magicseaweed's review against another edition
5.0
Pretty darn good. Nice world building. Heart-melting characters.
readivine's review against another edition
4.0
"How does one whom history has made a monster, escape her monstrosity? How does one overcome the monstrousness of others without succumbing to a rising monstrousness within?"If someone would ask me to recommend steampunk. THIS WOULD BE MY IMMEDIATE ANSWER.
Graphics wise, Monstress is a detailed work of art highly referencing art deco styles laced in ancient Asian trinkets. It's fcking beautiful. If you're gonna read this, please don't breeze through the panels swiftly, I'd like everyone to appreciate every careful detail drawn here. Hands down to Sana Takeda!
Plot wise, this graphic novel interlaced the experiences of war survivors and well, of course, monstrosity in all its facets. I love the metaphorical picture of our MC and how she struggles with suppressing the literal demon infesting her body. She reminds me so much of August from This Savage Song, except for the fact that August is still mah baby and one smol bean I'd protecc at all costs. Maika, our MC, on the other hand, is blunt and fierce but still shows compassion.
I'm excited to read the next issues soon!
leevanescent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Confusing a bit, but feel promising.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Death, Body horror, Blood, and Torture
dami_96's review against another edition
Art style is pretty but I wasn't invested enough for the story!!!
marpesea's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful art and a compelling story. Like most issues, I found it to be too short, but I'm excited to see where it goes.
kelz31's review against another edition
4.0
Once I got a better handle on the world of Montress, I really enjoyed it. The artwork is stunning and graphic, and the world is compelling. I did find the story confusing for the first half or so.
kualacactus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shelbymarie32's review against another edition
4.0
I received an E copy from netgally in exchange for an honest review.
This is a pretty good start to a series. It definitely started off strong and ended strongly. The artwork is absolutely stunning. Every single page is beautiful. Its very obvious that the artist has put so much thought, care, and skill in to every single drawing. The story was almost perfect. And I can definitely see this as anime or animated type show. The only flaw I found isn't a real flaw but more of a preference on my part. I would have liked to learn about our main character a bit more. As of now I like her but I don't feel completely connected to her yet. It's my hope that as the issues come out we can get to know her better and understand her background. I look forward to keeping up with this series.
This is a pretty good start to a series. It definitely started off strong and ended strongly. The artwork is absolutely stunning. Every single page is beautiful. Its very obvious that the artist has put so much thought, care, and skill in to every single drawing. The story was almost perfect. And I can definitely see this as anime or animated type show. The only flaw I found isn't a real flaw but more of a preference on my part. I would have liked to learn about our main character a bit more. As of now I like her but I don't feel completely connected to her yet. It's my hope that as the issues come out we can get to know her better and understand her background. I look forward to keeping up with this series.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
Some of the most gorgeous art I've ever seen, a unique blending of eastern and western styles with amazing detail. Seriously gruesome violence, though.
It took me a while to sort out that humans are at war with arcanics, which are interbred humans and ancients, but the ancients are still around with various alliances, and that not all arcanics are "witch nuns", a sort of matriarchal Catholicism with science that looks like magic, or blends with magic, or something. And then there's the off-the-grid arcanics who mostly remain hidden, and neutral or mostly neutral peaceful human Daughters of Eden, and cats with multiple tails who are the most ancient race, and a lot of ancient Egyptian goddesses and myths worked in. I'm swimming in factions and artistic influences and religious blends here. In the midst of this complex world we have a girl who is possessed by an evil god monster thing that she cannot control, the result of a childhood betrayal she cannot figure out.
Not as attatched to most of the characters as I thought I would be, but I really like the little fox girl. She's brave and adorable and should have her own comic.
It took me a while to sort out that humans are at war with arcanics, which are interbred humans and ancients, but the ancients are still around with various alliances, and that not all arcanics are "witch nuns", a sort of matriarchal Catholicism with science that looks like magic, or blends with magic, or something. And then there's the off-the-grid arcanics who mostly remain hidden, and neutral or mostly neutral peaceful human Daughters of Eden, and cats with multiple tails who are the most ancient race, and a lot of ancient Egyptian goddesses and myths worked in. I'm swimming in factions and artistic influences and religious blends here. In the midst of this complex world we have a girl who is possessed by an evil god monster thing that she cannot control, the result of a childhood betrayal she cannot figure out.
Not as attatched to most of the characters as I thought I would be, but I really like the little fox girl. She's brave and adorable and should have her own comic.
menniemenace's review against another edition
4.0
This is so good. I loved it.
Though the artwork is so cute, the story itself is horrifying. The anime-like main character is also a fierce girl who -I guess- seeks revenge for her dead mother.
There are so many names and places which is confusing, but it's still the first issue so I'm hopeful.
Though the artwork is so cute, the story itself is horrifying. The anime-like main character is also a fierce girl who -I guess- seeks revenge for her dead mother.
There are so many names and places which is confusing, but it's still the first issue so I'm hopeful.