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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.
cozykbb's review against another edition
5.0
I already thought this book was going to be really good, but it was even better than I expected. Easily one of my new favorites.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
This was just...awesome. I loved this so much. I remember, when I first saw the cover and read what it was about, I was dying for there to be an audiobook and then, upon finding out there were illustrations and other such visual elements to it and that was why there would be no audiobook, I knew I had to get it, no question about it.
I'll say this and, while it might seem bitter, it's definitely the truth for me: Eliza and Her Monsters was to me what Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell was to many other people. While I disliked Fangirl because of how alike Cath and I were at the time, I loved Eliza for the exact same reason. Eliza is a person who feels the need and, to several extents, the obligation, to tell a story, but she feels trapped by her body, her mind, her life. I won't go into great detail, but that was how I felt for a while about my own monsters, my own stories, my own life up until the summer of last year, so I related on an incredibly deep level with Eliza.
With that darker part as a sort of foundation to this story, the levity that Eliza's relationship with Wallace brings to the story is not only a welcome thing, but it's also a beautiful thing. The way they meet, the way they communicate, the way their relationship forms...oh, it makes my heart feel like a tiny fragile thing. I absolutely adored every moment they spent together and that might be because it's the sort of relationship I hope to have one day.
This book moved me in ways I was unprepared for and I loved every minute of it. Even though it took me like two months to finish this book, I was thinking about it almost the whole time. It permeated the fiber my soul so completely and so easily it was truly something to behold.
My only (tiny) gripe is that I wish the art for the comic had been better. It never looked to me like something millions of people would love. A real-life webcomic I kept being reminded of while reading this was Ava's Demon by Michelle Czajkowski, which has, hands-down, the best art I've ever seen for a weekly comic like that and, because of that, I was hoping the fictional Monstrous Sea might have a similar visual clout to it. Unfortunately, it just didn't measure up to the way the prose described it to be, so that was a little disappointing.
Other than that, though, I loved every minute of this book and because of that and the way it resonated with me, I'll certainly be looking forward to whatever's next in Francesca Zappia's career from now on.
I'll say this and, while it might seem bitter, it's definitely the truth for me: Eliza and Her Monsters was to me what Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell was to many other people. While I disliked Fangirl because of how alike Cath and I were at the time, I loved Eliza for the exact same reason. Eliza is a person who feels the need and, to several extents, the obligation, to tell a story, but she feels trapped by her body, her mind, her life. I won't go into great detail, but that was how I felt for a while about my own monsters, my own stories, my own life up until the summer of last year, so I related on an incredibly deep level with Eliza.
With that darker part as a sort of foundation to this story, the levity that Eliza's relationship with Wallace brings to the story is not only a welcome thing, but it's also a beautiful thing. The way they meet, the way they communicate, the way their relationship forms...oh, it makes my heart feel like a tiny fragile thing. I absolutely adored every moment they spent together and that might be because it's the sort of relationship I hope to have one day.
Spoiler
At least, by the end, it's the sort of relationship I'd hope to have, not necessarily the sadder parts that come before.This book moved me in ways I was unprepared for and I loved every minute of it. Even though it took me like two months to finish this book, I was thinking about it almost the whole time. It permeated the fiber my soul so completely and so easily it was truly something to behold.
My only (tiny) gripe is that I wish the art for the comic had been better. It never looked to me like something millions of people would love. A real-life webcomic I kept being reminded of while reading this was Ava's Demon by Michelle Czajkowski, which has, hands-down, the best art I've ever seen for a weekly comic like that and, because of that, I was hoping the fictional Monstrous Sea might have a similar visual clout to it. Unfortunately, it just didn't measure up to the way the prose described it to be, so that was a little disappointing.
Other than that, though, I loved every minute of this book and because of that and the way it resonated with me, I'll certainly be looking forward to whatever's next in Francesca Zappia's career from now on.
hellobookbird's review against another edition
5.0
She drew so many monsters that she became a monster herself.
THIS BOOK IS MY PEOPLE.
Seriously. I am so thoroughly in love!
In the real world, Eliza Mirk is the epitome of introverted geek. She'd rather spend her time with her online friends and in her own fantasy world...a fantasy world where she happens to be known as LadyConstellation and has her own webcomic fanbase.
When Wallace Warland, Monstrous Sea’s biggest fanfiction writer, transfers to her school he's equally as introverted and socially awkward. As they bond over their love of Monstrous Sea, Wallace is slowly able to bring Eliza out of her shell...until Eliza's identity is accidentally shared with the world, and everything—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
Excuse me while I go into fangirl mode here.
[b: Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056] is perfect for anyone that's ever been obsessed with a movie or show, the introverted, the socially awkward, and those that suffer from social anxiety. It deals with the conundrum that is online vs offline life and how sometimes people that aren't our people just don't get that. Also geeks. Webcomics. Fandoms. Cosplay. Dealing with our inner monsters. It sprinkles the story with art, character background inserts, forum profiles, and all manner of other super awesome things (and I'm not talking one or two)! I JUST...THIS BOOK. I CAN'T EVEN.
I ship Eliza+Wallace so hard.
I found you in a constellation.
Their friendship to relationship develops gradually and is so well done. They both have lots of anxiety issues but, while that's present, their relationship concentrates more on art, fanfiction, and learning to trust another enough to become friends who share the same passion. For the both of them—and likely for a lot of readers that would love this book—the internet is the safe haven that brought them together.
The internet and online friendship love is strong.
I do have friends. Maybe they live hundreds of miles away from me, and maybe I can only talk to them through a screen, but they're still my friends. They don't just hold Monstrous Sea together. They hold me together.
Max and Emmy are the reason any of this exists.
When I was younger, I used to spend countless hours on the computer...to the point where my parents were frustrated that I didn't spend enough time in the "real world." What they don't get—and Eliza's parents don't get—is that the internet was a place to explore, where I could be as invisible or not as I wanted, and where I could find others like me. [b: Eliza and Her Monsters|31931941|Eliza and Her Monsters|Francesca Zappia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476994065s/31931941.jpg|52586056] really highlights how great, healthy, and varied these relationships can be. This here is a book that actually gets me.
It isn't all unicorns and rainbows.
There is a small monster in my brain that controls my doubt.
The doubt itself is a stupid thing, without sense or feeling, blind and straining at the end of a long chain. The monster, though, is smart. It’s always watching, and when I am completely sure of myself, it unchains the doubt and lets it run wild. Even when I know it’s coming, I can’t stop it.
When Eliza's identity becomes known, her whole world is turned inside out. Her anonymity and her webcomic—her safe haven—get stripped away. Her parents don't understand her, Wallace feels betrayed, and the pressure from her fan base becomes overwhelming.
It adds an emotional depth to an otherwise light-hearted book. It was thought-provoking and lent a more serious edge befitting the issues instead of glossing over—or even skipping—them entirely.
Recommended for everyone. Absolutely everyone.
lilo23's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 It was cute but I didn't understand the little comics about Monstrous Sea that were sprinkled around the book.
eponineeurydice's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book faster than I've ever finished a book before. And if you read it, you'll know why. No words could ever express all that this book entails, so I'll simply ask a question to start.
DID THIS AUTHOR BREAK INTO MY MIND, STEAL MY INNER DIALOGUE AND PUT IT TO WORDS TIMES A HUNDRED?
Because that's what it FELT like! Reading Eliza's journey felt so personal, so real, so tailored to my own experiences. From her parents, to her artistic mind, to her love of the Internet, to her social anxiety... everything about it was just so... beautiful. And it just felt like Eliza was myself, and somehow that was good because it made me connect to her so well. And maybe it wasn't even that she was like me. Maybe the author just had the power to make characters seem so real, so tangible that it felt like I'd known them all my life. And can we talk about that formatting?! I know, I know, I'm a teen and when I see something new and shiny like texts and forum posts inside a book, I'm filled with happiness. But it was so beautiful! And I'm sure if I could see the comics/illustrations, it would've been an even more magical experience. This book just did it for me in every way. To me it was a love letter to teens, artists, outcasts and people under an unfair amount of pressure throughout the world. Thank you so much, Eliza, for reminding me that no matter where you are, no matter what you do, you are worthy of love and belonging, and you are not alone.
DID THIS AUTHOR BREAK INTO MY MIND, STEAL MY INNER DIALOGUE AND PUT IT TO WORDS TIMES A HUNDRED?
Because that's what it FELT like! Reading Eliza's journey felt so personal, so real, so tailored to my own experiences. From her parents, to her artistic mind, to her love of the Internet, to her social anxiety... everything about it was just so... beautiful. And it just felt like Eliza was myself, and somehow that was good because it made me connect to her so well. And maybe it wasn't even that she was like me. Maybe the author just had the power to make characters seem so real, so tangible that it felt like I'd known them all my life. And can we talk about that formatting?! I know, I know, I'm a teen and when I see something new and shiny like texts and forum posts inside a book, I'm filled with happiness. But it was so beautiful! And I'm sure if I could see the comics/illustrations, it would've been an even more magical experience. This book just did it for me in every way. To me it was a love letter to teens, artists, outcasts and people under an unfair amount of pressure throughout the world. Thank you so much, Eliza, for reminding me that no matter where you are, no matter what you do, you are worthy of love and belonging, and you are not alone.
ephemeralrin's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
congressbaby143's review against another edition
4.0
It took me awhile to read this but I properly sat down today to finish all of it because even when I've been reading it for the span of two weeks, my interest for it has not waned. I think the best thing I like the most about it is that I could see how genuinely the author knows about fandom culture. There were a lot of parts where Eliza deals with her family that felt so relatable to me. Because I have been falling out with my mother and the emotions there were just to real, even the part where she sees black in frustration that no one in her family gets it. I love how it all worked out for them in the end. Even if it was too convenient, like the rest of the story... and too predictable. (And a bit instalovey) God I almost cringed when the whole morning news plot started happening because you kind of know where it was going from there, so that took away 1 star for me. But all in all, it was very fun to read. Also, who else feels like Eliza got a not-so-good therapist?
thebookishnerd24's review against another edition
5.0
Completely amazing! I was a bit sad of what Eliza’s parents did to Monstrous Sea, Eliza’s web comic, and the after math was a bit intense. But either way, I LOVED Eliza and Wallace together, and it’s such a great book!