Monsters & Mist by Taylor Fenner is a thrilling fantasy novel that goes to great lengths to develop a fully realized world with attention paid to even the tiniest details. Intriguing characters are painstakingly developed to ensure we, as readers, understand their motivations, so when they are thrust headlong into precarious situations we are certain to be biting our nails.

This was an engrossing action adventure novel with characters that are well fleshed out and a story that is engaging and rich with creative details and imaginative lore.

Readers are provided with a bit of Esternwhorl history at the beginning of every chapter. This serves to provide even more backstory and world building for readers who like to be consumed by their epic fantasy novels. This reminds me of books found throughout the Elder Scrolls video game where a whole other world feels like it is being built behind the scenes as you progress through the story. I felt like this Esternwhorl history could easily become its own companion novella with how much details is provided in this suspenseful fantasy novel.

Is this a character driven story or a plot driven story? I think this story transcends either category because I feel like the momentum of the story is pushed forward, at different points, by different aspects making for a very engaging read as we move from one tense situation to another, and one from one intriguing character to another. Once we get past the world building, the 400+ pages of this book fly by in a whirlwind of emotionally charged story telling.

Monsters & Mist is an engrossing story that I highly recommend to anyone looking to lose themselves in a fantasy world that is richly imaginative. From an author who has clearly honed her craft through her young adult paranormal fantasy Eternals Trilogy, Taylor Fenner provides readers with a vibrant fantasy story.

Pages: 418 | ASIN: B08VWFN9S5