Only a Monster

Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the realization that life is rarely a simple story of heroes and villains. It is perfect for the adolescent who feels like an outsider or who is struggling to reconcile different parts of their heritage and identity. Joan, a biracial teenager, discovers her family members are actually monsters who steal time from humans to travel through history. When her crush turns out to be a legendary monster slayer, Joan is forced into a gritty, high stakes world where she must embrace her own darkness to survive. This urban fantasy explores heavy themes of moral ambiguity, the weight of family legacy, and the pain of betrayal. It is best suited for older teens who enjoy complex world building and are ready to discuss whether the end justifies the means. Parents will appreciate the way it challenges the traditional hero narrative, encouraging readers to find strength in their own complicated truths rather than trying to fit a pre-made mold.