Series Info/Source: This story is meant to be part of a larger series of stories set in this world, however I was unable to find out how many books are planned. I got a copy of this through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: I really struggled with the first third or so of this book, the writing just flowed so awkwardly for me. However, as I got farther along I was more drawn in to Koral and her story. People who are comparing this to Hunger Games but with chariots and sea monsters are right on the mark. It has the feel of a fan-fiction Hunger Games off-shoot.

The story features Koral who along with her brother, Emrik, hunts the dangerous maristags. Their family breeds the maristags so that they can be used in the Glory Race, a deadly chariot tournament normally raced by the upper class. Due to various circumstances Koral applies to race in the Glory Race and is allowed. The majority of the story is about both her training and competing in the Glory Race and about a rebellion that is going on in the background.

As mentioned above, this whole story felt a bit simple, overdone, and off. Yes, there are some good action scenes and yes, the maristags are interesting. However, I never really engaged with the characters. Koral is meant to be rebellious and tough, but she comes off more as a victim of the circumstances around her. The characters never really grow, Koral is naive and taken advantage of constantly. The bond Koral suddenly forms with her maristag felt forced and sudden.

I did finish this, there's a lot of action and it was an easy enough read. However, I wasn't really sold on the writing style, the characters, the world, or the overall story. It all felt a bit hollow and immature to me. Again, more like fan-fiction than an actual stand alone book.

My Summary (3/5): Overall this was okay but not great. I did finish it, but I had some trouble getting into the story and felt like the writing didn't flow well. Everything about this feels simple and unfinished. The world feels incomplete, the characters don't grow and are hard to relate to, and the story feels like something you've read a million times before. I won't be picking up any books by Berwah in the future.

Emrik and his sixteen-year-old sister Koral risk life and limb to capture the maristags that live in the black seas around their island. These creatures are used by the ruling Landers in the Glory Race, a deadly chariot race that provides gold and glory for the winner. But when the last maristag of the year escapes, the family finances become even more precarious. Unable to afford medicine for her chronically ill little sister, Koral's only chance to save her family is to enter the Glory Race. Higher castes don't tolerate that, and it becomes more and more difficult for Koral. Ultimately, she must choose which life matters more, hers or her sister's.

Based on South Asian folklore, this book is billed as a combination of "The Hunger Games" and "Fable." Those were great books pitting a young woman against a cruel and corrupt elite determined to keep the status quo in place. Here, people landed on an archipelago within a massive sea populated with fierce creatures that tear humans apart in minutes. The maristags can't truly be tamed, so racing them is incredibly dangerous and deadly. At every turn, Koral's faced with trials: her brother's injury, in the beginning, showcases how little the Renters like her family, her father's quiet disdain and casual emotional abuse, poverty, the rebels, the black market trades, and the dangers of living aboveground with a blazing hot sun and swarming creatures that kill. One of Koral's competitors is a boy she knew when younger, a Lander's son she felt sorry for when his own father was emotionally abusive too. That tenuous connection tightens and frays off and on throughout the novel; he's attractive, privileged, warns her away from the dangers, and saves her life even so. Koral only wants the gold as a prize to help her family, but everyone else wants the prestige.

I was drawn into Koral's life from the beginning. She's angry, with a lot to fight for and against. The world runs on trauma and abuse of power so everyone struggles and is caught up in the same cycle of trauma, revisiting it on the next generation. Even rebel forces find someone to look down on and ostracized the Hunter family just as they're ostracized by Landers. Despite that pain, Koral still has love and hope for the future, even if her hopes are just getting by. I love her determination, that she refuses to let others' views of her change how she sees herself or what she values. She values her family, her ingenuity, and the community that supports her. The rest is extra, and she's learned this at a very young age. I also really enjoy the monsters in the book and the details of each race of the tournament. The intensity of each one makes it so visceral as if we're right there with Koral.

This is a dystopian fantasy story, the idea overall seemed promising, however I felt it a bit flat, the plot could've been fantastic if the world-building and characters was a bit stronger and better developed. However, it was entertaining after the slow start. I hope the next book brings more into the story and is better developed. The idea of marketing like other more famous dystopian and fantasy books is understandable, but I think the mythology the author wrote is a better way to make this unique and drag more readers, it's refreshing and original. If the author could get a few fixes into this story in the following book I think it would bring more readers.

Koral is desperate for money to pay for her sick sister’s medicine and pay off her family’s debts, so she enters the Glory Race—a tournament where charioteers race using deadly sea monsters called Maristags.

However, not only does she have to watch out for the competitors but things get even more dangerous as rebellion spreads throughout the island.

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah offers readers with a high stakes race along the lines of the Scorpio Races. Although instead of kelpies, here we have venomous ocean deer that walk on their hind legs.

At first, I was pulled into reading this book based on its cool premise.

However, I think what bugged me most about the book was its lack of worldbuilding. The blurb markets this book as being south-Asian inspired, but I feel that the world pulls a lot more from Greek mythology instead with charioteers, gorgons, and explicit references to Helios and Icarus, which also raises a lot of questions.

Is this an alternate future set on Earth? Are these islands where Greece used to be and if not, why did the islanders adopt ancient Grecian beliefs and customs out of all the world’s cultures? We’re told that there’s a super ocean now, but not how the world flooded. There’s not much of an explanation for the world’s history and how things got to the way they are now, which, for me, kind of defeats the purpose of writing a dystopian novel to begin with.

All in all, parts of the racing sequences are entertaining, but I feel like this book needed to have spent more time in developmental editing because it’s worldbuilding needs a lot more fleshing out.

Sixteen-year-old Koral and her older brother Emrik risk their lives each day to capture the maristags that the ruling class demand so that they can have their races. When the siblings don't catch one, their family's fortunes take a turn for the worse and Koral must do the unthinkable to save her deathly ill sister. Can she survive and save her sister?

Set in a dystopian oceanic world where a caste system relegates a large portion of the population to suffer to survive under the glaring heat of the sun, Monsters Born and Made is at its heart a tale of humanities fight for survival and struggles with greed and dominance. Koral has been force to hunt sea creatures throughout her adolescence and when her family's circumstances look even more hopeless than usual she makes a drastic decision to cheat her way into a Hunger Games style race seemingly reserved for the upper classes. Koral is feisty, loyal and fiercely protective of her family and it's a delight to inhabit her perspective throughout the novel. Tanvi Berwah's writing is engaging and it felt like Koral was recounting what happened directly into my brain. I loved every page and sincerely hope to see what happens next in this world.

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. I am leaving this honest review of my own will.

I had no problems reading this in one night!

I was initially interested in this book because of its beautiful cover. I loved the colours, the title was intriguing too, and when I read the synopsis, it sounded interesting.

Then I started reading it and it reminded me a bit of the film Sea east on Netflix, except that they don't kill the monsters. Instead, they capture them to breed them and then race them in this super important race. Sounds pretty epic if you ask me.

I also really like the characters. They're well written and each seem to be their own person, with different personalities. You can just tell they're dynamic each in their own ways.

Overall, this book is a good time and I would recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

happy release day! and thank you for netgalley for sending me this arc! (and i apologize the review is so late)

it is with a sad heart i give this a 2.5/5 stars because i wanted to like this book SO BAD. unfortunately, this book is not for me it seems. the writing was clunky and the worldbuilding felt very disconnected. i don't understand a lot of the plot of this book and ESPECIALLY the ending because it leaves a lot of questions? and not in a good way? the author clearly wanted to cover a lot in this book and it shows like not some of the HYPED UP action scenes were paced weird so it felt like there was no buildup and thus, i did not feel very anticipated to read what happened next. the relationships were also very lackluster especially between the love interest and our mc. you're told of their seemingly romantic past but it is never truly shown which made it hard to believe the history or the chemistry that was supposedly there. the family dynamics were written fine..but there is no satisfying conclusion to anything and that's just upsetting. it was a very weird mix of telling not showing AS well as showing not telling in places where the other was necessary. while there were definitely scenes that i enjoyed, it's just not enough for me to enjoy this book.

storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/d8615ede-9625-443c-9ac5-b520d5da9083

goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4405710739?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

How best to describe Monster Born and Made? I’d say it’s the Hunger Games meets Ben-Hur in a wildly imaginative and original world. I knew I was going to love this one from the opening chapter where we are introduced to Koral and her brother as they head out into the ocean to attempt to capture wild maristags to breed for the Glory Race: an annual chariot tournament held by the upper class. When Koral and her brother fail, the future of her family, especially her sick younger sister, is at risk and Koral must do whatever it takes to ensure their survival. Tanvi Berwah does an amazing job with the world building: crafting a multi-tiered society, showcasing the struggles of the oppressed. The actions, the politics, the world building, I loved it all. The only problem? It ends…and now I’ll have to wait for the sequel! Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Monster Born and Made.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R139D6ODRB4DHB/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

With comps like Hunger Games and Scorpio Races, I was already so READY for this book and it did not disappoint. With commentary on the caste system and a slow burn romance I DIED FOR, it was hard to put this one down!! I loved Koral & Dorian so much and NEED more of this story asap!! (Also the maristags???!!! Need I say more?)

🌟 Happy Publication Day to Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah 🌟

Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: 3.75/5

This is Tanvis debut novel and the cover and interior is stunning. The book starts out strong and grips you immediately. It was a quick and easy YA read. I am so sure that many young readers will love this story of strength, family and redemption.

For me, at times it felt like it could have almost fit in a middle grade genre. Or I'm just spoiled by my adult fantasy books and need to stick to my lane. 😂

I also really need character ARCs to help pull everything together and make the story mean something to me. And I felt this was missing in MBAM. The whole story felt a little one noted and it fell flat. I was also disappointed because I needed more South Asian inspiration for the book to be advertised as such!

I read both the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job!

I will definitely give future works by this author a shot!♥️

#monstersbornandmade
#tanviberwah #yafantasybooks #yafantasy #youngadultbooks #bookishcommunity #bookstagram #audiobook #fairyloot #illumicrate #bookishbox #bookreview #momswhoread #readersofinstagram

4.5 Stars

Monsters Born and Made has definite Hunger Games vibes. From the actual Glory Race to daily life, you’ll definitely see similarities. And yet, author Tanvi Berwah’s creation feels unique. Berwah grew up in India and her fictional world draws from that. Her mix of the familiar with the fantastical — particularly the monstrous sea creatures — creates a time and place that at once feels plausible while remaining strange and dangerous.

At the center of the story is Koral, a teenager who lives between two worlds — she’s not quite the lowest caste, nor is she part of the elite. She’s balancing a fine line and one step the wrong way could destroy all she loves forever. Koral is the type of character you want to root for — smart, determined, flawed… Her supporting characters are also strong, but my favorite interactions are those between Koral and her maristag.

Monsters Born and Made is full of action, mystery and adventure. Much like the Hunger Games series, there’s violence and gore. Nothing is overly graphic, but it’s something to keep in mind. The book is fast-moving, and the ending has a great gut-punch. The book stands alone, but it would be a great first novel in a duology or trilogy.

Overall, this book was good. I enjoyed it and found the premise exciting. The world definitely has potential but it did feel underdeveloped.

I assume some of my confusion throughout the book is due to lack of familiarity with South Asian mythology. There were so many different plots going on at the same time that nothing got the chance to be fully explored.

If there is a sequel, I would definitely pick it up in hopes that my 1000 questions got answered.

eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Man, I really wanted to like this more than I did. I had high hopes, but alas I spent a lot of the time just waiting for the story to reach its conclusion.

I think this book was trying to be a mix of The Hunger Games and The Scorpio Races, however, it failed to capture the magic of either.

I went into this thinking we'd get a strong South Asian-inspired fantasy willed with monsters, but quite a few times I was confused as to what mythology the story was pulling from. The story made multiple references to the tale of Icarus, which is Greek mythology. So I was left feeling a bit confused.

I was also not clear on what criteria the societal divisions are made. Dorian, the main love interest, was described as classically handsome, with red hair and I believe fair skin. Whereas Koral and her family are dark-skinned and partly tattooed. So I thought we were dealing with a caste system where the people of color were being oppressed. But then Koral comments multiple times on the fact that the Landmaster wears a sari. A distinctly Indian garment. And since I can't recall a description of her I don't know if she's supposed to be Indian or just appropriating the clothing.

Basically, this book is like if someone gave you all the ingredients to make a cake. The only problem is that they don't give you the order in which to do anything or any proportions to use. So you're winging it, trying to make the best of the chaos but sadly you wind up with a cake that is dense in some places, raw in others and has clumps. While a few pieces do turn out fine, overall it isn't a successful cake.

If only I’d finished my ARC further ahead of time I probably would’ve saved myself some money and skipped on buying the hardcover alas live and learn 🤷🏻‍♀️

MONSTERS BORN AND MADE is a richly told story of sisterly love, rebellion, and perseverance, with Koral bravely defying her parents, the Landers, and the status quo to join the upper-class Glory Races in a bid to save her ill sister and free her family from crushing debt.

There’s some really great world-building in MONSTERS. The sea creatures are the stuff of nightmares (eww aquabats). Even the coveted maristags that pull the chariots in the Glory Races are rather frightening—some sort of fish-lizard-stag amalgamation that can shoot poisonous barbs from its neck.

Throughout the novel, I couldn’t quite figure out who were the greater monsters—the blood-thirsty creatures in the sea or the Landers who subjugate the Renters. The Renter neighborhoods are poetically situated between the water and the Lander’s mountain dwelling, so they are literally surrounded on all sides by those who seek to destroy them, especially when the aquabats take to the air.

The races themselves are nail-bitters, on par with Hunger Games-style competitions. They’re definitely not a straight dash from start to finish.

If you like fast-paced, action-packed novels, enemies to lovers, class warfare, and sea monsters, then you will love this book!

I received a free e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Monsters Born and Made was a really cool book and I enjoyed the dystopian feel of the story! It felt like a dystopian version of chariot racing and I enjoyed the danger and the mythical creatures quite a bit. There were times where the worldbuilding did get a little confusing but overall this was a really enjoyable read. It was adventurous but it also was empowering and I really loved how much of a strong main character Koral was. The only thing I really didn't enjoy about this story was how richly steeped in politics it was. That part of it gave the story a Hunger Games vibe that I didn't really enjoy within the storyline. Overall this is an exciting and action filled dystopian read that readers won't want to miss!

3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5) “Everyday people make choices that they think have no impact on their lives. But if you look right instead of left, you don’t know who you’ll meet and who you’ll miss. Choices can mark a turn in fate that we might never get back.”

To make a living, Koral and her brother Emrik fight and capture sea creatures. It’s been in their family for generations and is their only means of providing food and medicine to their family but especially their younger sister. When there is no money for medicine, Koral believes the only way is to win a tournament set only for high-born but with the maristags she knows so well.

“There’s only one Champion, and it has to be me.”

Right off, I loved the relationship between the siblings. Not only Koral and Emrik but how they care for their younger sister also. This was a huge basis of the story. As it continues, we see vast differences in the two classes of people. Medical care is not allowed to lower class and the higher class is allowed many luxuries. The inequality was striking and interesting to take in. While Koral sneaks into the tournament, it becomes evident that she has ulterior motives for winning and not just for her sister.

On the surface the book is exciting and unique but dig a little deeper and it’s apparent that more is needed; more backstory, more character development and more world building. I wanted more backstory of the rebels, Crane (the best friend), and the maristags. I felt there needed to be a previous deep connection with the maristag for it to be believable. Too much was chance. While Koral may have had experience with maristags, it wasn’t enough for me to believe the maristag’s actions toward her.

The end was left very open and I was left feeling very underwhelmed. I wanted to know what happened to multiple characters and felt the story was cut short.
.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted copy!

The book releases September 6, 2022.

Will Koral's actions help her family and friends or her actions destroy a lot more than her family?
I was intrigued by this book due to the cover, a BIPOC author and the description that this book has elements of South Asian mythology.
I liked the story for its world building. The characters backdrop however is another matter. Lot of the content is confusing and doesn't add up since the development of characters is a bit of hodge podge.
I do not like the comparisons of one book to another because it sets up over expectations and in turn spoils the new book. I think this might be the case for this book. For her debut, the author has done an amazing job and hopefully her second book will have more finesse. A map, glossary of characters and fantasy creatures would be helpful in my opinion.
⚠️Content warning: Abuse, lot of violence⚠️
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Monsters Born and Made
Author: Tanvi Berwah
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 4.2 out of 5

Sixteen-year-old Koral and her older brother Emrik risk their lives each day to capture the monstrous maristags that live in the black seas around their island. They have to, or else their family will starve.

In an oceanic world swarming with vicious beasts, the Landers―the ruling elite, have indentured Koral's family to provide the maristags for the Glory Race, a deadly chariot tournament reserved for the upper class. The winning contender receives gold and glory. The others―if they're lucky―survive.

When the last maristag of the year escapes and Koral has no new maristag to sell, her family's financial situation takes a turn for the worse and they can't afford medicine for her chronically ill little sister. Koral's only choice is to do what no one in the world has ever dared: cheat her way into the Glory Race.

But every step of the way is unpredictable as Koral races against contenders―including her ex-boyfriend―who have trained for this their whole lives and who have no intention of letting a low-caste girl steal their glory. When a rebellion rises and rogues attack Koral to try and force her to drop out, she must choose―her life or her sister's―before the whole island burns.

She grew up battling the monsters that live in the black seas, but it couldn't prepare her to face the cunning cruelty of the ruling elite.

I enjoyed this read a lot! The culture this is set in is very dark and depressing—basically hopeless—and Koral’s struggles to save her family were set amidst that darkness. Though dark, the culture is vividly portrayed, with hints at centuries of history that hide many secrets. Of course this story will draw Hungry Games comparisons because of its very nature, but I found it compelling in its own right.

Tanvi Berwah graduated from the university of Delhi. Monters Born and Made is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review.)