Reviews

Children of the Woods by Joe Ciano

shereadsmysteries's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Grief, Bullying, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Self harm

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Confinement, and Gun violence

Minor: Animal death

Many triggers depicted in the book are illustrated on page and are therefore marked as graphic as they aren't left to the imagination.

grantkeegan's review

4.0

Children of the Woods is a great comic that takes me back to the days of classic horror. Taking a gritty and bleak approach, the story makes for a great read that feels fresh in many ways. Especially with the way environments, characters and creatures are designed.

As with previous works such as The Plot, Josh Hixson’s artwork is the highlight of the book. It is very beautiful and gritty to look at, giving him a chance to focus on new scenery and elements. Hixson’s style intensifies the horror, which is great in many ways. Especially with how it deals with themes of social isolation, obsession, and using the unknown to a great effect.

Amber’s role as the main character is very interesting and creepy. Her descent into madness as the story progresses is foreshadowed in ways that pay off in the ending. This book made me realize that single-volume stories should get more attention as they are a great way to showcase talent without turning them into a series. I recommend reading Children of the Woods and checking out other comics with Hixson’s art.

Final Score: 78/100

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lalilulela's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

blackcatkai's review against another edition

4.0

CW: blood, gore, violence, kidnapping, casual ableism, abuse of power, self harm

cleverfoxwithcoffee's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eyelit's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

mellambert's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Dark AF and I love it.

honguan's review

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

mxreader's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

3.5

Such mesmerizing art style! It captures the mood of the horror and eldritch vibes of the story very well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Kidnapping, and Violence

Moderate: Bullying

graypeape's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25