This is YA fantasy and is the second book in what I believe is a trilogy.

Changing the timeline in book 1 has consequences- people are brought together who are meant to have a connection but there are also people missing. And that may just be an indicator of a much bigger problem, which our FMC is going to have to try and work with the 2 MMCs to resolve.

I think I liked this better than the first book. The world in this series is really interesting, and how the magic system works is pretty unique- I wish that was explored and explained more! But this is much more character based, and the internal struggles the FMC has with who she is (half monster, half hero). She has to pick a side - and not choosing isn't really an option.

The ending of the book means I'm definitely interested in seeing where book 3 goes!

3.5 stars, rounded up

This was one of my favourite books of 2023. It was the best feeling being able to come back into the world of London and monsters. Since reading I have re read this multiple times. The best part about reading this book was knowing I was unraveling the joys of time travel, which isn’t always explored much in novels. This was incredibly fun and I had the best time. I miss Joan, Aaron and Nick already and I’m incredibly excited to see where book 3 goes!! Also the new characters that were introduced were super interesting. The ending blew my mind!! 5/5 stars

This is time travel done right! So many other books and movies with time travel have a point, where the concept just breaks when one thinks to much about it. Not never a hero!
A beautiful story with a thrilling ending, making me want to jump right into the next installment of the series!

I have just finished this book and also I can say is wow! I was so gripped at the end and only wish I could talk about it without spoiling it. It has been so good to revisit Joan's world... a world of monsters, humans and time travel.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but the complexity of the story in this one kept me gripped from the 2nd chapter.

Seeing the changes that have taken place to this timeline due to Joan's actions in book one, how her relationships have changed. What impact does a change truly make?

The ending of this had a brilliant twist I did not see coming and I need book 3 now please. I would love to share more details on this book - but I can't without spoiling it. Please read the monster series! A real gem of a book.

This is a delayed review for the wonderful @vanessalenwrites, I was kindly sent the e arc on netgalley from hodderscape. Thank you so much!

Band zwei hat mir sehr gefallen. Ich muss sagen, Band 1 hat mich von der Dynamik mehr mitgerissen und ich bin auch ganz klar Team Aaron und nicht Team Nick aber trotzdem wurde auch Band zwei keinen Moment langweilig und viele Fragen wurden geklärt und Band zwei endet mit SO VIEL neuen Fragen und Vorfreude auf Band 3. Alle die Band 1 geliebt, gelebt und gemocht haben, sollten auch Band zwei lesen. Wer Band 1 nicht gelesen hat, sollte dies schnell tun und gleich Band zwei lesen.

After the end of volume one, I was very excited to see what would happen next in volume two. I was also excited to see what role time travel would play here again. I really like the cover and there are a few small details that you discover while reading. Vanessa Len has a great writing style. This is easy to read, exciting and emotional. I couldn't put the book down and all in all I liked the book a bit better than volume one. It definitely wasn't a typical intermediate volume to bridge volume three. I love books with the theme of time travel and Vanessa Len does that well here. The plot is exciting, action-packed and you can't help but root for the characters. I absolutely didn't see the end coming and I'm excited to see what happens next in volume three.

Since (almost) all of the characters can no longer remember the events of volume one, at times it was like getting to know everyone again. I definitely had a favorite in book one but after book two I have absolutely no idea whether I like Nick or Aaron better. They both just have something and they harmonize perfectly with Joan. Joan develops well in volume two, finding her way better and better in the world of monsters. Nevertheless, she also retains her good side and sees some things from a completely different perspective. The interaction between the individual characters is described very well here and I was able to empathize with their respective actions and behaviors.

“Never a hero” is a very successful sequel that I can recommend to everyone. But after this nasty cliffhanger, I can hardly wait to hold volume three in my hands. I have a clear reading recommendation.

Monsters with morals might be my new favourite genre! I love a good hero story, but these are refreshing and so much fun! I wasn't sure what to expect with the first of this duology, but the second instalment far outdid it's predecessor. I loved watching Joan and co dive further into the world. I loved the small details that foreshadowed what would come to pass by the end. The motives of some of the characters are slightly fluid and the granny reminds me a bit of my own 🤭

After reading book one I was so thrilled to be offered an Arc of book two. This sequel didn’t fall foul of any book 2 problems, and in fact I think I might have enjoyed it even more than Book 1. Without giving spoilers, this continues the brilliant character arc, and really goes into the emotions and turmoils felt by our MCs. Honestly I think I’d read another 10 books in this series, I do hope we see lots more from Vanessa!

A fantastic follow up to Only a Monster! So many twists and turns. Len has such a fast paced and easy writing style that I could not put this down. Never a hero follows on soon after the first book but Joan is now struggling to move on from the events in Only a Monster. We're once again emerged in the monster realm. But this time she's on the run with Nick and it's Aaron on her tail!
The different time periods are so vivid! I keep thinking how amazing this would be as a TV series! The world only expands and it's so rich with history and interesting characters. Len has pulled off what many other authors have tried with multiple timelines, and time jumping with finesse. It was a tension filled delight!
The romantic tension between Joan and Nick and Aaron is so captivating. I love them all. Joan really comes into her own and whilst there's still so much for her to learn about this world, I love how smart Joan is.
This story has fated mates, enemies to lovers, time travel, morally grey characters. Now get me the final book! I'll be waiting eagerly for the 3rd installment and I'd definitely recommend. 4.5 stars

After 3 months I finally finished this book! What a reading slump!!

I really enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I got to experience it. It was fun and tense the whole way through but I loved the slower and more emotional moments. You can see the characters trauma and how the whole story continued on perfectly.

I absolutely adore this series so much. Only a monster was such a great start and that ending just left me reeling, and this sequel did not disappoint. The writing, the characters, the action - they all really made up such a great fantasy story.

SPOILERS

It hurt so much to see that Joan was missing Aaron, and having to see Nick around all the time knowing that they don’t know the truth of what happened. This was very much a whirlwind and I had questions throughout all of it of what was actually happening. The ending yet again blew my mind and I can’t wait for the third instalment.

I loved going more in depth in the monster world and seeing how all the families interact and finally finding out more about what Joan actually is. Nick I’m very much on the fence about at the moment because I don’t know if he will betray them all, but at the same time it would make sense that he would want to stop monsters. I have my own theory about what could happen.

I have to say I was waiting and waiting for Aaron to come back into it and I really hope we see more romance between him & Joan in the 3rd book.

Overall such a great read and I can’t wait to continue with this series

Ah Joan, you've done it again.

The events of book one have lasting consequences for Joan here in book two.

There are things only she can remember and relationships that will play out differently because of her actions at the end of book one.

I enjoyed this sequel, I was never quite sure where it was going but was happily along for the ride. Nick and Aaron are here again and how Joan feels about them both is a complicated area.

The end ramps up to another exciting conclusion and I'm looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. I do wish that this had felt less like a sequel film where the favourite scenes from book one featured again with slight variations.
That said, I'm confident that book three can bring us home strong.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Winter is definitely hibernation weather so if you are looking for a fun, action packed fantasy thrill of a book to hunker down with, then I highly recommend Never A Hero from Vanessa Len.

The first book Only A Monster introduced us to Len’s crazy world of ‘Monsters’ and ‘Heroes’ and the brilliant protagonist Joan. At the end of the first book Joan made some sacrifices to save her family and friends, but in doing so sacrificed her own happiness. In this sequel those choices come back to haunt her.

This book is a non-stop fantastical ride, packed with originality. If you love time travel, secret family clans with their own mysterious powers, brilliant twists, heart wrenching decisions and healthy doses of romance then this is the book for you.

I couldn’t put the first book down and I’m glad to report that this is equally a page turner that made my fingers ache. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five.

“𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚎𝚜. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛.”

💛💛💛💛/ 5

»»————-✼————-««

Review:
Only a Monster was one of my top reads of 2022 so I absolutely leapt at a chance to be given an opportunity to receive an ARC of the incredible sequel!

I love how we got to remeet all my favourite characters, we got to see a deeper lever of them all and there is so much character growth for them all. I adore Joan and Aaron so so so much and I will FOREVER ship them🥹

I think about Only a Monster a lot, it lives rent free in my brain, I was really nervous that Never a Hero wouldn’t meet my expectations, but it absolutely blew my mind and had me shouting to myself in the bathroom while I watered my plants! The level of angst in this book was incredible, the journey Joan goes on regarding her relationship and feelings for both Nick and Aaron was incredible and I hope book 3 brings the story to the ending I’m praying for!

The ending absolutely blew my mind and now I shall be impatiently standing by my inbox waiting for book 3 to come out! I absolutely love Vanessa’s writing style and I absolutely devour anything she writes!

I honestly can’t say anymore without spoilers and this is a book EVERYONE NEEDS to read! It truly is incredible!

For lovers of:
- Chinese MC
- YA Fantasy
- Time Travel
- Historical London Setting

Never A Hero is the sequel to Vanessa Len’s incredible debut, Only A Monster, and follows Joan as she deals with the aftermath of unravelling the timeline to save her family in book one. Stuck with the painful memories of the previous timeline and her love and friendship for both Nick and Aaron, Joan is forced to dive back into the monster world and once again fight against the clock to save both her family and the world before everything descends into even greater unforeseen chaos.

Somehow, I think this book might be even better than the first. I adore Joan as a protagonist, and the story was just as fast-paced as I hoped, diving straight back into the monster world and re-visiting the characters that I loved so much in book one. The world is so unique that it’s become one of my favourite recent fantasy universes, and I’m so impressed that I fell even more in love with it in the second book.

Vanessa Len’s writing is completely captivating, and I found myself unable to put this down as soon as I started it. I’m upset that this duology is over but so satisfied with its conclusion, and I can’t wait to read anything at all the author writes next.

I was excited to read this after the cliff hanger in only a monster. And oh my gosh, i loved this book even more than the first one. the twists and characters and the story itself. eagerly waiting for the next one.

In Never a Hero, Joan, being half human and half monster, grapples with the expectation to align with a specific side. However, the complexity arises as compelling reasons exist on both fronts. Her naivety regarding Nick’s transformation into a human is evident, especially considering his dark past. Joan’s expectation for others to readily accept and assist Nick, despite his previous atrocities, appears insensitive. However, I believe that the people should acknowledge her inexperience with time travel and the intricacies of the monster world. Her trust in Nick’s change also showed an optimistic side that the jaded wouldn’t have.

A developing love triangle emerges as Joan reunites with Aaron and Nick. Since I’m not a huge fan of a love triangle, I’ll refrain from taking a stance about Joan, Aaron, and Nick. Regardless, I’ll be waiting to see how Vanessa Len wraps this up.

Never a Hero proves thoroughly entertaining as Vanessa Len delves into the histories of different families, explores characters beyond initial expectations, and gradually unveils the motives of the villain. Post the unmaking of Nick, Joan grapples with the burden of remembering the past timeline, facing guilt and pain as she realizes the consequences of her actions. Meanwhile, the world seems relentless in pulling her and Nick back together.

The shocking ending adds another layer to the narrative. The revelation of the villain’s relationship with one of the characters is unexpected, and Vanessa Len skillfully ties it into the unfolding story. I appreciated the nuanced portrayal of the villain’s end goal, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of their actions. The conflicting emotions arise from understanding the trauma-driven motive while simultaneously recognizing the potential doom it poses to the world.

Overall, the review successfully captures the multifaceted nature of the characters and the intricate plot twists in Never a Hero. I need more information of the finale as soon as possible, this ending just left me dangling.

For those seeking a time-travel, urban fantasy experience with endearing characters, abundant action, mischief, and more, Never a Hero is a must-read. Unlike the pitfalls of second-book syndrome, this instalment is a thrilling and angst-filled ride, and the concluding chapters left me in awe. I wouldn't hesitate to delve into five more books in this series if Len chooses to continue expanding this captivating world.

Only A Monster was a middle of the road book for me, I wasn't crazy for it but it was definitely far from the worst book I've ever read, so I was a bit unsure and on the fence about this series when I started Never A Hero, but thankfully I really enjoyed it. I grew to love the characters a lot more as this book went on. Would recommend.

Never a Hero was a decent sequel, but ultimately fails to live up to the magic created by its predecessor.

At the time of writing this review, I finished Never a Hero almost 3 months ago. It was never my intention to leave this so late, but I was on holiday when I finished and after that, life got in the way. Unfortunately, over this time, my feelings towards this book have grown more... lukewarm. Also because it's been so long, this review probably won't be overly long or specific!

I liked spending more time with Joan and being back in the Monster world - if I'm honest, the worldbuilding was probably my favourite part of the first book, and that was definitely true here as well.

I really didn't like the way the romance subplot went, however. Granted, I should have seen it coming, given how much this book goes on (and on, and on, and on) about how Joan and Nick are fated to be together, but I was really rooting for Aaron (who was just... super poorly treated here) to win out. I can't understand why Joan and Nick are so desperate to be together. As other reviews - and the book itself - have pointed out, each time they try to be together, disaster happens. Surely they just need to accept that and move on? I'm all for a ship trying to beat the odds but it seems like the universe is trying to tell them something here!

I'm also not the biggest fan of Nick as a character. I liked him a little (a very, very little) bit more going into Never a Hero, having done a reread of the first book prior to starting, but I would have much rather Aaron been the primary/endgame love interest.

Generally, Never a Hero also suffered from slow pacing in parts and not having as many key plot points. I totally understand it's a character-driven series, but I was at least hoping for something more than what we got (which was basically just a big reveal at the end).

Overall, despite much of this review being negative, I had a decent time reading this instalment. Perhaps that was the excitement of reading a highly-anticipated release, who knows. Even though it's been months since I read Never a Hero, I still don't know if I'm going to read the third and final book in the series. I might, just to see how it all plays out, but I definitely won't be adding the Only a Monster series to my all-time favourites list. Given how much I absolutely adored the first book, I'm incredibly disappointed.

Thank you to Hodderscape for sending me an eARC via Netgalley!

↠ 3 stars