Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Monsters Within Men
SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: T J Rose
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 326 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 13, 2023
BLURB:
London, 2053. One of the last remaining civilisations in the world.
A decade on from the first wave of human-flesh-craving monsters that wiped out most of society, Noah finds himself stepping up to lead Squad E, part of London’s East Regiment, fighting back against the creatures that threaten mankind. But between battling monsters, struggling with grief, and his rivalry with another lieutenant, Noah is sinking, fast. The last thing he needs is a young, weak conscript with an attitude problem to add to his issues. Especially when he can’t seem to get him out of his head.
Zeke, Squad E’s newest recruit, would rather do anything else than be conscripted into the dwindling military force battling to save humanity. But when his research assistant job abruptly ends after his boss is arrested under mysterious circumstances, he must learn to embrace his new life as a soldier. But perhaps his attractive commanding officer—whom he is forbidden from dating—might offer the silver lining he never knew he wanted?
As the crisis escalates, London’s time begins to run out. Food shortages, riots, and secrets buried by leadership all push the city towards its boiling point. The ten members of Squad E, along with their faithful dog, Wolf, must band together if they’re going to make it out of this alive.
Monsters within Men is a slow burn, post-apocalyptic fantasy MM romance, suitable for adult readers. It is a standalone book of around 110k words.
Content warnings: explicit sexual scenes, grief, self-harm, non-graphically described suicide attempts, on-page death of side characters, mild gore.
REVIEW:
Thirty years in the future, a worldwide mutating disease is turning humans into monsters. Amid escalations, food is running short, the law is losing control, and the powers that be are keeping secrets while running out of options. When his boss is arrested, Zeke is conscripted into E-Squad, which is led by a young, handsome, caring brute with powerful connections. Like many, Noah has lost loved ones, but something about Zeke draws him in. In a world that is falling apart, is there a place for love when there is little hope of a tomorrow, let alone a future?
Monsters Within Men sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions. It depicts the brutality of a war zone, the bonds between brothers in arms, and the cruelty of army restrictions forbidding relations within units. Kudos to the author for not holding back. It was a fascinatingly brutal, sometimes slightly gory, heartbreaking story to read with a soft center that I couldn’t put down.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Zeke and Nolan. As the setting is London, England, British English is used. Worldbuilding provides a graphic image of the country in the not-too-distant future. It covers basic training, life inside the barracks, and on missions. There are lighter times, memories, sacrifice, heartbreak, and a raft of emotions between – everything I look for.
Not one person is unscarred from the devastation of a crumbling world, yet the cast finds brotherhood within their unit. When a soldier is lost, I found the rituals performed particularly touching – beautiful yet sad moments. The extended cast includes human versions of lions, tigers, snakes, and hyenas.
Zeke is an academic in a soldier’s world who also loves foxes. He must adapt or die. I loved Zeke’s determination, but on his journey, Zeke experiences highs and extreme lows within an eclectic support system of tough love, friendship, and nurturing. He was believable, which made his situation even more intense. Nolan is a leader, and his nurturing soul made for a matching personality for Zeke.
This story was different, vivid, and emotional – a true page-turner with some good people doing one hell of a job. Bravo.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
[…] Review […]