Review: The Monster Within

Author Kelly Hashway
Format e-ARC
Print Length 220 pages
Publisher Spencer Hill Press
Published June 17, 2014

The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side--a completely unfair shot at life.

But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.

She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.

But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.

My Opinion

Sam died of cancer with her boyfriend Ethan by her side, vowing to bring her back. Four days later he delivered on her promise with Sam crawling literally out of the grave. My first thought was vampire- but I was fooled. Gotta love a book that can fool you.

Sam comes back pretty much herself- except no cancer and oh yeah she has to do this minor little thing of draining other people of their life source. Ethan refuses to tell her what he did to bring her back- so she kinda refuses to tell him she is now a killer. So this seemly perfect relationship has some BIG SECRETS in it. To top things off Sam may or may not have a stalker on her hands.

Sam is a bit on the whiney side for someone who just literally got a second chance at life. At least she acknowledges the fact that she is whiney and seriously needs to man up. She does try- she plays house with Ethan and even gets a job at a dinner. With her big secret, well it is hard. Ethan for his part literally is the perfect boyfriend- maybe a little too perfect. What did he do to bring her back- and how come he doesn’t notice the difference in her?

Sam starts out hating Nora-who is a patron of the dinner that only orders coffee. Soon though she trust her more than she does Ethan. What the heck is up with that? I mean seriously, this is the boy who stuck by your side on your death bed and then brought you back to life. Why trust stranger gal over him?

A lot of the issues that Sam faced in The Monster Within could have been avoided by her simply talking to Ethan. Not trying to manipulate him but seriously, straight up talking to him. 

Overall, an enjoyable read though at times the pacing slows.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote "I'm having dinner with the most beautiful girl in the world, and we are about to start out new life together.  Just the two of us.  And there's nowhere I'd rather be."

Other People

Shannon- typical mean gal at school, who for some reason does not like Sam
Beth- friend of Ethan’s tries to befriend Sam but Sam thinks she is noisy
Dylan- stalker boy but why
Nora- gothic gal that no one ever seems to see