Monsters Among the Living

Wynter Dellavale, a revenant witch, leads her newly formed Bloodrose Coven through the haunted, monster-filled town of Devil's Cradle. The town, a sanctuary for supernatural fugitives, is ruled by the Ancients—immortal Leviathans exiled and imprisoned by the rival Aeons. Wynter's coven, each member uniquely flawed and powerful, bonds over shared trauma and the need for protection. Their dysfunctional family dynamic is laced with dark humor and mutual loyalty. Wynter, marked by her past and the monster within, finds herself both at home and on edge in a place where monsters are the norm and survival means embracing the darkness inside.

Bonds Forged in Darkness

Wynter's relationship with Cain, the most powerful Ancient and son of Satan, deepens. Their connection is forged through shared secrets, mutual respect, and a magnetic, dangerous attraction. Cain, once numb to the world, finds purpose and feeling in Wynter, while she is drawn to his darkness and strength. Their bond is not just romantic but existential—each is the other's anchor in a world that would destroy them. As consort and protector, Cain claims Wynter's soul, and she, in turn, accepts the monstrous parts of him, even as their union marks them both as targets in the brewing war.

The Price of Sanctuary

The town's safety comes at a steep cost: residents must sell part of their soul to an Ancient, binding them in exchange for protection. Wynter, now fully claimed by Cain, has given up her entire soul for immortality and love. The Ancients' rule is absolute, but their own freedom is an illusion—they are caged by the Aeons' magic, unable to leave. The town's uneasy peace is shattered when Adam, the last ruling Aeon, places a bounty on Wynter and Cain, threatening to punish the town unless they are surrendered. The price of sanctuary is revealed to be both literal and psychological, as trust and loyalty are tested.

Curses and Consorts

Wynter's past comes back to haunt her: she once cursed Aeon, the city of the Aeons, with a wasting blight after her unjust exile and her mother's murder. Adam demands she be handed over to lift the curse, but Wynter refuses, knowing the Aeons' cruelty. The curse is more than vengeance—it is a symbol of her power and her refusal to be a victim. Cain's support is unwavering, even as the town's residents begin to question their safety. The curse binds Wynter and Cain together, making them both the focus of Adam's wrath and the hope of the Ancients.

The Bounty's Shadow

Adam's bounty sows suspicion and fear among Devil's Cradle's residents. Wynter becomes a target, and even her coven is forced to be on guard. Attempts are made on her life, and she is kidnapped more than once, but her monster and her own cunning save her. The Ancients debate how to protect her without undermining her strength or their own authority. Cain's possessiveness and fear for Wynter's safety clash with her need for autonomy. The bounty becomes a crucible, burning away illusions and forcing everyone to reveal their true loyalties.

The Gathering Storm

As Halloween approaches, the town's celebrations are overshadowed by the threat of war. The Ancients plot to break their magical cage, hoping to finally take the fight to Aeon. Wynter's coven, each member with their own secrets and vices, rallies around her. The Aeons' spies and traitors are rooted out, but not before more blood is spilled. Wynter's monster grows restless, and Kali, the goddess who made her a revenant, begins to intervene more directly. The sense of impending doom is palpable, as old wounds and new ambitions collide.

Blood and Betrayal

Wynter is betrayed by those she once trusted and kidnapped by rival witches seeking Adam's bounty. Her monster is unleashed, leaving carnage in its wake and sending a message to all: Wynter is not to be trifled with. The town is forced to reckon with the reality of her power and the cost of betrayal. Cain's rage is cold and absolute, and he makes an example of those who would harm his consort. The lines between justice and vengeance blur, and the town's fragile unity is tested as never before.

The Cage Weakens

The Ancients, with the help of Wynter, her coven, and the reluctant Aeons in exile, plot to shatter the magical prison that binds them. The key lies in awakening Abaddon, a long-sleeping Ancient whose power may tip the balance. Rituals, alliances, and old grudges come to the fore as the Ancients prepare for All Hallows' Eve, when their power will be at its peak. Wynter's role becomes central—not just as a weapon, but as a bridge between the Ancients, the Aeons, and the deities who watch from the shadows.

Dinner with Enemies

A tense dinner brings together Cain, Wynter, the Ancients, and the Aeons seeking sanctuary. Old wounds are reopened, and the possibility of alliance is weighed against the risk of betrayal. Wynter's presence is both a threat and a promise—her power and her curse are the pivot on which the future turns. The Aeons' motives are questioned, and the true cost of trust is revealed. The dinner is a microcosm of the larger conflict: love and hate, loyalty and suspicion, all bound together in a web of necessity.

The Monster Within

Wynter and Cain's relationship deepens, both physically and metaphysically. Cain's monster, a literal and figurative part of him, seeks to bind itself to Wynter, craving a connection as deep as the one she shares with Cain. The act is both erotic and terrifying, a merging of souls that blurs the line between love and possession. Wynter's acceptance of the monster is a testament to her own darkness and strength. Their union becomes a source of power, but also a vulnerability—each is now truly the other's weakness.

Fear and Fire

Adam unleashes elemental devastation on Devil's Cradle—blizzards, sandstorms, and hail—testing the town's resilience and the Ancients' power. The residents rally, but the cost is high. Wynter and her coven are caught in the chaos, forced to fight for their lives and each other. The storms are both a literal and metaphorical manifestation of the conflict: nature itself is weaponized, and survival depends on unity, cunning, and the willingness to embrace one's inner monster.

The Witch's Gambit

Wynter allows herself to be captured, following Kali's cryptic guidance. Her apparent betrayal is part of a larger plan to free the Ancients and bring down Aeon from within. The coven, trusting her even as they fear for her life, plays their part. Wynter's time in captivity is a crucible, testing her resolve and her connection to her monster. The lines between pawn and player blur, as Wynter becomes both the key and the weapon in the final battle.

The Ancients Awaken

The Ancients succeed in awakening Abaddon, and, through Wynter's intervention, the long-lost Baal is freed from his torment beneath Aeon. The full power of the Leviathans is unleashed, and the balance of power shifts. The awakening is both a triumph and a tragedy—old wounds are reopened, and the cost of freedom is paid in blood. The Ancients, once prisoners, are now conquerors, but the victory is bittersweet.

The Devil's Cradle Burns

The Ancients and their allies launch a full-scale assault on Aeon. The battle is brutal and chaotic, with magic, monsters, and elemental forces clashing in a storm of violence. Wynter's curse has already weakened the city, and her presence on the battlefield is both a rallying point and a terror. The Aeons, arrogant and desperate, are forced to confront the consequences of their own cruelty. The cost of victory is high, and the scars will last forever.

The Rephaim Unleashed

In the heat of battle, Wynter's monster is revealed to be a Rephaim—a soul from purgatory, a being of pure darkness and vengeance. The Rephaim are unleashed, turning the tide of battle and sowing terror among the Aeons. Wynter's acceptance of her monster is complete, and her power is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The Ancients and their allies are forced to reckon with the reality of what they have unleashed, even as they celebrate their victory.

The Fall of Aeon

Aeon falls, its people slaughtered or scattered, its city razed to the ground. The Ancients are finally free, but the cost is immense. Inanna, one of the Ancients, is killed, and Ishtar is left broken by grief. The survivors mourn their dead and reckon with the consequences of their actions. Wynter lifts her curse, but the scars remain. The world has changed, and the monsters who once hid in the shadows now rule openly.

Vengeance and Aftermath

The survivors return to Devil's Cradle, forever changed by the war. Old wounds are tended, new alliances are forged, and the future is uncertain. Wynter and Cain, now bound in every way, find solace in each other. The coven, battered but unbroken, remains a family. The Ancients, free at last, must decide what to do with their newfound power. The world is a darker, more dangerous place, but also one where monsters can finally be themselves.

The Ties That Bind

In the aftermath, Wynter and Cain's relationship is tested and strengthened. The binding of their souls is complete, and they find peace in each other's arms. The coven, still chaotic and dysfunctional, is a source of comfort and laughter. The Ancients, though scarred by loss, look to the future with hope. The lesson is clear: monsters are not just what we fear, but what we are—and what we love. In embracing their darkness, Wynter and Cain find the freedom and belonging they have always craved.

Characters

Wynter Dellavale

Wynter is the heart of the Bloodrose Coven and the emotional core of the novel. Marked by trauma, loss, and resurrection, she is both fiercely independent and deeply loyal. Her power is rooted in darkness—she is a revenant, an undead witch created by the goddess Kali to be an instrument of vengeance. Wynter's monster, later revealed as a Rephaim, is both her greatest weapon and her deepest fear. Her relationship with Cain is transformative: she finds acceptance, love, and a sense of belonging, even as she is forced to confront the monstrous parts of herself. Wynter's journey is one of self-acceptance, sacrifice, and the realization that true strength lies in embracing both light and shadow.

Cain

Cain is the most powerful of the Ancients, a Leviathan exiled and imprisoned by the Aeons. His existence is defined by loss, rage, and a cold detachment—until Wynter shatters his numbness. As her consort, he is both possessive and vulnerable, willing to do anything to keep her safe. Cain's monster, a literal part of him, seeks to bind itself to Wynter, craving a connection as deep as the one he shares with her. His journey is one of rediscovering feeling, learning to trust, and accepting that love can be both a strength and a weakness. Cain's leadership is marked by ruthlessness, but also by a fierce loyalty to those he claims as his own.

The Bloodrose Coven (Anabel, Xavier, Delilah, Hattie)

Each member of Wynter's coven is uniquely flawed and powerful. Anabel is the mad scientist, always experimenting with potions (often on herself). Xavier is the charming liar, a necromancer with a penchant for trouble. Delilah is the shapeshifter, fierce and protective, with a dark sense of humor. Hattie is the elderly witch, wise and unfiltered, with a history of deadly husbands. Together, they provide both support and chaos, grounding Wynter and offering moments of levity amid the darkness. Their loyalty is absolute, and their willingness to fight for each other is unwavering.

Adam

Adam is the architect of the Ancients' imprisonment and the driving force behind the conflict. His obsession with power, control, and vengeance blinds him to the consequences of his actions. Adam's inability to accept defeat or acknowledge his own flaws leads to his downfall. He is both a symbol of the old order and a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and cruelty.

The Ancients (Azazel, Dantalion, Lilith, Ishtar, Inanna, Abaddon, Baal)

Each Ancient brings their own history, trauma, and perspective to the struggle. Azazel is the strategist, Dantalion the enforcer, Lilith the survivor, Ishtar and Inanna the sisters bound by love and rivalry, Abaddon the long-sleeping power, and Baal the lost and tormented. Their relationships are marked by old wounds, grudges, and moments of genuine affection. The Ancients are both rulers and prisoners, monsters and victims, and their journey is one of reclaiming agency and forging a new future.

Kali

Kali is both benefactor and puppet master, shaping events from the shadows. Her motivations are complex—part revenge, part atonement, part longing for lost love. Kali's relationship with Wynter is both maternal and utilitarian; she cares for her creation but is not above using her as a tool. Kali's presence is a reminder that even gods are driven by emotion, and that the line between justice and vengeance is often blurred.

The Aeons (Noah, Rima, Eve, Emmanuel, Jude)

The Aeons are both victims and perpetrators, shaped by millennia of conflict and loss. Noah's betrayal is driven by ambition and resentment; Rima's bitterness masks deep pain; Eve is a pacifist caught between worlds; Emmanuel and Jude are loyal to Adam but ultimately doomed. Their relationships are fraught with suspicion, regret, and the longing for redemption. The Aeons' downfall is a testament to the corrosive power of pride and the tragedy of families torn apart by war.

Wynter's Monster (The Rephaim)

The Rephaim is both a part of Wynter and a separate entity, a being of pure darkness and rage. Its presence is both a source of power and a constant threat, forcing Wynter to confront the reality of her own monstrosity. The Rephaim's loyalty to Wynter is absolute, but its true nature is only revealed in the heat of battle. Its unleashing is both a turning point and a warning: the monsters we carry inside can save us, but they can also destroy everything.

Abaddon and Baal

Abaddon, awakened from his long sleep, is both a reminder of the past and a key to the future. His grief and rage are palpable, but his loyalty to Cain and the Ancients is unwavering. Baal, long thought dead, is freed by Wynter's intervention, but his mind is broken by centuries of torment. Their presence tips the balance of power, but also brings new challenges and old wounds to the surface.

Plot Devices

Duality of Monster and Human

The novel's central device is the duality within each character—especially Wynter and Cain—between their monstrous and human sides. This is mirrored in the literal monsters they host and the metaphorical monsters of trauma, vengeance, and desire. The narrative structure alternates between moments of intimacy and violence, humor and horror, forcing characters (and readers) to question what it means to be a monster. The binding of souls, the unleashing of the Rephaim, and the merging of love and possession all serve to blur the boundaries between self and other, good and evil.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Kali's interventions, cryptic dreams, and the recurring motif of sleepwalking and possession foreshadow the larger plan at work. The repeated warnings about betrayal, the significance of All Hallows' Eve, and the gradual awakening of Abaddon and Baal all build tension and anticipation. The use of prophecy and manipulation by the deities adds layers of irony and inevitability, as characters struggle to assert agency in a world shaped by forces beyond their control.

The Prison and the Curse

The magical cage that imprisons the Ancients is both a literal obstacle and a metaphor for trauma, grief, and the struggle for freedom. Wynter's curse on Aeon is similarly double-edged: it is both a weapon and a wound, a source of power and a reminder of loss. The breaking of the cage and the lifting of the curse are climactic moments that signal both victory and the beginning of a new, uncertain era.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The Bloodrose Coven, the Ancients, and even the Aeons are all defined by the families they choose and the bonds they forge. The novel repeatedly tests these bonds through betrayal, sacrifice, and the threat of annihilation. The coven's humor and dysfunction provide relief and grounding, while the Ancients' complex relationships add depth and pathos. The ultimate message is that family is not just blood, but the people who stand with you in the darkness.

Erotic Power and Vulnerability

The intense, often explicit relationship between Wynter and Cain is a vehicle for exploring themes of power, vulnerability, and trust. Their physical and metaphysical union is both a source of strength and a potential Achilles' heel. The binding of souls, the sharing of monsters, and the willingness to be both dominant and submissive are all used to interrogate the nature of love, desire, and the fear of loss.

Analysis

Suzanne Wright's The Monsters We Are is a dark, witty, and emotionally charged exploration of what it means to be both monster and human. At its core, the novel is about the search for belonging in a world that fears and rejects difference. Through Wynter and Cain, Wright interrogates the nature of power, love, and vengeance, refusing to offer easy answers or neat resolutions. The book's humor and warmth—embodied in the chaotic, loving Bloodrose Coven—balance its violence and tragedy, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The central lesson is that true strength lies not in denying one's darkness, but in embracing it, forging bonds with others who accept and love us as we are. In a world of monsters, the greatest danger is not what we are, but what we are willing to become for those we love. The novel's blend of horror, romance, and found family makes it a powerful meditation on trauma, healing, and the monstrous beauty of survival.

Last updated: September 26, 2025