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zlwrites's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
nightmare_maven's review
dark
emotional
medium-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
5.0
nothing could make me hate this 🥹
readingpicnic's review
dark
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Fantagraphics Books, Inc. for a free digital ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Since the ARC I received is only the first 200 pages of the book, I want to preface by saying that my review only reflects half of the book, but I am eagerly awaiting an opportunity to finish the book because the suspense is really getting to me! Emil Ferris is a master of the cliffhanger. I read the first book five months ago, so I was a little disoriented going back into Anka’s story in particular since I didn’t remember where we left off with it, but that’s my bad for not refreshing myself on the story. I did like how the book started off with Victor, since it was such a major cliffhanger for the end of the first book.
This book follows Karen and Deeze’s relationship a lot more closely, which was interesting to see since Deeze is such a complex character with so many sides to him, which complicates the suspicion surrounding him with Anka’s death. Their relationship is strained due to a lot of factors, including him now being her primary caregiver, but they have some very heartfelt moments that I enjoyed, such as visiting the art museum together and Deeze showing Karen his cover for the monster magazine. I do think Karen is getting a new love interest, which makes me happy for her since she’s going through a lot…
The art is incredible as always, and the lined journal set-up for the pages really lends itself to the feeling that Karen is writing and drawing the book. I love how art is woven throughout the story, with paintings that Karen visits with Deeze in art museums, as well as the cover art from the monster magazines. This series inexplicably reminds me of the game What Remains of Edith Finch, mostly the chapter focusing on the girl who starred in a monster film as a child. Karen is such an interesting and loveable character, and I adore her point of view of the world–her curiosity, her weirdness, her imagination as it pertains to monsters and her own monstrosity, etc. This story has a lot of triggering and explicit Holocaust portrayals, as well as lesbophobia, racism, and racial slurs, so be warned of that going into the book. I’ll be sure to update my review once I get my monstrous little hands on a copy of the full book, but until then, this was a very satisfying sneak peek into book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Racial slurs, Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Trafficking and Death of parent
talkscaredpod's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
4.0
deanlockiradall's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Please note, this review is only for the first 200 pages of the book (included in the eARC). May contain spoilers for Book One.
In the concluding volume of Chicago native Emil Ferris's My Favorite Thing is Monsters duology, the story picks up right where Book One left off--with the revelation of Karen Reyes's other older brother, Victor, and his untimely death. This revelation comes just as Karen is reeling from her mother's passing (cancer) and her on-going investigation into the death of her neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a Holocaust survivor whom Karen believes was murdered. As young, monster-loving Karen struggles to make sense of these mysteries while surrounded by adults who seek to "protect" her from the truth, she continues to understand the world through art--her comics, penned into spiral-bound school notebooks; famous paintings and sculpture from the Art Institute of Chicago; and, of course, classic monster B-movies.
Rendered in alternately detailed and sketchy ballpoint pen, Ferris explores the flexibility of the medium, drawing replicas of classic works in find detail and abstract lineart as the mood dictates. The tone shifts constantly from grisly historical horror of the Holocaust to surreal dreamscapes to the gritty but beautiful architecture of 1960s Chicago. This would be a good choice for fans of Chicago history, classic monster movies (ex. Svengoolie), and parodies of detective noire stories. This series is fairly slow-paced, however, so be patient for the gradual plot build-up and the various threads of the story. If this is anything like Book One, there will be a surprise plot twist at the end that readers won't see coming. Also note that these books are fairly text-heavy, and may require some creativity to follow the flow of the text boxes and speech bubbles in some places.
In the concluding volume of Chicago native Emil Ferris's My Favorite Thing is Monsters duology, the story picks up right where Book One left off--with the revelation of Karen Reyes's other older brother, Victor, and his untimely death. This revelation comes just as Karen is reeling from her mother's passing (cancer) and her on-going investigation into the death of her neighbor, Anka Silverberg, a Holocaust survivor whom Karen believes was murdered. As young, monster-loving Karen struggles to make sense of these mysteries while surrounded by adults who seek to "protect" her from the truth, she continues to understand the world through art--her comics, penned into spiral-bound school notebooks; famous paintings and sculpture from the Art Institute of Chicago; and, of course, classic monster B-movies.
Rendered in alternately detailed and sketchy ballpoint pen, Ferris explores the flexibility of the medium, drawing replicas of classic works in find detail and abstract lineart as the mood dictates. The tone shifts constantly from grisly historical horror of the Holocaust to surreal dreamscapes to the gritty but beautiful architecture of 1960s Chicago. This would be a good choice for fans of Chicago history, classic monster movies (ex. Svengoolie), and parodies of detective noire stories. This series is fairly slow-paced, however, so be patient for the gradual plot build-up and the various threads of the story. If this is anything like Book One, there will be a surprise plot twist at the end that readers won't see coming. Also note that these books are fairly text-heavy, and may require some creativity to follow the flow of the text boxes and speech bubbles in some places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexual content
scarletranger's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The wait is finally over, and it was worth every second! Ferris has returned with her characteristic artwork and stunning narrative to build an unforgettable story about loss and belonging - all while solving a heart-wrenching murder. This conclusion is a masterpiece.
steven_anita's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Trafficking and Domestic abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Hate crime, and Antisemitism
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