Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah

Publisher’s Summary

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 contenders―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. When 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.

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.

Full Review

Monsters Born and Made is a South Asian-inspired tale of resistance and sacrifice. Tanvi Berwah explores the lengths a person will go to protect their family while fighting against a broken, caste-based system. The world of Sollonia is vivid, centered on the terrifying maristags and the high-stakes Glory Race.

I enjoyed the book’s focus on Koral’s grit and determination, though I couldn’t help but notice several similarities to The Hunger Games. While the premise is exciting, I occasionally struggled to connect with the characters, and some of the visual descriptions of the action were difficult to follow. However, the book features a bold, eye-catching cover and will certainly appeal to fans of dystopian adventures who enjoy a fierce heroine who refuses to back down. The story effectively asks: who are the real monsters—the beasts in the sea, or the people who forge a cruel society?

🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections

• Social Studies (Class & Caste Systems): Use the book to discuss historical and contemporary caste systems or class struggles.

  • Activity Idea: Compare the Lander/Renter dynamic to the District/Capitol dynamic in The Hunger Games. How does controlled access to resources (like medicine) keep the lower class in power?

• ELA (Literary Tropes): Analyze the “Deadly Tournament” trope. Why is this such a popular framework for dystopian fiction? Discuss how Koral’s South Asian heritage influences her perspective compared to Western dystopian heroes.
• Science (Marine Biology & Chimeras): Explore the concept of “monsters” in nature.

  • Activity Idea: Research deep-sea gigantism and bioluminescence. Have students design their own “sea monster” based on actual evolutionary traits found in deep-ocean predators.

• Health (Chronic Illness & Advocacy): Koral enters the race specifically to afford medicine. Discuss the ethics of healthcare access and the pressure placed on family “caretakers” in underserved communities.