The novel grapples with the raw, consuming nature of grief through Magos, a mother who takes desperate measures to cope with the loss of her son. The creation of Monstrilio, a creature born from a piece of her deceased son's lung, embodies the distorted, monstrous forms grief can take. As Monstrilio grows, so too does the exploration of transformation, both physical and emotional, as he grapples with his monstrous nature and the remnants of his human past.

Despite his monstrous origins and carnivorous instincts, Monstrilio finds acceptance and love within the unconventional family that forms around him. This chosen family, bound by love and loyalty, navigates the challenges of Monstrilio's existence, highlighting the power of acceptance in the face of difference and the boundless nature of love that extends beyond societal norms.

Monstrilio constantly blurs the lines between monster and human. Monstrilio, though physically monstrous, exhibits surprising humanity, yearning for connection and grappling with complex emotions. Conversely, the human characters are confronted with their own inner darkness and capacity for monstrous acts in their desperate attempts to protect and control Monstrilio. This constant interplay challenges readers to confront their own perceptions of monstrosity and the often-hidden darkness within humanity.