While the siblings have genuine love for each other, they’re not growing up in a loving environment.

The family unit in focus, too, is complicated. Caste atrocities and class divide are the base of the world in Monsters Born and Made. I was less interested in the aesthetics of culture which dress a fantasy from the outside and more into the way it exists in daily life, which means digging into the muck of it, unfortunately. We’re so pleased to see more South-Asian inspired fantasy being published, can you tell us which aspects of the culture inspired you the most? You also feature an oceanic world, was this inspired by anything specific? I really enjoy writing a character burdened with responsibilities, whether they bear it or try to shun it. It’s tough, deadly work, and has shaped much of their outlook toward the world. Together these two have taken over their ancestral profession from their father, which is hunting and capturing monstrous maristags for the famed chariot race tournament. But he doesn’t understand that yet, and simply wants to be honorable and protect his family.

For him, living up to his father’s ideal of what a son should be has completely destroyed who he should have liked to be. Her older brother Emrik is somewhat of a loner. She just hasn’t had the space to fully embrace the latter. She’s resourceful, stubborn, impulsive, and also, deeply romantic. Koral is an eldest daughter-which I think singularly describes her.

Haha! We definitely want to know what one of those is!!Ĭan you tell us a bit more about your characters, Koral and Emrik? Do you have a favourite type of character you enjoy writing? Tell us about your book, Monsters Born and Made, by describing it in five words!Ī girl and her maristag! (Pick up the book to find out what a maristag is, hehe) Thank you so much for joining our Women In SFF feature and congratulations on your upcoming debut. You can order your copy of Monsters Born and Made from: Her debut YA novel, MONSTERS BORN AND MADE, is forthcoming from Sourcebooks Fire in 2022. She has a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi. Tanvi Berwah is a South Asian writer who grew up wanting to touch the stars and reach back in time.

Monsters born and made book