Just finished 'Monster' and wow – this book hits differently. The way Myers plays with perspective makes you question everything. Was Steve really guilty? The audiobook version with full cast narration takes it to another level.
The courtroom scenes had me holding my breath. That moment when Steve wonders if he's becoming the 'monster' they accuse him of being? Chilling stuff. The screenplay format threw me at first but ended up being genius.
What really got me was how Myers shows how quickly life can flip – one minute you're a kid making movies, next you're fighting for your freedom. The prison scenes were brutal but necessary.
Side note: That opening line about crying at night? Still haunts me weeks later. This isn't just a book about a trial – it's about identity, perception, and how the system can chew kids up.
Would 100% recommend both the print and audio versions (the Earphones Award was well deserved). Just be ready to question everything you think you know about guilt and innocence.