Review Detail

For a debut novel, Williams absolutely stuns their audiences with adventurous middle grade fantasy novel. Rather than outright fantasy, this book is blended with many science fiction elements as well which makes it entertaining. Readers follow the main characters Glory who is bright-eyed and ever curious around the world that surrounds her life at the hotel. Eager for something new, she jumps at the chance to help her newfound friend Marcus, a junior Spherinaut, on his mission when he hits a roadblock. What comes next is a quest full of obstacles, monsters made of nightmares, and a mystery that needs to be solved before it’s too late.

What was key to this book standing out against other middle grade fantasy novels is the intricate worldbuilding. Where There Be Monsters is the first book in The Outersphere series and Williams takes great care to explain the Parliamentarium, magic systems, types of creatures, and the different lands. I think going forward, it would be helpful to include a illustrated guide or written chart of sorts to help its younger audience keep track of elements since the novel’s universe is so wide.

The suspense and unknown in this novel makes it so engaging to read. Readers will be locked into the story as we travel through new worlds and thwart villains who threaten the delicate balance of the Outersphere. Glory’s characters are admirable, and I love her tenacity to discover new places and figure out puzzles. She shows such growth over the course of the story and I can’t wait to see what adventure she’ll go on next.