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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the second installment far more than the first and I think it's due to:
1. Me having a better grasp of the flow in storytelling
2. Not as many ambiguous time jumps in this one
3. Way more focus on the characters and the journey vs the heavy world-building in the first.
Super invested in the characters and where this is going
1. Me having a better grasp of the flow in storytelling
2. Not as many ambiguous time jumps in this one
3. Way more focus on the characters and the journey vs the heavy world-building in the first.
Super invested in the characters and where this is going
I'm completely in love with Sana Takeda's art and it gets better and better by the page on this volume. It is lush and detailed and perfectly magical in a way that elevates the story without taking away from the narrative.
The story itself gets more and more complex with very few questions answered and many more raised. Despite this, I'm still all in on following along with Maika in her mad adventure thru a magical world that only Marjorie M. Liu could have created.
The story itself gets more and more complex with very few questions answered and many more raised. Despite this, I'm still all in on following along with Maika in her mad adventure thru a magical world that only Marjorie M. Liu could have created.
3.5 stars. Can Maika just take a breath and think instead of literally ripping a hole in someone? If she would just pay more attention to what little Kippa or the cat say....
Though I'm still wrapping my head around the different factions involved in whatever's going on, I am enjoying seeing more of this world and its various peoples. And I just love how many women are in this story, from Tuya, to the head of the Dawn court (or was it the Dusk?), the really scary Cumae witches, the Captain of the ship the trio of Maika, Kippa and Cat are on, to Maika and Kippa. And the clothes continue to be gorgeous, as well as everything else in each panel Sana Takeda draws.
Though I'm still wrapping my head around the different factions involved in whatever's going on, I am enjoying seeing more of this world and its various peoples. And I just love how many women are in this story, from Tuya, to the head of the Dawn court (or was it the Dusk?), the really scary Cumae witches, the Captain of the ship the trio of Maika, Kippa and Cat are on, to Maika and Kippa. And the clothes continue to be gorgeous, as well as everything else in each panel Sana Takeda draws.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this a bit more then the first book. I liked that Maika's mother is not a good mom . It made some of Maika's coldness and cruelty (especially to Kippa, who I suspect she sees herself in) make more sense. While at first I thought this story was avoiding the dreaded "super special chosen one" trope. It does not. Maika's ancestor is the shaman empress, her aunt is the warlord, her grandmother is the Queen of Wolves, and her "goddess father" (fantasy world equivalent to god father?) is a powerful former pirate. Her lineage is super special, she's super politically important and she has been trained since she was a baby to fight and kill. The only thing that's stopping me from scoffing and slamming this book shut is that there are enough questions that have not been answered to get me to keep reading.
Definitely a nice continuation of the series. I liked the new characters introduced, and was excited to get more answers on how the world works and the different political factions at play. The pirates and ocean cities were also definitely a plus, and with each volume, I want to know more and more the secrets swirling around Maika. I will say that this is a story that focuses more on the big picture than the characters, but it works with all of the details involved.
Beautiful and interesting book. The only complaint I have is that there is so much depth and complexity, it can be hard to follow at times.
Things got a lot better here- I understood more and I felt more immersed in the world.
Nothings changed from the first book really, same gorgeous art, same lush story. I think for the first one what happened is what usually happens when starting to read complex fantasy, and that’s being thrown into a world you’re wholly unfamiliar with and having to be caught up at lightning speed.
Anyways- still worth your time!
Nothings changed from the first book really, same gorgeous art, same lush story. I think for the first one what happened is what usually happens when starting to read complex fantasy, and that’s being thrown into a world you’re wholly unfamiliar with and having to be caught up at lightning speed.
Anyways- still worth your time!
Volume 2 of Monstress picks up after the events of Volume 1. Maika, Kippa and Ren are on the run and being hunted by more and more adversaries. Maika finds a bone key in her mother's possessions, which leads her to her old friend and ship captain Seizi. They take off for the Island of Bones to learn more about the monster who occasionally comes out of Maika's arm. We learn more about Maika's backstory and the monster's. This is turning out to be one of my favorite series. I love Maika's story and the journey of discovery she is on. I also really love the artwork for this series. It is gorgeous and gruesome and fantastic. I can't wait for the next installment.
Amazing worldbuilding, an intricate story that rewards rereading, and lush art. What's not to love?!