Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Monstress - Despertar by Marjorie Liu

24 reviews

the_bookish_rose's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I’ve had this book waiting on my shelf for *a while*, so I’m glad I finally got around to it. I did not expect for it to be so dark, but the illustrations really make up for it! It isn’t a lighthearted tale, but I like the way it was handled for the main character to not be so much of a 100% good or bad guy.

My only wish is that I wish that some of the exposition would’ve happened sooner, since I didn’t fully understand the world building until I was almost done. I also wish I could’ve gotten to know the main character Maika more than what I got of her, but I think that leaves more suspense for the next volume 😅. I really like the magical system in the book, and I really look forward to continuing the series- I’ve been on a graphic novel kick lately and it’s really cool! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

itsmemiana's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 it was a lot darker than I was expecting but still very cool. and the artwork is absolutely stunning. Kippa is my favourite character, she's so adorable.

look up trigger warnings before reading if you get easily triggered. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I absolutely loved this graphic novel (my 1st time reading a digital format). 

There was so much amazing detail, completely entrancing, I probably skipped over the narrative bubbles lol. 

Our MC is a complete BADASS and has a mysterious darkness to her that wants to basically kill anyone lol. 

Little fox and the kitty were my favorite characters, they're so stinking cute!!! 

The detailed architect just swept me away and I spent extra time just admiring the works of art. 

Even with its gory scenes, I was able to look past it, though it did turn my stomach. 

I'm excited to continue with the next volumes 🥰

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

ocean's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

vigil's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

pastel_princess's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

To start, the artwork in this book is amazing. Sana Takeda (Artist) did a wonderful job detailing the many characters you meet in this book. The story line is very clear and well written. Watching Maika learn about her past and reveal her story is sad and hard, but it is also besetting. I can't wait to read book 2!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

nutmegandpumpkin's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

definitely mature readers only! graphic violence and gore, some nudity, heavy topics, and horror (definitely check content warnings)
- complex and interesting world building 
- morally grey protagonist 
- very dark and gory
- character design and setting design were really amazing 
- it dragged a bit in some parts

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and War

Minor: Death of parent

robinks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I started this graphic novel. It is very intense and very mysterious, and even at the end, I have many unanswered questions (like Maika). The illustrations are beautiful and horrific.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Genocide, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

fictionalportal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

For real one of the best books I've read, graphic novel or otherwise. Astonishingly good. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence

raccoonsinatrenchcoat's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely beautiful art and really intriguing story. I love the women-focused narrative (most drawn characters present as women) and I am really interested in the magic/lore systems. Well presented, thought out, and written. Can't wait to pick up the other compendiums. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, and Murder