Monstress Vol. 3

Every time I finish a volume of Monstress, I think it is amazing, the best I've read... Until I read the next. Monstress Volume 3: Haven is the most action packed, exciting book yet in this saga. The art continues to astound me with it's beauty. It is hands down the most gorgeous art I have seen in a graphic novel to date. It brings the story world to life so vividly. The art inspires awe and emotion on its own, but then you add in the story, and what you are holding is nothing short of a masterpiece. This volume delves deeper into the tale of Maika Halfwolf as she seems meaning to who and what she is. She has begun to reach an understanding with Zinn, the enigmatic old god who mysteriously shares her body. This volume offers more insight into Zinn's past, the history of the old gods, and the role Maika plays in this drama. As I mentioned above, this volume contained more action than the previous two, keeping me on my toes as I tore through the pages. In previous reviews, I mentioned that the worldbuilding in Monstress rivals that of the thickest doorstopper fantasy novels. I don't think I have ever encountered such complex political intrigue in a graphic novel as that which exists between the myriad factions vying for power and control of this world. At this point in the story, I feel like I have a pretty good grip on who fits where and their relationships to other factions and individuals, but there is constantly new history and lore to add, and I am absolutely devouring it. The characters, too, are three dimensional, driven by their own motivations and each in possession of many secrets. These secrets are slowly revealed, piece by piece, at just the right times to further the story. Every single element of Monstress is an incredible piece of art, from the breathtaking beauty of Sana Takeda's illustrations and the intricately detailed worldbuilding, to the ever thickening plot and the richly portrayed characters. I am so hooked on this series; my only complaint, the only possible flaw I can come up with, is that it has not yet been completed! But even that doesn't bother me too much, as it provides an excuse to explore the world all over again in rereading with subsequent releases. If you have been looking for an epic dark fantasy graphic novel with plenty of meat to sink your teeth into, Monstress is the one for you!

... earns a 5. Takeda has mastered linework like Druilllet's, but without the mania. Her colors tend toward the subtler tertiaries, until some primary straight from the tube demands your attention. And, in this created world, people descend from different populations, as they do in our world - by facial features, they correspond to Euro, East Asian, and African heritage. Takeda renders each face uniquely, but makes the most of each heritage's strength and distinctive beauty. Art pulls me into a story. (A weakness, I know. I ignored Dilbert for way too long.) But it's the characters and plot that keep me interested - even when the art doesn't do it for me. Even when the visuals captivate me anyway, the story and personalities still matter. That's what makes me give the top star: different people, different motivations, different levels of adult-like thinking, and different demands from different alliances along different axes of personhood. And so many levels of character: child brave beyond her years or abilities, skulking victim of extortion, heroin in all the ways that matter, and lots more. Really, it's how the characters interact that brings this to life, with so many personalities looking for such different outcomes. That sets this comic apart. -- wiredweird

Such a spectacular series. I would dream of criticizing an artist of such caliber, but it did seem to me the art in book 3 was perhaps done....under time constraints. It didn't seem to have the detail and sheen as in the other 2 volumes. I wouldn't presume to know the exact reason. I very much look forward to future volumes. Good story, good pacing, good dialog; incredible, over the top art

I would have given this 5 stars but there is a printing defect on page 524 of the hardback "Book 3". Compare the image from page 524 of "Book 3" with the image of page 148 of the smaller paperback "Book 9" or issue #53 of the comic book. The dialogue that's supposed to be there is missing in the new "Book Three". instead, it has the dialogue from the following 2 pages (525 & 526).

It did not disappoint​! The story just gets more amazing, complex and intriguing. I cannot wait until volume 4 is out. I do agree with another reviewer in that it would be helpful to have a guide of the characters. I intend to read them all l again in the future, but until I take the time to do that and while all the other volumes come out every 9 months, many details do get lost in memory. Nonetheless, amazing work! Thank you for this. Really, thank you!

When I first picked up Monstress, I didn't expect to like it right off the bat, but after about 3 to 4 pages of reading it, I started getting super intrigued. Volume 3 doesn't disappoint and adds more political strife and information to the world that readers may of felt was missing from Volume 1 or Volume 2, but it's purposely done like this to really lay out the world and it's history at your feet and then from there, for you to run with it. It also adds more for Maika and her 'monster' where you thought the story couldn't get any deeper; it does. The artwork is excellent, and I wish more comics would produce this kind of work on a regular basis. Looking forward to collecting the fourth volume! If you like fantasy, dark, horror, or mystery stories with some unique artwork, this is for you. I do not recommend reading though if you are under 18 years of age, there is nudity, gore, and a lot of it just kind of happens, there's not much forewarning and the story isn't geared to a younger audience.

Fascinating story, full of twists and turns, and beautifully illustrated. Very well realised cast of characters, particularly Maika Half-Wolf who is angry, flawed and nuanced. Everything is underpinned by excellent world building that creeps through into the story gradually rather than being dumped on the reader.

Amazing story with beautiful, fantastic art. This was just mind blowing. I read all three volumes in 2 days!!! The story hooked me from the get go and I had to finish it at 1am in the morning! This is what I have been looking for, a diverse comic with rich characters with compelling background stories. Maika Half-wolf’s story is a true heroine’s journey that hits all the right notes. You won’t regret getting this story!

Must like deep fantasy an say if want someone not read Graphic Literature to get something really fel like read a real fantasy Brick for this is real Class literature that so good story never can see what suprices and turns happens are very good read but are a bit heavy to read like Tolien and other books also are so are today 3 books come out prefere read this in that way Hardback 580+ pages bit bigger and art are so good and tell so much about story so are Book 1 are bit heavy in text 2 and 3 are not need have same for like all book 1vare lot of history tell and love way done it in for not get everything directly are Many not understand how Fantasy Books works are never just 1 book are More and need read First book are always a more heavy read than rest are for need to Get story and reasons history and so on together and characters are Just how it works Book 2 are so Suprice how turn story around just Growing and get lot better are not read book 3 yet look it through and same quality of art and say Not go get disappointed just need bit time had lot to read a while and just not got to this yet but soon be Book 3 been read in deep way for are how read this for must get it in Take it's time to read are no quick read are need use eyes really good for are lot of details need get in art is in those books so get Indie Asian Fantasy art if must try discibe what this Asian artist done are really telling a big part of story in art so need read and see what is in pictures for get the story are very high class fantasy and love fantasy read Fantasy all my 60 years life so read a lot of books in my life started read very early in life 👌

Fantastic!

3° volume, toujours ce dessin extraordinaire et un monde très riche, parfois cela nécessite une certaine relecture pour essayer de tout appréhender comme il faut, ce qui en soit est très bien :-).