Moth

Monstrous #5

by Lily Mayne

When I—along with my best friend and his big purple monster boyfriend—come across a fortress-like raider camp while journeying across the monster-infested Wastes, we stop to deliver a message.

Somehow, that simple pit stop turns into a seemingly impossible quest to get this camp’s missing leader out of the prison where he’s being held and forced to fight monsters and other humans. And I know exactly where it is, because I’ve been there.

Problem is, I’m making this journey with the prickliest and most arrogant guy I’ve ever met, who seems to immediately hate me on sight. Oh, and he’s also half monster. So there’s that. And he’s in love with a raider who definitely does not love him back, and he seems determined to take it out on me. So there’s also that.

But I’m not going to rise to his childish insults and barbed words. I’m not.

I’m also going to try very hard to ignore how mindnumbingly beautiful he is, even when he’s scowling at me.

But the longer we’re out here together, the more I learn about my prickly half monster companion Moth. I realise there’s a reason he’s so closed off and angry. There’s a reason he hates everyone.

There are secrets he’s been keeping, and when I find out what they are, I want to do everything in my power to help him—even though he’s telling me he can’t be helped.

Moth is Book Five of the Monstrous series, a post-apocalyptic m/m fantasy series that features monsters and human men falling in love. It is best to read the series in order. Warning: This m/m love story contains explicit sexual content and is not suitable for young readers. It also contains graphic depictions of death and violence.

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Monsters, Dystopia, LGBT

451 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2022

About the author

Lily Mayne writes what she loves to read: achingly sweet yet gritty romances against unusual backdrops—dark, futuristic, dystopian and more. She currently lives in the UK with her husband and several fluffballs, who like to make a lot of noise while she’s writing.

Reviews

[lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥀 reread: december 2023

i will never get over charliemoth. they’re one of my fav grumpy/sunshine couples of all time for a reason ‼️

also bye i can’t believe i didn’t realize the meaning of chuck till this reread. i can be so dumb sometimes 😔 thankfully i noticed it here lmao.

no one knows better than my lovely buket how much impact charliemoth have on us 🥹 thank you for buddy reading with me, you just get me 💓💗💖💕💘💞💝 the way we even synchronized our time zones for this buddy read jsdfkjhkhgf dedication fr ✊

-

🥀 reread: september 2023

got an extra hit of serotonin today because of my babies charlie & moth!! let’s not kid ourselves, you both were a couple long before you officially became a couple. the monster-human pairings and the entire camp tbh have such a found family vibe to them and it’s just insane how much i love them 🥹

p.s. - chuck, you lil savior, you will forever be famous <3

(incidentally reread this on the same date as the day i first read it and i didn’t even realize till i checked on here 😂 it’s like it was fate pushing me to reread fr)

-

🥀 original read: june 2023

“i think you’re perfect just as you are. you don’t need to change or hide any part of yourself for someone else, moth.”

undoubtedly my favorite couple & book in the series so far. moth and charlie were such refreshing characters, i loved them so much. 🥺 they have such a special place in my heart <3

────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────

: ̗̀➛ moth has a tail!! white hair!! blushes constantly!! cat-like nature!! has a deadly sword he’d kill y’all with if you came close to charlie!! come on, who doesn’t like a lil cutie pie who blushes when they’re being all soft for their human 🥹 he was absolutely adorable, no arguments.

: ̗̀➛ speaking of moth, his backstory. his insecurities. the way he was so alone and the way he kept away from everyone just bc they were all so repulsed by him. moth having no one at all to truly connect with. humans can be so detestable sometimes, is all i can say. i wanted to hug moth after hearing his backstory and how much he had gone through, and people still forming judgements just by looking at him. moth is just one of those characters i wanna protecttttttt. after seeing all his insecurities about his body image, the way no one had truly cared about him, the dirty looks he got wherever he went? i just want to give him a big ol’ hug and tell him everything’s gonna be alright. he deserved someone like charlie who’d appreciate him for exactly who he was. 🥺💗

: ̗̀➛ before reading their book, i was a tad worried bc of the way moth seemed to be infatuated with ghost. (i mean wtf did he even see in him 😭 ghost was so bland BUT THAT’S A DIFFERENT STORY ANYWAY) buuut i needn’t have worried, bc the only reason moth was “in love” with him was bc he was the first person to have treated moth with any sort of humaneness/kindness. and that’s such a sad freaking thought to have.

: ̗̀➛ all the humans in this series to me have been very bland (sorry, danny, you too 🤭) and almost seem to be a copy of each other, but charlie! he was something else, i tell you. the way he was so extroverted!! charmed the pants off anyone he met! so brave! so easy-going and sunshine-y! teased moth and drove him crazy! (as he should 💅) he was an icon. 😌 also, him finding the sword moth wore hot >>> (again, AS HE SHOULD and it’s well deserved, k)

: ̗̀➛ the plot of this one? i don’t generally read the book for the plot, bc if the characters are easy to like and i connect/resonate with them, then i already love the book and the plot is just a plus. but!! i feel like the plots for this one and the previous one (adam/gloam’s book) are the best in the series so far, in my humble correct opinion.

“i love every part of you,” i told him. “you’re perfect.”
“god, charlie.” he let out a shaky breath and rested his forehead against mine, fingers trailing down my back to fiddle with the band of my underwear.
“what?” i murmured, tilting my head to kiss his cheek. he shook his head.
“you’re just...” he buried his face in my neck, pressing his lips there. “thank you. i’m sorry i was such an asshole at the beginning.”
i chuckled and threaded my fingers through his hair, damp from a recent shower. “sorry i was so annoying.”
“you weren’t.” his voice was muffled against my neck. “i just hate everyone.” he was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “i don’t hate you.”

: ̗̀➛ the development in charlie & moth’s relationship! it was amazing. the progression just hooked me like nothing else, bc in the other books, yes each of the humans/monsters in the series fell for each other, got it. but it was like they just saw each other and fell suddenly and i couldn’t see when & where. here, i could see exactly why they both fell for each other. and their relationship? it’s so precious to me, fuck. 🖤
ೃ⁀➷ charlie fell for moth bc of how prickly and arrogant he was on the outside and yet how innocent, how soft, how brave he was inside. he was wearing a façade but under that, he was so fragile and sweet and cute eurgh.
ೃ⁀➷ moth fell for charlie bc of how charming, affectionate, caring, understanding and accepting he was. charlie was just... the best to him, and he was thoughtful and kind and treated moth exactly how he should have been treated all along and fuck do i love that for both of them. 🥺

“are you sure your pack’s not too heavy? i can carry it.”
i grinned over at moth as i adjusted the straps of my backpack to tug it higher.
“are you gettin’ sweet on me, moth?”
he flushed pink and looked away. “you’re so annoying.”

: ̗̀➛ the way charlie charmed the pants off moth with his southern drawl & allure (quite literally) was so cute, icl. their dynamics were the grumpy/sunshine trope personified except in such a unique way, bc moth had so many insecurities about his body that charlie soothed completely for him. and the way charlie always cherished moth and earned his trust so that moth could open up about himself and trust charlie with his body? no wonder moth couldn’t resist him. 😭

“i love you, charlie,” he said quietly in his husky voice.
my chest went tight, something inside me clicking into place. finally. “i love you too.”

: ̗̀➛ charliemoth actually communicating their feelings and thoughts!! like THOSE ARE MY BBS 🥺💓 kings, i tell you.

i grinned as pleasure suffused me. “see? moth, when i look at you, i don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. because they’re not flaws. they’re just a part of you. and i love every part of you. you’re beautiful.”

: ̗̀➛ charlie being moth’s biggest champion and cheerleader!!

: ̗̀➛ chuckchuckchuckchuckchuckchuck 🥺 pls the fact that moth named that little thing after charlie? and him being all sweet to her but then keeping it a secret, and charlie calling him out on it? their dynamics are everything did i mention 😭

: ̗̀➛ the side couples in this book (and the series completely, tbh) have me so invested and i just wanna know more about all of them. and getting more of danny/wyn, edin/hunter, gage/aury and adam/gloam is always such a treat 🥰 i gotta say though, aury still has such a special place in my heart. he’s the cutest 🤍 (let’s see if seraph can beat him though 👀)

★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★

I’M OFFICIALLY PART OF THE MOTH PROTECTION SQUAD NOW YAY!!!

[Astra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read
3/22/2025
I love Charlie and Moth, they are both so precious!!! This book remains my favorite in the series and still five stars all the way. I enjoyed reading about them again. They will always have a place in my heart. ☺️

5/4/2024
I absolutely loved this book!! I did not expect it to break my heart as much as it did but it also brought the pieces back together again. They are both so sweet!! Charlie wanting to prove to Moth how perfect he is made me cry :,) I really liked how everything wasn’t completely rushed, it was definitely a prickly start. But their relationship slowly progressed in absolutely the sweetest way. 😭✋ And Moths protective walls eventually started to come down. I am also totally interested in Cat and that strange monster he's with, what is so important that he needs to do! And I need confirmation that Samson is alive and free, he doesn't deserve to still be stuck in that place. This is probably my favorite book out of the series. I didn't want to finish it!!!

[nark · Rating 4 out of 5]

“i just hate everyone.” he was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “i don’t hate you.”

when he hates everyone, but you. true romance. 🖤

✦ this is one of those series that just brings me so much comfort and joy. i just adore all these sweet monsters falling in love with their humans.
✦ this was great. i absolutely loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamics. really enjoyed the tension and all the heated gazes between these two. they took a little while to warm up to each other, but once they did...🥺 cuteness and fluffiness galore.
✦ Moth... my poor lonely grumpy lil sweetie pie, with all those mushy feelings, just dying to be loved and appreciated like he deserves!!!!!! i just wanted to wrap him in a blankie and hold him forever.
✦ Charlie was so patient and understanding with Moth, probably one of my favourite humans so far in this series. some of the other humans in this series have honestly annoyed me at times, so Charlie being just this chill guy was great.
✦ loved all the cameos from the past characters in this series too.
✦ also loved the fact that this book had more chapters from the monster's point of view (well technically half monster's lol). hope to get more monster povs in the later books too!
✦ i am VERY excited for Lilac's book. he seems like the type of character i'd absolutely adore. really hope we get to see him use that machete asap.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie + Moth

Prickly Moth has an impossibly beautiful face, long white hair, and pale eyes. He looks human, but there's something about Moth that makes people turn away in disgust. His beauty is otherworldly, and his snark and venom hide a fragile heart. Moth has always been rejected when all he wants is to belong.

Sunshine Charlie isn't naive like Danny or a pushover like Ghost. He's easygoing and cheerful, but underneath the surface lies a heart of steel. Charlie listens. He's tolerant and kind, and he'll risk his life to do right by Moth.

Moth volunteers to go back to the human/monster fighting prison to look for Cat, one of the leaders of the Nebraska raider camp who's been missing for many months. Charlie, who met Cat in book 2, decides to go with Moth, even though Moth, seething with jealousy over Charlie's popularity with the raiders, vehemently disagrees with this decision.

And that's how Moth and Charlie find themselves wandering the Wastes, fighting monsters, avoiding the military, humming (well, Charlie hums much to Moth's eternal annoyance), talking (which Moth prefers to humming, but barely), and caring for each other.

Charlie knows Moth is hiding something. Moth disappears and then reappears again as if dropped from the sky. Where does Moth go? Who hurts him? And does it have anything to do with the strange symbols tattooed on his back?

This book has more relationship angst than the previous stories. Moth is too afraid of rejection to express his feelings for Charlie. He can barely stand to strip in front of Charlie, fearing that Charlie will be repulsed by his monstrous body. Charlie doesn't want to push Moth, so even as they're busy kissing and fucking and loving, they hold back.

Moth's insecurities, his bitterness at the hand he's been dealt, broke me. Moth just needs someone to love him, and gentle, tenacious Charlie, with his easy acceptance and bright smile, is exactly the man Moth needs.

Their sexual connection is like a live wire. Moth's physical differences aren't a detriment but a gift. Charlie adores Moth's body, tale, scales, and all.

Charlie is the main narrator of the story, although Moth gets a voice too, which hell yeah! I hope the author continues the dual POV trend.

This story combines various plot points from the other books in the series, including parasitic infections, military atrocities, a human/beastie fighting ring, and the cannibalistic Harold cult. It's all here, skillfully plotted and intertwined.

We even get a cameo starring everyone's favorite Soul Eater in his full snarly, grumpy glory.

Everything about Lily Mayne's Monstrous world is fascinating, complex, and gripping.

I couldn't put this book down while simultaneously hoping it would never end. That's the problem with a truly great book: it's impossible to let go.

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread: january 2023

my first reread of the year and i just missed charliemoth SO much. 🥺

lil update of my original review: towards the end of my review, i wrote that wyndanny and charliemoth were tied as my favorite couple in this series but ngl, at this point, charliemoth are #1 in my heart lol. still love wyndanny a lot though. <3

***

I grinned as pleasure suffused me. "See? Moth, when I look at you, I don't sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. Because they're not flaws. They're just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You're beautiful."

✧ moth and charlie, as individuals, were amazing characters. i loved the development of their relationship, as well as learning about moth's backstory. my heart broke for him and the way charlie accepted him wholeheartedly, always hyping him up, was beautiful. 🥺
✧ this felt a lil different from the previous books bc it was more enemies to lovers in the beginning (with moth being closed off and reserved while charlie being a sunshine and talkative led to some great banters between the two) so the romance took its time to develop and i loved seeing them getting to know one another and the way charlie became so protective of moth. 🥰
✧ side characters!! i loved seeing all the couples in this book and the interactions they had with one another.
✧ moth blushing and his tail flickering whenever he's nervous or excited is the cutest thing ever 😭
✧ MOTH MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS
✧ i admit i skipped over gloam's book bc i just wanted to get to charliemoth's story (and they were the ones i kept hearing about before i started this series) but i'm excited to go back to his book bc he intrigued me here
✧ i'm hella curious about cat and his monster, but i'm also looking forward to lilac's 👀
✧ wyndanny and charliemoth are tied as my favorite couple in the series (so far), i just love both their dynamics so much. <3

[buket · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~~~
reread 3: 2 december 2023

i’m obsessed with them at this point but reading it with my precious lila made this reread impossibly enjoyable🥹🥰🩷🥺💋😍 she just gets how much i love them🤚🏻🫣 🥹


🥹 “See? Moth, when I look at you, I don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. Because they’re not flaws. They’re just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You’re beautiful.”
~~~~
reread: 18 october 2023


~~~~~

29 june 2023
if i had to talk about love i would talk about them🥹🩷

when you look at the cover you could think this is just a regular smutty monster romance BUT this was the most romantic shit i've read????😩💔

i was sobbing, bawling, SCREAMING but also giggling and kicking my feet. i had to read 4 novels and 1 novella to get this book and let me tell you if i had to read a dozen more books to understand this book i would, it was so worth it 😌

i'll die and also kill for Moth&Charlie🔪💔😍

i'm just gonna leave some quotes here that very self explanatory why i loved this book;;;;;;

• “Sorry I was so annoying.”
“You weren’t.” His voice was muffled against my neck. “I just hate everyone.” He was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “I don’t hate you.”

• God, I wanted him so much. I didn’t know why he wanted me back, and it felt pathetic to be grateful for it, but I was. I was so grateful for how he’d carefully edged me out of the thick, angry shell I’d built up around myself. I’d been convinced I’d be alone forever, never getting to experience any kind of intimacy like this.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread via audiobook
Loved it
............................................................

4.5 stars.

GAHHHHHHHH THIS SERIES IS JUST THE BEST.

Moth: Mr. Grumpy Mcgrumpy pants?? How I adore you. Who knew you had gone through so much.... how you have suffered and how you're so innocent in some ways.

Charlie: You're just the best. Attentive and sweet and just an all around good guy. The way he took care and fussed over Moth... SO SWEET

The twists: Man somethings I just didn't have an inkling about . To say my mind was blown is an understatement.

The Romance: GAHHHHH. THAT IS ALL.

The Steam: This is probably the steamiest book in this series.
MOTH HAS SPECIAL PIPEAGE!!!! Thank you Lily. Charlie had so much fun with it.

The HEA... Cameos... CAMEOS EVERYWHERE!!!

I loved every minute of this book. 😍

NOW I WANT LILAC'S BOOK!!!!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audio re-read review, two years later**

On re-read, I have to say... this book deserves all of the mother f-ing stars!! Michael Lesley did such a perfect job with these voices. Like, something very special. Moth's story is a heartbreaking one, and I think the angstier the story, the more I end up liking these books. This book is particularly meaningful to me, and I ended up listening to it multiple nights until 3-4 am. A beautifully done story.

**see below for my original ebook review**


OMG, MOTH! This book killed me in the best possible way. Lily Mayne managed to outdo herself again with maybe my favorite in the series so far. Moth is perfection.

I'm going to keep saying this over and over, but Lily Mayne is a goddess and needs to be protected at all costs. She created MOTH. Ahhhhh, this character. I can't even get into it, I loved him so much. Just hurt/comfort perfection with some really interesting plot twists having to do with Moth's origins. I could NOT put it down.

Just a cry-worthy, amazing read.

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[hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

✰ 5 stars ✰

CHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTHCHARLIEMOTH ❤️ i can't believe i'm saying this but, charliemoth are now my fav couple in the series. they have surpassed dannywyn for me and i never thought that was possible.

“See? Moth, when I look at you, I don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. Because they’re not flaws. They’re just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You’re beautiful.”

✦ this is enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine at its finest yall. and the epitome me of i hate everyone but you.
✦ the perfect amount of slow burn. their relationship takes a little bit to develop, with moth "thinking" he's in love with ghost (dw he really isn't) and especially because moth is very insecure about himself 😢 and very reserved (his backstory broke me). he's half monster/half human so he feels stuck between two worlds, where neither wants him. people treat him like absolute crap and he's never felt comfortable enough with someone to confide in. but charlie becomes that person and shows him how worthy he is and that he deserves to be cherished.
✦ charlie 🥵 i want a man like him. he loved moth exactly how moth needed. he loved him so damn good. just the way he never judged moth, he always reassured him when moth needed it, and he was moth's hype man, perfect book boyfriend material for real 🥺

“When you’re comfortable with me doing it, that is. I guarantee, Moth, I’m going to love every part of you.”

“You’re perfect,” I croaked, forcing myself not to dig my fingers in and hold him tighter. “I want to touch you so much, Moth. If you still want me to.”

✦ charlie could see that moth was struggling with his insecurities and then he would say things like this. plus moth never thought he would get to experience intimacy like this in his life ever and charlie made sure moth knew how beautiful and desirable he was to him. they came into each other's life at the perfect time 🥺

At least I knew what it was like to want someone so fiercely it consumed me, and to be wanted back. At least I’d gotten to know someone truly decent, and kind, and compassionate—even if he could be an annoying shithead sometimes. I knew logically that I’d met other nice humans—Ghost, Rig, Cat. Anchor, even though she was stern, and Lilac, despite how weird and closed off he was. But… they weren’t like Charlie. No one else was like Charlie.

pls they make me cry. 😭

✦ the smut. THE SMUT. just wow....there is inhuman genitalia...👀 and flip fucking.....👀 lily mayne knows how to write some top tier sex scenes.
✦ moth blushing so much. so adorable. there's nothing more cute than the closed off, tough mc being a true blusher. and he was so nervous around charlie. he deserves to be protected at all costs.
✦ all the side characters!!! "i am aury. the rycke. i will not hurt you" he's so freaking cute i cry every time.

Monstrous series
Book 1 - Soul Eater - 5 stars
Book 2 - Edin - 3 stars
Book 3 - The Rycke - 4 stars
Book 3.5 - Wyn - 5 stars
Book 4 - Gloam - 3.5 stars
Book 5 - Moth - 5 stars
Book 6 - Seraph - 5++ stars
Book 6.5 - A Monstrous Christmas in the Camp - 4 stars
Book 7 - Lor - tbr
Book 7.5 - A Collection of Monstrous Short Stories - tbr
Book 8 - Lyri - tbr

[♥ a r o a ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐ What a walk to remember!

Moth is a book about which I had high expectations and it has totally satisfied all my cravings. Hence, my five stars 🌟

◾ Previously in this series I told that some books focuses more on characters' psyche and others on developing the plot. Gloam was one of the latter, but Moth recovers Lily Mayne's pure essence ♥️ and gifts us a book riddled with charming characters who hold nurtured personalities.

◾ I would define Moth 🤍 as a novel where its main characters set out on around the Wastes looking for Cat but they will find themselves instead. Maybe, also Cat 😇 This is a story about true love: self-love and which a romantic relationship involves ♥️

Moth is a mongrel, a half-breed, a mix between a human and a monster, who is disregarded by both worlds and is disgusted with his own body 💔 Charlie—who we recall from Edin as Hunter's kidnapped friend—is a pure soul who accepts Moth just as he is. Their relationship starts as casual one, but their feelings will be developed into real ones ♥️ whilst they face the Wastes' threats which include monsters and the evil military 👿

Who's the real monster here?

◾ Positives:
✔️ The power couple 💜: both characters are the MVP here. What an amazing duo who totally load the plot's weight!
↳ Moth 🤍 is so human in spite of being a half-monster 💔 Lily gives us several chapters from his POV and that lets us go into his psyque and met him like never after:

“They found me horrifying to look at. They thought I had some awful disease or congenital malformation” 🥀

His confidence is totally broken and *SPOILER* being the Herald's child does not help at all. Yes, our suspictions about his blood relation with the leader of the cannibal cult in the previous novel were true. Herald has Moth enslaved by his tattoos and can summon him whenever and wherever, which caused his animosity between him and Ghost due to his vanishing power curse 💔 *SPOILER* Thanks to our army boy he'll bloom 🌺 🌹 and he'll be able to love himself little by little ♥️
↳ Charlie deserves all the claps 👏🏼 Such a marvellous character! From the beggining his fascination for Moth can't be eluded:

“He was too perfect. Too stunningly beautiful to really look human. He looked more like what an artist would picture the perfect human to look like” 🤍✨

Moth is infuriatingly attractive through the eyes of Charlie, so much that he's too perfect to be human ♥️ He wants to be better person for Moth until the point of teaching him about self-discovering 💜 and the dynamics between lovers 🏳️‍🌈

“The things that made him different from humans fascitaned me [...] In a way that made me want to force him to see how those differences were good, not bad. I wanted to make him feel good about himself” ❤️‍🩹

Charlie is so attentive and thoughtful with Moth’s needs.
↳Chuck 🙊 🤎, the spiky monkey monster from the Wastes is a sweet marshmallow 🧁💜

“It […] spun around […] like a cat trying to find the perfect comfortable spot. Then curled up into a ball beside me”🌈♥️

✔️An improvement in the world building: once again we have a better world building, surpassing the previous books. This time we go into Chicago and New York where the military is doing their things 🤡 and, finally we know about the raider markets, which gives me such a cyber-punk vibes 🍜 ♥️ So cool!
✔️ Gory scenes starred by badass Moth and his sword 🩸: this boy is a total ninja 😈

◾ Negatives:
❌ I would have included Chuck  🙉 🤎 earlier because the author takes time to introduce our little monkey to us. It had been funny to read about Chuck from the beggining of their journey ♥️ I need a novella about these three.
❌ The book ends 🥀

I'm already reading Seraph 🖤 At least for now it's being a total gem ♥️ Lily Mayne is one of my favourite writers these latter years.

Previously in the series:
◽ Soul Eater 3/5 ⭐[Review is coming]
◽ Edin 5/5 ⭐[Review is coming]
◽ The Rycke 5/5 ⭐
◽ Wyn 4/5 ⭐
◽ Gloam 4/5 ⭐

[Rosabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth me loves you. 😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰

Something funny happened to me with this book, I've been obsessed lately with The Hobbit's character: Thranduil, Legolas dad basically, and Moth looks like him (in my mind anyways), so I enjoyed this waaaay more for that.

Give me a Moth or Lee Pace and I'll die happy coño!

Anyways, I loved this, I loved that this monsters are never what I expect them to be. And how much of a complex character Moth was, all the pain and suffering? He made me hate Ghost for treating him so badly, I mean he didn't even give him a chance? The bitch! (Just joking, I still love Ghost).

I loved every single step that Moth gave, and every piece of himself he showed Charlie felt like a precious thing. They made me laugh and they made me cry in a fucking sex scene? I was 🤯🤯🤯 and then 🥺😭😭😭 WTF!!! The feels!!!!

Special mentions to the reappearance of the best reproductive system there ever is!!! Wyn, you're not the only sexy beast anymore, I still love you though.

Also, I felt that Charlie has been the best human part of all the pairings, he was strong, gentle, kind, patient, respectful and not judgemental, he led this couple with so much care I melted. So that's why I gave this 5 stars, both sides were too perfect for me to ignore. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Now, the next one is Lilac, am I ready for him? YES (NO) YES, FUCK YES!!!! And is his partner going to be Seraph? Because, I don't understand, Lily help me understand. 😵👄😵

But I'M READY!!! 🤯🤯🥰

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars

When I looked at Moth, I could never decide if I wanted to strangle him or start tearing off his clothes. He was infuriatingly attractive. His face was like a work of art—almost too perfect to be real. Definitely too perfect to be human.
Didn’t stop me wanting to punch it, though.

ALL MY LOVE FOR CHARLIE & MOTH ♥︎♥︎♥︎


I loved everything about this book. The love and the heartbreak equally, as well as the whole plot of this, really.

I loved watching Charlie tear down Moth’s prickly walls, giving him the safety of being vulnerable with someone for the first time in his life and eventually loving him with all his heart. Moth deserved someone like Charlie a thousand times over. For the first time in this series I loved following the couple on their journey through the Wastes and I loved accompanying them to the cities. Loved, loved, loved it all.

And special shoutout for Chuck, she’s just the dang cutest!



I think I’m going to stop here for now. “Lor” is one I’m still very interested in but I think I’ll wait to read it until “Lyri” comes out eventually even if it currently looks like it’ll still take a while.

*************
Monstrous Series

Book 1 - Soul Eater - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - Edin - 3.0 stars
Book 3 - The Rycke - dropped
Book 3.5 - Wyn - skim/skipped
Book 4 - Gloam - skipped
Book 5 - Moth - 4.5 stars
Book 6 - Seraph - audio tbr
Book 7 - Lor - tbr
Book 8 - Lyri - release tbd

[Jay H (Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 Stars

I loved this book so much. I just wanna give Moth the biggest hug and never let go.

“Will you teach me to read?” Moth asked quietly, laying his palm on the centre of my chest and stretching out his long, tattooed fingers. I nuzzled into his hair. “Of course.”

It weirded me out a little that he seemed like he was… proud to be with me. Like he wanted to show me off. To show everyone that I was his.

Favourite Couple (Ranked)
1. Edin And Hunter
2. Moth And Charlie
3. Wyn And Danny
4. Aury And Ghost
5. Seraph And Lilac
5. Gloam And Adam

My favourite monsters
1. Edin (Obvi)
2. Moth
3. Aury
4. Wyn
5. Seraph
6. Gloam

My favourite Humans
1. Charlie
2. Lilac
3. Danny
4. Ghost
5. Adam
6. Hunter

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️

« Yeah, I was attracted to Moth, even though he was an asshole most of the time and in love with a raider. And I was pretty sure that he was attracted to me too, even just a little.
I was also pretty sure that he hated it. »

Moth is the most precious and we all love him for a reason. He’s a super badass half-monster with a sword who knows how to use it, prickly and tough on the outside, but just a lonely sweetheart on the inside.

He was so beautiful. Way more beautiful than anyone else I’d ever seen.

And Charlie was so sweet with him. Accepting him and loving him for who he is, praising him and showing him he’s worthy of love.

“Are you gonna come again for me, Moth?”

The spice was ughhhhhh. So good. Moth has a similar anatomy to Wyn, and there are so many ways for these guys to fuck and we get to enjoy all of them.
For all the monster-loving pansexuals out there, this is pure gold.

I love this series, I love all the couples, I love this immersive and creative world Lily Mayne has given us, but these two will forever be my favorite of all time.

“I think you’re perfect just as you are.”

CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Half-monster x human
- Forced proximity
- Touch-starved MC
- Hurt/comfort
- Atypical anatomy
- Virgin MC
- Never been kissed
- Vers MCs
- Rimming
- Flip-fucking

PRE-READ UPDATE
Did I start this entire series reread JUST so I could reread Moth?? Yes, yes I did.

[juli✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❛he was irritatingly attractive. even the back of him was. the wide shoulders and long legs. the sword. why was the sword so hot? he should have looked like a douche.❜

monster. lovers. for. the. win. 👏✨😌

moth and charlie were a surprising couple that i honestly did not see coming, and yet ... they actually really worked.

it was the way charlie constantly hyped moth up for me 🥰

❝i think you’re perfect just as you are. you don’t need to change or hide any part of yourself for someone else, moth.❞

plot.

➷ moth [half-monster]
… volunteers to look for cat

➷ charlie [ex military]
… decides to help moth look for cat.

❝are you sure your pack’s not too heavy? i can carry it.❞
… ❝are you gettin’ sweet on me, moth?❞
he flushed pink and looked away. ❝you’re so annoying.❞

character spotlight | moth.

the way i didn't care about moth before moth has me unbelievably embarrassed. like, i was low-key kinda pissed that lily mayne released moth's book over lilac's.

ha. ha. ha. wow, i'm unbelievably stupid, and i'm sorry lily for ever doubting you ♥


what i loved about moth.

➷ the way he constantly blushed.
➷ his cat like demeanor.
➷ how soft he was for charlie.
➷ his innocence.
➷ his insecurities really resonated with me, ngl.
➷ the way this man was so bloodthirsty, i loved it.
➷ he'd hate me for saying this, but i totally loved his tail/monster half.


i love prickly characters who are dying for affection, and moth fit this description down to the letter. he surrounded himself with this angry armor to protect himself and it wasn't until charlie that he finally let it slip.

❝thank you. i’m sorry i was such an asshole at the beginning.❞
... ❝sorry i was so annoying.❞
❝you weren’t.❞ his voice was muffled against my neck. ❝i just hate everyone.❞ he was silent for a moment, before he croaked, ❝i don’t hate you.❞


moth hating everyone but charlie gives me life 🥺

and, as lily pointed out, i loved the way wyn and moth were inverses of one another. wyn was super self conscious about his face, but knew he had a rockin' bod. meanwhile, poor moth knew his beauty both attracted and repulsed humans, thus he was extremely ashamed of his appearance.

all in all, i think it's safe to say that wyn and moth are tied as my favorite monsters. let's see if the next beastie can knock them out of the top spots.


character spotlight | charlie.

charlie is my favorite human of the monstrous series, and his southern charm immediately won me over.

it's funny because, like moth, i had almost zero interest in his story. and once again, i am left embarrassed and ashamed of myself. please forgive me, lily 🥺


why every human in this series wishes they were charlie.

➷ he's brave as hell.
➷ he's not afraid to admit his feelings to moth.
➷ he's easy going and go-with-the-flow.
➷ can actually protect himself (and others) in the wastes.
➷ has a sense of humor.
➷ goes after what he wants *cough* that monster dick *cough*
➷ knows how to hype moth up.
➷ has a sweet tooth that i very much relate to.
➷ seems like a chill guy to hang out with.
➷ extroverted as hell (not to trash my introverted kings and queens).
➷ his inventive monster names.

❝can’t believe i stepped in a fucking chekla nest,❞ he muttered.
i chuckled and glanced over at him. ❝is that what they’re called then?❞
he nodded. ❝why, what do you call them?❞
my face went hot. ❝um… just finger fuckers.❞
there was silence before moth let out a choked sound. ❝finger fuckers?❞


excuse me while i admire my creative king 😌

my love for charlie has restored my faith in the humans of the monstrous world, tbh. before charlie i hadn't had the best luck with any of the other human mcs (yes, even danny).

charlie, unlike his other human counterparts, felt a lot more fleshed out to me. his character felt different and fresh. plus, i loved how laid back he was. i also really admired his confidence and loyalty. basically, if i were lost in the wastes i'd pray that charlie was the human to find me.

now i'm just gonna be over in my corner waiting impatiently for lilac's book.


romance | please excuse my fangirling.

the last time i felt THIS invested in a monstrous couple was when i read, wyn. which … uhhh, kinda awkward if you think about it.


thankfully, i persevered 😌✨


moth and charlie had me swooning, fangirling, and, in a few cases, teary eyed. when i tell you guys i'm obsessed with mothcharlie, i mean obsessed.

❝so you got donuts, huh?❞ i teased. ❝are you getting a sweet tooth?❞
he huffed. ❝i got them for you. even though…❞ his cheeks flushed. ❝it’s your money, but… I thought you’d want them.❞

i think where moth and charlie succeeded for me was the way in which their romance developed. my issue for almost the entire series has been my lack of understanding the why of it all. i never really got why each couple fell for one another (yes even wyn and danny).


but here? i completely understood it.


↳ charlie fell for moth because of his beauty, prickly demeanor, bloodthirsty energy, and soft blushes.
↳ moth fell for charlie because of the way charlie wholeheartedly accepted and celebrated him.

❝… moth, when i look at you, i don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. because they’re not flaws. they’re just a part of you. and i love every part of you. you’re beautiful.❞

they also had the sweetest banter ...
which went something like this:

moth: *hands charlie a scarf*
charlie: awww, you got me a scarf. i knew you cared about me.
moth: *blushes* shut up and wear it, dumbass.


poor moth tried his hardest to resist charlie, and clearly failed spectacularly. meanwhile, charlie was pretty much obsessed with getting moth to like him from day one, hour one. i mean … the way he hyped moth up was adorable.

❝i love you, charlie,❞ he said quietly in his husky voice.
my chest went tight, something inside me clicking into place. finally. ❝i love you too.❞

i'm getting lazy again, so let's wrap this up ♥

i was mildly looking forward to moth and i guess jokes on me because i ended up loving this story so hard. i loved moth and his blushes. i adored charlie and his sweet southern charm. and i loved that we got so many moments of charlie and moth just … hanging out.

moreover, because we're five books deep lily mayne treated us to some great cameos. hunter and edin made a few memorable appearances, my babies danny and wyn showed up, oh and aury, gloam, rig, and ghost were also there.

❝damn, charlie,❞ rig hollered, shattering the moment. ❝how’d you manage to break the ice queen?❞
… ❝deepthroating,❞ i called back, which made moth give my stomach a weak shove.

i also loved the little clues we got for cat and lilac's future stories. which is saying a lot because the entire cat plot line basically ended up being a macguffin. speaking of …


my few cons.

✘ the cat macguffin.
… while not bad it was a bit of a letdown.

✘ the stuff with moth's family.
… uhhh, okay 🤷‍♀️
… the way i skimmed, i swear.

✘ me still not caring about gloam.
… i feel really bad, just know that.

✘ i hope we're done with the gloam stuff.
… again, sorry for bashing on gloam 😭


all in all, moth has reignited my interest in the monstrous series, and i am beyond excited for lilac's upcoming story.

❝why does me not talking mean you have to hum the same fucking song for miles?❞ he snapped.
... ❝i can switch it up. hum something else. any requests?❞
❝is silence an option?❞
❝nope,❞ i said cheerfully. ❝either we talk, or i hum. or i can sing?❞
❝no,❞ he barked, then let out an irritable huff.

𖤐𖤐𖤐𖤐


previously in the monstrous series.

➷ soul eater [𖤐𖤐𖤐𖤐]
… wyn and danny, enough said.

➷ edin [ᴅɴꜰ]
… umm, i like hunteredin when they have cameos?

➷ the rycke [𖤐𖤐𖤐]
… aury is such a sweetheart and deserves all the hugs.

➷ wyn [𖤐𖤐𖤐𖤐]
… used to be my favorite in the series until moth came along.

➷ gloam [𖤐𖤐]
… adam and gloam were kinda forgettable #sorrynotsorry

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️&#x1f3a7;&#x1f4da; Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio - 5 ++++ Stars

Thank you, Michael Lesley, for giving Charlie such a dreamy Sam Elliot voice. *sigh* pure MAGIC!!!

Story - 5 Stars!!

[D.L. Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Moth just resonates with me. He quickly burrowed his way inside my heart, I want to cuddle him and tell him he’s loved. God, I’m tearing up just thinking about his lonely existence.

And Charlie has been everything that Moth needed. From pushy, unwilling to take no for an answer, to seeing him better than probably anyone that came before. He handles him just carefully enough not to bruise but not enough to pity him.

I liked both characters from the moment I met them and together they’re even better. I’m not gonna say they’re my favorite couple (that still belongs to Wyn and Danny) but individually they are my favorite characters.

When Moth sliced and diced those raiders I automatically thought of Monty Python’s black knight in The Holy Grail; “Tis but a scratch!” 🤣🤣

I wasn’t surprised about Moth’s progenitor, I feel like that couldn’t have been more obvious. To find out everything he endured, on top of his lonely existence broke my heart one beat at a time. It’s no wonder he’s so prickly and hard to get past the impenetrable walls he’s erected over his life.

But goddam, once Charlie got through those walls, the way he built Moth up with loving every single part of him. It was beauty personified.

I can’t wait to see where this series continues to take these monsters and their men.

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth and Charlie!!!! Our favorite sword-wielding grump finally gets his story alongside sunshine personified Charlie and their journey together is absolute perfection!!!

This entry may be my favorite entry in the series due to the great grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Moth and Charlie. I loved seeing how Charlie slowly tore away Moth's defensive and prickly nature, but just being kind, thoughtful, and loving. Realizing all of that was foreign for Moth was truly heartbreaking to see and added so many layers to his character.

I loved learning more about Moth, which includes a heartbreaking backstory that is one of the more tragic ones, which helped explain his attitude toward others. But, having Charlie never back down in his protective nature towards Moth was great to see.

Overall, Moth is a fantastic story that has both sweet and tender moments between our main characters along with harsh truths. Their adventure was exciting to see as their relationship deepened in such surprising ways. I cannot recommend this story enough and I cannot wait for the next one.

[Rina Pride · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
My top monsters characters
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

⚫1: Edin.

⚫2: Wyn.

⚫3: Moth.

⚫4: Aury.

⚫5: Gloam.

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
My top human characters
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

⚫1: Rig.

⚫2: Danny.

⚫3: Hunter.

⚫4: Charlie.

⚫5: Ghost.

◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼

It was great reading Moth's book!
It was the first in this series with 2 pov, I think the story flows better with 2 pov.

I really enjoyed Charlie's interaction with Moth. Charlie is an interesting guy, his trip with Moth was very important for the beginning of a colorful friendship that turned into a beautiful love story 💖

If feeling rejected is horrible, Moth suffered rejection from humans and monsters, did not expect him to be such a complex character. Sad, but understandable.

There was only one thing I found uncreative in this book, it was the way Herald died. He seemed to be a powerful monster, being beaten so fast by Moth was lack of creativity.
I'd find it much more interesting if Moth came back to camp and created a crazy tension.
Just take advantage of wyn and Aury to leave to kill the Herald and the Gloam brothers.

Edin is my favorite monster of all! It appeared a little in this book and I was already happy 😘 I love Edin and his funny way 😂😂😂😂

[Megan [Slump City] · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Romance
Charlie & Moth 💗

🎧Audiobook Reread
🎵Narrated by Michael Lesley🎵

Ok so technically this was my first Michael Lesley book but I went from listening to this straight to Soul Eater so it kind of all mashed together in my brain and I forgot I actually listened to this first and I’m way too lazy to go change my other review.

Once again I was very happy I had read this book prior to listening to it because I absolutely despised the way ML voiced Moth but because this is my favorite book in the series I still couldn’t put it down and it made me want to reread this series via audiobook so I’d know what all my favorite characters sounded like even if I didn’t always like the way they turned out.

Anyway despite not liking Moth’s voice, I loved Charlie’s and was so happy to be back with this couple again. 💗



=================
Original Review Below
=================

MM Romance
Monsters/End Of The World/Fantasy
5 stars ⭐️


I’ve really liked this series but this book is my favorite. Charlie and Moth were perfection but it was the overall pacing and action in this book that made it sing. I’ve liked all the couples in the other books especially Wyn & Danny but there was always something missing in the story itself that made me lose interest while reading (with the exception of the novella Wyn). That was not the case in this book as I was captivated by everything. Moth’s backstory was fabulous and tied into “Gloam” in an unexpected way. I also loved the journey these two went on and the bond that formed between them. Then add in all the weird people they meet, Chuck and the banter between all the existing couples and I was smitten. 💗

As always, I loved the monster appendages and their descriptions. Proud monster fucker over here. I’ve definitely read too many tentacle books lately because I wanted Moth’s tail to join in on the fun. 😉😂 Charlie and Moth’s chemistry lit the pages of this book on fire especially that flip fucking scene. 🥵 I loved Charlie’s acceptance of everything that Moth was and wasn’t. I loved how he stood up to anyone that said shit about Moth or made him feel unworthy. This may have even made me cry near the end, maybe. 😭💗

Just overall, a great read and thank you Lily for including some chapters from Moth’s POV!!! Can’t wait for Seraph and Lilac. Seraph appears to be an actual monster, not a humanoid one like the others and that makes me so interested to see how this is even possible. Both from a love and sex point of view obviously. 😂😂

[QuietlyKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

After LOVING all of the previous books in the series, I’m pretty shocked, stunned and disappointed with Moth. I absolutely LOVED the character and relationship development through the middle of the book but had a ton of problems with and questions about most everything else. There were a lot of character and plot inconsistencies that I may have been able to overlook or give a pass individually, but collectively they majorly impacted my overall ability to enjoy this story.

Before I get to the things that didn’t work, I have to say that I absolutely loved Moth as a character! And I loved Moth and Charlie together through the middle section of the story. Their relationship evolution through the middle was incredibly beautiful, moving and heartwarming! I’m so sad that the rest of the story didn’t shine as brightly as these two beautiful boys.

I’m not one to low rate a book in a review without sharing my reasoning and there’s no way to do that for this one without some spoilers, so if you haven’t read Moth yet, you’ve been warned, spoilers ahead. Because there are so many different character and plot inconsistencies, this won’t be the most eloquently written review, I’m just trying to separate and explain those inconsistencies in the most efficient and logical way.

The Two Charlies (slight character development and interaction spoilers NOT hidden under tags)
Charlie’s character is inconsistent. The story has 2 (or maybe even 3) different Charlies.
There’s beginning and end Charlie who’s insensitive and obtuse and not in tune with Moth’s feelings at all. In the beginning, Charlie is intolerant of Moth’s icy standoffishness. This intolerance didn’t feel consistent with Charlie’s character in Edin where we know he’s chill with Hunter’s crankiness. It didn’t make sense that Charlie would be so accepting and tolerant of Hunter’s bad-temperedness but so agitated by and intolerant of Moth’s silence and reserve.

Then there’s middle Charlie who is almost unrealistically insightful, thoughtful, sensitive and kind. This version of Charlie was so, so beautiful. I loved this Charlie SO MUCH and I adored how he interacted with and supported Moth.

Through the middle of the story, as Charlie learns more about Moth and his tragic past and extreme isolation, he is incredibly insightful and sensitive toward Moth and his feelings. This sweet and thoughtful insight is based mostly on Moth’s body language and subtle actions and tells. Charlie treats Moth with kindness, patience and compassion in the most beautiful ways. He is always thinking about Moth’s comfort and trying to find ways to give Moth space if he wants it whether it’s physical space or emotional space. When Moth expresses reluctance to share his thoughts or feelings or demonstrates that he’s feeling insecure, Charlie reassures him, showing and telling Moth how worthy and perfect he is just the way he is. Charlie clearly recognizes how the relentless trauma of Moth’s past massively affects his confidence, self esteem and ability to interact with others and works hard to support Moth and show him what true friendship and acceptance mean.

Then, when he realizes he’s in love with Moth, ‘end’ Charlie suddenly seems completely unable to read Moth the way he did through the middle portion of the book. Though Moth uses the same kinds of tells, body language and actions and is clearly desperate to keep Charlie safe, it’s like a switch has been flipped and Charlie no longer sees all the things he used to see with ease and instead of trying to communicate with Moth like he used to, he acts insecure, oblivious and obtuse. It wasn’t consistent with his earlier thoughtful, insightful sensitivity. His behavior and actions at this point didn’t feel organic, they felt contrived to create tension and conflict.

Regarding Charlie and Moth going on the mission to rescue Cat alone (very minor spoiler which is basically revealed in the blurb and which is not hidden under a spoiler tag. If you’re a purist, skip to the next underlined section.)
Why didn’t Edin and Hunter go with Charlie and Moth? E & H planned to wait at the Nebraska camp for Charlie to get back… if they weren’t doing anything or going home anyway, why not accompany Moth and Charlie? For one thing, they KNEW from experience how hard it was to rescue Charlie from the very same prison even WITH WYN AND EDIN. For another, Hunter went to the ends of the earth for Charlie in Edin. Edin went with Hunter to the ends of the earth for Charlie even though he didn’t even know Charlie at that point. But then in Moth, neither Edin nor Hunter seem to give a singular fuck that their best friend, who they love and moved heaven and earth to rescue and protect, is going off on an impossible mission with a stranger who neither Hunter or Charlie knows or trusts. Meanwhile, Edin and Hunter are just going to shoot the shit with strangers at the Nebraska camp. What? Why? Make it make sense.

And what about Anchor and the rest of the Nebraska camp?
In The Rycke, Anchor was so desperate to find Cat that she put Gage in danger over and over and over, but now that she knows Cat’s alive and where he is, she’ll send 2 guys that aren’t even part of their camp on an impossible mission while 2 OP monsters, that ARE part of the camp and would make the impossible possible, stay behind with the other monster, happy-go-lucky Edin, who’s going to simply lounge there as well?!

My point here is if you want your MCs to travel the Wastes alone together, at least choose a plausible reason to do so, choose a vehicle to deliver THAT narrative that actually makes sense.

The 2 plots (one spoiler hidden under tag)
It’s like there are 2 distinct plots that are completely unrelated but oddly jammed into one story. One of the plots, The Mission to Rescue Cat, is long-winded but felt completely pointless given its ‘conclusion’ (see next underlined section for clarification) other than to force Moth and Charlie on the road together. The other, The Herald Plot, has a point and a resolution but felt abrupt and weirdly shoehorned into the story. This lack of plot continuity was another one of the elements of the story that didn’t feel organic or well conceived and neither plot point felt very well executed.

More on one of the two plots (major plot spoiler hidden under tag)
After all the time and effort it took to find Cat, I was astounded that Charlie and Moth just left him so quickly and easily. They literally talked to him for 5 to 10 minutes while standing in a hallway. I didn’t disbelieve that they’d leave him. I just didn’t believe that they wouldn’t have talked it over more, trying to make a plan or wanting to know why he wouldn’t leave or offering to help him. Something, anything more than their ‘well, I guess it’s time to go home’ attitude, particularly in light of the fact that neither Charlie nor Moth wanted to part company from each other! What better excuse to stay together than offering to help Cat!

None of it made sense to me given the rescue Cat mission was the main driver of the plot AND Charlie didn’t learn anything more than when he left Cat in the prison back in Edin. So basically we have the same outcome with Cat in both books! What? Why?

Deus ex machina moments (3 spoilers hidden under a single tag)
What are the odds that in all of the Wastes, the Herald’s missionaries just happen to find Moth and take him back to the cult? Particularly when none of them knew Moth was the Herald’s progeny nor were they looking for him.

What are the odds that in a NYC that’s described as being bigger than our current NYC (current population 8.4 million), that Moth randomly spots Cat while looking out their motel window? 🙄

What are the odds that in all of the Wastes, Moth and Charlie magically run into Chuck again? I loved the Chuck chapter and I wanted them to be back together, but this reunion was as unlikely as it was unbelievable.

From my perspective this is just lazy storytelling. At least make it plausible. FFS I live in a relatively small town (population 87,636) and I never randomly run into either of my daughters and we all shop at the same stores and dine at the same restaurants! The odds that I would run into someone I know just randomly while traveling anywhere in the entire US, is astronomically low. For it to happen 3 times in the same book is mind bogglingly contrived.

Other random things (spoilers hidden under tags)
Cameos can be fun, but in this book, some of the MANY cameos felt more than a bit gratuitous. Worse, even though Wyn’s attitude is consistent with his personality, I found it obnoxious and off-putting and it actually made me like him less. He was rude in a way that felt like it would reflect poorly on Danny. I hated this cameo and it felt like so many other things in this story, conceived simply to force a particular outcome rather than an organic addition to the narrative. Or maybe it was just thrown in to get fan cookies.

Why were Wyn and Danny at the Nebraska camp? What drew them to the camp when there was a massive parasite outbreak in Chicago and why didn’t Wyn smoke to Chicago and take care of it? At least make it make sense.

Conclusion (major spoilers regarding Moth’s character and past under tag!)
Even with all of these inconsistencies and implausible plot points, I probably would have given Moth 3 stars but for one last thing. I detested how Charlie treated Moth when they returned to the camp. It was incredibly insensitive and thoughtless and extremely hypocritical. He expected Moth, who’s never even had a friend, let alone a partner or lover, to not only be brave enough to articulate his feelings for Charlie but to be able to be the first one to admit them! All this, KNOWING Moth has NEVER been liked, accepted or loved BY ANYONE. EVER! Over and over and over, Charlie has seen how horribly EVERYONE treats Moth and Moth has explained how he had been abandoned AS A BABY and shunned by everyone, human and monster, left to fend for himself ALONE, HIS ENTIRE LIFE. Yet Charlie is too afraid of rejection to tell Moth how he feels and expects Moth to have the courage that he, who is a million times more confident and infinitely more experienced with relationships, lacks. WTAF!? Instead of making himself vulnerable, Charlie would have allowed this beautiful, tragic, unloved, isolated, infinitely lonely but infinitely lovable man go without ever telling Moth he loves him! *sobs* I hated it so much that I nearly DNF’d at 93%. Hated it. Really, really hated it. And hated Charlie in that moment too. And the worst part is that the end could have been spectacularly touching and beautiful if Charlie would have acted as empathetically and sensitively and with the kindness and understanding and compassion he demonstrated through the middle part of the book. In fact, I’m pretty sure that had Charlie acted as I’ve just described, I’d be able to overlook ALL the rest of my complaints and give Moth at least 4 stars. As it is, I feel 2 stars is generous. I hated the end that much.

Edited to add because I can’t stop think about how hurtful the end is:
I hated how after an entire book of Charlie watching the world shame and ostracize/exclude Moth for not being enough, Charlie made Moth prostrate himself when instead, Charlie should have been showing the world and that camp how loved and cherished Moth was! Moth didn’t need a silent witness to the prejudice he experienced. He needed an ally and a fierce and VOCAL advocate.

[Than &#x1fab7; (Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️s - Ahhh, I absolutely adore Charlie and Moth - they’re the ultimate “it” couple, just so perfect together! BUT, although I enjoyed this book and know this couple is a favorite for many, it didn’t quite grip me like some of the others in the series…

The Characters and My Thoughts

🎖️Charlie

Charlie is the ultimate sunshine character. Everyone loves him because he’s friendly and charming. With his blue eyes and dark brown hair, he’s the man of everyone’s dreams. At first, he seems a bit lost, unsure of what to do after being rescued and wanting to return to the military. He doesn’t want to be a third wheel between Hunter and Edin, but I’m glad he chose to go on Cat rescue mission with Moth instead. That’s where their love story kicks off! I found it funny that even though Charlie isn’t into monsters (unlike his bestie Hunter), he instantly becomes team #monsterfucker when he sees Moth and we love him for it!

🧝‍♂️Moth

Moth, on the other hand, is quite different. With his long silver hair and stunning looks, he’s incredibly beautiful, but he’s also very insecure. At first, he comes off as bratty or even mean - cold and always guarded. But once you learn that he’s half monster, half human, it makes sense. He doesn’t fit in with either side, facing rejection and feeling like an outcast, which is why he guards himself so fiercely, hurting others before they can hurt him.

Their Relationship

Their relationship is definitely a slow burn that grows from being close. Charlie is attracted to Moth right away, but Moth makes it hard for them to connect, which can be frustrating. Charlie tries really hard to make Moth comfortable during their travels, but it takes a while for them to become more friendly and flirty. Honestly, I got a bit bored during that part. However, once Moth starts to open up, the book really picks up and their relationship becomes the cutest thing ever!

Charlie takes his time with Moth and helps him feel good about his body since Moth is so insecure about his monster features. Thanks to Charlie, Moth starts to embrace himself and even takes the lead! I really hope we get to see more of their relationship when they’re back at the raider camp or in Moth’s apartment but I’ll take what I can get because they are just adorable together!

[TrippyBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved Charlies fierce protectiveness over Moth who definitely deserved better. Everytime he went off it was so satisfying 🔪 . I felt for him so bad im glad he found someone

Sn: for the love of….. someone save Samson

(This is my favorite book in the series)

[Maisha Farzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

✦ 5 "best book in the series" stars ✦

“I love you too.” I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. “I love you, Moth.”
He let out a weak, relieved chuckle and pressed his mouth into my hair. “Shithead.”

I loved this book. This might just have the prettiest cover (okay, the 'only' pretty cover in the series 🤣🤣). Charlie and Moth has instantly become my most favourite human-monster power couple. It surpasses my love for The Soul Eater. Sorry to Wyn and Danny, but this one is the best book in the Monstrous series. Period.

"He was infuriatingly attractive. His face was like a work of art—almost too perfect to be real. Definitely too perfect to be human.
Didn’t stop me wanting to punch it, though."

"Moth" is totally Lily Mayne at her best. As the author herself mentioned in her note, if the raiders in the Wastes ever elect a president, it needs to be Charlie. He’s the best. And Moth can be his feral bodyguard/First Human-Monster-Partner/ terrible ambassador for the monsters because he doesn’t like anyone. I can't agree more with the statement. Charlie and Moth are the best. This book is HUGE. Still, it took me only a day to finish it.

#Char-Moth supremacy. I am joining the fandom. Right fucking now.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para empezar, me chocó un poco el inicio: ¿Por qué carajos irías a rescatar a alguien en compañía de un medio monstruo que apenas conoces y del que no confías porque otro monstruo te dijo que no lo hicieras? Suena muy estúpido al comienzo pero dejando eso de lado, las cosas se ponen interesantes y no me decepcionó para nada el rumbo de la historia.

Me encantó la relación de ambos, Moth es el típico estereotipo masculino que se resguarda detrás de una coraza que demuestra arrogancia y desconfianza con todos pero dentro de ese comportamiento espinoso solo hay mucha vulnerabilidad consigo mismo y con entregarse o dejarse conocer por otras personas.

Charlie es genial, es el complemento perfecto porque sabe darle lo que necesita lo respeta a él y sus límites y sobre todo lo ama en su totalidad con cada una de las cosas que el mismo Moth considera monstruosas y/o desagradables.

Al principio es un enemies to lovers que rápidamente pasa a ser algo de sexo casual hasta que al final comprenden que no pueden vivir el uno sin el otro y que se necesitan como el oxígeno para respirar. Es de mis favoritos.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moth flirting = cutting off bad guys' appendages with a sword + being the surliest person within a hundred mile radius.

FINALLY. IT'S HAPPENED. A COUPLE THAT RIVALS MY LOVE FOR DANNY & WYN. Though, I'd still say that they're tied for first because in NO WAY can I choose between the two couples. Pull the trigger of the gun at my head cause my heart is torn right down the middle for these boys. I will go down with these ships.

NOW LISTEN HERE AND LISTEN GOOD - if ANYONE has anything bad to say about Moth, you can SAY IT TO MY FUCKING FIST. I WILL GO DOWN IN FLAMES FOR HIM. AND FUCK ME if Charlie ain't just the absolutely definition of a dream guy. He's goofy, patient, perceptive and just everything that Moth needs and deserves. After The Rycke, I was feeling for Moth SO HARD; my expectations were already high for what I wanted for his story and this book exceeded all expectations and I AM SO FUCKING HAPPY AND GRATEFUL.

AND HAVING ALL OF THE COUPLES TOGETHER IN THE CAMP!??!? UGHHH my brain is short-circuiting from the serotonin overload just THINKING about it.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of how the grumpiest grump who ever grumped aka sweet baby Moth who can do no wrong, met his Charlie and fell in love ❤️.

Sometimes I randomly remember Moth asking Charlie to teach him how to read and write, and it makes me want to cry 😭

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He was irritatingly attractive. Even the back of him was. The wide shoulders and long legs. The sword. Why was the sword so hot? He should have looked like a douche."

Maaaaan, I am shipping Choth so hard! 💜

Tropes:

💜 MM romance
💜 Enemies to lovers
💜 Monster/human
💜 Grumpy/sunshine
💜 First times

"Charlie, who’d made me feel truly desirable for the first time in my life. Who’d told me that he loved every part of me. Who didn’t care that I was half monster, who didn’t sneer with instinctive revulsion at the sight of my face. Who’d been patient with me, even when I’d been a complete asshole. Who’d offered to teach me to read and had kissed me and held me close while he was sleeping."

Moth is the best in this stunning series yet in my humble opinion, and that’s a big call after Soul Eater. Lily Mayne has quickly become one of my go-to authors, and I can't recommend this series of MM romance linked standalones, featuring monsters and humans in a dystopian world, enough.

The writing has gotten better and better with each book, the characters are amazing, the detail and the world building is fabulous and of course, they are steamy AF! 🔥🔥🔥

Although they are standalone, I do recommend you read in order given the linked story lines.

Highly recommended.

ALL THE STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan 2024 - 4.5 stars

Solid vibes.

Moth puts up a convincing front of cool indifference and arrogance but deep down he's just lonely and insecure. Half-monster and half-human, he fits in nowhere and is so horribly isolated. He was such a wonderful character and I loved finding out more about his backstory; he must be protected at all costs.

Charlie is a great match for him, a wonderful protector but also a person who strives to help Moth see just how amazing he is and how he deserves to be appreciated. It was nice to have a pansexual character, though that word isn't used, and liked how he insisted that it wasn't specific parts he was attracted to but just the person. Unlike with Hunter in Edin, I was a lot less frustrated with Charlie's slow realisation that he didn't have to go back to the military, mostly because I found his reasonings behind it more logical: he never wanted to go back at all, he just doesn't feel like he has a place anywhere else.

I liked the bickering between them and how it slowly develops into a grudging friendship. Moth doesn't know how to be friends with anyone, let alone anything more, and I really liked the little signs he sends Charlie to show his feelings, like buying him a scarf.

There was a good balance of hurt/comfort between the characters though and I liked how Lily Mayne avoided it being one-sided. Charlie supports Moth emotionally, but Moth gets several opportunities to care for Charlie's physical injuries when it turns out Charlie isn't quite as good at surviving on his own as he thought.

I think the reason I liked this more than the previous books in the series is because there's much more emotional development between the characters, and they felt far more 3-dimensional than any of the other characters we've seen yet.

Another intriguing and adventurous plot, with unique characters. It's all starting to converge.

I think Lily Mayne has grown a lot as a writer over the course of this series and while the prose is still pretty straightforward, I do think her style has improved a lot.

The narration was much more consistent in this instalment, 4 stars for that.

Jan 2023 - 4 stars

[Princess under cover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Lily Mayne's books, but my fave is still Book 1. The rest of the series just bleeds together, because it's pretty much all the same. Post apocalyptic world of Monsters and humans. Humans falling for Monsters. The relationship development. Some small journey to somewhere. Not much going on. Mainly the relationship dev between the MMCs.

Which is all good and fine. But then the characters all blend together. They don't have distinctly diff personalities. With the exception of Wyn and Edin. The rest are just.... meh.

Moth could have been written differently. He could have been a cool, icy assassin with that sword. But no, he became an uncertain virgin.

Don't get me wrong, I like virgin heroes, but I was hoping ONE of the MMCs would be more ALPHA!

Anyway, I may or may not continue with this author's books. I might give it 3.5 rounded down.