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A review by itsmeyseniab
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I did it! I finally read this after years of it being on my mental TBR!
Here's the thing though... I do think that it is slightly overhyped.
The plot itself was mediocre to me. I got this "vibe" when I was just a few chapters into it. I appreciated how Francesca Zappia told both Eliza's story as well as her webcomic Monstrous Sea but I won't lie, the flipping between the two got a bit confusing at times. I still haven't fully grasped what happened in her webcomic. Obviously this is Eliza's story, but for as big of a role as Monstrous Sea played in her life I just wish the actual comic itself was fleshed out a bit more. Although it is a quick read, I felt as though the story was slow at times. The ending is what made it memorable to me (but only because it explicitly started discussing mental health).
I struggled to connect with Eliza as a character for the majority of the book. Wallace was another character that I couldn't really connect with either - I just didn't find him that memorable. Their relationship was cute, but I was left wanting a little bit more. I thought their dynamic of being the creator of Monstrous Sea and the biggest Monstrous Sea fanfiction writer respectively was interesting though.
Although I believe that this novel covered a lot of important topics, I think that the overall story was lacking at points. I can't speak on the representation of anxiety/panic attacks (as I am someone who has never personally experienced it), I do think that Zappia handled the topics of depression and suicidal thoughts in a very respectful way. I'm so glad that so many readers have connected with these characters and their stories - I just wish I loved it as much as everyone else seems to.
Here's the thing though... I do think that it is slightly overhyped.
The plot itself was mediocre to me. I got this "vibe" when I was just a few chapters into it. I appreciated how Francesca Zappia told both Eliza's story as well as her webcomic Monstrous Sea but I won't lie, the flipping between the two got a bit confusing at times. I still haven't fully grasped what happened in her webcomic. Obviously this is Eliza's story, but for as big of a role as Monstrous Sea played in her life I just wish the actual comic itself was fleshed out a bit more. Although it is a quick read, I felt as though the story was slow at times. The ending is what made it memorable to me (but only because it explicitly started discussing mental health).
I struggled to connect with Eliza as a character for the majority of the book. Wallace was another character that I couldn't really connect with either - I just didn't find him that memorable. Their relationship was cute, but I was left wanting a little bit more. I thought their dynamic of being the creator of Monstrous Sea and the biggest Monstrous Sea fanfiction writer respectively was interesting though.
Although I believe that this novel covered a lot of important topics, I think that the overall story was lacking at points. I can't speak on the representation of anxiety/panic attacks (as I am someone who has never personally experienced it), I do think that Zappia handled the topics of depression and suicidal thoughts in a very respectful way. I'm so glad that so many readers have connected with these characters and their stories - I just wish I loved it as much as everyone else seems to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide