Monstress vol. 2: The Blood by Marjorie M. Liu, Illustrated by Sana Takeda
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Graphic Novel – Fantasy
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: The story of Maika Halfwolf continues in this second installment of Monstress. Joined by a talking cat and a child with a fox tail, 17-year-old Maika journeys to Thyria to uncover the mysteries surrounding her mother and the monster within her. The Monstrum, an ancient being with the power to destroy worlds, has a seemingly insatiable appetite for blood. Maika tries to resist its urge to murder and eat people, while hoping to find a cure at the same time. On her journey for answers, she meets new characters, including her goddessfather, Seizi, and the powerful Shaman Empress. We also learn more about the political turbulence between the Arcanic and Cumean societies while Maika’s own troubled childhood is revealed slowly through a few flashbacks.
My Review: Majorie Liu expands the universe she introduced in Volume 1, adding to the already impressive world-building of this steampunk fantasy. The illustrations of the various settings and anthropomorphized characters are gorgeous as well as immersive. The reader is presented with a few answers, but there are still mysteries left unsolved such as the identity of Maika’s father and more about her past that will hopefully be explored in later volumes. I didn’t enjoy this volume as much as the first, but that is probably because the story is not over yet and I was left wanting more. I’m sure the next installment will be worth the wait.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Mythical, Imaginative, Macabre
Give This a Try if You Like… Fantasy with extensive world-building, steampunk
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!