royallyreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
madwimmin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ebbie_casuallereading's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know much about the RP game, but it always intrigued me. So I felt like dipping my toes into the universes through a graphic novel would be a safe bet.
I liked it and it pushed me to take another step into learning more about the setting. If you're interested as well, I hihghly recommend "The Primogen" YouTube Channel.
I don't think I understood fully the whole plot however, but it didn't cause me to be lost much since "the thing" that put everything else into motion isn't exactly the main issue, it's mainly just an excuse.
I will pick up the next volume for sure, there's some threads that have not been completely unraveled.
I liked it and it pushed me to take another step into learning more about the setting. If you're interested as well, I hihghly recommend "The Primogen" YouTube Channel.
I don't think I understood fully the whole plot however, but it didn't cause me to be lost much since "the thing" that put everything else into motion isn't exactly the main issue, it's mainly just an excuse.
I will pick up the next volume for sure, there's some threads that have not been completely unraveled.
jmbz38's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
dame_samara's review against another edition
3.0
Did I enjoy this book? yes.
Do I think it could have done a fantastically better job at being an introduction to Vampirine the Masquerade? YES.
This has an incredibly interesting storyline, with really awesome characters, and being set in the Twin Cities it feels different from where Vampire Games are typically set since at their core Political due to "The Masquerade".
I am honestly excited to see where this story goes, because I am in love with Ali and Cicely.
My one gripe with the actual story was the overall lack of diversity, as well as who was written to be the overall mastermind of the conflict.
What IAM UPSET about is that this piece of fiction expects you to inherently know about this world. So instead of working as a way to bring more people into this fandom. Which with more explanation, or some pre-face could be covered to help facilitate just that. Given that Ali is literally a fledgling and was thrown into this world, Ali could have acted as a fill-in for a better run down of the Masquerade and Clans at least,
With their being video games, and table top rpgs, (including resources for said rpg in the back of THIS book) it could definitely have been way more accessible to people and ends up feeling like they made the choice not to be.
Do I think it could have done a fantastically better job at being an introduction to Vampirine the Masquerade? YES.
This has an incredibly interesting storyline, with really awesome characters, and being set in the Twin Cities it feels different from where Vampire Games are typically set since at their core Political due to "The Masquerade".
I am honestly excited to see where this story goes, because I am in love with Ali and Cicely.
My one gripe with the actual story was the overall lack of diversity, as well as who was written to be the overall mastermind of the conflict.
What IAM UPSET about is that this piece of fiction expects you to inherently know about this world. So instead of working as a way to bring more people into this fandom. Which with more explanation, or some pre-face could be covered to help facilitate just that. Given that Ali is literally a fledgling and was thrown into this world, Ali could have acted as a fill-in for a better run down of the Masquerade and Clans at least,
With their being video games, and table top rpgs, (including resources for said rpg in the back of THIS book) it could definitely have been way more accessible to people and ends up feeling like they made the choice not to be.
gay_andromeyda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
zabacitanovine's review against another edition
3.0
The cover art on this one was amazing and it was the first reason for my picking this book.
The story of Vampire: The Masquerade was dark and somewhat capturing, but not my thing to the fullest. It was also hard to follow at times and I didn't get the back story completely. It was a bit jumbled for my taste.
The art, though, is amazing and I loved every dark detail of it.
A big thank you to Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Vampire: The Masquerade was dark and somewhat capturing, but not my thing to the fullest. It was also hard to follow at times and I didn't get the back story completely. It was a bit jumbled for my taste.
The art, though, is amazing and I loved every dark detail of it.
A big thank you to Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
smilewylan's review against another edition
4.0
I love vampires and the art is beautiful, Jut a solid read and honestly, I am excited to read more! Being based on a well-known franchise, I think it will appeal to fans of all sorts and even if it is not for all fans, it can still be enjoyed by many.
As always thank you NetGalley for an ARC to review!
As always thank you NetGalley for an ARC to review!
amethyst's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Vampire: The Masquerade Volume 1" is a twisted tale of vampires, politics, and trying to stay afloat when everything is lost.
First of all, the art style throughout this book was truly stunning. It went well with the story.
There is a huge amount of information that the book gives, but it did a really great job at feeding that information without it being overwhelming to the reader. It was easy to keep up with, and everything made sense without any plot holes or unanswered questions remaining.
While the world-building is amazing and full, the characters were even better. Each and every one of them was complex, and it showed their personality, goals, and struggles enough, that the reader can't do much but care about them and their future.
Overall, it was a really well-crafted and intriguing book, that I'm sure every comic lover with a taste for dark tales will cherish.
"Vampire: The Masquerade Volume 1" is a twisted tale of vampires, politics, and trying to stay afloat when everything is lost.
First of all, the art style throughout this book was truly stunning. It went well with the story.
There is a huge amount of information that the book gives, but it did a really great job at feeding that information without it being overwhelming to the reader. It was easy to keep up with, and everything made sense without any plot holes or unanswered questions remaining.
While the world-building is amazing and full, the characters were even better. Each and every one of them was complex, and it showed their personality, goals, and struggles enough, that the reader can't do much but care about them and their future.
Overall, it was a really well-crafted and intriguing book, that I'm sure every comic lover with a taste for dark tales will cherish.
whichcraftidk's review against another edition
4.0
An absorbing tale for long-time fans of the World of Darkness or people new to it. If you're not familiar with the WoD, you get thrown in just like a newly-embraced vampire. Plenty of action, interesting motivations, and vampire politics seen from an interesting POV. It's not all fancy gatherings and high-level manipulation of mortals.
There are two stories. One is of the Prince's "dirty book" Cecily Bain--a former Anarch who does the dirty work of the Camarilla-aligned Prince and Primogen. Cecily is complicated--connected to her human life but with no illusions about being a monster, cold-blooded but with a soft spot, singing one moment and voicing her monster the next. The other story is of a group of vampires not aligned with any faction and doing their best to survive.
The stories show a variety of types of vampires and ways/reasons they were made. They're interesting for me as a fan but also a good example of how varied vampires are. I want to know more about many of the characters and I'm invested in what happens next in the Twin Cities.
There are two stories. One is of the Prince's "dirty book" Cecily Bain--a former Anarch who does the dirty work of the Camarilla-aligned Prince and Primogen. Cecily is complicated--connected to her human life but with no illusions about being a monster, cold-blooded but with a soft spot, singing one moment and voicing her monster the next. The other story is of a group of vampires not aligned with any faction and doing their best to survive.
The stories show a variety of types of vampires and ways/reasons they were made. They're interesting for me as a fan but also a good example of how varied vampires are. I want to know more about many of the characters and I'm invested in what happens next in the Twin Cities.