4.5 ★

oh my god this was so good just INSANE i loved this so much

thrilling, suspenseful, action-packed, unique- this was the perfect hunger games-inspired fantasy

the world building was for sure one of my favorite parts. somewhat dystopian, somewhat fantasy, set on the haunting seaside, filled with gorgeous mythical monsters- it was just really interesting and unique. it was so easy to get immersed into this world, and there are so many subtle details, like the little starfish lamps, that make it feel much more rich and real. it was so cool and i would be down for more stories set in the same world.

the characters were your pretty average YA leads. koral, the mc, was strong-willed, stubborn, and somewhat prickly, but had the softest heart for her little sister. I do wish she had more depth though, as I sometimes felt a little disconnected with her. I'm a sucker for animal relationships, so I loved watching her bond grow with her maristag. her brother, emrik, was slightly annoying and I didn't really like him all that much. the best friend, crane, was pretty fun- I just again wished we could've seen their friendship a bit more and gotten some more depth. ll the other side characters serve their purpose but overall, aren't very memorable.

the romance started off SO WELL omfg and I just wish there could've been more bc OHH MYY GODDD it was such a good angsty, swoon worthy, slowburn with so much tension and FKJDGNGBLFHJBV. it was lovers-to-enemies-to-somewhat lovers, with the knife-to-throat, jealousy while watching her dance with someone else, quick we have to "pretend" kiss to hide trope and MORE!!!! the tropes were honestly serving and we were getting fed. I really really really hope there's a second book bc I NEED more dorian and koral.

the action scenes and writing were done so well. the different races and challenges literally left my heart pounding and my eyes were glued to the screen. I could just so vividly imagine the arena, with all the wealthy, lavish landers sitting in the stands, cheering on the bloody, thrilling monsters and racers as they fought to the end. so so so good.

I am a little confused on the south asian influences on the story. the landmaster is described as wearing a sari, a few of the people's skin tone is described as being brown, and there was a casual mention of curry at the ball or party or something. but that's it? idk I guess I was just expecting a bit more in terms of how much representation would actually be given.

overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. with dystopian, hunger games inspired vibes, fascinating monsters, and an angsty lovers-to-enemies-to-maybe more romance, this will for sure be a hit. mark your calendars y'all SEPTEMBER 6 !!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive an arc in exchange for my honest review- all thoughts and opinions are my own!



Loved this one! Lots of action, lots of lore/mythological aspects. Great protagonist. I can’t wait to see what’s next from the author:

Thank you Net Galley and the Publisher for giving me a free ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Initially in the beginning of this book I was sucked in due to the world building and liked the direction the book was going in. However I found myself skimming a lot of the book and not enjoying it due to boring characters. I just didn't find myself that excited for this book the longer it went on. There were some really cool elements in this book I just could enjoy this book a lot due to that characters being not enjoyable to read about.

Told in a way that is reminiscent of Hunger Games, this novel takes our main character through challenges and trials meant to break her in the worst way. Support from her family is minimal, but she fights for them the entire time. The fantastical creatures in this story add their own level of suspense, and the plot keeps the reader turning pages as they need to know more. I finished this book in a day, and I will definitely be putting it on my classroom shelves, but I doubt it will stay there for long because I think many students will be waiting to read it!

Thank you to Sourcebookfire for providing me this e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, the cover is beautiful, and with the promise of a dystopian/fantasy setting, rivals-to-lovers subplot, to-the-death competition, overall I was very excited to read this book. Everything was great on paper, but in the facts, I am a little disappointed. Maybe it's because my expectations were too high but I feel like this book was just so underwhelming. It was fast-paced and easy to read, but I had a hard time staying focused or paying attention at all.

I liked the south-asian representation and the caste system, which I hear is still used in some countries. The author did a good job depicting the unfairness of their condition and the discrimination between Landers and Renters. The characterization was a little bland, but not terrible. Koral isn't a bad main character, she's strong and determined, and she would do anything for her family. Dorian wasn't as interesting as he could have been, and Emrik and Crane deserved more character development.

What I liked was the depiction of Koral's family, which is very realistic. The relationship between her parents, and between Koral and her dad and her mom, were all things I could somehow relate to and understand. Koral cares so much about her sister, Liria, and kept trying to save her during the whole book, which was adorable. The way their family was treated by the other Renters was interesting too. I liked Koral and Crane's dynamic and I love to see strong female friendships in books.

The politics, however, really weren't that good. I think it needed way more development. The plotting on Landmaster Minos' side was okay, and I liked the division within Freedom's Ark, but I feel like even that could have been done better. It wasn't elaborate enough, it was very simplistic, which just makes the stakes feel... not that high. We're told that the situation is serious but everything feels so dull that I got bored easily and wasn't even interested in knowing how it would end. It just wasn't intense enough.

The worldbuilding was a little confusing at times and could have been handled better. Honestly, if I try really hard, I can see the picture in my mind - an island, the ocean and the red sun, wild, terrible, great sea creatures emerging out of the water. It is beautiful, but in the book, it just felt bland. I don't think it did a good job describing it. Mainly, the descriptions and the atmosphere just weren't vivid enough.

The ending, with the outcome of the competition and Koral's fate, made sense to me, and it wasn't bad, but I feel like it didn't offer much resolution regarding the caste system and the whole society aspect of the book. It was left open but didn't make me want to know more about Koral's story, so if a second book comes out, I don't think I will read it. This really wasn't a bad book, it was just very dull, thus my 2 ½ rating.

I find the comparisons to The Hunger Games to be fair, inasmuch that both stories center around literal fights to the death, with many teenaged competitors and only one winner (possibly only one survivor, too). There are also similarities between the protagonists, with their strong family ties (doing this for my sister). However, I actually found the tone, pacing and general feel of this book more comparable to Red Queen.
The world building was fair. I particularly enjoyed the very many monsters, and how basically everything in this place is trying to kill them, but still they survive and ultimately thrive, too.
I feel the political intrigue/rebellion could have been expanded on, however I am not sure if this may be a series, in which case this may be explored further in subsequent books.
I didn't particularly connect with any of the characters, apart from Mama (the author could definitely do with exploring her backstory more!)
All in all a solid 3 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an eARC of Monsters Born an made in return for my honest review. When the description says The Hunger Games meets South-Asian inspired mythologies/history they weren’t joking… This book made me nostalgic for the dystopian fantasy novels I adored as a teenager. The storyline was interesting, unique and the last few chapters had me absolutely glued to the page. This book has everything… a strong female protagonist, complex relationships, fantasy, monsters and a hint of a love story. Overall this story is a great read and the authors descriptive narrative really brings the story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire for providing the ARC for my honest review.
This book was described as a the Hunger Games meets South-Asian inspired mythologies and history and I think that perfectly fit what this story was. I would also say it reminded me of The Red Queen at times too.
I loved the beautiful descriptions and details to South Asian culture. Like the little details of what how they lived to even the reasoning behind their tattoos. Then the creatures that are so prevalent in this story are like nothing I’ve ever seen or read before. They were so cool.
This book definitely had my heart racing at times or was deep in the feels during any Koral and Dorian scene or feeling every emotion during the last like 10% of the book.
The reason I gave it 4 instead 5 stars are more personal reasons. Like I felt like at times we were missing scenes between Koral and Crane or Koral and her brother that would better explain their relationship and give me more of connection with them. Not that I didn’t, I just think certain scenes would’ve hit harder if I had a couple extra scenes with these characters before. In general, I would have liked if the book was longer and we got a few more scenes in between. This also might sound super random, but I think would have liked it better if it was told in third person limited instead of first person, but random opinion from me. All this did not take away from the story being truly amazing.
I would definitely recommend this book to friend. Meanwhile, I’ll be over here impatiently waiting for book two.

In a nod to the dystopian fantasy novels I spent my youth loving, Monsters Born and Made occurs on a planet that is overcome by seas filled with frightening creatures. Koral Hunter, is living a day to day struggle to keep her family alive. A maristag hunter, she tries to keep her family above water even though they've fallen into debt and the life of her sick sister is hanging in the balance. When she and her brother Emrik miss out on the hunting opportunity, Koral is pushed to enlist in the Great Race, something that was exclusively for the upper class Landers. Pushed to survival, Koral has a chance to win it all and secure her family.

This book really had a bit of everything, a strong female protagonist, a deadly tournament, sea monsters, a brewing rebellion and a rigid but unfair caste system, they all add up to create an enjoyable read throughout. The Glory Race was unique in that its not a method of enjoyment by the upper class through the lives of the lower, but rather an elite competition. The take on the caste system by Tanvi Berwah plays into a breathtaking show of privilege, resource hoarding and inhumanity. The story pinpoints complex layers in how people will treat one another when there are those that live in a belief system that they deserve wealth and a better livelihood over others.

I quite enjoyed the entire story. The author did a fantastic job of world building and while I did find the ending predictable Berwah sets up an anticipation for what's to come next. I look forward to seeing what she does in future.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks again to Sourcebooks Fire.

Just wow!!! If you love dystopian novels filled with rebels, rival love interests and monsters, then this is the book for you! It’s such an action-packed story with amazing world build.

Growing up on a watery planet full of monsters of all kinds has made Koral a fighter. The hunter family have been maristag hunters and breeders for generations, they belong with neither the elite Lander class or the lowly Renter class. Then a bad encounter on the last day of the Maristag hunting season leaves koral with little choice but to sneak into the elite Glory Race if she wants to save her family from starvation. There she has the odds stacked against her as the landers push to get her out of the race, all while the rebels begin to plot behind the scenes.

I absolutely loved Koral with all my being. She is so fierce and determined, even when her own family and friends question the validity of her plans. Nothing can make her stop when she has family to save. And I cannot get enough of all the amazing monsters, and now I want my own Maristag.

This is a book that sucked me in and made me lose sleep!

An enjoyable read! A girl who will do anything to help her family finds a way to enter a race that will result in glory for the winner. Koral has been a hunter her whole life, hunting maristags, breeding them, and selling to the Landers who participate in the Glory Race. Hunters do not participate, an unwritten rule, which Koral will break. Many are not happy with Koral being selected to enter the Glory Race, and she faces trouble from Landers, rebels, and others. Koral knows she can win, but she needs help from her brother and her friend Crane. However, many have ulterior motives and Koral gets stuck in the middle. She even has to face the one who is expected to be the champion, a boy from her past, now an enemy. But Koral needs to get her own maristag ready, for she is years behind all those who have been training for this event, but she has something they do not; more knowledge about maristags, having captured them and raised them for Landers. Will it be enough for her to win, for most do not survive the Glory Race.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this exciting new novel. Unique in its world building, I was sucked in by the different creatures, the political intrigue, and the amazing cast of characters. Competitions in a fantasy world are my bread and butter. This was top of the line. The plot was well thought out, characters were well developed, and the story kept me turning pages to find out what could possibly happen next. There were some terrifying moments that have stuck with me since reading. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. This was everything I wanted and more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book started off super slow for me. It took me about a third of the way to really get into it. But…. I ended up absolutely loving this book. I love the characters. I love the plot. I love the creatures. I literally loved everything, well almost everything.

I will say that I do wish there was more background on some of the characters and more of an explanation on some things. It gets a bit confusing trying to understand something’s when you don’t know the backstory. I’m really hoping there is a second book to this because the way it ended, you just can’t leave us hanging that way.

This did give a hunger games vibes but in a different complete way. This is a fantastic read and if you love books about an underdog and sea creatures then I recommend you read this.

thank you to netgalley and sourcebooks fire for providing an arc exchange for an honest review.

i can definitely see why many people pitching it as a cross between the hunger games and the scorpio races, and monsters born and made definitely live up to the expectations.

koral is the kind of character that makes the reader work and places themselves in the protagonist’s shoes and rooting for her success. i like the social structure and how berwah weaves the critique of oppression, the current issues about caste systems and the corrupting power abuse all woven nicely with the worldbuilding and the deadly chariot tournament in this newly debut dystopian YA fantasy.

i’m totally in love with every lil process of the friendship building between koral and her maristag. they warm my heart. also dorian akayan. oh to have a lander ex bf who threatens to kill me every day but is willing to sacrifice himself fighting beside me against all monsters to make sure i make it out alive <3 (ok lol i’m done being corny) but anyway! i was hooked with the exes-to-rivals premise and i have every of their interaction highlighted. they were so much fun to read.

overall, monsters born and made is an exciting read for those who are looking for a thrilling and bloody oceanic fantasy adventure.

tw: violence, gore, parental abuse, domestic abuse, chronic illness and torture.

YA dystopian fantasy. Hard-willed female main character. Injustices between living classes. And a deadly sea monster race. Hopefully that will get you hooked!!

My luck with Netgalley's ARC broadens even more. I just can't believe that I'd stumble upon a debut ARC this freaking good. I'm sure as hell gonna shove this one down everyone's throat!!

Let's start with how much I love the name Koral, and how damn fitting it is to be given to a massive sea girl. The characterization of Koral blew me away. Her determination and sheer will to live despite her entire world keeps stomping on her🤯. The way that I could feel her agony through lines of a book is what convinces me that this author is going places.

The world building is probably my most favourite thing about this book. We're kind of just shoved into it, but page after page we just naturally pick up on it all and it's just so satisfying. The strain between the elite and the lower class, the looming tense from the rebels, the ruthless business of the maristags. These are what really drives the book forward.

I'm also a huge fan of all the maristag in action sequences. The race itself really was brought to life. My only complaint is I wish we have more backstory from Dorian. I kinda wanna know his side of the story, I feel like we're still scratching the surface when it comes to him and his family.

All in all it's been a great read. Ngl I wish this ends up being a series, I just can't get enough of Koral's savegeness!!

Ever since I laid my eyes on “Monsters Born and Made” and read the premise I was sure that this book was gonna be amazing. It was one of my most anticipated fantasy books of the year and it didn’t disappoint me at all.

The world building and the fantastic characters is what hooked me from the very first chapter. While reading all of the very detailed descriptions and learning more about the world in which this book is set it was so easy to forget about the one we live in and be totally absorbed by the story.

It’s not hard to see why this book is compared to The Hunger Games since there are a lot of very similar aspects like for example a set of teenagers competing for status and glory but the two books surely do have their major differences.

The one other thing I loved about this book are the characters, especially Koral, our protagonist. I loved every single thing that she did in this book and I’m ready to forgive her for all her mistakes. She is brave, loyal to her family and won’t stop at nothing to win the Glory Race and give them a better life. For her the race is about survival but for the elites it’s nothing more than entertainment and showing off. Tanvi Berwah did a great job at showing just how messed up and oppressive the caste system is.

Just like everyone else I was also mostly interested in seeing how the romance in this book was gonna play out and it was so satisfying. Even though the romance in this book is definitely a subplot it was just enough for me. Dorian and Koral start of as exes turned rivals and there was so much pent up pain and anger between them. The tension was immaculate.

I can’t wait to annotate this book sometime in the future because there were some really great quotes and moments that will forever live rent free in my head!

Also, I’m dying to learn more about the maristags because the moments between Koral and Stormgold were so wholesome and I just know there’s so much more to know.

In conclusion, “Monsters Born and Made” is the perfect fantasy book to read in the summer and I’m sure many people will enjoy it!

By far one of my favorite reads of the year! A ruthless main character that just wants to protect her family and care for her sister enters a tournament meant to change everything. And yet, the risk of losing everything comes with it. Berwah does a stunning job interweaving dynamic characters against a lush, seaside setting with glorious sea monsters

More of a 1.5 star rating. While I appreciated what this book was trying to do, I neither enjoyed the writing, nor the characters. Many of them felt hollow, the story felt oddly borrowed, and even the stakes lacked anything that I could grab hold of. While this certainly isn't a horrible story, and it is readable, it's not something I would ever want to come back to. There's promise here, but too much of it felt boring, overdone, and predictable in a bad way. I have high hopes for Tanvi Berwah in the future, but for now, this is a book I really didn't enjoy reading.

It is rare that I see a book live up to its comp titles. Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah is the perfect companion to The Scorpio Races and The Hunger Games, weaving both an immersive atmosphere and a high-stakes tournament where only the strong survive.

Koral comes from a family of renters on a deadly island where monsters roam the sea and sky. As her sister gets sicker and her family is threatened with losing what little status they have left, she cheats her way to join the Glory Race, a tournament that has competitors race on maristaggs, one of the most dangerous creatures on the island. But a lifetime of training these monsters cannot prepare her for what's inside the Dome and the fracturing socio-politics that threaten to devour everything.

Berwah draws on her South Asian background, grounding this dystopian fantasy with real and current issues about caste systems and abusive powers. Koral is more than just marginalized, she's isolated from a number of support systems, a community that could help her rise. This is, in my opinion, what many dystopian novels lack, characters who are truly outcasts who have no good choices left. Even the rebellion and rogues are shown in shades of gray, twisting on the usual YA tropes. It's rare that I've seen this kind of portrayal since The Hunger Games.

Monsters Born and Made is a book that needs a sequel. I want to see more of Dorian and Koral's relationship develop, what happens to her family, the mysteries of the world – please, Sourcebooks! This book got me through a heatwave in the city!

A copy was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

EXCERPT: "When considered as a whole, Tanvi Berwah’s debut novel Monsters Born and Made is an enjoyable and captivating ride. Broken down into parts, however, many aspects are confusing when it comes to the details and feel like engineered inclusions."

Full review published online at Asia Pacific Arts Magazine.