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alexauthorshay's review against another edition
2.0
I had such a hard time following this. It goes between 3 different times and you can't really tell which is happening when. Everyone sounds like they're talking in riddles and with some of the art it's hard to tell what you're even looking at. Too convoluted for me to try and trudge through the next one.
cemeterygates's review against another edition
2.0
Simon Spurrier is a plenty fun writer. But this book combines cringe-worthy dialogue with a story obsessed with its own importance, creating an odd vortex that crushes under its own weight.
I'll continue to read Spurrier's work, but this one I could skip.
I'll continue to read Spurrier's work, but this one I could skip.
crosberg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
soless's review against another edition
4.0
Lesbian werewolf goes to war. There's a lot here, hiding behind masks. Definitely deserves multiple readings.
liannaedgelord's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't know how to pitch this book when the main thing I loved and also hated about it is that the main character is a pitch perfect caricature of my abusive ex. If "lesbian scumbag becomes a werewolf mercenary while flashing back to being a terrible girlfriend and learning exactly nothing" sounds like the kind of thing you want to read, well, this delivers in spades. If that doesn't exactly sell you on the book, I can't really blame you.
tenderness's review against another edition
3.0
"Endings are how stories make love. It is a privilege to choose one's own."
"As she pelts her lover with news of her infidelity, and announces the betrayal of her own supposedly rigid sexuality, remember that Lou's real target here is herself. Devastating those who love you is one of the most comprehensive forms of self-harm there is." (author Simon Spurrier on Lou cheating on her girlfriend with a man)
I honestly love this story and this element of infidelity fits well with the characters and plot and I like the way it's treated, because it's not glorified at all. What I have a big fucking problem with is the fact that Lou is bisexual and both she and the author label her as basically lesbian with exceptions. Being a woman who vastly prefers women but still is attracted to and sometimes sleeps with men IS BISEXUAL! this decision to describe this character, whose (limited) attraction to men is an integral part of the story, as lesbian is a disservice to both bisexual and lesbian women and I'm pissed about it. I'm so disappointed because if not for this element of it this would be the perfect story for me. I feel bad giving it 3 stars because I loved everything else about it so much but damn I'm tired of the lesbian being portrayed as gay ~until the exception comes along~
BEYOND THAT THOUGH, WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PORTRAYAL OF MODERN MYTHS. it's gross and freaky and AWESOME and honestly the author's notes at the end with the tidbits of extra info he's learned in his research were some of my favourite parts overall. Also this story made me want to learn more about hyenas, I love hyenas now.
"As she pelts her lover with news of her infidelity, and announces the betrayal of her own supposedly rigid sexuality, remember that Lou's real target here is herself. Devastating those who love you is one of the most comprehensive forms of self-harm there is." (author Simon Spurrier on Lou cheating on her girlfriend with a man)
I honestly love this story and this element of infidelity fits well with the characters and plot and I like the way it's treated, because it's not glorified at all. What I have a big fucking problem with is the fact that Lou is bisexual and both she and the author label her as basically lesbian with exceptions. Being a woman who vastly prefers women but still is attracted to and sometimes sleeps with men IS BISEXUAL! this decision to describe this character, whose (limited) attraction to men is an integral part of the story, as lesbian is a disservice to both bisexual and lesbian women and I'm pissed about it. I'm so disappointed because if not for this element of it this would be the perfect story for me. I feel bad giving it 3 stars because I loved everything else about it so much but damn I'm tired of the lesbian being portrayed as gay ~until the exception comes along~
BEYOND THAT THOUGH, WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PORTRAYAL OF MODERN MYTHS. it's gross and freaky and AWESOME and honestly the author's notes at the end with the tidbits of extra info he's learned in his research were some of my favourite parts overall. Also this story made me want to learn more about hyenas, I love hyenas now.
theinvulnerabletide's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Addiction
brenticus's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
It feels rare to find a first volume packed with exposition, action, significant plot development, great spreads, and intersting characters, yet still leave enough leftovers for a Volume 2 to sound exciting.
This was great. Not at all what iI expected, no idea what blurb I read to make me think this was more fantastical, but it was impressive all the same.
This was great. Not at all what iI expected, no idea what blurb I read to make me think this was more fantastical, but it was impressive all the same.
jamesdavidward's review against another edition
3.0
A solid first volume. Spurrier further develops his obvious (Six-Gun Gorilla et al) fascination with the whys of storytelling, utilising it here alongside a Buffy-esqe monster-as-metaphor device. The art by Kelly and the triptych of colourists is clear and alluring, and the variant covers by some of the top artists in the industry are a nice bonus. I'm interested in seeing how the story develops, since this volume would work equally well as a standalone novel, but it's more curiosity than the breathless anticipation of the next volume of Saga, for instance. Definitely worth a read, particularly if you're new to the creators.