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A review by marleywrites
Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah
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