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Frank J. Camacho was born and raised in New Jersey. He grew up immersed in CW shows and fantasy books, which sparked his love for emotionally tangled characters, small-town secrets, and supernatural drama. When he's not writing, he's making overly specific Spotify playlists or redecorating a room he swore he was done with. The Monsters They Made Us is his first novel.
Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers' Favorite
Frank J. Camacho delivers a haunting fantasy in The Monsters They Made Us. In a quiet corner of the Atlantic Ocean lies Driftmoor, Massachusetts, settled in 1626. It is said that four families founded the town, but records of their identities are lost. Dorothy Hale is at Driftmoor Academy on a scholarship, seeking a fresh start. After surviving a terrible vehicle accident, Dorothy only wants life to return to normal, but something inside her has changed. She struggles to fit in with the Driftmoor elite, who obsess over their accessories while ignoring the truth of their ancestry. Dorothy, however, finds her path crossing theirs regularly. It appears the founding families made some bargains to gain power, leaving a few families cursed. And Dorothy? How does she fit into all of this?
Author Frank J. Camacho has truly mastered the art of rhythm. Some chapters evoke the shattering of glass in one scene and the steady thump of a heartbeat in the next, intensifying the pace. The pages are filled with sensory stimulation on all levels. The characters are relatable and easy to like. Written in the third-person narrative from the perspectives of the four main characters gives valuable insight into the plot. This is one of those books that you can get dangerously lost in, and it tackles important issues such as mental illness. The Monsters They Made Us will keep you thinking even after the last page is turned. With some gore and horror elements, this book is suitable for young adult readers who enjoy a story that lingers.
