Reviews

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu

2357aya's review against another edition

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

3.5

cesarcg's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautiful illustrations -very art deco- and great world building. I will definitely read the next volume once it's out.

Merged review:

Beautiful illustrations -very art deco- and great world building. I will definitely read the next volume once it's out.

edg's review

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

sapphicshark's review

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

4.5

kadomi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Gorgeous art, and a complicated story in a sort of steampunk fantasy world that is dominated by women. It follows the teenager Maika, who has a monster living inside of her. I already struggle to describe the plot, it's so mysterious that I feel I haven't got a full grasp on it. But it's intriguing, as I said the art is gorgeous, but it is incredibly violent, with a high amount of gore practically dripping from its pages. But I want read more of this, for sure.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

crystalstarrlight's review against another edition

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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!

terra10's review against another edition

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Really couldn't get into it

alexfrankfiction'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? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

cscjanni's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

3.75

kaiha_rawr's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

2.0