REVIEW - "Monster Heart"

Monster Heart: Frank N. Stein by Gary Turcotte

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Frances Norman Stein StoryFrank N. SteinA modern day monster This is the story about a High School football star that turns to drugs to enhance his game. He experiments with steroids and other mind altering drugs. He loses his High School sweetheart, to drugs and alcohol. Francis mixed any drugs that he can get his hands on; risking his mental and physical health. He became delusional and he can't distinguish what is real or part of his drug induced illusions. He's involved in henous crimes that he has trouble remembering. Pimples, cyst, cuts, and dark circles under his eyes, make him look like the monster that the drugs have created. The terrible reality is that this story is happening to today's youth. The Monster lurks nearby. Don't let it get your children!  Description from GoodReads.

Francis is a star football player who takes steroids to enhance his body and game. His life begins to spiral out of control as he increases the dosage and adds other drugs to the mix. His physical appearance changes and he begins to look more like a monster. His mood swings to violence. While under the influence of drugs, he performs acts of crime that he would not normally do.  He doesn't remember the horrible things that he does and realizes later that he is a criminal.

When I started this book I was a little worried. The book describes the story in the prologue  and first chapter, rather than tell the story.  I was relieved in the second chapter when the Gary Turcotte changed his writing style, so it didn't feel as if I was reading an essay.  He does a great job of telling the story of the physical decline that occurs from continued drug usage.  If you would like to scare your teen from using drugs, let them read this book.

I also like that he described physical side effects from the use of steroids.  It may be a good thing for parents to watch for in their children.  Francis literally starts to look like a monster. 




This is a sad story of self destruction and the power of drugs. They destroy lives.  This book  graphically details the decline and loss of humanity.

I received a copy of this book from the author to review.  I have honestly given you my opinion.