BOOK REVIEW: Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

This book took my breath away.

It's no secret I like fandoms, games, and other geeky materials, so this book spoke to me.

Eliza Mirk is a high school senior who writes an online comic, Monsterous Sea. However, due to her introverted personality (I can totally relate to that), her anxiety to do well (yup, me again), and her awkwardness (hehe, so me), she keeps her identity anonymous. In fact, online she goes by the moniker LadyConsetellation, after part of the world she created.

Her friends are online, and her life is run how she likes, and how Eliza wants. In fact, her very outgoing and athletic parents have allowed Eliza to run her business on her own (they believe her comic to be small, not an entire fandom).

However, when a new boy joins her homeroom class, and he happens to be interested in Monsterous Sea, Eliza starts to change.

She begins to realize that she might need to be outgoing, and meet with people in real life, but she also has fears as to what will happen when people find out she created the comic.

So, Eliza keeps the secret from her new friend and his friends. Even as the boy, Wallace, becomes her boyfriend and he bares his soul to her. Eliza is insistent to keep her identity hidden.

And she's successful, until her parents accidentally out her identity to the entire world via a pre-graduation story in the newspaper.

Eliza's world is turned upside down, as are her friendships, and he relationship with Wallace.

The anxiety and depression have created a new world for Eliza; one without her drawings, and she must fight to get it back.

To an online geek, this novel compelled me to look at my own friendships (my closest friends who know my good, bad, and ugly are online, and have been for over a decade), and realize how important they are. Also, my online gaming buddies are also important, and I miss the Diablo battles and World of Warcraft raids. But one thing I've shared with no one, not online or in person, is my writing.

This book has motivated me to share my writing, even in the online world, which can be so critical.

RATED: 5 Stars

NOTE: I borrowed this book from a library, and did not receive any compensation for this review.