Monsters and Rain. A book review.
- Claudia
- Jun 26
- 1 min read
Monsters and Rain (or the Rain Quest series) is worth reading if you're into magical realism, coming-of-age, and a slow-burn plot. And it's got a dystopian twist!
Monsters and Rain is the second book in the Rain's Quest series.
Earth has succumbed to global warming, and the world as we know it has changed drastically. When humanity was about to collapse, magic was introduced to the world, which has stopped the effects of global warming and is slowly counteracting it.
This book review was first published on Reedsy Discovery.
In Monsters and Rain, Rain Dare, a 17-year-old mage, is on a mission to unite a world divided and teach other mages how to utilise their powers to their full potential. As magic is still relatively new to Earth, its effects on the world are unknown, and people are still coming to terms with it. Magic has changed people: half are shifters, and the other half are mages. Trying to understand Earth's magic and the monsters it has created puts her and her fellow travellers at risk daily.
What I loved
Rain is a loveable character. She respects every being she comes in contact with. She keeps an open mind and is honest about her limitations – instead of dwelling on her mistakes, she sees them as a learning opportunity.
I enjoyed Grey's take on magic and the dystopian twist she added to the Rain Quest series. Aliens ending global warming by injecting magic into the Earth's crust is such an interesting way of introducing this version of Earth, magic, and magic's current limitations. Magic is spoken of as a living thing, something they must understand and forge a connection with to use it.
"This is a dangerous world we live in – not that the past didn't have its dangers, but we don't have the protection or weapons the old world had. Why don't we have guns and rifles like we did in the past?" "Magic doesn't like them," was the only answer I could think of.
I also liked Grey's take on shifters and the monsters Rain and her crew encounter along the way. Unlike the typical werewolf who can hardly control when they turn and how they act, in Monsters and Rain, shifters can be wolves, foxes, leopards, ocelots, etc. and are in complete control of their actions once turned. The monsters they encounter can be giant wasps, killer trees, or a Frankenstein-type creation. They can also appear human. Long story short, nobody and nothing can be trusted!
What I didn't love
The story was a bit drawn out: there was a lot of repetition. I also wish there was more information on Rain’s background. I’ve read both books but still have so many questions.
Conclusion
Monsters and Rain is an easy and enjoyable read. Therefore, I recommend this book to middle-grade/young adult readers who enjoy a slow-paced magical adventure.
Before purchasing Monsters and Rain, I would start with the first in the series, Fire and Rain. However, book one could be omitted, as some of the events in Fire and Rain are referred to in Monsters and Rain.
You can find Monsters and Rain here.
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