Member Reviews
This book left me wanting more but not in the best way. It has plenty of interesting characters but none feel overly fleshed out. The Black Mirror style story is fun but relied to much on horny vibes (generally not a complaint) that didnt leave room for much else.
Thank you, NetGalley and Image Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
As someone delving into the world of graphic novels for the first time, I found Crave to be an intriguing experience. The artwork was captivating and the premise promising but the story overall needed to be longer.
Initially, I found myself waiting patiently for the plot to fully unfold. However, just as I started to become interested in the narrative, the story abruptly concluded, leaving me wanting more.
I must admit that I did enjoy my time with the book. Once I became invested in the characters and their journey, I found it difficult to put the novel down, eventually reading it in one sitting.
In the end, while Crave may have left me craving a deeper exploration of its characters, it served as a memorable introduction to the graphic novel medium. I look forward to reading more titles from this author in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance readers copy :)
A quick and steamy graphic novel for YA readers who are looking for Euphoria or Black Mirror vibes.
The art and plot made this a quick read and while not a new look at the power technology has in our lives, Maria Llovet did a lovely job at depicting just how entangled and messy romantic entanglements can get.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
It was cute but it was hard for me to get into the story unfortunately. I just don’t know if this specific type of story telling is for me, but it was a solid story, I have nothing bad to say about it
Very Black Mirror vibes. An app appears on the phones of students at an elite university overnight, all you have to do is tell it what you crave and it will tell you how to get it.
The students quickly descend into a hedonistic frenzy as they indulge in their deepest desires but it's not long until jealousies take over and things turn violent.
My favourite things about this were the art and warning about the dangers of social media/technology.
A dark (and erotic) commentary on the negative side of social media. A new app called Crave mysteriously appears on everyone’s phone at this particular college. You tell Crave something you desire and if it’s feasible, Crave gives you instructions on how to achieve it.
Basically everyone on that campus is horny as hell because they are all hooking up. Honestly, some of the sex scenes were a little bit extra— I think this just isn’t my type of graphic. I don’t usually go for a story like this but the premise sounded interesting.
3.5 stars
I went out of my usual comfort zone when requesting this graphic novel, which turned out to be a good decision because I was hooked from the start. I don’t read many graphic novels (erotic one even less so), but the six issues of CRAVE are an extremely quick read, and the premise is what really intrigued me. “Social media isn’t designed with your long-term happiness in mind.” No statement has ever been more true, and we quickly realize it in this series. Llovet’s art style was, in my opinion, a good match to the chaos surrounding the characters and the Crave App; rough sketch lines, raw long shots and erotic close-ups. The only negative aspect of this graphic novel was its length. I thought everything was happening too fast. The downfall was so sudden, everything started spiralling down while nothing had been really established. It felt like the plot lacked a bit of essence, and I would have loved a longer, more detailed story. Three stars and a half!!
I would like to thank Maria Llovet, Image Comics and Netgalley for granting me an advanced reading copy of this graphic novel in exchange of an honest review.
This set of 4 volumes of Crave is set in a high school where the young people are targeted by an app offering to bring about their secret desires if they only ask. Whilst this seems like a dream come true for many, things take a dark turn and lives are changed once reality sets in. This is a short but immersive story featuring some tough themes. Definitely one for the young adults due to the content.
The artwork is incredible and I look forward to reading more by this artist and author. Many thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel, thoughts are my own.
Maria Llovet is known for producing edgy and sensual panels that drip with tension and foreboding. In “Crave” her artwork does not disappoint and serves as the most prominent and successful component of the book. The plot combines bubble gum pop BDSM elements with a fairly pedestrian love triangle between exceptionally privileged, if not entirely vapid, college students and a timely, although fairly trite and predictable, warning about the dangers poised by AI technologies and, more importantly, those who develop them.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Image Comics for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to access an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Warning: this graphic novel is erotica and contains sexually explicit material meant for ages 18 and older!!!
First off I absolutely loved the art for this collection, the colors and the style are just eye catching and I love the character designs.
I think the overall plot and idea is really intriguing especially if you love the twistedness of Black Mirror. However, the series does, in my opinion, fail to capture any sense of horror or tension. This isn’t a new concept nor is it executed in a new way, which might not have been such a problem had Llovet taken this story further or gave the characters any further personalities outside of their main roles in the story. The character all APPEAR interesting but are entirely flat and are feel as if their only purpose to move the story along instead of actually being what the story is about.
I gave this a three star rating as I feel it reflects the quality of the work; beautiful art paired with a mediocre but not terrible plot that left me going "huh" with no other strong feelings one way or the other.
Think Black Mirror on an incredible horny college campus.
**Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the eARC**
Very quick but crazy read that had me hooked. Crave is a creepy ass app that almost destroys everything in the school in the space of a day!
What an interesting concept! The story was very compelling and I loved the art style. The covers of each volume were stunning and definitely something that catches the eye. I also loved the saturation of the colors used in the images.
I read the entire collection (6 volumes) in one sitting! Very interested and had me hooked from the beginning. I wish each volume had been just a little longer? But other than that, I have no complaints!
Definitely an erotic comic so if that isn’t your thing, don’t pick this one up.
When the description of this book say “Black Mirror meets Eyes Wide Shut”, they wasn’t lying!
Crave was such an interesting read. The fact that people was listening and deciding their decision on what an App say is WILD. People was happy and their ”craving” was on a high til the app take a turn for the worse when sinister things begin to unfold.
David and his friends attend an elite university where a new app, CRAVE, aims to help the students fulfill their deepest desires. David, trying to move away from another girl, uses it to get someone he thought unattainable. While the CRAVE app seems to the students to be a great way to have sex or anything else they wanted to do, but as more and more students begin to give into the app, they learn the app may have motivations of its own.
I did enjoy Crave and the story moved quickly throughout its six issues. Maria Llovet balances a lot of characters and keeps their different stories moving throughout the book as they are impacted by the CRAVE app and then have to work together to put a stop to it. Maria Llovet's art is also gorgeous and makes the story very easy to consume. This was definitely an erotic thriller (fine for me, obviously others had issues with that), and its funny how the background of panels become more and more explicit throughout the volume. The book is a good take on the dangers of the merging of technology and intimacy, presenting a Black Mirror style worst case scenario.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of Crave in exchange for an honest review.
This is completely different from my normal graphic novel genres. I did find the story addicting and the artwork to be gorgeous.
Wow, I did not know what to expect and this definitely was an engaging read. It will not be fair to summarise the premise and the concept, because on top of the sexy and erotic content, there is an interesting plot going on with a lot of potential for suspense, climax (pun intended), twists and resolutions.
I read three chapters in one sitting and I am curious as to what will happen next! Looking forward to finding out and I am hooked. The characters are interesting and the graphics are - well - graphic; inclusive, and depict sex in a positive way (yet, the plot allows for more complexity and nuanced depictions).
This is a great read for all adults and if you think this read would be limited based on its erotic themes and content, rest assured there is a wider context. NSFW.
The new comic series Crave uniquely blends teen drama, dark mystery, and eroticism. The storyline centered around a mysterious app that can fulfill people's deepest sexual desires, is intriguing, and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
One of the standout features of Crave is the subtle social commentary woven into its fantastical storyline. The pacing and structure of the narrative, reminiscent of zombie movies, take a unique turn as we witness a wave of students succumbing to their most primal desires.
Crave does not disappoint in expressing its provocative nature, and Maria Llovet's art is simply stunning. The art's rawness brings the story to life and makes it all the more alluring.
What a fun ride! When an app is launched in a private school to help make everyone’s wishes come true chaos ensues! Violence, death, bullying, humiliation, you name it and Crave causes it. When a group of students get together after finding a note from a friend to stop using it they get the details and devise a plan to stop it. After the app is shut down everyone is able to heal and forget the app ever existed, or do they? I am excited to read volume two when it becomes available! I really enjoyed the characters, the subtle spice, the LGBTQ+ rep and the illustrations. I think the added detail of BDSM made me especially happy as it is under represented and often looked at as taboo.
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-arc!
I love the premise of this! Craves an app that can help you achieve your greatest desires, but when left unchecked, the app starts going horribly wrong. The art is excellent, and I love crazy and unique stories like this. I do think the story was a bit rushed; I would've loved to see a bit more added in the middle before everything gets fixed. Also the sexual content was very focused on one particular woman I think it needed to be a bit more evenly spread out.
Also, just to mention, because I saw some reviews about this, this is set at a college, not a high school. It routinely says campus, university, and dorms.