A review by crystalstarrlight
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu

4.0

Bullet Review:

2021 UPDATE:

Why wasn't I more impressed with this back in 2017? Was it the fact life was great in 2017 and this is basically the first library graphic novel I've had a chance to read in year, during the Great Pandemic of 2020? Or have I really changed that much in 4 years?

I suppose this is why everyone should take any "old reviews" they stumble upon with a grain of salt - the reviewer may end up rereading and completely change her mind!

I started reading this while waiting for my sibling in the car and basically soaked it up in two sittings. I absolutely loved the characters this time and eagerly absorbed the world and surroundings, so complex and fascinating. I am really invested in finding out what happens next and am glad that I had the hindsight to request volumes 2 - 5 at my library.

Shout out to my comics buddy at work, whom I have not seen in over a year, but was kind enough to fill me in on all the comics he's read in this terrible time.

Original:

This story is pretty damned unique. And while the protagonist is a teen, this is definitely not your stupid "young adult book that is actually a romance in disguise".

But...

For whatever reason, I found myself mostly meh about the story and characters. Well, minus the cats that is!

Merged review:

Bullet Review:

2021 UPDATE:

Why wasn't I more impressed with this back in 2017? Was it the fact life was great in 2017 and this is basically the first library graphic novel I've had a chance to read in year, during the Great Pandemic of 2020? Or have I really changed that much in 4 years?

I suppose this is why everyone should take any "old reviews" they stumble upon with a grain of salt - the reviewer may end up rereading and completely change her mind!

I started reading this while waiting for my sibling in the car and basically soaked it up in two sittings. I absolutely loved the characters this time and eagerly absorbed the world and surroundings, so complex and fascinating. I am really invested in finding out what happens next and am glad that I had the hindsight to request volumes 2 - 5 at my library.

Shout out to my comics buddy at work, whom I have not seen in over a year, but was kind enough to fill me in on all the comics he's read in this terrible time.

Original:

This story is pretty damned unique. And while the protagonist is a teen, this is definitely not your stupid "young adult book that is actually a romance in disguise".

But...

For whatever reason, I found myself mostly meh about the story and characters. Well, minus the cats that is!