A review by startjpw23
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.5

This book is a graphic novel. It is the first volume in a series. The story is set in an alternate earth. I can't really place the time it takes place in, but it is fairly modern. There are no mechanized vehicles. But there are guns and airships. The main character is Maika HalfWolf. She is an Arcanic. Arcanics are half human. Maika has a powerful creature inside of her. There is a simmering dispute between Arcanics and humans. There are other races in the book (one is a race of intelligent, speaking 3 tailed cats). The Arcanics and humans are matriarchal societies. The story is told from multiple POVs. There is impressive world building in this book. The story is dark. There are some brutal scenes. The art if beautiful. The characters are complex. This is one of the best graphic novels I ever read. I will definitely be continuing the series. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a dark graphic novel about an alternate earth with complex characters, multiple races, matriarchal societies, and great world building. Possibly look at content warnings to make sure the brutal scenes wouldn't be too much. 
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