Monstress Volume 4

Monstress Volume 4 followed the pattern I have come to expect with this series. Each volume adds to the deep lore, character development, and worldbuilding of the volume before. Each volume is full of surprises, twists and turns, great reveals about characters and their true motives. In this volume, we finally find out who Maika's father is, and how he fits into the greater plot. We also learned more about Zinn's history, and saw Zinn and Maika's bond reach new levels. Characters who seemed to be antagonistic revealed themselves as wild cards with ulterior motives. Characters we thought of as allies were revealed to be more complex, and perhaps less reliable than we have been led to believe. One of my favorite elements of Monstress is the political intrigue that is brewing between the many different factions. The nuanced history and detailed lore surrounding each faction makes them feel absolutely real and believable. The worldbuilding in this graphic novel is second to none, and just like in real life, nothing is black and white. No one is exactly who they say they are, and no character is strictly "good" or "bad." This graphic novel is packed with true neutrals; every character is morally gray, acting for their own reasons. With each additional volume the characters grow more complex and I find myself becoming more attached to them. Kippa, the fox child, is adorable and has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. In this volume, she begins to show some of her Arcanic power and come into her own. She adds heart and acts as a moral compass for Maika and the other characters who cross her path. Master Ren's true loyalties are finally exposed— and his loyalty to Maika and Kippa tested. And Zinn is forced to face some memories it would rather have remain forgotten. In every review I've written for this series (one for each volume), I have raved about the quality of worldbuilding, character development, and plotline. Marjorie Liu has created one of the most fascinating worlds I have ever encountered in graphic novel form. But all of this is held together and brought to life by the breathtaking art of Sana Takeda. I honestly cannot rave enough about the quality of her work. The colors are vivid and gorgeous, breathing life into this world with a style that takes the best of Japanese anime, art nouveau, and steampunk and blends them into something new and awe inspiring. Every panel is brilliant and stunning. I would honestly recommend this graphic novel for the art alone. Bottom line, Monstress is one of the best graphic novel series I have ever read. Every aspect of it is uniquely gripping, and it seems as if it only gets better the further I get. As the plot thickens, I find myself more and more sucked into this world. The level of plotting and worldbuilding reads more like an epic fantasy doorstopper than a graphic novel, and the spectacular art allows the story to soar to new heights. If you are looking to get lost in an epic fantasy world unlike any other graphic novel, look no further than Monstress. Highly, highly recommended.

This is so well written. A gripping story. The characters are very well developed. All of which makes Volume 4 a seamless extension of the previous 3 volumes. And Art Work! Sana Takeda's artwork sets the highest standard for world-building. So much information is conveyed through the images. If you need more than one person's word, look at this list of well-deserved awards this series has earned: 2017 British Fantasy Award, Best Comic/Graphic Novel 2018 Eisner Award winner, Best Writer 2018 Eisner Award winner, Best Painter/Multimedia Artist 2018 Eisner Award winner, Best Continuing Series 2018 Eisner Award winner, Best Publication for Teens 2018 Eisner Award winner, Best Cover Artist 2018 Harvey Award winner, Book of the Year 2018 Hugo Award winner, Best Graphic Story 2018 Hugo Award Winner, Best Professional Artist 2018 British Fantasy Award winner, Best Comic/Graphic Novel 2018, 2016, 2015 Entertainment Weekly's The Best Comic Books of the Year" 2018, Newsweek's Best Comic Books of the Year 2018, The Washington Post's 10 Best Graphic Novels of the Year 2018, Barnes & Noble's Best Books of the Year 2018, YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2018, Thrillist's Best Comics & Graphic Novels of the Year 2018, Powell's Best Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Graphic Novels of the Year 2019, Hugo Award nominee

The story continues....We get a lot of our heroine's background story in this graphic novel as well as that of her father and some of her mother. All the opposing forces are coming together for a BIG clash (in the next installment) and we are getting ready for that. The excitement is really building and I just love this series and am drooling at the tense moments and wonderful characters and all the great artwork!! This is one of my favorite series. I can't wait until volume 5 comes out!!

Love this comic, has a good story line that leans on strong female figures. The art work looks like steam punk, art nouveau, with a touch of eyes.

A GREAT PURCHASE

One of the most engaging and inventive series running. The art is simply stunning. Without comparison in the comic world.

The artistry of this pair is wonderful! Such wild imaginings, so delicately rendered. Through 4 volumes now they've yet to lose any velocity imo! I want more

Dark and the story is growing bigger

Ottimi disegni e la trama procede fluida continuano quella dei precedenti libri. Attendo con ansia il nuovo libro per poter continuare la lettura

Este comic me encanta, la trama, el dibujo, la ambientación... muy recomendado.

I'm only aware of one hetero coupling in this series, which produced Maika, with all the death and carnage I doubt any of the factions will have enough people left to start civilization over.

Si ya leíste los tomos anteriores tienes que continuar con esta historia que cada vez se vuelve más dramática e interesante. Los misterios continúan y no quieres que terminen, aunque a la vez me ponen nerviosa de que no le puedan dar una solución satisfactoria al final.

These comic books never cease to amaze me, the quality of the art is fantastic and the story is intriguing