Reviews

Cyn by Ibrahim Moustafa

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max_audet's review

adventurous dark sad 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? Yes

3.75

While the story was relatively predictable, the gritty art style, layout and framing during the many actions sequences made for an easy and entertaining read.

This comic has a lot of similarities to Zack Synder's Rebel Moon, but in my opinion, unlike Rebel Moon, Cyn succeeds in telling an engaging story with strong characters.

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randi_jo's review

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adventurous inspiring sad 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

4.0

I had a good time reading this. The art is great, the plot is simple but powerful. I wish the dogs had had more value as characters, but that's just because I'm partial to them haha. As a standalone this a good GN, and to see it's an offshoot of a Count of Monte Christo retelling? Color me interested in reading more.

nrstevens7's review

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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 against another edition

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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 against another edition

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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

Content Warnings

oneangrylibrarian's review against another edition

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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 against another edition

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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

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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!

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unavezmas's review

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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 against another edition

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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

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