Marjorie Liu's Monstress Volume 2: The Blood

J S.: Good quality comic , engaging story and stunning artwork !

United Kingdom on Aug 02, 2021

Nicola DanbyNicola Danby: This series is the best graphic novel series I've read. The world building is so complex and fascinating and better constructed than some in some novels I've read. And the characters are just as well crafted. Then there is the atmosphere, the plot and the intrigue, it is hard to find fault. The illustrations also are gorgeous and complete this dark story that is within the pages. You are thrown straight into the story and it is hard to keep track of everything at first, even once you get used to the details of the world for every answer that reveals itself more questions appear in it's place. If you're looking for a rich, diverse read then check Monstress out. I can't recommend it enough.

United Kingdom on Jun 16, 2020

Olivia ~ Olivia Catastrophe: Many of my comments on this one is going to be carrying on from the first volume. Again, we have the POC rep, the disabled rep and a lot of violence! Also, trigger warnings for suicidal thoughts.

In this volume, I developed new love for the characters. I found I suddenly loved Kippa fiercely, especially her unswerving loyalty and her sense of innocence even though she lives in such a grim world. I also really liked Master Ren and some of the humour he inserts into the story with his parent-like attitude and deadpan statements.

Again, I loved the speech bubbles and lettering. I find it to be so creative!

I thought this book was similar to volume one as it gives us the perfect amount of answers to questions we have to keep us interested. But at the same time, it also leaves just enough unanswered that I want the sequel as soon as possible.

Sometimes I got a little confused at times about whether we were in a flashback, in a dream or in real time because the scene transitions were quite sudden. But other than that minor detail, I loved it and cannot wait for volume 3!

This review and others can be originally found on Olivia's Catastrophe.

United Kingdom on Mar 29, 2020

verdigristwist: It was the art that attracted me to this series, that plus the string of awards, and the positive quote from Neil Gaiman on the front cover. (Yup - listen to the man.) Beautiful, detailed, dark, the graphics and the story reveal the on-going adventures of Maika Halfwolf, the monster within her and their backstory. Supporting cast includes a childhood friend, an enchantingly innocent fox-child, and a two tailed necromancer cat. Throw in opposing 'fairy' courts, alien gods, witches and a war between humans and arcanes and you have a story of horror, intrigue and increasingly sympathy for the characters and the situations they fight to overcome. Lighter moments? Excerpts from 'a lecture from the esteemed Professor Tam Tam, former record-keeper of the Is'Hami temple and learned contemporary of Namron Black Claw'. What's not to love about a multi tailed cat teaching history to kittens.

United Kingdom on Dec 06, 2019

Sarah Christina: It's extremely rare for me to find a perfectly crafted "comic" book world but yet Marjorie and Sana have done just that -- created this harsh and unforgiving but beautiful and exotic world. In the first volume, the story revolves primarily in Zamora, but now Maika's story takes her to the sea, to Thyria. If beautiful, sprawling worlds weren't your thing, they will be now. More characters are introduced, more political figures are getting involved, and more light on Maika and her quest to find out who she is, is truly getting started now. Last volume she was scared of the "monster" -- now she is the "monster" in a very interesting and truly unexpected way. The dialogue between characters is so good and has awesome moments of laughter and then can turn to fear as your turn to the next page. Sana has done such an excellent job depicting this world, and as a fellow artist, I know this is truly difficult and only one super skilled and experienced can do this, and she's killing it!

United States on Oct 08, 2018

iknowiknow: I Purchased the first volume last year, and loved it. Waited until this came out and bought it right away. I was feeling this during the first volume, but this second one has confirmed it in my mind as my absolute favorite graphic novel. The Characters all have their own views, backgrounds, beliefs and motivations. The artwork is great. There is a very well done magical strangeness to the world. There are bits of humor between the violence and plot building. Its super great all around. I'm looking forward to the 3rd volume.

United States on Oct 25, 2017

Paul Tapner: Second volume in the series of paperbacks that collects issues of the comic 'Monstress.' A mixture of science fiction, fantasy and steampunk.

This contains issues seven to twelve of the series. You won't have a hope of getting into this if you've not read book one. So new readers go and do that. Regular readers, read on.

As with volume one, this does contain strong language, violence, plus adult and gory moments, so is strictly for grown up readers.

This volume picks up from the end of that one, and sees Maika plus her two travelling companions still on the run. With Maika struggling to contain the beast within her. She embarks on a quest to find the secrets of her late mother, in order to understand the beast more. This takes them on a sea voyage to the mysterious Island of Bones. Will she be prepared for what awaits? And what she will learn?

This is on a par with everything volume one did. It contains stunning artwork and gorgeous colouring. You can't help but be entranced by the look and design of this world, which is amazingly original and beautifully brought to life. The supporting characters are superbly conveyed, and the way the artist draws...

United Kingdom on Sep 03, 2017

Odrigue Badeau Jr: The writing is not top tier and neither is the illustration. With out giving away too much, its very obvious that the creators have a point to prove. Also there are times it seems like the story is not progressing. All of that combines with a little magic to make every panel matter. Somehow they are able to pack the pages with emotion. The reader becomes totally invested in the lives of the characters.

United States on Aug 26, 2017

Happy Customer: One of the interest things about this series (volume 1, by the way, is just as good) is the way it is dominated by female characters without slapping you in the face with a political agenda. Mind you, it is a feminist work, but it is accompanied by such an extremely fascinating world, interesting characters, and such a gripping plot that you don't feel like you're having something shoved down your throat. Take it from me. I'm to the right of Attila the Hun, but I have greatly enjoyed these first two volumes.

If you compare this work with what Marvel usually puts out, the differences couldn't be more clear. Marvel has Red Skull giving Trump speeches, a lesbian Latina Super Hero named America, and a black Captain America beating up Trump supporting rednecks. Even if you agree with that sort of politics, how can you not be offended by such a lack of creativity? It's like they have a machine in the corner somewhere with big buttons like "Lesbian," "Asian," "Muslim," and then they just mash em' to spit out these absurd chimeras they call characters. To be honest, the chief problem is that the entire gender studies field encourages idiocy due to its ease in comprehension combined...

United States on Jul 28, 2017

Kam Stephens: Wonderful art and a beautiful style, accompanied by a unique if not violent story. I feel as if both the writer and artist have a remarkable chemistry, and are able to fully realize the story they are crafting from a perfect blend of words and pictures.

I even liked the second book better than the first, mostly because Volume one laid a lot of the groundwork about the world and the factions, while Two can expand upon them and add interesting characters. Still, there's a lot of factions and cities to remember, always refer to the map in the very back if you get lost.

Truly worth the price. Get volume one and give this a go. Might be a new Favourite series.

United States on Jul 21, 2017