A Taste for Monsters (Hardcover)
The mesmerizing story of a young woman in Victorian London, who, haunted by the ghosts of Jack the Ripper's victims, is set on a terrifying path to salvation.London 1888, and Jack the Ripper is terrorizing the people of the city. Evelyn, a young woman disfigured by her dangerous work in a matchstick factory with nowhere to go, does not know what to make of her new position as a maid to the Elephant Man in London Hospital. Evelyn wanted to be locked away from the world, like he is, shut away from the filth and dangers of the streets. But in Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, she finds a gentle kindred, who does not recoil from her, and who understands her pain. When the murders begin, however, Joseph and Evelyn are haunted nightly by the ghosts of the Ripper's dead, setting Evelyn on a path to facing her fears and uncovering humanity's worst nightmares, in which the real monsters are men.A terrifying and haunting tale from the Edgar and PEN Award-winning author of Icefall, Matthew J. Kirby.
Matthew J. Kirby is the critically acclaimed author of the middle-grade novels Icefall, which won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery and the PEN Literary Award for Children's Literature; The Clockwork Three, which was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start; The Lost Kingdom; Last Descendants, an Assassin's Creed novel; The Quantum League: Spell Robbers; and Cave of Wonders, the fifth book in the Infinity Ring series. He was born in Utah and grew up in Maryland, California, and Hawaii. Matthew is currently at work on his next novel.
Praise for A Taste for Monsters:* "Evelyn -- all grit, anger, and distrust -- is a complex and engaging character, the slums and slang of Victorian-era London are carefully delineated, and the eventual revelation of Leather Apron's identity and fate will leave readers gasping." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"This historical fiction blends horror with mystery and results in wonderfully crafted storytelling with strong, well-drawn characters. Kirby carefully balances the gruesome with a well-written, sensitive treatment of what could easily be lurid.... A great read for fans of history, true crime, or ghost stories." -- School Library Journal"Lovely, suspenseful, lyrical." -- Kirkus Reviews"Readers will find themselves falling down deep internet holes about both the Ripper and the Elephant Man, but if they catch a few current headlines, they may also wonder if the world has changed much in our treatment of the oppressed and helpless." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Kirby's character development, particularly his portrayal of the extraordinary Mr. Merrick, is consistently impressive. Austen devotees are sure to appreciate Kirby's commitment to the gothic entanglements of Northanger Abbey." -- BooklistPraise for Icefall:Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile MysteryWinner of the PEN Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult LiteratureAn ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults SelectionA New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing SelectionWinner of the Judy Lopez Memorial Award"[A] taut, compelling mystery and survival story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"[A] claustrophobic, thought-provoking coming-of-age adventure that shows a young woman growing into her own, while demonstrating the power of myth and legend." -- Publishers Weekly"Elegant and exciting." -- Booklist"A well-crafted story rich with emotion and intrigue. A thoroughly engaging read!" -- Brandon Mull, bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series"Clear, lively, exciting, and unstoppable as the torrent of meltwater from a glacier, Icefall confirms Matthew Kirby as one of our finest new writers for young adults. Readers of any age may be enthralled by the bitter Nordic winter setting and the story of a girl who needs a lot of courage to discover who she is." -- Ursula K. Le Guin, acclaimed author of the Earthsea CyclePraise for The Clockwork Three:*"In this riveting historical fantasy... debut novelist Kirby has assembled all the ingredients for a rousing adventure, which he delivers with rich, transporting prose." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Memorable characters, hearty action, and palpable atmospherics." -- Booklist
Praise for A Taste for Monsters:* "Evelyn -- all grit, anger, and distrust -- is a complex and engaging character, the slums and slang of Victorian-era London are carefully delineated, and the eventual revelation of Leather Apron's identity and fate will leave readers gasping." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"This historical fiction blends horror with mystery and results in wonderfully crafted storytelling with strong, well-drawn characters. Kirby carefully balances the gruesome with a well-written, sensitive treatment of what could easily be lurid.... A great read for fans of history, true crime, or ghost stories." -- School Library Journal"Lovely, suspenseful, lyrical." -- Kirkus Reviews"Readers will find themselves falling down deep internet holes about both the Ripper and the Elephant Man, but if they catch a few current headlines, they may also wonder if the world has changed much in our treatment of the oppressed and helpless." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Kirby's character development, particularly his portrayal of the extraordinary Mr. Merrick, is consistently impressive. Austen devotees are sure to appreciate Kirby's commitment to the gothic entanglements of Northanger Abbey." -- BooklistPraise for Icefall:Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile MysteryWinner of the PEN Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult LiteratureAn ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults SelectionA New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing SelectionWinner of the Judy Lopez Memorial Award"[A] taut, compelling mystery and survival story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"[A] claustrophobic, thought-provoking coming-of-age adventure that shows a young woman growing into her own, while demonstrating the power of myth and legend." -- Publishers Weekly"Elegant and exciting." -- Booklist"A well-crafted story rich with emotion and intrigue. A thoroughly engaging read!" -- Brandon Mull, bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series"Clear, lively, exciting, and unstoppable as the torrent of meltwater from a glacier, Icefall confirms Matthew Kirby as one of our finest new writers for young adults. Readers of any age may be enthralled by the bitter Nordic winter setting and the story of a girl who needs a lot of courage to discover who she is." -- Ursula K. Le Guin, acclaimed author of the Earthsea CyclePraise for The Clockwork Three:*"In this riveting historical fantasy... debut novelist Kirby has assembled all the ingredients for a rousing adventure, which he delivers with rich, transporting prose." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Memorable characters, hearty action, and palpable atmospherics." -- Booklist
Praise for A Taste for Monsters:* "Evelyn -- all grit, anger, and distrust -- is a complex and engaging character, the slums and slang of Victorian-era London are carefully delineated, and the eventual revelation of Leather Apron's identity and fate will leave readers gasping." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"This historical fiction blends horror with mystery and results in wonderfully crafted storytelling with strong, well-drawn characters. Kirby carefully balances the gruesome with a well-written, sensitive treatment of what could easily be lurid.... A great read for fans of history, true crime, or ghost stories." -- School Library Journal"Lovely, suspenseful, lyrical." -- Kirkus Reviews"Readers will find themselves falling down deep internet holes about both the Ripper and the Elephant Man, but if they catch a few current headlines, they may also wonder if the world has changed much in our treatment of the oppressed and helpless." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Kirby's character development, particularly his portrayal of the extraordinary Mr. Merrick, is consistently impressive. Austen devotees are sure to appreciate Kirby's commitment to the gothic entanglements of Northanger Abbey." -- BooklistPraise for Icefall:Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile MysteryWinner of the PEN Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult LiteratureAn ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults SelectionA New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing SelectionWinner of the Judy Lopez Memorial Award"[A] taut, compelling mystery and survival story." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"[A] claustrophobic, thought-provoking coming-of-age adventure that shows a young woman growing into her own, while demonstrating the power of myth and legend." -- Publishers Weekly"Elegant and exciting." -- Booklist"A well-crafted story rich with emotion and intrigue. A thoroughly engaging read!" -- Brandon Mull, bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series"Clear, lively, exciting, and unstoppable as the torrent of meltwater from a glacier, Icefall confirms Matthew Kirby as one of our finest new writers for young adults. Readers of any age may be enthralled by the bitter Nordic winter setting and the story of a girl who needs a lot of courage to discover who she is." -- Ursula K. Le Guin, acclaimed author of the Earthsea CyclePraise for The Clockwork Three:*"In this riveting historical fantasy... debut novelist Kirby has assembled all the ingredients for a rousing adventure, which he delivers with rich, transporting prose." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Memorable characters, hearty action, and palpable atmospherics." -- Booklist