One of the Best Monster Romances I've Ever Read
Alright my fellow spicy book dragons, where are my monster lovers at? If you've been looking for a monster romance that delivers incredible world-building, unforgettable characters, nonstop adventure, and enough spice to fog your glasses, then Soul Eater absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
The Monstrous series has quickly become one of my favorite monster romance series. Lily Mayne combines an original post-apocalyptic setting with emotional romances, intense action, hilarious banter, and monsters you'll somehow end up hopelessly falling in love with.
The series currently has seven novels, three novellas, and another full-length book on the way. One of my favorite little extras is the monster and human indexes available on Lily Mayne's website. They're a fun way to keep track of the many characters and monster species you'll meet throughout the series.
A World Worth Getting Lost In
Twenty years before the story begins, a massive tear opened between Earth and the monster world. Human civilization never recovered. Most people now survive inside overcrowded military-controlled cities along the coasts, while the rest of the United States has become the Wastes, a dangerous lawless landscape ruled by monsters.
In this world, humans really only have three options:
- Live under strict military control.
- Join the military and fight monsters.
- Become a raider and try to survive in the Wastes.
It is one of the most unique post-apocalyptic settings I've read, and I was completely invested from the very first chapter.
Meet the Couple
Danny (MMC): A twenty-three-year-old soldier with a genuinely kind heart. He's compassionate, easygoing, and impossible not to like. Despite serving in the military, Danny is deeply uncomfortable with the way captured monsters are treated, making him one of the most empathetic characters in the series.
Wyn (MMC): Better known as the legendary Soul Eater, Wyn is over five thousand years old and one of the oldest monster races still alive. He's intimidating, possessive, fiercely protective, and almost impossible to read at first. Underneath the terrifying reputation, though, is a surprisingly loyal and caring monster whose actions aren't nearly as black-and-white as the military believes.
What starts as a terrifying encounter quickly becomes an incredible road trip across the Wastes. Danny is forced to travel with Wyn after the military's plans go spectacularly wrong, and the more time they spend together, the more Danny realizes that maybe the stories he's been told about monsters aren't entirely true.
Watching their relationship evolve was easily my favorite part of the book. Danny slowly chips away at Wyn's intimidating exterior, while Wyn quietly shows Danny that compassion isn't exclusive to humans. Their chemistry feels natural, and the romance develops at a pace that made me genuinely invested in both of them.
Action, Humor, and Plenty of Spice
One thing I absolutely loved about this book is how well it balances its tone. One minute you're on the edge of your seat during a monster attack or military pursuit, and the next you're laughing out loud because Danny says something completely ridiculous.
Some of my favorite moments include Danny slipping after getting out of the shower, causing Wyn to rush in thinking something terrible happened. It's a surprisingly sweet scene and the moment Danny finally realizes he's attracted to the terrifying monster.
Then there's Danny getting bitten by a monster and spending the next several hours higher than a kite from the venom, making increasingly inappropriate comments that had me laughing the entire time.
Of course, the emotional moments hit just as hard. Wyn's injuries, Danny's capture, and the sacrifices both characters make for each other added plenty of heart to balance all the action. And yes... The spicy scenes absolutely live up to the hype.
The Verdict
Highly Recommended For: Fans of monster romance, post-apocalyptic fantasy, grumpy x sunshine couples, road trip adventures, emotional slow-burn romances, and readers who enjoy action just as much as the romance.
I went into Soul Eater expecting a fun monster romance and came away with one of my favorite books in the genre. The world-building is fantastic, the relationship between Danny and Wyn is unforgettable, and the balance of humor, action, emotion, and spice kept me hooked from beginning to end.
If you fall in love with Danny and Wyn like I did, be sure to check out the companion novella Wyn. It follows the couple after the events of this book as Wyn finally takes Danny to visit the monster world. Trust me, there's a moment in that novella that had me yelling, "OMG!" at my book.
This was the perfect introduction to the Monstrous series and immediately had me reaching for the next book.
Happy reading, and remember my fellow spicy book dragons, before starting a book please check the tropes, and always check for trigger warnings. Nobody likes an unfinished book because the tropes aren't your cup of tea or to have a bad experience reading due to the trigger warnings.
