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A review by cozy_reading_times
Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah
3.0
3.25*
Thank you to Netgally and RB Media for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A short disclaimer: YA fantasy isn't a genre I typically gravitate much towards. I have read many YA books in the past, but for the last few years, I've read less and less of them - preferring adult SFF.
This year though, I've started trying to find my way back to this genre - wanting to give it a new chance and make it at least part of the range of genres I read from.
In some cases I was successful, actually discovering some of my favourite books of the year in this genre. But those were mostly the ones that defied the genre, tried new things and proved to be in general bolder than the generic mass of YA fantasy. And that is the kind of YA fantasy that I seek out and enjoy.
Monsters Born And Made isn't a bad book by any means. I think many readers will enjoy it and love it more than I did.
For me, it was simply a bit too much of what I've seen before.
While the setting and cultural background of the book seemed the most interesting to me, the author could have explored those aspects more and given them more depth.
Because the rest of this book was too much like any other epic fantasy book written for young adults that I've read:
An oppressive society with our protagonist on the lower end of the spectrum, brewing rebellion, a competition to prove herself and claim fame (but in which she'sthe absoluteunderdog), an ex-boyfriend for whom the protagonist still has feelings, who's also a sad rich boy who "could have been a better person if it weren't for his circumstances", a sick little sister who needs saving and an abusive father. It was all there.
For me, it was a bit much and made most of the book a little predicable. And I found that the book took place sometimes too much outside of the ring. I would have liked even more horse racing.
On the other hand, I had quite a busy week and I don't know if I would've been able to keep up with a more complex read. At times, it was nice to just listen to an easy story that wasn't confusing or dense but simply fun. The characters are compelling, the story easy to follow, the pay-off good. And I think the theme of colonialism was well executed, even if the world as a whole could have done with more information.
And as I'm not the target audience, I don't think this book has that much too fear in terms of reception. Sure, it's a "safe" book, but the industry needs those as well as the experimental, weird ones.
Thank you to Netgally and RB Media for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A short disclaimer: YA fantasy isn't a genre I typically gravitate much towards. I have read many YA books in the past, but for the last few years, I've read less and less of them - preferring adult SFF.
This year though, I've started trying to find my way back to this genre - wanting to give it a new chance and make it at least part of the range of genres I read from.
In some cases I was successful, actually discovering some of my favourite books of the year in this genre. But those were mostly the ones that defied the genre, tried new things and proved to be in general bolder than the generic mass of YA fantasy. And that is the kind of YA fantasy that I seek out and enjoy.
Monsters Born And Made isn't a bad book by any means. I think many readers will enjoy it and love it more than I did.
For me, it was simply a bit too much of what I've seen before.
While the setting and cultural background of the book seemed the most interesting to me, the author could have explored those aspects more and given them more depth.
Because the rest of this book was too much like any other epic fantasy book written for young adults that I've read:
An oppressive society with our protagonist on the lower end of the spectrum, brewing rebellion, a competition to prove herself and claim fame (but in which she'sthe absoluteunderdog), an ex-boyfriend for whom the protagonist still has feelings, who's also a sad rich boy who "could have been a better person if it weren't for his circumstances", a sick little sister who needs saving and an abusive father. It was all there.
For me, it was a bit much and made most of the book a little predicable. And I found that the book took place sometimes too much outside of the ring. I would have liked even more horse racing.
On the other hand, I had quite a busy week and I don't know if I would've been able to keep up with a more complex read. At times, it was nice to just listen to an easy story that wasn't confusing or dense but simply fun. The characters are compelling, the story easy to follow, the pay-off good. And I think the theme of colonialism was well executed, even if the world as a whole could have done with more information.
And as I'm not the target audience, I don't think this book has that much too fear in terms of reception. Sure, it's a "safe" book, but the industry needs those as well as the experimental, weird ones.