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verbosevespertine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dame_samara's review against another edition
3.0
The Beginning is always today...
This is the book that I needed in High School and even early college. The pressure to know exactly where you are heading and what you are going to do for the rest of your life is tremendous at this stage and it Is also the time where we have the most pressure around what those around us expect us to be.
While I think this book definitely addresses the pressure from outside forces to pick the path that is right based on their expectations. Instead of showing someone choosing their own path and succeeding they show (world-altering) repercussions for choosing a path different than what is expected.
But overall this book is a cute read, with a happy ending, with heartwarming characters.
This is the book that I needed in High School and even early college. The pressure to know exactly where you are heading and what you are going to do for the rest of your life is tremendous at this stage and it Is also the time where we have the most pressure around what those around us expect us to be.
While I think this book definitely addresses the pressure from outside forces to pick the path that is right based on their expectations. Instead of showing someone choosing their own path and succeeding they show (world-altering) repercussions for choosing a path different than what is expected.
But overall this book is a cute read, with a happy ending, with heartwarming characters.
jayykitty's review against another edition
4.0
This book earned .5 stars based on the bunny Shirley Jackson alone. Kinda messy at times and I feel like there’s so much more to be done with the story, but not bad.
gothradiohour's review against another edition
3.0
Less Gothic Lit more Monster Doctor with a hint of my teen angst has a body count.
dayseraph's review against another edition
4.0
Fun graphic novel about a fictional descendant of Mary Shelley who discovers special monster powers. What’s not like?
rosariofacio's review against another edition
2.0
The artwork for this graphic novel was amazing I loved the details to the characters and scenes. Sadly this was the only thing I liked about this. The writing felt very fast and it left me confused after each page turn like I was missing every detail on what was happening between the characters. There was too much happening it felt all bunched up with what the characters and with what they were talking about.
isabellastocka's review against another edition
4.0
Every female in her family is a writer since the famous Mary Shelley. That much was interesting enough for me to want to read this graphic novel. But it turns out that there is more to the Shelley's and it is a bit of magic.
I adore the drawing and like the Addams Family vibes, it gives me. The story is really good, however, it may progress to fast. This graphic novel is great when you are already a fan of Frankenstein and are interested in a modern continuation and meet new monsters.
I adore the drawing and like the Addams Family vibes, it gives me. The story is really good, however, it may progress to fast. This graphic novel is great when you are already a fan of Frankenstein and are interested in a modern continuation and meet new monsters.
spellsandmonsters_'s review against another edition
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and Six Foot Press for the ARC.
This YA graphic novel was amazing! The story and art were done so well. It is a story about the great great great great great granddaughter of Mary Shelley, who also happens to be named Mary Shelley. Their name is not the only thing they have in common though. Both of them have the power to heal monsters. Yes that's right Mary comes from a lineage of monster healers. I flew through this book, because it was just that entertaining. The art style was great too. There are quite a few great women characters in this story also, which I really enjoyed. Another thing I really liked is that Mary is an angsty teen, but she didn't annoy me. She also isn't afraid to speak up about how she is unsure what she wants for her future and doesn't think the path that everyone else wants is right for her. Also I have to mention Adam, there seems to be a budding romance between the two characters, but it doesn't consume Mary and it isn't the main focus of the story. This was such a great graphic novel that I hope there will be more of. Until then I will probably read this again and recommend it to all my monster loving and YA loving friends and family.
This YA graphic novel was amazing! The story and art were done so well. It is a story about the great great great great great granddaughter of Mary Shelley, who also happens to be named Mary Shelley. Their name is not the only thing they have in common though. Both of them have the power to heal monsters. Yes that's right Mary comes from a lineage of monster healers. I flew through this book, because it was just that entertaining. The art style was great too. There are quite a few great women characters in this story also, which I really enjoyed. Another thing I really liked is that Mary is an angsty teen, but she didn't annoy me. She also isn't afraid to speak up about how she is unsure what she wants for her future and doesn't think the path that everyone else wants is right for her. Also I have to mention Adam, there seems to be a budding romance between the two characters, but it doesn't consume Mary and it isn't the main focus of the story. This was such a great graphic novel that I hope there will be more of. Until then I will probably read this again and recommend it to all my monster loving and YA loving friends and family.
zilver's review against another edition
3.0
3.5!
16-year-old Mary Shelley (yes, great great etc granddaughter of) feels the pressure of living up to her ancestors’ legacies. Problem: she has no idea what to do with her life. That is, until she figures out she’s able to resurrect dead creatures. Now, she still doesn’t know what to do with her life but she’s suddenly overrun by a range of ghosts, dead guys with a missing foot and harpies with ancient eggs and dental problems that all want her help.
Someone described Mary to me as the kind of novel that when you read it, you slightly feel as if you’re on drugs. 50 pages in I thought, “Well, it’s an interesting concept and fun in execution but on drugs? Nah.” 10 pages later I suddenly had an “Aha” moment (this was around the time the harpy with human tooth issues made an appearance. We’re not in the business of calling women harpies here, by the way. This is a literal actual harpy). Let’s say this though - they’re not bad drugs, Brent. Mary is great fun - both the book and the character. When previously mentioned harpy, named Polly, shows up in Mary’s treehouse, Mary self-awarely states, “I don’t want you here, and I’m 16. In a game of stubbornness you’re no match for me.” Who is a match for her? Oh, the giant rodent with laser eyes that comes to visit her, insisting he’s “a marsupial” and “closer to a kangaroo”.
That also brings us to a couple of... issues? There’s a lot going on in 146 pages. Maybe a little too much. Definitely a little too much to explain. I’m left with questions about when this story is supposed to be set because Adam says he’s 200 years old and to prove that he makes Grey’s Anatomy references? Sir that proves that you have been around for the past 10 years. The rest of the world looks vaguely 2010-2020-esque. And that’s just a small one. I have a whole bunch more worldbuilding questions that leave me feeling... a little unsatisfied by the end of the book. Maybe it’s pacing, partly. There’s so much happening so fast that all decisions and developments happen really fast as well, and I think a little too much without explanation for my tastes.
Again - great fun, though! Absolutely a delightful, light, funny graphic novel. Would recommend it for any teen who like a bit of spookiness, some monsters, and a whole lot of sass.
I received a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
16-year-old Mary Shelley (yes, great great etc granddaughter of) feels the pressure of living up to her ancestors’ legacies. Problem: she has no idea what to do with her life. That is, until she figures out she’s able to resurrect dead creatures. Now, she still doesn’t know what to do with her life but she’s suddenly overrun by a range of ghosts, dead guys with a missing foot and harpies with ancient eggs and dental problems that all want her help.
Someone described Mary to me as the kind of novel that when you read it, you slightly feel as if you’re on drugs. 50 pages in I thought, “Well, it’s an interesting concept and fun in execution but on drugs? Nah.” 10 pages later I suddenly had an “Aha” moment (this was around the time the harpy with human tooth issues made an appearance. We’re not in the business of calling women harpies here, by the way. This is a literal actual harpy). Let’s say this though - they’re not bad drugs, Brent. Mary is great fun - both the book and the character. When previously mentioned harpy, named Polly, shows up in Mary’s treehouse, Mary self-awarely states, “I don’t want you here, and I’m 16. In a game of stubbornness you’re no match for me.” Who is a match for her? Oh, the giant rodent with laser eyes that comes to visit her, insisting he’s “a marsupial” and “closer to a kangaroo”.
That also brings us to a couple of... issues? There’s a lot going on in 146 pages. Maybe a little too much. Definitely a little too much to explain. I’m left with questions about when this story is supposed to be set because Adam says he’s 200 years old and to prove that he makes Grey’s Anatomy references? Sir that proves that you have been around for the past 10 years. The rest of the world looks vaguely 2010-2020-esque. And that’s just a small one. I have a whole bunch more worldbuilding questions that leave me feeling... a little unsatisfied by the end of the book. Maybe it’s pacing, partly. There’s so much happening so fast that all decisions and developments happen really fast as well, and I think a little too much without explanation for my tastes.
Again - great fun, though! Absolutely a delightful, light, funny graphic novel. Would recommend it for any teen who like a bit of spookiness, some monsters, and a whole lot of sass.
I received a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.