Customer Reviews

The Isle of Blood (Monstrumologist)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Forget the "Young Adult" categorization; Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist series is one of the masterpieces of the genre, and should appeal to anyone who loves great storytelling of any sort. Thrilling plot, endearing characters, and quite simply *gorgeous* prose that outshines not only anything being published in YA, but most novels, period. When writing combines fun, edge-of-your-seat storytelling with deep insights into human nature and lush prose that sometimes borders on poetry, the effect is simply breathtaking.

I'm not going to make a "So and so meets so and so" author comparison, because Yancey populates his own league, and often the authors people compare Yancey to are inferior. If you've gotten this far (this is the third installment in a series, though each story is self-contained), you know what I'm talking about. If somehow you came across this book before The Monstrumologist, I actually envy you. Start there, and thank me later.

For those already familiar with the series looking to see if they should pick this one up as well...frankly I doubt anyone like that exists, because you probably had this on pre-order months ago. But yes, Rick is in top form. Get excited for the UPS truck to arrive (or click that download button, post haste).

I was so sad when I read that Isle of Blood was going to be the last in Rick Yancey's bone chillingly awesome Monstrumologist series. Turns out that the series didn't do as well as the publisher hoped, so after three books, they're calling it quites. I really hate to see such a unique, well-constructed and downright scary series end this way. Not only does it seem like there is so much more life left in Will Henry's story, but the story ends on a mild cliffhanger than hints at there being something more. However, after fan outcry -the publisher agreed to a fourth monstromologist book -so Will Henry lives!

Isle of Blood, just like the other Monstrumologist novels, begins with the frame of Yancey editing a collection of folios written by the real Will Henry about his adventures. But this time, fingers go even further, as our tenacious narrator digs deeper into Will Henry's life and tries to figure out exactly who he was. As part of the investigation, he dives back into more of Will Henry's folios. This time, the folios tell the story of Will Henry being left behind as the eccentric Monstrumologist goes off to hunt the "Holy Grail" of Monstrumology. When Akwright returns, claiming that Will Henry's mentor is dead, Will Henry is thrown into an exciting new adventure that will take him to the Isle of Blood and beyond.

If you've read the other Monstrumologist books, Isle of Blood is another satisfying entry into the series. Filled with edge-of-your-seat action, spine-chilling horror and great characters, Isle of Blood is a satisfying book, even though fans are left wanting more.

As for those who haven't read the previous novels, you'd be really lost if you started out here, so I'd recommend starting with The Monstrumologist. Trust, with all the exciting horror and incredibly well-written action and characters, these books are absolutely worth your time.

It cheers me greatly that Simon and Schuster have come to their senses and that we call now all look forward to a fourth volume.

==============

That said, let's talk about "The Isle of Blood'.

I thought Yancy made some dramatic and sweeping changes with this book. Gone is the child-William Henry and his perspective. In this book William Henry is more of a person who initiates actions, instead of just reacts to the events as they unfold. We also get more details of Pellinore's life before he lost James, and became a guardian.

Even the nature of the horror involved is different. It is no longer the simple gruesome action of "The Monstrumologist". Instead we are offered material with more philosophical depth.

I enjoyed this book and I enjoyed the points that Yancy was making. I will say though that this book creeps somewhat out of what I might consider normal 'YA' territory with it's mature take on the nature of universe.

Very well written. Yancy has converted me to a lifelong fan.

Pam T~

mom/#kidlit blogger

I'm a big fan of Rick Yancey and read the two previous books in this series. That said, I don't think you have to have read the other books in order to enjoy this one; the author includes enough background information that you can delve right in. (Though why would you want to? It's always best to start from the beginning.)

Now, for the book itself.

The short version: It is a good read and Mr. Yancey is undeniably a great writer, however I did not enjoy this one as much as the second book, "Curse of the Wendigo." At no point was it so gripping that I could not put it down. No sleep was lost, no obligations neglected. It's still a worthy read, just not as compelling as the second installment. If you've read the first two already, then you might as well read this one too.

The long version **SPOILER ALERT!**: I think one of the reasons this book didn't hook me was because both Warthrop and Will Henry lost their appeal. I actually disliked Warthrop in certain instances (which was expected) but I found myself mourning Will. I feel like he lost his innocence in this one and that made me very sad. That was the one thing that made Will who he was. In the past he endured all these unspeakable acts but he maintained his pure heart, his devotion to his master. Here, the devotion has warped him a bit and that made me cringe. He failed to act to save a baby in the second book but that was forgivable. What he does in this book was not. The fact that I am so sad over Will's downfall is a credit to the author for creating such a multidimensional character, however I just can't see how redemption could possibly occur.

I don't want to rewrite the great reviews I have read here. Just want to say that I am an adult female who is NOT a reader of this genre at all--have skipped the HP, Twilight, and other series. I grew up on the old vampire stories and don't care much for the new stuff. I picked up the first book for my daughter and started reading it when i had nothing else to read. What Rick Yancey has done is returned to the original horrors of the old masterpieces--back in the days when scientists and discoverers were still grappling with weighty subjects like is the world flat and how to create a vaccine. The characters and their travels are fascinating with or without the monsters. But I do LOVE the monsters... very well written and horrifying. This may be YA fiction, but it seems much more suited to older readers. In fact, there is only one (okay two) young adults in the story. I hope there is another book coming. I hope books 1 and 3 get made into movies (I wasn't as crazy about 2 but its still a good read.)

By the way, I bought the first book on vacation in August and immediately came home and ordered the second one. Half way through that I pre-ordered the third. And have just finished them all.

The Isle of Blood is an outstanding entry in the Monstrumologist series. Rick Yancey once again provides us with a horror novel that is so stylishly written, so well plotted and peopled with such distinctive and memorable characters that it defies the genre.

As The Curse of The Wendigo taught us so much more about the Doctor, The Isle of Blood further explores the character of Will Henry and their relationship. The author places us so firmly inside Will's head that I truly felt his pain at what he perceived of as his abandonment and betrayal. I felt his frustration with himself and his despair, and finally his resignation, as he comes to the knowledge that his future remains forever entwined with Warthrop.

This is not a typical monster novel. The beasties here are not quite as conventional as The Wendigo and the Anthropophagi, but they are no less terrifying. In places, this has more of an adventure story feel than a conventional horror tale, but make no mistake, it is just as gruesome. There are scenes that will shock the reader that are made even more powerful as they are seen through Will's ever observant eyes.

Kearns is back in a peripheral but vital role, and the doctor manages to reach a pretty important epiphany. Will's journey into the darkness, so the world, and most importantly, his master can walk in the light is heartbreaking at times. These characters are evolving page by page - it's quite amazing.

This is a series that gets better with each book. This one is a certain recommend for fans of the first two, or anyone who enjoys a good, character driven literary horror novel. I can't think of anything to compare this series to, it's that unique. I was glad to hear that another one will be coming! I look forward to learning what comes next in the life of Will Henry.

I enjoy fantasy when it is well-written-- imaginative descriptions of new worlds, architecture, interiors, etc....and with beasties. I enjoy period novels when there is a legitimate feel for the time and place and even a bit of history....with beasties. I also enjoy sci-fi as long as it isn't too technical, if it has a genuine feel of wonder and discovery and not alot of "hard military" blah blah and more of the new planet flora and fauna....and with beasties. Okay, I'm in to anything with monsters and creatures as long as there is a heck of a good story to go along with it. This series is full of gore, excitement, blood, guts, dark scary rooms, period detail, characters with panache, world travel, New York, London, mystery, spine-tingling horrors, and visual detail of the most ultra-satisfying kind....with beasties. Light on. Dog beside me. Begin.

This is one of the best series that I have ever had the privilege to read. While Harry Potter will always have a special place as my favorite, this is a close second. Beautifully written, and a wonderfully horrific story. Do not to be turned off by the YA classification, this is a story that all ages can and SHOULD enjoy.

The Isle of Blood is a welcome addition to what has become one of my favorite series. Yancey has created characters that are rich and flawed and whose layers are revealed in tantalizing fashion book after book. To address the concerns of some of my esteemed collegues, admittedly, this book doesn't really have monsters. A contagion seems to be a more accurate description. To those people, I say, "So what?" The last thing I'd want out of this series is a cheap knock-off of book one over and over again. Yancey's writing is so far above other authors in this genre that he's almost in a league of his own. His prose is eloquent, funny and captivating. The confusion Will has about his unbreakable dedication to our Shelleyian doctor is heartbreaking, yet admirable. He gives up a chance at normalcy to pursue abberation. Kearns re-emerges in all his arrogant, cocky glory. Von Helrung and Lilly are welcome key components in this story as our sanity-straddling monstrumologist is absent for a good deal of the book. This chapter is about Will and his emergence as a iron-clad protector of the doctor. Not only is he in an inescapable orbit, but he has settled there and will do whatever it takes to hold onto the disfunctional world he inhabits. The monster that we eventually find is the one that every man must face. The interaction between the doctor and Will softens toward the end. In a moment of hilarity Will says of Lilly, "I don't love her. She bothers me." The doctor immediately responds with, "You have just defined the very thing you denied." This is some of the best horror fiction we have. Period. The volumes are being depleted, and I guess we'll only get one more book in this series. I, for one, am going to be very sad to see it go.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! You've been warned.

First off, let me say that I am a huge fan of the Monstrumologist series. I found the first volume of the series buried in a stack of books in a thrift store. I am continually thanking my good fortune that I picked up the first book, thought "Why not?" and bought it.

I won't waste time providing a summary of the book, so let me get straight to the point. Although the book has many strong points, including the return of our beloved Will Henry and Warthrop and appearances from Jack Kearns, Lilly, and von Helrung, I have to say that I was not very satisfied with the book as a whole. Let's start with the characters, whom I feel are the backbone of the entire series. Warthrop has understandably softened towards Will, but their interactions are less interesting simply because of that. Over the course of the book, Will turns into a rather heartless person, which made me a little sad. As for everyone else...well. I felt that there were too many characters in the book who were not necessary, and felt inserted just for the heck of it. Torrance, Veronica and Bartolomeo, Fadil, Awaale, Arthur, even the baddies Plesec and Rurick...all these characters were introduced and served their plot-moving purposes before dropping away entirely.

Another let-down was the plot of the book itself. Too much time was spent building up something that just didn't peter out. Much of the first half of the book features Will without Warthrop, which was interesting. But to be honest, I don't know if the cared for the British/Russian subplot as much as I should have. The "contagion" revelation at the end was also a bit disappointing. I appreciate what the author was trying to do, by showing that monsters exist within as well as without. But it just seemed...dull. I was looking forward to seeing some amazing beast.

I suppose that, when it boils down to it, I was expecting another book along the lines of "Curse of the Wendigo", the second Monstrumologist book. I literally could not put that one down, because it was so beautifully and masterfully written. I just feel that after the drama and emotion of "Wendigo", "Isle" falls a little flat.

Overall opinion: if you're a Monstrumologist fan, you have to read it, no questions. But expect something a little different from before.