One day an app is mysteriously downloaded on a whole college campus's phones saying it can get you anything you crave. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?
Crave is essentially a story of conflicting desires gone wrong. I can see how it's been compared to the show Black Mirror because it definitely gives off the vibe. The art style was unique, but honestly not my favorite. The storyline was interesting, but felt a bit rushed at the most interesting parts. Overall it was a fun, quick read but I would have enjoyed it more if the two big conflicts (ex-girlfriend trying to hurt new love interest and destroying crave's data) had been more fleshed out.
Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This story felt like an episode of Gossip Girl but like with the cast also cosplaying Clue (in a way that was fun and readable in one sitting). Honestly, as depraved as the app was, I got a kick out of how cheerful it’s texting tone was (a great balance for the creepiness).

I love any stories that examine the pitfalls of technology — but especially loved that the characters fought back so the overall tone wasn’t despondent (like many episodes of Black Mirror).

The art style was retro and beautiful — loved the tarot and fashion additions to the ambiance.

The ending was a bit rushed and I really wanted to know more about the characters, but overall this was a quick (spicy) tale of mystery in the modern tech era.

Big thanks to #netgalley and Image for this arc copy of #crave!

Rating lvl: 4 / 5 ⭐️
Spice lvl: 2 / 5 🌶️

*I requested the arc of this via NetGalley*

This is the first graphic novel that I’ve picked up in a LONG time. And I had an absolute blast with it. It was a pleasant little read that had me hooked from just the book description.

I love the whole concept of Black Mirror and how Crave put its unique spin on it by using a college campus as the central piece to a “dating” app catastrophe.

In retrospect, the plot of story is a simple one but it’s made beautifully complex with its unique cast of characters and the arguably predictable relationships that are made along the way.

This story combines very real life personal mental struggles/fears of doubt, shame, sorrow, the unknown, etc. And it meshes together with another very real threat and fear of technological advancements on our persons. To combine all that into a college full of young, horny, and questionable “adults” grips your attention and doesn’t let it go.

The whole idea of the app called Crave is insane.

I highly recommend this when it comes out! Or if you want to request the arc and read it now. It won’t disappoint.

An additional note:
I kept a spice rating on this due to it containing somewhat erotic scenes. Although not explicit, the scenes do imply more than meets the eye. But it is very much an adult read nonetheless.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I’m excited to find more reads like this in the future!

#NetGalley #Crave

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for this digital advance preview, "Crave" by Maria Llovet is due for release on Sep 17, 2024.*

Though I haven't ventured very deep into the world of graphic novels, the few I have stumbled upon have managed to capture my attention completely, often producing a reading frenzy that encompasses the whole of the novel in one sitting. "Crave" was no different, offering an interesting premise with a compelling narrative.

"Crave," centres around a revolutionary app designed to fulfil its users' most intimate desires. It's exactly the kind of idea that makes a person ponder what the cost of being able to have one's every whim granted at the tap of a screen might be. This book consists of six episodes, each throwing key light upon some part of the puzzle, and the sum total is a tapestry of intrigue, desire, and power.

I was immediately drawn to the innovative concept of this graphic novel. The summary of the book already seemed to be too interesting to be true. It was full of promises for a brilliant story: modern technologies collided with timeless human dreams. But however it would sound, somehow precisely the most important parts of the storyline were not elaborated as much as I would have liked. These would have likely opened up some of the aspects in detail, hence the cost of losing brevity for a richer experience in the narrative.

The idea of a full-length novel adaptation of "Crave" excites me. The graphic novel most certainly had me by the first page, and to be able to explore further its themes and characters through prose will have to prove very tempting. For any aficionado of tempting tales and graphic novels, "Crave" is a must. It is impossible not to add this to your collection, as seductive storytelling is punctuated with visually arresting artwork that promises an entrancing plunge exploring desire and consequence.

Posted on Goodreads:

3.25/5⭐️

There’s a new app on campus called Crave and it can help you make your wildest dreams come true. I’d originally been intrigued by the premise. An app that can help you step by step in how to fulfill your craving. The Al notifications are buzzing through campus and the students go wilding. So much so that it catapults the campus into a dangerous chaotic environment.

This graphic novel kept my interest just enough to finish. Unfortunately it was waaaay too rushed and left me unsatisfied. I also didn’t care much about the characters because they were a bit one dimensional. They had lust and that was it. If more had been expanded then i would have been more immersed.

Loved the vibe of the art. So rich in colors. And I will say that Alexandra was my favorite.

Thank you netgalley, image comics and Maria llovet.

I went into this graphic novel, not actually knowing what it was about. I solely wanted to read it based on the beautiful cover art, and I am beyond happy it caught my eye because I loved it!!

This new age graphic novel follows the lives of college students who become obsessed with this new app called Crave! 'Black Mirror' meets 'Nerve' but with some wonderfully spicey panels!

The artwork was great and really made this read much more enjoyable! The cover art for the individual graphic novel covers were unbelievably beautiful, I'm literally obsessed with them!

I genuinely loved this novel, and going in blind really left me hooked on the storyline and plot twists. It you want a fun, quick, and sexy read, 'Crave' is what you need to dive into. The character development was well written and has you emotionally attached, rooting for some while actively hating others! I can't wait to check out other works by this author!

Thank you so much to image comics and Netgalley for this wonderful ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I like to relax with a comic. They're short, straightforward, and a nice treat for my peepers. When I first spotted this in the catalog, I was immediately drawn in by the cover. The color palette, composition, and art style all had me hooked. Crave was a really interesting comic that took place on a college campus. I was definitely getting Black Mirror for the collegiate crowd vibes. Crave featured a new social media app that was sweeping the school and encouraged students to lose their inhibitions. They were given probability statistics on whether or not their greatest desires would come true. I thought this choice was so topical and chic considering the state of our culture's obsession with internet popularity. Crave was such a modern comic and it felt really immersive. The author had a vision and she executed it masterfully. Next time I'm in the mood for an engaging, sensual comic, I know exactly who can deliver what I Crave.

Though the art was well done the story was at times hard to follow. The story seemed to jump around way to much and the characters were poorly developed.

thrilling and sexy graphic novel about what happens when a dating app with AI goes rogue in a university.

I re-logged in to my netgalley account after a few years and this was one of the first books I requested -- and I was not disappointed. llovet's use of colour and and setting really sets this apart from other graphic novels. the characters feel developed enough for the 176 pages of this collection of volumes 1 through 6. maria llovet is one to watch out for!

I really enjoyed the conversations about AI and its uses and consequences. Especially since AI is such a topical conversation at the moment, Llovet doesn't leave anything in the shadows. Everything is - quite literally - on full display in Crave.

thiiiiiis was so fun.

i'm constantly on the lookout for black mirror-esqe cautionary technology tales and i've had the long-held believe that apps, even beyond the scope of their intended purpose and reported data-caching, can be used in insidious ways when in the hands of the right (or wrong) people.

crave is a story like that - on campus, an app called crave is gaining in popularity amongst the students. touted as a hook-up app, you assume at first that it's little more than a glorified version of tinder. that's until you realize that something is going off in the walls of this school. maybe getting off is more operative a description - people are hooking up in hallways, clothes are getting unbuttoned, everyone seems like they're fiending for something or someone.

post-breakup, david downloads the app and begins a flirtatious photo exchange with alexandra, a girl from his past. but his ex isn't happy that they broke-up. and maybe crave can help her find her happy ending too, even if it means wanting someone dead.

super compelling, hard to put down. finished it with MUCH haste and can't wait to read more from the series.

the only downfall for me was that there were inevitable consent issues (you could probably expect this with an app like that) but it kinda bugs me that the one instance it was discussed/explored was within a situation with two women. i get it, queer sexual violence exists, but there wasn't enough nuance/thought added to that arc of the story for me and it bothered me that no queer people showed up throughout the rest of the read.

From the first page, I knew I was not going to be able to put this down until I finished it! I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time, just waiting to see what was going to happen next. The artwork alone took my breath away, you can tell that the artist made sure to reflect the dark and sultry feels of the store with the color palette and line work that was used throughout. This was my first graphic novel in about 5 years and hopefully there will be more readings from Crave in the future! There was a few parts that I wish had been expanded on but otherwise this was a truly amazing work of art.

I received a copy from NetGalley for review.

I really enjoyed the story and the artwork. It went so fast. I feel like I need to give it another read to enjoy it more.

Crave has a certain type of vibe that cannot be replicated easily. This graphic novel has a great storyline with complex characters. It brings up the deadly themes of technology going rampant with sex crazies college students. it really shows to what length people would go to, to satisfy their cravings. It left off on a cliffhanger that one would assume will be the main catalyst in the next book. I would love to see more of the main character and his love interest. The erotic theme was both sexy and scary in the best way possible. Would love to see more from this and Maria Llovet.

4.8/5 for kind of wanting to try out crave for myself

Collects Crave #1-6 in a single book, a completed story written and illustrated by Maria Llovet.

A new app appears on everyone’s phones on campus, and it seems to give people what they crave - this being university, it’s a whole lot of sex and making out. Then the app gains control of elevators, and engages its users in collaborating to make more craves come true, and things spiral out of control.

The art and layout are engaging, each character (and background characters!) are unique and diverse. The story itself is fairly predictable but not tension and suspense.

As a social commentary it falls a little flat, but it does reinforce ‘honesty is the best policy.’

Recommended for mature readers (there is graphic sexual content & consensual bdsm-style posing, probably some dubcon) - and recommended for Twilight Zone/Outer Limits fans looking for dark “what if” style story about the control anonymous connections and social media have on our lives.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC!

Intriguing, explicit and a bit wacky. The premise is a new app that goes majorly wrong very quickly, and basically leads to a lot of orgies and some violence. I somewhat liked it. I don't know if the author was just super horny and wanted everyone to have sex all the time and this was a way to allow that. I'm not sure that irl things would escalate to sex in college hallways just because an app told you something, or at least escalate as quickly, as dramatically. Overall I enjoyed the read though and fiction is there to be distinct from the real world. So... a mixed review!

This GN was not exactl what I expected - it was a little more graphic than I anticipated but I realize that was of my own error. I thiknk this was well done just perhaps not the story for me.

Crave follows the launch of a new app that allows students to ask for what they desire and the app “Crave” will provide instructions to achieve this. The main character David uses it to go after the girl he wants after breaking up with his girlfriend. Things quickly take a turn when they realise the app may be doing more harm than good and it’s up to David and his friends to fix it. I enjoyed the way this book portrayed the pros and cons of social media and the foreshadowing in the beginning gives a hint to the outcome of using the app. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

Llovet writes the perfect dark/sexy graphic novels. Crave is a Black-mirror-like episode of an app giving people what(more like who) they desire most. I loved that, like a magic 8 ball, when someone asked for something unobtainable, Crave basically said, “no. Ask something more realistic.” The only thing that kinda bothered me was how quick the solution to ending Crave was.
Thank you to #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of #Crave. 5/5 The book was approximately 173 pages, which collects 6 issues.

This genre was definitely a first for me, I’ve not read erotica/manga before but it didn’t put me off. There was definitely a lot of erotica in this but most importantly it wasn’t the base of the plot line. Crave is an app that people can tell the app what they are most craving and Crave will tell them if they can satisfy this craving and how. I loved that mysterious part to this story on how and who made this app and weather it is still existing. I would definitely recommend this. The artwork in this book was really clever I loved the rustic/drawn look it really suited the story.

Crave is a graphic novel following college students when a mysterious app appears on campus promising to fulfil everyone's desires if they follow the directions on the app. Overall, I think the story was very interesting however the books following the initial introduction felt lacking in content/substance.