knightingale's review against another edition
4.0
This is possibly the strangest book or graphic novel I have ever read. It got weirder the longer it went on, with a very complex and intriguing plot. The unexpected twists and turns in Naja's life made it all the more interesting, but had the ending become inevitably confusing. Hopefully this will be a series because the ending made next to no sense, it left me with quite a few questions about some characters who didn't show up until the end. Overall it was an engaging book with some awkward and peculiar moments. I recommend it to those who can handle some insanely weird happenings and decent levels of gore.
house_of_scatha's review against another edition
1.0
Very pretty and nicely drawn. The story was a bit thin and mostly an excuse for ultra-violence.
hellocookie's review against another edition
4.0
Before I even get to an actual, proper review, let me just start by saying wow. Wow, wow, wow. What an incredible book by JD Morvan and Bengal. Wow. I’ve admittedly never heard of either creator until I read Naja, but I can promise you that these two are on my radar now.
Naja is a book about an assassin who literally doesn’t feel pain, emotionally or physically. She works for a man that she’s never met that goes by the name Zero and she’s third on his go-to killer list.
The story varies in perspective but ultimately this book, as the title would lead you to believe, is Naja’s. It’s told from the perspective of a mysterious third person; someone who has insight in Naja’s life and the lives of the people around her, unknowingly. So I guess the book shifts focus rather than perspective but it works really, really well. The narration intentionally keeps a lot under wraps and steers the story into a fantastically interesting direction.
The book almost feels a bit like a written adaptation of Kill Bill at times. Naja’s real name is beeped out of the story, like The Bride’s for a large chunk of the story. But instead of it feeling similar to her character from the Quentin Tarantino movies, it feels more like an extension of O-ren Ishii’s tale, specifically her origin story.
The artist on this book is Bengal. Again, I have no prior knowledge of his work, but it is pretty freaking incredible. His style is very much an adapted manga style with a very unique look. The line art is stunning and Bengal excels at showing a wide range of emotions (and/or indifference) on the faces of his characters. The action sequences in the book feel vivid and fluid and work exceptionally well with Morvan’s words to really bring the story to life. Then there are the colours… oh man, this is honestly just such a beautiful book and if it had been in black and white, Bengal’s art would still be exceptional but the colours are part of what really gives this book life. SO. AMAZING.
JD Morvan doesn’t really tell this story with a ton of dialogue. As I mentioned, we’re being told the story by a mysterious third party who has a whole lot of information on all of the players. We don’t know how the narrator is connected to the story and we don’t know what his intentions are towards them, but it doesn’t matter. Despite his part in the story, it’s mostly told with seemingly no bias as the book works craftily towards the climax. You find yourself falling further and further down the rabbit hole the more you read and just become enveloped in what’s going on. The characters all have their own motives and each play an important part in the tale, no one feels like a wasted addition.
VERDICT
Buy it. Naja was an excellent read that I enjoyed from start to finish. It has about 250 pages, give or take and it isn’t something that you’ll just flip through and be done with. It has lots of meat on its bones for you to eat and digest.
Everything about this book is worth checking out, so make sure that you do it.
Naja is a book about an assassin who literally doesn’t feel pain, emotionally or physically. She works for a man that she’s never met that goes by the name Zero and she’s third on his go-to killer list.
The story varies in perspective but ultimately this book, as the title would lead you to believe, is Naja’s. It’s told from the perspective of a mysterious third person; someone who has insight in Naja’s life and the lives of the people around her, unknowingly. So I guess the book shifts focus rather than perspective but it works really, really well. The narration intentionally keeps a lot under wraps and steers the story into a fantastically interesting direction.
The book almost feels a bit like a written adaptation of Kill Bill at times. Naja’s real name is beeped out of the story, like The Bride’s for a large chunk of the story. But instead of it feeling similar to her character from the Quentin Tarantino movies, it feels more like an extension of O-ren Ishii’s tale, specifically her origin story.
The artist on this book is Bengal. Again, I have no prior knowledge of his work, but it is pretty freaking incredible. His style is very much an adapted manga style with a very unique look. The line art is stunning and Bengal excels at showing a wide range of emotions (and/or indifference) on the faces of his characters. The action sequences in the book feel vivid and fluid and work exceptionally well with Morvan’s words to really bring the story to life. Then there are the colours… oh man, this is honestly just such a beautiful book and if it had been in black and white, Bengal’s art would still be exceptional but the colours are part of what really gives this book life. SO. AMAZING.
JD Morvan doesn’t really tell this story with a ton of dialogue. As I mentioned, we’re being told the story by a mysterious third party who has a whole lot of information on all of the players. We don’t know how the narrator is connected to the story and we don’t know what his intentions are towards them, but it doesn’t matter. Despite his part in the story, it’s mostly told with seemingly no bias as the book works craftily towards the climax. You find yourself falling further and further down the rabbit hole the more you read and just become enveloped in what’s going on. The characters all have their own motives and each play an important part in the tale, no one feels like a wasted addition.
VERDICT
Buy it. Naja was an excellent read that I enjoyed from start to finish. It has about 250 pages, give or take and it isn’t something that you’ll just flip through and be done with. It has lots of meat on its bones for you to eat and digest.
Everything about this book is worth checking out, so make sure that you do it.
hobbes199's review against another edition
3.0
Eurgh. I'd like to say more but will leave it until I've collected my thoughts. I'll never get that hour back though.
http://ifthesebookscouldtalk.com/2014/07/01/naja/
http://ifthesebookscouldtalk.com/2014/07/01/naja/
middlekmissie's review against another edition
I have no idea how to rate this. Is "WTF" a rating?
movingtoguam's review against another edition
2.0
Netgalley provided a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have no clue what happened. I really don't. This conclusion was so sudden that I don't know what to do with myself. Sure, some parts were obvious from about halfway into the book, but there were other things that surprised me.
The main character is called Naja and she is a cold blooded assassin. The person who orders her assassinations is only called "Zero" and she doesn't know anything about him. Not what he looks like or what his real name is. Zero has other assassins as well, but she is number three. As the story progresses, we get to meet number one and two as well.
What makes Naja special is that she can't feel anything, not physical nor mental pain.
I love assassins very much and this didn't dissapoint. it took me some time to get used to the drawing style, but afterwards it felt natural and excititing. I had so many questions by the end of the first volume that I just read the whole thing in one go. Things will be explained throughout the novel, but it was such a thrill to discover the secrets and conspiracies.
I have no clue what happened. I really don't. This conclusion was so sudden that I don't know what to do with myself. Sure, some parts were obvious from about halfway into the book, but there were other things that surprised me.
The main character is called Naja and she is a cold blooded assassin. The person who orders her assassinations is only called "Zero" and she doesn't know anything about him. Not what he looks like or what his real name is. Zero has other assassins as well, but she is number three. As the story progresses, we get to meet number one and two as well.
What makes Naja special is that she can't feel anything, not physical nor mental pain.
I love assassins very much and this didn't dissapoint. it took me some time to get used to the drawing style, but afterwards it felt natural and excititing. I had so many questions by the end of the first volume that I just read the whole thing in one go. Things will be explained throughout the novel, but it was such a thrill to discover the secrets and conspiracies.
jamsreadsbooks's review against another edition
1.0
What a shame. The comic had an interesting concept and started off pretty well but in the end, ended up really lacking. Naja is a badass but she has almost no personality. She was the stereotypical ruthless femme fatale and not much more than that. The other assassins from Zero’s organization were interesting and the fights were memorable. I just wish I could have cared more about Naja. The plot drags for the first few volumes and I had wished for a little more from the story. I ended up regretting that wish.
The more that was revealed, the more it just seemed like torture porn. The sad part is, even after some traumatic experiences from Naja’s past were revealed, I didn’t find myself feeling much more for her character. The comic crashed and burned spectacularly with the final volume which honestly left me feeling rather angry and disgusted. It seemed to me that the story was almost like a twisted retelling of Romeo and Juliet, tragic star-crossed lovers with a sprinkling of incest. It was disturbing in the worst way possible and I honestly wish I hadn’t finished the series off.
On the bright side, the art style is modern and edgy and very easily one of the best aspects of the comic. The action sequences are fast and bloody and were fun to read. Overall I can’t recommend this one given the weak story, but Bengal’s art is definitely something to admire.
Disclaimer: Received a copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley
✮ Read this review and more like it on my blog ✮
The more that was revealed, the more it just seemed like torture porn. The sad part is, even after some traumatic experiences from Naja’s past were revealed, I didn’t find myself feeling much more for her character. The comic crashed and burned spectacularly with the final volume which honestly left me feeling rather angry and disgusted. It seemed to me that the story was almost like a twisted retelling of Romeo and Juliet, tragic star-crossed lovers with a sprinkling of incest. It was disturbing in the worst way possible and I honestly wish I hadn’t finished the series off.
On the bright side, the art style is modern and edgy and very easily one of the best aspects of the comic. The action sequences are fast and bloody and were fun to read. Overall I can’t recommend this one given the weak story, but Bengal’s art is definitely something to admire.
Disclaimer: Received a copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley
✮ Read this review and more like it on my blog ✮
destdest's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
This story wanted to be full of twists and turns, but none of them were hitting. Instead, it’s just a disorganized, confusing mess.
First, the artwork is lovely, colorful, and stylized though some shots of Naja feel gratuitous. I loved seeing the color palette change with each new location.
Does Naja hate every country? I was put off by the narrator. I believe this was to show how detached Naja is from the world, but she just sounded like a butthole to me.
Anyway, the story is definitely older. A character is referred to as a “faggot.” It’s twisted as well. Naja’s father beat her repeatedly when she was younger
Spoiler
entirely out of love from his perspective, as he knows how desperately she desires to feel pain.The ending is too outlandish and disgusting. Were y’all trying to be edgy?
Spoiler
She’s his mom and half-sister. And they were in instalove for the first half of the book. Why do y’all put this incestuous junk in here.Ultimately, this story wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Self harm
nightxade's review
2.0
Naja is also a woman who feels no pain, neither inside, nor out. It makes her the perfect assassin; number three in Zero's arsenal. She does not question her purpose. When Zero gives an order, she follows it. Until she discovers that number one and number two are out to kill her, by order of Zero.
Naja's story is narrated by a mysterious third party who has done his or her research on Naja and knows far more than any casual observer should know. It's an interesting concept and the art is sharp, capturing Naja's cold stillness in one moment, and swift and deadly action in the next.
In spite of a strong set up, the story plods along, such that by the time it gets to the big reveal, I'd already lost interest. Both the characters and the story had a lot of potential, but it ultimately lacked the depth and pacing to keep my attention.
Naja's story is narrated by a mysterious third party who has done his or her research on Naja and knows far more than any casual observer should know. It's an interesting concept and the art is sharp, capturing Naja's cold stillness in one moment, and swift and deadly action in the next.
In spite of a strong set up, the story plods along, such that by the time it gets to the big reveal, I'd already lost interest. Both the characters and the story had a lot of potential, but it ultimately lacked the depth and pacing to keep my attention.
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