Simon & Schuster Books for Young Reader
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this book, but Once There Was turned out to be a heartfelt and quietly magical story about grief, family secrets, and mythical creatures. It follows Marjan, an Iranian American teen whose life changes after the sudden death of her father. She soon finds out that he wasn’t just a regular veterinarian—he secretly treated mythical creatures from stories she thought were just bedtime tales. Now, it’s her turn to take over.
The worldbuilding here is interesting—mythical animals, secret societies, and a hidden magical world that exists right alongside ours. But what I liked even more than the fantasy elements was how grounded Marjan’s journey felt. She’s still trying to balance school, friendships, and her grief while figuring out what her father’s legacy really means. There’s a quiet pressure throughout the story, like she’s carrying more than she knows how to handle, and I felt that.
At times, the pacing was a bit uneven. Some moments felt rich and full of atmosphere, especially the parts where she interacts with creatures or learns something new about her father’s past. But other scenes dragged a little—like Marjan would discover something huge (griffons are real!) and then… just go back to school and ignore it for a while. That part didn’t quite land for me.
Also, Marjan is an angry character, and it shows. A lot of her reactions come from a place of hurt, and while that’s understandable, sometimes it was hard to connect with her emotionally. I kept wanting her to pause and breathe, to let others in a little more. But maybe that’s the point—grief doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it’s just… anger at everything.
Despite that, what made me stick with the book was the writing and the side characters. There’s a quiet beauty in the way Monsef writes—there’s a sort of dreamy, wistful tone to it, like a fairy tale that’s growing up. And some of the supporting characters really shine, even the ones who only appear briefly. My personal favourite was Malloryn—she only shows up for a bit, but she left a big impression. I loved her warmth and the way she sees the world.
Overall, Once There Was is a lovely debut. It’s part fantasy, part coming-of-age, and full of small emotional moments that stay with you. If you like stories about magical realism, grieving daughters, and secret legacies, this one might be for you. Just don’t expect fast-paced action—it’s a quieter, slower kind of story. But sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
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