A Comedy of Monsters by K.M. Harrell is a fantasy drama that follows the monsters living in the Kingdom of Zadea. The chaos begins with the birth of King Einyuck’s second son, Prince Sebus, as the sun darkens and Castle Azwick expels anyone who approaches. Due to a prophecy, the king refuses to see his son and instead assigns the Bixler, the kingdom’s meat contractor, and Dlledo, the wizard, to contain him. They soon notice that the boy grows fast, walks through walls, and has an insatiable hunger. They attempt to use these abilities on the battlefield, but this results in the prince’s death and a heroic act from the Bixler, which earns him popularity throughout the kingdom. After the tragic loss of the king's eldest child, Einyuck feels vulnerable without heirs. His jealous assistant minister takes advantage of this vulnerability, leading the king to turn against the Bixler. However, the Bixler does not want to become king, despite what many Zadeans believe. His true wish is to find a portal that will allow him to leave the kingdom. He has discovered that he is from another realm, and his presence in Zadea is causing catastrophic destruction on an apocalyptic scale.

A Comedy of Monsters blends comedy, satire, and fantasy elements to tell a story about interdimensional travel and its disastrous consequences. The novel features sarcastic characters, such as Azwick, the castle, which constantly desires to be the star of the story, and does not hide its disdain for certain characters. What makes this book stand out is the unique creatures living in the kingdom. K.M. Harrell did not go with the simple route of having the usual fantasy drama creatures, such as dragons or trolls; instead, he uses different components from various creatures to create unique splices. The kingdom's unusual rules provide a good source of humor—from their food to their religious beliefs—making Zadea a bizarre yet captivating place. The story also explores the Bixler's family, who are searching for him and facing their own challenges. I hope there will be a sequel that delves into their adventures with time travel and different worlds. Overall, this is an enjoyable read and a must-have for anyone interested in fantasy novels filled with intriguing characters, humor, and action.

A Comedy of Monsters by K.M. Harrell is a humorous, young-adult fantasy that will keep you entertained for hours with its witty plot and eccentric characters. The story is set in the kingdom of Zadea, where humans are food and monsters rule. Surviving the politics and drama of the kingdom is Azwick, a sentient and sarcastic castle with a short temper. Azwick was simply existing when he was made to host King Eunyuck, and was thrown into chaos he was not prepared for. Turns out, the prince ages six months every day, and his rapid ageing is bringing a curse to Zadea. If they cannot do anything about it, the entire planet will be wiped out, and nothing will survive. While everyone is looking for a solution, no one knows what Azwick has kept secret, something that can save them all. But who can make Azwick share that secret?

Author K.M. Harrell wrote a bizarre yet very refreshing story. It is certainly a Comedy of Monsters with a quirky blend of dark fantasy and humor. At first, I thought the story would be more like Howl’s Moving Castle, but I was pleasantly surprised. Azwick is the star of the show. I loved the castle for its sarcasm, the vase throwing, and the steady supply of wit. Zadea’s worldbuilding is incredible. The descriptions bring the story to life and make sure the reader feels like a part of the world. Marbus made me laugh out loud every time, and I felt really bad for Bixler. Bixler is simple and serious, yet he is given the responsibility of guarding the prince. The pace is perfect, nothing is rushed, and the characters get ample time to share their personalities with the readers. Author K.M. Harrell did a fantastic job with A Comedy of Monsters, and I loved every moment of this story!