I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers and MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY hosted by Always in the Middle…
Today I’m featuring WHERE THERE BE MONSTERS by Alby C. Williams, a fantastical adventure filled with stunning worldbuilding!
Read on for my review of the book, and then make sure you also check out Alby’s list of top ten addictions to find out more about them!
Where There Be Monsters by Alby C. Williams Series: The Outersphere #1
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 6, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 352
Source: Purchased, The Publisher
My rating:
For fans of AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS and THE MARVELLERS, Alby C. Williams' debut middle grade fantasy is a sweeping adventure filled with monsters, mysteries, and mischief.
Eleven-year-old Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere.
When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam.
For there’s mischief afoot that’s threatening the balance between the worlds, its magic, and its monsters. And it’s up to Glory to find a solution before it’s too late.
Buy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org
This middle grade read is a unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy–it technically takes place on another planet (Earth is referred to, but the MC has never been there), and there are sci-fi elements involved (the characters travel from planet to planet, but using something along the lines of wormholes, not spaceships), but the story includes curses and magic and monsters (and Victorian dresses), so it feels like fantasy in many ways. The worldbuilding is honestly spectacular. I want to peek inside Alby C. Williams’s head to understand how they came up with such a creatively designed universe. And it’s easy to fall in love with the main character, Glory, who is endlessly curious and neurodivergent (they call it mazy-headed in the book, but it’s essentially ADHD). This different way of thinking both helps and hinders Glory at some points in the book, which felt very authentic. The relationships between Glory and her family are wonderful and wholesome and very fleshed-out. And Glory and her new friend Marcus bicker like brother and sister, which is very relatable as well. The mystery of what’s going on with the magic siphoning and monsters will keep kids hooked from beginning to end, and I’m sure they’ll be as eager for a book two as I am!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review (but I also purchased a copy of my own!).***
About the Author
Alby C. Williams hails from the land of snow and salt potatoes. They are a storyteller, poet and artist of dubious skill but endless enthusiasm. If you catch them in their spare time, you might mistake them for a cat based on the amount of yarn in their immediate vicinity, but don’t be fooled—they’re actually several pigeons in a trench coat.
Alby C. Williams’s Top Ten Addictions
- Coffee
I have ADHD and can’t take ADHD medications, so caffeine is an important management tool for me! I roast my own and enjoy each cup in a mug made by my stepmom, which makes it extra special.- Fountain Pens
They just bring me joy. They’re beautifully made pieces of usable art and make writing more fun! I just wish I had beautiful handwriting to match, but that can never be.- Plants
I have tons of potted plants around the house, which make me happy to look at and take care of. Many of them came from my parents’ house, which makes me feel connected to home. I have one such plant known as Toilet Plant (he lived in an actual toilet for a while) which I love dearly.- Fiber arts
Knitting and crochet help me relax and give me a creative outlet other than writing. I love soft things and creating handmade gifts, so fiber arts are absolutely perfect for me.- Weekend calls with my mom
When I was a teenager, I moved across the country with my dad and stepmom, leaving my mom behind. We started talking every single weekend, and we’ve done it ever since! I love hearing her voice every week, especially during stressful times.- My trusty dumbbells
Weight training is the only exercise I don’t find painfully boring, plus it helps with my wrist pain. Being strong makes me feel unstoppable.- Baking
I love making delicious things in the kitchen! I find it calming and it makes me feel connected to my mom and grandma to be in the kitchen creating something.- Podcasts
I love the sound of people talking. It helps me focus when I’m doing something I find repetitive and boring and drowns out my tinnitus. I like history content because it has the bonus of teaching me something while I’m being entertained.- ASMR videos
Just like podcasts, ASMR videos provide me with comforting background noise that helps me sleep at night, which can be extremely hard to do when you have a book coming out! Spa roleplays are my favorite, and the wackier the premise the more I love them.- Phone Games
I adore puzzles! My parents are big word game people who love things like crosswords and scrabble, so they give me a homey, comforted feeling.
I’m jealous of Alby’s fiber arts and baking skills. I’m not good at either of those, so maybe I could learn a thing or two from them!
What Nicole is currently reading:
Currently, I’m listening to Pax: Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker. I just finally listened to the first book, and was so surprised and intrigued by the world it was set in. I’m not far into the second book yet, but I’m excited to read it!
Also check out:
Head over to the Middle Grade Escapades blog for a Q&A with C.M. Cornwell, author of the upcoming middle grade fantasy, THE MEMORY SPINNER.
What are some of your favorite science fiction and fantasy books? I want to know!
I don’t usually read much Sci-Fi but Where There Be Monsters sounds interesting. Happy MMGM
I’ve seen this one around quite a bit and have been wondering whether I should get my hands on a copy. So, now I will. Thanks!
I loved reading Alby’s Top Ten Addictions. I want to read it this summer. The world building sounds cool.
The main character sounds like one readers will remember. I also enjoy books where world building is at its best. Top Ten Addictions was a great addition ot your post. Thanks for being a part of MMGM this week.
This sounds a great story, hugely imaginative with an exciting plot and strong characters. Definitely intrigued by teh world building so I will have to see if I can grab a copy. Also I love your top ten addictions section, and I really enjoyed reading Alby’s! Thanks for the recommendation!
The concept of Moxie as a magic powered by curiosity is such a refreshing take! Glory’s journey sounds both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Thanks for highlighting this gem; it’s now on my must-read list!
I don’t read either science fiction or much fantasy. Not my cup of tea, but it’s good to know what’s out there. Thanks for the review.