Monster

A Novel

By: A. Lee Martinez

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Monster. Meet Judy. Two humans who don't like each other much, but together must fight dragons, fire-breathing felines, trolls, Inuit walrus dogs, and a crazy cat lady - for the future of the universe.

Monster runs a pest-control agency. He's overworked and has domestic troubles - like having the girlfriend from hell.

Judy works the night shift at the local Food Plus Mart. Not the most glamorous life, but Judy is happy. No one bothers her, and if she has to spell things out for the night-manager every now and again, so be it.

But when Judy finds a Yeti in the freezer aisle eating all the Rocky Road, her life collides with Monster's in a rather alarming fashion. Because Monster doesn't catch raccoons; he catches the things that go bump in the night. Things like ogres, trolls, and dragons. Oh, and his girlfriend from Hell? She actually is from Hell.

©2009 A. Lee Martinez (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Martinez pokes at big-picture questions, like the nature of the universe and the meaning of life, with abundant, zany humor in this charming tale." (Publishers Weekly)

Absolutely loved this book.

This was great. I always love a story without romance. Action, mystery, magic... what more could you want?

Well....

Well, I am glad to say I have found a new author to be interested in. I like this story. A bit of a change up from the usual monster and magic type takes floating around. Yep, I need to check out what else this author has written.

A fun little over the top romp

A. Lee Martinez is a hard author to categorize. I think the closest author to describe him would be a (slightly) less off the wall Terry Pratchett. Definitely a fun read.

Monster is about, appropriately, the main character of this book. He is not in fact a monster, but he catches them (basically like animal control for the city). In this world magic is all around us, but only a select few can see it (and most forget/justify it away shortly thereafter.. think the adults in Sunnydale (Buffy)). Monster is not having a good life (living on the edge of poverty with a demon girlfriend) and his life gets more complicated when he meets Judy.

Judy has called animal control because a yeti is eating all the ice cream at the supermarket she is working at. While shortly forgetting that incident, she continues to run into Monster as more and more supernatural animals keep showing up around her. And then the plot gets really complicated....

Fun read but it can drag a little bit in the middle. I have enjoyed some of his other works more than this one...

Great

If you know this author you know what you’re in for. Otherwise if you like a little fantasy horror comedy then you’ll like this.

Great promise -- hopes dashed!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, the last 1/2 of it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Little Big Man, perhaps.

What about Eric Michael Summerer’s performance did you like?

Except for a few strangely pronounced words (I always wonder if they ever read what they are reading BEFORE they are recording it), it was fine.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not unless it took itself a lot less seriously toward the end.

Any additional comments?

The first half was a winner. I can't believe the last half was written by the same person. Imagination, fun, humor, flights of fancy -- GOOD. Turning dark, not connecting, little satisfaction in the outcome -- BAD. WHAT HAPPENED??

Entertaining

This is a fun new twist on contemporary urban fantasy, which hits all the tropes while managing to avoid cliche. It's not a completely fulfilling story - I'd like to see more character depth and a few plot holes filled in, for one - but some hilarious dialogue and situations make up for that. definitely worth a listen, especially if you're looking for something light and enjoyable.

Something fun!

Sometimes you just need something funny and light - like a different twist on a down and out crypto biological catcher who helps a clueless human save the world! Funny story, solid reading

it was pretty good

this is the second book from this author I've listened to. its really quite a fun story, But something is missing to make it a great story.same with gils diner, his other book (which was still better than this one). but all around Its fun

It's fun

This is a fun listen. Several laughs and enjoy characters. Narrator is good also.

A Fantastic Ride!

Such an amazing story! This clever and fun story did for Monsters what "Men in Black" did for aliens. This story had such a fun and eclectic cast of characters that I couldn't wait to jump in my car and hear more of this story. This is most definitely a fun book to read and laugh along to, so long as you don't mind a cynical jerk as your lead character. I got a kick out of it.