We Shall Be Monsters

By Tara Sim

Book Overview

Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the real horrors are not the monsters you face, but the ones you create.

"One of the most unique and intelligent books I've read. . . Alluring, completely enthralling, and masterfully rendered." --Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Kajal knows she is not a good person. If she were, she wouldn't selfishly be risking her sister's soul in a dangerous bid to bring her back to life. She would let Lasya rest in peace--but Kajal cannot stand the horror of living without her.

As Kajal prepares for the resurrection, the worst happens: Her sister's soul warps into a bhuta--a murderous, wraith-like spirit--and Kajal gets sentenced to death for her sister's rampage. There seems little hope of escape until two strangers offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom's fallen crown prince to aid a growing rebellion against a tyrannical usurper. Desperate, Kajal rushes to complete her end of the deal . . . only to discover that the boy she's resurrected, Tav, is not the crown prince.

Now Kajal--prickly, proud, admirer of the scientific method--must team up with Tav--stubborn, reticent, and fonder of swords than of books--to find the real crown prince. With only a scalpel and her undead dog, Kutaa, at her side, Kajal must work fast before her mistake is exposed or Lasya's bhuta turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for her death: Kajal herself.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593407423
• ISBN13: 9780593407424
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Love that Dog!

Well, at first this book was a fairly strait forward read with Kajal working to bring back her sister Lasya before she turns into a bhuta that goes on a nice killing spree. Interesting that that happens to the people who are not burned after they are dead. After her first success at resurrection (Love that good dog Kutaa!) it starts to get tangly with Kajal being made to bring back the crown prince by the people who are fighting against the current regime before she can get her sister back. Then you dive deep into mythology with all the demons, dakinis, and the realms that border the mortal one. I suppose it makes sense for all that (especially getting help from a naga) because not only do you have an usurper, there is also a grievous blight affecting the land, animals, and now people. You do get some mysteries solved after people are brought back to life (thanks to the hard work of Kajal) though it does end with a cliffhanger sadly, with groups separating to travel to different planes to stop the blight and figure out why it happened and who is responsible. So, a fun book to read (even of some of the words I had to look up) and I can't wait to see if Kajal, Laysa, the deva and asura, and of course Kutaa, can save the day and the realm for everyone (demon, human, and all).