emuhleesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Though I have not finished the book completely (still have around 80 more pages to go), I felt as if I should write this review anyways. So here it goes.
While mental health is not a directly mentioned topic in this book, from what can be surmised, Eliza and Wallace have social anxiety, or some form of social phobia. This aspect intrigued me the most, and what actually lead me to pick up this book in the first place, seeing as I also struggle with social anxiety. I find it difficult to speak up in crowds, make introductions, start up conversations, you name it. Phone calls send my heart rate skyrocketing. (Just typing that sentence made my heart race a little.) Social interactions are everywhere, they’re inevitable. That’s what makes social anxiety such a hard thing to deal with. You’re constantly afraid of what interaction is next, of the unknown. You try to avoid any and all, at every cost. Personally, I like to read books I can relate to, see myself in. This is definitely one of those books that can translate your thoughts into words on paper, especially when you find it hard to do so yourself. Not to make this review about me, but I think the way this form of anxiety is represented gives a real, raw look into what it’s like to struggle with it. It will give readers, those who aren’t socially anxious, and maybe those who are but were confused on how and why, a real representation of it. (One that is quite lacking in YA novels,,, novelists, add some socially anxious characters into your stories please, we would like more representation, sincerely, socially anxious people everywhere.) From Eliza and Wallace passing notes in crowded spaces instead of speaking up, to them being at Murphy’s with his (their) friends and finally participating in conversations within a space that felt comfortable, the rawness of how some social interactions can be more comforting than others (especially when surrounded by people that make you feel safe) is enlightening, extremely helpful, and well, comforting.
How many times can I say comforting in one review? Keep count for me.
Anyways, that’s not the only reason why this is a five star read. Comics, fanfiction, isolation (sometimes), friendships, family, and romance also come into play. The comic/fanfiction aspect is what makes the story what it is; wonderful. Not only does it display comics in a way that shows the reader it’s not just a male dominated interest and activity, (I don’t know about you, but that’s what I was led to believe growing up) but it also demonstrates the dedication one can have when they’re truly invested and happy with their creations. Fanfiction does not always have to be associated with celebrities, it can also be tied to characters from a book, and in this case a webcomic.
Eliza tends to isolate herself in her room, mostly working on Monstrous Sea, but her parents want something entirely different for her; a breakout. It is frequently mentioned that while they try to understand her work and dedication, they still struggle with comprehending all of it. They want her to step away from her devices, leave her sketchbook in her room and “live”. Wallace’s parents want more, expect more, from him as well. His dad, mostly. What is expected of him is to find a more obtainable career, focus on something that will get him somewhere in life. I also believe this plays a huge role in the plot line of this story. The struggle between families where opinions clash. Maybe that’s why Wallace and Eliza are so dedicated to their work, maybe they want to prove their parents wrong, maybe they want to show what they’re really capable of and how real it all is, despite the opinions of those strongly against that fact. This is an especially important topic to note seeing as it can really hit home with readers. Not everyone always has a supportive family to come home to, and I think it’s great that authors can incorporate situations like this into their stories because it can make people feel less alone. It gives someone something to relate to.
Internet friendships also play a gigantic role in this story. Without Eliza’s friends, her webcomic wouldn’t be where it is. Without Eliza’s internet friends, she wouldn’t be who she is.
Getting through high school is one thing, but when practically the whole school body is against you, that can hurt a person even more. Eliza seems unfazed at times, most times she is annoyed at her fellow classmates’ perceptions of her, but through it all, Max and Emmy were always there. This really displays the unbreakable bond between internet friends. While yes, they’re on the internet, and yes, you only chat through a screen, it doesn’t mean there isn’t another person at the receiving end of all your messages. They’re just as much of a friend as someone living in the same town as you. You just don’t see each other often, is all. The love and friendship is still there, no matter the ways of communication.
Eliza and Her Monsters is an overall great book that incorporates real-world issues and the characters provide readers with opportunities to feel less alone, feel like someone is there for you and understands what you’re going through because they’re dealing with the same, if not, similar issues. I think that is what is truly great about literature, you can pick and choose books to get lost and find a home in.
If you’re looking for a book that you can relate to, or read for the sole purpose of understanding certain important topics to broaden your knowledge on and give you more of an open mind, Eliza and Her Monsters is the book for you.
While mental health is not a directly mentioned topic in this book, from what can be surmised, Eliza and Wallace have social anxiety, or some form of social phobia. This aspect intrigued me the most, and what actually lead me to pick up this book in the first place, seeing as I also struggle with social anxiety. I find it difficult to speak up in crowds, make introductions, start up conversations, you name it. Phone calls send my heart rate skyrocketing. (Just typing that sentence made my heart race a little.) Social interactions are everywhere, they’re inevitable. That’s what makes social anxiety such a hard thing to deal with. You’re constantly afraid of what interaction is next, of the unknown. You try to avoid any and all, at every cost. Personally, I like to read books I can relate to, see myself in. This is definitely one of those books that can translate your thoughts into words on paper, especially when you find it hard to do so yourself. Not to make this review about me, but I think the way this form of anxiety is represented gives a real, raw look into what it’s like to struggle with it. It will give readers, those who aren’t socially anxious, and maybe those who are but were confused on how and why, a real representation of it. (One that is quite lacking in YA novels,,, novelists, add some socially anxious characters into your stories please, we would like more representation, sincerely, socially anxious people everywhere.) From Eliza and Wallace passing notes in crowded spaces instead of speaking up, to them being at Murphy’s with his (their) friends and finally participating in conversations within a space that felt comfortable, the rawness of how some social interactions can be more comforting than others (especially when surrounded by people that make you feel safe) is enlightening, extremely helpful, and well, comforting.
How many times can I say comforting in one review? Keep count for me.
Anyways, that’s not the only reason why this is a five star read. Comics, fanfiction, isolation (sometimes), friendships, family, and romance also come into play. The comic/fanfiction aspect is what makes the story what it is; wonderful. Not only does it display comics in a way that shows the reader it’s not just a male dominated interest and activity, (I don’t know about you, but that’s what I was led to believe growing up) but it also demonstrates the dedication one can have when they’re truly invested and happy with their creations. Fanfiction does not always have to be associated with celebrities, it can also be tied to characters from a book, and in this case a webcomic.
Eliza tends to isolate herself in her room, mostly working on Monstrous Sea, but her parents want something entirely different for her; a breakout. It is frequently mentioned that while they try to understand her work and dedication, they still struggle with comprehending all of it. They want her to step away from her devices, leave her sketchbook in her room and “live”. Wallace’s parents want more, expect more, from him as well. His dad, mostly. What is expected of him is to find a more obtainable career, focus on something that will get him somewhere in life. I also believe this plays a huge role in the plot line of this story. The struggle between families where opinions clash. Maybe that’s why Wallace and Eliza are so dedicated to their work, maybe they want to prove their parents wrong, maybe they want to show what they’re really capable of and how real it all is, despite the opinions of those strongly against that fact. This is an especially important topic to note seeing as it can really hit home with readers. Not everyone always has a supportive family to come home to, and I think it’s great that authors can incorporate situations like this into their stories because it can make people feel less alone. It gives someone something to relate to.
Internet friendships also play a gigantic role in this story. Without Eliza’s friends, her webcomic wouldn’t be where it is. Without Eliza’s internet friends, she wouldn’t be who she is.
Getting through high school is one thing, but when practically the whole school body is against you, that can hurt a person even more. Eliza seems unfazed at times, most times she is annoyed at her fellow classmates’ perceptions of her, but through it all, Max and Emmy were always there. This really displays the unbreakable bond between internet friends. While yes, they’re on the internet, and yes, you only chat through a screen, it doesn’t mean there isn’t another person at the receiving end of all your messages. They’re just as much of a friend as someone living in the same town as you. You just don’t see each other often, is all. The love and friendship is still there, no matter the ways of communication.
Eliza and Her Monsters is an overall great book that incorporates real-world issues and the characters provide readers with opportunities to feel less alone, feel like someone is there for you and understands what you’re going through because they’re dealing with the same, if not, similar issues. I think that is what is truly great about literature, you can pick and choose books to get lost and find a home in.
If you’re looking for a book that you can relate to, or read for the sole purpose of understanding certain important topics to broaden your knowledge on and give you more of an open mind, Eliza and Her Monsters is the book for you.
scarlettdowd's review against another edition
5.0
yesyesyes i found out mid book that she's also the author of Made You Up and like???? i will read anything and everything she puts out
afutt92's review against another edition
5.0
HOLY COW. I devoured this book in a way that I haven't in a while. It arrived at noon, and I immediately sat down and started reading, and didn't stop until I finished at 4. I didn't even stop for lunch, and if you know me, that's a big deal.
This book is a love story to fandoms, and to the millions of geeky, anxious people who feel more comfortable behind a computer than in real life. I identified so much with Eliza, with her love for the world she created, with her difficulty interacting in the real world, with her bravery to work through her issues. She is me, in so many ways, as I'm sure she is so many other readers. 5/5 stars, and I would give more if I could!
This book is a love story to fandoms, and to the millions of geeky, anxious people who feel more comfortable behind a computer than in real life. I identified so much with Eliza, with her love for the world she created, with her difficulty interacting in the real world, with her bravery to work through her issues. She is me, in so many ways, as I'm sure she is so many other readers. 5/5 stars, and I would give more if I could!
kodzuken8396's review against another edition
5.0
This YA book spoke to my soul!!
PS: I don't like contemporaries (especially YA Contemporary)
PS: I don't like contemporaries (especially YA Contemporary)
sydney_09's review against another edition
5.0
I rarely give books 5 stars but this truly deserves it. Eliza has so many characteristics that are relatable. This is part of what makes a story good in my opinion. When i read the synopsis I knew immediately I had to read it. Eliza is an introvert who suffers from anxiety and finds comfort in creating her webcomic. However she does all this anonymously and is successful at it too. The discussion of the fandom, forums, cons, role playing, fanfiction is something so real to a lot of people and reading about it in this book was interesting coming from an author's perspective. This story tackles family dynamics and relationships in a way that's not forced or cliched. It's definitely a page turner and it's a decent length at just under 400 pgs. I hope her other books are just as good.
xdarkthunderx's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the fandom stuff in general, thought it was handled much better than in Fangirl. I loved how much Wallace helped Eliza open up, they had a great relationship. I didn’t like how towards the end, he pressured her to finish the comic just to help himself in a way of blackmailing her to forgive her. Though by the end, they had formally made up, which helped. Still, it was a stupid thing of him to say, and immature. I liked how Eliza’s depression and mental health was handled, as I found it very relatable, especially in regards to her sweating due to her anxiety. I had heard that it went very in-depth, which I disagree with. It stayed pretty basic and not too intense, but for a YA I think it was sufficient. Overall, very good.
sanmeow's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
1.0
very nonsensical behavior from the characters, specifically eliza and wallace ... like actually unbelievable. their relationship is just unbearable to read about + the way eliza behaves when it comes to wallace really damages the mental illness representation aspect of the book as a whole. i somewhat liked the organization and form of the book, but that couldn't really save it. the character development was lacking severely, and even eliza (who had the best development) could've used more. i also thought eliza's art would be a bigger part of the story and it's disappointing that it wasn't. the writing wasn't that good and i couldn't connect with the novel. the idea is good, the execution not so much.
delmarvelous's review against another edition
5.0
This book made my brain and heart happy. I meant to spread it out over days, but here I am coming off an hour and a half binge that saw me blazing through the last third.