Never a Hero

Vanessa Len — 2023

This sequel to the contemporary fantasy Only a Monster—which New York Times bestselling authors Chloe Gong, Stephanie Garber, and C. S. Pacat called “captivating,” “unputdownable,” and “utterly fresh and unique”—will take Joan deeper into the monster world, where treacherous secrets and even more danger await. Despite all of the odds, Joan achieved the impossible. She reset the timeline, saved her family – and destroyed the hero, Nick. But her success has come at a terrible cost. She alone remembers what happened. Now, Aaron, her hard-won friend – and maybe more – is an enemy, trying to kill her. And Nick, the boy she loved, is a stranger who doesn’t even know her name. Only Joan remembers that there is a ruthless and dangerous enemy still out there. When a deadly attack forces Joan back into the monster world as a fugitive, she finds herself on the run with Nick – as Aaron closes in. As the danger rises – and Nick gets perilously closer to discovering the truth of what Joan did to him – Joan discovers a secret of her own. One that threatens everyone she loves. Torn between love and family and monstrous choices, Joan must find a way to re-gather her old allies to face down the deadliest of enemies, and to save the timeline itself. Vanessa Len’s stunning Only a Monster trilogy continues with this second instalment, a thrilling journey where a secret past threatens to unravel everyone's future.

Reviews

millena@versionsofmi

Aug 3, 2024

omg I did it again 😭 I was struggling to read another book without think about this one so I think ‘why not read it again????’ AND I DID IT, I NEED AN INTERVENTION ASAP!!! The worst is, I don’t even regret it 😔 I found some quotes that made it totally worth it “Joan had been afraid every time she'd stepped into a monster space. She'd been afraid of Nick sometimes. She'd never been afraid of Aaron, though.” be real if they’re not endgame I’ll cry “Joan blinked at him. His hands were still in his pockets, lord-like, and for a moment Joan almost knew something important. About Eleanor, about herself. About why Eleanor had turned Nick into a slayer. Why she'd said, It's always about Nick with you, isn't it? And that blond boy.” this “and that blond boy” will hunt me forever, girl wdym???? and last but not least, the fact that Nick made clear that after this drama with Eleanor ends their paths will diverge, meanwhile Aaron: “'After this is all over, we need to do something about it.' After this? Joan opened her mouth and closed it again. She didn't even let herself hope.” *case closed* *mic drop* 01/05/2024 4.75 ⭐️ didn't deserve 5 stars because Aaron deserved more attention I liked Only a Monster but this one is on a whole different level, it got me hooked from page 1!!!! The plots were amazing, the characters were perfect (except you nick 🫵🏻) I really REALLY loved this book I'm so sad because if it's going to be a trilogy there certainly won't be time to develop Joan&Aaron (but please author just do it, we’ll love it anyway!!!! 😭), I found some possible foreshadows during the book indicating a possible future romance between them but I feel that Nick is still very attached to Joan’s history, my hope is still alive but hanging by a thread I would do unimaginable things to have book 3 right now 😭 (and JoanAaron endgame of course)

fris🐝@lfrisbee

Jun 1, 2024

for most of this book I thought it was bad but then Aaron came in and I was like !!baby boy!!! so I boosted this to a 3. here were some of my thoughts while reading:

not to be a hater but I don’t like the pacing, it’s so slow and the plot is so flimsy like the characters would do something and I’d be like okay…but why though

why is Joan so upset about using her power on nick he literally murdered her whole family and also along the same lines why oh why does girlie even like him like we’re told they have this epic world-changing romance and unending chemistry and I’m saying please Vanessa Len where is it?? is the romance in the room with us??? all she ever says is that he’s Hollywood-handsome

where is Aaron my baby boy

Astrid coming back and surprise being a Liu was so stupid I’m sorry

and then Aaron came back and the plot got a bit more interesting

This review contains a spoiler