Monuments is a bit of a fun comedic romp, with gods waking up under Australian schools and kids getting accidental super powers.
It’s a prominently a comedy, so I sort of read it in that mindset: here for the epic one-liners and the quirk! Bit of a Percy Jackson vibe, nearly?! I read it for the funny one-liners instead of overthinking the depth of the plot. And shh, I know Aussies being “laid back” is a stereotype, but it was just so truuuuue. Tell a kid he’s woken a god and he’s like, “ya cool mate”, and stops eating chocolate covered almonds to tag along and see how it all goes.
Such golden Aussie humour the whole way through.
the story follows Connor as he accidentally solves a secret puzzle room and finds a statue that comes to life
Since his ex-best-friend called him “boring”, he’s determined to prove he isn’t. And yes, that’s like 100% of his motivation for a good deal of the book. 😂 He ends up tagging along behind Sally, a Guardian, who’s waking up the gods to relocate them. Connor is just a dork and a Hufflepuff and really takes it all in. They meet a motley cast of gods and other Guardians and get tangled up in a fancy school ball (“hE DOESN’T EVEN GO THERE.”) There are swords and drippy burritos and there is a lot of exceptionally bad driving.
I did wonder why these all-powerful gods couldn’t protect themselves. “We’re immortal!” they say, before crumbling to dust for the dumbest reasons. But I think the charm of the book was that it was a bit nonsensical too?
i also really loved all the diversity!
It’s #ownvoices for gay and Greek rep. Connor just casually blurts “I’M SUPER GAY” to a very lovely boy at a ball he’s not supposed to be at…and they quickly connect. It is…erm, instalove. Overall I would’ve loved to see the characters go deeper, emotionally.
i definitely busted up laughing out loud several times
I did, in fact, scare my dog. He left my room. (I swear he’s so disapproving of me having a good time smh.) The quips were just on point! I remember really laughing in The First Third and I enjoyed The Sidekicks, so here for Kostakis’ super engaging voice! It’s definitely the kind of writing you easily mow through and realise half the book is already gone.
Monuments is a comedy tousled with a bunch of gods, and puzzles, and conspiracy theories, all heralded by a hufflepuff boy who kind of doesn’t want anyone to get hurt or be sad, and he ends up with a massive sword and a heck of a lot of supernatural responsibilities.
This is what happens when you skip class and try tossing and catching chocolate almonds in your mouth until you drop one and it shows you to a secret passage way and you wake a god. Stay in school, kids.
Thanks Hachette AUS for the ARC! Monuments by Will Kostakis came out Sept 2019
All 16-year-old Connor is trying to do is avoid his ex-best friend when he stumbles upon a trapdoor to a secret chamber under his school. But when Sally Rodgers breaks into the same secret chamber looking for an ancient being, things take an unexpected turn . . . and Connor’s life will never be the same again.
Along with the mysterious Sally and, later on, his new friend Locky, Connor discovers the Monuments – gods who have been buried for generations – who created the world and hid themselves away from humanity to keep everyone safe. But now they’re exposed and vulnerable, and Connor isn’t sure who, himself included, can be trusted with the knowledge and the power these gods have.
Monuments is the first book in an exciting new duology from YA star, Will Kostakis.
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| what about you? |
do you prefer comedy or serious fantasy? and do you read much Aussie lit? tell me what you think of Monuments if you’ve read it!!!
I haven’t heard of this one but it super fun! Also love shout outs to OZYA lit! I’ll be keeping my eye out for this one.
Love the mythology and Greek gods and chilled out kids!
I definitely enjoy comedy, and this sounds really great because I haven’t read Percy Jackson in a while!
Great review! This book sounds so fun! I like the Percy Jackson books but I was always kind of annoyed at how most of the diverse characters were side characters, so I’m glad there’s more diversity in this.
I must say… the concept of comedic fantasy is quite new to me? But I am also quite interested in seeing how it plays out *thinking face emoji* I mean, I like all of the things you mentioned so that should mean I’d like the book, yeah? Also, queer Aussie YA is something I like to read and support so there’s that. I’ll say I’ll try and remember to pick it up when I’m in the mood for something lighter but I cannot be trusted to make that promise!! But I know I’ll keep it in mind in general as I do keep seeing it everywhere!