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nannahnannah's review against another edition
4.0
Monstress takes place in a matriarchal alternate 1900's Asia with five main races: the Ancients, anthropomorphic animal-like immortal beings; the Old Gods, horrific formless monstrosities; Cats, multi-tailed wise and powerful . . . cats; humans (as we are); and Arcanics, the powerful human x Ancient hybrids.
The story is told in two main polar points of view: through Maika, the main protagonist, an arcanic whose body is forcibly shared with an Old God, and through some of the witch-humans, who vehemently oppose arcanics. The two races have been in a violent war, and the readers are taken into the meat of the conflict between them.
Maika is unwillingly put in a tough spot. She's wanted by everyone for the thing inside her, and above all else she wants it out. But if she's to survive and stop an even greater evil from coming, she might have to come to terms with this monster inside . . .
Worldbuilding and character designs are so lush and gripping. I wanted more and more, and was disappointed when I reached the last page. This world has so much life and structure and character, it's difficult not to become engrossed in it.
But the graphic novel is not without it's faults, though. The only larger woman is an awful character whom Maika calls a "pig". Not exactly pleasing representation. There's also a ton of PoV and time switches that make it a bit difficult to follow the timeline of the story (until maybe the halfway point). It's difficult to understand the story until you're a couple chapters in. Also, the book's design is a little annoying; the font is so tiny I had to turn on extra lights and hold the dang thing up to my nose, and I know I'm destroying the poor book's spine as I'm trying to read the dialogue printed so close to the middle spread.
But Monstress is definitely the best graphic novel I've read so far. I can't wait to see more (note: I haven't read many graphic novels . . . but still).
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia
beccabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, and War
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
5.0
I love the art and characters, yes, even the bad ones! Very supernaturally and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Murder, Body horror, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Medical content, Animal death, Blood, Death, Slavery, Trafficking, and War
sillylilreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
definitely a lot of really heavy themes
Graphic: Cannibalism, Slavery, and War
jesseybean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Gore, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Genocide
ocean's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Body horror, Confinement, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
skienight's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Slavery, and Violence
jadie_berg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Slavery, Body horror, War, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Child abuse, Child death, and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts
smrj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Slavery and War
zosnap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Child death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Slavery