Blog Tour: Matt Archer, Monster Hunter

I'm so excited to host Kendra Highley's Matt Archer: Monster Hunter. This is a wonderful new YA series that I know you will love. PLUS, Kendra went to the University of Oklahoma and marched in the Pride. Boomer!!!



Matt Archer: Monster Hunter by Kendra Highley
Published by
Released on
299 pages
YA Paranormal

Synopsis

Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park.

Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.

But that’s not the half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle has a secret, one that will change Matt’s life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it’s chosen Matt as its wielder.

Now Matt’s part of a world he didn’t know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prphecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realized his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries.

His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?

Excerpt:

Before I had a chance to dig out some marshmallows for s’mores, the air turned sharp and the wind gusted cold into the campfire, sending up sparks. Uncle Mike rose to his feet, with an intense, alert expression I’d never seen before—like he could eat a brick and enjoy the crunch.

Without looking at me, he said, “Weather’s changing; best to get inside the tent, where it’s warmer.”

With nothing else to do, we packed it in for the night. Mike didn’t allow me to bring a cell phone or anything else electronic on our trips. I could’ve played cards or something, but being outside always made me tired and I went to sleep early because, yes, I’m just that exciting. On the plus side, I had the craziest dream: Ella Mitchell ditched her boyfriend for me. That’s not weird—that’s plain, old wishful thinking. The weird part was that she hopped up on stage during assembly and stole the microphone from Principal Stevens to do it. Then I ran down the aisle to thunderous applause, swept her in my arms and….

“Get back!” Mike yelled.

I sat up in surprise to see shadows moving across the tent’s walls. One shadow was Mike's, distorted in the bright moonlight. The other…heck if I knew what it was. Bulky, taller than Mike by a long shot, it grunted and snorted like an angry pig. Was it a bear? I rubbed my eyes and squinted. No, definitely not a bear. The thing was much too big and shuffled along on two legs.

When it roared, it didn’t sound like any animal I’d ever heard, but more like a bulldozer’s engine. Every hair on my scalp stood up. Whatever this thing was, it wasn’t natural.

My Review:

Look out Buffy Summers! Here comes Matt Archer, Monster Hunter! This book is such a fun read and I really enjoyed it. Kendra Highley has written a great new series that both guys and girls will enjoy.

Matt Archer is a great character and very relatable. He starts as a typical teenager but has to grow up very quickly. What I really like is that he is a really good kid with a strong value system. He is loyal to his friends and family and has a strong sense of responsibility. He is going to make a wonderful hero as the series moves along.

Ms. Highley created a strong bond with Matt’s family. Even though the father is out of the picture, they are a strong, loving and loyal family. That is very nice to see. Matt’s sister, Mamie, is a real momma bear. She will do anything to protect her little brother.

The military aspect of the book is a little hard to believe, but it works well with the story. It is fun to read about Matt training to become a soldier. He works hard and never gives up. That is a nice message. 

Also, this book has some really good fight scenes. The monsters are really horrifying; mutations of real animals. Even though Matt is fighting real monsters, he is still just a fourteen-year-old boy. His heart races and his body trembles with fear. But he overcomes his fear to accept his duty as a Monster Hunter.

The romantic interest in the book is Ella. She is a really sweet character. She is very deserving of Matt’s attentions. Even though Matt is facing some really horrific things, he will still blush when Ella smiles at him. It brings some normalcy to his life which he really needs.

Monster Hunter is a great beginning for a new series. I can’t wait to read the next book!

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About Kendra:

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job.

Kendra believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica. 

More information about the Matt Archer universe, works in progress and the nature of the Higgs Boson* can be found at www.kendrachighley.com

(*Yeah…not really. We’ll let the scientists handle that part.)

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, orreaders of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*