wow, i think this was my favorite installment yet. this sixth volume was all about different journeys healing from different types of trauma, and how sometimes others can make that journey a little easier for you (or with each other, even)! this has such good themes of consent and boundaries and overcoming (unwarranted) embarrassment when something happens to you that was not your fault. this one also has a very big theme of motherhood, where we get to see the different mothers of these different gods, which also started to open up stories about the titans, which was really cool.
rachel smythe just really created something very different and very powerful. the art is so gorgeous, and flipping each page truly feels like a treat. and the story is just getting more and more complex and layered, while discussing important themes that inherently are more complex and layered. and while we see persephone finding safe spaces for herself, and safe spaces for her to create what she wants to create, this story also feels like a safe space of creation for the reader, and i just really am happy this exists in the world.
also, daphne, i love you so much.
cws from the author at the start of this book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, + toxic relationships
other tw/cw i wrote down: trauma depiction, depression depiction, anxiety, a plot of sending and taking photos without consent, loss of friends in past, captivity, alcoholism mention, infidelity mention (not mcs), nightmares, debt depiction, talk of infertility.
♡ buddy reading this series with Penny ✰ read for free on webtoon
[2021 reread] i'm still so in love, still an all-time favorite.
[2017 first read] I loved absolutely everything about this graphic novel. To date, it i[2021 reread] i'm still so in love, still an all-time favorite.
[2017 first read] I loved absolutely everything about this graphic novel. To date, it is by far the best graphic novel I have ever read, and even surpasses my love for Saga. I am completely blown away, and will count down the days until Vol. 2 releases (June 6th, 2017).
[image]This story follows a seventeen year old girl named Maika, whose story starts out where she is being sold as a slave. The reader will immediately notice that Maika has a very strange tattoo of an eye on her chest, and she is missing an arm. Yet, it becomes very clear very early that Maika is much stronger than what she seems.
Maika is struggling to hold in her monster, while also trying to get answers from her past. With the help of an adorable little half-fox and a poet cat, Maika is on a journey to discover herself, her past, and what's truly inside of her, all while she carries a very mysterious and sought after item.
In this world there are five races: ➽Humans - Like you and me. ➽Ancients - Immortal, animal-like rulers with an immense amount of power. ➽Cats - Much like people, can speak and fight, but much more adorable. ➽Old Gods - Little to no knowledge of them. ➽Areanics - Half of each
[image]
Also in this world, there are factions at war: ➽The Federation - Humans, who just hate magic users and refuse to let them live and breed. These humans will take Arcanics and make them slaves to do whatever terrible things they wish. ➽Arcanics - Magic users, who are sort of hybrids of the Ancients. Also, two powerful courts, the Dawn Court and the Dusk Court, have risen up to defend against the Cumaea. ➽Cumaea - Witch-like people that use Arcanic's body parts to make Lillium.
People in this world will use a drug like substance called Lillium for power, regeneration, and in some cases, resurrection. Between the war and the use of this magical substance, this world is also now aware of things much bigger than the Federation and Arcanics.
This graphic novel is not only bigger than most bind-ups, but it has significantly more writing than most graphic novels, too! You receive a lot, and I do mean a lot, of information and very quickly. This really worked for me, because it became way more of an immersion, while also reading closer to a book. Yet, I can understand how this would be a different reading experience for some, so I felt the need to bring it up.
The story is so brilliant and impactful. I can already tell I'm going to be thinking about this world for such a long time, because this is the type of story that just sticks with you, while festering in your heart. I truly love everything about this.
The art was so magnificent and I found myself constantly just staring at some pages in disbelief that a human created it. This art also brought very many tears to my eyes very many times, constantly evoking so much pure emotion from me. On top of having an amazing story, it is the best art I've ever seen in a comic, ever.
[image]
Trigger warnings for human trafficking, slavery, child brutality, and many other dark themes that are in the violence and gore vein. This is a dark story, and it doesn't shy away from that darkness or its brutality.
I loved everything about this graphic novel: the story, the characters, the art, the representation, everything. I honestly cannot see any graphic work ever beating this. I am in awe and my thoughts probably aren't even coherent, but this is something unique and special. Please give this comic series a try if you haven't already.
I swear to you with my entire soul, this is nothing short of a masterpiece. This is maybe even a once in a lifetime masterpiece. I never put graphic novels on my "best of the year" list, but I think this is the year I make an exception for Monstress.
[2021 reread] i'm still so in love, still an all-time favorite.
[2017 first read] I loved absolutely everything about this graphic novel. To date, it is by far the best graphic novel I have ever read, and even surpasses my love for Saga. I am completely blown away, and will count down the days until Vol. 2 releases (June 6th, 2017).
[image]This story follows a seventeen year old girl named Maika, whose story starts out where she is being sold as a slave. The reader will immediately notice that Maika has a very strange tattoo of an eye on her chest, and she is missing an arm. Yet, it becomes very clear very early that Maika is much stronger than what she seems.
Maika is struggling to hold in her monster, while also trying to get answers from her past. With the help of an adorable little half-fox and a poet cat, Maika is on a journey to discover herself, her past, and what's truly inside of her, all while she carries a very mysterious and sought after item.
In this world there are five races: ➽Humans - Like you and me. ➽Ancients - Immortal, animal-like rulers with an immense amount of power. ➽Cats - Much like people, can speak and fight, but much more adorable. ➽Old Gods - Little to no knowledge of them. ➽Areanics - Half of each
[image]
Also in this world, there are factions at war: ➽The Federation - Humans, who just hate magic users and refuse to let them live and breed. These humans will take Arcanics and make them slaves to do whatever terrible things they wish. ➽Arcanics - Magic users, who are sort of hybrids of the Ancients. Also, two powerful courts, the Dawn Court and the Dusk Court, have risen up to defend against the Cumaea. ➽Cumaea - Witch-like people that use Arcanic's body parts to make Lillium.
People in this world will use a drug like substance called Lillium for power, regeneration, and in some cases, resurrection. Between the war and the use of this magical substance, this world is also now aware of things much bigger than the Federation and Arcanics.
This graphic novel is not only bigger than most bind-ups, but it has significantly more writing than most graphic novels, too! You receive a lot, and I do mean a lot, of information and very quickly. This really worked for me, because it became way more of an immersion, while also reading closer to a book. Yet, I can understand how this would be a different reading experience for some, so I felt the need to bring it up.
The story is so brilliant and impactful. I can already tell I'm going to be thinking about this world for such a long time, because this is the type of story that just sticks with you, while festering in your heart. I truly love everything about this.
The art was so magnificent and I found myself constantly just staring at some pages in disbelief that a human created it. This art also brought very many tears to my eyes very many times, constantly evoking so much pure emotion from me. On top of having an amazing story, it is the best art I've ever seen in a comic, ever.
[image]
Trigger warnings for human trafficking, slavery, child brutality, and many other dark themes that are in the violence and gore vein. This is a dark story, and it doesn't shy away from that darkness or its brutality.
I loved everything about this graphic novel: the story, the characters, the art, the representation, everything. I honestly cannot see any graphic work ever beating this. I am in awe and my thoughts probably aren't even coherent, but this is something unique and special. Please give this comic series a try if you haven't already.
I swear to you with my entire soul, this is nothing short of a masterpiece. This is maybe even a once in a lifetime masterpiece. I never put graphic novels on my "best of the year" list, but I think this is the year I make an exception for Monstress.
“Demeter is going to kill me… Resurrect me… And then Hestia is gonna kill me!”
i believe in hera and hecate supremacy. but this fifth installment is the highest of three star ratings. i truly just love this reimagining of greek gods, with a color palette and art style that is so beautiful. i find so much happiness reading these each new volume drop. i felt a lot of persephone in this bind up, and i think it is the perfect set up for a really emotional and powerful volume six. i really am just manifesting her safety, and her happiness, and her finally feeling in control of her body and choices. i also really extra loved the bonus art at the end of this, and seeing the creator talk about how a lot of this art and story was created in march of 2020.
cws from the author at the start of this book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, + toxic relationships
other tw/cw i wrote down: trauma depiction, depression depiction, infidelity (not mcs), anxiety, blood splatter implications, murder, death, alcohol consumption, smoking, blackmail, missing person, sending photos without consent (and those photos also being taken without consent)
♡ buddy reading this series with Penny ✰ read for free on webtoon
“How would life feel if I didn't have to always hold on tight against the darkness? Who would I be if I
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
“How would life feel if I didn't have to always hold on tight against the darkness? Who would I be if I could live in the light?”
i just am always completely in love with k o’neil’s characters, worlds, and themes. they create stories that are such a gift to our world, and this newest graphic novel will probably resonate with so many people who are reading this review, because the central theme is all about burn out and not realizing when you need a break and when you need some help, too. we are all so small in the grand scheme of things, and it's so easy for things to feel overwhelming, especially these last few years, and especially in a pandemic that is still going on. but our value as creators and, more importantly, humans, will never ever be dependent on how much we produce.
this is also a very heartfelt tale about community, and the things we can achieve when we are kind and offer help to people – and how that kindness and help can go such a long way and have the most beautiful healing rippling effect to so many. but this also touches on how hard it can be to ask for help, when you have been turned away from it by people who are supposed to be there for you. but also, in turn, how unconditional love + friendship can be the most powerful force in all the world.
ah, this is just perfection. i wish i could put this story in the hands of everyone, but especially every child. i immediately finished the arc, and purchased a physical for my own personal library (which surprisingly had the most beautiful art under the dustjacket). i think this will for sure make my best of 2023 come december. truly, a gift to this universe in all ways.
trigger + content warnings: mention of loss of a loved one, parental neglect + abandonment
reading these bind ups physically has really been such a treat for me over the last year. the art is➽ Volume One ★★ ➽ Volume Two ★★★ ➽ Volume Three ★★★★
reading these bind ups physically has really been such a treat for me over the last year. the art is so beautiful and intriguing, the characters are endearing and finding ways into my heart, and i just really appreciate what this creator is doing with this project. yes, there is a romance that will obviously eventually happen, but this really is a series about abuse and all the different ways that can take shape and, in turn, shape people and their lives.
lastly, i feel like this fourth installment had a lot of extra greek mythos jokes and i really was obsessed (zeus swan and all). oh, and i still cant believe that hecate is my favorite of all the gods, but here we are.
cws from the author at the start of this book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, + toxic relationships
other tw/cw i wrote down: trauma depiction, infidelity, anxiety, blood splatter implications, injury, hospital setting, brief mention of infertility.
♡ buddy read with Penny ✰ read for free on webtoon
Oh my gosh, this world is so cozy and the art and coloring is just extra autumnal and perfect feeling right now. We love a witch with little magical vOh my gosh, this world is so cozy and the art and coloring is just extra autumnal and perfect feeling right now. We love a witch with little magical vegetables, growing gardens but also growing within themselves too! We follow Garlic as she braves the woods, away from her family, to see if a vampire is truly living in the castle on the hill! And even with her anxieties, she knows she wants to protect her loved ones! This was really cute and sweet - and perfect for all ages!
tw/cw: anxiety depiction
thank you so much, destiny, for the recommendation ♡
i was a little scared when starting this, because i didn’t love the previous volume, but this one reminded me of all the reasons i love this series so very much. it has been six months since the heartbreaking ending of volume ten, and we see where hazel and her family have been hiding this time. new alliances with so many other beloved side characters are forging, while alana is just doing everything she can to protect her kids.
i really felt like the writing in this volume was just outstanding. so raw, and real, and made me feel so many different emotions. i have said this since the beginning, but hazel narrating this story is truly the reason i believe it is so beloved, but her voice really just made me feel everything in this one. and the back to back story pages were brilliantly, yet heartbreakingly, done. (that “lying” made me immediately weep like no other word could.) but i also loved the last chapter so much too, and i think the creators really left this at a point where volume 12 is really going to start a truly new era for the series.
trigger + content warnings: death, murder, gore, violence, war, loss of loved ones - partner, parent, child (and constantly discussed), grief, slavery mention, animal death (not lying cat), blood depiction, use of the r word (challenged + in a negative light), unhoused displaced family with children.
It’s really been three years since I read the last installment and saga took a little break. Man oh man, time feels so fake sometimes, truly. Sadly, I don't know if it's me, saga, or the break, but I really didn't love this one, but I am excited to see where the new start of this chapter goes.
I felt like there were so many shock value things in this, and I disliked each one. But I still adore Hazel and Alana, and I wish I could give them the whole universe that they deserve. And their depiction of trauma and grief was really heartbreaking but really powerful. But the end did break me, I am not gonna lie.
tw/cw: violence, war, threat of sexual assault to children, drugs, blood, gore, grief depiction, trauma depiction, a lot of nudity and some panels with sex.
“You made a forest in a place where NOTHING is meant to live.”
This graphic novel series is just getting better and ➽ Volume One ★★ ➽ Volume Two ★★★
“You made a forest in a place where NOTHING is meant to live.”
This graphic novel series is just getting better and better for me! I really loved this installment in particular, and I fell in love with Eros. Sometimes, you really just need someone to tell you it will be okay, but what happened to you was not okay.
As always, the art is beautiful and page styling choices are magnificent. I also found the banter in this one to be even better, and I found myself giggling at times even! I am truly so excited to read the next bind up upon release and I am finding a lot of joy physically reading these ones!
cws from the author at the start of this book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, + toxic relationships
other tw/cw i wrote down: paparazzi, trauma depiction, death, implied cheating, talk of rape, drinking in excess
i enjoyed this second installment so much more than the first. i felt so much more for these characters and their**spoiler alert** ➽ 1.) Volume One ★★
i enjoyed this second installment so much more than the first. i felt so much more for these characters and their lives, and was left with a good balance of desperately wanting to know what will come next. the art is truly so beautiful as well, but i feel like it is extra breathtaking in the underworld.
and (like in most greek myth inspired tales)... i really love hera. <3 (view spoiler)[you deserve better, bby. zeus, you're truly always the worst. (hide spoiler)]
author's cw/tw published in book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, and toxic relationships
more tw/cw that i wrote down: depression depiction, paparazzi/stalking/tabloids, cheating (not mcs), dissociating depiction (when being forced to be around your abuser), mentions of past sexual assault/rape, and sexual harassment.
i am always going to be here for a Hades and Persephone retelling! but sadly, i didnt love this one. but i still had a good time reading it and i lovei am always going to be here for a Hades and Persephone retelling! but sadly, i didnt love this one. but i still had a good time reading it and i loved the art and color palette. i do feel like the next installment would be even better and i am very intrigued to picked it up! (also maybe this was just overhyped a little bit subconsciously for me too... because even my b&n here in vegas, they have a huge display dedicated to this series! so... take my star rating with a very big grain of salt bc i am for sure not the popular opinion here!) <3
author's cw/tw published in book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, and toxic relationships
more tw/cw that i wrote down: drinking, drugging, blackmail, captivity, kidnapping, parental abuse, paparazzi/stalking, blood depiction, rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual pictures being taken, anxiety depiction, trauma depiction, and disassociating while something traumatic is happening.
this owlcrate edition is very beautiful and it really made me excited to pick this graphic novel up! but i thought this was going to be a new story withis owlcrate edition is very beautiful and it really made me excited to pick this graphic novel up! but i thought this was going to be a new story with all new characters set in the world of vicious, so imagine my surprise when eli shows up! vicious was just not the book for me, mostly because of the main characters, even though i loved the concept. but if you enjoyed that story and want a little more in a graphic medium - then i think you will enjoy this a lot more than i did! but i did enjoy meeting charlotte and seeing the new eos!
trigger and content warnings: death, blood depiction, self harm (for power activation), mention of close to attempted suicides in past (for power activation), hospitalization, panic attack depiction, captivity, violence, and gore.
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