrigue and Sarai trying to find out the truth about Kadra and what happened to her 4 years ago.


The plot of this I loved, it had everything I love but I personally just felt like it was poorly delivered. It was quite disorientating with not enough world building, but in some ways too much? I found myself going back and rereading things to try and gain more understanding.

There was a glossary explaining what some runes do and explaining certain words or phrases, but I felt it could have been more extensive, for example rather than explaining the currency, I would rather have had explanations for what a Petitor or Tretarch is.

The characters were a mixed bag. I loved seeing Sarai desperately seek her vengeance, but others just felt a bit too obvious so any ‘twists’ weren’t really twists and I could pretty much guess who was going to be responsible from about 20% through.

I have however seen some people absolutely loving this, so as always, do decide for yourself, for me this just wasn’t a hit though.

I’m not sure if this a series I would continue, I’m intrigued as to what’s next but this wasn’t an amazing read for me.




Overall: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Spice 2/5

<blockquote>“The madman she’d set out to ruin was everything the most desperate, anguished parts of her had always craved.”</blockquote>

I HAVE NO WORDS. I ACTUALLY HAVE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE UTTER AMAZINGNESS OF THIS BOOK. I could not put it down. This is my favourite read of the month. No dispute. I could read a 100 sequels and still not get enough.

🏛️ dark political adult fantasy with romance
🏛️ SLOW BURN
🏛️ female rage.
🏛️ true enemies to lovers
🏛️ serial killer murder mystery (but she’s the victim!)
🏛️ Ancient Rome-esque politics and vibes
🏛️ lie detection magic
🏛️ morally grey characters

<blockquote>“You don’t bend. You’d rather break, but this land needs strength like yours. I’ve waited for it for years.”</blockquote>

Ohhh this book was DARK. 4 years ago, <b>Sarai</b> was thrown off a tower. Despite being healed, Sarai retains severe scarring but no memory of what happened that night. Hellbent on revenge, she seizes the first opportunity to become a Petitor to infamously sadistic and charming Tetrarch <b>Kadra</b>. Trapped in political battles, she must fight her growing attraction and work alongside Kadra - her prime suspect.

The prologue already had me GAPING. It was so dark but so insanely good, and learning about how it linked to the main conflict was so interesting!! Same for the rest of the novel, I think this was so well written and fleshed out. The foreshadowing was insane and when everything started to click it was so SO satifying. No notes.

The magic system and worldbuilding had me HOOKED. I absolutely loved how the political aspects were presented to further build upon the world, and the justice system was so realistically done. I also like the concept of “stormfall”, storms in which deadly lightning often strikes people and buildings, making them reliant on religion and the Tetrarchs to save them.

THE CHARACTERS??? Sarai, our main girl, is definitely a favourite. She’s so strong and determined, and the depiction of trauma and female rage is done SO WELL. I was rooting for her at every obstacle and felt rage on her behalf. She went through so much but never gave up on herself and others. She reminds me a lot of Inej Ghafa with her resilience and intelligence!! AND KADRA???? HE is the meaning of morally grey. Yes, he’s brutal, reckless and tough, but he’s also kind, funny and honourable!! I love that he doesn’t abuse his power as Tetrarch but uses it to fight for true justice. Sarai and Kadra balance each other out so well and UGH THE SLOW BURNNN the longing looks and comforting “friendly” hugs??? Will never get enough of it.

The side characters were also so well written bc I wanted to get rid of most of them so bad 😃 we hate lying manipulators!!

If you didn’t see me say this a billion times before, I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS BOOK. I just found out this was a duology and am; I need it in my hands RN.

<i>Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the arc! This is my honest opinion.</i>

3.75 rounded up for goodreads and netgalley.
It was a pleasant surprise. The plot was very intriguing and it did not disappoint. It is a romantasy leaning more towards the fantasy than the romance, which I liked. The plot is definitely the strongest aspect of the novel, despite some (very) predictable and quite cliched things that happened, especially towards the end. But it did not alter my enjoyment. I liked the darkness of the storyline and the setting was also compelling.
The main character is fine, a bit too paradoxical at times (wants to be badass and is quite sullen but is actually very naïve) and the other characters are not to be trusted, which was not out of place in such a sinister atmosphere. The romance is a bit too sudden, it went from zero to a hundred and it lacked smoothness.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Equal parts devastating and exhilarating! I loved the setting and atmosphere, the relationship between Sarai and Kadra was so tangible and delicious! I will not be talking about Cisure, it is simply too painful

4.5

Ancient Rome inspired? Delicious slow burn? Touch her and die? Manipulation at its best? If you like the sound of those then this book is for you! We follow 18 year old Sarai as she embarks on a journey to a place where she doesn't belong and is constantly in danger, to get answers about who tried to brutally murder her 4 years ago. Here she meets Tetrach Kadra, an ice king, who she believes is the murderer in question.
The magic system in this book was so unique as it depends on symbols and the power of deceit. I found Sarai such a good main character, she never lost herself no matter what was thrown at her.
I did find it quite obvious who the perpetrators were but nothing prepared me for the chaos that ensued towards the end.
Will Sarai get answers? Well, read it and find out!!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a dark and mysterious fantasy this was! The Roman-inspired setting was unique and in-depth, the magic system so interesting and the world lore well developed. I absolutely loved FMC Sarai, her bravery and determination to get answers were brilliant. Kadra is a perfect morally grey MMC. The brutal realities of life in the city, the terrible injustices and filthy corruption are too believable. While I accurately predicted who was behind many of the terrible things happening in Edessa, I still enjoyed the journey to get there.

Honestly the whole book was an insane ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a very dark world, political intrigue and a slow burn romance.