ABOUT
Vanessa Len
Vanessa Len is an Australian author of Chinese-Malaysian and Maltese heritage. An educational editor, she has worked on everything from language learning programs to STEM resources, to professional learning for teachers. Vanessa is a graduate of the Clarion Workshop in San Diego, and she lives in Melbourne.
THE 'MONSTERS' TRILOGY
Only a Monster
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.
Order now!
Preorder links for other countries to come!
Only a Monster is out: 1 February 2022 in Australia and New Zealand (Allen and Unwin); 17 February in the UK (Hodderscape), and 22 February in the USA and Canada (Harper Collins).
It is also forthcoming from Alta Books in Brazil, Albatros in the Czech Republic, Anassa Könyvek in Hungary, Piper Verlag in Germany, Penguin Random House in Spain, Vulkan in Serbia, and Eksmo in Russia.
Praise for Only a Monster
“With a pace that will leave you breathless, Only a Monster introduces a captivating new voice in fantasy with a dynamic story that blurs the lines between hero and monster”
– Hafsah Faizal, NYT bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame
“Mind-bending, heart wrenching, and unputdownable! Don’t feel bad if this book tricks you into rooting for the monster instead of the hero. Vanessa Len has written a masterful debut novel—I loved the time-travel, the star crossed romance, and the monsters.”
– Stephanie Garber, NYT bestselling author of the Caraval series
“An absolute page-turner. Only a Monster paints another vivid world inside the one we know, and uses a deft hand to bring it utterly alive. Vanessa Len blurs the age-old lines between good or evil, hero or monster, in the most captivating way.”
– Chloe Gong, NYT bestselling author of These Violent Delights
“A fabulous start to a phenomenal new series that reminded me of why I first fell in love with YA. Fast-paced and full of clever, monstrous characters you can’t help but root for, Only A Monster is a book that should be on everyone’s TBR. I’m already dying to get my hands on the sequel to find out what happens next!”
― Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth
“Exquisitely crafted, this riveting read opens up a multitude of dimensions and turns the notion of heroes and monsters on its head. Vanessa Len has woven a spellbinding tale laced with mystery, magic, humor, and heartbreak”
― Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve
“Darkly delicious fun. If you’ve been looking for your newest YA urban fantasy obsession – you’ve found it”
– Natasha Ngan, NYT bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire
“Only a Monster is captivating and unique and – dare I say it – utterly monstrous (in the best possible way). This engrossing debut will have YA readers longing to steal time just so they can devour the pages over and over again!”
– Lynette Noni, #1 bestselling author of The Prison Healer trilogy
“What a fantastic, immersive read – I couldn’t stop turning the page! An exciting, original and complex fantasy about monsters, heroes, and all the people in between.”
– Naomi Novik, NYT bestselling author of the Scholomance series
“Vanessa Len’s world of monsters and heroes is like nothing I’ve ever read, utterly fresh and unique. It’s a page-turning YA adventure with breathtaking twists and a rich, dangerous setting. I loved the girl antihero at its centre, and the depth of the themes that it tackles. But most of all I love the way it turns the genre on its head. Put down everything and read it!”
– CS Pacat, NYT bestselling author of Dark Rise
“Only A Monster is a wonderfully clever and intriguing take on the classic tale of hero versus monster. Vanessa Len has crafted a rich and immersive world filled with unique magic, thrilling action, and a heart-wrenching star-crossed romance. A marvellous and twisty debut that will pull you in right from the start!”
― June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold
