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liesljrowe's review
3.0
An epic Victorian adventure with all the monster fights and cool gadgets you could wish for! Scarlett is a fantastic heroine and I'm left desperate for more of her adventures alongside her long-suffering butler Napoleon. So many questions are left unanswered about Scarlett's parents and the villains' nefarious plots that I hope this is the first of many Scarlett Hart adventures.
**Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.**
**Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.**
funsizelibrarian's review
3.0
I enjoyed this one. It was fun and the art was really good. I think it would have been better as a novel, though. I want to know the backstories of the characters and the situation, and the graphic novel didn't bother with that.
critterbee's review
2.0
This graphic novel seems like it is an introductory edition to a 'Monster Hunter' series, featuring young, orphaned, bratty-with-something-to-prove Scarlett, her underappreciated butler, unexplained monsters roaming the world, and an uninspired, cookie cutter nemesis.
The premise? Scrappy orphaned daughter of two famous monster hunters tries to prove her worth as a monster hunter with the help of servants who have been with her family since she was a baby. Opposing her are monsters, the letter of the law (she is underage), and a slimy, one-dimensional Purple Pieman of a villain. The premise is a great one, yet the story and characters seemed 'dumbed down,' as if unsure how to be communicated to a younger audience. I felt that that underestimated the majority of middle readers' ability to appreciate well written stories. Middle readers do not need stories to be dumbed down for them.
For a first in a series book, there was not much world building. Scarlett's backstory was flat and unsurprising. Scarlett came across as spoiled, unappreciative, reckless, always in need of rescue and very inept at monster-hunting. That her 'loyal butler' is not even named in the book summary illustrates how much he is taken for granted, exploited and undervalued as a person by Scarlett and the story.
The plot was jerky and progressed because it had to, rather than following a natural storytelling arc. It felt forced. The artwork (where were the pupils?) was unique, and unsettling. Points for being unique, but was it following the artist's style, or just lazy illustrating?
I would rate 2 out of 5 stars because the premise was interesting. Everything else about it let me down.
*eARC Netgalley*
The premise? Scrappy orphaned daughter of two famous monster hunters tries to prove her worth as a monster hunter with the help of servants who have been with her family since she was a baby. Opposing her are monsters, the letter of the law (she is underage), and a slimy, one-dimensional Purple Pieman of a villain. The premise is a great one, yet the story and characters seemed 'dumbed down,' as if unsure how to be communicated to a younger audience. I felt that that underestimated the majority of middle readers' ability to appreciate well written stories. Middle readers do not need stories to be dumbed down for them.
For a first in a series book, there was not much world building. Scarlett's backstory was flat and unsurprising.
Spoiler
Count Stanky, the 'nemesis,' was romantically rejected by Scarlett's mother, and now he must destroy Scarlett...The plot was jerky and progressed because it had to, rather than following a natural storytelling arc. It felt forced. The artwork (where were the pupils?) was unique, and unsettling. Points for being unique, but was it following the artist's style, or just lazy illustrating?
I would rate 2 out of 5 stars because the premise was interesting. Everything else about it let me down.
*eARC Netgalley*
csquared85's review
3.0
Merely okay. I'm not sure if this is the first in a series - the rushed ending left a loose thread behind - but it was enjoyable enough. I'm sure the right kid will dig it.
bookbrig's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
Mmmm, this was ok. I think some of our kids will like it quite a bit, and the art was nice. It has a girl-Batman-Victorian-England-steampunk-adventure feel to it, I just wanted a little more depth as an adult reader.
jmanchester0's review
4.0
Monster hunting isn‰ЫЄt necessarily a new idea, but this felt like a fresh take.
It was a completely enjoyable book, though some of the dialogue and art seemed like it was in draft form. And why were the word balloons twice as big as they needed to be? They took up so much room with their white space.
But I really liked it and would recommend it - for late elementary on up.
It was a completely enjoyable book, though some of the dialogue and art seemed like it was in draft form. And why were the word balloons twice as big as they needed to be? They took up so much room with their white space.
But I really liked it and would recommend it - for late elementary on up.
mbrevesz's review
3.0
Enjoyable- I really liked the character of Scarlett, but the plot was a little disjointed and I wanted more background. My students will like it!
bridgette's review
3.0
I didn't love this like I thought I would. It's a cute, enjoyable book, but missing something to make it extra special. For me, the artwork isn't a style I'm a big fan of and the world-building, or lack thereof, was a little confusing at first. I did like the main character and the kinda mash-up of Batman, Supernatural, and Sherlock, but the pacing felt off to me too.
Good, quick read for someone wanting creepy, but not too creepy monsters with a likeable main character.
Good, quick read for someone wanting creepy, but not too creepy monsters with a likeable main character.
truestorydesu's review
4.0
SEQUEL PLEASE! Loved it - the story of a girl monster hunter and her loyal butler. Monsters, airplanes, an evil count! What more could you possibly want? Well, a sequel. A sequel is what I want.