The Monstrumolgost: Rick Yancey

SUMMARY (Courtesy of Borders.com):

These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me...and the one who cursed me.So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a grueso me find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.Critically acclaimed author Rick Yancey has written a gothic tour de force that explores the darkest heart of man and monster and asks the question: When does a man become the very thing he hunts?

OPINION: 5 stars

Gory. Bloody. Enthralling. Thrilling. Gasp worth. Brilliant.

Need any other descriptors for this book? I can offer them- they are numerous and they are all great. Yancey spares nothing in his descriptions, from the autopsy/necropsy scenes to the killing scenes to the infestation of a human by hordes of parasitic worms. This is the kind of things that make people squirm on the big screen and Yancey has poignantly turned it all into the written word. I am completely, undeniable, heart breakingly in awe of Yancey's writing- his grasp of the English language is complimented by the late 1800's time period and subsequent intellect and dialogue. I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who, at the very least, holds an appreciation for a well written book no matter the story line. Even if the gore is too much, just read a few pages- the writing is truly beautiful.

From the very start, this book intrigued me. It is a story within a story- a journal within a book. The introduction chapter sets the stage in modern times before the journal takes you back to an incredibly interesting time and the writing style gripped me from the start. I knew that even if I ended up not liking the overall story and plot, I would still hold this book in high regards because of how well it is written which says thousands for Yancey. But, even better- I loved this plot. It is completely unique and bold. The monsters in your closet are real, there are things that go bump in the night and Yancey is showing them all, without holding anything back. You get the feeling that are right there alongside Will Henry, watching everything unfold and fearing the worst but hoping for the best.

The characters are strong and there is minimal biasing by the first person point of view, even towards the not so nice people. The reader can make up their own mind- and even several of the minor characters shine through and make you remember them. You can see the thought that went into everything about this story and as with all good stories, it had plenty of twists and turns and surprises.

The ending was phenomenal- bittersweet in its own way but still left the reader with plenty of closure. This is the first in the series and although it doesn't end on a massive cliffhanger, the story line itself, the way it is written, and how much I have fallen in love with 12 year old Will Henry will guarantee me to be buying the next installation. This book deserves 5 stars- maybe even 6- and is definitely taking a very well earned place at the top of my favorites list.