mehsi's review
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I am sorry, but I just HAD to read this book. I mean that cover? I love the style, love how scary it looks, and it reminded me (the artstyle at least) of Hellsing. I was sold. And I am sold. Because HOT DANG this was so good.
I am sorry, but I just HAD to read this book. I mean that cover? I love the style, love how scary it looks, and it reminded me (the artstyle at least) of Hellsing. I was sold. And I am sold. Because HOT DANG this was so good.
spooderman's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Murder, Gore, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Vomit and Mental illness
Minor: War, Self harm, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Grief, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, and Child death
elenavarg's review
4.0
Short and bittersweet. Excellent bodyhorror, truly horrifying. The story felt desperate and full of doom.
A very abrupt ending, not the best one there is, but it did make me do a double take and a closer look at the final two pages.
A very abrupt ending, not the best one there is, but it did make me do a double take and a closer look at the final two pages.
sabsey's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I want more of thiss AAAHH
raavenreads's review
5.0
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers, artist, and writers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This graphic novel was METAL. I absolutely love body horror so this got my attention right away. The fact the only color in the book was red from the blood was an awesome touch. I could feel myself become anxious while I was reading. It was so hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t through Sal’s hallucinations. It really did play out like a short horror film I would have loved to see on tv.
Sal is just trying to make it till the end of the day so they can quit their job. They work as an “exterminator” and are extremely overworked and unappreciated. They are holding on by a thread and live in their work van. They are having problems with their partner and are trying their hardest to make it work but nothing seems to help. When their new coworker Luke gets kidnapped by the monster they are trying to exterminate, all hands are on deck to get him back. I wish I could know more about what the monsters really are and how they operate. I also wanted to know more about Sal and their friends.
The scene with all the bodies in the hallway and the big final monster boss at the end were my favorites. I would deff recommend if you like body horror or just horror comics in general. I want to read more and more comics from Oni Press so I’ll deff be looking out!
This graphic novel was METAL. I absolutely love body horror so this got my attention right away. The fact the only color in the book was red from the blood was an awesome touch. I could feel myself become anxious while I was reading. It was so hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t through Sal’s hallucinations. It really did play out like a short horror film I would have loved to see on tv.
Sal is just trying to make it till the end of the day so they can quit their job. They work as an “exterminator” and are extremely overworked and unappreciated. They are holding on by a thread and live in their work van. They are having problems with their partner and are trying their hardest to make it work but nothing seems to help. When their new coworker Luke gets kidnapped by the monster they are trying to exterminate, all hands are on deck to get him back. I wish I could know more about what the monsters really are and how they operate. I also wanted to know more about Sal and their friends.
The scene with all the bodies in the hallway and the big final monster boss at the end were my favorites. I would deff recommend if you like body horror or just horror comics in general. I want to read more and more comics from Oni Press so I’ll deff be looking out!
tyhud's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
raquelinabook's review against another edition
5.0
No thoughts, just complete adoration for this.
It's been a while since a story grabbed me and forced me to flip it to page one after finishing so I could re-experience everything again. The art is just gorgeous in all its gore-y glory. It left me with a similar uneasiness to the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and Shadow of Destiny game. I'm trying to make coherent sentences instead of just gushing but it was just SO GOOD.
Beautiful. Slightly terrifying. Love it.
It's been a while since a story grabbed me and forced me to flip it to page one after finishing so I could re-experience everything again. The art is just gorgeous in all its gore-y glory. It left me with a similar uneasiness to the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and Shadow of Destiny game. I'm trying to make coherent sentences instead of just gushing but it was just SO GOOD.
Beautiful. Slightly terrifying. Love it.
booktribe's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
I sped through this book! The artwork was amazing & very gory😍! I really enjoyed the action sequences and the writing was great too! I had so much fun with this!
mergs_scribbles's review
4.5
I’ve been wanting a gruesome, dark story like this for some time. The horror elements were stunning. The body horror, monsters, and the way the panels were set up to put weight on certain images/scenes had me completely hooked.
The tension was great too. When I hit the end, I couldn’t help but yell, “You can’t leave it THERE!”
Would love to see this as a series but if it’s not meant to be, this is still a great read on its own.
The tension was great too. When I hit the end, I couldn’t help but yell, “You can’t leave it THERE!”
Would love to see this as a series but if it’s not meant to be, this is still a great read on its own.
lycaenide's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was grim and bleak, and I mean that as a compliment. An excellent take on how a bad job can kill you - using gross body horror as a vehicle.
Read for:
- casual NB and queer rep
- gore and violence
- body horror monsters
- commentary on toxic work culture
Characters: 10/10
I love how they felt very real, despite the short length. I loved the casual non-binary and queer relationship rep.
Art style: 10/10
Graphic, gory, and motion was so excellently captured. I loved the grey scale comic with blood red being the only colour. Very impactful.
Plot: 9/10
I loved the world - exterminators called in to deal with gross monsters but treat it like a 9/5? Great idea for a plot. Would have loved a little more at the end, but that's a personal preference, I prefer a closed ending not open ended.
Intrigue: 10/10
The stakes were consistently high, and well maintained throughout. The texts coming through were a great addition.
Logic: 7/10
I would have loved more information about what the hell was going on. But, the not knowing added to the horror factor, and didn't hinder enjoyment.
Entertainment: 10/10
A quick and dirty read. Hack and slash BUT with emotion. Like, my heart stopped at one scene (when Sal goes on alone, and you see what they see?). I wish there was more in this world and with these characters!
Total: 9.33/10
Read for:
- casual NB and queer rep
- gore and violence
- body horror monsters
- commentary on toxic work culture
Spoiler
Characters: 10/10
I love how they felt very real, despite the short length. I loved the casual non-binary and queer relationship rep.
Art style: 10/10
Graphic, gory, and motion was so excellently captured. I loved the grey scale comic with blood red being the only colour. Very impactful.
Plot: 9/10
I loved the world - exterminators called in to deal with gross monsters but treat it like a 9/5? Great idea for a plot. Would have loved a little more at the end, but that's a personal preference, I prefer a closed ending not open ended.
Intrigue: 10/10
The stakes were consistently high, and well maintained throughout. The texts coming through were a great addition.
Logic: 7/10
I would have loved more information about what the hell was going on. But, the not knowing added to the horror factor, and didn't hinder enjoyment.
Entertainment: 10/10
A quick and dirty read. Hack and slash BUT with emotion. Like, my heart stopped at one scene (when Sal goes on alone, and you see what they see?). I wish there was more in this world and with these characters!
Total: 9.33/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death