Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR Publish Date: September 4, 2012 295 Pages Source: Borrowed |
Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago. -(summary from Goodreads.com)
My Thoughts: What an absolute treat to read Elizabeth Fama’s Monstrous Beauty! This book is so well-conceived and so well-crafted that I struggle with my thoughts even now, and it has been days since I finished the story. There is so much going on inside of this book that at any given time, it seems like your head should be completely spinning, but somehow it all makes sense. Everything meticulously weaves in and out and then comes back together to form a story that completely knocked my socks off.
I realize that that this blog post is extremely early and that is always a risk, but I want to get it out there and make people aware of how much I love this book. It is really something special and it’s really sort of in a league of its own right now…
1. The Characters. There are a ton of characters in this story, due in part to the multiple time settings. All well-written, well-developed, and very three-dimensional. I found that I enjoyed the scenes with each of the characters equally – I never skimmed over any pages! Rather, I soaked up all I could about every single character, the good and the bad. Let’s talk about a few of them:
- Syrenka. A beautiful mermaid seen frequently off of the coast by local fisherman for many years – often they fall so entranced by her beauty that they follow her into the ocean, only to drown. For this reason, some locals see her as a curse and want her caught and killed. Most other locals do not believe that seafolk exist.
- Ezra. Ezra believes she exists, because he has seen her. He saw her as he was writing/drawing in his journals one day. A young Naturalist, he wept with joy when we saw her, because she was proof of a myth that he had only heard and suspected before then. He began to come to the shore and sketch her every day, asking her questions of the workings of the sea. Soon the two were deeply in love, both longing for a way to be together.
- Hester. Hester is a young lady who lives in the present day. In love with a boy who might love her back, Hester knows she cannot commit to him. See, there’s this strange curse that exists in her family where women always die when they have their first child…so she can’t in good faith marry and continue this streak of bad luck with someone else. Dejected, Hester stumbles upon a mysterious man on the beach who seems to be pretty confident that he can help her find the answer to her medical mystery. As she begins to confide in him and visit him often – always in a cave by the ocean – she begins to be drawn to him in a weird, unexplainable way. AND his name is Ezra…Hmmmm….
What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is one of my favorite things ever: a mash-up of the genres, a little bit of everything, a little something for everyone. It all works so well, like a big swirling pot of awesome story-telling. It’s not your average story, guys. It’s better than that.
Syrenka and Ezra have a wonderful romance – they’re deeply in love and it is a very passionate and intimate love that is created out of having secrets that others can never know. While initially a forbidden and impossible romance, Syrenka eventually finds a way to be on land with Ezra – how this happens is a huge part of the story – huge part shocking, huge part heartbreaking, and also part amazing. Eventually, when they are finally able to be together, I was sincerely thrilled for them. Of course, a situation like this apparently has to come with consequences, and this is another huge, suspenseful, heartbreaking portion of the book. With Syrenka and Ezra, it really was the things that they did and went through to be together that were so moving for me. I loved them together and I loved their story.
Ghosts and mermaids and mysteries aside, it is the complexity in the consequences of Syrenka’s decision to become a land-dwelling human that really made this book stand out for me. Despite the true love involved, there were just too many bad things that resulted for things to work out – one after another after another – too many consequences, really, and no matter how much I wanted things to work out for Syrenka and Ezra, their fate was basically sealed. Interestingly enough, their fate set into course even more actions and reactions, and over a century later it was finally Hester stirring up things again in the present that caused enough disturbance to bring things to a climax. Of course, the way the book is structured – in alternating chapters of time setting – it reads with disturbance after consequence after disturbance, but it all comes together so well and makes complete and perfect sense while Hester pulls everything together.
I feel like I’m just rambling and that no words can really do Monstrous Beauty justice to my feelings. Really, readers that trust me, you should just throw Monstrous Beauty on your TBR/wish list and read it as soon as you can get their hands on it. It’s honestly THAT GOOD. Elizabeth Fama has written a story of pure beauty and mystery and complexity. It’s dark and brooding and mysterious and heartbreaking. It’s really altogether lovely. I cannot say enough great things about it. I feel honored to have gotten an early chance to read it – truly thrilled – and I hope my words can somehow do it justice.
I feel like Monstrous Beauty would be most appropriate for a more mature or older YA crowd and the YA-loving adult crowd.
Mermaids and Ghosts
Mystery/Suspense
Alternating Settings (Time)
*I borrowed this book as part of Around The World Book Tours in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. I received no compensation for my review.
I would normally stay away from a book like this because of the cover, but this sounds really interesting. Added it to my to-read list. 😉
It's wonderful! I'm glad you added it to your to-read list. I'm pretty sure that was a VERY GOOD decision. 😉
You seriously just convinced me I NEED this book in my life. Your review is really great!
Thanks Alexa! I know it is really early to be talking about this one but I couldn't *NOT* tell everyone how great it is. It's SOOO good.
OMG! Dude, you just totally killed me with your review *gapes* I borrow an ARC from a blogger friend recently, but just didn't have to pick it up yet ;/ I feel like I want to drop everything and just sink my teeth in it, like. RIGHT. AWAY.
What a fabulous review! Loved it!!! Thanks~!
Oh my Evie…this story is gorgeous and captivating. You need to work it in soon somehow if you can. You'll have a FIT and I KNOW you'll love it. It's really amazing.
YAY!!!! I'm so excited for this book, I was hoping it was going to be amazing and clearly it is:) I'm loving that we're getting more mermaid stories, I've only read one and now there starting to become the new trend. You've got me dying to get my hands on this one now, gorgeous review Asheley!
Jenny! You. Are Going. To Love. This Story.
Trust me.
It's so well done, so amazing. I wish I had my own copy instead of having to borrow one so I could read it again closer to the release date…at any rate, it is SO GOOD.
Older YA crowd? THAT'S ME! Ghosts and killer mermaids?! YES PLEASE. Plus I just want to take that cover to the altar.
Jen, I think this is one that we might agree on. You need to read it. ASAP.
This sounds absolutely wonderful! Gah! I was trying to figure out all of the twists and such from your synopsis and I think I have at least one, but I so want to read it for myself and see it all unfold.
Great review. 😀
There are a ton of twists and turns, Ashley…this is one that I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy. It seems like one you'd grab and read based on what I see on your lists. It's SO good. 😉
Thanks for this review. I'm putting Monstrous Beauty on my to-read list and sending a link to this post to a friend who I think will also enjoy the book.
Hey Karen!! This book is fabulous. You'll love it. The writing is splendid, as is the story. I'd be thrilled to see it on your "Read" list for 2012. Thanks for sharing the link. 😉
why must you tempt me so, with these mermaid books! lol.
I'll be starting those other ones in about three weeks as soon as I get my kindle.. yay. 🙂
but this one, I will have to buy this one.. the cover is gorgeous.. And well, you know my obsession for mermaids. I love the disney variety as well, but I love different takes on them. I like different takes on all kinds of mythical creatures. I just added this to my amazon wish list. Wow, that's a long wait.. Im sure it will be worth it.
Oh April! I thought about you when I started reading it because I just KNEW you'd love it.
I could talk to you for days about it. But I won't do that. You'll just have to read it and let me know what you think of it. But I'm pretty sure I know… 😉
awwwe, yes I definitely will let you know! I can't wait till it comes out. 🙂
I like when you do extremely early blog posts! No, really, I do. To me, it's helpful in deciding whether or not to accept or request a review copy based on what others say. That's bizarre but true.
And while I think mermaids are stupid, your review kind of convinces me that Monstrous Beauty does NOT in fact look stupid. ALSO I like ghosts and mystery. AND while my TBR is out of control, you have a way of convincing me to add just one more.
The early (and very early) blog posts are a fine line…too early and the risk is having people forget the book. HOWEVER, there is also the possibility of planting the seed or better yet, having someone head on over and putting it on their TBR if they want to read it…which is what I'm hoping for. I just love getting excited about a book I like and having other people get excited too.
While the cover has only the mermaid on it, there is WAY more to this one than just mermaids. It was really hard to write this post because the plot was so well-conceived and so well-done. I struggle with what I feel are adequate words sometimes, particularly when I know mine are some of the first ones out there.
I don't know If I can visit Aprils blog anymore if she thinks mermaids are stupid. 😛 lol
I love your blog! Your reading challenge is awesome – 150 books in 2012. I will definitely have to bookmark this site for recommendations since we seem to like the same types of books. I just finished The Knife of Never Letting Go and Jellicoe Road… currently reading The Night Circus, and Cinder is next in the queue. I will have to add "Monstrous Beauty" to the list when it comes out!
Wow, it sounds like we're definitely book twins. The Chaos Walking books are pretty much my favorites…they're up there with the His Dark Materials trilogy for the top spot. And Jellicoe Road is brilliant, no? The Night Circus was my favorite of last year and Cinder was such a fun mash-up of all kinds of genres.
You must add Monstrous Beauty to your list! It is fabulous. Simply astonishing how well-written it is, blending all kinds of genres with ghosts and mermaids…so so good.
Also, nice to meet you! 🙂
It's nice meeting you as well – I love finding good resources for books. (And agreed- His Dark Materials is another awesome trilogy). This year I've been trying to blog more frequently about my latest reads, but obviously I'm nowhere near your quota 🙂 I look forward to reading more reviews!
Whenever I see a character named "Hester" I immediately think of The Scarlet Letter.
Haha! I thought of the Scarlet Letter too, but this Hester is totally different! It's a great book. I hope you'll consider reading it!
If your review doesn't convince someone to pick this one up – I don't know what will! I think I may have to read it TODAY.
YOU NEED TO READ IT ASAP if you haven't already. You'll love it. I know you will. The history and mystery and complex plot scream Allison to me.
You totally have me convinced! I mean mermaids, ghosts, AND romance??! Sold.
Oh Kat, it's SO GOOD. I think you'll like it. I can totally see you reading this one.
I'm so glad to hear this one was great! It's on my TBR, but I still wasn't too sure, so it was going to be a long while before I got around to it, but you've moved it up on my list now :]
That's great Jasmine! It's so good. The story is brilliant and complex and unbelievable. I can't wait to hear what you think when you read it.
so exited 4 this1
aaaaaaaaaaa
Roro, it's fabulous! I KNOW you'll enjoy it a ton!
I love the detail you provide in this review! It gave me a very good idea what it is about and whether I'll like it without spoiling too much.
The dual timeline and darker tone is perfect! I think this is a completely unique take on the mer:)
Great review:)
I am sooo intrigued by the idea of ghosts and mermaids. (And a scary sea queen.) 🙂 This really sounds like my kind of read.
You know, pretty much every time I visit your blog, my TBR list grows! I love that. It's one of my favorite things about you. 🙂
Definitely adding this one, after reading your review, your tour stop post from Elizabeth, and seeing the pictures that she posted on The Midnight Garden. It's too good to pass up! Definitely going at the top of the TBR list.
Yes!!! This is exactly the mermaid novel that I needed. Not something fluffy…This is absolutely fantastic. I even love the original cover!!
Holy crap, I'm sold. How did I miss this review back in February? *slaps forehead* I don't usually do mermaid books but the whole "mashing up of genres" thing and the "dark, delicious and lovely" sentiments have caused me to reevaluate this decision. (And Fama's guest post really sealed the deal:)
Can't wait to experience this one now Asheley. Thank you!
I am so excited to read this!! I have had the ARC from Netgalley for ages and I have had a ban so I can get through ALL THE LIBRARY BOOKS!! I have 5 more to go and then its NG and BEA book time! I think this is going to be my first read!! I have been seriously underwhelmed (and vastly disappointed) in mermaid books lately so I am glad that I have heard such good things about this!!
I really enjoyed this book. Syrenka and Hester had very different voices and ways of talking so it was easy to switch back and forth between their POVs, which is always a plus. The characters were compelling, the pace of the book was spot on, and I definitely recommend it to all lovers of YA mermaid tales 😀
Marlene
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