Book: Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
Read From: 30th October - 3rd November 2021
Rating: 3/5 stars
Summary: In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace transfers to her school and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
This book was SO much fun. It’s blurbed as ‘a love letter to fan fiction’ and I couldn’t agree more. Although we don’t get much first-hand of the ‘fan fiction’ aspect, it still plays a central role and the book very much emphasises the comfort a lot of us find in online worlds and communities, particularly when there is a mutual interest. Presumably if you’re reading this review, you’re a part of the book community and so that is an aspect of this book that will definitely resonate with you.
I loved the mixed-media in this book, it felt like Monstrous Sea was a real comic! It’s essentially a story within a story, although Monstrous Sea inevitably isn’t AS developed as the overall storyline, I still think that it worked very well. Both Eliza and Her Monsters and the comic generally had a very interesting and gripping storyline. It’s been a while since I read a YA contemporary and I forgot how easy and fun they are to get through. The comic was fantasy too, so it was great to have a mix between the two genres (and of course, accompanied by the most gorgeous illustrations).
Eliza and Wallace were brilliant characters. I loved Eliza's journey, it was relatable and it almost felt nostalgic (come on, I know we all know the feeling of pining over a new crush and how frustrating it is when parents don't 'get' online friendships). Wallace was just the sweetest character and I wanted nothing more than to squeeze him. Although, I couldn't shake how his actions towards the end of the book seemed so out of character. Regardless, the discussions of social anxiety (which both characters struggle with) were really well done and were approached with a lot of sensitivity, understanding and care throughout which was something I really appreciated.
This isn't the slimmest book but nonetheless, it was a quick and easy read that I absolutely devoured (especially considering how busy life was for me at the time). This book will be particularly poignant for creators but also anyone who has previously or still is a part of an online community (whether this is a specific fandom or a more general shared interest). It demonstrates the importance of friendships both on and off line and is overall a brilliant read. It's not one I would ever personally revisit but I'm super glad I read it, I can't wait to see what Zappia writes in the future, I think it's definitely a name in YA to watch out for.