Review – A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamill (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Horror/Dark Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Vintage
Release Date: August 4, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-0525563921
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Monsters both figurative and very literal stalk the Turner family. The youngest child, Noah, narrates the family history: how in the late ’60s, his bookish mother, Margaret, marries Lovecraft-lover Harry against her better judgment. The couple has two daughters–Sydney, born for the spotlight, and the brilliant but awkward Eunice, a natural writer and storyteller. But finances are tight, Margaret and Eunice are haunted by horrific dreams, and Harry starts acting strangely. He becomes obsessed with the construction of an elaborately crafted haunted house attraction, christened the Wandering Dark. The family tries to shield baby Noah from the house’s faux horrors, but unbeknownst to them, he’s being visited by a furry beast with glowing orange eyes–the same ghastly being glimpsed by both his mother and sister. However, unlike them, Noah decides to let the creature in. . . .
As he approaches the conclusion of his family’s tale, it becomes more and more apparent that there’s only one way the story can end: with Noah making the ultimate sacrifice.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.
Story (5/5): The youngest child in the family, and narrator, Noah takes us back a generation to explain how his mother Margaret married the horror/sci-fi/Lovecraft obsessed Harry. When Noah is younger things in his family start falling apart; his sisters constantly have nightmares, his father is acting erratically, and his mother is using all her energy trying to hold the family together both financially and emotionally. That’s when the monster starts to visit Harry…
This was an amazing story of a family that makes a living off of horror and creepiness and faces a number of challenges. Wrapped in and out of their story is the mystery around missing children and large furry beasts. This story had so many layers and I loved them all. The ending was amazing, unexpected yet completely perfect. It was creative and fascinating and I am so happy I read this book!
Characters (5/5): Every character in here is amazing. From Noah’s mother, to his Lovecraft obsessed father, to his fame obsessed sister Sydney, to his brilliant, yet chronically depressed sister, Eunice, to the monster who scratches on Noah’s window and finally to Noah himself….these are all amazing characters that are incredibly complex and interesting. I loved them all and found myself completely absorbed in their normal, yet strange lives, and their struggles.
Setting (5/5): I absolutely loved the setting as well. This is a small town setting but much of book takes place in the custom haunted house that Noah’s family builds in their backyard. Then later we spend time in the house of horrors named “The Wandering Dark” that Noah’s family runs and operates. Towards the end we even end up in alternate realities. Hamill does an excellent job capturing the atmosphere of all of these places and really makes them come alive.
Writing Style (5/5): This book is perfectly written. The way events are laid out is beautifully done and the way the story is crafted is exquisite. The characters, the mystery, the settings…they are all perfect. I am seriously in love with the writing style here. And, oh my gosh, don’t even get me started on the ending!!! It was so well done; it matched the dark tone of the story perfectly and absolutely blew me away.
My Summary (5/5): Overall this is one of my favorite books of the year and will stay with me a long time. I am considering buying a copy because I think this is one I will re-read at some point. I loved this book utterly and completely. This was such a unique and engaging story, things ended up coming together beautifully here and I loved the ending. I can’t wait to see what Hamill writes next and would highly recommend this book to those who love the strange and unusual and don’t mind a dark tone to their stories.
