The Monster Variations by New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, fear and navigating life as a young boy. While we see glimpses of familiar stories, this book is a truly unique story in its bones.
Someone is killing boys in a small town. The murder weapon is a truck, and the only protection is a curfew enacted to keep kids off the streets. But it’s summer—and that alone is worth the risk of staying out late for James, Willie, and Reggie.
Willie, who lost his arm in the first hit-and-run attack, finds it hard to keep up with his two best friends as they leave childhood behind. All of them are changing, hounded by their parents, hunted by the killer, and haunted by the “monster,” a dead thing that guards the dangerous gateway between youth and manhood. But that’s not all: shadowing the boys everywhere is Mel Herman, the mysterious and brilliant bully whose dark secrets may hold the key to their survival. As the summer burns away, these forces collide, and it will take compassion, brains, and guts for the boys to overcome their demons—and not become monsters themselves.
Daniel Kraus expertly captures the essences of adolescence while keeping things atmospheric and dark. As the boys in this book confront their fears and unravel secrets we are drawn into a masterfully crafted world that is both haunting and captivating.
As we turn the pages of The Monster Variations we see that each character has unique struggles and strengths that make them super relatable, especially to someone who was once a twelve-year-old boy. Add into the mix that Willie is now physical disabled, the characters feel authentic and well crafted. As the story progresses they face challenges together, deepening their bond as friends which gives us a sense of camaraderie that is truly both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
While on the surface this story seems to be a story similar to Christine from Stephen King, it is a unique story that is more about the bond of friendship and growing up. There are definite moments of suspense and an eerie presences that sometimes had us wondering how it was a young adult novel. In the end, Kraus builds a story with an atmospheric setting that is fast-paced, riveting, harrowing and an overall enjoyable read.
After reading The Monster Variations, the first published novel by Daniel Kraus, it is no surprise the bestselling author has gone on to publish many novels. This debut was wonderfully crafted and is a compelling blend of coming-of-age horror and heart-wrenching revelations. This is a dark, eerie and truly amazing novel that we highly recommend.
Bonus with the 15th Anniversary edition is an amazing introduction by the author.
The Monster Variations 15th anniversary paperback releases June 28, 2024 from Cemetery Dance.
