Book Review: Modern Monsters by Kelley York

Modern Monsters

By:
Kelley York

Published:
June 2, 2015

Publisher:
Entangled Teen

Source:
eARC from publisher for a honest review

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GR's Summary:

Vic Howard never wanted to go to the party. He’s the Invisible Guy at school, a special kind of hell for quiet, nice guys. But because his best friend is as popular as Vic is ignored, he went… 

And wished he hadn’t. 

Because something happened to a girl that night. Something terrible, unimaginable, and Callie Wheeler’s life will never be the same. Plus, now Callie has told the police that Vic is responsible. Suddenly, Invisible Vic is painfully visible, on trial both literally, with the police, and figuratively, with the angry kids at school. As the whispers and violence escalate, he becomes determined to clear his name, even if it means an uneasy alliance with Callie's best friend, the beautiful but aloof Autumn Dixon.  

But as Autumn and Vic slowly peel back the layers of what happened at the party, they realize that while the truth can set Vic free, it can also shatter everything he thought he knew about his life…

My Thoughts:

Modern Monsters was a thought-provoking read.  There are certain circumstances that are revealed during the story that had me questioning how I would feel and what I would do if I was placed in a similar situation.  I cannot reveal these situations, because I do not want to spoil the story for anyone, but I must mention that I enjoy a book that makes me contemplate, question, and reflect.

Modern Monsters is told soley from Vic Howard, a senior in high school's, point of view.  Vic attended a party with his best friend Brett.  During the party, a classmate of his, Callie Wheeler, was extremely intoxicated and getting sick in the bushes.  Vic ends up helping taking Callie to an upstairs bedroom and lays her down on her side, so that she can feel better.  He then returns to the party.  The next morning Vic is shocked and traumatized to learn that Callie was raped, and she is accusing him of being her rapist.  Vic eventually gets to know Callie's best friend Autumn, and convinces her, along with Callie, of his innocence.  From this point on, Vic and Autumn decide to  investigate and figure out who Callie's perpetrator really was.

The pacing of the story was very slow.  We get to know Vic really well, and I loved his character.  He is a bit awkward, and shy. Vic is a loner and his only friend is Brett.  I loved how genuine, sweet, and sympathetic Vic was.  He is not your typical main character, and could have easily been the boy next door.  The first two-thirds of the story focused on the harsh treatment of Vic by his mother (I couldn't stand her,) his peers, and the small community that he lived in.  It also focused on the foundation of friendship that was built between Vic and Autumn.  I loved Autumn's character as well.  She was sassy, independent, and knew how to take charge.  She was fiercely loyal and supportive, as well as caring and compassionate.

The plot didn't pick up until the last third of the story.  This was the point  in which Vic and Autumn's investigation really begins to reap results, and their friendship turns in to something more.  Callie was more of a secondary character in this story, but I enjoyed seeing her strength, bravery, and resilience.  She may have been victimized, but she held her head up high, and faced her demons!

My Rating:

Modern Monsters was more character driven than plot driven, which surprised me.  I really enjoyed the main characters, but would have liked the plot to move forward faster.  It was a bit stagnant, until the last third, when all of the plot twists, and action came in to play.  I give Modern Monsters, by Kelly York, 3.5 Deceitful, Crime-Solving, Thought-Provoking Filled Stars! 

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About Kelley York:

"I like unicorns and cats and games...and stuff..." - quality author quote by Kelley 

Kelley York was born in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, step-daughter, and way too many cats, while fantasizing about moving to England or Ireland. (Or, really, anyplace secluded.) She has a fascination with bells and animals and Disney. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or to at least write about them. She occupies her spare time with video games, designing covers, playing on Tumblr, and watching anime. 

Kelley is a sucker for dark fiction. She loves writing twisted characters, tragic happenings, and bittersweet endings that leave you wondering and crying. She strives to make character development take center stage in her books because the bounds of a person's character and the workings of their mind are limitless.

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