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lprongs's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
While this graphic novel is described as dystopian, you only need to look around to see much of this happening today. Similar to Tochi Onyebuchi's Goliath, calling this "dystopian" is choosing to ignore very real truths. It has some truly horrific things in it, but again, these things have happened, are happening, and are designed to keep happening unless we stop them.
It is a fantastic commentary and handbook on class warfare and how to literally seize the means of production as workers, and how reading and literacy are key stepping stones in overthrowing the ruling class.
As some others have said, it seems like most of the melanated settlers were relegated to manual labor (farming), food service, or sanitation, and I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it's never addressed. It's possible that this is only true of the main characters as most of the galley was still black and white.
Thanks to the publisher, IDW, for having this galley available on Edelweiss.
It is a fantastic commentary and handbook on class warfare and how to literally seize the means of production as workers, and how reading and literacy are key stepping stones in overthrowing the ruling class.
As some others have said, it seems like most of the melanated settlers were relegated to manual labor (farming), food service, or sanitation, and I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it's never addressed. It's possible that this is only true of the main characters as most of the galley was still black and white.
Thanks to the publisher, IDW, for having this galley available on Edelweiss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, Child death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, and Murder
ceilidhwilliams's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
More than half the book isn't coloured yet and in that half, there are a few places where panels and lines have been repeated, I'm assuming this will be fixed before the publication date. As for the story, it's a typical sci-fi dystopian in its structure, world-building and plot twists, most of the story is very obvious straight from the beginning, the final few panels did surprise me but maybe I had stopped paying enough attention as everything else was predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Slavery, Child abuse, and Death
julesleigh's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. The ending blew me away even though I knew it was coming. My jaw dropped at the end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Genocide, Blood, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Classism, Child abuse, and Body horror
libraryofhelixis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Arca is an interesting exploration of power and greed; both the weight power holds over people and how people in positions of power are able to stay in power.
I love that there are continuous nods to great works of literature and that the main character uses her knowledge of these works to decipher good from bad but ultimately her characterisation fell a little short. She wasn’t as gripping or demanding as I expected her to be, she seems to clumsily stumble around before putting pieces of the lies together to form the truth.
I wish the world building had have been slightly more involved, I still don’t truely understand what happened to earth despite having reread that section multiple times.
Overall the concept of a great story is there, it just needs a little more pizzazz. The artwork, however, is stunning.
I love that there are continuous nods to great works of literature and that the main character uses her knowledge of these works to decipher good from bad but ultimately her characterisation fell a little short. She wasn’t as gripping or demanding as I expected her to be, she seems to clumsily stumble around before putting pieces of the lies together to form the truth.
I wish the world building had have been slightly more involved, I still don’t truely understand what happened to earth despite having reread that section multiple times.
Overall the concept of a great story is there, it just needs a little more pizzazz. The artwork, however, is stunning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
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