I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on September 6, 2022
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Young Adult Fiction / Animals / Mythical Creatures, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / General
Pages: 352
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley
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LIMITED PRINT RUN: EXCLUSIVE FIRST EDITION. The first printing includes an exclusive designed case! Available only while stock lasts.

*A Book Riot Must-Read South Asian Book of 2022*

*A BuzzFeed Highly Anticipated YA Book of Summer 2022*

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.

Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and These Violent Delights, this South Asian-inspired fantasy is a gripping debut about the power of the elite, the price of glory, and one girl's chance to change it all.

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.

Perfect for fans of:

• Dystopian Fantasy
• Sea Monsters
• Exes-to-Rivals-to-?
• Golden Boy x Pariah
• Deadly Competition
• Rebellion
• Angsty Teenagers
• Fans of Chloe Gong
• Female Friendship

Praise for Monsters Born and Made:

"An exhilarating race of willpower and defiance, set on an utterly unique world filled with glorious monsters." —Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow

"Monsters Born and Made takes well-beloved YA tropes and turns them on their heads, creating an action-packed rallying cry against oppression and a riveting tale of one girl's desperation to survive no matter the odds." —Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

Genre: YA Fantasy | Rating: ★★★☆☆

Themes: Monster Racing, Class Divide, Rebellion, Family Sacrifice

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ABOUT THE BOOK

In Monsters Born and Made, debut author Tanvi Berwah introduces readers to a dangerous world divided by power, class, and the sea. Every four years, the elite participate in deadly monster races using sea creatures caught and trained by the Hunters — a marginalized group trapped between privilege and poverty. When sixteen-year-old Koral, a Hunter, takes a desperate risk to enter the prestigious race in hopes of winning prize money to save her ailing sister, she sparks a conflict much larger than she ever imagined.

📚 Perfect for fans of: The Hunger Games, We Hunt the Flame, Seafire

🔗 Buy the book on Amazon (Affiliate link)

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THE STORY

Set on the storm-ravaged island of Sollonia, Monsters Born and Made blends high-stakes competition with survival. The story centers on Koral’s decision to defy societal norms and infiltrate the elite’s arena — not out of politics or revenge, but out of love for her family. Her actions draw the attention of the island’s rebellion faction, who wish to use her as a symbol against the ruling class.

Koral’s struggle captures the moral grayness of rebellion — she doesn’t want to be a hero, just a sister doing what she can. But this emotional focus sometimes narrows her perspective, leaving readers craving deeper world-building and more nuanced motivations.

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THE CHARACTERS

Koral is fierce and determined, but her tunnel vision and emotional impulsiveness can feel frustrating. She often overlooks the broader implications of her choices, which weakens the depth of her development. While some readers will empathize with her desperation, others might find her self-centeredness a little exhausting.

The supporting cast — particularly Koral’s ex-boyfriend — lacks the depth needed to make the romantic subplot feel earned. His presence feels more like a distraction than a necessary part of the narrative.

That said, the sea monsters — terrifying, majestic, and beautifully described — steal the show. They bring a unique pulse to the story that’s both immersive and adrenaline-filled.

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STEAMOMETER 🔥

Rating: 1/5 – Sweet and Subtle

Romance takes a backseat here. There are minor emotional beats between Koral and her ex, but the story is primarily focused on survival and family loyalty. A good pick for readers who prefer low-steam YA.

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OVERALL THOUGHTS

While Monsters Born and Made doesn’t revolutionize YA dystopian fantasy, it offers a thrilling concept with deadly sea monsters, family stakes, and a morally complex rebellion. The pacing is quick, and the action is tight, making it a decent pick for a weekend binge.

However, the book suffers from heavy comparisons to The Hunger Games. The familiar elements — deadly competition, a reluctant heroine, a corrupt elite — feel derivative at times. Additionally, the emotional stakes are often undermined by a main character whose choices don’t always align with the high risks around her.

Still, Tanvi Berwah’s writing shows promise, and younger YA readers especially may find this an engaging introduction to fantasy rebellion narratives.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanvi Berwah is an Indian author who crafts young adult stories filled with magic, monsters, and emotional grit. Monsters Born and Made is her debut novel, inspired by the belief that everyone — even the overlooked and the outcast — deserves to be seen as a hero.