a_very_dyslexic_reader's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Blood, Trafficking, Child death, Slavery, Death, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Religious bigotry, and War
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Cursing
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.
look up trigger warnings before reading if you get easily triggered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Confinement, Slavery, War, Child death, Death, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Physical abuse, and Torture
ellenkyo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
hngisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Cannibalism, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Slavery, Torture, War, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Violence
nannahnannah's review against another edition
4.0
My initial impression still stands: this is the most gorgeously illustrated graphic novel I've ever set my eyes on! The illustrations never waver in quality; they're intensely detailed and elegant, and I'm almost tempted to say it's worth buying the graphic novel for the illustrations alone.
Monstress takes place in a matriarchal alternate 1900's Asia with five main races: the Ancients, anthropomorphic animal-like immortal beings; the Old Gods, horrific formless monstrosities; Cats, multi-tailed wise and powerful . . . cats; humans (as we are); and Arcanics, the powerful human x Ancient hybrids.
The story is told in two main polar points of view: through Maika, the main protagonist, an arcanic whose body is forcibly shared with an Old God, and through some of the witch-humans, who vehemently oppose arcanics. The two races have been in a violent war, and the readers are taken into the meat of the conflict between them.
Maika is unwillingly put in a tough spot. She's wanted by everyone for the thing inside her, and above all else she wants it out. But if she's to survive and stop an even greater evil from coming, she might have to come to terms with this monster inside . . .
Worldbuilding and character designs are so lush and gripping. I wanted more and more, and was disappointed when I reached the last page. This world has so much life and structure and character, it's difficult not to become engrossed in it.
But the graphic novel is not without it's faults, though. The only larger woman is an awful character whom Maika calls a "pig". Not exactly pleasing representation. There's also a ton of PoV and time switches that make it a bit difficult to follow the timeline of the story (until maybe the halfway point). It's difficult to understand the story until you're a couple chapters in. Also, the book's design is a little annoying; the font is so tiny I had to turn on extra lights and hold the dang thing up to my nose, and I know I'm destroying the poor book's spine as I'm trying to read the dialogue printed so close to the middle spread.
But Monstress is definitely the best graphic novel I've read so far. I can't wait to see more (note: I haven't read many graphic novels . . . but still).
Monstress takes place in a matriarchal alternate 1900's Asia with five main races: the Ancients, anthropomorphic animal-like immortal beings; the Old Gods, horrific formless monstrosities; Cats, multi-tailed wise and powerful . . . cats; humans (as we are); and Arcanics, the powerful human x Ancient hybrids.
The story is told in two main polar points of view: through Maika, the main protagonist, an arcanic whose body is forcibly shared with an Old God, and through some of the witch-humans, who vehemently oppose arcanics. The two races have been in a violent war, and the readers are taken into the meat of the conflict between them.
Maika is unwillingly put in a tough spot. She's wanted by everyone for the thing inside her, and above all else she wants it out. But if she's to survive and stop an even greater evil from coming, she might have to come to terms with this monster inside . . .
Worldbuilding and character designs are so lush and gripping. I wanted more and more, and was disappointed when I reached the last page. This world has so much life and structure and character, it's difficult not to become engrossed in it.
But the graphic novel is not without it's faults, though. The only larger woman is an awful character whom Maika calls a "pig". Not exactly pleasing representation. There's also a ton of PoV and time switches that make it a bit difficult to follow the timeline of the story (until maybe the halfway point). It's difficult to understand the story until you're a couple chapters in. Also, the book's design is a little annoying; the font is so tiny I had to turn on extra lights and hold the dang thing up to my nose, and I know I'm destroying the poor book's spine as I'm trying to read the dialogue printed so close to the middle spread.
But Monstress is definitely the best graphic novel I've read so far. I can't wait to see more (note: I haven't read many graphic novels . . . but still).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
I haven't loved a graphic novel in so long. Between the art and the gorgeous storyline in this first installment, I am buying it hook, line, and sinker. Give me moreeee!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Gore
beccabookworm'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? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, and War
literarypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
The artwork in this comic was so beautiful at times I couldn't believe someone had drawn this! The world was a dark and harsh place that wasn't afraid to shy away from the effects that war can cause. The plot was hard to follow at times, it just drops you into this world and the lore it has and expects you to follow it right away. Once I got the hang of it though it wasn't too much trouble to grasp it. Such a large plethora of characters you are introduced to in this universe and all of them are as equally interesting as the main character. I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume and where the story goes from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Death
comrade_mia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Death, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
dreareads_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
4.75
"For real Maika, you are A loca, you are loquísima "
Despite that absolutely cringe worthy use of Spanish in that sentence, this comic is a masterpiece. WOW. I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, but I was taken aback by the breathtaking art, and punched in the gut by the story.
I am a sucker for a comic with poets quoting cats, adorable half foxes, and an MC that you want to like but can't help to distrust. This story is NOT for the faint of heart, it is dark and harrowing, and at times filled with hopelessness. A story of war and oppression, we are presented with some heartbreaking and gut wrenching imagery.
Within all the darkness is a story of a young girl trying to find her past, understand her powers, and protect those she loves. A fantastic story, that can only continue to get better.
Despite that absolutely cringe worthy use of Spanish in that sentence, this comic is a masterpiece. WOW. I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, but I was taken aback by the breathtaking art, and punched in the gut by the story.
I am a sucker for a comic with poets quoting cats, adorable half foxes, and an MC that you want to like but can't help to distrust. This story is NOT for the faint of heart, it is dark and harrowing, and at times filled with hopelessness. A story of war and oppression, we are presented with some heartbreaking and gut wrenching imagery.
Within all the darkness is a story of a young girl trying to find her past, understand her powers, and protect those she loves. A fantastic story, that can only continue to get better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Ableism, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Violence, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, War, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Toxic friendship