Eliza and Her Monsters

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 18, 2017

Review

Eliza Mirk is a high school student with a secret identity: she is also LadyConstellation, the creator of the amazingly famous webcomic, Monstrous Sea. During the school day, Eliza keeps her hood up and rarely ever talks at school. At night she interacts with friends online, but no one knows she is LadyConstellation. Eliza barely interacts with her younger brothers, because to her parents' chagrin, she spends hours holed up in her room with her online friends and creating new material for Monstrous Sea. Her life is turned upside down when the new kid, Wallace, walks into her homeroom. Wallace is a selective mute, a writer, and huge fan of Monstrous Sea. Eliza's time with Wallace forces her to confront her anxiety and begin to interact with people face-to face. This novel tackles the "monsters" of anxiety and introversion with care, while at the same time it celebrates the world of fanfiction, as it seamlessly transitions back and forth between Eliza's real world, her online chats, and work from Monstrous Sea (illustrations drawn by the author). Fans of Rainbow Rowell, will enjoy this book, as well as fanfiction writers and followers.

Overall Book Score: excellent