3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️

Crave by Maria Llovet is a graphic novel romance thriller! I read through Collects #1-#6 and was entranced the entire time. This is a dark and spicy thriller. I was immediately drawn to the premise of the book of an app that promises to make your desires come true and spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. But when things get taken too far and chaos starts, will they be able to stop it?

This graphic novel was fun and hot throughout, but I left a lot to be imagined regarding the story. It jumped around a lot, and I was missing pieces of information that I should've had while reading. I wanted more build-up to the storyline and stronger character development, but overall, I had a fun time reading it, and the illustrations were excellent! I would recommend it as a quick, easy read with an interesting and spicy flare.

This book was not what I was expecting - in the best way possible.
The school has been overtaken by an obsession with a new app called Crave which is meant to fulfill your desires. However, when people start asking for things beyond "I want a date with ____" things start to get a lot darker.
At first, I thought this book was just going to have some light undertones but mostly sit in the erotica department, but I was pleasantly surprised when the focus was actually on unravelling this app that was making everyone act so badly.
I would have loved to have more knowledge on this app like how everything is being controlled, but I guess that's the fun mystery! I also loved the way this story ended with a bit of an open door.
I would have liked to have seen some cleaner art lines - it sometimes felt rushed in places or the anatomy was simply off. But the art in general was unique and interesting.

I loved Maria's artwork and how it captures the characters' emotions. It was also easy to read, and all I wanted to do was to keep reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the advance copy.

Crave is a graphic novel that shows what can happen if all you have to do to get what you want is follow an app.

The concept was really interesting and felt apt for how much we rely on social media and technology. I think that the story itself could have been padded out better as it felt a little rushed.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the art style but know that sometimes that can happen with graphic novels.
I would like to see where the story could go if there is a plan to make it longer in the future.

What they said in volume one is true-social media absolutely has a chokehold on the world. When you think about trends that go viral, or wild risks people take for likes and follows. This graphic novel was a spicy way of showing the true flex and power social media has.

I liked the premise of this graphic novel but the drawing could be improved.

Plot: An app that makes any wish come true creates anarchy on a college campus. What will 2 couples do to save the campus from destruction?

Crave is a graphic novel depicting what would happen when an app that could grant you everything you crave comes to life.

Let’s first talk about the storyline. Fast-paced, stimulating, suspenseful… really good all around. I really do wish there was more but that’s just me not being used to the quick reads that are graphic novels. I’m also such a fan of black mirror/dystopia type ish so this was right up my ally. I think we could push the envelope a bit more but still really good.

On to the art, LOVED. GORGEOUS

While the concept was intriguing and interesting. The story felt very rushed and felt like they wanted to pad the story out by having multitude of panels filled with erotica

I think I’m obsessed with the intense premise of Crave. We have an erotica comic, volumes 1-6, where an app developed at a boarding school tells the students their chances of hooking up with the classmates they’re interested in and tells them different things to do to get that classmate’s attention. Several students want to fight back against the app’s control over the school, and they discover how it was created and how it might be turned off.
The storyline is interesting! Sure, we’ve seen tech or apps taking control before, but I’ve never read a story where the app causes mass hookups and lots of spice that leads to violence.
The artwork is also well done and perfectly fits the story's tone. It didn’t need to be fancy or ‘next-gen,’ and I appreciate that it’s in color. I’m not a fan of black-and-white comics.
I highly recommend Crave for spice and erotica lovers, and since each volume is short, save yourself some frustration and get the omnibus.

Thank you, NetGalley, Maria Llovet, and Image Comics, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was so sexy and mysterious and I loved all the illustrations! I don’t ever read comics but this was a fun one!

Students are the guinea pigs for the new app, Crave. What starts off as an app that seems to give you advice actually brings forbidden desires to the surface, Coupled with its ability to integrate into systems of the buildings, like locks and digital files intntisfy human needs and wants- even those that should never be acted upon. Beautiful coloring and strong character development. Some content makes this better suited for adult libraries.

Crave is well writing with compelling illustrations making for a successful erotic graphic novel. This is a book type I have not come across before and I am sure it will be popular.

Love the artwork on this, it's what drew me to ask for an e-arc.
Erotic graphic novel, and the plot was very interesting. If you're a black mirror fan you'd probably enjoy it.

An app which can help you achieve your deepest desires (within reason), I couldn't wait to dive into this.

Whilst the premise of the comics are a great idea I think it was overshadowed by the amount of sex (especially the first two comics). I feel it could have delved so much deeper into other people's desires more so away from sex.

I did enjoy the idea of a collaborative crabbing and that was enjoying to read.

Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics giving me access to the ARC of Crave.

Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics giving me access to the eARC of Crave.

I was very excited to dive into just based on the cover and the summary, however the plot did disappoint me. I wanted more of the app and how it was able to function and not just the graphic images of sex. There was so much potential with what "cravings" the app could deliver and they were all sexual related. I would have like to see other cravings...

I did enjoy the art style and the concept, but overall the plot fell flat for me.

This is an interesting comic. The idea was interesting but it felt super rushed. Like there wasn't enough of a build-up before shit hit the fan. It does feel like a black mirror episode so it nails that vibe. I just wish there was more to it.

A college campus falls into an unhinged social nightmare when an app begins to grant people’s greatest desires. I loved the concept but execution was a bit weak. This is like a hornier version of Black Mirror’s rating episode or Community’s MeowMeowBeenz. I would have liked it better if it was less about sex. You’re telling me only a couple people desired things other than hooking up? Cmon.

The premise and the cover sounded so interesting, so I had to give this a try. I was not disappointed. I think the premise and "Crave" app is something that can be more expanded and built on in the future. At first, I was a bit disappointed because I thought it was just using lust and sexy scenes to be more of a shock factor to the reader rather than benefit the story, but I think it really tied well together in the end. I also think it conveyed the chaotic atmosphere that came with "Crave." I think the relationships and overall "conflict" needed more time because it felt lackluster. The romantic relationships were quick and there was so much details within the story that could have been delved upon such as the development of the app and lingerie store. If it was a bit longer with a deeper explanation, I believe it would have made the story 10x more impactful. The art and characters are interesting too, it just needs to be longer. But, for what it is, I really enjoyed it. There's so much potential for a deeper exploration of this concept that I'll certainly be excited for.

First, I'd like to send my thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for giving me access to the eARC of Crave. What follows is my true and honest opinion.

Basic synopsis of my opinion: interesting but not my cup of tea.

I found it hard to really get invested, and the only reason it didn't get put on a DNF list was because it was an ARC and I'm stubborn.
I think the concept is interesting, with a mysterious app appearing on everyone's phone that can help you get what you 'crave'. The art style is interesting. But again not my favourite. It reminds me of hand-drawn illustrations, however for the right story I can forgive. I think that this falls into the trap that a lot of erotica-style comics can fall into, where the plot feels like an afterthought and character development is none existent. The only character I even remember the name of or like is Sofia Hunt. And I think that was because she was the only character that seemed to actually try to have a conversation. That and her hair. I liked her hair.
I think that for the right person, this book could be amazing. The art is good, even if it's not an artstyle I like. I personally, feel like it lacked substance. Which for some people that's fine, but for me, it felt bland.

This was such a strange graphic novel, and I honestly don't know how to rate it. The plot was creative though with a lot of plot holes and the characters were not loveable or more than 2 dimensional.

Crave is an app that can show how you can get your desires. Want to date a classmate you've never talked to? Ask Crave and if there's a possibility that your request can be accomplished, Crave will guide you to success. But it seems that every single student on campus only 'craves' to have sex or break-up with a lover. Why no one craves to pass all their courses without doing work, get money, or pull a prank is quite strange when the focus is adolescent teens. The plot was weak and seemed like an excuse to put sex on a page. The character development was lacking and I could care less about any particular character.

The art style was fun and interesting, matching the themes of the story, hence the 2 star rating. But, there wasn't much meat to this story and the characters were forgettable.