leahrosereads's Reviews (1.04k)

I wish I had waited for this from the library and not bought my own copy.

Did not enjoy and felt like this retelling didn't bring anything unique to the story. It was so blah from start to finish, and it may have out me off of retellings for a bit.

Still not as fantastic as HS me remembered but enjoying these rereads all the same!

This is such an optimistic read! I loved all of these talks and look forward to re-reading often.

This wasn't quite what I would usually like in graphic novels, plot wise, but it had great art that really brought the story to life. I really loved the setting of the story and loved the diverse group of characters.

And that ending was just really well written! Would definitely recommend others checking it out if for nothing else than the art and characters.

Re-read 2019:
Upon re-read, my rating has stayed the same, but I pulled more from the story this time around. I was able to understand more context and immerse myself even further into the story. This volume is very info-dumpy but after reading 3 volumes, and a re-read, I was actually able to understand parts that I honestly didn't get the first go around. Definitely happy that I took the time to pick this series back up!



This was all kinds of epic.

MONSTRESS is a brilliantly told story that kept me completely entranced with art that brought all the creep factors of what I was reading to life. I'm not even remotely sorry at giving this 5 stars. It can have all the stars, every day of the week. I'm completely hooked.

Maika is my kind of hero. She's a product of her world in the best and worst ways, damaged, tragic, and I can't help but root for her and hope for best. Even if it seems pretty futile.

Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda did an incredible job at fleshing out Maika, the other characters, and this world. This volume stands on the shoulders of these two talented individuals as a terrifyingly beautiful piece of storytelling.


There are so many great comics out there, but this one should definitely not be overlooked. With this one volume, MONSTRESS surpassed all my expectations and has easily risen to the top as one of my favorite comics.

It has so much going for it, and I cannot wait to get the second volume and possibly trying to collect these as single issues, because I'm not sure if I can wait to continue this story.

Pure freaking nostalgia read for me, plain and simple. And, seeing has how I have a pretty poor memory, I'm happy that I took the time to read one my favorite Seussian tales. Dr. Seuss can weave some words in such few pages, it's pretty fantastic.

Both the adult and child in me loved this!

Re-read 2019
Just like after re-reading the 1st volume, I was able to pick up more this go around, and upped it by a star. I don't know why I didn't love this more than the 1st volume, the first go around, but I definitely did this time! Seriously, what was I thinking? This volume is more intriguing, allows for a deeper connection with the characters and has pirates!

Why did I love it less???

I don't know, but I don't now.


I can't talk to the plot since this is the second volume, but it's definitely an excellent continuation of the story. I didn't love it quite as much as the first volume (even though there were pirates and that makes everything AWESOME).

This journey felt necessary, and I think volume 3 is going to be epic because of it, but this one felt like something was missing. And I know it's because of the ending and it felt like nothing got resolved and yada yada yada but still, it seemed like we could've been given more and weren't in this story.

I'm definitely looking forward to the third volume and am expecting it to be another roller coaster of pure spectacular storytelling and artwork.

Can't wait.

This was an exceptionally cute story, but I wish it was a longer and delved more into the characters. Cannot even explain how much I loved the art. It's a lot different than what I normally read in comics, but that's also why I think I loved it so much.

I'll definitely picking up more from this series and Katie O'Neill in the future, and I cannot wait. I want to know more about literally EVERYTHING.

This was required reading when I was in Junior High (I think) or maybe my Freshman year of HS. I don't honestly remember, but what I do remember was not loving the story and not understanding everything about it.

Re-reading this as a 31 year old made me wish that I had read this again when I was maybe a little older in HS. I think it would've resonated with me a little more than it did when I first read it (and differently than it made me think now). Obviously, this was a fantastic, but heart wrenching story. I really enjoyed viewing this world and these characters as an adult and would definitely recommend others who'd maybe discovered this stories in their teens to read it again as adults.

This book has a really realistic view of a small town with narrow minded ideas. I know. I lived in a place eerily similar to this (albeit with a shittier football team) where the young women in my school were treated identically to this EVERY SINGLE FUCKING DAY! Back then though, I kept my head down and didn't do anything. Even when I was forced to go home and change my clothes (I didn't go back that day - fuck you school). That was as rebellious as I got. If they didn't like my clothes, I skipped, but I wish I was a Moxie Girl! I wish I had this kind of courage at 17.

Obviously this story hit a little close to home. Please read it!