We Shall Be Monsters - by Tara Sim (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"One of the most unique and intelligent books I've read. . . Alluring, completely enthralling, and masterfully rendered." --Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Kajal knows she is not a good person. If she were, she wouldn't selfishly be risking her sister's soul in a dangerous bid to bring her back to life. She would let Lasya rest in peace--but Kajal cannot stand the horror of living without her.

As Kajal prepares for the resurrection, the worst happens: Her sister's soul warps into a bhuta--a murderous, wraith-like spirit--and Kajal gets sentenced to death for her sister's rampage. There seems little hope of escape until two strangers offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom's fallen crown prince to aid a growing rebellion against a tyrannical usurper. Desperate, Kajal rushes to complete her end of the deal . . . only to discover that the boy she's resurrected, Tav, is not the crown prince.

Now Kajal--prickly, proud, admirer of the scientific method--must team up with Tav--stubborn, reticent, and fonder of swords than of books--to find the real crown prince. With only a scalpel and her undead dog, Kutaa, at her side, Kajal must work fast before her mistake is exposed or Lasya's bhuta turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for her death: Kajal herself.

Review Quotes

★ "The high-stakes plot draws on an inventive, richly worked world inspired by Hindu mythology. . . By turns epic, funny, gory, and heartbreaking, this is the complete package, easily winning a spot on the shelf next to the books of Nafiza Azad, Judy Lin, and Laini Taylor." --BCCB, starred review

"One of the most unique and intelligent books I've read in recent years. Darkly alluring, completely enthralling, and masterfully rendered--Tara Sim is an author at the top of her game." --Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

"Gripping . . . this Frankenstein-inspired story of accidental monster creation leads readers to timeless questions about true monstrosity and the responsibility of the creator for the consequences. A fantastic, magical adventure that covers a lot of ground with a large, energetic cast and a heavy infusion of fascinating and illuminating mythology." --Booklist

"Full of dark humor and darker twists, We Shall Be Monsters is not afraid to show its claws." --Margaret Owen, New York Times bestselling author of the Little Thieves and The Merciful Crow series

"A deeply atmospheric ­Frankenstein retelling rooted in Indian mythology...with uniquely realized characters and a ribbon of body horror flavoring the plot...this fun and unique duology opener is recommended for purchase." --School Library Journal

"[A] dark and dramatic masterpiece." --Reactor Magazine

"In this stirring testament to the bonds of siblinghood, Tara Sim spins a complex tale of guilt and grief against a vivid Indian-inspired backdrop of myths, magic, and a touch of the undead." --Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of A Thousand Steps Into Night

"Borrowing liberally from Hindu folklore and utilizing evocative, moody prose...Sim explores themes of systemic misogyny, superstition, and morality...deliver[ing] a twisted work of fantasy horror teeming with fascinating creatures and long-buried secrets." --Publishers Weekly

"Sim's duology opener is an artful presentation of binaries--evidence and belief, right and wrong--and the complex, gray, in-between areas. This intriguing exploration of certainty is highlighted by a nonbinary character's perceptions of duality...A dark and sinuous fantasy adventure." --Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating tale of family and legacy, set in a darkly vibrant world inspired by Indian mythology. Filled with gorgeous prose, exhilarating twists, and heart-stopping romance, We Shall Be Monsters is everything I love about the fantasy genre." --Akshaya Raman, author of The Ivory Key

"With evocative prose and captivating worldbuilding inspired by Indian mythology, We Shall Be Monsters is a dazzling, macabre tale of sisterhood, resurrection, and the weight of destiny. Readers will fall in love with the fierce, prickly Kajal (and her undead dog!)." --Katy Rose Pool, author of There Will Come a Darkness and Garden of the Cursed

About the Author