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nannahnannah's review
4.0
Monstress takes place in a matriarchal alternate 1900's Asia with five main races: the Ancients, anthropomorphic animal-like immortal beings; the Old Gods, horrific formless monstrosities; Cats, multi-tailed wise and powerful . . . cats; humans (as we are); and Arcanics, the powerful human x Ancient hybrids.
The story is told in two main polar points of view: through Maika, the main protagonist, an arcanic whose body is forcibly shared with an Old God, and through some of the witch-humans, who vehemently oppose arcanics. The two races have been in a violent war, and the readers are taken into the meat of the conflict between them.
Maika is unwillingly put in a tough spot. She's wanted by everyone for the thing inside her, and above all else she wants it out. But if she's to survive and stop an even greater evil from coming, she might have to come to terms with this monster inside . . .
Worldbuilding and character designs are so lush and gripping. I wanted more and more, and was disappointed when I reached the last page. This world has so much life and structure and character, it's difficult not to become engrossed in it.
But the graphic novel is not without it's faults, though. The only larger woman is an awful character whom Maika calls a "pig". Not exactly pleasing representation. There's also a ton of PoV and time switches that make it a bit difficult to follow the timeline of the story (until maybe the halfway point). It's difficult to understand the story until you're a couple chapters in. Also, the book's design is a little annoying; the font is so tiny I had to turn on extra lights and hold the dang thing up to my nose, and I know I'm destroying the poor book's spine as I'm trying to read the dialogue printed so close to the middle spread.
But Monstress is definitely the best graphic novel I've read so far. I can't wait to see more (note: I haven't read many graphic novels . . . but still).
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia
kylieqrada's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Gore
beccabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, and War
literarypenguin's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Death
comrade_mia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Death, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
buffyloverlori's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and War
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I love the art and characters, yes, even the bad ones! Very supernaturally and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Murder, Body horror, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Medical content, Animal death, Blood, Death, Slavery, Trafficking, and War
izzy_reads's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Violence
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review
- 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
4.75
There was so much amazing detail, completely entrancing, I probably skipped over the narrative bubbles lol.
Our MC is a complete BADASS and has a mysterious darkness to her that wants to basically kill anyone lol.
Little fox and the kitty were my favorite characters, they're so stinking cute!!!
The detailed architect just swept me away and I spent extra time just admiring the works of art.
Even with its gory scenes, I was able to look past it, though it did turn my stomach.
I'm excited to continue with the next volumes 🥰
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Cultural appropriation, Violence, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Murder, Blood, Cannibalism, Gore, War, and Grief
jesseybean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Gore, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Genocide