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zoe_larrimer's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was fast-paced and I finished it in a single sitting. It deals with complex themes of oppression, injustice, and the struggle of placing loyalty to one’s family over oneself despite having personal dreams and goals. The FMC, Koral, was someone I was both deeply rooting for and deeply irritated with at different times and I loved that. The maristags are such insteresting creatures and really captivated me with their descriptions. The storyline was fairly predictable (although the twists were still fun to read). Overall, I would highly recommend reading this book for an intriguing and thought-provoking read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, and Blood
Moderate: Xenophobia, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death and Domestic abuse
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Animal death, Abandonment, Child abuse, Mental illness, Police brutality, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, Deportation, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It started off a bit slow and I almost put it down a few times…..but holeeeeeeeeeee shit. It got raw and brutal real quick. By the last quarter, I was devouring the book to see what happens.
Definitely not one to read if you want fluffy fantasy.
Definitely not one to read if you want fluffy fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death, Gore, Medical trauma, Animal cruelty, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
marleywrites's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 ⭐️, no doubt.
I was screaming about this book to my friend the whole time I was reading it. I could not put this book down once I got into it. I read the first six chapters on NetGalley and then immediately ran to the library and checked this book out. I couldn’t finish it fast enough.
This book was not what I expected. I was expecting an interesting race with cool creatures, with a predictable ending, maybe a dash of romance. In a way, it was that, but it was also so much more. This book had rebels, betrayal, politics, class structure upheaval. It went in a direction that I personally didn’t see coming, which I loved. Especially the last ten pages. Oh my god. I was so wrapped up in the book, and was so invested.
General premise of the book: Koral was the underdog the whole time, and boy, do I love a good underdog story. She cheats her way into a very important race. Political chaos ensues.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it tackled the class structure differences in a very stark way that easily showed the difference between the Renters and the Landers. The subtle and not so subtle differences became more and more clear as the book progressed. The way classism was so prevalent was disheartening but crucial to the story.
Another aspect I loved about this story was that the rebel cause was a complex character in the story. The Arkers are seen in small doses throughout the book but have a biiiiig impact, especially on Koral’s life.
Pick up this book only if you’re prepared for an ambiguous ending— this is a stand alone book.
In this next section, I will gush some more, but with spoilers. So beware.
First of all, I’m glad the situationship with Dorian was left in the past. He made his decision— twice! Goodbye, loser boy. Although I did appreciate him trying to warn Koral not to continue the race, he could have been a lot more specific and direct about it, especially when she wasn’t responsive to him for the third time. 🙄 Like clearly his method wasn’t working. So maybe switch it up?
Koral’s parents bothered me. Her dad, screw him. Her mom? I don’t know how to feel. With abusive relationships like theirs it’s hard to have a clear feeling about anything and anyone involved sometimes. She didn’t deserve to die.
I wish we had more time with Emrik. I wish we could have seen more of an Emrik not riddled with pain or worry.
The ending. The. Ending. The ending?
I feel so bamboozled. I felt like the story was building up all this hope that Koral had the whole time, even if it was mixed with desperation. Then the ending just…. It deflated it entirely but then at the last minute, tried to revive it. I wish I were clearer on the message that was being sent.
For example, the message I heard was that rising up against the privileged class will result in abuse and failure, so maybe don’t join the rebel cause. I know Koral technically got away, but her life was destroyed in the process. She did get her freedom back, but at what cost?
Despite the complicated meaning and ambiguous ending, I loved this book because it was different than what I’ve read before, and because it didn’t end with everything tied up nicely with a bow. Koral was the underdog, and remained the underdog the whole way through this story. I kind of like not knowing what happened after they escaped.
I will definitely be reading more by this author!
I was screaming about this book to my friend the whole time I was reading it. I could not put this book down once I got into it. I read the first six chapters on NetGalley and then immediately ran to the library and checked this book out. I couldn’t finish it fast enough.
This book was not what I expected. I was expecting an interesting race with cool creatures, with a predictable ending, maybe a dash of romance. In a way, it was that, but it was also so much more. This book had rebels, betrayal, politics, class structure upheaval. It went in a direction that I personally didn’t see coming, which I loved. Especially the last ten pages. Oh my god. I was so wrapped up in the book, and was so invested.
General premise of the book: Koral was the underdog the whole time, and boy, do I love a good underdog story. She cheats her way into a very important race. Political chaos ensues.
What I really appreciated about this book is that it tackled the class structure differences in a very stark way that easily showed the difference between the Renters and the Landers. The subtle and not so subtle differences became more and more clear as the book progressed. The way classism was so prevalent was disheartening but crucial to the story.
Another aspect I loved about this story was that the rebel cause was a complex character in the story. The Arkers are seen in small doses throughout the book but have a biiiiig impact, especially on Koral’s life.
Pick up this book only if you’re prepared for an ambiguous ending— this is a stand alone book.
In this next section, I will gush some more, but with spoilers. So beware.
Koral’s parents bothered me. Her dad, screw him. Her mom? I don’t know how to feel. With abusive relationships like theirs it’s hard to have a clear feeling about anything and anyone involved sometimes. She didn’t deserve to die.
I wish we had more time with Emrik. I wish we could have seen more of an Emrik not riddled with pain or worry.
The ending. The. Ending. The ending?
I feel so bamboozled. I felt like the story was building up all this hope that Koral had the whole time, even if it was mixed with desperation. Then the ending just…. It deflated it entirely but then at the last minute, tried to revive it. I wish I were clearer on the message that was being sent.
For example, the message I heard was that rising up against the privileged class will result in abuse and failure, so maybe don’t join the rebel cause. I know Koral technically got away, but her life was destroyed in the process. She did get her freedom back, but at what cost?
Despite the complicated meaning and ambiguous ending, I loved this book because it was different than what I’ve read before, and because it didn’t end with everything tied up nicely with a bow. Koral was the underdog, and remained the underdog the whole way through this story. I kind of like not knowing what happened after they escaped.
I will definitely be reading more by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Racism, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Torture
Minor: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Alcohol
bookishgia's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
youarethelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
I struggled with this one. I loved the premise, but I had a really hard time with the descriptions - I wasn’t able to form a picture in my mind for many of the sea creatures, or for the structures that the Landers use.
On top of that, these characters were very hard to get to know, because Koral didn’t know her own motivations for much of the book. I felt like we could have gotten so much deeper with her, Dorian, and Crane, but we only scratched the surface of who they are, and we really don’t even know what they want. I basically skimmed through the last trial and the end of the book, which was pretty predictable.
Apparently there’s going to be a second book, and I think that one would be more interesting than this one, now that Koral knows how the world around her really works.
On top of that, these characters were very hard to get to know, because Koral didn’t know her own motivations for much of the book. I felt like we could have gotten so much deeper with her, Dorian, and Crane, but we only scratched the surface of who they are, and we really don’t even know what they want. I basically skimmed through the last trial and the end of the book, which was pretty predictable.
Apparently there’s going to be a second book, and I think that one would be more interesting than this one, now that Koral knows how the world around her really works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Gore, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
wintertiger7's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I could see why this book was being compared to The Hunger Games and The Scorpio Races. There were plenty of class politics and discrimination embedded in the story. The world building was fascinating too. The creatures of Sollonia are deadly and terrible, but also beautiful. I wish we learned more about the maristags.
Sadly, Monsters Born and Made wasn't for me. What I really needed was a strong reason to root for Koral that wasn't because she and her family have been ostracized for years, or because she needs money to buy meds for her sister (who we got very little interactions with). I love rooting for the underdogs! And it was so disappointing that I didn't love Koral. For me, she kept making decisions that she knew were BAD bc she wanted to make a statement. She didn't listen to her brother or her best friend and I'm just like, GURL why?! I don't see what made Koral special other than her ambition and anger at the world.
Let's talk about Dorian because oh, I can see the potential, but this boy is such a freaking coward! I'm so mad at him for not standing up to his father and honestly, the reason he gave Koral for still doing what his father wants him to do is not good enough. There were moments I shipped Koral and Dorian because I'm a sucker for friends to maybe lovers to enemies (it wasn't super clear if they were romantically involved in the past). I wish there were full, fleshed out scenes of them being friends instead of a short reminder of their doomed friendship.
Maristags. I adore animal companions. I am so invested in their background, especially Stormgold (Koral's stag). What makes her different from the rest? Why don't these people know more about them?? Why are they only used for sport?? If something is dangerous, doesn't it make sense for them to understand these creatures better??? I have questions!!
It's unlikely I'll read the sequel but I'm hoping if I do, there will be more information on maristags, world building, and character development.
Sadly, Monsters Born and Made wasn't for me. What I really needed was a strong reason to root for Koral that wasn't because she and her family have been ostracized for years, or because she needs money to buy meds for her sister (who we got very little interactions with). I love rooting for the underdogs! And it was so disappointing that I didn't love Koral. For me, she kept making decisions that she knew were BAD bc she wanted to make a statement. She didn't listen to her brother or her best friend and I'm just like, GURL why?! I don't see what made Koral special other than her ambition and anger at the world.
Let's talk about Dorian because oh, I can see the potential, but this boy is such a freaking coward! I'm so mad at him for not standing up to his father and honestly, the reason he gave Koral for still doing what his father wants him to do is not good enough. There were moments I shipped Koral and Dorian because I'm a sucker for friends to maybe lovers to enemies (it wasn't super clear if they were romantically involved in the past). I wish there were full, fleshed out scenes of them being friends instead of a short reminder of their doomed friendship.
Maristags. I adore animal companions. I am so invested in their background, especially Stormgold (Koral's stag). What makes her different from the rest? Why don't these people know more about them?? Why are they only used for sport?? If something is dangerous, doesn't it make sense for them to understand these creatures better??? I have questions!!
It's unlikely I'll read the sequel but I'm hoping if I do, there will be more information on maristags, world building, and character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Classism, Blood, Violence, Body horror, Gaslighting, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Chronic illness
mjscooke's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I am so happy to have received a digital reading copy of this novel from Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a dystopian oceanic world where a caste system relegates a large portion of the population to suffer to survive under the glaring heat of the sun, Monsters Born and Made is at its heart a tale of humanities fight for survival and struggles with greed and dominance. Koral has been force to hunt sea creatures throughout her adolescence and when her family's circumstances look even more hopeless than usual she makes a drastic decision to cheat her way into a Hunger Games style race seemingly reserved for the upper classes. Koral is feisty, loyal and fiercely protective of her family and it's a delight to inhabit her perspective throughout the novel. Tanvi Berwah's writing is engaging and it felt like Koral was recounting what happened directly into my brain. I loved every page and sincerely hope to see what happens next in this world.
Set in a dystopian oceanic world where a caste system relegates a large portion of the population to suffer to survive under the glaring heat of the sun, Monsters Born and Made is at its heart a tale of humanities fight for survival and struggles with greed and dominance. Koral has been force to hunt sea creatures throughout her adolescence and when her family's circumstances look even more hopeless than usual she makes a drastic decision to cheat her way into a Hunger Games style race seemingly reserved for the upper classes. Koral is feisty, loyal and fiercely protective of her family and it's a delight to inhabit her perspective throughout the novel. Tanvi Berwah's writing is engaging and it felt like Koral was recounting what happened directly into my brain. I loved every page and sincerely hope to see what happens next in this world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Classism
azrah786's review against another edition
3.75
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I was provided an ARC through Netgalley for a blog tour with Lonely Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, gore, animal cruelty, death, death of parent, chronic illness, child abuse, domestic abuse, fire, panic attacks, police violence, classism
--
Monsters Born and Made is a book that throws you right into the mix, introducing a fascinating oceanic world where vicious creatures roam the waters whilst an oppressive caste system rules the land. The story follows Koral, who’s family are the designated Hunters in society - a position that not only exposes them to constant danger as they have to capture and breed the deadly Maristags for the Landers and their Glory Races, but also alienates them from their fellow Renters who look upon their servitude to the elite class with scorn.
When Koral and her brother fail to catch the last Maristag of the season, it’s a massive blow to their family’s financial situation and their capability to afford medication for their younger sister. With the Glory Race around the corner and its winning prize of gold and glory up for grabs, Koral sees the competition as her chance to help her family. Despite it being strictly for Landers and her ex being the favourite, she is determined to get in and to win and won’t let anything or anyone stop her.
**I was provided an ARC through Netgalley for a blog tour with Lonely Pages Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, blood, gore, animal cruelty, death, death of parent, chronic illness, child abuse, domestic abuse, fire, panic attacks, police violence, classism
--
Monsters Born and Made is a book that throws you right into the mix, introducing a fascinating oceanic world where vicious creatures roam the waters whilst an oppressive caste system rules the land. The story follows Koral, who’s family are the designated Hunters in society - a position that not only exposes them to constant danger as they have to capture and breed the deadly Maristags for the Landers and their Glory Races, but also alienates them from their fellow Renters who look upon their servitude to the elite class with scorn.
When Koral and her brother fail to catch the last Maristag of the season, it’s a massive blow to their family’s financial situation and their capability to afford medication for their younger sister. With the Glory Race around the corner and its winning prize of gold and glory up for grabs, Koral sees the competition as her chance to help her family. Despite it being strictly for Landers and her ex being the favourite, she is determined to get in and to win and won’t let anything or anyone stop her.
"This is the ocean, and you're a Hunter. You swim with monsters; these people cannot scare you."
Koral is one of those headstrong protagonists that rebels against the system in her own way and following her on this journey, which had her standing up to the machinations and oppression of a classist regime, was as inspiring as it was frustrating. The pacing and timespan overall had a perfect flow to it, with the competition and moments of action having a nice balance with character interactions and the political tensions that are ongoing in the background of the main storyline.
Now I’ll admit that it took some time getting used to the intricacies of the world because there was a lot going on from the beginning. As the story gets rolling you very much get the feeling that we’re only getting a glimpse of this expansive world that Berwah has put so much thought into but the more I read the more engrossed I became. There is definitely a Huger Games vibe to the primary narrative but this story and world are undoubtedly their own, with inspiration from Indian and Greek mythology giving this dystopia a unique edge.
"Everyday people make choices that they think have no impact on their lives. But if you look right instead of left, you don't know who you'll meet and who you'll miss.. Choices can mark a turn in fate that we might never get back."
For me what Berwah exceled with the most alongside the highly entertaining action scenes were the character relationships. Despite finding the beginning a little slow it was the relationships that kept me reading particularly the ones between the siblings as well as Koral’s friendship with Crane. With the romance, which surprisingly took a back seat, Berwah did really well at capturing that ex-lovers tension and history that was always buzzing when Koral and Dorian were in a scene together. The bond between Koral and her Maristag, Stormgold was also beautifully developed.
All in all really enjoyable fantasy dystopia debut and I like that the ending leaves the door open for more stories in the future because I would gladly welcome them!
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Gore, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Classism
bookwormbullet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Classism, and Torture
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