The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Are you ready for monsters? Are you ready for unstoppable killing machines who only feed on human flesh? Then this is the book for you.

The main character is Will Henry, a 12 year old boy living in 1888. His mentor and guardian is Dr. Warthrop, a bizarre doctor who studies monsters. However these aren’t monsters of myth or religion, but of nature. Warthrop is a above all a scientist and there are logical explanations for all the gruesome things normal people would rather ignore. And that is how the good doctor reacts to a recent outbreak of anthropophagi in their small New England town.

Anthropophagi are vaguely human shaped, but bigger and headless. Their face is rather on their chest. With a black eye on each shoulder and a maw with shark-like teeth in the middle of their torso, these monsters have been feasting on humans since before written history. They have elongated fingers that end in barbs, and can easily leap forty feet. In short, they will rip you limb from limb, and scoop out your brains before you even think about running away.

Dr. Warthrop though seems more interested in how anthropophagi arrived to America (they only live in Africa) then stopping the threat. After a family is viciously torn asunder the local constable needs the monstumologist’s help in eliminating the man eating horde. Fortunately, Warthrop has already called in a veteran monster hunter, Dr. Jack Kearns. Unfortunately Kearns’ methods are almost as inhuman as the anthropophagi.

It is up to young Will Henry to not only witness of the events that will transpire, but to reconcile the methods of the two doctors, and ultimately help them find the alpha female who is in charge of the anthropophagi pod. He will need courage, logic, a strong stomach, and most of all lots of luck. A small 12 year old boy is a quick snack to these monsters. Let’s hope our hero is up to the challenge.

This book is highly recommended. However it is a very grisly tale, so if copious amounts of gore makes you queasy you may want to take a pass on this one. Also it is written as a diary of the 1800’s so the vernacular and pace of the prose may be a hindrance to less experienced readers. Appropriate for ages 16 and up.