Very intense and erotic! It blended sex with dystopian themes of surveillance shockingly well. I'd read it again and I'd definitely recommend it to others. My one critique is that it may have benefitted from a slightly larger page count.

this really wasn’t for me :(

for me personally it felt like it prioritised the sex and shock factor over the plot, and the illustrations weren’t really for me.

this may be your thing, so don’t let me put you off, but as a graphic novel fan i couldn’t help but feel, disappointed.

Crave brings together issues #1-#6 of artist and writer Maria Llovet's series of the same title, a work of speculative fiction exploring the not-so-distant prospect of Al dating apps.

But Crave, which asks you what you crave and promises to "make it happen", is more than a dating app. And what does happen when an entire cohort of horny students have access to an app whose entire purpose is to make their darkest desires a reality? Whose Al programming allows it back-end access to their school's systems? An app without the safety filters and regulation that make the surface Internet usable?

The answers to these questions get pretty dark, so l'd recommend looking up trigger warnings (sexual content & representations of suicide/suicidal ideation being the major ones). However, the collected-issue format means that no unpleasant image ever overstays its welcome. Crave is fast-paced and all the more solid for it, and Llovet's art is so lush, she renders even the horrifying beautiful. Like a car crash, you'll find yourself unable to look away.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Image Comics for an advanced copy of this spicy story of college kids, computer apps, complication, and conspiracies, with a bit of copulating tossed in.

Technology and sex are two great tastes that should taste great together but sometimes leave a person with empty calories, a feeling that this could be better and good old social anxiety. Flipping through dating apps one sees happy faces, all good looking, in the best light and filter, and makes one wonder, if they can't get dates, how can I. The slightest thumbs up on any media platform enters one's information into the algorithm pool, where one can be pushed, filed stamped, indexed briefed, debriefed or numbered. One's like is not one's own, you are online. Anyone can say anything, make pictures of, comment, meme, of deface. Technology can even change what one covets, or desires, and make one yearn for something else. Or just make a person mad. Crave is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Maria Llovet, about an app sweeping an elite school, promising the hookup of a person's dreams, but asking a mighty price in return.

The students at an exclusive college wake to find a new app on their mobile devices. Crave is the name, and the app supposedly knows what one wishes for in a relationship and does its best to make it work. Within hours the app is making the students hot and bothered, with gossip, pictures and actions. David is a student who attends school on scholarship, and wants nothing to do with Crave, though his friends obsession with another student makes Crave sound quite good. David has a girlfriend Charlotte, from a rich family who thinks more seriously of the relationship than David, who might have his eye on Alexandra, a student with a past. Crave presents a serious of provocative photos to David, which makes him break up with Charlotte, who turns to Crave for help. Meanwhile school officials are looking for three students who were working on a computer project, and one of them is hiding in David's room. The student leaves a note before running away. Don't use Crave, it says. But it might be too late.

A combination of 90's erotic thrillers, with 90's CW shows, and a healthy dash of science fiction. This is one spicy meatball of a graphic novel, and not for the young ones, though the message is something they should learn. The book starts from the first panel and does not let up. Very few stories have the courage to start to hard and keep going, and I enjoyed this part, even if the plot seemed like a lot of teen comedies, though with the modern Artificial Intelligence. The characters are interesting, David especially. Even when the hormones are kicking, David still seems to keep an eye on what counts, and tries to do it. The art is really good, spicy when needed, bloody when necessary, with really good details and character design.

A very solid graphic novel, aimed at older people, and one that seems pretty relevant for today social media obsession. This is the first I have read, or seen the art of Maria Llovet, but I look forward to following what Llovet does next.

Crave by Maria Llovet is a captivating exploration of desire, technology, and the darker aspects of human nature. The story centers around an app that promises to fulfill its users' deepest desires, set against the backdrop of an elite university. David, a top student, finds himself drawn into a seductive game with the enigmatic Alexandra, as the app's influence begins to wreak havoc on campus.

Llovet's artwork is a standout feature of this comic, blending bold, expressive lines with a unique style that perfectly captures the story's erotic and mysterious tone. Each panel is meticulously crafted, drawing readers into a world where the boundary between fantasy and reality is blurred. The visual storytelling enhances the narrative, making even the most mundane scenes feel charged with potential and danger.

What sets Crave apart is its exploration of contemporary themes such as the addictive nature of social media and the often destructive pursuit of instant gratification. The app at the heart of the story serves as a metaphor for these issues, highlighting how easily desire can be manipulated and how the search for validation can lead to one's downfall. David's journey through seduction and the unraveling of his reality is a cautionary tale about the perils of losing oneself to superficial desires.

While the debut issue sets up an intriguing premise, some readers might find it doesn't delve deeply enough into its critique of social media and the human psyche. However, the groundwork laid by Llovet promises a complex and engaging narrative in the issues to come. The heavy atmosphere and constant sense of foreboding keep readers on edge, eager to see what twists and turns the story will take.

In summary, Crave is a visually stunning and thematically rich comic that invites readers to reflect on their own desires and the impact of technology on their lives. It's a must-read for fans of dark, thought-provoking stories with a touch of eroticism and mystery.

This comic has a lot going on. It's following an experimental app regarding hookups, but things go awry with this app and chaos consumes this school, and the drama that unfolds from it. I would check any warnings and triggers before heading into this one, as quite a bit happens. I am interested to see where this story continues, if it will be a direct sequel, or if it will be like HBOs White Lotus series, and in the same universe but different.

A story with an interesting premise.
I enjoyed that it was a complete story, and really liked the art.

Was on a bit of a horror graphic novel kick when I asked for this, and horror it isn’t but it is quite fascinating social commentary.

On an American college campus a new app gets on to everyone’s phones, Crave.

Crave asks you about your desires and tries to fulfil them, and when this is seen as successful by other users and they join in all hell breaks loose, as do the libidos of all the college aged people… and a few of the older people too.

Interesting section at the start of the story about personality and social media, FOMO, subsumption of personality, projection of best life, and other things that have been said about use of social media though it does feel a bit of a clumsy piece of exposition setting up the rest of the story.

The art style is sumptuous and matches the theme of the story, very lush. Quite a restrained palette of purples, browns and greens occasionally enlivened with a flash of red. The depiction of the world is very restrained as well, with a lot of the panels embracing blank space, then the panels looking at the world and ‘action’ can be extremely details, a really good mix of styles.

Overall and interesting concept executed well with scope to expand into this universe. This definitely gets a bit spicy and there are quite a few panels that are absolutely NSFW. Just thought fair warning.

I was given this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A commentary on how social media affects human connection and how sex can be used as a tool for violence. It's an interesting story but I wish there was more on the philosophical and moral implications of the Crave App. It's a really smart take on how online dating and social media crates parasocial relationships as well as diminishes true connection. The art is simple but lively and the composition of scenes does well to move the story along.

Overall a good read but could have taken more time to go deeper into the story.

ARC 5/5 ⭐️ This was a great Black Mirror-esque graphic novel. Just like the front cover, artwork and drawing style was really good. The story was nice, original and gripping.

The story follows a group of friends and a new
dark and addictive app. This app "Crave" promises to help user to get what they want.

Thank you, NetGalley, Image Comics, and Maria Llovet, for sending this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

3.5

*ARC in exchange for honest rating and review*

I thought the concept of this was very interesting. It is such a cool idea that I feel like could have been expanded on some more, but overall I really enjoyed it. The art was cute, I would definitely read more from this author. A very quick read as well.

My only thing is I don’t think the sexual scene was necessary to the story. After reading I saw it was marked as an erotic thriller. Not quite sure what that is, but I could have gone without the one sexy scene and just kept this as a thriller. Since the plot foundation is so strong, the grounds to make this an epic thriller/sci-fi are set. I am not against romantic thrillers (love them infact). I think you can do both well, just not sure this did it.

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book but it certainly wasn't what I got. This has next to no plot and just a lot of graphic sexual content and nudity. I'm not opposed to nudity and sex in graphic novels but there has to be a plot too. In this case, it just felt like a weak ass plot was thrown in as a second thought and the plot they did throw in was super lame. Not a fan of this one unfortunately.

This was probably one of the best comics I have ever read. I loved the idea of an app controlling people. I also loved the characters. The artwork was really good as well. I hope there are more in the future.

I absolutely loved this, it's a quick but intense read! The artwork is beautiful and I loved the colour palette. This felt similar to Black Mirror episodes but it was so unique and captivating that I hope there's more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A unique comic this addresses the harms of social media in the form of the app crave. A social experiment gone wrong sees a university in chaos as people indulge every given craving with guidance from the app. 

Not only does it show how this can harm individuals but also others around them. 

With a side of erotica as the romance between two of our main characters blooms it’s a brief but blunt statement on social media and the issues it presents society.

I loved this story. I think it is very relatable, for the times we are in now, with social media and apps. I like the darker message to the story, and the fact that people give in to their impulses and others don’t.

I will be continuing on the carve journey. I’m excited to see where the story is taken

The art is gorgeous,

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and requested this ARC out of curiosity. Honestly, it isn't terrible, but I just genuinely didn't care at all about anything that was happening. Usually the art style can save a graphic novel, but this one wasn't eye-catching enough to make up for the plot being pretty... eh? Glad I tried something new though!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

I knew what I was getting into when I requested this title, yet here I am still surprised lol. Definitely for an 18+ audience.

The app CRAVE just appeared on everyone's phones. And if you follow it's directions it gives you what you crave. Or at least the appearance of it.

Not very plot heavy, but definitely draws you in and keeps you. Wonderful art style.

3.75⭐
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of "Crave" and big thank you to the author Maria Llovet. I enjoyed my time with this graphic novel, I really liked the artwork and I'll be looking to buy it when it comes out in September 2024.

Thanks to NetGalley, Image Comics and Mary Llovet for the complementary ebook copy in exchange for my honest review!

This graphic novel is billed as being Black Mirror-like and I can definitely see the validity of those comparisons. Set in a university, we follow a flawed cast of characters who find themselves caught up and embroiled in an insidious mobile app called Crave. Whilst initially the app gains popularity due to the uncanny way it has of getting people into hook ups with their crushes, things take a darker turn and the app may have more power than anyone could have expected.

This was a really fun graphic novel and one that is easy to read in one sitting - the characters are diverse and relatable and there's a lot of heart here amongst all the sexy bits and teen drama. The art is definitely one of the highlights for me with this one, and I really think it suited the story it had to tell. I think the only critique I really have is that the story is a little rushed and things escalate extremely fast. Whilst I like how tight the story is, I definitely feel like the emotional beats and the rising tension of the app gaining a foothold could have benefited more from a slower progression which isn't possible in the one volume run-time (although the ending does hint at a possible sequel).

Overall, I had a good time with this graphic novel and would definitely check out more from this author in the future.