A review by nclcaitlin
Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro

3.75

Marlowe wasn't like other children. For one thing, obviously, there was the glowing blue skin.
Charlie had always received glares as being mixed race. Then he survives injuries that should have killed him and he is branded a demon. 

The Cairndale Institute is a refuge for those orphans who have talents, a bridge between what is living and what is dead.
Carindale is a bulwark against the dead, established to preserve the passage between worlds and see that it stays closed.

However, there is a dark creature stalking and hunting down children. A creature of malice and evil. 

There is a lot to unpack in this book. 
There are so many threads of plots which weave together to bring these orphans, the talents, together. Then, they discover there may be more danger than just the shadow chasing them inside the halls of their haven institute. 

 ”Scared is just your head telling your heart to be careful. It's not a bad thing. It's what you do with it that matters."

Miro uses the book to draw attention to mix of concepts.
Faith, race, prejudice, fear, relationships, poverty…. 

I can’t understand the low rating! This book had a bit of everything to appeal to audiences!! 
I didn’t connect and love any of the characters to an unfathomable degree which I always love. I think it’s because couldn’t relate to them due to the differences in age, background, personalities. However, the plot and characters were strong enough to keep me intrigued! 

”Anything different from the normal appears monstrous. But it is not. It is not."

If you enjoyed The Northern Lights (Golden Compass), or Miss Peculiar’s Home for Peculiar Children, I would recommend this!