All the Hidden Monsters offers a supernatural twist on an exciting murder mystery. The story follows Sage, a teenage girl who was turned into a werewolf as a child. She is the only survivor of a horrific attack on her family and was forced to move to a supernatural realm known as Downside, which exists separately from the human world. Since her transformation, Sage has struggled to navigate her life between these two worlds. She lives in Downside with her roommate and best friend, a poltergeist named P, while frequently visiting the human world, referred to as Upside.
Werewolves are unique in that they can choose to live in either the human realm or the supernatural one. When Sage’s old friend Lucy, also a werewolf, is found murdered in the human world, detectives from Downside quickly classify it as a human crime. However, Sage believes this isn’t the case. She must persuade Oren, a notorious and powerful warlock assigned to the investigation, that a human did not kill her friend. Sage suspects that someone, likely another Downworlder, knew Lucy was a werewolf and murdered her for that reason.
Assisting Sage in solving the mystery is her best friend, P. While Lucy was Sage’s first friend in Downside, they lost touch over the years. P is a sweet and sassy poltergeist who loves cooking for her friends; I absolutely loved her character. She plays a crucial role in the investigation, helping the duo uncover the killer’s true identity. They quickly discover that someone has been targeting werewolves, and the attacks become increasingly brutal with each incident.
I was captivated by the author’s creation of Downside and found this new literary world quite imaginative. It’s a place where a diverse array of supernatural beings can live and work in peace. Although it exists separately from the human realm, Downside can be accessed through guarded entry points that allow crossing between the two worlds. What struck me most was how closely Downside mirrors the human domain. The inhabitants even celebrate holidays that reflect our traditions, filled with festive decorations and joyful gatherings.
I would have appreciated a more detailed description of this exciting new world. The only part I found confusing was the underground aspect of Downside. I wasn’t sure if all the underground cities were interconnected, allowing a person to reach any destination regardless of the entrance they chose, like a portal. Alternatively, I wondered if taking a different entrance would lead to a separate area that could only be accessed from that specific entrance. Luckily, this is the first book in an upcoming series, so I’m excited to gain a deeper understanding of this world and see what else the author has in store.
One aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the slow-building romance between Sage and Oren. At first, they bickered a lot, but there was clearly an instant spark between them. Oren was intimidating and certainly had a reputation, yet Sage had a unique ability to see through his tough exterior. Despite her friends trying to warn her about him multiple times, Sage remained undeterred. She sensed a different side to Oren that others overlooked. In fact, Oren himself was surprised that she wasn’t intimidated or frightened by him. I could feel the tension building between them from the moment they met. They also shared a common struggle: they were both their own worst enemies.
All the Hidden Monsters was full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Several plot developments left me speechless, especially the moment the killer’s identity was revealed. Unlike some books, the ending of this one was completely unpredictable; I would never have guessed it. I found the story extremely engaging and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the supernatural or who likes to get caught up in a good murder mystery.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Chicken House, for review.
