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What Makes A Monster

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What Makes A Monster

By: Emily Cooper
Narrated by: Conor Dunne, Issy Riley
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Summary
Heavenly Bodies meets Divine Rivals in this star-lit romantasy about a girl who, after trying to end the world, now has to save it.

‘A dark and simmering supernova of a story’ AMANDA CONNOLLY

'If you loved Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing, you will devour What Makes a Monster!’ ROMINA GARBER

She tried to end the world…now they want her to save it.

In Velandor, where magic is ruled by the constellations, Celestine Savareau rots in prison after a failed attempt to end the world. All she wants is destruction and domination.

When she is offered a freedom deal, Celestine has little choice but to accept, even if it means going after her ex-lover and accomplice Aire. Alone, he is trying to complete their monstrous plan. So Celestine joins the Nightguard, the protectors of Velandor, even as she plots to reunite with Aire and finish what they started.

Nightguard Kivessin would rather die than work with Celestine. His mother was killed during her arrest, and he’s not about to forgive and forget. But when he learns that helping Celestine means taking her down if she goes rogue, he manages to set his razor-sharp morals aside.

As they commence training, Celestine must exploit her relationship with Aire to stay one step ahead. If she fails, the world will end—and she’d hate to die without exploring the undeniable tension which lingers between her and Kivessin.

In doing so, they discover something neither of them wants to acknowledge: she might not be the monster they thought…

©2027 Emily Cooper
Dark Fantasy Dragons & Mythical Creatures Epic Fantasy

Critic Reviews

‘A dark and simmering supernova of a story… Cooper’s characters burn as fiercely as comets searing across the page as she crafts a volatile yet achingly human world hovering on the precipice of cosmic cataclysm. Unputdownable’ — Amanda Connolly, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lure of Wolves and Whispers
‘If you loved Throne of Glass and Fourth Wing, you will devour What Makes a Monster! Celestine and Kivessin’s enemies-to-lovers romance crackles with irresistible chemistry, razor-sharp banter, and emotional twists made all the more satisfying by the dual POV narration' — Romina Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Castle of the Cursed
'Dragons, celestial magic, and romantic tension shine in this beautifully brutal romantasy that’s impossible to put down. An unforgettable read about the way words can shape us, learning to trust, and reclaiming our power' — Rachel Griffin, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sun and the Starmaker
'Everything I long for in a romantasy: world-ending stakes; a desperate, yearning romance; and a main character finding strength to survive. A stunning feminist work. Cooper spreads her wings here—do not miss this book!’ — Taylor Grothe, author of Lethal Kiss
'I DEVOURED this book. Brilliant world-building, a plot that twists and turns plus an irresistible enemies-to-lovers relationship had me reading into the wee hours. Read it now, then read it again, then cry because you have to wait for the sequel' — Helen Glynn Jones, author of The Last Raven
‘An expansive world, stunning celestial magic, exhilarating romance, and a lovable cast of unforgettable characters. Cooper explores the nature of evil: if the real villains may be those who make us believe we’re monsters’ — Julia Alexandra, author of Midnight on the Celestial
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