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meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Classism, Body horror, and Slavery
Minor: War
bookwormdystopian2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-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: Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism and Slavery
merisaurum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chaos7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.0
I stumbled across this series because of the steampunk fantasy cover and was not let down. There are so many twists in this story. It displays the complexity of war and human nature. The artwork is also stunning.
princessrobotiv's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
The introductory volume of this series was intriguing enough for me to place the second on hold about halfway through.
I was initially put off by the gore, which didn't so much improve as it did dilute as the plot finally began to take shape. The plot itself, and the tropes therein, are just up my alley. I'm a sucker for interesting relationships between dread monsters and young humans struggling for power (over themselves, their surroundings, or others). And the monster in THIS story already has my interest piqued, not the least because it actually looks like a monster: foreign, eldritch, repulsive. Good stuff. Likewise, the monster's interactions with Maika were handled well, just combative enough to feel natural and realistic but not so combative that it felt redundant.
The art style was arresting and beautifully intricate. Maika's facial expressions were a joy to see, every panel, and her anatomy was handled so well that I both forgot and never forgot her disability . . . if that makes sense.
You can tell how weary I am of seeing women brutally killed in media, though -- even in this refreshingly woman-centric fantasy world, where a great diversity of characters are represented, I struggled with the severe violence being inflicted on almost every woman. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it going forward. It depends on how it's handled. I am somewhat annoyed by the use of "bitch" in a supposed matriarchal society, though . . . Like . . . where did it come from? Why not make up your own slur, one that isn't tied to the patriarchy? Anyway. That's my grouse.
Merged review:
3.5
The introductory volume of this series was intriguing enough for me to place the second on hold about halfway through.
I was initially put off by the gore, which didn't so much improve as it did dilute as the plot finally began to take shape. The plot itself, and the tropes therein, are just up my alley. I'm a sucker for interesting relationships between dread monsters and young humans struggling for power (over themselves, their surroundings, or others). And the monster in THIS story already has my interest piqued, not the least because it actually looks like a monster: foreign, eldritch, repulsive. Good stuff. Likewise, the monster's interactions with Maika were handled well, just combative enough to feel natural and realistic but not so combative that it felt redundant.
The art style was arresting and beautifully intricate. Maika's facial expressions were a joy to see, every panel, and her anatomy was handled so well that I both forgot and never forgot her disability . . . if that makes sense.
You can tell how weary I am of seeing women brutally killed in media, though -- even in this refreshingly woman-centric fantasy world, where a great diversity of characters are represented, I struggled with the severe violence being inflicted on almost every woman. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it going forward. It depends on how it's handled. I am somewhat annoyed by the use of "bitch" in a supposed matriarchal society, though . . . Like . . . where did it come from? Why not make up your own slur, one that isn't tied to the patriarchy? Anyway. That's my grouse.
The introductory volume of this series was intriguing enough for me to place the second on hold about halfway through.
I was initially put off by the gore, which didn't so much improve as it did dilute as the plot finally began to take shape. The plot itself, and the tropes therein, are just up my alley. I'm a sucker for interesting relationships between dread monsters and young humans struggling for power (over themselves, their surroundings, or others). And the monster in THIS story already has my interest piqued, not the least because it actually looks like a monster: foreign, eldritch, repulsive. Good stuff. Likewise, the monster's interactions with Maika were handled well, just combative enough to feel natural and realistic but not so combative that it felt redundant.
The art style was arresting and beautifully intricate. Maika's facial expressions were a joy to see, every panel, and her anatomy was handled so well that I both forgot and never forgot her disability . . . if that makes sense.
You can tell how weary I am of seeing women brutally killed in media, though -- even in this refreshingly woman-centric fantasy world, where a great diversity of characters are represented, I struggled with the severe violence being inflicted on almost every woman. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it going forward. It depends on how it's handled. I am somewhat annoyed by the use of "bitch" in a supposed matriarchal society, though . . . Like . . . where did it come from? Why not make up your own slur, one that isn't tied to the patriarchy? Anyway. That's my grouse.
Merged review:
3.5
The introductory volume of this series was intriguing enough for me to place the second on hold about halfway through.
I was initially put off by the gore, which didn't so much improve as it did dilute as the plot finally began to take shape. The plot itself, and the tropes therein, are just up my alley. I'm a sucker for interesting relationships between dread monsters and young humans struggling for power (over themselves, their surroundings, or others). And the monster in THIS story already has my interest piqued, not the least because it actually looks like a monster: foreign, eldritch, repulsive. Good stuff. Likewise, the monster's interactions with Maika were handled well, just combative enough to feel natural and realistic but not so combative that it felt redundant.
The art style was arresting and beautifully intricate. Maika's facial expressions were a joy to see, every panel, and her anatomy was handled so well that I both forgot and never forgot her disability . . . if that makes sense.
You can tell how weary I am of seeing women brutally killed in media, though -- even in this refreshingly woman-centric fantasy world, where a great diversity of characters are represented, I struggled with the severe violence being inflicted on almost every woman. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it going forward. It depends on how it's handled. I am somewhat annoyed by the use of "bitch" in a supposed matriarchal society, though . . . Like . . . where did it come from? Why not make up your own slur, one that isn't tied to the patriarchy? Anyway. That's my grouse.
blairmahoney's review against another edition
4.0
Didn't grab me at first but I'm glad I persisted. It's an interesting fantasy world that Liu has created. Beautiful art.
Merged review:
Didn't grab me at first but I'm glad I persisted. It's an interesting fantasy world that Liu has created. Beautiful art.
Merged review:
Didn't grab me at first but I'm glad I persisted. It's an interesting fantasy world that Liu has created. Beautiful art.
senshine's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really enjoyed the writing and world-building. The art is spectacular, on another level, and largely contributes to my rating. The art alone is five stars. Not a perfect five because at times the pacing felt too fast and confusing alongside the more complex information coming at you.
worldofbookcraft's review against another edition
3.0
prettiest art ever, simultaneously horrifying and chibi cute
but I feel like I needed to take notes to keep up with the plot, the lore dumps were a lot for a comic format but I thiink it’ll get better as the story goes on (hooked from that ending twist!)
Merged review:
prettiest art ever, simultaneously horrifying and chibi cute
but I feel like I needed to take notes to keep up with the plot, the lore dumps were a lot for a comic format but I thiink it’ll get better as the story goes on (hooked from that ending twist!)
but I feel like I needed to take notes to keep up with the plot, the lore dumps were a lot for a comic format but I thiink it’ll get better as the story goes on (hooked from that ending twist!)
Merged review:
prettiest art ever, simultaneously horrifying and chibi cute
but I feel like I needed to take notes to keep up with the plot, the lore dumps were a lot for a comic format but I thiink it’ll get better as the story goes on (hooked from that ending twist!)