Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Sana Takeda

"Set in an alternate world of art deco beauty and steampunk horror, Monstress tells the epic story of Maika Halfwolf, a teenage survivor of a cataclysmic war between humans and their hated enemies, the Arcanics. In the face of oppression and terrible danger, Maika is both hunter and hunted, searching for answers about her mysterious past as those who seek to use her remain just one step behind... and all the while, the monster within begins to awaken..."--Page [4] of cover.

To quote the poets, this was really fucking good

Merged review:

To quote the poets, this was really fucking good

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed the art in this, and it was extremely beautiful! I enjoyed the character and the themes, but I often got confused at the world and with the worldbuilding. In many darker fantasy graphic novels that happens for me so idk if it was this one specifically!

Merged review:

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed the art in this, and it was extremely beautiful! I enjoyed the character and the themes, but I often got confused at the world and with the worldbuilding. In many darker fantasy graphic novels that happens for me so idk if it was this one specifically!

Merged review:

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed the art in this, and it was extremely beautiful! I enjoyed the character and the themes, but I often got confused at the world and with the worldbuilding. In many darker fantasy graphic novels that happens for me so idk if it was this one specifically!

I found this too difficult to follow. I don't think the artwork, or the panel scene choices helped to make this a coherent plot

Merged review:

I found this too difficult to follow. I don't think the artwork, or the panel scene choices helped to make this a coherent plot

I don't read a lot of graphic novels these days, so when I'm thinking about my expectations for this sort of format, I'm really running on memories from when I actively collected superhero comics (Marvel, primarily) back in middle school and high school.

This is not that.

First, the art in this book is really nice. The variation between finely rendered areas of focus and impressionistic backgrounds and action is really delightful. Overall, it's lush and creative. It's beautiful unlike so many graphic novels and comics I've tried to read over the years.

The story is really different. It's a blend between eastern mythology, anime forms, and western epic fantasy tropes. Creative and intriguing.

But I did find it a little on the slow side. This is where it may be that my own expectations ruined the experience. It's hard for me to remember that when you're reading comics issue by issue, the pacing is perceived to be very, very different. Same with watching an anime series like, say, DragonballZ. If you binge – or read the comic as an omnibus like I did with this one, it sort of staggers along and the pacing is strange.

But overall, a really great read. I may pick up subsequent volumes later.

Merged review:

I don't read a lot of graphic novels these days, so when I'm thinking about my expectations for this sort of format, I'm really running on memories from when I actively collected superhero comics (Marvel, primarily) back in middle school and high school.

This is not that.

First, the art in this book is really nice. The variation between finely rendered areas of focus and impressionistic backgrounds and action is really delightful. Overall, it's lush and creative. It's beautiful unlike so many graphic novels and comics I've tried to read over the years.

The story is really different. It's a blend between eastern mythology, anime forms, and western epic fantasy tropes. Creative and intriguing.

But I did find it a little on the slow side. This is where it may be that my own expectations ruined the experience. It's hard for me to remember that when you're reading comics issue by issue, the pacing is perceived to be very, very different. Same with watching an anime series like, say, DragonballZ. If you binge – or read the comic as an omnibus like I did with this one, it sort of staggers along and the pacing is strange.

But overall, a really great read. I may pick up subsequent volumes later.