Scan barcode
iamastraythought's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Another book where every single character in it is awful. Also not a huge fan of the art myself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
book_cryptid's review against another edition
4.0
alexa play who's afraid of little old me (yes i am obsessed with ttpd)
musingswithmiranda's review
2.0
I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I came across Daphne Byrne (Hill House Comics) by Laura Marks on a whim while looking for new comics. Once I saw it was available on NetGalley, I decided to try my luck with getting an eARC. I was pleasantly surprised when my request was accepted, and I was super excited to delve into the story.
The premise of this horror comic completely pulled me in. It follows Daphne Byrne, a young girl who is dealing with the loss of her father. One day she meets Brother, a mysterious demon. The two spend more time together, but Daphne cannot help but wonder if she is imagining him. While dealing with her own problems and grief, Daphne’s mother is dealing with a spiritualistic group who seem to be helping her communicate with her dead husband. However, things soon take a turn for both Daphne and her mother as things are not what they seem.
I went into this comic really intrigued by the plot overview, but in reality, it kind of fell flat. Certain parts were choppy or boring at times. I also would have like more background on Brother. The illustrations by Kelley Jones match the dark tone of the comic, but it was not my favorite style. At times, characters blended together. Daphne’s character was also portrayed in ways that made her seem way too old to be a child. However, I did like Daphne’s character and how the story touched the surface of grief from losing a loved one.
While I did not love Daphne Byrne, there were still some cool elements that I enjoyed. It was a quick and somewhat entertaining read for me. The idea for this comic is really intriguing, but I wish the execution of it stood out to me a little more. However, I do see why some people would really enjoy it. If this seems like something you would enjoy, I would still recommend picking up a copy.
Thank you to the publisher, DC Comics, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this comic before its release on November 3rd, 2020.
*Content warning: death (loss of a parent), grief, violence, attempted rape*
I came across Daphne Byrne (Hill House Comics) by Laura Marks on a whim while looking for new comics. Once I saw it was available on NetGalley, I decided to try my luck with getting an eARC. I was pleasantly surprised when my request was accepted, and I was super excited to delve into the story.
The premise of this horror comic completely pulled me in. It follows Daphne Byrne, a young girl who is dealing with the loss of her father. One day she meets Brother, a mysterious demon. The two spend more time together, but Daphne cannot help but wonder if she is imagining him. While dealing with her own problems and grief, Daphne’s mother is dealing with a spiritualistic group who seem to be helping her communicate with her dead husband. However, things soon take a turn for both Daphne and her mother as things are not what they seem.
I went into this comic really intrigued by the plot overview, but in reality, it kind of fell flat. Certain parts were choppy or boring at times. I also would have like more background on Brother. The illustrations by Kelley Jones match the dark tone of the comic, but it was not my favorite style. At times, characters blended together. Daphne’s character was also portrayed in ways that made her seem way too old to be a child. However, I did like Daphne’s character and how the story touched the surface of grief from losing a loved one.
While I did not love Daphne Byrne, there were still some cool elements that I enjoyed. It was a quick and somewhat entertaining read for me. The idea for this comic is really intriguing, but I wish the execution of it stood out to me a little more. However, I do see why some people would really enjoy it. If this seems like something you would enjoy, I would still recommend picking up a copy.
Thank you to the publisher, DC Comics, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this comic before its release on November 3rd, 2020.
*Content warning: death (loss of a parent), grief, violence, attempted rape*
waisball's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
anaisdai30's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rosariofacio's review
2.0
This had to be the most confusing and creepy graphic novel I had read. The art work was amazing in that dark creepy way I love. The story however was a no for me it just felt like a let down with how everything thing was put together.
bookish_whispers's review
3.0
This was my first jump into the Hill House series. I'm a huge fan of Joe Hill's and I was excited for this series, especially this book because I love Victorian Gothic. I was drawn to this one because it's set in New York instead of London which is a twist from the norm.
I don't want to say I was disappointed in this one because it was okay, but I expected more from the story. I kept waiting for the story to get good, to expand on what was happening to Daphne. There were these little hints that kept me thinking there was going to be more to this story. There was the mysterious death of Daphne's father, her mother's obsession, and the voice that Daphne keeps hearing. All of it seemed like a great mix, but I was left wanting through the whole story.
Daphne had the potential to be a great main character. I'd loved her pluck and determination to save her mother. The way she fought to even save herself. But, I feel like she was almost waisted. There was one good scene of her using her "powers", and we don't even know they were if they were her's or her father's power. She's a great character though and wished she would have a longer story arc.
Like a said I felt like when I kept waiting for the story to happen. There was a lot of setup for a great story, but then everything from the climax to the end felt very rushed. I was also not super happy with the ending. Not only was it rushed, but really it's weird and a little gross. The demon thing keeps telling you to call him brother and you're kissing him. Really?
Hard pass.
I will say I really liked the artwork that Kelley Jones did for this story. I found Brother super creepy at times in that way that the old-style dolls are creepy. Their style of art fits the story really well. It's almost a bit like the old newspaper cartoons. Everything had a hard edge and a lot of shadows around it, and only certain panels and pieces that had full detail. Everything was vague and shadow. It worked well with the story I wanted this to be.
Daphne Byrne was okay. Personally, I think only having one book hurt this story. There was potential to be drawn out through two or three volumes. One book rushed Laura Marks story and I was personally left a little wanting.
I don't want to say I was disappointed in this one because it was okay, but I expected more from the story. I kept waiting for the story to get good, to expand on what was happening to Daphne. There were these little hints that kept me thinking there was going to be more to this story. There was the mysterious death of Daphne's father, her mother's obsession, and the voice that Daphne keeps hearing. All of it seemed like a great mix, but I was left wanting through the whole story.
Daphne had the potential to be a great main character. I'd loved her pluck and determination to save her mother. The way she fought to even save herself. But, I feel like she was almost waisted. There was one good scene of her using her "powers", and we don't even know they were if they were her's or her father's power. She's a great character though and wished she would have a longer story arc.
Like a said I felt like when I kept waiting for the story to happen. There was a lot of setup for a great story, but then everything from the climax to the end felt very rushed. I was also not super happy with the ending. Not only was it rushed, but really it's weird and a little gross. The demon thing keeps telling you to call him brother and you're kissing him. Really?
Hard pass.
I will say I really liked the artwork that Kelley Jones did for this story. I found Brother super creepy at times in that way that the old-style dolls are creepy. Their style of art fits the story really well. It's almost a bit like the old newspaper cartoons. Everything had a hard edge and a lot of shadows around it, and only certain panels and pieces that had full detail. Everything was vague and shadow. It worked well with the story I wanted this to be.
Daphne Byrne was okay. Personally, I think only having one book hurt this story. There was potential to be drawn out through two or three volumes. One book rushed Laura Marks story and I was personally left a little wanting.
gaulien's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lilhill's review
2.0
The interior art was terrible and there was incest for literally no reason (is there ever a reason?)