The Monstrumologist: The Terror Beneath

I'm surprised to learn that this is classed as kids literature as the language and style, I feel, leans more toward adult. Not that I am complaining because I can't put it down! It's similar in style and subject to Bram Stoker's Dracula, and more recently Rodrick Anscombe's, Count Dracula, both of which I really enjoyed. In the Prologue,Ricky Yancey claims that he was given the actual manuscript by the Director of Facilities at some kind of care home for the elderly, who given Yancey's interests, decided to pass it on to him. Having finally got round to reading it, he states that he had it corrected for spelling and grammar following which it was published as it was written. I would imagine Yancey had his tongue firmly in his cheek while passing this nighmare off as fact. Given the subject matter I really hope that this is the case and that there are no monstrosities like this hanging around! I was delighted to read that there are another two books in the series which I shall definitely be buying. I haven't been spooked, but I am totally fascinated by where this story is going and by the poetic style of writing which adds content and realism as does the well roundedness of the characters. It is a wickedly good read and if you do like being spooked I suggest giving it a try.Update:I've now finished reading this book and I loved every minute of it. It's a bizarre subject and when I first saw the lurid cover and blood red, creepy script screaming out: 'THE TERROR BENEATH' I thought it was going the way of a dire B movie, & I didn't have high hopes of it being a good read! But I got into it really easily and I was hypnotised by the style of writing right from the off and as stated earlier I really couldn't put it down. Little Will Henry is such a likeable character and 'his' description of his guardian Pellinore Warthrop is at times hilarious. Rick Yancey really does have a magical way with words and they just seem to drip effortlessly onto the page. I've now ordered the second in the series and am looking forward to it arriving so I can get stuck into that too :)(Btw The Fifth Wave is a great read too and totally different to The Monstromologist and I'm looking forward to the next in the series of that too.)

A mixture of pathos, horror and fun. It is marketed as a children's book, but I am 48, bought it for myself, and enjoyed it.

Absolutely fantastic story telling from Rick Yancey!I do not exaggerate in putting Yancey up there with my favourite writers such as Brian Lumley, H.P Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E Howard and Basil Copper.He knows how to create fantastic characters, create the most chilling dark atmospheres and emotional scenes.The duo of Will Henry and Warthrop are absolutely amazing together and you really do see their relationship develop throughout the series at times for better and worse.It has scenes of great emotion, dark and grisly atmospheres, disturbing and shocking scenes of gore and violence and a brilliant story piecing it all together.As far as I can tell these books are aimed at teenagers but I must say that I would recommend them for adults as some of the content is very heavy going.A great series by a great writer!

I have read the Alfred Kropp books by Rick Yancey and was really looking forward to the monstrumologist. But I had a hard time getting caught up in the book and I had to force myself to pick it up and keep reading. He is a good author and I guess I was just hoping for the same action and storyline as in the Kropp stories, maybe even some of the same kind of morbid humor, but no. It's OK but nothing more.

I have never written a review before but after reading this book I wanted to share with others how fantastic it is, well paced, action packed and such a change from the horror these days with it being set in the 19th century. It has such a dark edge to it and you really get to share the experiance with Will Henry the 12 year old boy, I could not put this book down, I would recommend this to anybody into horror. I look forward to the next one on this start to a fantastic series....

Now I know its a kids book (supposedly) but I'm entering my second childhood and providing its a good story , well written , age is irrelevent . This is a good story nay even excellent .It has reminders of Clive Barker and has the feeling of an Edgar Allen Poe story , but it is definately written the way H P Lovecraft wrote . From the start there a growing sense of unease . Written from the perspective of 12 year old Will Henry the very atmosphere is disturbing . But the way it's written pulls you in deeper and deeper into the story .It gets more and more disturbing and the sense of evil grows .A book to be read with the lights on and your feet off the floor . If you feel up to it ,then I recommend any of the books by H P Lovecraft . This is an excellent book , thoroughly recommended . Bring on more .

The book came in fantastic condition. Brand new. The story is great. Why aren't Rick Yancy's books movies yet!?

i liked the book, very explicit, but a little bit slow, overall a good book, not one of my favorites anyway