Synopsis: Ninth House meets Legendborn in this thrilling first book in a dark academia fantasy series about a teen who’s willing to do anything to find her brother-even infiltrate a secret society full of monsters. When August’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. But August knows her brother would never have left her voluntarily, especially not after their mother so recently went missing. The only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their remaining family. And after August is attacked by a ten-foot-tall creature with fur and claws, she realizes that her brother might be in more danger than she could have imagined. Unfortunately for her, the only person with a connection to the mysterious creature is the bookish Virgil Hawthorne…and he knows about them because he is one. If he doesn’t find a partner to help control his true nature, he’ll lose his humanity and become a mindless beast-exactly what the secret society he’s grown up in would love to put down. Virgil makes a proposition: August will join his society and partner with him, and in return, he’ll help her find her brother. And so August is plunged into a deadly competition to win one of the few coveted candidate spots, all while trying to accept a frightening reality: that monsters are real, and she has to learn to master them if she’s to have any hope of saving her brother.

Mini review:

Dark, gritty, and smart academia fantasy. Full of intricate world building with secret societies and monsters. The whole book was very engaging, the author took great care in developing the story and its characters. I really liked August, her strong individuality and realistic emotions.

I completely agree with Legendborn meets Ninth House comparisons, A Mastery of Monsters has similar elements and atmosphere, yet completely unique and captivating core plot. The mystery and academia setting was perfect. It has me hooked and I’m definitely looking forward to book two!

Title: A Mastery of Monsters
Author: Liselle Sambury
Genre: Dark Academia, Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️