a_very_dyslexic_reader's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
look up trigger warnings before reading if you get easily triggered.
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
- 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
Graphic: Gore and Violence
hngisreading's review against another edition
- 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
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
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).
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia
kylieqrada's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Gore
beccabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
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
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Death
comrade_mia's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Death, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
dreareads_'s review against another edition
4.75
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.
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