See my review for Monuments
Monuments Book Two
Written by Will Kostakis
Fantasy, Adventure, LGBT, Australian
256 Pages
Published August 27th 2019
Thanks to Hachette Australia
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★★★★
Newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky want to change the world, no biggie. But they're soon drawn into a centuries old conflict that just might destroy the world they're striving to make better. Book two in the Monuments fantasy duology from young adult superstar Will Kostakis.
With the Monuments gone, newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky must stop the rebel gods from reducing the world to ruin. Trouble is, they don't know how.
While Sally searches for answers and Locky makes plans to change the world, Connor struggles to keep up appearances as an ordinary teenager. But when a rebel god offers them a deal to end the chaos, their lives are turned upside down and they're forced to reckon with the question: who should decide the fate of the world?
Coming to terms with their newfound Godly status, friends Sally, Connor and his totally dreamy boyfriend Locky are determined to find the estranged Rebel Gods before they wreak havoc upon the world. What's the point of being a God if you can't change the world for the better? When Locky decides to spread joy on the lawn of the local parish, turning their grass into the rainbow flag in opposition to their queerphobic agenda, he's suddenly thrust into the spotlight and making their task of keeping their Godly duties on the down low even harder. Sydney is awash with speculation, could the Gods really walk among the people? For Connor and Locky, it's no easy task dating a God but now with his newfound rockstar slash miracle status, Locky may have inadvertently placed their lives in even more danger, despite the threat of the two dangerous sisters living in the otherworld that threaten life as we know it.
Adventure is afoot my friends as Connor begins to accept the fate thrust upon him, a God that will never age, never able to stay in one place any longer than a few years or risk exposure and of course, telling his dear mother. The other light of his life. Although the Monuments duology is steeped in modern mythology and moments of hilarity, the heart of the narrative is friendship and finding our way into the world. Although generations of teens aren't supernatural godly beings, it's still entirely relatable. Teens invoking change and being the change they want to see within the world.
Rebel Gods explores the deeply queerphobic aspects of religion, those condoning intolerance and prejudice under the guise of religious ideology. Locky challenges the local parish, exposing himself in the process and although the Monuments series explores the urban fantasy narrative of Sydney, the characters are exposed to societal and community issues. It provides a realism beyond world ending scenarios and one of my favourite aspects of the series, besides the brilliant and entirely likeable characters.
A brilliant conclusion to the duology from one of Australia's most loved authors.
Friendship is always a theme I love seeing in books, and it's great they had each other with such high stakes.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favourite aspects as well. I loved this series, it's brilliantly entertaining and would love to see what you think of it!
DeleteThis sounds interesting and I like the Sydney setting- I don't think I've read much urban fantasy set in Australia!
ReplyDeleteAustralian authors seem to favour contemporary reads usually but I love when books are set within familiar surroundings, the publishing market is very American centric. It's a brilliant series Greg and one I think you'll really enjoy.
DeleteOoh this sounds fantastic. And I kind of love that it's a duology. I'm not always the best when it comes to keeping up with series, but I can do two books. And you know me, I love anything with LGBT+ representation. Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you loved this one!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Connor and Locky are delightfully lovely Lauren, the ending nearly broke me though and I'm really hoping there might be a novella or short story to follow. I need closure! You'll love this Lauren, I can't wait to see what you think of it!
Delete'What's the point of being a God if you can't change the world for the better?' I really love this line especially and agree with it a lot! I also like the sound of this one being a fun adventure but also tackling some deeper topics such as the homophobia as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely series Olivia. It reminds me a little of Percy Jackson, it's wonderfully entertaining, hilarious but with a beautiful sense of found family. They're quick reads as well. I think you'll really enjoy this one.
DeleteThis is such a cool concept for a book! I'm currently trying to write my own novel and was looking for fictional books to learn from, and it looks like this would be a great place to start!
ReplyDeleteAmy x wandering-everywhere.com
Not only entertaining but the writing is brilliant. You should also check out his much loved contemporaries, they're amazing!
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