Once a Villain: A Heartfelt Journey’s End
As a devoted fan of Vanessa Len’s captivating Only a Monster trilogy, I couldn’t wait to dive into the much-anticipated conclusion, Once a Villain. The intricate blend of time travel, intense romance, and moral dilemmas had me hooked from the very first page of Only a Monster. Getting to this final chapter felt like a long-awaited reunion with old friends—and oh, what a reunion it was!
From the outset, Once a Villain plunges us into a world transformed by the chilling rule of Eleanor, where monsters have risen to power, exposing humanity to a dark new reality. Joan, our resilient protagonist, is tasked with untangling the mess her previous decisions have wrought. Caught between her complex feelings for Nick and Aaron, the stakes couldn’t be higher. I found myself heart-thumping with both dread and hope, eager to see how the threads of their relationships would entwine and ultimately resolve.
Len’s writing style shines in this installment. The pacing is relentless, creating an almost cinematic quality as we navigate Joan’s internal struggles and the external chaos lurking around every corner. One moment I was gasping at a twist, and the next, I was holding my breath through emotional revelations. The intensity never wavered; it was as if each chapter propelled me forward faster, making the book impossible to put down.
What particularly moved me was the exploration of identity and choice throughout the narrative. Joan’s journey is not merely about surviving in a world where monsters reign; it’s about what it means to be human—particularly when placed in morally ambiguous situations. The love triangle adds another layer to this complexity. While I usually roll my eyes at love triangles, Len executed it with such depth and sensitivity that it felt organic and poignant. It wasn’t merely about who Joan would choose; it asked what she was willing to sacrifice for love and what that might mean for her friends and family.
One striking sentiment echoed throughout the book was the longing for a "better world," a theme that resonated deeply with me. Joan’s yearning to restore the timeline mirrors our own desires for redemption in the face of hardships. The message that even in the darkest times, hope and love can triumph was beautifully woven into the story.
“Mind-bending, heart-wrenching, and unputdownable!” raved New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Garber, and I couldn’t agree more. This emotional rollercoaster left me both satisfied and a bit melancholic as I closed the final page. Joan, Nick, and Aaron’s story will linger with me, making me grateful for the adventure while feeling a bittersweet ache for its conclusion.
If you enjoy tales steeped in fantastical elements yet grounded in heart-rending relationships, Once a Villain is a must-read. It’s a beautiful representation of how love, choices, and second chances can shape our deepest connections. Whether you’re a loyal reader of the trilogy or a newcomer, this book promises a journey worth taking. It’s a poignant reminder that even in chaos, one can find camaraderie, love, and a flicker of hope.
In the end, what captivated me most was not merely the resolutions to the myriad twists and turns, but the very human experience of love and loss—a reminder that, sometimes, villainy is a matter of perspective, and that redemption is always within reach. Happy reading!
You can find Once a Villain (Only a Monster Book 3) here >>