Reviews tagging 'Cannibalism'

Monstress, Book One by Marjorie Liu

7 reviews

mburnsides's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I had read the first volume months before the rest of the book and had not reread it before finishing, so the first six chapters I don't remember well. Sometimes the story could be hard to follow and I didn't start remembering characters' names until about halfway through. The art is phenomenal and the characters design, ugh *chefs kiss* If you like hot women, this story is for you. If you like matriarchal perspectives and eldritch horror, this story is for you. I enjoyed the greyness of Maika’s character and the story’s willingness to paint “heroes” as bad people. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, War, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Grief, Cannibalism, and Animal death

Minor: Slavery, Genocide, and Racism

jessthanthree's review

adventurous dark tense medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Animal death, War, Murder, Xenophobia, Death, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Cannibalism, Violence, and Cursing

Moderate: Trafficking, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, and Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Colonisation, Sexual violence, Self harm, Slavery, and Religious bigotry

inamerata's review

adventurous dark mysterious

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Child death, Gore, and Body horror

Moderate: Torture, Cannibalism, Slavery, and War

Minor: Death of parent

There is also fantasy racism/xenophobia among various species. This is often blended with fantasy religious bigotry, with some parallels to Christianity.

vigil's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious relaxing tense medium-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

5.0

i’m utterly devouring this comic series! it’s definitely confusing at first, liu doesn’t take the time to fully introduce you to the world, instead throwing you in head first (making you feel as confused as our main character, maika.) but the learning curve is a very short one, and the pieces start to fall into place soon enough. 

it’s not a comic for everyone. grimdark doesn’t begin to describe the setting, but it’s used for a purpose. marjorie liu doesn’t shy away from from the horrors of war and failed societies (many details she pulled from her own family’s experience during wwii, i believe) and the effects and tragedy left in its wake.

the series has its share of heartwarming moments, mainly in the form of kippa, and her relationship with the world and the people around her. it’s a world chockfull of bad guys, no good guys, and everyone with their backs to the wall and the choices they make because of it. 

i just enjoyed this series so much that i’m giving it a five star despite its aforementioned issues (pacing, vagueness, entry confusion.) if you go into this series treating it like you would a sci-fi / fantasy novel where you stick through the beginning as you gain a hold on the story and setting, you’ll be much better off.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Animal death, Death, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, Genocide, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Slavery, War, Cannibalism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Murder

carochacord's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Murder, Slavery, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Death of parent

nyoom's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, and Xenophobia

velveteencactus's review

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Probably THE best book I have read this year. The artwork is absolutely stunning and the storyline delivers on everything it promises, a new complex fantasy world, an exploration of war and trauma, and everyone's favorite, found family. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Cannibalism

Moderate: Slavery