The only world Boy knows is "The Show", an odd assortment of supposedly fictional beings who entertain humans regularly with their show. Unfortunately, even among the other so- called monsters, Boy is still an outsider. After all, they are all magical beings whereas he is rooted in a mixture of science and magic. It's tough being the son of Frankenstein's Monster and his Bride but Boy is determined to find his own path... even if it means venturing into the human world.

MAN MADE BOY is a lot of fun to read, as we see creatures from various mythologies and literature come to life in a whole new light. The storyline is strange but since the main character is stitched together by the Bride and Frankenstein's Monster, the concept works. I particularly like how the tale comes full circle as it gives readers a new perspective on some of the old classics and myths.

Boy, despite his odd creation, is a typical teenage boy in many ways. He doesn't know what he wants to do in life but he knows that what he's currently doing isn't it. He makes one huge mistake in judgment that dearly costs him and it is interesting to see how he learns from his past decisions. I did get a little weary of the name "Boy" and wish that he would have picked a better name but that is a minor detail and in some ways made the tale more universal as anyone could be simply "Boy".

MAN MADE BOY is a strangely compelling tale to read. The characters are bizarre but likable, especially the Claire/Sophie take on the Jekyll and Hyde theme. The commentary on social workers made me laugh out loud and added a twist of reality to the oddity of the tale. If you are looking for something well written but far different from the typical paranormal book with monsters, then MAN MADE BOY is definitely the choice for you!

Book Summary

Love can be a real monster.

Sixteen-year-old Boy’s never left home. When you’re the son of Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride, it’s tough to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention of a torch-wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square, it’s important they maintain a low profile.

Boy’s only interactions with the world are through the Internet, where he’s a hacker extraordinaire who can hide his hulking body and stitched-together face behind a layer of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and embarks on a cross-country road trip with the granddaughters of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners, love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he can’t escape his demons—both literal and figurative—until he faces his family once more.

This hilarious, romantic, and wildly imaginative tale redefines what it means to be a monster—and a man.