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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
I very much enjoyed Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods, so I did not hesitate to pick this up when I saw it at my local bookstore. There’s something about Carroll’s art style that I find incredibly memorable and atmospheric, and it’s often the thing I love most about her work. While the story itself is eerie, I would probably recommend this book for people who appreciate art over narrative. For me, I read Carroll’s books for the impression the art makes on me, and I think for those who are very into visual storytelling, this book will resonate with them.
Things I Liked
1. Art: As I said before, I love Carroll’s art. I like how she lays out her pages and how she draws her figures. I like the black, white, and red color scheme throughout, and the movement between scenes. I honestly could stare at some her pages all day.
2. Gothic/Fairy Tale Vibe: Carroll seems to have an interest in fairy tales (as evidenced by her other book), and I liked that this book further reflected that interest while also turning its attention to more Gothic, almost Alice-in-Wonderland-esque themes.
3. Ending: There’s quite a twist at the end, and without spoiling anything, I will say that I did like how the story finished. It is at once appropriate and uncomfortable, and I think it suited the premise of the story as a whole.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Narrative Fluidity: There were a couple times where, as I was reading, I wasn’t quite sure what was happening. Perhaps it was my own fault, or maybe I’m just a reader that needs more support, but I did wish there was a bit more clarity in the narrative as to what was going on.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in horror, fairy tales, Gothic literature, lesbian romance/erotica, and works such as Crimson Peak, Dracula, or Carmilla.
Things I Liked
1. Art: As I said before, I love Carroll’s art. I like how she lays out her pages and how she draws her figures. I like the black, white, and red color scheme throughout, and the movement between scenes. I honestly could stare at some her pages all day.
2. Gothic/Fairy Tale Vibe: Carroll seems to have an interest in fairy tales (as evidenced by her other book), and I liked that this book further reflected that interest while also turning its attention to more Gothic, almost Alice-in-Wonderland-esque themes.
3. Ending: There’s quite a twist at the end, and without spoiling anything, I will say that I did like how the story finished. It is at once appropriate and uncomfortable, and I think it suited the premise of the story as a whole.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Narrative Fluidity: There were a couple times where, as I was reading, I wasn’t quite sure what was happening. Perhaps it was my own fault, or maybe I’m just a reader that needs more support, but I did wish there was a bit more clarity in the narrative as to what was going on.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in horror, fairy tales, Gothic literature, lesbian romance/erotica, and works such as Crimson Peak, Dracula, or Carmilla.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Emily Carroll's bloody, beautiful, suggestive, ornately grotesque artwork is masterful, as always, but the story lacks coherency. I'm all for evocative mood and ambiguity, but I honestly do not understand the story after reading it twice; it's spare and poetic and effectively so, but more confusing than any folkloric story should be. I think I needed a little more
So, 5 stars for the artwork, and the interplay between the art and the story; 2.5 to 3 for the story itself.
Spoiler
to figure out the cat, the girl, the seductress, and the two(?) castles (or was it the same castle?).So, 5 stars for the artwork, and the interplay between the art and the story; 2.5 to 3 for the story itself.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
never been jumpscared by a graphic novel before this was TENSE. masterfully executed gothic horror loved it.
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A