A Mastery of Monsters

I devoured A Mastery of Monsters in one sitting, and I'm still reeling from the experience. Angel Pean's narration was a major part of that – their voice is like butter for the ears, smoothing out the rougher edges of the story and bringing a warmth to the characters that I just didn't expect. But what really sets this audiobook apart is Liselle Sambury's world-building – she's created a rich, immersive world that feels both familiar and utterly unique, like a mashup of classic boarding school stories and modern fantasy. That being said, I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven at times, particularly in the later sections of the book. Some scenes felt a bit rushed, while others dragged on a bit too long. But overall, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise exceptional audiobook. I also appreciated that Sambury didn't shy away from exploring some tough themes – the cost of ambition, the dangers of toxic friendships, and the weight of responsibility. It's a book that will stay with you long after you finish listening, and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes.