Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Eliza and Her Monsters is a contemporary young adult novel that delves into the life of Eliza Mirk, an introverted high school senior who secretly creates the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea under the pseudonym LadyConstellation. While Eliza's online persona garners millions of fans, she remains virtually invisible in her offline life, struggling with social anxiety and feeling disconnected from her family. Her world shifts when she befriends Wallace Warland, a new student and devoted fanfiction writer of Monstrous Sea. As their relationship deepens, Eliza grapples with the fear of revealing her true identity, especially as Wallace remains unaware that she is the creator of the webcomic he admires. The novel thoughtfully explores themes of mental health, the complexities of online and offline identities, and the challenges of balancing personal passions with real-world relationships. Through Eliza's journey, Zappia offers an authentic portrayal of the struggles faced by creative teens navigating the pressures of both digital fame and personal growth.