Early Review: Monsters Born and Made
Monsters Born and Made
By Tanvi Berwah
Published By: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Date Read: July 13, 2022
Genre: YA – Fantasy
Source: ARC from Sourcebooks Fire
Format: E-Books
Pages: 352
From Goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Koral and her older brother Emrik risk their lives each day to capture the monstrous maristags that live in the black seas around their island. They have to, or else their family will starve.In an oceanic world swarming with vicious beasts, the Landers―the ruling elite, have indentured Koral’s family to provide the maristags for the Glory Race, a deadly chariot tournament reserved for the upper class. The winning contender receives gold and glory. The others―if they’re lucky―survive.
When the last maristag of the year escapes and Koral has no new maristag to sell, her family’s financial situation takes a turn for the worse and they can’t afford medicine for her chronically ill little sister. Koral’s only choice is to do what no one in the world has ever dared: cheat her way into the Glory Race.
But every step of the way is unpredictable as Koral races against contenders―including her ex-boyfriend―who have trained for this their whole lives and who have no intention of letting a low-caste girl steal their glory. When a rebellion rises and rogues attack Koral to try and force her to drop out, she must choose―her life or her sister’s―before the whole island burns.
She grew up battling the monsters that live in the black seas, but it couldn’t prepare her to face the cunning cruelty of the ruling elite.
Monsters Born and Made is a book that I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. One look at that cover and I was sold! It’s so beautiful and the book just sounded absolutely incredible. I knew this one would be right up my street and it absolutely was! This book was everything I could have hoped for and more. Right from the very first page I was completely and utterly sold!
Monsters Born and Made is a high fantasy filled to the brim with danger and unpredictable magical creatures. I got some serious Hunger Games vibes from this book and I was living for it! As a huge fan of Hunger Games, anything that gives me those feelings is a major plus for me. This book was high action, high intrigue and a dash of longing and romance. I just absolutely loved it!
Now, it did take me quite a while to get through the whole book, but that was more due to my busy work schedule and after being really busy working constantly for a good 3 weeks, I found myself in a huge reading slump. Everything about the book was utterly fantastic, but as I read it sporadically, with large gaps of time in between reading sessions, I felt like it lost a little bit of the impact, and the magic for me. I really need to re-read this when I have time to binge read the whole thing to really feel the magic properly.
Monsters Born and Made is truly a fantastic read. I loved everything about it, the characters, the world building… the animals! I am left dying for the author to announce that there will be a second books, because I need more from these incredible characters. I’m not ready to say goodbye to them just yet! If there is one book that you need to pre-order this year… make sure that it is this one! You will not be disappointed!
“The violence in this world doesn’t belong to the sea creatures. It belongs to us, to what we brought with ourselves.”
K-Books
I’m Kayleigh, a teacher and blogger who is obsessed with all things bookish. I love reading YA books of all genres and I am happiest when sharing my love and passion for books.