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anigirl524's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
paige87's review against another edition
5.0
I love becoming completely immersed and invested in a story. I love character driven plotlines. And I love stories with happy endings and a little bit of angst throughout. This book had all of my favourite things. Plus romance. It was lovely. Left me with a smile on my face.
On top of that, it dealt with serious subject matter in a realistic way. It didn't focus too heavily on it, but it gave the serious themes the attention they needed. The story found a good balance.
I'm already sharing this book with all my friends. I really loved it.
On top of that, it dealt with serious subject matter in a realistic way. It didn't focus too heavily on it, but it gave the serious themes the attention they needed. The story found a good balance.
I'm already sharing this book with all my friends. I really loved it.
heidikundin's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars - this is the first Owl Crate book that I have really loved.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, particularly social anxiety, and spends much of her time working online, I found Eliza Mirk to be completely realistic and absolutely relatable. I'm actually going to direct you to Emily May's review of this one, because she says it much more eloquently than I can, and she nails it.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, particularly social anxiety, and spends much of her time working online, I found Eliza Mirk to be completely realistic and absolutely relatable. I'm actually going to direct you to Emily May's review of this one, because she says it much more eloquently than I can, and she nails it.
ckreads28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 out of 5 Stars: I probably would have loved this more if I would've read this younger. The closeness of a fandom and how it can bring you the best friends in the world even if they are at a distance. That they can be open and let you have your flaws.
The way the online conversations were formatted were everything and then some.
How words and art can make you feel seen and not alone. The reminder that you are valid and things are worth staying for.
The mental health rep with anxiety, depression, selective mutism, and not feeling shamed for it was everything in Eliza and Wallace.
The way Eliza's brothers stand up for her at the end and show her side of things. That they are proud of her and her talent but ready for her to do things at her own pace.
The theme that stuck with me though is you need to feed your creativity if you can't create in your chosen medium. Intake stories still, with books, movies, paint, try something new. Eventually your creativity may spark again.
The way the online conversations were formatted were everything and then some.
How words and art can make you feel seen and not alone. The reminder that you are valid and things are worth staying for.
The mental health rep with anxiety, depression, selective mutism, and not feeling shamed for it was everything in Eliza and Wallace.
The theme that stuck with me though is you need to feed your creativity if you can't create in your chosen medium. Intake stories still, with books, movies, paint, try something new. Eventually your creativity may spark again.
mybookscape's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I listened to the audiobook and I just don't think it works well via audio, I potentially need to re-read a physical copy as it seemed like a good book
sashapasha's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Bumped to 5 because the author actually drew the illustrations?? Crazy talented. And the story-within-the-story was intriguing and complex, very well done. Particularly liked the quotes, they really gave a sense of how special the world in the webcomic was. It was believable that it had a large fandom. Monstrous Sea reminded me a little of Unordinary on Webtoons, not at all in similarity of storyline, but in that it drew in a bunch of people who weren't already into webcomics and had a very large and rabid fanbase. I also particularly liked the concept for the Children of Hypnos, another story mentioned several times in the book, though not written by Eliza. I see the author has released it on wattpad, may check it out.
I liked this book a lot more than Made You Up.
Removed the half star because I felt like there was something missing from the ending/found it slightly unsatisfying. Still, the book was very enjoyable, devoured it in a day.
I liked this book a lot more than Made You Up.
Removed the half star because I felt like there was something missing from the ending/found it slightly unsatisfying. Still, the book was very enjoyable, devoured it in a day.
tbgr_l57l's review against another edition
4.75
4.75 stars for [b:Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056] by [a:Francesca Zappia|7009633|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1413677497p2/7009633.jpg]!
“Broken people don't hide from their monsters. Broken people let themselves be eaten.”
― Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters
I really enjoyed reading Eliza and Her Monsters. As I was reading, I felt as if my heart was being stretched out, not exactly in a bad way, but in a way wherein this book and it's characters made me fond of them as the page numbers grew, each of them making a place in my heart, and filling it with so much emotions.
Zappia's artistic approach and unique style and format kept me reading. I loved how she has written the novel in such a way that it is from the perspective of the main character, Eliza, who is a teenage girl struggling with two lives. Throughout the book, Eliza discovers that she is going through a tough time and has a few issues with herself and with mental illnesses. Since it is written on her perspective, readers will undoubtedly have a chance to understand what it is like to be in her shoes. Zappia made it possible for readers to feel just how real and serious most issues are. And for that, I will forever applaud to her, and aspire to be like her.
I absolutely loved the plot and the characters, I felt instantly connected to them. And ofcourse, I felt devastated when I finished the book, since I had to stop living in their world. I kind of wish the ending did not have to be so abrupt, quite frankly, I did not want this book to end, EVER.
Thank you, [a:Francesca Zappia|7009633|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1413677497p2/7009633.jpg], for not only writing a wonderful story, but for also spreading awareness on issues such as mental illnesses and suicide.
Thanks for reading. xx
“Broken people don't hide from their monsters. Broken people let themselves be eaten.”
― Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters
I really enjoyed reading Eliza and Her Monsters. As I was reading, I felt as if my heart was being stretched out, not exactly in a bad way, but in a way wherein this book and it's characters made me fond of them as the page numbers grew, each of them making a place in my heart, and filling it with so much emotions.
Zappia's artistic approach and unique style and format kept me reading. I loved how she has written the novel in such a way that it is from the perspective of the main character, Eliza, who is a teenage girl struggling with two lives. Throughout the book, Eliza discovers that she is going through a tough time and has a few issues with herself and with mental illnesses. Since it is written on her perspective, readers will undoubtedly have a chance to understand what it is like to be in her shoes. Zappia made it possible for readers to feel just how real and serious most issues are. And for that, I will forever applaud to her, and aspire to be like her.
I absolutely loved the plot and the characters, I felt instantly connected to them. And ofcourse, I felt devastated when I finished the book, since I had to stop living in their world. I kind of wish the ending did not have to be so abrupt, quite frankly, I did not want this book to end, EVER.
Thank you, [a:Francesca Zappia|7009633|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1413677497p2/7009633.jpg], for not only writing a wonderful story, but for also spreading awareness on issues such as mental illnesses and suicide.
Thanks for reading. xx
ciuli's review against another edition
4.0
Okay I need to be honest about this. I had read so many great reviews about this book and I was really excited to read it. however, once I started it it didn't really flick the switch for me. I have to say that it's not the books fault (hence the 4 stars), but simply because it really wasn't my cup of tea.
I loved the plot and the graphic novel that develops as a subplot, but I I just couldn't empathize with the characters and found some reactions to be a little bit too extreme imo. I am not talking about Eliza's anxiety, but about the way Wallace reacts once everything is out.
[spoiler..or maybe not idk] I would have liked for him to be a little more caring and understanding, because she was still a friend and a person he cared deeply about. he knows that she has no other friends she can lean on, and I was mad at his obliviousness towards her anxiety.
[end spoiler]
IMPORTANT: there is mention of anxiety, depression, panic attacks and suicide, so if this things are a trigger for you, I don't think it'd a suitable reading!
I loved the plot and the graphic novel that develops as a subplot, but I I just couldn't empathize with the characters and found some reactions to be a little bit too extreme imo. I am not talking about Eliza's anxiety, but about the way Wallace reacts once everything is out.
[spoiler..or maybe not idk] I would have liked for him to be a little more caring and understanding, because she was still a friend and a person he cared deeply about. he knows that she has no other friends she can lean on, and I was mad at his obliviousness towards her anxiety.
[end spoiler]
IMPORTANT: there is mention of anxiety, depression, panic attacks and suicide, so if this things are a trigger for you, I don't think it'd a suitable reading!
writermags's review against another edition
5.0
This is the geek book I've been waiting for.
A lot of "geek books" tend to feel exclusionary and pretentious, but Eliza and Her Monsters didn't. I was so happy, I spent the better part of two days devouring this book.Like a sea monster.
Some parts of the book were predictable: In other words, the "guns on the wall" were a little too obvious. That didn't make the story any less enjoyable though. I was really invested in Eliza as a character, and it was hard to put this book down.
Speaking of characters, I really loved all of them! Even Eliza's family, which often gets painted as antagonistic (it is in Eliza's POV). They were important to the story and involved in it, which I appreciated. I absolutely loved the chat conversations between Eliza, Max, and Emmy - they reminded me of my own dysfunctional group chats. Their banter was very enjoyable.
I have a lot more to say about this book, but I am a bit sleepy and so I'll wrap this up. Last words: This book handled internet culture so well, and I'd really love to read an actual Monstrous Sea webcomic.
A lot of "geek books" tend to feel exclusionary and pretentious, but Eliza and Her Monsters didn't. I was so happy, I spent the better part of two days devouring this book.
Some parts of the book were predictable:
Spoiler
I knew Wallace was rainmaker the minute we found out he wrote fanfiction, because Eliza had much such a big deal about who rainmaker was earlier, and that the Wellhouse Turn HAD to be important, because otherwise why talk about it so much?Speaking of characters, I really loved all of them! Even Eliza's family, which often gets painted as antagonistic (it is in Eliza's POV). They were important to the story and involved in it, which I appreciated. I absolutely loved the chat conversations between Eliza, Max, and Emmy - they reminded me of my own dysfunctional group chats. Their banter was very enjoyable.
I have a lot more to say about this book, but I am a bit sleepy and so I'll wrap this up. Last words: This book handled internet culture so well, and I'd really love to read an actual Monstrous Sea webcomic.