Paul D. Storrie

What do you do when the new kid in town, who's sweet on you (and you on him) reveals that Frankenstein lives, is his dad who created him from dead body parts, and is now the local funeral director? That's a whallop for musician Maria to take in, but it's only the start of the fast-paced, quirky second book in the MY BOYFRIEND IS A MONSTER series. From the title page (in which Storrie offers alternate titles including "I Sewed My Prom Date") to the socially-outcast string quartet that holds show more special powers over the, um, sewn, the story unfolds and adds layers with each page turn. Each of the five sections is named for a kind of musical composition, and other cultural references are embedded throughout. Storrie has written often for Lerner's Graphic Universe series but is rarely given this many pages within which to create a intricately woven narrative. Be sure to check out Maria's advice to the lovelorn at the book's end ... can you figure out the cultural allusions? (101) show less

Tom Stone is the new student at Seward High School and is turning all the girl’s eyes, but it’s Maria McBride who catches his. They have fun together, when they can, but Tom’s father keeps him too busy for much of anything outside of work. Maria tries to visit Tom at home but the creepy assistant Mr. Graves makes it clear to Maria she is not wanted. Not around the funeral home and not around Tom. Tom won’t help Maria; he refuses to stand up to his father. Maria knows she and Tom are show more meant for each other, and becomes determined to find out why Dr. Stone, who now runs the local funeral home, does not want her around. Dr Stone keeps his son busy in the funeral home’s basement, late at night. Meanwhile, people in Persephone Falls, Alaska are dying in quick succession, keeping Dr. Stone’s funeral home exceptionally busy for a small Alaskan town. Soon, Maria puts the clues she has gathered together. What she finds is a family who are busy recycling . . . in a way Maria has never before seen.

This is the second graphic novel in the My Boyfriend is a Monster series. Once again the story is told in a way that will keep you wondering for most of the tale. . The illustrations, in black and white, are excellent, rendering the characters in a way the shows their personalities. Tom, a sophomore, has the build of Hulk and a stature that nearly matches Michael Jordon (though I doubt Tom knows who either of these guys are). When Tom defends Maria and her three friends, the bullies backs away from Tom, reverting to their true characters: cowards. Maria is rather strong for a young girl who recently lost her parents in a car accident and then three friends in the same manner, prior to the start of school. She accepts Tom without question, even after he tells her his version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This is one of the best scenes of the book and the illustrations enhance Tom’s tale beautifully.

The writing is well paced and authentic, just as the first novel was, and can easily be read in one sitting. When Dr. Stone threatens Maria and her aunt, the action becomes the kids versus . . . well, I’ll let the reader find out on his or her own. I just hate spoilers. Made for Each Other will please graphic novel loving teens as well as the first, I Love Him to Pieces, surely did. Any parent wanting to introduce their youngster to graphic novels, this series is a perfect venue. Strong writing, odd stories with twists unexpected and fine illustrations that will have you looking as well as reading are beginning to be the hallmarks of the My Boyfriend is a Monster series. Made for Each Other and its series are highly recommended.

note: received from netgalley, courtesy of the publisher show less

Marie is dealing with a series of painful tragedies. Her parents have been killed in a car crash and she's living with her blind aunt. Then three girls at her school are also killed. But she has her music, she's dealing with it, everything is fine. Until she meets Tom. He's a new student too and even more mysterious than she is. They have an instant attraction and Marie starts thinking life may not be so bad after all...until she discovers Tom's grisly secret and there's a sudden increase of show more deaths in the sleepy small town.

Is Tom her true love? Or is he a monster inside as well as outside?

This black and white graphic novel is a fast-paced, often funny, irreverent mixture of horror and romance. There's no time for the reader to roll their eyes at the paranormal cliche of instant attraction, because immediately afterwards the bodies start piling up. Marie's calm acceptance of her new boyfriend's grisly (one might even say disgusting) origins is a little hard to swallow, but with events happening right and left we aren't given time to think about the holes in the story. And it's FUN! Funeral jokes, true lurrvve, zombies, monsters, mad scientists, and more all mixed up in one wacky package that will have the reading on the edge of their seat one moment and sawing "awwwww" the next.

Verdict: Fans of paranormal romance, horror, and humor will love these quick bite graphic novels. Perfect for a fast, fun read with some shivers down the spine. Strongly recommended for your teen graphic novel section.

ISBN: 9780761356011; Published April 2011; ARC received from publisher at ALA Midwinter; Purchased whole series for my library. show less

Tom Stone is a new student at Maria's high school. They start to fall for each other but Tom's family is very against the relationship. Maria can't figure it out until she learns Tom's secret.

This book was adorable. I loved Tom and Maria although I could have done w/ a little more background info on Maria. I loved the take on the Frankenstien lore, I thought it was very clever although it did skirt the whole issue of whether or not it's right to rebuild people issue.