Reviews

Cyn by Ibrahim Moustafa

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nrstevens7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

iamcreature81's review

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

pm_me_book_recs's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-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

3.5

| The action was so well illustrated! I loved the big colors and slices of panels showing fast movement. I was expecting the story to be longer- maybe this is just a first issue of a pending compendium (fingers crossed)?

I love a good redemption arc, but the story felt a little lite even for a single issue. I cared for the characters, but did not feel super affected by stressful events. I mean, Meris was at the house for six months (assuming that's what "Cycles" means) and we don't get to see her mesh with the kids or dogs, Ness, or the townspeople? A lot of the emotional development happens off page, it seems.

A quick read, great illustration, feels like a larger story behind the scenes than what the reader gets.

I did also, definitely, absolutely, read this because I've never seen my name on a book cover.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy for an earnest review

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oneangrylibrarian's review

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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? It's complicated

3.75

twicomb's review

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Action-packed futuristic one-shot (i.e. a graphic novel whose story resolves with a complete ending) about a cybernetic(?) woman who's trying to escape from those who turned her into a killing machine and used her for their own desires. But escaping from violence is never that simple, no matter how far you run. This book is elegantly illustrated with a lot of straight lines and angles that create the feeling of a hard world, both literally and metaphorically. The main character (Cyn) remains a bit of an enigma even through the end of the story, but that's always the challenge with these one-shots; there's only so much space for backstory and character development. The violence is quite explicit, with lots of blood, people's head getting cut off with swords, etc., etc., but it's never gratuitous. It's usually being used to illustrate just how painful it is emotionally for Cyn to get pulled back into that world. A thoughtful story that leaves me with just the right amount of hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.

abookwormspov's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Assassin + found family, what more could I want. Cyn is a short and sweet comic about an assassin cyborg, a mechanic, his kids, and a whole bunch of dogs!

There were so many things to love in this story. I absolutely love the character of Cyn and how sweet and protective she is. The story is fast paced, but still leaves room for character and relationship development as well as some action. Overall, I think the pacing and the character design were some of its strongest points!

(and not to spoil too much but I did cry at the end).

Thank you to NetGalley and Humanoids for providing this ARC!

Content Warnings

unavezmas's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

"We all used to be someone. It's who we choose to be now that matters."

I liked the comic. Pretty straightforward redemption story. Cyn who used to be a law enforcer wants to start a new peaceful life. She meets a Mechanica with his daughters and is welcomed into their family.

I enjoyed the artstyle. Especially during action scenes. It's pretty clear who's attacking whom and from which position. It also manages to convey momentum.

I am really curious about the setting. Are all enforcers augmented? Who's in charge? Apparently there's prequel story which is also retelling of Count of Monte Cristo and I want to read it someday.

I really hope Cyn gets happy ending she deserves.

Thank you Netgalley and Humanodis Inc. for providing me with free review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

googles's review

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dark emotional hopeful sad 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

Content Warnings

blandrea_reads's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

The story combination of the western / sci fi is a story style that I really enjoy when it is done well. If it leans to heavily into the familiar tropes and patterns, you start to wonder if this is a story that you have already head before.

I appreciated the way the story was told in this case. There was a combination of a Found Family/ Chosen Family, and Redemption. I did enjoy that the main focus of the action or motivation was not romantic. It was nice to see platonic and chosen family given the same respect level as connection as romantic love usually receives.

The art fit the style really well, it felt gritty and visceral enough to give me a vibe that matched the genre. One thing that I really loved, and don’t exactly know how to explain is how well this graphic novel demonstrated movement. The action sequences just flow in a way that was beautiful to follow.

All in all, the action, story beats of the western / sci fi, and the stand alone complete story line all really worked for me.

lrn22's review

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4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Humanoids, Inc for this ARC.

Loved the art and the two main characters. Would’ve liked to know more about Ness but it’s a short graphic novel. It still managed to have a good storyline in a slim volume. I’d read more about Cyn.

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