Monstress, Vol. 1

Awakening

Paperback, 202 pages

English language

Published Oct. 29, 2016 by Image Comics.

ISBN:
978-1-63215-709-6
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
944463963

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (77 reviews)

"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.

2 editions

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Initially I wasn't sure what i was getting myself into. The art style lies somewhere between the goth, manga and furry sections of deviant art, and it opens with a slave auction and quickly moves onto an extremely violent jail break. But along the way a deep and complex world is built up and i found myself getting drawn into the many mysteries surrounding the protagonist.

In a way it's reminiscent of many other epics, Naruto and Harry Potter in particular, but the predominately female cast, ornate decoration and grand spectral vistas set it apart. The stark brutality that the protagonist suffers through reminds me of The Fifth Season and The Parable of the Sower as well. Against my expectations, I'm looking forward to the next books and finding out more about this world.

Also, cats. Lots of cats.

Merged review:

Initially I wasn't sure what i was getting myself …

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Gorgeous art and a riveting, gory, and disturbing story. As one if the characters says "monsters are people too" - Monstress spares no one from scrutiny, and I found myself swinging between compassion and horror.

Merged review:

Gorgeous art and a riveting, gory, and disturbing story. As one if the characters says "monsters are people too" - Monstress spares no one from scrutiny, and I found myself swinging between compassion and horror.

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

While the plot is... unstable and unclear, it's just interesting enough to keep you reading. The characters are all quite likeable, especially Kippa. And the artwork is simply stunning. I'm not sure where the story is going, but I'm looking forward to subsequent installments.

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Initially I wasn't sure what i was getting myself into. The art style lies somewhere between the goth, manga and furry sections of deviant art, and it opens with a slave auction and quickly moves onto an extremely violent jail break. But along the way a deep and complex world is built up and i found myself getting drawn into the many mysteries surrounding the protagonist.

In a way it's reminiscent of many other epics, Naruto and Harry Potter in particular, but the predominately female cast, ornate decoration and grand spectral vistas set it apart. The stark brutality that the protagonist suffers through reminds me of The Fifth Season and The Parable of the Sower as well. Against my expectations, I'm looking forward to the next books and finding out more about this world.

Also, cats. Lots of cats.

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Beautifully drawn. I just love the clothing the characters wear, such beautiful ornaments that contrast with all the blood and gore in the action scenes.

The story starts out a bit confusing and it took me a while until I got a handle on the cast. The main character is Maika Halfwolf, an Arcanic who is carrying some kind of „monstrous” entity inside her. When the hunger takes over and the thing wakes up... bad things happen...

Maika‘s friend Tuya never really shows up again. Instead Maika collects a small band of „allies“ most notably Master Ren, a cat, and a small fox-girl named Kippa who is so cute, loyal, innocent and wise... I can‘t get enough of her.

The world is explained in the lecture excerpts of Professor Tam Tam (a cat!) at the end of each chapter. Cats, children of Ubasti, are one of the 5 races in …

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Monstress is one of the most beautiful comics I have ever read, its art taking inspiration from Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles and a hit of ancient Egypt. It’s a joy to look at even without the fantastic story, themes and characters. It’s rare to see such well-drawn and powerful emotion in the faces of comic book characters. Sana Takeda has so much talent.

Teenage Maika Halfwolf is considered a monster by humans. She’s Arcanic, although she would pass for human when many of her kind display animal characteristics. She is the survivor of a terrible war between humans and her kind. The Cumaea round up Arcanics for sinister purposes, experimenting on children and consuming their life force.

Maika may look innocent but there is a darker being lurking beneath the surface. Yet she is kind and tries to save the children she can. One of which ends up …

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Intriguing story, with genuinely surprising twists, and the art is lush and intriguing.

The super saturated sexuality to it took the edge off my enjoyment. On one hand nearly all the major characters are female, which is neat. On the other hand there are enough tits and ass to make Playboy blush.




Merged review:

Intriguing story, with genuinely surprising twists, and the art is lush and intriguing.

The super saturated sexuality to it took the edge off my enjoyment. On one hand nearly all the major characters are female, which is neat. On the other hand there are enough tits and ass to make Playboy blush.

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Li'l bit high fantasy, little bit internet fetishes you wish you didn't know about.

Do you like... creepy, beautiful, stuff? (Almost) all-female worlds? Things that aren't a faithful retelling of Tolkien? This is for you!

Also, if you ever hear anyone refer to this as "Marjorie Liu's Monstress," spin-kick your way into that conversation screaming "AND SANA TAKEDA!!!!!" because, while Liu certainly deserves her writing credit, the art is definitely half the book.

Review of 'Monstress, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

While the plot is... unstable and unclear, it's just interesting enough to keep you reading. The characters are all quite likeable, especially Kippa. And the artwork is simply stunning. I'm not sure where the story is going, but I'm looking forward to subsequent installments.

Merged review:

While the plot is... unstable and unclear, it's just interesting enough to keep you reading. The characters are all quite likeable, especially Kippa. And the artwork is simply stunning. I'm not sure where the story is going, but I'm looking forward to subsequent installments.

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Subjects

  • Comic books, strips
  • Psychic ability
  • Monsters
  • Teenage girls

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