Review: The Chosen by Marjorie Liu

Title: The Chosen

Author: Marjorie M. Liu

Artist(s): Sana Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Volume 4

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Maika and Corvin make their way through a warped and lethal land in search of Kippa, who is faced with her own terrible monsters. But when Maika comes face-to-face with a stranger from her deep past, startling truths are uncovered, and at the center of it all lurks a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the Known World. Maika is finally close to getting all the answers she ever wanted, but at what price? With war on the horizon- a war no one wants to stop- whose side will Maika choose?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

I took too long of a break in between this volume and the last one. I'll admit it. I was starting to feel lost again at the start of this volume just because I couldn't remember what had happened, but after taking a minute and thinking about it I figured it out (as much as I ever do in this series). I liked the views of many different betrayals, and that in itself interests me, but I just didn't love this volume as much as I wanted to. Hope to enjoy the next one more.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Haven by Majorie Liu

Title: Haven

Author: Majorie Liu

Artist(s): Sana Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Volume 3

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Maika Halfwolf has begun to unlock the mysteeris of her past but the challenges of the present are only growing. In this third volume of MONSTRESS, collecting issues 13-18, Maika's journey takes her to the neutral city of Pontus, where she hopes to find temporary refuge from her pursuers. Unfortunately, Pontus may not be as safe as Maika and her allies had hoped.

As the impending war between humans and Arcanics creeps ever closer, and powerful players fight for the chance to control her future, Maika finds she must work with Zinn, the Monstrum that lives inside her, in order to ensure their mutual survival. But even that alliance might not be enough to prepare Maika for the horrors to come."

My Rating: 4/5

This series has so many things going on. The world is intense, and while there is a lot to learn, I feel like I'm starting to understand what's happening with some characters. That being said, it's very confusing, and not a light graphic novel if that's what you're looking for. I am excited to see where Maika and Zinn end up in the future along with what Zinn's memory will reveal. Excited to continue on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu

Title: The Blood

Author: Marjorie M. Liu

Artist(s): Sana  Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Series (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Adult

Pages: 152

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2017

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Maika Halfwolf is on the run from a coalition of forces determined to control or destroy the powerful Monstrum that lives beneath her skin. But Maika still has a mission of her own: to discover the secrets of her late mother, Moriko.

In this second volume of Monstress, collecting issues 7-12, Maika's quest takes her to the pirate-controlled city of Thyria and across the sea to the mysterious Isle of Bones. It is a journey that will force Maika to reevaluate her past, present and future, and contemplate whether there's anyone or anything, she can truly trust-- including her own body."

My Rating: 3.75/5

I'm slowly starting to understand more about the world and our main characters. I really enjoyed reading this installment and the art style is absolutely gorgeous. I"m looking forward to continuing on with the series and seeing where the world takes us. I'm grateful that the artist and author are taking time to flesh out the world after throwing us in the deep end in volume 1. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Awakening by Majorie M. Liu

Title: Awakening

Author: Majorie M. Liu

Artist: Sana Takeda

Series/Standalone: Monstress Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 202

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, Monstress tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is such a different graphic novel than the previous ones I've been reading (I'm currently rereading Giant Days, very different energy). The art in this graphic novel is absolutely stunning and I loved admiring the thoughtfulness to details. That being said the world is extremely confusing. It takes most of the book to catch an idea of what is going on, or what has happened in the world. It was helpful that there are little filler pages about the world and how it got to the point of how it looks now. I am planning to continue the series, I'm curious to say the least about where the plot is going.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny