Check out my review plus the amazing giveaway!
by Kendra C. Highley
Release Date: August 18, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 299
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Author
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging out with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park.
Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.
But that's not the half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle's bag has a secret, one that will change Matt's life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it's chosen Matt as its wielder.
Now Matt's part of a world he didn't know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prophecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realizes his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries.
His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?
Matt Archer goes on a hunting trip with his uncle Mike when he is attacked by a monster. He grabs the nearest knife and kills it. But it isn't any ordinary knife. It was wielded with magic and it has chosen him. It would have never worked otherwise. The knife will no longer work for his uncle so his uncles decides to take Matt for military training. Uncle Mike is in a special supernatural branch and wants Matt to train if he is now the only one able to use the knife.
Matt was the under dog. He was the little guy that got picked on by his older brother and other students. Never really felt good enough. Didn't get the girl. The knife having chose him gave him some confidence. He felt like he had a bigger purpose and even though it would be difficult, he would work hard to be worthy. Matt trained really hard and bulked up to help protect people. He didn't want to let his uncle or himself down. Training was hard and made him want to cry but he stuck through it. Seemed a bit out there that the military would let a fourteen year old train but since the knife would work for no one else they allowed it.
Matt had to hide his double life from his protective mother, nosy sister, and mean older brother. His family was very involved in his life so it wasn't long before they started noticing something was up. Matt's best friend Will finds out and they team up together to fight monsters. The monsters were not the normal vampire and werewolf type but just big ugly lion, lizard, gator, and bear like creatures. That was different and made it more fun. I love having a male perspective. Matt came across really genuine and true.
This book would be a great read for a boy and was also directed at a bit of a younger audience than what I am used to but it was a really cute story that any age could enjoy. Lots of military talk, training, and unique fight scenes would appeal to a male audience but I enjoyed it as well. There was also a very sweet romance. Ella was the beautiful girl Matt never thought he would have a chance with. As he continues his training his confidence builds. He sticks up for her and they have some really cute scenes. A funny, exciting read that would be good for all ages.
"My question was, if time was money, then why weren't w all rich? Smartass comments like that got me grounded though, so I kept my mouth shut and ran down the stairs."
"Sir, yes, sir." Not even here twelve hours yet, and I was ready to cry for my mama.
"Why do you always answer questions with questions?"
"Why don't you shut up and kiss me?"
She didn't have to ask twice.
"Matt, I didn't ask you to kiss me because of the monsters. I asked because I wanted you to. And I hve for a long time."
Rating: 4/5
Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica.
Visit her Website | Facebook | Twitter
Visit her Website | Facebook | Twitter
~Giveaway~
(1) Grand prize is a Nook Simple Touch and a $25 B&N card plus a paperback copy of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. (US only)
(3) winners get a $10 Amazon Card plus a paperback copy of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. (Open Internationally)
Thanks for having me and for the great review, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteThis is probably aimed at a younger audience than what I am used to as well, but it does sounds like a fun read. Great review, Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book. I have been reading quite a few Middle Grade books recently so I would probably really like it. Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like fun adventure book. I don't read MG often but it's mostly bc I don't find many that sound that good. I do enjoy them when I give them a try. I'll keep an eye out for this one. Great review!
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