Ordinary Monsters (The Talents Trilogy, #1)
J.M. Miro
Charlie Ovid, despite surviving a brutal childhood in Mississippi, doesn't have a scar on him. His body heals itself, whether he wants it to or not. Marlowe, a foundling from a railway freight car, shines with a strange bluish light. He can melt or mend flesh. When Alice Quicke, a jaded detective with her own troubled past, is recruited to escort them to safety, all three begin a journey into the nature of difference and belonging, and the shadowy edges of the monstrous. What follows is a story of wonder and betrayal, from the gaslit streets of London, and the wooden theaters of Meiji-era Tokyo, to an eerie estate outside Edinburgh where other children with gifts--like Komako, a witch-child and twister of dust, and Ribs, a girl who cloaks herself in invisibility--are forced to combat the forces that threaten their safety. There, the world of the dead and the world of the living threaten to collide. With this new found family, Komako, Marlowe, Charlie, Ribs, and the rest of the Talents discover the truth about their abilities. And as secrets within the Institute unfurl, a new question arises: What truly defines a monster? Riveting in its scope, exquisitely written, Ordinary Monsters presents a catastrophic vision of the Victorian world--and of the gifted, broken children who must save it.
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I have been in my fantasy era it feels like for most of this year. What caught my attention with this one is the cover; what kept me reading is the story.
Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro far exceeded my expectations, and I absolutely loved every page! While it’s a long read, it never felt tedious – in fact, it was a thrilling ride from start to finish. The world-building is rich, the characters are incredibly well-developed, and the supernatural elements kept me hooked throughout.
Set in Victorian-era England, the story follows children with mysterious powers called “Talents,” who are being hunted by a shadowy force. The plot centers on two central characters, Charlie and Marlowe, as they are brought together in a sanctuary for gifted children.
Charlie Ovid is a young boy from Mississippi with a troubled past. He possesses a remarkable Talent that allows him to heal rapidly from any injury, making him nearly invincible. Despite his rough upbringing and the hardships he has faced, Charlie is resilient and determined. His journey is one of self-discovery and learning to trust others, as he navigates the complexities of his abilities and the dangers that come with them.
Marlowe is an enigmatic character with a mysterious background. Found as a baby floating in the Thames, he has the ability to manipulate light, creating illusions and even becoming invisible. Marlowe’s Talent is both a gift and a curse, as it isolates him from others and makes him a target for those who wish to exploit his powers. His character is marked by a sense of loneliness and a longing for belonging, which makes his bond with Charlie and the other children at the sanctuary all the more poignant.
Miro masterfully weaves themes of identity, survival, and the struggle between good and evil. The atmosphere is dark and haunting, and the slow unraveling of the children’s abilities and their purpose in a world that fears them adds incredible depth to the narrative.
The story is dark, mysterious, and filled with twists that kept me guessing, making it impossible to put down. It was so much fun to read, and I was completely immersed in the complex, magical universe. The narration by Ben Onwukwe was fantastic, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience. I also loved the character of Alice Quicke, the caretaker for the children, whose strength and compassion were truly inspiring.
I can’t wait to dive into book two and continue this unforgettable journey! This was a four star read for me worth every minute.
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