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nannahnannah's review against another edition
4.0
My initial impression still stands: this is the most gorgeously illustrated graphic novel I've ever set my eyes on! The illustrations never waver in quality; they're intensely detailed and elegant, and I'm almost tempted to say it's worth buying the graphic novel for the illustrations alone.
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).
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).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Fatphobia
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I haven't loved a graphic novel in so long. Between the art and the gorgeous storyline in this first installment, I am buying it hook, line, and sinker. Give me moreeee!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Gore
beccabookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, and War
literarypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
The artwork in this comic was so beautiful at times I couldn't believe someone had drawn this! The world was a dark and harsh place that wasn't afraid to shy away from the effects that war can cause. The plot was hard to follow at times, it just drops you into this world and the lore it has and expects you to follow it right away. Once I got the hang of it though it wasn't too much trouble to grasp it. Such a large plethora of characters you are introduced to in this universe and all of them are as equally interesting as the main character. I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume and where the story goes from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Death
comrade_mia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Child abuse, Death, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
buffyloverlori's review against another edition
<Spoiler >To violent for me and to many things that was triggering me. </Spoilers>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and War
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
This is just the kind of graphic that I love to stumble upon and find out it's actually pretty fucking amazing!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Violence
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
I absolutely loved this graphic novel (my 1st time reading a digital format).
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 🥰
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 🥰
Content Warnings
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
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Gore, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Genocide