Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - Eliza i jej potwory

Tough… tough one. When I started reading this, I was overjoyed. For the first time since <i>Fangirl</i> by Rainbow Rowell, I felt like I was reading a book that really understood fandom and creators. Francesca Zappia manages to capture the lovable cringe that is online fandom in a way that so many other authors utterly fail to do. I also felt like Eliza and Wallace were SO realistic, as teens but specifically introverted teens with anxiety.

I only started to struggle right at the beginning of the third act, after The Reveal. I understand Eliza’s perspective but I think the way she blames her parents for what happens without acknowledging that it probably would have been different if she’d talked to them the hundreds of times they begged her to REALLY irked me. The narrative got close to understanding this a couple times but never fully committed to it and it was very frustrating. Am I just too old for YA? I think if it had addressed the ways Eliza fucked up a little bit more, it could have been truly great.

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the_books_music_life's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a story that everyone needs to read. This is the most realistic and honest contemporary I’ve ever read. I related so much to Eliza and her struggles. The audiobook is the way to go I think. I also followed along cause the book had snippets from Monsterous Sea and they are narrated by a different person and I think it adds so much to the story since Monsterous Sea is a big part of Eliza.

Eliza is a girl who struggles with body image, anxiety, and panic attacks. As someone who has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since my early teens, I can say that Francesca Zappia explains and doesn't suger coat how anxiety and panic attacks really are or how they can affect you.

Everything Eliza felt when she had a panic attack I’ve felt including passing out. I sobbed while reading the last 200 pages, that’s how much I saw my own struggles in Eliza. Francesca did an amazing job of making you fall in love with every character, especially with Eliza and Wallace. The story also explains fan culture and the things we do that some people don't understand like drawing fan art, writing fanfiction, and so on.

Eliza is an extreme introvert and only begins to ‘be normal’ (in her words) when she meets Wallace. He helps to bring Eliza out of her bedroom and out into the world.

I love Wallace and I love Eliza and Wallace together. Their relationship is the honest truth of what a real first-time relationship is like. Their both so awkward that it’s endearing and sweet. The fact that Wallace also suffers from anxiety and is a selective mute adds so much more to his character and how he bonds with Eliza and understands her.

This story has so much depth and emotion and it is honestly a book everyone should read. Definitely my top book of 2020, I'm already calling it.

I also really enjoyed how it showed how you can have best friends that you met through the computer but haven't seen in person. I have multiple friends I've made on the internet that I've never met. We talk almost everyday and I consider them family.

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anielabooks's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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willowmae's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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laelolou's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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voidfishecho's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

An amazing book about fandom culture and what it means to be a creator

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stateofiction's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

GUYS? This was one of the best contemporaries I've ever read. There is just so much to say about this book and I know I will not be able to tackle all of it.

First, the anxiety rep was just fantastic. Eliza's mannerisms and inner monologue felt just so realistic. It wasn't incredibly dramatized the way many books end up coming across like. I was such a big fan!

The romance was just so cute! Up until the end, they were just this perfect little high school nerd couple and I was just so happy for them.

I absolutely loved the friendship between Eliza, Max, and Emmy. The sections of the book that were their private chats were some of my favorite parts just because their interactions were spectacular and just so funny.

Overall, fantastic book I can't believe it took me so long to read this.

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lyssstar's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

This story is really good. I feel for the characters and relate to them in amazing ways. The book is mainly about finding yourself when you thought you already knew yourself. But a lot of the situations in the book is also dealing with depression and working creatively for someone instead of yourself. And hiding yourself from someone for your own reasons. Then that secret coming to life. I hope this isn’t too spoiler-y as it’s just a different way of saying the summary but ya. I really enjoyed the book.

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