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kkarinh's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the world and story elements. A world in chaos and destruction under an evil tyrant. A history of magic and giant khatz to protect the people and the land. Even the heroine, Rose, is spunky if a bit naive at the beginning. She soon proves that she isn't afraid to take up a sword, or magic, to protect those she cares about.
That being said, it's hard for me to grapple with a strong female heroine and equally strong female villain, only to have them dressed in strips of cloth more revealing than a bikini.
Rose's initial dress isn't too bad, even though it hinted at a fair amount of cleavage at many opportunities. But her battle armor felt appalling and unrealistic. She wears a full chest piece that ends just above her stomach and wears basically a loin cloth for bottoms. Not only is it impractical in fighting terms (lots of bare skin left unprotected), it leads to lots of excuses for crotch and ass shots. It felt more like a teenage boy's wet dream and detracts from her strength as a heroine coming into her powers and destiny.
Similarly, the villainess Drucilla was even more scantily clad. With a loin cloth for bottoms, and two long strips of cloth strategically draped over her pointed nipples. And then long sleeves. Also utterly impractical and uncomfortable to look at.
All the men in this comic are appropriately attired for farm life or battle. Why did they choose to make the two main women barely clothed?
I'm interested in continuing the story, if not wholly original, at least interesting, but I'd prefer to see some properly dressed women for a change.
I enjoyed the world and story elements. A world in chaos and destruction under an evil tyrant. A history of magic and giant khatz to protect the people and the land. Even the heroine, Rose, is spunky if a bit naive at the beginning. She soon proves that she isn't afraid to take up a sword, or magic, to protect those she cares about.
That being said, it's hard for me to grapple with a strong female heroine and equally strong female villain, only to have them dressed in strips of cloth more revealing than a bikini.
Rose's initial dress isn't too bad, even though it hinted at a fair amount of cleavage at many opportunities. But her battle armor felt appalling and unrealistic. She wears a full chest piece that ends just above her stomach and wears basically a loin cloth for bottoms. Not only is it impractical in fighting terms (lots of bare skin left unprotected), it leads to lots of excuses for crotch and ass shots. It felt more like a teenage boy's wet dream and detracts from her strength as a heroine coming into her powers and destiny.
Similarly, the villainess Drucilla was even more scantily clad. With a loin cloth for bottoms, and two long strips of cloth strategically draped over her pointed nipples. And then long sleeves. Also utterly impractical and uncomfortable to look at.
All the men in this comic are appropriately attired for farm life or battle. Why did they choose to make the two main women barely clothed?
I'm interested in continuing the story, if not wholly original, at least interesting, but I'd prefer to see some properly dressed women for a change.
stackwoodlibrary's review
2.0
More like 1.5
Was disappointed, just a boring ol' fantasy sword & mage story. I guess. Got through this entire volume (so #1-5) and don't really know much.
Except I'm done with it.
Was disappointed, just a boring ol' fantasy sword & mage story. I guess. Got through this entire volume (so #1-5) and don't really know much.
Except I'm done with it.
kendracastle's review
1.0
Man, I really wanted to like this, but I think Monstress has spoiled me for female representation in epic comics. WHY ARE THERE ONLY FOUR WOMEN IN THIS? JUST BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE POWERFUL DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO BE THE ONLY ONES IN THE UNIVERSE. Also, this does a lot of the high fantasy stuff I find extremely exhausting – the ridiculous spelling of "khatz," so much exposition monologuing, characters with little to no complexity. Why is Rose's armor sexy??? Why was there an up-skirt panel in the middle of a battle(/at all)? Also, why does Drucilla wear barbed wire around her almost-naked body? I picked this up because the second volume was on a best of 2018 list, so I may continue this at some point but...ugh.
spiringempress's review
3.0
Honestly, this was kinda a letdown. The graphic novels follows Rose, a magic user and potential guardian in a land, where magic has been outlawed. Guardians are magic wielders who bond with Khats, I'm assuming magical beasts and protect the land. For some reason, the Khats began to disappear and the land fell into poverty and what have you. The sorceress/queen, Drucilla is hellbent on eliminating all those who have the potential to be guardians and this happens to include our protagonist, Rose.
However, Rose is clueless and it's kinda annoying. She wields magic, but doesn't think she could be a guardian, often runs off to take revenge even though she can't use a sword and then suddenly accepts her role as guardian, which maybe should have been saved for another volume. Overall, just felt a little rushed.
However, Rose is clueless and it's kinda annoying. She wields magic, but doesn't think she could be a guardian, often runs off to take revenge even though she can't use a sword and then suddenly accepts her role as guardian, which maybe should have been saved for another volume. Overall, just felt a little rushed.
elizabeth_reads_'s review
3.0
I liked this story and wouldn't mind learning more about this world and its magic system. However, I am put off a bit by the art style. Specifically, I wish it wasn't catered to the male gaze. There is no way a scrap of torn fabric passes for a real skirt, let alone as viable clothes for a "warrior." Why not give Rose (or the story's villain Drucilla) some actual clothes?
libridraconis's review
3.0
The story’s great, but would it hurt to let Rose and Drucilla wear clothes and cover their breasts?
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