Saverio Tenuta (1969–2023)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This graphic novel does have gorgeous art. Every panel on a page looks like a painting, and the colors are rich and luscious. Some parts of the art, such as characters' expressions fell a little frozen at times, mostly because the art leans so hard on the painted style. About the story, my feelings are mixed. The story is certainly interesting on the surface, but it just feels like a lot of cool show more events happening with little overall plot cohesion. I won't lie, the time skips and flashbacks at certain parts of the story confused me. Everything felt like a series of disconnected events, though according to the story, they are all connected. Also, you don't get to know the characters at all. You know who they are from their backstories and what you are told, but you never get to see how the character themselves feel. This left characters feeling like a collection of tropes, not like actual people. The character designs were certainly interesting, but I have a minor grievance with how the women were portrayed. Why is it that both main female characters are almost CONSTANTLY naked? It felt like both women were weirdly over-sexualized for no apparent reason. There is no reason, story-wise at least, for them to be constantly nude or near-nude. I'm just annoyed that they were designed this way, because the men are fully covered, from neck to ankle. If you want to look at some gorgeous art, this is a good graphic novel. I cannot say as much for the story. show less

This graphic novel is very obviously inspired by Japanese mythology. We are introduced to a world where Kami are separated by a veil from the human world. Protecting that veil from dark creatures called Noggo is a race of mythic wolfs Izuna. When one of them dies, a sacred tree births a new one, until one day it also gives birth to a human child. That child is Aki, whose story we follow as the veil is collapsing and darkness is endangering both worlds.

The art is beautiful, especially the show more nature in the background. I also enjoyed the design of all the mythological creatures. On the other hand, I found the humans, especially their expressions, less appealing in some places.

The story started off a bit boring but improved as it went. It's separated into two parts with a time skip in between and a change of the main character, even though the story and characters of the first part still play a big role in the second part.

The first part was a bit rushed. I felt like I didn't get a chance to connect with the characters. I didn't care much about Aki and her romantic interest, Kenshin, but there was quite a bit of focus on some wolf characters and those shine through towards the end of the first part. The second part introduces more interesting characters and made me care much more about them. It also had a good twist. The end suggested there might be a continuation.

There was one other slight issue regarding the use of Japanese words. I am fine with it when it's used for a word that lacks exact translation and to give it a bit of atmosphere, but I feel like using it for jigoku=hell or gaijin=foreigner/outsider felt a bit stupid in the way it was used:
"...suffer in jigoku for eternity." or "Gaijin traveler, if you were to wander off the beaten path one day..."

I give 2,75* to the first part and 3,25* to the second.

I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

The art in the revenge tale is very good, but the dialogue and plot are unimaginative. The hero defends his sister from assault by a dastardly noble, maintains his dignity as a member of an oppressed minority, has an inexplicably wicked and unloving mother, and defeats trained swordsmen with nothing but his rage and righteous indignation. A lot of the story is so cliched as to be a little painful.

Not great. I read volume 1. The art is good, but the storytelling is a little confused. It is a twisted tale of revenge, but maybe twists too much and becomes hard to follow. Volume 2 was marginally better than volume 1, but both struggle from some weak writing.