Graphic Novel Review -Monstress Vol 8 by Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Dark Fantasy/Horror
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: November 21, 2023
ISBN-13: 978-1534399525
Stand Alone or Series: 8th volume in the Monstress series
Source: Paperback received as a Xmas gift
Rating: 4/5 stars
“In volume eight of the multiple Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, and British Fantasy Award-winning series, the truth about the death of Maika’s mother has been revealed, and Maika has come undone. As her allies scramble to save her soul, they find themselves in the unlikeliest of places—the beautiful and brutal prison planet where the Monstra have long been locked away. This visit to the site of Zinn’s worst nightmares might just hold the key to Maika’s survival—and to the long-buried origins of the Known World..”
Series Info/Source: This is eighth volume in the Monstress series. I got a copy of this in paperback as a Christmas Gift.
Thoughts: At this point I am not even going to try and explain the story. If you have been reading the series then you know how complex the storyline has gotten. This book takes up where the last book left off. Maika has come apart, so to speak, and her allies are scrambling to save her soul. During this process they find themselves the in the world where Monstra have been locked away.
At this point I am a bit confused about what is happening in this series. That’s not new for me with this series. I never have time to go back and read all the previous books and the reader is never provided with a synopsis or character list but just dumped right back into this plethora of story lines and characters. Still, somehow I am okay with that.
The story is just so weird and so involved, I have learned just to go with it and enjoy the ride and the confusion. The illustration remains incredibly beautiful and I enjoy just looking at each frame. I am not sure where this is all going and I hope it comes to a fantastic conclusion at some point. For now, though, I am just enjoying the odd turns the story takes and the absolutely stunning artwork.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this is confusing but beautiful. I do wish there was a synopsis and characters list to jog my memory since I don’t have time to do a re-read of this series every time a new book comes out. I have enjoyed the strange turns the story has taken but struggle with how this all ties into the broader story. The artwork remains absolutely stunning and I will probably continue to read this series just for that alone.
