Sam’s life has always been strange. After all, his family have no idea that he’s half monster, half fairy.
But now he’s keeping an even bigger secret. He alone has the power to bring monsters to life! (He’s even got a tiny gargoyle hatchling hidden in his sock drawer.)
When Queen Maggie finds out, she’s delighted. She wants Sam to create her a whole new legion of vile ogres.
When he refuses, she vows that she will destroy everything Sam holds dear. And so the stage is set for a final battle, one that will determine not just Sam’s future, but that of the whole of monsterkind…
The conclusion to T.C. Shelley’s magical fantasy trilogy is perfect for fans of Jennifer Bell, Sophie Anderson and Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book.
T.C. Shelley’s The Monster Who Wasn’t was a standout start to the series, and one of my favourite fantasy books of 2019. The follow-up, The Werewolves Who Weren’t greatly expanded on the world and raised the stakes further. So to say I was excited to read The Boy Who Hatched Monsters is an understatement. Finishing a trilogy is always hard, but Shelley has done a terrific job in creating an ending that this series deserved.
What I’ve always loved about this series are the characters. Sam is a lovable young boy who you can’t help but root for. It seems he’s always trying to find a solution to people’s problems, and this novel is no different. He struggles with his identity and is constantly trying to find a balance between his monster and fairy heritage.
But it’s not just Sam who makes the series what it is. The story wouldn’t be complete without Bladder, Hazel, Wilfred, and the rest of the fantastic assortment of characters we’ve come to love. All of Shelley’s characters are fully formed and well written, and I can say with confidence she makes sure each character gets their moment in this novel. The last chapter certainly left me with a few tears.
This novel is perfect for readers 10+ who enjoy magical adventures that explore themes of friendship, mystery and family. With a high stakes plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat, The Boy Who Hatched Monsters is a brilliant conclusion to Shelley’s enchanting series.
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