Monstress Volume 1: Awakening

*review may contain mild spoilers* 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). 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-breeds. 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. 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.

Interesting story, beautiful art, and a wonderfully priced first paperback in the ongoing series Monstress. This book is incredibly eclectic, making it hard to attach it to any one genre, but to me that is a positive thing. Within the pages lies a bewildering blend of steampunk, art-deco architecture, manga, sci-fi, horror, and social allegory/metaphor. Most of all, Mostress is a very beautiful book. Sana Takeda's art is painstakingly detailed and most of the coloring is painted with watercolor, which adds tremendous depth and pulls the book up to a whole new level of technicality. Some of the negative reviews of this book said that is was "confusing" and the writing did not help the reader empathize with the characters. To that I would say this series definitely has many layers and can seem somewhat confusing at first; however, I can tell the purpose of this first book was mainly to introduce the ideas, characters, and set the stage for what is to come. The book starts with a lot of things unknown to the reader, but to me that allows more psychological depth for it encourages the reader to actually think and figure some things out for their self instead of the writer just giving them all the info which can result in way too much inner dialogue. There has been much discussion in books and television that people want less "hand holding" from the writer. We have all seen or read some things where the writer tells you everything, almost like an unwanted narrator that belittles our intelligence by assuming we could never figure out what is going on without some silly monologue to explain it to us. As quickly as this series became popular, I imagine it ongoing for a while. Even with whatever flaws people may point out, I think everything will fall together and the first installment of Monstress shows that there is some serious potential here. I am very interested to see where the next book will take us next. 5 stars for now.

For more than 7 decades my voracious reading passions have always been strong and unrelenting. My interests have ranged from A to Z, from classic literature to westerns, and from poetry to graphic novels. This is why while browsing on Amazon when I saw this 208-page graphic novel, (Monsters: Volume one: Awakening by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda), I decided to purchase it. I found the story fascinating and the graphics absolutely fantastic. This is a tale of horror, mystery and fantasy about Maika, a beautiful teenager who lived through a war between humans and Arconics. She is a survivor and the monster within her has begun to make its presence known to her inner consciousness. This is a dark gothic like graphic novel you may want to check out. I have made it a habit to never give away too much information when reviewing any type of novel, but if you enjoy strange and dark graphic novels you might want to check out this new series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and artwork. Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tanto-Jutsu Techniques: An official Bushi Satori Manual).

I loved this comic so much that, when I was just over halfway finished with it, I actually AVOIDED reading any more for quite a while because I didn't want it to end. That's how great it is, in my opinion. But boy, am I glad that I did finish it. This is the type of fiction that you'll have to experience multiple times in order to catch all the nuance and detail that's baked into it. Seriously, I went back and re-read the whole thing over again after finishing it for the first time and I appreciated it so much more than I thought I would. The world of Monstress is brutal and very, VERY violent but one of the many things I love about it is how lived-in and real it all feels, as if the denizens of this world existed long before I ever picked up this book and will continue to do so long after I put it down. The world-building, the characters, the art... they're all of absolutely top-notch quality. This series just has a look and feel that's all its own, like nothing else out there. If you have a hankering for a deeply immersive world filled with complex, rich characters, stunning artwork and excellent world-building, Monstress will not disappoint you. A must-read.

Monstress is a truly gorgeous piece of art, both from a literary and graphic perspective. Marjorie Liu has created one of the most interesting and original new fantasy worlds in years, and Sana Takeda's lovely, complex, and occasionally disturbing artwork combine to produce a compelling piece of storytelling that is nearly impossible to put down. I began reading this book because I was intrigued by contrast of the picture of a beautiful young woman, who I came to learn was the heroine Mana Halfwolf, standing under the word "Monstress." I was extremely pleased to find that this contrast is developed as one of the primary themes of the story that blossoms into what may be one of the best blend of epic graphic storytelling and horror I've read since Neil Gaiman's Sandman. I strongly recommend this series to any fan of mature graphic novels who is eager to become immersed in a new universe of mystery, wonder, danger, and glory.

Monstress is like no other graphic novel I have ever read. It has the density of worldbuilding that one would expect from a high fantasy novel, and some of the most gorgeous art I have ever seen in a graphic novel. I read the first issue for free on Kindle and decided to go ahead and purchase all available volumes. Having now finished the first volume, I am already satisfied with my purchase. The only complaint I have at all is with the way the individual paperback volumes were delivered. Every single one of them had part of the spine partially torn or bent. It doesn't affect reading or my enjoyment of the story, but it is disappointing that when I display them, they will have a sort of shabby look to them right off the bat. Despite my issues with the state of the delivery, I didn't drop any stars because of how enthralled I am with every aspect of this book. As mentioned above, the plotting and worldbuilding are equal to that of any high quality fantasy epic. It is so far the most elaborate opening plot I have ever encountered in a GN. There is a lot going on with this story. It contains considerably more background information and worldbuilding than most other GN I have read. Before I started it I was warned that it was kind of slow due to the amount of info dumping and back story, but I didn't find it slow at all. There was almost constant action exploding off the page, interspersed with flashbacks, conversations, and other means of unpacking some of the incredibly detailed history this tale is built upon. While I didn't think it was slow, I do think because of the amount of information to process, it might not be for everyone. If you find yourself feeling bored or overwhelmed during intricately detailed worldbuilding, this might not be for you. Or if you prefer a straightforward type of GN with an easy to follow story (at least right off the bat, as so many books become more complex and twisty as they progress), this also might not be for you. I admit that I ended this first volume with far more questions than answers, but I count that as a good thing. I am absolutely hooked. However, on top of the history lessons, magic systems, and political machinations to unpack, there are also a bevy of characters to keep straight, from a variety of warring factions. Many of the memories/flashbacks leave the reader wondering what is going on, but I loved the feeling that I was learning the details and uncovering the memories along with the characters. So, while I can easily understand that some people find it a bit much for a GN, I was instantly sucked right in and can't wait to find out what happens next. The detail and intricacy of the plot and world creation is only matched— if not surpassed— by the breathtaking art that brings this story to life. On every single page I find myself pausing to take in the beautifully detailed panels. I have never experienced another GN with similar art. It has almost a soft, watercolor feel to it at times, with bright, vivid colors that leap off the page. I would describe the overall style as art nouveau mixed with a light steampunk vibe. The characters are all distinctive in appearance, which makes them easy to keep straight (as opposed to some GN I have read in which two characters looked so similar I sometimes got them confused). These characters populate backgrounds both lovely and horrific, depending on the part of the story. Every aspect of the art is as glorious and full of life as the myriad characters that populate this world. Due to the quality of the art, I absolutely suggest you buy a hard copy, as opposed to the Kindle version. These are such high quality illustrations that I feel you do not experience their full impact in digital format. Bottom line, I loved Monstress, Vol. 1: The Awakening, and I'm thrilled I purchased all available volumes before starting the series, so I don't have to wait to dive into volume two. The story that Marjorie Liu has begun in these pages is absolutely epic in every sense of the word, and Sana Takeda's brilliant artwork brings the story to life in the most fascinating and gorgeous way. It is a lot more reading than many graphic novels, specifically regarding the amount of history and backstory necessary to fully understand the plot. Monstress is not something I would recommend picking up for a light read! However, if, like me, you love a fully realized and realistically developed fantasy world, this GN is likely to be right up your alley. This is an epic fantasy graphic novel at its very best. I can't wait to discover where this story leads!

I dunno it's less graphically gross than it could be given the premise ( eating little kids with cute little animal ears), but more gross than I was expecting (See eating cute little kids with animal ears). Not so gross as to be unreadable and there is a lot to like there. It's well written, interesting story, good characters, good drawing. The premise is new (to me anyway) so I liked that. On the other hand, I'm getting a little tired of "relentlessly negative" as a genre and (as you might surmise from the eating cute little kids with adorable animal ears bit) fits into that trend. I'm not sure I'd go back and read it again and I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest.

Written by Marjorie Liu (X-23, Black Widow) and illustrated by Sana Takeda (X-23, Ms. Marvel), Monstress stands distinctly apart from the usual sword & sorcery dark fantasy comic, starting with the fact that most of the main characters are female as are most of the powers that be. But this is no simplistic or heavy-handed feminist take on the genre - it's done very subtly and naturally so that we simply accept that this is the way this world is, nothing more, nothing less. The artwork is vivid and detailed and gives the world of Monstress a very different look and feel, as well as an unrelenting atmosphere of foreboding and danger. And the story progresses slowly and carefully, building the world little by little as we see and experience it through the characters, leaving the reader with a number of questions and mysteries that are only gradually revealed. It helps to know that the world of Monstress is inhabited by five known races: (1) Humans, who cannot perform magic, though some women are born with mental powers that seem like magic. Among humans there is a religious order called the Cumaea who seek out such children and compel them to join their order. Refusal is not an option. (2) The Ancients, immortal beings who resemble humans but have the heads and tails of animals and who can perform powerful magics. The Ancients are divided into two rival courts: the Dusk Court and the Dawn Court. Think a number of Egyptians gods and you get the picture. (3) The Cats, magical beings distinguished from ordinary cats by their ability to speak, to perform magic and by their multiple tails. More tails reflect more power, status and age. (4) The Old Gods, an ancient race of evil, powerful and destructive beings, not remotely human in appearance, supposedly gone from the world but fear of them still lingers. (5) The Arcanic Halfbreeds, a hybrid race originally resulting from matings of Ancients and humans, inheriting varying traits and powers from both. Some can pass for human, their animal-like traits either not visible or suppressed, but most are marked by one or more animal traits: eyes, ears, tails, even wings. The central character of Monstress is a seventeen-year-old girl named Maika Halfwolf, an Arcanic who can fully pass for human, in spite of the fact that her left fore-arm is missing. And the strange eye-like tattoo on her chest. The book begins with her being put up for bids at a slave auction. This is her story. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a deeply complex dark fantasy graphic novel where the artwork is luxuriant and the story is a slow delicate build of gradual revelations.

Primeiro volume de uma história incrível, que conta com todas as páginas coloridas, ilustrações lindíssimas, personagens conflituosas e história envolvente. A construção de mundo é primorosa, original, com elementos de steampunk e de horror. Estou no sexto volume, e recomendo fortemente a leitura de todos: a série não perde vigor, e cada novo livro continua entregando qualidade.

Début assez indigeste (très nombreux personnages, monde difficile à appréhender avec les quelques indices et la méthode du in medias res) mais suite très agréable. Graphisme original et extrêmement beau, influencé par l'art nouveau. À ne pas mettre dans toutes les mains car contient de nombreux thème violents (torture, anthropophagie, viol...), ne vous laissez pas tromper par la couverture.

El estilo narrativo y la historialas nos muestran las raíces culturales de las autoras de este título que se acerca más los mangas que al comic americano. Para los fans del manga puede ser una buena forma de acercarse a títulos de comics que no seas de superhéroes.

This had high reviews on Goodreads and I was not deceived.The art is Japanese Manga like and the story line is written by an American.The combination was very good, you see.The world building is spot on and the action is satisfyingly gory. if you love comics and dark fantasy then you should go for it.I have already bought the second part.

LIU AND TAKEDA’S WORLD DREW ME IN IMMEDIATELY! From the moment I viewed the first page, I knew that this was going to be a comic not only of good visual quality, but also one containing a very good and complex story. Another thing I could also guarantee from that first look was that the dialogue and narration would be exceptional. Now, some people might say “But Flavia, the narration and dialogue ARE the story for a comic book, because that is the only text you see,” and while I do agree that yes, this is the only text you see, what I mean by story is the overall plot. For example, a story may be exceptionally good and well thought out, but if the narration and dialogue for and within the story are bland or terrible, readers will be unable to see the good story beyond that. TO PUT IT SIMPLY, I LIKED THE ART, PLOT, AND WRITING WITHIN THIS COMIC BOOK. The illustrations, while lacking a little saturation for my tastes (I like really colourful drawings and illustrations), but I understand why it is that they used such muted colours. The plot itself is not a very happy or heart-warming one, therefore it would be strange for the illustrations to be overly colourful. So, keeping in mind this comic’s mood and plot, the colours which they have selected are perfect. Also, I wanted to say just how much I loved that this comic contains some very diverse characters. There are a variety of skin tones, body shapes and sizes, and genders are also portrayed in unconventional ways at times (an example being a masculine woman). The plot is complex, and is also slow to reveal certain details. But that’s how I like it. There are many threads to this story, which intertwine in certain places, and remain hidden in others. By the end of volume 1, some questions are finally answered, but then a number of other questions take their place. This leaves the reader satisfied for the time being, but still wanting more. I also liked that this story contained some serious subject matter, some comical moments, as well as some parts which were incredibly disturbing and terrifying. Maybe I’m weird or masochistic for liking that third aspect of this story, but I like what I like. Now, as for the writing, there wasn’t too much or too little of it, which is good. I don’t like comics which either have not enough writing for you to understand what’s going on, or too much writing—to the point where you can barely see the illustrations past the immensity of the speech bubbles and narration boxes. The writing was also quite good. You could definitely get the different tones coming from each character who spoke, as well as the narrator. Liu is most definitely skilled as a writer and storyteller (and yes, I consider those two to be entirely separate things). NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VERY EXCITED FOR THE NEXT PART OF THIS STORY!