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geekwayne's review
3.0
'Henni' is a strange story of anthropomorphic cat-like creatures living in a world of dominant religion and power. I liked the story initially, but it was so continuously heavy-handed that it wore on me.
Henni is a young girl (cat?) living in a village with her family. When her father questions things, he has his ears clipped off and he is banished. As Henni heads towards the day when her husband is chosen for her, she begins to question her society more and more. Eventually she runs away.
She finds herself in a new city, with a new set of rules that are about as strict as the city she comes from. She is equally as questioning here. Eventually, she attempts to escape from this city. Will she be successful, and will she ever find happiness?
I get that there are severely oppressive societies on our planet, and I get that you might not want to point fingers so you would substitute a race or religion for an animal character. This was done incredibly effectively in Art Spiegelman's 'Maus' graphic novels. The art here is completely gorgeous, but the story is so harsh that I found myself in a weird place. Enjoying the art, but hating the circumstances the character was in. The book also ends in a thoughtful place which felt a bit dissatisfying, but the overall message is so heavy and oppressive that I felt a bit like Henni might have with all those elders and wise people pointing fingers and shouting at her. So this gets a 4 for art, but a 2 for story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Z2 Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Henni is a young girl (cat?) living in a village with her family. When her father questions things, he has his ears clipped off and he is banished. As Henni heads towards the day when her husband is chosen for her, she begins to question her society more and more. Eventually she runs away.
She finds herself in a new city, with a new set of rules that are about as strict as the city she comes from. She is equally as questioning here. Eventually, she attempts to escape from this city. Will she be successful, and will she ever find happiness?
I get that there are severely oppressive societies on our planet, and I get that you might not want to point fingers so you would substitute a race or religion for an animal character. This was done incredibly effectively in Art Spiegelman's 'Maus' graphic novels. The art here is completely gorgeous, but the story is so harsh that I found myself in a weird place. Enjoying the art, but hating the circumstances the character was in. The book also ends in a thoughtful place which felt a bit dissatisfying, but the overall message is so heavy and oppressive that I felt a bit like Henni might have with all those elders and wise people pointing fingers and shouting at her. So this gets a 4 for art, but a 2 for story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Z2 Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
saidtheraina's review
3.0
Slightly weird and surreal fable. Humanoid creatures with cat ears, racism, art-hating, self-exploration. It feels like an allegory about someone's real-world experience going from a repressed, patriarchal society to a theoretically more enlightened group that looks down them as an individual because they are from the previous group. I'm picturing someone who's going from a conservative amerikan existence to a more "progressive" community, but maybe I'm just projecting. :)
Ultimately pretty forgettable, tho. Even flipping through the pages a few weeks later, I had a hard time remembering what happens.
The color work here might be the most notable thing - touches of blue and purple, probably in poignant places, though I didn't notice on a single read.
Ultimately pretty forgettable, tho. Even flipping through the pages a few weeks later, I had a hard time remembering what happens.
The color work here might be the most notable thing - touches of blue and purple, probably in poignant places, though I didn't notice on a single read.
haia_929's review
3.0
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
I received a copy of this book from Diamond Book Distributors on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Henni was taught at a young age to question what she is told. When she is about to be forced into an unwanted marriage she runs away from her village, only to discover that more exist in the world different but very much the same as her own home. Henni learns that she may not always be able to escape the constricting society she has always known, but she still has hope that she will.
I found this comic really thought provoking. The comic is something of a commentary on religion, though I felt it lacked impact remaining somewhat vague and without much force behind the message. The art style was unique and interesting, reminding me of some older animation, though I'm having a hard time pinpointing the exact films it reminded me of. I did find some of the art a little awkward. I was really happy with the strong, highly motivated female lead. I definitely think it's worth a read as it is unique and thought provoking.
The plot deals with Henni's escape from her restrictive and abusive community, but beyond that it also deals with her coming of age story. Her questioning society is what sets her coming of age into motion. I think that journey, and the strength it gives her is really what drives the story. The religious content was interesting, showing how similar all of these societies are despite their beliefs in different Gods. The blind obedience to rules is also a really interesting aspect, especially when you see Henni's sister completely ignore the truth when she sees it. It was definitely thought provoking. I think there was some punch missing from the overall message, just something didn't come through clearly enough
Henni is a really fantastic character. Her strength and inquisitive nature were really inspiring. Especially as she faces death in the second village, she uses her wit to escape death. I was really impressed with the development of Henni from child to adult throughout the book. She was the perfect vehicle for telling this story, and I was hugely impressed with how Lasko-Gross handled her character making finding the place for her.
I think this is definitely worth checking out. The content really makes up for anything awkward about it. It's definitely a good starting point for looking at religious discussion. I think it's a good read, interesting visually, and features a great strong female lead.
I received a copy of this book from Diamond Book Distributors on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Henni was taught at a young age to question what she is told. When she is about to be forced into an unwanted marriage she runs away from her village, only to discover that more exist in the world different but very much the same as her own home. Henni learns that she may not always be able to escape the constricting society she has always known, but she still has hope that she will.
I found this comic really thought provoking. The comic is something of a commentary on religion, though I felt it lacked impact remaining somewhat vague and without much force behind the message. The art style was unique and interesting, reminding me of some older animation, though I'm having a hard time pinpointing the exact films it reminded me of. I did find some of the art a little awkward. I was really happy with the strong, highly motivated female lead. I definitely think it's worth a read as it is unique and thought provoking.
The plot deals with Henni's escape from her restrictive and abusive community, but beyond that it also deals with her coming of age story. Her questioning society is what sets her coming of age into motion. I think that journey, and the strength it gives her is really what drives the story. The religious content was interesting, showing how similar all of these societies are despite their beliefs in different Gods. The blind obedience to rules is also a really interesting aspect, especially when you see Henni's sister completely ignore the truth when she sees it. It was definitely thought provoking. I think there was some punch missing from the overall message, just something didn't come through clearly enough
Henni is a really fantastic character. Her strength and inquisitive nature were really inspiring. Especially as she faces death in the second village, she uses her wit to escape death. I was really impressed with the development of Henni from child to adult throughout the book. She was the perfect vehicle for telling this story, and I was hugely impressed with how Lasko-Gross handled her character making finding the place for her.
I think this is definitely worth checking out. The content really makes up for anything awkward about it. It's definitely a good starting point for looking at religious discussion. I think it's a good read, interesting visually, and features a great strong female lead.
quetzelish's review
4.0
Henni is an interesting read and one of the most recent graphic novel's that I've read that made me think more about the world around me, as well the belief's I hold. While not challenging them, Henni is a great introspection into the world of organized religion and entrenched belief systems. Through clever writing and beautiful drawings the story of Henni unfolds and takes her through various thoughts as she continually fights for herself and against the problems that she observes in the societies that she finds herself a part of.
There is one problem with this graphic novel and it is that it feels like only the first third of a greater adventure. There are no spoilers here but I will be talking about the structure of the ending. Henni is paced in such a way that when I got to the end, it left me without a feeling of closure and for a stand alone story that doesn't work so well. Unless this truly is only part one of a story, the book needed a couple more pages to give the feeling of the ending of this chapter in the character of Henni's life.
For me, the reader, Henni's story not having to be fully told, leading to an open ended ending is great. However, it should at least feel like this portion has been closed off for me as the reader and unfortunately that did not happen here. That being said this still is a great graphic novel to pick up and read. It will make you think and is well worth your time to experience, I'm certainly glad I read it.
There is one problem with this graphic novel and it is that it feels like only the first third of a greater adventure. There are no spoilers here but I will be talking about the structure of the ending. Henni is paced in such a way that when I got to the end, it left me without a feeling of closure and for a stand alone story that doesn't work so well. Unless this truly is only part one of a story, the book needed a couple more pages to give the feeling of the ending of this chapter in the character of Henni's life.
For me, the reader, Henni's story not having to be fully told, leading to an open ended ending is great. However, it should at least feel like this portion has been closed off for me as the reader and unfortunately that did not happen here. That being said this still is a great graphic novel to pick up and read. It will make you think and is well worth your time to experience, I'm certainly glad I read it.
kittykult's review
4.0
I received a free digital ARC of this book via NetGalley to review.
Henni is an animal-like (in physical appearance) teenage girl who lives in a society that uses religion to control citizens and dominate women, not unlike our recent past (and in some ways present) on Earth. Corruption and a secret rebellion lead Henni out of her city to search for a more meaningful life.
From the first panel, we are introduced to a free-spirited child who embraces the beauty and excitement in life. Henni is easily lovable as she is very resilient, kind, and brave and I quickly became outraged at the injustice she and other characters face. The artwork is very subtle but very beautiful and blends with the story rather than overpowering it. There's a little bit of every theme in this too-short story, from freedom to the benefits of art to the power of one individual doing the right thing.
I assume there will be a second volume as there was a bit of an abrupt ending that left me wanting so much more. I definitely recommend this graphic novel to all, especially people who grate at sexism and religious oppression as badly as I do...it's a frustrating but rewarding read!
Henni is an animal-like (in physical appearance) teenage girl who lives in a society that uses religion to control citizens and dominate women, not unlike our recent past (and in some ways present) on Earth. Corruption and a secret rebellion lead Henni out of her city to search for a more meaningful life.
From the first panel, we are introduced to a free-spirited child who embraces the beauty and excitement in life. Henni is easily lovable as she is very resilient, kind, and brave and I quickly became outraged at the injustice she and other characters face. The artwork is very subtle but very beautiful and blends with the story rather than overpowering it. There's a little bit of every theme in this too-short story, from freedom to the benefits of art to the power of one individual doing the right thing.
I assume there will be a second volume as there was a bit of an abrupt ending that left me wanting so much more. I definitely recommend this graphic novel to all, especially people who grate at sexism and religious oppression as badly as I do...it's a frustrating but rewarding read!
alanaes's review
3.0
I received an e-galley of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Z2 Comics and NetGalley!
Review to come closer to publication date.
Review to come closer to publication date.
vasha's review
1.5
Depicts the process of breaking away from a fundamentalist upbringing with all the subtlety of a crayon drawing. The characters, even Henni, are one-dimensional, the plot is a string of atrocities and absurdities committed by ee-vile fundamentalists, and it's all laid out in some of the worst, most baldly obvious dialogue I've ever read. I give it an extra half star beyond one because the art is competent, though uninspired.
shirequeen's review
3.0
Henni is a coming-of-age tale filled with the search for identity and individuality. Through beautiful illustrations we see that Henni is part of a world comprised of cat-like creatures. As she approaches her marriage day, Henni questions her community's strict, flawed religion and sets out on a journey of self-discovery, seeking the necessary knowledge to understand her world and her place in it. The simplistic prose only adds to the captivating art work.
katiegrrrl's review
4.0
I really liked this. I mean I love cats so there was a win and I love when girl characters question the society they live in. Especially when those societies they live in are set-up so against them, like ours. My favorite pages, 83-87, are when the elder in the Southern city is trying to explain the story of creation to Henni and how that story explains why men rule over women and her interpretations are on point and awesome!
petk0616's review
3.0
Henni lives in a world where old traditions and religion dominate. Unlike most in her village, she questions and wonders what the world is like as she comes of age. Striking out on her own, Henni goes out in search of truth, adventure, and more.
Henni is a graphic novel that portrays a society of cat people that are content to live a life devoted to a morally corrupt religious government. Henni grew up questioning everything, and as a result, she faces many hardships as she continues her path to finding out the truth. The setting had the feel of a dystopian novel but mixed with graphic novels and cat people. The character grows over the course of the story as she learns of the lies she has been fed as a child (despite at time doubting herself). The plot portrayed very relevant problems that many must face as they come of age.
3.5/5 Stars
I received this for review from Net Galley. Henni is a novel that is fast and enjoyable to read. I did, however, feel that the ending was too abrupt and the story was not as long as I would have hoped. Despite that, the plot as well as the illustrations are creatively depicted.
Henni is a graphic novel that portrays a society of cat people that are content to live a life devoted to a morally corrupt religious government. Henni grew up questioning everything, and as a result, she faces many hardships as she continues her path to finding out the truth. The setting had the feel of a dystopian novel but mixed with graphic novels and cat people. The character grows over the course of the story as she learns of the lies she has been fed as a child (despite at time doubting herself). The plot portrayed very relevant problems that many must face as they come of age.
3.5/5 Stars
I received this for review from Net Galley. Henni is a novel that is fast and enjoyable to read. I did, however, feel that the ending was too abrupt and the story was not as long as I would have hoped. Despite that, the plot as well as the illustrations are creatively depicted.