Liselle Sambury’s latest venture into supernatural fiction delivers a compelling blend of dark academia aesthetics and monster mythology that feels both familiar and refreshingly distinct. Set against the backdrop of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, A Mastery of Monsters introduces readers to August Black, an eighteen-year-old whose search for her missing brother leads her into a secret society where monsters and their human partners engage in deadly competitions for power and survival.
The premise hooks immediately: August’s brother Jules has vanished from university, leaving behind only a cryptic warning to “stay safe.” When August is attacked by a massive, clawed creature, she discovers that supernatural beings are not only real but organized under a complex hierarchical system called the Learners’ Society. Her only ally is Virgil Hawthorne, a shapeshifting student who desperately needs a human partner to maintain his humanity—and who might be her only path to finding Jules.
Character Development and Narrative Voice
Sambury excels in crafting August as a protagonist who feels authentically flawed and relatable. August’s voice carries the perfect blend of teenage cynicism and vulnerability, particularly evident in her internal monologues about feeling displaced and abandoned. Her character arc from isolated outsider to someone discovering genuine community resonates powerfully, especially given Sambury’s own acknowledgment in the book’s dedication about the pressure on overachievers to have everything figured out at eighteen.
The dynamic between August and Virgil drives much of the narrative tension. Their partnership begins as purely transactional—she needs information about her brother, he needs a human partner to survive—but evolves into something deeper and more complex. Virgil’s character challenges typical monster tropes; he’s bookish, kind, and genuinely vulnerable rather than brooding or predatory. This subversion works particularly well in distinguishing the novel from other paranormal romances.
Supporting characters like Corey, Margot, and the enigmatic Henry add layers to the world-building while serving distinct narrative functions. However, some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, particularly members of competing factions within the society whose motivations remain frustratingly opaque.
World-Building and Mythology
The Learners’ Society represents one of the novel’s strongest elements. Sambury has constructed a detailed magical system where monsters and humans form bonded partnerships, with the human “Master” capable of controlling their monster partner’s transformations and actions. This dynamic raises compelling questions about power, consent, and agency that the novel explores with surprising nuance.
The academic setting provides an excellent backdrop for the story’s themes. Queen’s University becomes almost a character itself, with its Gothic architecture and isolated campus creating the perfect atmosphere for secret societies and hidden dangers. The integration of the supernatural elements with university life feels organic rather than forced.
The political factions within the society—Progressives, Traditionalists, Pro-Libs, and Scientists—add complexity to the world-building but occasionally threaten to overwhelm the central narrative. While these political machinations provide important context for the larger conflicts, some readers may find the factional dynamics confusing rather than compelling.
Pacing and Plot Structure
The novel’s pacing proves somewhat uneven. The opening chapters establish tension effectively, drawing readers into August’s desperate search for her brother. However, the middle section occasionally bogs down in exposition about society politics and candidacy competitions. While these elements are necessary for understanding the world, they sometimes slow the momentum of August’s personal quest.
The candidacy competition itself—a series of tests determining who can become full members of the society—provides an excellent framework for character development and world exploration. These sequences showcase Sambury’s ability to write compelling action scenes while maintaining focus on character relationships and growth.
The climactic revelations about Jules’s disappearance and the forces manipulating events from behind the scenes deliver satisfying payoffs to earlier setup, though some plot threads feel rushed in their resolution.
Themes and Social Commentary
Beneath its supernatural surface, the novel grapples with themes of belonging, identity, and systemic oppression. August’s experience as a Black student navigating predominantly white spaces resonates particularly strongly, reflecting Sambury’s own university experiences as detailed in her acknowledgments. The author skillfully weaves these themes into the fantasy elements without making the parallels feel heavy-handed.
The monster-human partnership system serves as an effective metaphor for various power dynamics, though the novel sometimes struggles to fully explore the implications of its own world-building. Questions about consent, autonomy, and the ethics of controlling another sentient being arise but aren’t always addressed with the depth they deserve.
Writing Style and Technical Craft
Sambury’s prose strikes an appropriate balance between accessible young adult writing and sophisticated storytelling. Her dialogue feels natural and age-appropriate, capturing the rhythms of teenage speech without relying on dated slang or trying too hard to sound contemporary.
The author demonstrates particular skill in writing emotional scenes, especially those dealing with family relationships and the fear of abandonment. August’s grief over her missing mother and her determination to save her brother provide genuine emotional weight to the supernatural adventure.
Some sections suffer from over-explanation, particularly when introducing new aspects of the society’s structure or history. While world-building exposition is necessary, it occasionally disrupts the narrative flow.
Comparisons and Context
As promised by its marketing, A Mastery of Monsters successfully evokes elements of both Ninth House and Legendborn while establishing its own distinct identity. Like Leigh Bardugo’s Yale-set supernatural thriller, it explores the intersection of academia and dark magic. Similar to Tracy Deonn’s work, it centers a Black protagonist navigating magical societies with complex racial dynamics.
However, A Mastery of Monsters carves out its own space by focusing more on partnership dynamics and political intrigue rather than pure magical combat or historical mystery. The Canadian setting also provides a fresh backdrop for dark academia fiction, which typically centers on American or British institutions.
Readers familiar with Sambury’s previous works—Blood Like Magic, Blood Like Fate, Delicious Monsters, and Tender Beasts—will recognize her skill with family dynamics and her ability to blend supernatural elements with contemporary issues. This latest novel represents a notable evolution in her writing, showing increased confidence in handling complex political plots alongside personal character development.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its character relationships and emotional authenticity. August’s journey from isolation to community feels earned rather than convenient, and her growing bonds with Virgil, Corey, and others provide genuine heart to the supernatural thriller elements.
The world-building, while occasionally overwhelming in its complexity, creates a rich foundation for future installments. The various factions and political dynamics suggest larger conflicts to come, promising exciting developments for the series.
However, A Mastery of Monsters occasionally suffers from pacing issues and information overload. Some plot elements feel rushed while others drag, and the sheer number of characters and political factions can be difficult to track. Additionally, certain romantic elements feel underdeveloped compared to the strong friendship dynamics.
Recommendations for Similar Reads
Readers who enjoy A Mastery of Monsters should explore:
- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake for academic supernatural societies
- These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan for reluctant partnerships between humans and supernatural beings
- Babel by R.F. Kuang for academic fantasy with political themes
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon for complex fantasy politics and dragon partnerships
- Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao for mecha-pilot partnerships that explore consent and control
Final Verdict
A Mastery of Monsters succeeds as both an engaging supernatural thriller and a thoughtful exploration of belonging and identity. While it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its complex world-building, the strong character development and emotional core carry the story through its weaker moments. Sambury has created a compelling foundation for what promises to be an exciting series, establishing characters and conflicts that will likely deepen and evolve in future installments.
The novel will appeal most strongly to readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with academic settings and complex magical systems. Those seeking fast-paced action or simple romance may find the political intrigue and relationship focus less compelling, but readers willing to invest in the world and characters will find much to appreciate.
As a series opener, A Mastery of Monsters successfully establishes its world while delivering a satisfying individual story. It positions August and Virgil for future adventures while resolving enough plot threads to provide closure. The promise of revolution brewing within the Learners’ Society suggests that future books will likely escalate both the personal stakes and the larger political conflicts, making this a series worth following for fans of thoughtful paranormal fiction.