Crave
by Maria Llovet
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 1 Oct 2024 | Archive Date Not set
Talking about this book? Use #Crave #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
CRAVE, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind Crave.
In this dark, sexy mystery, writer/artist MARIA LLOVET (Luna, Faithless, Sandman Universe Thessaly) explores how we connect to the world and to others in the dawn of AI.
Collects CRAVE #1-#6
Advance Praise
Select praise for CRAVE:
"An exquisitely illustrated, propulsive-plotted erotic thriller." —Library Journal
"It's as sexy as it is tense, a coming-of-age story shrouded in a story made for an older generation." —ComicBook.com
"An intriguing start to a series that toys with a new technology that takes dating and sex to a darker place." —AIPT
"It nails the issues with social media and technology head on." —Graphic Policy
"The keenly viewed impact of social media and its twisting of people’s perceptions of their world is going to make this book bigger than either of the Faithless series." —Comic Crusaders
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781534397453 |
PRICE | US$16.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 176 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I devoured this book, the story is highly addictive and captivating. I genuinely felt like I was watching an episode where Black Mirror meets Nerve as I read. Great storytelling that then is used to highlight the issues of current technologies— not a far-fetched or otherworldly tale but something we live with every day.
Although I believe the illustration style aligns well with the plot, it wasn't of my taste. Plus, there were moments where I felt it leaned too heavily on the explicit content, despite it being a central theme of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed it immensely. It's a quick, fun read (with some horny college students), and I'll be keeping an eye out for the rest of the stories because I want to learn more about Crave.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 💘.
I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley.
Wonderful plot and style. The artwork was particularly interesting to me. Thank you.
Book 1: So this is a good example of you need to read the synopsis and not just get books/ comics/ graphic novels based on their cover art ahhaa. I didn’t realize this was an erotic comic, not that I’m offended but I didn’t know what I was getting into. I quite enjoyed the story of having a random dating app show up on your phone and it wants to know what you crave then it gives you instructions on how to do so. I actually liked this art style as well. I’m on to book two.
I’d recommend this to graphic novel lovers who want to think outside the box as far as a dating app/ social media.
Book 2: I’m still enjoying this story and the format of the graphic novel and I adore the artwork. Now Crave is really taking off and it’s wild what people will/ won’t do to get their cravings to happen. Peter pressure at its finest. On to book three.
I’d recommend this series.
Book #3: Crave has taken over and they need to find a way to shut it down!
Sofia is my favourite character. She is smart and beautiful. I want to continue with this series. I’m enjoying the story and the artwork.
I’d recommend this to graphic novel lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley for the complimentary copy to review.
Enjoyable read. I enjoyed the art style, the drawings of Alexandra are beautiful. Definitely gives black mirror vibes with the warning about the app, Crave, and the following chaos that ensues.
An erotic thriller of a mini series comics. It is a blend of the “Nose Dive” and “Hated in the Nation” episodes of Black Mirror where an app satisfies the sexual cravings of law students at all means necessary. It is a short run, with the potential of a second series but I think this had a natural, ambiguous ending.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one but I enjoyed it. I liked how the art and the story. I also liked the way it resolved all of the storylines. The characters were well fleshed out and I was interested in the way things turned out. It was more blunt than I was expecting but I was down for it. Definitely a cool read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.
thank you net galley and publishers for letting me read this
The artwork was well drawn and the story was intriguing and very interesting. A new social app allows everyone to satisfy their cravings, but quickly turns to chaos and destruction. A group of friends has to uncover the truth behind this app and the reason it was started. Had me hooked until the end. I really enjoyed reading the whole series.
literally screaming and hollering that i got this arc because hello??? this concept?? amazing. thank you! i love love LOVE it.
it’s giving black mirror and that alone is five stars, but the art style has a vintage with a touch of modern vibe (i can’t explain it ok it just looks like a classic comic but made for today. i love it), lgbtq rep, sex positive, chaotic, a lil bit of a nail biter, ugh! yes!
There's a reason why image comics is my go to when I want to read something other then marvel or dc, they just get it!
Trigger warnings include:
This Graphic Novel collects #1-6 crave by Maria Llovet
crave is a technology gone bad! Erotic Thriller, Big brother is watching, listening, downloading your data.
Its a shame we don't really get much character backstory on any of the characters, it focuses more on the importance of disclosing person information on social media as anyone can take that info and use it to do bad.
Thank you #netgalley for my advance copy of #crave
I was instantly sold when I saw Maria Llovet's name on this. I've loved her style of artwork since I first saw it in Faithless. The concept of this graphic novel is great. It isn't too farfetched to think that something like this, albeit maybe not so extreme, might happen in the near future. Relying on social media and apps instead of your real world experiences is something that seems to be dwindling. It is a well written, and definitely well drawn book!
I'm obsessed, I asked for the arc quite randomly, I just saw the cover today and thought "why not?" and it turned out to be a very good decision, because I devoured this comic in one sitting. The art was unique and beautiful, the story had great meaning, and some of the illustrations made me blush. It definitely won’t be my last graphic novel by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
First, the art in this is beautiful.
Second: this is a wild story. Modern day dystopian with social media taking over big brother style.
It starts out with just encouraging people to be more daring in asking for what they want, but it quickly gets out of hand. Suddenly everyone is having sex with everyone else wherever they are, but that quickly ramps up to violence.
A group of friends, some of which were unknowingly working in this project before it was released as an experiment, get together to bring this app down and try to save their friends. Trying to get past the mob like riots in the school the have to break into the server, crack the code, and erase the app and all of the data it collected on everyone.
It takes an active experimental look at how influenced the modern age is by an algorithm and an electronic box (phone). It was entertaining, the art was stunning, and it really makes you think about how much social media can influence us.
This was such an interesting graphic novel! I liked the art and the colour pallet, and it was the right steamy level, with the right level of mysterious plot!
A really interesting and unique view into the dangers of unrestricted technological access. The story uses shock value to show the dangers that AI and social media present to the modern world.
The art was beautiful, the story was creative and intriguing, the characters felt very realistic to college students. The one area that I feel it loses points is there wasn't quite enough build for me - I think it would have benefited from maybe two more installments to flesh out some of the background.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
WOW. I did not expect it to be so explicit. It was such a good story though. I really enjoyed the characters and the overall plot (though the tech side of the app and it's creation was a bit lost on me). Even though it was fairly short I felt like I understood all the characters and their motivations and everything came together really well in the end. It was a little scary how the algorithm of the app was able to predict how people would react and what they would do. It all felt really dystopian. If the final panel is true, there should be a continuation of the story which is very exciting. I hope if it is continued that we get to see some of the same characters again.
A university campus is thrown into chaos - sexy, sexy chaos - by a mysterious new app promising "Tell us what you Crave - we'll make It happen". It could easily have ended up as a Channel 5 Black Mirror, particularly given how tame a lot of the desires are (one poor sap early on only goes as far as "making out with" the girl way out of his league, and until revenge motives kick in, nobody seems to go past threesomes or a little light bondage), and the dialogue can tend towards the expository - even if the setting, with an excuse for literal lectures, provides some cover for that. In its favour, of course, is that it's by Maria Llovet, whose pages, as ever, look like lust feels - I particularly enjoyed the trick here where, when a character is looking at their obsession, the faces of anyone else in panel with the desired one aren't even filled in, because to the person looking, they're barely there.
(Netgalley ARC)
When an app starts telling people how to get what they want, a college campus breaks into chaos, doing as they're told to satisfy their cravings
This graphic novel is hauntingly dark with the right amount of twists to keep the reader hooked while still holding an element of believability.
This is an interesting concept that trades in well on the more lurid aspects: what happens when you give a university an app whose only purpose is to tell you how to fulfil what you desire? In this case, it's almost always a person rather than a thing, which leads to a lot of graphic sex. The art is quite lovely yet I found the whole thing rather disenfranchising - the characters were messy cyphers, the art rather objectivistic, and the premise rather ludicrous.
Story: David is at a strange point right now at his elite university: he's become tired of his clingy girlfriend, has a secret crush on a loner student, has a best friend also nursing an unrequited crush, and honestly is just sick of it all. When the student body starts buzzing about a new app that can help a person attain something they want, David is unimpressed. That is, until an erotic image of his crush in bondage gear appears on his phone. As the students begin using the app, chaos erupts, David's girlfriend becomes suicidal, and his best friend thinks he really has a chance with the smartest girl in the school if he uses the Crave app.
I like the general idea of the app - AI and social media coming together to 'learn' how to help students get the courage to go after what they want. If the app cannot predict or accomplish the wish, it simply says that there is little chance of success with that wish. Predictably, what happens is that students lose inhibitions and go after all their baser desires, mostly sexual ones. By the middle of the book, it is no surprise to see David walking destroyed school hallways littered with debris and students fornicating. Don't expect much in the way of answers about the app, though.
And yet, with all the heat, this is one of the most clinical and oddly disaffecting stories I've come across in a long time. It certainly isn't really sexy despite the content and instead feels like we are looking on at AI people just a bit too odd to be real. David is withdrawn and unemotive, his best friend shy and unable to muster the courage to go after what he wants, David's love interest Alexandra is portrayed as a weirdo loner, and his girlfriend spends most of the book slowly withdrawing into solitary depression.
The artwork is also rather disaffecting and sterile. The women are all beautiful, the men more stereotypes, and despite a wide color palette, the school is very cold. It serves the story but again greatly contributes to the indifference or even ambivalence of the entire piece. Nor is this in any way believable as a concept.
In all, a fairly interesting, if cliched and thoroughly unbelievable, read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
⇢ 3.75 ★
well this was an interesting read! marketed as a mix of "black mirror" and "eyes wide shut", this was a very kinky graphic novel. it did feel a bit like those, black mirror especially, but i was also getting some "gossip girl" vibes. i knew what i was getting myself into, but DAMN! i think there was more sex than plot at times. i would have loved to see a little more detail and scenes outside of the sex, because the "conclusion" felt rushed and underdeveloped. nevertheless, i had a fun time reading it. it's quite fast-paced and every single character is going through literal nightmare scenarios. i definitely would continue reading if the author plans to publish additional volumes but i do think there should be more content in the already existing volumes.
౨ৎ TRIGGER WARNINGS
ᡣ𐭩 suicide attempt
ᡣ𐭩 assault
ᡣ𐭩 teacher-student relationship
ᡣ𐭩 doxxing (intimate pictures are leaked)
This was a super fun, high stakes read that I devoured in one sitting.
The art in this resembles a lot of older comics which was something I really enjoyed. The concept was super fun and relevant in the times of AI. If you're looking for something quick to read, pick this up!
3.75 ⭐️
Skins meets black mirror
Incredible artwork in this collection and an engaging, gripping storyline exploring the digitisation and automation of modern tech and how this takes away responsibility for decisions we make.
I did feel the erotic aspect didn’t quite meld with the plot and it felt as though we had two stories going on at the same time. It left the flow feeling a bit disjointed but this was minor and didn’t necessarily take away from the plot!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Boy was I surprised about this steamy graphic novel!
First of all, I'm a sucker for an original art style and I liked the tone it set. The rough sketch'iness of it all added to the feeling of the story, which felt part mystery, part thriller, part speculative. I think it's actually better going in without knowing too much about the plot and just immersing yourself in this ride.
Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for a new age graphic novel about relationships, the impending technology of apps/social media and AI rolled into one.
Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read a digital ARC!
Read in one sitting!
Crave's story is really original, the art is really fun, the colour palettes are going madness. A full wrapped up story in this many pages I thought was really impressive, where you could read in one sitting. I liked the characters, the art, the sci-fi elements. The comment about 'Black Mirror' is spot on.
I did have to tilt my phone away from others at time (read the mature content warnings) but - super cool graphic novel all round!
Will be looking for more of Maria Llovet's work in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this, and for Maria Llovet for an awesome premise in the graphic novel scene.
Spoilers ahead…(duh) [18+]
Okay so overall, I REALLY liked this book; the premise was super cool, it has a vintage art style I haven’t seen in a while and really enjoy, and the characters were so sexy and merged like fine wine and cheese. There were steamy sex scenes, awkward conversations with college students, and heartbreak!! All that said, my only complaint is that I wish it was longer; some parts felt rushed and felt very jarring, which I feel takes away from some of the other action packed plot twists.
The premise of an app “Crave” trying to help college students fulfill sexual fantasies and desires / cravings is SUCH a cool concept and I feel like there could be so much more depth to this whether as a whole or in the next edition (as it did say test 2 at the end — I would LOVE for there to be more). And I hope we see the same characters we did in this one because I was so invested in the main four and their respective love lives ( the reveal Charlotte was lying about Alex was WILD ), and I hope we see more development on it and see them make a reappearance.
I just CRAVE more!
Great story with intriguing detail. Hackers, crazy social media app. deaths! This story has it all. With just enough adult spice in the middle to make sure everything is going well. Highly recommend this entire series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
-
This was so good! Definitely reminiscent of Black Mirror and even reminded me of the movie Nerve, but for a more mature audience. I devoured this in one sitting and was anxious to see what the characters were going to do next. I loved the artwork as well, and definitely helped with progressing the story. The only complaint I really have is that I wish we got more of the aftermath after Crave, and that some relationships were fleshed out more than others.
A steamy graphic novel with an interesting premise: an app on a university campus which is there to help you satisfy all of your desires (no matter how inappropriate or dirty), so long as it believes them to be realistically achievable. This was something I read in a single (rather quick) sitting and includes a lot of sexual content - not suitable for underage people!
Really interesting storyline (with characters struggling primarily with controlling their impulses), and it seems to end on enough of a cliffhanger I could see another storyline in this world. Really amazing artwork, spicy and definitely recommended.
<i>I was provided with a complimentary copy of this graphic novel by Image Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily</i>.
A spicy take on social media spyware taking over a college. After students start using an app called Crave to fulfill their greatest cravings, evil things start to happen and our main characters must work together to shut the app down.
Perfect for graphic novel horror readers who enjoy alittle spicy with their death
I was pleasantly surprised by the explicitness of this graphic novel and that is a positive especially when coupled with the beautiful artwork.
I loved this, the concept was so fun, but i do with it would have been at least an extra 100pages so there could have been more plot.
I loved the graphics and the characters, this was a quick, steamy, fun read. I hope there’s more in the future because omg. I want to read more about this! Finished it in one sitting.
Overall rating: 3.75 stars
This was the perfect quick read I needed as a somewhat palette cleanser. Who doesn't love a comic involving some extremely horny college students who use a digital app to hook up with fellow students? This was a brilliant read, involving the highlighting of the dangers and issues surrounding modern-day social media and apps. Despite this being a novel that had a main topic of romance, I somewhat feel there could have been less focus on the level of explicit content included, and more focus on the issues surrounding use of social media etc.
Overall, I did enjoy this quick read, and I will be keeping my eye out for any future works by this author. I want to give a big thanks to NetGalley UK and Image Comics for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
This book was a real surprise to me because based on the cover I was NOT expecting an erotic tale. I was pleasantly surprised however because I found it to be very sex positive and the erotic scenes were in service of the bigger plot. I definitely enjoyed the story more when the Crave app lore got a little denser and the action got more fast paced. I didn’t mind the art but the excessive blushing of the characters was a little distracting at times.
Everything I've read of Maria Llovet is more vibes than plot. This plot's serviceable, the characters are surprisingly easy to tell apart and see as separate people, and the wild ride that is Crave feels maybe a bit compressed, story-wise, but that's fine.
I absolutely craved this comic! It was definitely sexy with a taste of horror woven into it. The entire thing exploring an app that allows you to say what you desire and gives you instructions about how to obtain it. I really enjoyed the tinge of sci-fi it had in using technology to create a sense of chaos for this college campus.
In a way, even though Crave itself started to cause a lot of chaos and pain for those it could not help and the way it lead people together was awful, A lot of people did get what they wanted and got the courage to say their true desires. Crave becomes a deceptively neutral entity because of this. However, in the end the destructive nature isn’t worth the good that it did do.
This comic is definitely full on nsfw content. I really enjoyed the variety of the content that it had. Some people wanted just to hook up and others wanted the start of a full relationship and it really did bring out peoples inner wants into the light of day.
I love how the comics show the light and dark sides to desire. Especially, when some get what they want and others don’t. The ones that didn’t get what they wanted becoming depressed and jealous of those who did. Some wanting to hurt themselves and some wanting to hurt others and crave helping them achieve those darker desires as well.
The art of course is stunning. I loved the way the artist used colors and made every page so vibrant and beautiful. This will definitely get you thinking to yourself about what you desire and if you went for what you wanted, would you get it?
An intriguing story that is partly Sci-Fi and partly based on technology. The story centers around an app that is appearing on college student phones. This leads to an interesting story that holds your attention. It is a scary premise, since the leaps and bound that technology is taking, makes it a possibility in the future. The artwork was well-done, and the story was nicely told.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a college age story. Dave’s friend leaves him a note as he takes off, don’t use crave. Dave doesn’t listen and he heads off on a spicy journey. This was interesting taken what happens when you can get everything you crave. I would be interested into seeing more from this comic. I enjoy the art style and the plotting.
This was a really interesting black mirror-esque erotic graphic novel. It studies the what if a social media app could give us what we crave? And what happens when that isn't exactly how we pictured? I truly enjoyed the story it was chaos and frenzy but I also loved the trajectory the story took. The ending pleasantly surprised me, and without giving too much away, it was really refreshing to see a different approach to popular plot point in a romance storyline. Overall it was a really quick read which I both enjoyed but I think with just a bit more time spent on connecting with the characters that impact and 'wtf' moment could have been even bigger.
If you like a bit dark and suspenseful what if stories of the could be horrors of this technological age, and some erotica as well, definitely should check this out.
I keep forgetting it’s not *great* to read comics on my phone, but unfortunately I can’t access NetGalley on my Kindle. Still, I’m so excited I requested this! It was creepy and hot and I love the art. All of the covers inside are totally gorgeous. It had a satisfying ending and I’m hoping there’s more of this eventually!
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fun and interesting read, quite explicit, which I loved. Felt a lot like watching an episode of black mirror. Enjoyed the characters and interactions, and the plot was cool. Also loved the art style, has an old school feeling that contrasts beautiful with the “dystopian” story line.
Crave is a tightly woven tale, about the dangers of blindly trusting in new forms of AI and how quickly it can all spiral out of control. This comic was fast-paced and managed to keep that quick pace from start to finish. It did feel like it was slightly too fast, the final resolution seemed to play out a little too smoothly. I did enjoy one of the first scenes, where it kept flipping from the main characters conversation and the other students engaged in a classroom discussion about the lesson topic. It was a great example of showing how sometimes you get so absorbed into your own petty bullshit you don't even notice the warning signs being plainly shown to your face. The one downside is that I didn't realize just HOW MUCH sex there is in this! Yes, I realize the plot blurb talks about Crave as a "hook-up" app, but I didn't realize just how much explicit sex would be featured in this. Weirdly, all of the sex is plot-relevant, so I don't mind it in this comic. But good lord, don't read this in public! Also, the "Black Mirror" feeling of this comic was very strong. If you told me this was a comic adaption of a Black Mirror episode, I would believe you. The art style was fairly unique, I liked it well enough, though some elements of it I didn't care for. Overall, it is a well-crafted comic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Crave isn't just about the dangers of social media, it's about the dangers of what happens when everyone gets what they want.
A borderline erotic horror, the first volume of Crave serves up scenes of unrestrained sexuality and the horrors that answer the question: "What if your fantasies came true?"
The characters are well-developed in a short space of time, and the art style works well for the nature of the comic.
I'd love to see an anthology series of Crave in which the app affects different settings. We start here with a university, but what if Crave was activated in an office building? A shopping centre? Or across a whole town?
I really enjoyed many aspects of this graphic novel from the art style to the story. I liked how the story was told and found the way it was conveyed was done well. The characters were really interesting and i thought they all stood out from each other. The art style was done well and it helped convey the story and tone in an interesting way. I definitely pick up the next one in the series when it comes out.
Maria Llovet's "Crave" is a gorgeously-drawn thriller about a university campus thrown into chaos when an addictive new social media app (Crave) mysteriously appears on students' phones. With promises to remove obstacles between desire and satisfaction, how can this app not spread like wildfire through this community of raging hormones? Like the best episodes of "Black Mirror," the world depicted here feels completely within the realm of possibility (maybe even inevitable given current trends). This left me thinking so much about how we connect as human beings, why certain inhibitions are actually crucial to our survival, and the dark side of getting what we want too easily. In the end, this was one of the most engaging and unsettling depictions of social media gone-too-far that I can remember reading in a long time. And to top it all off, the art is beautifully unique. High recommendation from me if you enjoy graphic novels on the mature side!
Crave by Maria Llovet
In a university, an app called Crave appears on student’s phones. It promises to give you what you want, but what it gives is relationship discord, anarchy, sex in public and potentially the downfall of civilisation. Can a crack unit of outcasts and geeks save the world?
Well, I’m not here to give you the happy ending you wish. And yes, I know that is a double entendre. Crave is collection of the recently competed (or is it?) comic series by Image. Their story is slightly unsettling - as it should be - with likeable characters and whipsmart dialogue. Llovet also contributes artwork that is Beardsleyesque in its covers and end papers, but sketchy and full of life in the storytelling. Lovely sex scenes too, with a scene featuring one of our heroes finding a unique way to improve his grades.
As someone who loves graphic novels, but in recent years has found them repetitive and unoriginal (other than Sex Criminals, ironically from the same publisher) I would also offer a trigger warning: some content may not be suitable for younger readers. But if what you desire is an erotic, sinister and snarky six issues, you’ll love it. It’s published by Image on 17th September and I thank them for a preview copy.
First of all, I LOVE the art style!
I am so happy that I got the ARC for this because I had such a good time reading it!
This was so much fun, the concept was really interesting, I want more!!
A really gripping read, I thought the characters were intriguing and I'm going to look out for more by this author.
This was definitely a wild ride! But I enjoyed it. It definitely makes you examine the dangers of social media and blindly following others. I had no idea what this was about when I saw it, but I am glad I requested it!
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.
Image just continues to knock it out of the park with these interesting indie stories. Maria Llovet is not a writer I'm familiar with but will be checking out for sure, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more from her.
The story of Crave is very Gen X - a mysterious app that invites students to divulge and indulge, consequences be damned, privacy who is she? Naturally, humans being animals, everyone and everything devolves into pure id chaos. I was kind of unsure of this book at first, as it comes across very stereotypical in a Cruel Intentions way - college students at some Ivy League school with their rich and pretty problems, until Crave appears on everyone's phones.
So mysterious. I enjoyed the 2024 update of the evil computer trope, and even of the evil app trope (literally there is a whole genre of films for this haha). It's also very much in the sexy thriller genre, which isn't one I'm really familiar with and associate mostly with the 90s, but which I don't hate lol
The art, also by Llovet, is also phenomenal. Beautiful setting design, dynamic paneling, and a very careful use of coloring - just wows all around.
Crave is perfect for fans of Emerald Fennell's Saltburn or Promising Young Woman, or Halina Reijn's Bodies Bodies Bodies.
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.
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!
Interesting concept and art work. Gives off Black Mirror/Nerve vibes Definitely a work for 17+/mature readers .
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
This was fun and intriguing, and I really really liked the art in it! I was hoping there might be more about the app and what seemed to make everyone act weird after using it, but this was still a fun, if short, read!
This was such a fun read and something I don’t normally go for but I really enjoyed - just wish it was longer. Thank you for sharing it with me and allowing me to try something different.
I wasn't expecting to love this one as much as I did. It was so good! I loved the characters and I felt genuinely sad for Charlotte. Honestly, even though she was the "villain" or whatever, she was still someone we could relate to and empathize with. Although, realistically, Crave is the real villain here. It was erotic, sure, but the story itself was an interesting and important topic to discuss and the art made it so much easier to digest. I absolutely loved this book. Thank you NetGalley and Maria Llovet for allowing me the opportunity to read it. I can't wait for everyone else to pick it up too. It's definitely worth the wait.
I’m obsessed with the art style (it’s just so pretty). I’ve put 4 stars but it’s more like a 3.5 but strongly leaning towards a 4. The concept was absolutely brilliant and there was certainly places where it lived up to it but some bits I felt just weren’t explored enough, although hopefully there will be a sequel and those will be expanded and addressed. As someone studying dystopian literature at A-level it’s really interesting to see the theme of surveillance and omniscient technology in this graphic novel. Honestly the book was pretty brilliant and I would definitely recommend it to people in my classes who feel the same way about graphic novels, eroticism and dystopian literature as I do.
I absolutely loved this comic book. The storyline was very addictive and It had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what’s gonna happen next it kind of reminded me of the movie Nerve because of the whole app control thing lol. The illustrations of each scene was so gorgeous and on point, especially the spice scenes, I love those it had a nice touch to it with a different colors, and you could sort of see the characters aura in the background of each scene of the comic, which I Love. I’m not ready to move onto next book until I do a reread at least five times and then I go to my next book because this is too good. I can’t wait for the next comic. All of the couples are my favorite, especially Charlotte and Julie( in my head they’re a couple once Charlotte felt better hehe).
3.5 Stars, rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy
This was a quick read for me due to the panels being the same sort of layout on pages (they all tended to be rectangles, that flowed down the page)
It was an enjoyable black-mirror type story, highlighting the addiction of technology and apps.
There are a few content warnings in this app, with abuse, dubious consent and attempted suicide.
The art style itself is really nice pastels, that I think contrasts very well to the darker nature of the plot.
I found this an interesting read. It was unlike anything else I have read, and there were enough characters to give different storylines, but not too many that they get mixed and lost. The concept of the plot was intriguing, it kept me interested throughout the read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The content is definitively adult only (18 years plus) but I enjoyed that this was for adding to the plot, not just added unnecessarily for shock value.
The format of the book was clear, and it was easy to follow. I read this on my phone and it was very straightforward.
I'd definitely revisit this story in the future. It was a great read.
To me this seemed like a very sexual black mirror episode.
When your cravings can be fulfilled with just a few clicks on an app that’s spreading like wildfire through campus, it’s not surprising when things suddenly descend into chaos.
Crave is a graphic novel collection consisting of smaller magazines. It tells the story of an app that claims to fulfil your wildest cravings. Released in a university, ultimately, chaos ensues. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and felt like it was a gripping and interesting storyline. I would have loved for it to be longer!
Thanks so much to @netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review
Rating 3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and image comics for the arc of this book.
First of all the covers are absolutely gorgeous for each of the 6 issues in this collection (it’s what made me notice the title initially) and the art for the comic throughout are great as well.
The premise for this book though is what drew me in, a social media app that will give you what you crave. It’s like reading a black mirror episode with hints of Squid Game scattered throughout as well.
I think the social commentary in the book is spot on and I loved how ironic it was with during the social media lecture when the college was becoming obsessed with crave with good foreshadowing.
For a short collection it manages to tackle quite a few issues church I liked but I think it is also a downside as it was so short that none of the characters were really fleshed out. You didn’t really get a chance to connect with them at all and had to take everything at face value.
The premise is so so smart and cool and I would have loved if there was more to it, the whole book felt rushed and everything went so fast that I kind of get the feeling that I’m missing context. I wanted to know more on who created crave, when it started at the college, the build up to it getting out of hand because when you start reading it, its pretty much already at the disaster stage.
All in all I did really enjoy the book but I think it needed more, more issues (it could have easily been made into 10/15 issues and really get to know the characters) and more background on how crave came about. I’m saying that though I think the author is on to something and whatever they publish next I’m absolutely here for.
Crave is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read. The plot was amazing and kept me intrigued the whole time, I did not want to stop reading. The art was phenomenal.
I was lucky enough to have this as an ARC reader, and I’m so glad I was approved! The premise sounded super interesting and the artwork looked beautiful. This comic did not disappoint! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to be an ARC reader!!🫶🏻
I loved the Black Mirror vibes!! It really made me think how AI can impact people’s lives in this age of online dating. It was dark and sexy, and really kept me entertained throughout. I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to find out how this app was impacting students on campus.
I was captivated by the art throughout, and the spice scenes were well done🌶️ And again, I just can’t get over how beautiful the artwork is! Absolutely gorgeous. Highly recommend reading this!♥️✨
3.75 stars is the actual rating. I honestly enjoyed my time reading this. Very quick paced and entertaining. The plot of the story was not like anything i have seen before. i really had a good time would consider a re read in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, whoa. I read the tags for this but I did not full realize what I was getting into. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Crave follows a group of new adults at university where a new app, Crave, suddenly appears on every phone and lets people satisfy their deepest, darkest cravings, sometimes very publicly.
The art style didn't resonate with me at first but around halfway through the first issue, it clicked and I loved it. It was so simple but added so much emotion to the story. 4/5 for art
Now for the story. Based on spicyness alone, 7/5 stars. But there were parts that felt a bit...jumpy and reached for. Not a bad story by any means, but not quite 5 stars.
Crave is a graphic novel about a new dating app that’s spread across a college campus only it might make you think it’s giving you what you “crave” it’s actually causing turmoil and chaos!
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and the art was fantastic! The storyline was super unique and I kept finding myself wanting more and more to know what’s going on in the best sort of way.
It is pretty adult so I would NOT recommend it for anyone younger than upper teens (I’m talking 16 and under) but for an adult graphic novel it was really well done and the intimate scenes were done well and interspersed well throughout. Definitely a fun quick read and I hope the author makes a sequel!
Erotic and salacious! WOW what a ride!
Just the pallet cleanser I needed! I loved the art and how deliciously chaotic the story line was! It was a bit predictable but overall a lot of fun!
An incredibly cerebral erotic thriller. A story about the dangers of trusting technology, mixed with an analogy for honesty with yourself and with the world around you and a helping heap of sexual tension and action make for a thrilling read. Six volumes go by in a blink and leave you, for lack of a more suitable word, craving more. An absolute must read.
I thought this was a great quick read. The story was fast paced, nothing felt dragged, and the imagery was beautiful. I would definitely look forward to reading more by Maria Llovet because of this graphic novel. The only downside, I wish it had been a little longer, I read it in one sitting and felt like it was lacking some meat inside.
read it the same day I got it, and five stars!
the horror of dating, dating apps, young people hormones, and the power of social media is the plot of the comic. this makes me feel like I was reading a future script of black mirror. the characters were hot, the characters were interesting too, without knowing them too much. the sexiness of the characters and the sex, itself moves the plot instead of being placed randomly in the comic, which I liked a lot.
the cliff hanger makes me excited to see where this series continues.
thank you Maria, Image Comics, and Netgalley for this arc.
I went into this graphic novel blind, and was pleasantly surprised!
Normally I like a more slow paced story, with character and plot building, but the fast paced narrative really gets in your face about its social media concept, the whole point being do we use social media too much and what could be the consequences of it?
Obviously what happened in this graphic novel wouldn't, or I hope it wouldn't! Happen in real life, but none the less, it really got me thinking.
The art sryle was really cute and I loved the use of colour through out, it leveled out the lack of background detailing and just really worked for the characters, which although you don't get to know well, hold their own.
I really enjoyed this, and think it would do really well as an actual novel.
While I don’t think this graphic novel was for me, I bet others will most definitely enjoy it!
I really love all the art/graphics and I did love the concept of the plot! However I did learn that don’t think graphic novels are for me personally but I’d love to see this in a novel format. But for those of you who loved graphic novels, read this! It was great and a quick read with good visuals! Most definitely for a mature audience. I can’t get over how much I loved the art style!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me this eArc to review.
Oh this was a good graphic novel. It was fast paced and unique with lovely art and an unhinged storyline. This is definitely for adults as it has nudity, sex and heavy themes such as suicide but it is really good and I hope for a volume two!
A fun, flirty graphic novel with the perfect horror edge. Llovet builds a rich, colourful portrait of the friend group struggles created by Crave through both through illustration and words. I will undoubtedly be hand selling this and look forward to seeing the graphic novel in the flesh!
Hi Again!
The other night I needed something quick to read and I decided that something quick would be a graphic novel on my Netgalley list! So while sitting in my favorite cozy reading spot, I opened my Netgalley app. I found the Crave Volume 1 graphic novel and I was super intrigued by the cover so I decided I wanted to give it a try. (Thank you so much to the publishers for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). I was able to devour this graphic novel from my favorite cozy spot in one sitting. So without further ado, let’s jump into the story.
SPOILERS AHEAD
On a university campus, a new app has popped up called Crave. The app is becoming insanely popular among the population on campus, insanely quickly. Essentially people who use the Crave app are able to ask for one thing you crave and if the percent chance of that Craving happening is high the app will tell you how to achieve your craving. If the chance is under ten percent the app tells you that and shuts down that craving. As you can imagine things with this app are getting wild across campus from violence to relationship escapades to people having hookups all over campus. Things are very very quickly getting out of hand and some students leave campus, only to find out that the app was created on campus and can only be stopped from the on-campus servers. Will they be able to get to them? Can they resist using Crave?
I knew almost nothing going into this graphic novel but I ended up enjoying my time with it. The story had a thin layer of mystery (why is the app created? What is the original goal or purpose?). The characters were all very interesting to follow and see how they either resisted or gave in to Crave. Also for the people who gave in to Crave, it was wild to see the range of different asks and what the app said back to them. I will definitely be on the lookout for volume two. Before I wrap up this post, I do want to say that this is definitely an adult graphic novel, please keep that in mind before picking it up! Crave hits shelves on September 17th, 2024!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
A hook-up app goes wild amongst the university students at an elite school, but it’s much more than just a hook-up app. Students start acting out of character, some start making dangerous decisions, and the school’s technology appears weirdly tied to the app. Crave centers on one group of friends and the relationships that begin and end because of the app.
With unhinged university students, a mysterious hook-up app, and a university full of technological dangers, Crave is what modern dark academia dreams are made of. It’s thrilling, sexy, and unique in the comic/graphic novel space. The characters aren’t really likable, but that’s par for the course in dark academia. Crave is erotic, but at its core, it’s a mystery. I promise there’s a plot past the spicy scenes! Llovet’s art is incredibly detailed and gorgeous, and that alone would have kept me moving through the story to the end.
As for what I didn’t like, there isn’t much. I didn’t like a couple of the side storylines, but I didn’t dislike them enough to mar my view of the story. Crave gets quite deep and dark near the end, which feels like a departure from the rest of the story. See my content warnings below my rating at the bottom of the post for more information.
Final Thoughts:
Crave is an excellent example of how dark academia can work in modern comics and graphic novels. I think those who enjoy New Adult stories, mysteries, and complicated college relationships will fall in love with Crave.
Content Warnings:
Suicidal Thoughts
Leaking of Personal (Explicit) Photos/Videos (of an adult)
Outing of an LGBTQ individual
Assault
Death
Bondage Photos (done with consent) (of an adult)
What an absolutely insane ride.
Crave is a compilation of a mini comic series about a mysterious app that appears on the phones of every student on a small university campus and entices them to tell the app about their desires or “cravings.” However, to satisfy those cravings the app gives the students nefarious instructions and chaos ensues as some students prompt the app with their dark desires.
I went into this mostly blind. I thought the cover was gorgeous and the description said something about Black Mirror so I immediately was on board. So with that being said, I was not expecting it to be graphic erotica so that was a surprise, but I wasn’t mad about it.
The story went by extremely quick as the entire thing takes place over one single day. I am a fan of fast paced things so I was happy there wasn’t any filler nonsense. With that being said, the last part did seem rushed to just get it wrapped up.
Overall I loved the art style and was SO impressed by how perfectly illustrated Sofia’s curls were! The art and the storyline reminded me so much of the comics I used to read in middle school on gURL.com. I’m excited to dive into more by Maria Llovet!
everything about this was absolutely stunning! i am so madly in love with this story and i can’t wait to read more from this author!
Crave had me hooked instantly, I was so caught off guard by how intense it was! Pretty much, the idea is to “tell what you crave and you will get it if possible”. I loved the design of Crave. It was an easy read, and very enjoyable!
NetGalley Review: CRAVE Maria Llovet Black Mirror meets Eyes Wide Shut in this dark and sexy erotic thriller.
CRAVE, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind Crave.
In this dark, sexy mystery, writer/artist MARIA LLOVET (Luna, Faithless, Sandman Universe Thessaly) explores how we connect to the world and to others in the dawn of AI.
Collects CRAVE #1-#6
I really enjoyed this book - it was very sexy and unique! It’s about a new social media app that’s been created which allows you to satisfy your cravings nothing is off limits. Things quickly take a dark turn & a group of friends take it upon themselves to fix the issues that the app has created. It was a really fun read - finished it within a couple of hours, sometimes you just need a quick fun graphic novel to break up your TBR list. The illustrations are sooo pretty (&sexy) I would give this a 4/5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Crave is definitely for fans of black mirror, and I would say dark romance readers because there were some pretty graphic sexual scenes.
I love the plot with the app crave. And I love how the graphics were vintage style.
I was easily engaged and flew through this very quickly. It’s very attention grabbing and you kind of just wanna know what’s gonna happen next. Was quite a page turner for me.
It was so dramatic and fast paced.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I can’t wait for the author to release The next additions because I am super excited to see where the crave story leads
Wow! This was such a fun, fast paced read. I read this in a short sitting. Crave is a mysterious app that spreads around a university campus. What starts off as an intriguing way to have fun as the app promises to give you whatever you desire, turns into the app causing complete chaos…
This art cover is absolutely gorgeous! I received this as an arc and was so happy to get it!
The characters in this story were really fun and likeable! I have never read something in this way before so it was really refreshing and interesting for me. This was such a palate cleanser and I would definitely be open to reading more of this style again.
There is a lot of lust going around the campus, so although you don’t get enough time to become connected with the characters, you are still able to enjoy the story. This is due to a number of other factors, as the meaning behind the story is something that I think that most people can get behind. Social media is taking over young impressionable minds, having the power to often control thoughts and behaviours. I think especially in this day and age, it is right. Social media allows for the comparison of yourself and others. It allows you to have all of your private information up for grabs if you are not careful about how you share this information. It makes you open for other people to have an opinion of you, to make your self worth either rocket or plummet.
I think for this reason that the story worked so well, it tackled and brought conversation to such an important topic. Thank you to NetGalley and to the author Maria Llovet for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! I was hooked from the very start! This amazing comic book had just the right amount of spice and a very important message about social media and today. Whatever this author does next, count me in!
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of Crave by Marie Llovet.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The art was messy in a really great way. It had a raw sketch-y feel to it which I felt married up with the plot of the book fantastically. I loved the concept of Crave. It gave me huge Black Mirror vibes, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Maria Llovet got a call for it to become an episode. Crave served Big Brother-1984-corruption in a teenage setting that gave a new spin on dystopia.
I honestly only have one critique, and that's that I wish that Crave were longer. I feel like it could have been fleshed out more, and we could have seen more of the destruction that the Crave app caused throughout the college.
I loved 'Fin?' - give us more!
Wow! This was impressive. It's the first time I encountered this author and just ... wow!
This is a story about a kind of dating app which can give you what you want. It's dark and erotic, and very well done most of the time. Maria Llovet wrote and draw it all, so the art and the text are in sync.
The story delves into the wishes of its' characters, and it's very good at making us understand them and feel for them. There are some kinky bits, but it's very well done. Not sex for the sake of sex.
I didn't quite like the ending - it was too neatly wrapped up for my taste. There is a possibility of a sequel, And if it happens, I'll be there to read it.
I requested this graphic novel Crave from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story is as follows, an app called Crave is sweeping this singular Elite University which has students creating racier and racier situations in order to have their ultimate wish come true. You'll see heartbreaks, lots of sexual situations and violence of most kinds that can be shocking and alarming, will the student body survive this app or their cravings cause a dangerous end for the student body?
I decided to give this book a chance because the premise sounded like it could be interesting and I thought the art was beautiful. The other draw was the comparison to black mirror and it does not disappoint in that respect. The story revolves around a group of friends who are on the outside of the app until they are thrust into their desires, especially the lead David who gets another swing at his dream girl due to the app's insistence that he try and make things work out with her...but this can only happen after he dumps his longtime girlfriend and has some very sexual and graphic moments with the girl. The book is definitely an erotica but not as erotic as something like sex criminals or Saga which has equal parts male and female sexual organs on display within the pages. I for a minute thought this was in a high school and found myself weirded out by the sexual nature but still fully invested into the story and plot but thankfully they are college students so it's not as weird as before. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it but I will say i kind of want more from this group. The story feels like it resolves itself a bit too early for me and the escalation from harmless cravings to harmful cravings felt less gradual than I would have liked, not on the author though, but because they have a page restriction of course things moved at a much faster pace. I did enjoy the storytelling and the art work was sublime, I think the characters had great moments where they had to understand the severity of the situation my only problem is that things progressed so quickly I wanted to plant my feet and enjoy the story for a bit longer.
All in all its a lovely ride albeit short but very much a lovely experience to have. I think the artwork is gorgeous and hope to see a part 2 happen very soon. I appreciate a good erotica and this felt like it was great at that but also story and look. 4/5 because it felt like the story was rushed.
I delved into this blindly, intrigued by the blurb indicating a blend of Black Mirror and Eyes Wide Shut. It wasn’t what I was expecting but still a really quick read with an enjoyable plot and gorgeous illustration.
An app that can make your desires come true, but every desire has its price. I really liked the premise of this graphic novel, the story seemed a bit rushed but there is a hint at more to come.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more graphic novels by Maria Llovet
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
I delved into this blindly, intrigued by the blend of Black Mirror and Eyes Wide Shut in the blurb. The illustrations were stunning; although I'm not an avid graphic novel reader, I found them to complement the narrative beautifully, bursting with intricate details and vibrant colors that truly brought the characters to life. The stories were intelligently crafted, fast-paced, and easy to follow, making the overall experience very enjoyable. I believe this graphic novel is exceptionally well done!
When a new app 'Crave' offers the students of David's school the opportunity to satisfy their cravings, the school jumps on it with dire and potentially fatal results.
I absolutely loved the art style in 'Crave' and Charlotte, Albert and Sofia in particular felt like such visceral characters. The premise is fascinating and the execution gripping.
admittedly it did feel a little fast-paced and the stakes didn't feel as high as they could've. Overall I enjoyed 'Crave' and would read again.
Oh this was so much fun! In the age of terrible dating apps, aren't we all craving something a little more....straight to the point? Mysterious new dating app Crave has taken over this college's campus, pairing people up through a few simple steps. But nothing can be so simple can it?
Our main story follows David, a top student at this elite university as he navigates the waters post-breakup with the help of Crave. Chaos, of course, ensues - students going to dangerous lengths to pair with the person they...well. Crave.
This erotic thriller was a crazy ride, showcasing the dangers of AI and how it could negatively impact society. If you love technology thrillers and are of adult age I cannot recommend this enough! I have my fingers crossed for an eventual continuation of the story!
The graphics are everything, but the plot doesn’t lag behind! Love the premise of it, the storylines, and the characters. Would def read more if it’s released!
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
I requested this on a whim because I'm trying to read more graphic novels, comics, and manga this year. It was so fun! I read it in one sitting and found myself wishing for more. The "Black Mirror" esque plot of an app taking over a university with major consequences was easy to get into and kept me interested throughout. I enjoyed the art style and will definitely be picking up more from Maria Llovet in the future.
One morning students at an elite university discover a new app on their phones named Crave. It offers to make their desires come true, and they gleefully use it as a hookup app. At first a wave of hedonistic not quite orgies sweep the school, but once this initial tide calms, students give vent to other emotions such as jealousy, self harm and getting even.
Crave is short in time span, capturing a few days of campus life, but big on emotions and actions. The narrative centers on David, one of the top students at the school. At the beginning of the miniseries he is unhappy, and breaks up with his girlfriend, Charlotte. After talking through class with a friend, he returns to his room to find his roommate in a rush to leave, having left a note that David should avoid the app that is unfortunately lost in the chaos of his exit, but David has already been receiving erotic photos from an unknown sender. David heads to the library for a mandatory study session, but arrives to find it ended early and only a past crush is there.
Crave is a somewhat small stakes erotic thriller, but with greater societal implications. What if Crave had a bigger launch? To seek their desires, one just has to use Crave. Crave then uses its database to either begin to meet your desire, or if it is not possible says there is a less than 10% chance of its success. Crave also seems to have control over the physical school environment, able to effect the functioning of elevators or have users complete small tasks that on their own seem slight but together can trigger catastrophe.
A sex fueled horror story of how social media can unleash our less restrained emotions especially when losing site of the community in favor of your own gratification. Recommended to those interested in graphic novels, miss-uses of technologies or want to feel justified for reading the user agreement.
"Crave" is a visual feast that will leave you craving more. With stunning artwork and a captivating storyline, it's a thrilling journey into desire and darkness. Dive into this mesmerizing world and prepare to be spellbound from start to finish.
really addicting. great art and i was obsessed with the storyline. would definitely recommend to anyone who is into adult graphic novels.
If you’re looking for a fast spaced in one sitting type of read you’ve got it.
A mysterious app called Crave has appeared on a college campus. This app allows the user to ask for their deepest darkest desires no matter how lewd the request might be.
So what happens when the one persons request starts wreaking havok amongst the student population?
When it comes to comics I’m going to expect kind of a swift through and through read. This got straight to the point. It was quirky and fun. Don’t get me wrong a blush or two did spring up on these cheeks.
Don’t expect anymore than what you’re given. If you’re looking for an in depth story this is not it.
Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am.
This graphic novel series is set at a university where suddenly an app called “crave” appears on everyone’s cell phones. The app claims to be able to give instructions for each user to fulfill their fantasies. At first, mostly everyone is happy to be hooking up with their crushes. When sinister things begin unfolding, a small group of friends must band together to get to the bottom of this mysterious app and it’s dark motives. I thought the art was great and the story kept me reading. Would recommend those looking for a quick read with mature themes/visuals.
This was such an interesting graphic novel. I'm a big fan of Image Comics and this definitely didn't disappoint. This was such a unique story with basically a version of AI social media mixed with tinder. It definitely had more sexual content than I usually like, but the story was super interesting and I really liked the characters. I do hope there are more volumes (which the end of this volume seemed to hint at). I definitely think this could be expanded upon and this could have some really interesting later volumes in a possible series.
Book Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5
I absolutely loved this! Based in a university setting, the characters find themselves consumed with the new app Crave that just appeared on everyone’s phone on campus. Crave allows you to tell the app what you are craving and they will give you the odds of satisfaction and if it’s high enough, it will give you steps to completing the goal.
There is mystery, drama, sex, and more! This graphic novel is not for the faint of heart I will say that! If you are interested in a fun story that can be continued, then try Crave!
I requested an ARC of Crave from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was initially a cover draw for me but when I read the blurb my interest peaked even more.
I loved the artwork in this comic first and foremost, each piece helped set the scene perfectly.
The actually storyline was quite good, and should serve as a reminder for folks to read what they’re agreeing to when it comes to their data on apps.
The app that was developed in this comic was wild, it completely wigged me out, especially as a person who is freaked out by advanced technology like artificial intelligence.
I really like the characters, and I hope there is more so we can see more of them.
Overall it was a quick read with captivating artwork, interesting characters, eerie vibes and some heavy topics such as self harm and bodily harm to others.
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.
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.
Centered around a new app that helps you achieve your most desired "cravings", Crave is an erotic graphic novel that definitely lives up to the Black Mirror vibes it was going for. Set on a college campus, a group of students are thrust into chaos after a new app wreaks havoc by helping people get what they want most. All at the expense of privacy, autonomy and even safety.
As our protagonists deal with not only their own cravings and desires but the mayhem than the app has caused, some of them are forced to reflect on how dangerous it can be if we all got what we wanted.
The art style is very "sketchbook"-esque and works well with this story. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and flew threw it in one sitting. While the plot and themes itself are nothing groundbreaking, the combination of the illustrations and all too real concept of technology going rogue, this is a story that will definitely resonate with a lot of readers.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
I do not think there has been an Image Comic series that I did not like....
This was such a fun story (with lots of dark elements for sure) on the obsession of teenagers with lust and technology. The art was sharp and shocking. It dealt with graphic violence in a way that felt right...not too overdone but not completely overlooked.
I really hope this series continues because I will be looking for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC.
Definitely a thought-provoking comic series about the impact of social media/AI on real lives. I think comics can sometimes represent real concerns in a way that makes it easier for us to keep them in the realm of "that couldn't really happen," which was the case for me here. That being said, I'm still thinking about what the implications could be if someone did create something like this. The art is great. Recommend.
Crave by Maria Llovet is an erotic thriller comic in which a mysterious app called CRAVE makes your desires come true. Unfortunately, this app ends up causing mayhem at a university. David and his friends have to figure out how to stop it and what or who is behind it. It was originally published in installments, but this is an omnibus of the series.
This was a very interesting read. It’s different from what I usually read and compelling. It’s also a quick read, so perfect if you need a palate cleanser. I thought the idea portrayed was a unique one that shows how getting what you want might not always be what’s best. I also enjoyed reading about the different characters. Considering how short Crave is, Llovet did a great job personifying the many characters that are featured. I’m not a huge fan of YA, but Llovet was able to make the characters realistic for their age.
I enjoyed the artwork as well. The illustrative style and the colors were appealing and beautifully done. I would definitely check out Llovet’s other graphic novels just for the illustration style.
Crave comes out on October 1, 2024. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for review.
I really enjoyed the story. The artwork was amazing and hot at times but the story was the winner for me. I loved the characters and the concept.
3.5 stars
I really liked this book. I loved the premise and the plot, but for me it feels that the pace is too fast, preventing the development of the characters and their relationships from happening naturally and not seeming too forced. But overall I really liked the story and it premise, and would love to read more about it.
Thank you Netgalley and Image Comics for the free e-ARC to read in exchange of my honest opinion.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Maria Llovet for the eARC in exchange for a review.
I'm always hit or miss with comics.
The art was decent, occasionally some details that were kinda background details felt unfinished and made some of the artwork feel rushed.
The story line was interesting and very much a black mirror style story, but a little more far fetched than a story that falls into the "that could totally happen IRL"
Pretty spicy, with some scenes being fairly explicit but nothing hard core.
4 stars
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first opened this story. I was mostly going off what the cover gave, which was very sensual vibes. After reading the description I thought this would be similar to Nerve but sexy. Focusing on the cover though, when I first saw it I figured the story was either going to focus on polygamy or a love triangle. I had my fingers crossed from polygamy and with the sensual vibes had a little hope that was what I was going to get. Typically, it ended up being a love triangle. Upon opening the file, I found out that the e-copy at the very least is using a different cover from the one advertised. And I actually like this other cover better. It encapsulates the story better with actually showing that it will be a love triangle, focusing the dilemma with a cellphone and still keeps to the sensual vibe. I wish they would have used that cover more.
Moving on to the actual plot, it starts off strong by immediately telling me about the app and what it does as well as introducing me to all the characters and their motives for the story. I love the way that the motives are shown the most. The author doesn't choose to say what their motives are most of the time but rather uses the art to show where or who the characters gaze lands on. Who the characters focus their attention on. Again it really sticks to the sensual vibe.
As the story goes on, the sensual becomes more sexual with the chaos that comes from people desires. As it progresses, I can see more and more people in the background having random sex in the hallways of this school. Its very strange and chaotic but fits the vibe of things getting out of control. But it is weird at first to just see people giving into their desires that easily.
My one big problem with the plot was the way they set up the app at the beginning of the story made it sound so fleshed out, like the app as been a part of their campus for a while. At least a week. It wasn't until I got more clarification when Kei described what he knew that I found out the app was probably introduced to campus that morning, which makes the note at the beginning make more sense too.
That being said, Kei was my least favourite character. All the characters overall were very fleshed out, motives clear and they all stay in character throughout. But I will never get over Kei and his note. I get that he was in a rush and did leave a note, but typically when someone you are writing a note for appears before you leave, you tell them what the note says before you leave. So I don't blame the others for forgetting about the note. Kei should have told them what was on the note before leaving, especially after they did him a solid and lied so he could leave.
If I had to pick out anything else about the comic I didn't like, it would be how it was formatted. Because this started off as a issue release rather then a graphic novel first, this comic did keep in a lot of the issue details like the back pages with barcodes and prices for each issue. This just came off like they stuck the issues together and didn't take into consideration editing it down. Then they also kept the previews for the next issue. This was just unnecessary since I'm not waiting to read the next issue, I'm just going to read it. So the previews were just unnecessary to have in there.
I really did enjoy this graphic novel though. In fact, halfway through I tried looking up to see if I could expect a second volume. No news on it yet, but the ending did have a question mark on it, so hopefully the story will continue. Selfishly I wish they made the first volume longer or stretched the story out to multiple volumes, but I understand why they ended it there. It works really well the way it is. So for now I'm just going to sit and wait for any news on a volume 2.
As others have mentioned, this is an engrossing read. It's very quick, I read it in under 40 minutes, and it wraps up nicely. Other reviewers mentioned the sexual content included, because of this I was prepared, but found it fairly mild, however, if you generally avoid reads of a sexual nature it may come as a shock without forewarning.
If I had any critique, it would be a request for more. I was left craving *wink wink* more of the story and its players – I loved the small side stories occurring outside the main characters. I would have liked to see more of those stories. I do think even as is we got a good feel for the type of people the main characters are, but I wanted more time to get to know them. They seemed lovely! I adore Llovet's art style and use of color. I'm very impressed and will be keeping an eye out for future works by Maria Llovet. Thanks so much to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts ahead of this title's October release date.
I think if you enjoy Snotgirl, you'll enjoy this comic.
Maria Llovet doesn't have it in her to write a bad comic book / graphic novel. Per usual, I love everything about it. The story. The art. The coloring. Everything about it is perfect.
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
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.
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!
This book welcomed me back into the manga world after not reading this style for awhile.
The storyline was a bit confusing for me, as I felt like there were quite a few plot holes. I also felt like we were rushed to the end for it just to be cut off.
I did enjoy the book, just wish it was a little longer.
Crave is a comic with beautiful art work that for me, was reminiscience of superhero comic books. The colours suited the black mirror-esq story, and overall it was a quick, easy read.
The plot may be where the story was let down slightly; whereas it was fast paced, and there was plently of action, the reader in me, wanted to know more about how the app worked, and the relationships/backstories between the key characters. However, it may be over ambitious to expect this all in just one novel, and instead has whetted my appetite to read future editions to find out more!
I was surprised by how graphic the romance was in the book, but it didn't offend me (although I didn't feel comfortable reading it out in public!) and it was interesting to see how the author portrayed the effect of modern apps on individual's sexual relationships. In the way that the hit series black mirror gets us thinking and questioning how dark aspects of our society and culture has evolved as technology evolves, so does this comic.
I've rated it a 4 stars, because I would have liked to see more plot development, but this may be atypical of comic novels, and is just my personal preference as a typical novel reader.
Thank you to Maria and netgalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed trying something new.
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.
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.
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
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.
"Tell us what you crave! Follow our instructions and we'll make it happen!"
A college campus is gifted with a new, mysterious app. One that allows you to satisfy any desire you might have in the moment helping to match you with those who will succeed in pleasing the hunger.
Only something seems off and David along with the help of three others will get to the bottom of this. But could the four of them be too late?!
This was a fun erotic, thriller with mystery and some suspense. I enjoyed the fast pacing of the story and how the college lecture we got pieces of during the beginning of the story correlated with what was to come. Questioning social media and how powerful and self crippling it has become. How we don't really know who's actually behind the screen. Authenticity and real connections are questioned in this read.
David's a top-notch student trying to do his best but realizing some of his life isn't his. He can't continue going on playing a part especially not when the app brings Alexndra and him closer. The strait-laced girl who's unattainable but David's still obsessed with!
Like any new thing humans are naturally drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Eating it up and not getting enough of it! Posting, sharing, and talking about the new hip thing everyone is doing. Only as the newness of the app wears off things have gotten out of control. Situations have escalated and the app that was bringing many together for fun is now doing the opposite.
David and his friends realize they need to stop this app. Discovering the truth behind the app and that they have a time limit!
This graphic novel is for adults because of the content. Within the first few panels we have FF action. Cussing is prominent in this read and everyone on campus is positively feral. I mean this app is giving them the confidence they needed to say things they wouldn't normally state out loud. There's nudity shown and implications of what's going down. There's violence, some blood nothing gory, and attempted suicide.
We do have romance within our main character group. I enjoyed watching them come together and the banter presented for one of the couples. Multiple POVs. One of our female leads is BIPOC and I loved how the author drew her. She's so hot and beautiful! The seduction of this read was great, and I loved how the art style was a little grungy and dark. Erotic and little details of the human anatomy we are drawn to. Tight clothing around thighs, lips and mouths, etc.
We do get an HEA with a hint of possibly more to come. I really respected and adored the fact that not everyone affected by the app had an HEA. They did in their own way but not the storybook classic way. Some of the damage done during the hype of the app is not easily forgotten or taken back! This was my first read by this author/artist and I honestly want more!
Enjoy the heated graphic novel and don't forget to give the author some stars!
Thank you NetGalley!
shutupandbookup.com
Throughout this graphic novel, you were read and see, drama, explicit, contact, and so much more. I love the design in this graphic novel. The design is done so amazingly. I like all the little details that Maria put in crave. I like that there are so many characters, so you get different plots for the characters. There are so many different characters in this graphic novel. You’ll see them go after what they desire because of this app but some also don’t get what they desire. This graphic novel has very good drama in it and there is good explicit contact in it too. The crave app is making the whole campus life go upside down, so many secrets got out, and so many lives are being ruined. David and his group of friends have to stop the app before it destroys everything. Throughout the graphic novel, people in this group are finally getting what they want. Also, some of them are not getting what they want because of this app. Lots of the drama is solved at the end of this graphic novel. I like this group of friends because they never judge one another. That even said and done people are forgiven and some are not. I really enjoyed this whole graphic novel from the storyline to all the designs in Crave.
This was absolutely amazing. I want the next one right away. The art style is beauitful and stunning, and perfectly complements the story. It’s the right amount of mystery, smut, and a thrilling adventure.
I absolutely LOVE Crave. I had read issues 1-4 before applying for the ARC of the completed series and fell even more in love with it. Story? Refreshing and complex. Art? Absolutely stunning.
What an interesting read! Content Warning - there are graphic nude scenes! Definitely gave me Black Mirror vibes. I love stories that explore and comment on how social media affects us. Imagine having an app that says it can satisfy whatever "cravings" you have. Would you use it?
An explicitly spicy graphic novel that turns Skynet into a dating app.
At an elite private school, students are invited to download the Crave app that promises to fulfil their steamiest desires. We follow a small ground of friends as they interact with the app and watch behavior of students around them escalate dangerously.
Things I love about this book
- Gender, racial and sexual diversity
- The art style is edgy, cool and easy to follow
- Fast paced storytelling
- Creative use of spice and explicit scenes
- Ambiguous ending
The story was great, but straightforward. A secondary storyline would have pushed this to the next level for me. I'll definitely be reading more from Maria Llovet!
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for this advanced reader copy.
This book is best read while considering how to get your crush's attention. Crave recommends sending explicit photos.
This was my first comic and I really enjoyed it! It reminded me so much of Black Mirror which is one of my favourite programmes!
The storyline was so well written and the spice was great. I will definitely be reading more comics like these!
Thank you to NetGalley, Image publishing and Maria Llovet for this arc in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this one, the colours and illustrations where so beautiful and the story was fantastic
Would like to continue on
4 stars
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an eARC for an honest review!
Crave is a book that is a relatively fast read, and I want to start by saying that I think the art of Crave is pretty fantastic, and gives the book a unique and memorable look. The style of the art gives a touch of the surreal to the book, which goes well with a story that is about an extreme of technology. Both the art and the story present themselves in a way that is reminiscent of Black Mirror, but is about 20x more optimistic than Black Mirror.
On that note, I really hoped that this would be as good as I had thought, and for the most part it is. But similarly to a TV show, I think the writing at times can make the story feel rushed. As a result, it left me wanting more time to spend with the characters and more time to flesh out their personal worlds. Which is also to say that I think the characters are interesting and deserve some extra time to shine! Overall, I found Crave to be a fun, quick read that makes me interested in the potential of the ideas and characters presented.
The art work was so beautiful and the storyline was compelling and wildy interesting. I think the whole concept was intriguing in the best way possible. The writing made you root for certain characters, and dislike others. It was a fast-paced read and with the stunning art portrayed in every page, it was easy to stay interested in the story that was being told.
I would have loved to have seen the story be longer and the characters more fleshed out.
this art was so lovely, and the premise was pretty good too! reminded me vaguely of mean girls (2003).
the overall plot structure works well for this compilation of volumes. the ending of each volume was compelling and had me interested in the next set, which was excellent. i thought the premise was interesting. i've read novels with similar plots but i liked the characters of this series much more. they made fairly logical choices given their circumstances.
however i did think that the author utilized some tropes and stereotypes that felt callously put in (asian person as the tech support & math nerd i think). my other complaint was that some of the detail in the larger scenes were lost due to the inking brush's width/style. other than that i thought the inking was unique and was especially suited for close up scenes.
* Thank you to the publisher Image Comics via Netgalley for the ebook!
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.
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.
A beautiful art style, spicy content, horror?
The story is entirely based around a campus of college(?) kids going nuts over an app that gets them the people of their dreams on campus but forces people to do specific tasks in order to be successful.
Overall the story is very horror coded and there's no much romance. And in terms of erotica, it's more just mild sexual imagery. It's not the main focus for our characters, really.
David and Alex are supposed to be the main characters, and while they are likable - I fell in love with Albert and Sofia moreso.
It's a very fastpace, short graphic novel with heavy cyber horror aspects that anybody who is afraid of AI takeovers will be scared by.
Highly recommend.
When a mysterious app appears that promises to make your inner desires come true, university students (predictably) begin to use it as a hookup app. As requests on the app escalate and campus becomes increasingly dangerous, the students must discover the origins of the app and figure out how to reign in the chaos...
Put simply, I LOVED this comic! Once started, I could not put it down. Comparisons will undoubtably be made to "Black Mirror", but that comparison is very warranted. Much like "Black Mirror" at its best, "Crave" takes modern technology to it's darkest conclusions. Be aware, this is very much an adult story with extremely adult situations. But the sexual content always exists in service to the story and to show the further heightening of impulses and desires unleashed in the wake of the "Crave" app.
It's also very much worth noting that Maria Llovet pulls doubly duty here, as both writer AND artist and excels in both regards. Early on, I knew I was going to track down and read every comic by this writer and every comic by this artist. Then, I realized they were one and the same and my admiration only grew.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This book was nothing like I expected it to be, the storyline was so much more interesting and complex than I originally imagined it to be. I also loved the art style, all of the characters were so beautiful. I also VERY MUCH enjoyed that this wasn't about a group of high schoolers, but a group of university students. So often in media high schoolers are over sexualized, it was definitely good to see that with such mature content it instead focused on an older demographic.
I enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I think it would made a great addition to anyone's graphic novel collection.
This was a very unique, strange, and wild graphic novel. Everything in the story seemed to have happened in less than 48 hours. The concept of the app essentially controlling people's reactions reminded me a little of WORLDTR33.
Obsessed with the artwork and how the explicit scenes added to the story rather than just being thrown in there! Absolutely wanting more Crave from this author. Such a unique concept with depth to the message as well. You will not regret picking this up!
This was insanely fun to read. Our main cast were all great and I like the open ending for it to happen again. This comic is a great example of being careful what you wish for.
I requested this because the premise was so interesting and I thought it was executed well. I felt like the constant s*x was more for shock value than actual story progression which I'm not a fan of but overall it was an interesting read.
I loved this! I literally devoured it in one sitting. The story had me on my toes and anxious to know what was going to happen next! I didn’t mind the more graphic NSFW scenes, but they seemed to be very random and often came out of nowhere.
The found family aspect of the characters all banding together to solve the problem was really sweet and enjoyable! My only major dislike was that the ending felt a bit rushed, but maybe I just didn’t want it to end! There was a part in the end that may indicate a sequel, so fingers crossed for that!
i first read crave as individual issues as a caveat but i looked forward to each issue as it came out as i loved the idea of using desire as a vehicle to explore the relationships in the university. in an age that doesn't communicate very well, what if people could go after what they craved? how would that change their lives for the better. i just wished this was a longer concept as i wanted to know more about the characters than what we were given.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for this arc in exchange for an honest review!*
This comic is set in a University were everyone has mysteriously has an app called “Crave” on their phone. Which helps them satisfy their craving and from there chaos starts to happens.
It was a quick and very enjoyable read.
Pros
Art style was lovely
Loved main characters
Cons
Wish it was longer
Also would have loved more characters backstory or development.
Over all really enjoyed and would recommend.
Loved this graphic novel series! The graphics were cute and great and the plot of the book was really interesting! Wish there was more!
Graphic novels aren't my go to genre but every once in a while I like to pick one up. This one was pretty good and definitely steamy. This takes place in a university setting and CRAVE, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true makes students hot for each other once they realize they can basically get what they want. As you might suspect, young adults acting out their cravings turns bad pretty quickly and the students have to figure out how to fix the chaos that Crave is causing.
The artwork is done well and the story resolves with a happy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Crave" by Maria Llovet is a dark and sexy erotic thriller that combines the eerie technological themes of "Black Mirror". Set in an elite university, the story revolves around a mysterious app named Crave, which promises to fulfill users' deepest desires. As the app spreads across the campus, chaos ensues, and top student David, along with his friends, must uncover the truth behind Crave to stop the escalating havoc.
The story is highly addictive and captivating, making it hard to put down. It effectively highlights the issues surrounding current technologies and their impact on our lives. The plot is fast-paced, with increasing tension that keeps you hooked until the very last page. The diverse characters and the intriguing love triangle add depth to the narrative, and the LGBTQIA+ representation is a welcome inclusion.
Overall, "Crave" is a quick, fun read that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of spice. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how we connect to the world and to others in the dawn of AI. Fans of romance comics with a bit of edge will enjoy this quirky and engaging graphic novel.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this amazing book. This review has also been posted on Goodreads and StoryGraph.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! It’s sexy, but also dark and a bit of a thriller. The story shows potential dangers of apps, social media, and providing our data to companies that don’t have our best interests in mind.
I do wish it had been longer. I think the book could have been 5 stars if it drew out the tension more and created a more full story. It felt a little rushed for the topics being explored.
*Thank you Netgalley for the advance digital copy of this book*
The concept for this was so unique! I had a great time reading something different than what I usually go for.
A really neat graphic novella. Like most people have mentioned, it really does feel like an episode of Black Mirror. I didn't find myself getting attached to the characters, but I think that's ok because really, they're just plot devices (like in episodes of Black Mirror). I would love to see this story fleshed out more.
4.75/5
THIS BOOK IS WILD. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I love trying new things and I’m not a huge fan of Black Mirror, but I wanted to see if maybe in graphic novel form I would like something like it. And I did. This was so good, and the story kept my attention and had me wanting to know what would happen next.
There is an app on campus that will give you what you “crave” but only problem is how far will it go and how far will you go? David gives in to the urge of using this app and it takes some wild turns. David and his friends then try to stop it before it ends people’s friendships, relationships and even possibly people’s lives.
This was sexy and crazy, and I need this in my library.
Oh my god, this book was great! I loved the art style, the plot line, the romance and dynamics that arose throughout the story, also the spice was great! Totally recommend to those who love adult comics!
It’s fun and VERY sexy. The art style is colorful and more engaging that the gritty nonsense that some erotica writers love. This is what comic erotica should be; real and surreal at the same time, imaginative, and blushworthy.
First and foremost thank you to Netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I personally had never heard of this graphic novel before, I did a quick skim of the synopsis and decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed! I read this in one sitting and it had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
With all that said, it's not a long story (thus far) so we don't get to see as much as i would've liked. I think that there definitely could've been more added or explained to help us stay engaged in the story. I think that this is a book of lust not love and that's perfectly fine as long as you are a reader who enjoys that sort of thing. They don't take the time to build a romance, but in my opinion, it works with this story. I'm not sure if that's because of the authors storytelling or because I knew it being a graphic novel ,that there wouldn't be time to build up a romance properly.
However, overall I did enjoy it for what it is and would definitely read more in this series, or even by this creator. I will be recommending this to a few friends and family.
I did like this one. I thought the premise behind it was worth a read. I liked the characters. Would have been nice to see more of a back story to some of the though. I really liked the artwork used, it really bought the story to life. My only real gripe was that the app could have been used for so much more than just sex but that’s all we got. I understand that it’s set in a school but not everyone dream of sex all the time. There is scope for there to be more from this creator in the future and I would pick it up.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
I enjoyed the storyline! It’s sci-fi but not that removed from reality since AI is very prevalent. I enjoyed the art. I enjoyed on how focused it is ok female pleasure (and dare I say, this is an important part of representation). I liked the relationships found and destroyed by the app Crave.
A few details I felt were missing: why was Crave created? I wanted more Daga, such an interesting character.
The graphics were well drawn, the story was easy to follow, exciting and unique. I loved the plot and found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next
"Crave" by Maria Llovet is a tantalizing dive into the dark, seductive world of a mysterious app that promises to fulfill its users' deepest desires. Set against the backdrop of an elite university, the story centers around David, a top student, and his thrilling and dangerous game of seduction with the elusive Alexandra. As the app's influence spreads and wreaks havoc, David and his friends must uncover the truth behind Crave to save themselves and their campus.
One of the standout aspects of "Crave" is Llovet's mesmerizing illustrations. Each panel is a visual feast, capturing the intensity and allure of the characters' interactions. The artwork beautifully complements the spicy, provocative narrative, pulling readers deeper into the story with each page.
The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The app's escalating impact creates a sense of urgency and suspense that is hard to resist. The character development is equally compelling. David, Alexandra, and the supporting characters are well-crafted, with motivations that are believable and complex. Their actions and decisions, driven by desire, curiosity, and fear, make sense within the story's context, adding depth to the narrative.
"Crave" has a unique blend of eroticism and psychological intrigue that fans of shows like Black Mirror will find particularly appealing. The exploration of technology's impact on human desires and relationships is both thought-provoking and thrilling. The story's pacing and unexpected developments ensure that readers are constantly engaged, eager to uncover what happens next.
In summary, "Crave" by Maria Llovet is a captivating comic that excels in both storytelling and illustration. Its spicy narrative, combined with well-developed characters and surprising twists, makes it a must-read. If you're looking for a comic that offers a blend of sensuality, mystery, and psychological depth, "Crave" is the perfect choice .#Crave #NetGalley
Crave was such an interesting graphic novel. I really liked the art style and the story was interesting, it had major black mirror vibes–which I loved.
Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read an early copy in exchange for a review!
CRAVE is a collection of issues #1-6 of the CRAVE comics. I was initially drawn in by the concept of the story. It's an interesting approach on how social media leaves us constantly craving more and the harmful affects it can have on a person and their relationships. I think that the plot could have been dived into more and that the story itself could have been longer. I feel that there's so much we could explore with it! I do like the portrayal of their relationships! I think the story was fun and definitely kept me interested. I loved the world building and background that centers around the CRAVE app. The artwork was also gorgeous!
It's a 4/5 stars because while I think that it could have been longer and we could have fleshed out certain parts of it, it was a fun experience reading it and hope that there will be more in the future that will give us a deeper look into CRAVE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
I loved the concept of this boy and the fact that given the opportunity people will give into their base instincts and try to achieve everything they want if given the chance. 10/10.
I never thought I’d find myself calling a post-apocalyptic technology hellscape sexy, but here we are. Waiting, wondering if Albert and Sofía would work burned. The heat between David and Alexandra seared. All of the technology stuff fell to the background for me, both because of the relationships and because it didn’t entirely make sense to me. It was a creepy situation, but I also didn’t fully understand the stakes and how high or low they were. Either way, I’m keeping an eye open in case we get more.
4.✨
Art work is crazy good, I read graphic novels before but never anything in this genre.
Definitely recommend anyone to try it.
The plot revolves around an app that promises to satisfy the University students desires/cravings.
It's fast paced and quick to read with some spicy surprises.
I want more 👀
4.5 rounded up.
While it's not something I would normally pick up it's a sexy little read.
A new app has been downloaded to everyone's phone. "Tell us what you crave." I blazed through this set. The characters were super cute, I loved the art work.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it was my first time really a graphic novel and my first from this author. That being said I really enjoyed it. I felt like it was fast paced and I was hooked from the very beginning.
Crave by Maria Llovet was a quirky graphic novel that was much more explicit than I expected. I still enjoyed it, but I somehow missed the erotic description. It is something to look out for! The whole premise is around an app that helps people's desires come true, which is a fascinating concept. If it sounds like something you would enjoy, I say read it!
Thank you Image Comics for a copy of Crave!
"CRAVE, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind Crave."
Crave is for anyone looking for:
- a Black Mirror-like book
- dangers of social media, AI, technology
- retro-style comics
Crave was so good, it got me searching Maria Llovet for her other works! Great concept and even better art. Crave was like if Gossip Girl and Black Mirror had a baby lol. High stakes, fast paced, and perfect for readers who are trying to quit their doom scrolling a little bit.
Ps. this has pretty graphic, sexual content.
This was so good! I liked the idea of an app that can give you whatever you crave, but of course it might not have the outcome that you want. The characters were pretty good, I feel like they could have had more depth but it wasn't something that really detracted from the overall story. The plot moves fast but I liked that aspect of it. Overall, this was a really fun read and one I would recommend.
a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of a college who use it as a hookup app.
David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind Crave.
This was super quick read. I loved the graphics and the plot. It was super spicy 🌶️
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I have never really been a graphic novel person, however, the premise hooked me from the beginning. It was so enthralling to read and kept me hooked the whole time. I loved the style of the artistry in the graphic novel.
If an app promised to make your cravings a reality, would you use it? When Crave first launched, people started using it to shoot their shots with someone they’d never approach in person, which lead to people hooking up everywhere causing all kinds of hurt feelings. It only worsens as the app introduces a collaboration option allowing others to help satisfy another person’s craving…even if they’ve decided to walk away.
The idea of the app terrifies me because humans suck 🤣 Ok, maybe not all humans but a lot of them if we’re being honest. I could see the chaos the app caused actually happening in real life.
In one scene, a professor has on the blackboard the following debate topic: “Social media isn’t designed with your long-term happiness in mind.” And that’s really the theme of the book, in my opinion. It also made me consider not only the statement but also my feelings toward social media lately. Every good has some bad, and it’s all about balance, right?
Anyway, I loved this artwork—absolutely STUNNING! It’s what originally drew me to request an ARC copy, and I’m glad the story was equally as intriguing. Content warnings: sexual content (probably obvious by the covers and my review), suicide/self-harm, and death. StoryGraph has a more in-depth list if needed!
3.5⭐ First of all, the art in this graphic novel is incredible. I really enjoyed Maria Llovet’s illustration style. I’ve tried to highlight some of the incredible images in the comic in this review. It’s beautifully drawn.
The story itself is described as “Black Mirror meets Eyes Wide Shut”. It is in the neighborhood of modern dark academia under the influence of something like social media AI run amok. It’s erotica, it’s dystopian, and it has elements of mystery and psychological thriller to it. This one is definitely not for kids. My biggest wish is for more in terms of plot development.
Thank you to Netgalley, Image Comics, and Maria Llovet for the ARC opportunity.
This was a beautiful graphic novel about characters who try to save their schoolmates from spiraling out of control. I enjoyed the plot of the narrative and grew to like the characters, but this was written as a very classic graphic novel with short bursts of excitement and not very much time to get to know the characters or world in between.
If you were to read the volumes one at a time, with a break between each, it would be a spicy comic with just enough plot that you want to know what comes next, but reading it all at once showed the strength of the actual plot and characters, and makes you want more of it. I want more time to fully fall in love with the characters. I want to understand the motives of Charlotte and why she's so convinced David is the one for her despite them having no chemistry.
The art in this novel is absolutely gorgeous! the art style is what drew me in and I definitely don't regret it. I highly recommend this book as a fun and short read. Do check the content warnings though!
This was super sexy and dark and I loved the art style. I enjoy modern technology being incorporated into thriller and horror stories.
This checked many boxes for me while reading. ✔️Erotic romance ✔️graphic novel ✔️ excellent plot. I really enjoyed it from beginning to end
Thank you netgalley for thjs ARC the cover really caught my eye so im glad i got the chance to read this one and what i liked about it is that all the volumes were included into this ARC.. The concept was very good it follows an app that everyone in this school ends up getting and it asks you what you're craving or who and stuff and it had alot of erotic moments and alot of times the app caused chaos on different aspects i really enjoyed the artwork in this and i loved so many of the characters this novel had such a great group of friends and side characters as well. I loved all the outfits that people wore and the details in the artwork it had very cool images and it was definitely a page turner graphic novel it kept me intrigued and i wanted to know what happened next. This was a great graphic novel and was very steamy at times depending on who was craving who at the time you should read this one!
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC.
When I saw the premise for this collection (episodes 1-6) of the Crave series I was immediately into it. The only question I had was about the art style because it isn’t my usual go to look I enjoy, but I am glad I got it anyways because I ended up loving the style and it was really well done. The story was quirky and original; I can’t wait to read further episodes to see what happens next since while it wraps up the original story nicely at the end it leaves open room for it to grow into new stories.
This is an erotic aka very adult manga so if that isn’t for you be warned. However, if you are looking for that then this is a great example of a well done erotic manga.
I loved this set of comics. The story was very intriguing and the concept was so cool. I enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting graphic novel or a good pellet cleanser. I want to look into their work more. also, the art was incredible!!
I'm honestly a bit surprised this isn't also labeled as horror because the way social media and data collection is going, this a real and honest terror. The art of this felt really nice and clean, but conveyed the horror and beauty of what was happening.
Over all this is just a great message that I think needs to be reiterated, especially these days.
I enjoyed the general idea of this book. The illustrations were well done and although the erotic aspect of this was overdone just a little for story, I did like the black mirror feel of everything. If Crave were a real app, this is probably exactly what would happen.
This erotic sci-fi thriller is a fun read for those who aren’t looking for something too deep. It pulled me in from the start and held my attention until the end. My main criticism is that it could have been longer. I would love to see a movie adaptation..
Crave by Maria Llovet is an erotic thriller graphic novel about a new dating app that has gotten out of control. This is a lighthearted read with a diverse cast of characters. I enjoyed the story overall, and it is a quick read. I agree with comments saying it is like an episode of Black Mirror. However I didn't feel invested in the characters. Interesting illustrations. Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for the eARC
I could not stop turning the pages with this read. The artwork was phenomenal, and the plot was suspenseful and intriguing throughout. This work of art captured lust, obsession, and craving masterfully. I can’t wait for what she writes next!
"Black Mirror meets Eyes Wide Shut in this dark and sexy erotic thriller.
Crave, a mysterious app that promises to make your desires come true, spreads among the students of an elite university who use it as a hookup app. David, a top student, engages in a game of seduction with the unattainable Alexandra. But as requests to the app escalate and wreak havoc on campus, David and his friends' only chance to stop this spiral is to find out what really lies behind Crave.
In this dark, sexy mystery, writer/artist Maria Llovet (Luna, Faithless, Sandman Universe Thessaly) explores how we connect to the world and to others in the dawn of AI.
Collects Crave #1-#6"
I don't like AI at all, but I love stories about how AI can go evil.
When a new app mysteriously appears on the phones of an entire college campus, everyone takes advantage of its strange power to satisfy any craving. Enticed by the seemingly harmless prompts from the app, David and Mars give in to their cravings. But when the creators of the app urgently contact them, and the campus itself starts to do whatever it takes to grant users’ cravings, David must race against time to save everyone from their own desires.
Binged this in one sitting! I’m not usually a graphic novel reader, but I really enjoyed this. The sketchy, almost classic comic book style illustrations felt fresh and modernized in the context of the story. The characters, even the “villains,” were so fun to read. Alexandra and Sophia were easily my favorites in the story, both in art design and character.
Would absolutely recommend this for readers looking for a soft sci-fi, Black Mirror-esque erotic thriller, especially for those looking to test the waters of graphic novels like me.
Spooky sexy short series about an elite private school. a weird app that promises to grant its users what it wants, and a metaphorical genie that gets let out the bottle.
I enjoyed this a lot. First of all, the art is lovely, I especially like the colour palette used. I think the characters where likeable, but some people, like Charlotte, seemed a little shallow. I think this is a pacing thing, and if the story was longer we could have got more of her motivation for past behaviours (did she like David first or did she not like Alex and wanted to get back at her etc.). I liked not finding out everything about Crave and who's behind it, it made this different from lots of stories out there to have only the view and knowledge of the characters at the campus.
I thought the story was intriguing and well planned and I read the whole thing in one go because I wanted to know what happened. I'd definitely recommend and continue the series for myself!
I’d never read anything of Llovet’s before but Alexandra and her amazing blonde bob on the cover roped me in from the start (um, pun unintended). She’s gorgeous and I was instantly obsessed.
Equally in turns scary and sexy, Crave is a commentary on social media, AI, and the darker elements of humanity. The artwork was full of detail, so many things happening in some panels without being too cluttered. The characters were all distinct with quickly fleshed out personalities, backstories, and romances. Really a fantastic mini-series. I’d be interested to see if Llovet revisits this world, but it felt wonderfully complete.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC of this book to review!
This is the first time I've ever read a comic. I thought it was going to be weird, but I absolutely found myself reading through to see what was going to happen. I didn't realize it was a graphic when I requested it and I'm really sorry I don't have additional feedback to provide. As someone that has never read a comic - I thought the artwork was fantastic, I think I was a bit confused on sequencing at first but that all came together later and made sense. Also, coming from books - I kind of feel like some of the story was rushed. I'm assuming that's the way things work with comics though. All in all it was a fascinating first experience for a comic! Thank you for the opportunity!
ARC Review
I don’t normally read graphic novels (in fact I don’t think I’ve so much as looked at anything like this since Tin Tin in my childhood), but I really enjoyed the break from typical reading and the story told across this mini series.
The artwork is beautiful and I enjoyed the depth of the underlying message.
The story itself was very fast paced and interesting, touching on some dark and much deeper meanings, but also lightened by the smut and dirty pictures.
Themes/Tropes: Academia, dystopian?, second chance romance, instalove, lgbtqia+ rep & kink
5/5 🌶 ratings
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for a digital ARC!
Imagine finding a mysterious new app on your phone one day. You open the app, Crave, to find that this app was designed to helping you get everything you want, or satisfy every craving, as it were.
At first, students at our fictional university are enthralled with this app and use it obsessively. The obsession quickly turns dark, however, when students realize the AI has no moral limit- and will help them satisfy their craving at any cost. A group of friends band together to take the app down and restore peace to their campus.
I loved the concept of this graphic novel, as AI is such a hot topic at the moment. Lines are still being drawn about how and when to use AI, so I think art like this- exploring the topic are so important in this moment!
5/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - very explicit images
LOVES:
- I was living for the Black Mirror vibes
- I liked how there were philosophical discussions happening amidst the relationship drama
- The cyber bullying realness ❤️🩹
- These characters learned a big lesson 😳
- The ending is super fun. I like how everything was wrapped up and there was still something to leave you wanting more
Crave and the ads for other comic series made me feel like I need to be more involved in this graphic novel world. It’s so weird and cool. This was super short and easy to read, I had a lot of fun!
Thanks to @netgalley and @imagecomics for the advanced copy 💝
This so so interesting. I really enjoyed the concept and the artwork. It was such a fast read once I picked it up and I loved the depth of the story about this crazy app!
Crave is an app that can help you satisfy any craving you desire... anything. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and its art style. The premise is so interesting and I love the idea that an app can help satisfy your desires. People use it to hook up, fall in love, and even hurt others. This is an erotic graphic novel that shows just how far people will go and how out of control something like this can get. It was a super fun, sexy, and jarring. Highly recommend!!
#1 I love webtoons/graphic novels because they are so quick and easy to read.
#2 This is a very "Black Mirror" or "The Circle" by Dave Eggers vibe books that a little dystopian and a little sexy so it hit all the right spots for me.
#2 the art is beautiful (and a lil NSFW)
Crave is a new app at an elite university that promises to make all your wildest cravings come true. What ensues is a lot of drama, messy hookups and jealousy. 5 stars for this is different than 5 stars for a full book but it still was a 5/5 experience for me.
Crave by Maria LLovet is really great! I always love whatever Maria Llovet works on and her story of a evil AI taking over a college was super interesting. Hopefully there will be more volumes in the future.
Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC.
I actually really liked this! The art has a very Saga comic vibe to it which I liked a lot. I really liked the concept of the plot, with a dating app that takes things a little to far. It's a quick read, it has some spiciness in it, with great characters! Overall really happy I picked this up!
This comic was so fun! It was reminiscent of Maneki Neko, but set in a college setting and an exceptional piece on social psychology. It was very steamy and kept me engaged throughout and I can't wait for the next volume to come out!!
I saw the cover and description of this and thought I’d give this a try. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this!
This was my first comic by Maria. I’m impressed by the art and its quality of the use of guesswork, but I wish it was longer so we could get more exposure to the characters, and more info about what is going on with the world around them I guess? The app Crave is let loose and instead of the love that it’s made out to be it’s more like instant lust. Which is more the apps doing than people realize. A major plot point is a murder, an attempted suicide, and several sexual scenes. Now I’m no stranger to any of these scenes thanks to my extensive history with dark romance, but the comic DOES need a trigger warning for publication.
Overall I did enjoy this a lot! I read it in one sitting but my only gripe is that it’s a bit too short to get really good and into it, but as is such with many a comic! There needed to be a little more character and plot development than sex imagery IMHO, and if needed for pub, a trigger warning list would be a good idea. Otherwise it was a great read for me!
I loved this book alot! The characters were quite complex and well fleshed out! I loved the art style as well!
This graphic novel was amazing. I was obsessed with the story from start to finish. The ending leaves you wanting more and more.
I really enjoyed the concept of this! It felt like a black mirror episode! This was my first spicy graphic novel and it was interesting. I wish there was more development in the relationships as they felt kind of surface level, but then again that was kind of the point of the app right? I would definitely continue the series if more were to come out :)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the comic Crave.The story kept me on my toes with its unexpected twists and turns, making it hard to put down. The characters weren’t as well-developed as I would like but I still enjoyed it and the artwork beautifully complements the narrative.
What I loved most was the unpredictability of the plot. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would take a surprising turn. This kept me eagerly turning the pages.
I’m also excited for the upcoming spin-off story. If it’s anything like Crave, it promises to be another thrilling read.
The only problem I have is that it was too short for my liking. I NEEDED MORE :)
Highly recommend this book.
4/5✨
Crave
📖 via E Arc
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the reader the ability to have a copy for review.
Crave is such a beautifully put together graphic novel, the art had me hooked right away! Not only is the background beautiful, but the characters are so well drawn they’re stunning!!
The story itself was very intriguing, an app that tells you who you’re compatible with and how to get them?! I mean don’t we all wish for that?!!
This is the first comic style I've read in ages. I forgot how fun they were.
This is a collection of stories based on the social pressure society puts on us all. One day, when everyone wakes up, there is a new app automatically installed on all the students' phones called 'crave'. An app where you ask it what you want most, and it makes it happen. From making out with your crush to hooking up with someone, it gives you steps to follow to get what you want. But to get what you want, it will inevitably hurt someone else.
There are quite deep topics that may be triggering for some. Xoxo
This was such a fun read. I know I obviously have this account, but I'm not the biggest fan of social media. The pressure put on people to put 'their best life' online for likes. The filters everyone uses because they like 'that' face better. It's really sad that it's like this now.
There was one thing said in this that really stuck with me. Someone said in a debate about social media: "It's the need for validation; this obsession with likes and numbers, it's social status currency." Isn't that, unfortunately, the saddest yet truest thing?
Wow. Wow. Wow. This was captivating, tantalizing, and thrilling.
Crave had me hooked on the first page.
The concept of a random app appearing on your phone and wreaking havoc is so well done in this novel. I wish it was longer but I ate this up in one sitting. Very apocalyptic towards the end but has a nice resolution!! Crave had me feeling sad/understanding towards Charlotte since she reacts out of a broken heart but its great that they decided to get therapy in the end.
The art style is wonderful.
Overall I am giving this a 5/5! Thank you NetGalley and publishing for the opportunity to read this before its publication date.
Crave is an app that helps you fulfill your fantasies and desires (unless it doesn't) that takes a college campus by storm in this erotic thriller comic series. The illustrations are beautifully rendered in a style that brings to mind some traditional southern European erotic comic styles (Llovet has listed Guido Crepax as an influence in interviews in the past).
This is one of those books where the depiction of college feels very much like high school to me. Perhaps its the small campus politics or that the characters seem so much more interested in the idea of the status of a relationship or pairing than the person, but I found myself tuning out of the story. Beautiful art, though.
Crave is about an app that races through campus letting students feel comfortable enough to go after their cravings and desires. It starts off innocent enough but people’s desires turn dark and deadly. I enjoyed this comic immensely. The art style is easy enough on the eyes but provides a lot of detail, especially on the people. The comic flows well and keeps the reader interested for more. The characters are flawed and entertaining to read about. I recommend this comic to anyone who is looking for a new refreshing idea.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
David Rosner; Gerald Markowitz
Health, Mind & Body, History, Politics & Current Affairs
Ernesto Castañeda; Carina Cione
Multicultural Interest, Nonfiction (Adult), Politics & Current Affairs
Ellen Prager; Dave Jones
Outdoors & Nature, Science, Teens & YA