Yes, that’s right, continuing on from my theme the other day, I’m talking about yet another BRILLIANT book I read last month!
- I loved the premise! The story is basically a girl juggling her online life and her life in the real world. I related to this so much on a personal level- obviously not the successful webcomic part, but the online life… well, I think a lot of us bloggers will get that side of things instantly.
- I also appreciated the way her webcomic was blended subtly into the narrative. I really enjoy stories that blend real life and fiction in general- and this did that so well!
- Because the format was so great! I really appreciate unique story structures more and more, so I ended up thoroughly enjoying the cartoon inserts and the online conversations that broke up the text. I mean, the whole concept was pretty meta, but what elevated the book was how Zappia pulled it off. Cos of all that, I’m also ridiculously pleased that I got given the physical version of this!
- Plus, I related so much to the part about creating a story from scratch all the way to completion. I loved the line: “It was the story I wanted to tell”, because that’s what got me onto the path of writing in the first place. On top of that, there’s this wonderful letter at the end (no spoilers) which felt like a letter to all creative people. I genuinely think this book will speak to so many creative types and to fans of the arts- basically this was #relatable to all us nerdy folks.
- Speaking of relatable… oh gosh I got the social awkwardness. I really get the desire to “switch off”- because that’s how my brain works too.
- I also liked the romance and characterisation. Funnily enough, this was made even more evident by one aspect of the book that I didn’t like- the point when Wallace (the love interest) acted like a selfish dick- but I didn’t deduct bananas because it was realistic (unfortunately). So kudos for creating believable characters.
- I was also so invested that this hit me right in the *feels*. I squealed, I cried (twice), and I closed the book with the words “wow that was really good”. I LOVED it.
- Since there was a secretive element to the plot, it did make the story cooler and was provided plenty of funny moments too. It got more than a few chuckles out of me.
- And just in case this book was awesome enough, it also had the occasional literary nods, especially references to Faustus, which being the booknerd I am, really made me very happy.
- And gosh darn it- I loved how quotable it was:
“You found me in a constellation”
“Truth is the worst monster because it never really goes away.”
“Broken people don’t hide from monsters. Broken people let themselves be eaten.”
That’s why I had to give it all the bananas:
Rating: 5/5 bananas
Have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
This sounds really good!
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It was!!
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I was never much of an online person so to speak. Did not really care about social media or stuff like that, but ever since starting my blog, I have never been so busy online as right now. I love talking to other bloggers: it’s the best part about blogging as far as I am concerned 😊😊 So definitely think the premise is something bloggers can relate to: awesome review as always 😀😀
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Oh I’m the same- I could never get into facebook and I’m still lousy at twitter- but because of the blog I feel like a whole world has opened up to me too 😊 Talking to bloggers is the best!! 😊 It really was very relatable! 🙂 Thank you so much!
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Haven’t even read the post yet. Just had to come down here and FREAK OUT ABOUT THE HOOK GIF!!!!!
I loved that movie so much when I was little. SO. MUCH.
Okay, now I’ll go read the post. While humming the theme from Hook.
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Okay. Now I read the post.
I think I’ll have to get a physical copy of this one as well, in case the ebook doesn’t integrate all the awesomeness quite as well. Plus, I’m about due for a book with an interesting layout. And even if I wasn’t, it DID get all the bananas, after all! 🙂
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AHHH ANOTHER HOOK FAN!!! YAY!! I absolutely love that movie- and gosh yes that tune is actually my favourite John Williams (possibly my favourite movie soundtrack) hehehe thanks for your comment!! I’m glad to know there’s other hook fans out there!! It’s so underrated!
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It really, truly is. Definitely a classic score. It set an impossibly high bar for other Peter Pan movies. Plus, that star studded cast! It’s amazing.
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So true!! I always see that as my favourite adaptation of Peter Pan, because it captured the essence of the story, whilst not sticking slavishly to the plot. And that cast was perfect!!
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Right you are. Why it didn’t do so hot with the critics is completely beyond me. I think it’s brilliant. Plus, it was also Spielberg’s project right before Jurassic Park, my all time favorite film. That man was just on a roll of brilliance!
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Yeah I’ll never get that either- I always thought it was a great film. I’ve seen people criticising and picking apart so much of it and I *still* don’t get it. He was awesome (though *shock horror* I’ve never seen that- I really know I should though 😉 )
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OH MY GOODNESS. Are you serious?
You’ve never seen Jurassic Park?
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hahaha yes, deadly serious (I get that a lot) I dunno, just no one in my household was especially interested.
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Well, I don’t know how to put this gently, but your household must be full of crazies!
I have extra copies. I will send you one with a bag of popcorn. It. Is. The. Best. Movie. The crowning pinnacle of storytelling. Amazing. Brilliant. Perfect. Other superlatives and their synonyms.
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hehehehe well that’s certainly true 😂😂😂 But, and this makes it even funnier, is my mum’s actually a film buff. She’ll make me watch most films, even if I don’t want to 😉 I think she was just put off by the dinosaurs 😂😂 But I do want to see this cos it keeps cropping up. hehe I’m definitely convinced 😉
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Definitely see it. The later ones are just fun/stupid action movies or whatever (you know how sequels be).
But the first one is about much more than dinosaurs. It has a beauty and majesty about it. It’s about man’s place in time, how small we are, the dangers of science and pride…so much. I’m serious about it being excellent. It’s a film unlike any other. You’ll see.
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hehe yes, I definitely know how sequels are 😉 Well that sounds awesome- thank you for the recommendation 😊
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No problem! 🙂
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Great review. From all the points you made, it really sounds like it definitely deserved all 5 bananas. Is this a YA book? It almost sounds NA but the cover makes it seem more YA. I can agree with the online presence vs. the real life presence especially considering the lengths people go to to create this more awesome version of themselves when all they have to do is be themselves in the end.
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Thank you so much! Yeah it’s a YA book for sure. Ah yes I totally get that!! I think it’s such an interesting modern phenomenon!
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Great review for this book, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well. 🙂 I read Eliza and Her Monsters last year and there was a lot I enjoyed about it, mainly how relatable Eliza was and how her webcomic was included in the story. I loved reading the story Eliza wrote as much as I enjoyed reading her story! 😀 I definitely agree with the (possibly only) downside being how Wallace turned into a jerk. I liked his character but he fell a little in my opinion after that point.
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Thank you so much!! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked it too!! I really found it very relatable too and the webcomic extracts were fantastic! 🙂 Yeah I agree with you there- it was a shame- I also ended up being disappointed with his character cos of that. Glad I wasn’t the only one.
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That’s all right. 🙂 ❤️ I’d actually have loved to see a book that was just the webcomic extracts, so we got to see more of the story Eliza wrote.
Definitely not the only one! 🙂
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Ah yes me too- it sounded like such a good fake book 😉
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Maybe one day, you never know right? 😀
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hehe yes- that’d be awesome 🙂
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Great review, this books sounds really good 😀
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Thank you so much! I’m glad 😀
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Your welcome ☺
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I’m getting the feeling you REALLY liked this book. 🙂 And now I want to read it and like it too!
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hehehe yes I really did!! I definitely recommend it!! 🙂
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This sounds fantastic! I love book-within-book premises. 🙂
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It really was- I definitely recommend it- I love those types of stories too 🙂
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I want to read this so bad!! I am glad you liked it! 🙂
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Ah I really recommend it!!
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This sounds really interesting! Juggling digital and analogue life can be really tricky, so any book that addresses this feels very timely. The format sounds great as well, I love books that aren’t a standard read!
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It really was- I definitely agree! It’s a very modern type of story, in a good way 🙂 Me too! 🙂
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Aghhh I’ve been meaning to get to this for ages!! I’ve heard such good things about it and the concept behind it just makes me want to read it immediately!!
In other words, lovely review! It definitely made me place this book even higher up the TBR shelf- I can already see myself buying it the next time I run into it… Ah, to think I used to believe in the existence of book bans :’)
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Oh I definitely recommend it!! I went in it for the concept and I wasn’t disappointed 😀 Thank you so much!! Awesome!! I’m really glad. hahahah I so relate- but they’re not real (at least not for me 😉 )
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Ahhh in that case I’ll have to make sure I get to it ASAP!! And haha, I’ve recently that they’re not real to me, either 😂💕🖖
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Brilliant!! hahaha I so relate 😉 😂💕
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Wow this book sounds fantastic! I haven’t heard of it before but will definitely consider reading it after your review. Got to love a book that hits you in the feels.
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It really was!! Ah awesome I’m so glad!! hehe absolutely 😉
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I had this on hold but I think I had to return it? I don’t even remember now if it ever came in for me. 😦 Perhaps I’ll have to try again if it’s so awesome.
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Ah definitely worth it- it was such a fun YA and so relatable 😀
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Hello!! Loved the format of this review 🙂
I read the Kindle version a while back and SO regret not buying the print edition! I bet the illustrations are fantastic in colour!
I am also not a fan of the decisions Wallace made towards the end. I couldn’t really understand why he did what he did. However, overall I enjoyed the novel as well 🙂 Great review!
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Thank you so much 😀
Ah yes- sadly they weren’t in colour, but they did work really well in the book (and the cover was gorgeous 😉 )
Yeah I *totally* get what you mean. I thought he was being quite unreasonable actually. She wasn’t doing it to spite him (and keeping the secret hadn’t been that bad all things considered) Yes me too, thank you!
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Glad you loved the read. A book with lots of funny moments is great. And hey! I love books with references (only if I understand them)
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Thank you! Absolutely!! hehe yes!! I completely get that 😉
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I’ve seen this book at bookstores but never really took the time to read what the story was about… I’m so glad I read your review! I’m obsessed with stories (um, clearly, because my blog’s tagline is “a mashup of everything to do with stories” 😂) so to read about you raving how great the story aspect of this book really makes my interest spike up 😋 And also, since I’ve gotten into blogging and online communities now, I’m interested to see how I can relate to Eliza and Her Monsters. 😁👍🏻 Great review!!
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Ah I’m really glad!! hahaha in that case I definitely recommend it! 😉 😂 I’m glad!! Yes!! That was one of the best elements of the book- I’m glad I read it at this stage in my life, because I related to it a ridiculous amount 😁 Thank you so much!!
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I’ve been meaning to read this since forever! I hear nothing but awesome things about this one and I’m so glad to see that you liked it! Wonderful review!
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Ah yes it was great!! And so relatable!! I had a lot of fun reading it! Thank you!
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I’m planning on starting this soon and you’ve made me SO excited!
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Yay I’m so glad!!
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why has cecil not recommended this book to me before/yet???
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hehehehe hello, you can just come and ask for it, silly sheep 😉
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The more i hear about this book, the cooler it sounds 🙂
I considered this for one of my challenge prompts, but then read something else. Still gonna read it just for the fun of it 😀
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Ah I really hope you like it if you do try it out! 😁
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I really want to read this book, even though I literally have all fantasy and one contemporary on my shelves. It just sounds really good. The format sounds so cool.
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Ah yes I’m similar- I mostly read fantasy in general- but this was awesome and I do recommend it! 😀 It was really well done 😁
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Five bananas, yay! Pleased to see you’re out of your slump and back discovering some excellent books. This book sounds great and super relatable, even if my social media presence outside of my blog is woeful (I still miss MySpace).
In other news, HOW HAVE YOU NOT SEEN JURASSIC PARK? I’ve literally watched 10 films in my life and even I’ve managed to see it at least three times. Have you read any Michael Crichton novels? I keep meaning to read Jurassic Park but as always, so many books, so little time.
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Yes and thank you!! I think I’m finally over it for now (*touch wood*) after listening to a couple of audiobooks. hehehe I can relate 😉 I just don’t use social media apart from the blog (I have a blog twitter that I’m fairly useless with and only use fb for messaging)
hahahahaha oh gosh, that’s becoming a contentious issue here 😉 I do have to watch it and no I’ve not read any of the novels either. I guess it was just the dinosaurs that put me off 😉 I am planning to watch the movie… at some point 😉
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I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just slag off dinosaurs! Honestly, I saw a clip of Jurassic Park the other day and it’s really…dated. Obviously it was made at a time when CGI was pretty new technology so it hasn’t aged too well. I think my memory of it is probably better than the actual film. Although your revelation seems to have caused a mini riot so you should probably just watch it anyway.
I’m still not really on board with the whole audiobook thing. I find them really slow, and if I get distracted by whatever else I’m doing I loose track. Good to see they got you out of your slump though!
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hahaha not slag them off, I’ve nothing against them, just no particular interest 😉 …which may be viewed as slagging them off? I’ve no idea anymore 😉 Ah yeah that’s fair. hahaha yes- I will 😉
I think that’s fair- I barely ever listen to them usually- but it worked this time 😉
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I was on the fence but . . . those quotes! I love them!
Thanks for the tip, OG!
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Ah yes it was so well written 😀 Thank you!
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Ahhh this is such an amazing review and I love all of the quotes you included there. I am so happy I have a copy waiting to be read at home, I can’t wait to read it, hopefully I’ll be able to get around to it this month. I CAN’T WAIT 😀
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Thank you so much!! Yay! I’m so glad to hear that- I really hope you like it!! 😀 (and I’m sure you will!! 🙂 )
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This is one of the few contemporaries that I’m interested in reading (that list is seriously short), so I’m really glad to see that you loved this book! 😀 Great review.
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hehe fair enough- I don’t read as many contemporaries as other genres, but this caught my eye too 🙂 Thank you!
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I’ve looked at this and felt I kind of want to read it but this review made my mind up: Im defiantly reading this at some point! It’s climbed up the TBR list 😊
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I’m so glad!! And I really hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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This sounds awesome! This is on my TBR!
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Awesome!! 😀
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Yay!
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YAY YOU FINALLY READ THIS!
Gosh, I love this book so much! Made me want to start drawing again.
Yeah, the Wallace thing did put me off, but it was so realistic,which is why I kinda liked it too?
I’m so glad you enjoyed this! 😊
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YES!! It was so good!!! 😀
Ahh me too!! I loved that about it!!
I really do get what you mean- it bothered me, but I did think that it made sense, especially considering everything he was already dealing with.
I really did!! 😀
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TBH I was first attracted to the cover and then I started hearing about this book A LOT. But I have not gotten to start reading this book, you know how the TBR piles are. But your review is making me kinda want to go hunt for this book on my shelf. I will get back to you once I get this done.
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hehehe I totally relate about tbr piles! 😉 But it’s so worth it!! Awesome- please do!!
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So happy you enjoyed Eliza and Her Monsters 🌸
It was one of my favourite books of last year. I really loved the story and I totally related to Eliza about having internet friends! I also loved the unique format & the romance, I totally get what you’re saying about creating believable characters and it was really well done.
So happy you enjoyed it 😊
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I can see why!! I absolutely loved it!! 😀 Me too- I thought that was a massive selling point!! 😀 And yes!! I really was so well done and I’m glad you enjoyed it too 🙂
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This sounds absolutely brilliant! 5 stars from you is high praise and everything you said about the book- well, I wants it, too! 🙂 It sounds altogether very relatable and realistic and fun! Great review… you got me intrigued! 😉
oh and those quotes?- love ’em!
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Ah it really was!! hehe I really hope you like it! It was such a refreshingly fun, light read! And I really loved everything about it! I know right!!!
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Awww love your review! I will respectfully agree to disagree about Wallace’s dickish moment being in character… though I can see how you feel it’s realistic. I LOVED the format and hope many are inspired to write more like this! ♥️
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Aww thank you!! I think that’s fair enough- and it’s really something i can see both sides of! Absolutely agree with you there!! I’d love to read more books like this!! ❤
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Ouuuh awesome review! I’m glad to see that it was such a relatable story. The format does sound interesting, as I’ve seen some other books test different structures and succeeded in doing so. But with the premise this one has, the format seems to have been nailed by the author hahah
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Aww thank you!! Yeah I do really like that books are doing this more 😀 And yeah it worked so well here!
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