Monsters Born and Made

 

My Thoughts:

Although this novel has a lot of potential to be very exciting, culturally relevant and a good non-white fantasy book, I was very disappointed at the end. I kept re-reading the end thinking that I must have read too fast and missed something crucial, but that did not help. Reading other reviews, I realize that I am not the only one that plowed through and left with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I have a copy of the book if anyone wants it. Despite what seems to be a bad review, I think there is potential. The creation of the beast, in this case, the maristags, is very similar to Beast Player. The question, like Beast Player, is about humane treatment of animals. In both novels, the humans seem more beastly in actions towards each other than the beasts. That is what makes this intriguing. I still recommend this as a non-white fantasy. Perhaps start with Beast Player first.

From the Publisher:

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 competitors―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. As 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.

Publication Information:

Author: Tanvi Berwah

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (August 1, 2023)

Paperback: 352 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1728268842

Grade level: 8-12