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A review by wintertiger7
Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah
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