The Descent of Monsters by JY Yang

The Descent of Monsters by JY Yang is another novella set in the Tensorate universe. Chronologically it comes after Black Tides of Heaven and Red Threads of Fortune, both of which I have previously reviewed, but it is sufficiently self-contained that they novellas can be read in any order.

You are reading this because I am dead.

Something terrible happened at the Rewar Teng Institute of Experimental Methods. When the Tensorate’s investigators arrived, they found a sea of blood and bones as far as the eye could see. One of the institute’s experiments got loose, and its rage left no survivors. The investigators returned to the capital with few clues and two prisoners: the terrorist leader Sanao Akeha and a companion known only as Rider.

Investigator Chuwan faces a puzzle. What really happened at the institute? What drew the Machinists there? What are her superiors trying to cover up? And why does she feel as if her strange dreams are forcing her down a narrowing path she cannot escape?

This novella was written in something approaching an epistemological form, with most of the text being diary entries or appended investigative reports and interviews. It was surprisingly effective at conveying the story, despite the impersonal nature of some of the material. As we learn more about the situation, we also get to know some of the characters and become increasingly invested in them as the story progresses (perhaps even more so if you've read The Red Threads of Fortune and remember some of the recurring characters).

Overall, I am becoming increasingly invested in the Tensorate universe, the more I read of it. While the first three novellas have all stood alone, The Descent of Monsters featured some events and developments that I would very much like to read more about. I hope the next novella builds on some of what we’ve already seen. Basically, even th the ugh it is self-contained, I really want to find out what happens next.

I highly recommend The Descent of Monsters to anyone who has enjoyed other works by JY Yang, including the other Tensorate novellas. It also makes a good entry point into the series, so don’t be put off reading it if you haven’t read any of its companions. It’s set in a very interesting fantasy world that I have found compelling to be immersed in.

4.5 / 5 stars

First published: July, Tor.com
Series: Tensorate book 3 of 3 (but all can be read in any order)
Format read: ePub
Source: Purchased from Kobo