Review by Ibha Gupta
Tundra Books, 2023
304 pages, paperback, $12.99, 9781774880500
Young Adult, Ages 10+
Fantasy, Fiction, Horror/Thriller, Mystery
And even if it’s just words on a rock, hopefully whoever picks it up will see that no problems get solved by treating someone as a monster just for being who they are.
Don’t Want to Be Your Monster is one of the latest additions to the vampire canon, but this time instead of typical teen love stories, we meet two middle-school vampire brothers who have plenty to deal with apart from a bloody murderer wreaking havoc in their quiet town. Adam, ten, and Victor, fourteen are foster siblings and as the book switches between their two POVs, we begin to understand the complexities of the world they inhabit – liminal, hidden away, existing on the margins. As Adam struggles with his moral compass and the need to remain hidden, Victor negotiates with his individuality, his burgeoning worldview, and his place in the family. But above all, Adam and Victor must discover the power of sibling bonds when faced with perilous challenges like tracking down a serial killer!
An enjoyable debut by Moulton, this middle grade novel is perfect for fans of not only the vampire canon, but also those who love unlikely friendships, sibling dynamics, and engaging with a diverse set of characters. The world building is exciting as many vampiric legends and tropes are subverted, the language is easy and accessible, and the mystery/whodunit elements are absorbing enough to keep young readers hooked. What truly stands out is the inclusiveness of the book as a host of under-represented communities find a place in the story. Moulton truly provides a rich tapestry of gender, sexuality, race, religion and culture without tokenizing or stereotyping these characters. Deeper questions about familial bonds, the historical Othering of marginalized groups, and the difficulty of ‘doing the right thing’ are also addressed, making it a more rewarding and layered experience.
The author’s note is especially interesting in decoding the book as Moulton outlines their writing philosophy and their authorial intent in creating Don’t Want to Be Your Monster, addressing the anti-Semitic roots of vampire myths and folklore and how they hope to create a work that deals with the alienating experience of being labelled as evil.
At times, the book does fall prey to traditional didacticism. While Moulton’s message of empowering persecuted minorities is vastly important, I felt like the story was at time heavy-handed by using obvious, moralizing language. It also has some trauma triggers like hate crimes which might necessitate interventions and discussions, especially for a younger reading audience.
Overall, the debut is a wonderful, thoughtful exploration of self, of community, of marginalization, and of empowerment. Add to that the moody, supernatural elements of blood, gore, and murder and you have a perfect book for a cozy winter reading session.
Ibha has a Masters in English and is now completing her second Masters in Children’s Literature at UBC. Her research interests are issues of representation and diversity in Fantasy Fiction. She misses the sunny beaches of Goa, India which she grew up on but has come to the conclusion that she absolutely loves autumn in Vancouver, her new home. Spicy foods, drinking chai and buying different editions of her favourite books make her the happiest.
YOUNG ADULTING 