Another dystopia/trail type book that I have been adding to my lists lately.

I definitely have a sub genre that I have clung to. And this would be it haha.

I really enjoyed the more raw edge and brutal world of thisnonw though. It leaned so hard into the classic aspect of the world. And liking politics or not. This was one that makes you pause and consider things in our own world as long as this fantasy one.

And I enjoy books that can keep the fantasy going but make me think about other things too without just giving me real life in my fantasy book. Of that makes sense haha.

It was well written and created an interesting and unique world

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I do not normally read the premise or plot summaries of books before reading the actual book, but I did read this one and I was immediately interested. This is the story of Koral, who hunts sea monsters in order to make a living and survive on their island. Koral is thrust into a competition and forced to compete for money against high-born competitors so she can help her ill sister. There are a lot of classic YA fantasy elements in this book and I think that they mostly work in this book! There's some South Asian inspired elements as well, which I absolutely loved. This book is definitely fast paced. I read it so fast! I read this while on a family vacation was certainly interested enough to keep reading at any chance I got. The one thing I did want more of was the world building. There were a few times that I was a little confused and had to reread certain sections to make sure I was getting everything. Also would have liked to see more development from Koral. I liked her as the main character overall, but was hoping for more depth there. I did enjoy reading this book though. I thought it was a good YA fantasy and I am definitely looking forward to reading more from the author!

I DNFed about 25% of the way in. It was just not engaging, and the writing was a bit basic. It felt a bit amateurish. I understand the audience is YA, but it could have been more complex.

I absolutely LOVE this book and cannot recommend it enough. I've seen it described as The Hunger Games meets the Scorpio Races and that description couldn't be more perfect. Monsters Born and Made lives up to all of its hype.

Koral is one of my favorite protagonists ever--she's fierce and determined and I found myself rooting for her from page one. Dorian is an amazing character too and I ship him and Koral SO HARD. I also loved the dynamics between Koral and her family.

AND THE WORLD BUILDING. The world that Tanvi created is so vivid and compelling, I couldn't stop reading once I started. I'm really hoping for a book 2 that delves even deeper into this setting because I loved it SO much. I'm obsessed with Maristags and the other monstrous creatures in this book. They're seriously the coolest and unlike anything I've ever read (in the best way!).

A young adult mythology based fantasy with sea monsters, dystopian world, a hunger games type race, and friends to lovers type relationship. Good ideas, maybe needs a bit more editing to make it flow better?

I- I am FREAKING SPEECHLESS, LIKE HOW-WHEN-WHAT THE HOLY TRECKING BAKED BLOODY SHREDDED, DRAGON INFESTED PURGATORY JUST HAPPENED-

I need time to come to terms with these messed up feelings.
....
And I'm back.

How is it even possible that this book shook me to the CORE OF MY VERY BEING and left me for dead at the side of the road???? How??? I'll tell you, because yes. '

The characters? Were amazing, surprisingly didn't get on my nerves (just kidding, I loved them like I love donuts, completely and obsessively) and gave me everything I could ever ask of a character.

a.) A personality (I know, these days, it's very difficult for amazing characters to have equally amazing personalities, however, this book made it WORK)
b.) A backstory (You don't know how much I really love this)
c.) And the side characters were also good!

Speaking of 'good' but not great, we have the comparison with the Hunger Games. I feel like the energy was present, but the outcome was less than. The plot had the possibility to be magnificent but, even though I didn't love it, it was better than expected. And the writing made for it! The descriptions made me visualize everything without overwhelming me, which I enjoyed greatly.

Overall, a very nice read for the mood of action-packed, monster-filled, fast-paced bonanza! If you're looking for a quick yet indulging read for easy fantasy readers? I think this might be your cup of tea.

Found this book a little confusing, it felt like it was trying to be a lot all at once. The idea behind it is good, however I think it’s just a bit all over the place which made it hard for me to get fully into.

Such a gripping read. I loved The Hunger Games vibes and the high-stakes story. It really kept me reading!

This book was very interesting. It almost reminded me too much of the scoriop races mixed with the hunger games. I think that I didn't find this very unique and the plot was a bit slow to get through. I found my interest lagging although it has an interesting premise.

This one held so much promise, and I was drawn in by the Hunger Games blurb. That said this book feels like an amalgamation of a few different YA fantasy/dystopian stories and while not inherently bad, just not as original as you’d hope it to be. I did love the monster world that parallels the caste system in India and those south Asian influences within the story!

Overall it’s enjoyable to read and does end in such a way I’m tempted to continue on in the series. I’d definitely recommend this to some younger readers I know, but older readers may find it too similar to other books and predictable.

A pulse-pounding test of determination and rebellion unfolds in a truly distinctive world inhabited by awe-inspiring creatures.

In the realm of Sollonia, where a privileged elite of Landers holds sway, Koral Hunter and her brother Emrik toil as Maristag hunters, belonging to the lower-caste Renters. Despite being the sole hunters on their island, their earnings fall short, leaving them mired in debt, particularly due to their younger sister’s constant need for medication. Faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage to alleviate their family’s financial burden, Koral takes a daring leap and enrolls in the unprecedented Glory Race—a competition no Renter has ever dared to enter. Against overwhelming odds, Koral secures her spot in the race, drawing upon her skills as a lifelong Maristag hunter to gain an advantage in this perilous contest.

Even though the story was a tad predictable but still overall it was an engaging and enjoyable tale nonetheless.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A great fantasy book . Definitely recommended to fantasy readers . I liked the author writing style . Would love to read other books of the author.
The title and the cover made me pick up the book

I have mixed feelings about this book. I read this book as well as listened to the audiobook of it, and if I had just stuck to reading it, I think I would’ve enjoyed it much more and stuck with it. The narrator was not enjoyable at all to me, and ended up ruining the book. I couldn’t finish it unfortunately. One day I do think I’ll go back and try it again, just without the audiobook.

I can definitely see the logic in the comparative titles for this being HUNGER GAMES and FABLE. If you loved either of those I 100% recommend Monsters Born And Made! What an adventure. Koral lives in this rough, deadly world catching and training vicious sea creatures for the upper class's sport and Glory Games. There were times that I marvelled at her character's ability to get through a situation. Berwah has really instilled the desperate sense of a divided world and THAT CLIFFHANGER. I gasped at the lengths some of the characters would go to to keep the status quo from changing. Overall, an incredibly rich, visual and gritty world that I could definitely see being a movie and a cast of characters you want to fight for.

I found this book to be very enjoyable. It was quite predictable but that did not take away from the fact that I liked it. I think the water creatures are a special element and I like the dome/chariot race aspect.
It did feel reminiscent of Hunger Games, but I can imagine it hard not to make comparisons when HG has had a large cultural impact.

Monsters Born and Made follows Koral as she throws herself into a deadly magical competition and dangerous political schemes.

Koral was a passionate main character whose ambition was the main driving force of the plot. The second chance romance was a nice touch, but I would have liked to see more development on all fronts. I felt like Koral's character got lost in the intensity of competition, and as this book was written in first person, it was hard to keep track of the political aspects as a result.

I'd recommend this book to fans of the Hunger Games and These Violent Delights.

Monsters born and Made by Tanvi Berwah is a riveting story that bewitched me from the start. Berwah's intricate storytelling and well-developed characters create a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature. While the pacing occasionally falters, the thought-provoking themes and moral dilemmas posed by the book make it a such a captivating read that has your heart falter. This was a very thought-provoking read.

Thanks to Tanvi Berwah and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this debut novel through Netgalley! It doesn’t affect my review in any way.

Koral of Sollonia is a Hunter of Maristags. And her family of Hunters have always held the official title of capturing such beautiful and deadly creatures for the Glory Race, which is only held every four years. But to unforeseen events, Koral and her older brother Emrik have failed to catch one in time for the 150th event. And in an extremely oppressive, elite society, the odds are always stacked against the poor. So that’s when Koral decides to participate in this year’s race. This book promises an exhilarating story of rallying against oppression and prejudice and what it means to survive despite all setbacks.

This book is set in a dystopian society created based off of South Asian foklore. I liked the author’s fast-paced writing with the little element of romance between Koral and Dorian. I applaud how realistically Monsters Born and Made tackles social injustice against the underclasses and how the hatred and discrimination by people with wealth and privilege can power a government to incur unjust authority. And this is experienced by everyone, especially minority communities around the world and I really like how Tanvi Berwah navigates her writing in this standalone. The best I could give this book would be my current rating of 3 ⭐️ simply because I didn’t enjoy it enough. It was inevitably left to the reader’s interpretation on how they think the story truly concludes, but I believe there should’ve been more to Koral and Stormgold’s end.

Monsters Born and Made is a competition-style dystopian book. It has an enjoyable plot even if, at times, it may seem predictable. But isn't it that way with a lot of these books? Overall, I found it a good read and was pleasantly surprised.