Reviews

Crave by Maria Llovet

clowdywings's review against another edition

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4.0

this art was so lovely, and the premise was pretty good too! reminded me vaguely of mean girls (2003).

the overall plot structure works well for this compilation of volumes. the ending of each volume was compelling and had me interested in the next set, which was excellent. i thought the premise was interesting. i've read novels with similar plots but i liked the characters of this series much more. they made fairly logical choices given their circumstances.

however i did think that the author utilized some tropes and stereotypes that felt callously put in (asian person as the tech support & math nerd i think). my other complaint was that some of the detail in the larger scenes were lost due to the inking brush's width/style. other than that i thought the inking was unique and was especially suited for close up scenes.

* Thank you to the publisher Image Comics via Netgalley for the ebook!

rae_shutupandbookup's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

"Tell us what you crave! Follow our instructions and we'll make it happen!"


A college campus is gifted with a new, mysterious app. One that allows you to satisfy any desire you might have in the moment helping to match you with those who will succeed in pleasing the hunger. 


Only something seems off and David along with the help of three others will get to the bottom of this. But could the four of them be too late?!


This was a fun erotic, thriller with mystery and some suspense. I enjoyed the fast pacing of the story and how the college lecture we got pieces of during the beginning of the story correlated with what was to come. Questioning social media and how powerful and self crippling it has become. How we don't really know who's actually behind the screen. Authenticity and real connections are questioned in this read.


David's a top-notch student trying to do his best but realizing some of his life isn't his. He can't continue going on playing a part especially not when the app brings Alexndra and him closer. The strait-laced girl who's unattainable but David's still obsessed with!


Like any new thing humans are naturally drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Eating it up and not getting enough of it! Posting, sharing, and talking about the new hip thing everyone is doing. Only as the newness of the app wears off things have gotten out of control. Situations have escalated and the app that was bringing many together for fun is now doing the opposite.


David and his friends realize they need to stop this app. Discovering the truth behind the app and that they have a time limit! 


This graphic novel is for adults because of the content. Within the first few panels we have FF action. Cussing is prominent in this read and everyone on campus is positively feral. I mean this app is giving them the confidence they needed to say things they wouldn't normally state out loud. There's nudity shown and implications of what's going down. There's violence, some blood nothing gory, and attempted suicide. 


We do have romance within our main character group. I enjoyed watching them come together and the banter presented for one of the couples. Multiple POVS. One of our female leads is BIPOC and I loved how the author drew her. She's so hot and beautiful! The seduction of this read was great, and I loved how the art style was a little grungy and dark. Erotic and little details of the human anatomy we are drawn to. Tight clothing around thighs, lips and mouths, etc.


We do get an HEA with a hint of possibly more to come. I really respected and adored the fact that not everyone affected by the app had an HEA. They did in their own way but not the storybook classic way. Some of the damage done during the hype of the app is not easily forgotten or taken back! This was my first read by this author/artist and I honestly want more!


Enjoy the heated graphic novel and don't forget to give the author some stars!


Thank you NetGalley!


shutupandbookup.com

koseto_tliterature's review against another edition

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

1.5

deepbutdazzlingdarkness's review

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4.0

I keep forgetting it’s not *great* to read comics on my phone, but unfortunately I can’t access NetGalley on my Kindle. Still, I’m so excited I requested this! It was creepy and hot and I love the art. All of the covers inside are totally gorgeous. It had a satisfying ending and I’m hoping there’s more of this eventually!

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

morgankailackerman's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

broganxleigh's review against another edition

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4.0

The art work was so beautiful and the storyline was compelling and wildy interesting. I think the whole concept was intriguing in the best way possible. The writing made you root for certain characters, and dislike others. It was a fast-paced read and with the stunning art portrayed in every page, it was easy to stay interested in the story that was being told. 

I would have loved to have seen the story be longer and the characters more fleshed out 

alexiareviews's review against another edition

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2.0

This digital ARC was obtainable via NetGalley for an honest review!

This was an interesting one for sure! An app that helps you meet your sexual desires involving people on your school's campus is definitely wild. The concept wasn't a bad one. I did get a black mirror vibe from this series.

scaredy_bear's review against another edition

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funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.25

This book left me wanting more but not in the best way. It has plenty of interesting characters but none feel overly fleshed out. The Black Mirror style story is fun but relied too much on horny vibes (generally not a complaint) that didnt leave room for much else.

Thank you, NetGalley and Image Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

noellesmagicallibrary's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

A dark (and erotic) commentary on the negative side of social media. A new app called Crave mysteriously appears on everyone’s phone at this particular college. You tell Crave something you desire and if it’s feasible, Crave gives you instructions on how to achieve it.

Basically everyone on that campus is horny as hell because they are all  hooking up. Honestly, some of the sex scenes were a little bit extra— I think this just isn’t my type of graphic. I don’t usually go for a story like this but the premise sounded interesting. 

thecornishpiskie's review against another edition

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

2.0

First, I'd like to send my thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me access to the eARC of Crave. What follows is my true and honest opinion.

Basic synopsis of my opinion: interesting but not my cup of tea.

I found it hard to really get invested, and the only reason it didn't get put on a DNF list was because it was an ARC and I'm stubborn.
I think the concept is interesting, with a mysterious app appearing on everyone's phone that can help you get what you 'crave'. The artsyle is interesting. But again not my favourite. It reminds me of hand drawn illustrations, however for the right story I can forgive. I think that this falls into the trap that a lot or erotica style comics can fall into, where the plot feels like a afterthought and character development is none existent. The only character I even remember the name of or like is Sofia Hunt. And I think that was because she was the only character that seemed to actually try to have a conversation. That and her hair. I liked her hair.
I think that for the right person, this book could be amazing. The art is good, even if it's not a artsyle I like. I personally, feel like it lacked substance. Which for some people that's fine, but for me, it felt bland.