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Soul Taker #1
Amarantha is the last of her race, an ancient species that has lived among us for millennia, feeding on the life energies of humanity. Now enjoying a peaceful existence in a retirement community, she continues to consume just enough to survive. But Amarantha has made enemies throughout her long life and an ancient foe thought long defeated has returned and is out for blood, while a newer threat seeks to capture her for their own nefarious purposes! Now Amarantha must do everything in her power to vanquish her enemies and protect the life she has made for herself.
Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2024
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March 25, 2025
Was not a fan of this story at all. It’s certainly not horrible but it’s definitely not to my taste. At no point was I really intrigued to see what would happen next and I dunno if that because parts of the story feel overdone and convoluted. But probably the big reason is because there’s a lack of context. You get trickles of the history throughout but genuinely that’s way more intriguing than the current day timeline. Also we needed more descriptions of the various monsters. We kinda get the gist of everything but that’s it. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.
February 8, 2025
First of all I'd like to thank NetGalley for this ARC.
Overall I enjoyed the narrative, is really fast paced and I enjoyed the characters and how they were built.
However, I believe the story can get a bit confusing and hard to understand. Nonetheless, this was very enjoyable, the concept was well created and new. I enjoyed the criticism present and I do believe the second one will bring more clarifications to the plot.
Final rate: 3,5 🌟
Overall I enjoyed the narrative, is really fast paced and I enjoyed the characters and how they were built.
However, I believe the story can get a bit confusing and hard to understand. Nonetheless, this was very enjoyable, the concept was well created and new. I enjoyed the criticism present and I do believe the second one will bring more clarifications to the plot.
Final rate: 3,5 🌟
April 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a fast-paced, pretty interesting take on the classic vampire story. While the main plot did not feel terribly new (I mean, how many times have you seen vampire vs. religious vampire hunter stories?) there were some interesting elements added to that, like the alchemist seeking immortality and the hunters having humanoid hounds to help them hunt down their prey. I'm also a fan of the queer representation!
I was honestly not the biggest fan of the art style. Amara's design in particular did not seem very consistent from panel to panel. Despite this, I would like to continue reading the comic!
This was a fast-paced, pretty interesting take on the classic vampire story. While the main plot did not feel terribly new (I mean, how many times have you seen vampire vs. religious vampire hunter stories?) there were some interesting elements added to that, like the alchemist seeking immortality and the hunters having humanoid hounds to help them hunt down their prey. I'm also a fan of the queer representation!
I was honestly not the biggest fan of the art style. Amara's design in particular did not seem very consistent from panel to panel. Despite this, I would like to continue reading the comic!
March 15, 2025
First, my thanks to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for the eARC copy. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.
In Soul taker we meet Amarantha, an immortal creature that lives off the energy force of others. She can pass for human, looking like an old woman and trying to live under her own rules without attracting attention to herself, for she thinks that enemies from her past may still be haunting her down, though she swears she killed them all in the past, when she became the last one of her kind.
I have mixed feelings about Soul taker. Which is something I feel I'm saying about everything that I'm reviewing lately😂 Unfortunately, it is true. With Soul Taker it was because of how the story was told, being a little unbelievable even for a fantasy tale and the characters, their portrayal and development through this first volume, that, if I'm correct, compiles issues 1 to 6, so it is quite the glimpse of the story we get.
So, we start seeing Amara's calm life in the present, with her best friend and a quite boring (compare to her previous) life at the retirement community she lives at. Quite the dream for someone like her that has spent most of her immortal life been hunted and losing loved ones. And, now, that has ended, she's made friends and even found a new possible romantic partner: said best friend. Who is a woman. I want to mention that, because something I can give Soul Taker is originality in its protagonist: a looking-older woman who is attracted to other women, which is something that is not seem much is thy type of more fantastical comics that deal with immortality and/or supernatural forces. So that's a point in favor of this comic. (And if anyone knows of more stories, in whatever format, with more protagonist like Amara, send them my way😉)
Anyway, that's he context Amara live in. Until two things occur: her old enemies, who call themselves the Venatori and are a combination of knight templars bring to the modern world, find her out and send one of them to finally kill her for good and end her kind; and, a pharmacist company gets interested in her, offering to work together to replicate her immortality, which she refuses, 'cause it would alter her peaceful life.
With all that, I think the problem was the structure of the telling events, and the characters themselves. Some times, some thing would be mentioned that pointed to Amarantha's past, and a flashback would get inserted, either a bit before or a bit after that thing got relevant to us, so it could get explained, or we could get a grasp of who some other characters related to Amara where. In my opinion, a couple flashbacks felt force to explain a future character's presence, which I feel could have been done later in the story, when the character have got already revealed in the present and we have been wandering for a few pages what type of relationship these two share; I like to keep the tension going for as long as possible, without overdoing it. And I mention this, because it was what was done with another character, and I think that was well-done; someone that appears to Amarantha as a ghost of her past, and we wonder, until it is finally revealed who she is and what kind of relationship they shared and if your theories are right or wrong.
Maybe other people like it the other way around, to be given the flashbacks first so they know who the characters are when they finally appear, which is completely find. But I like mystery in fantastic tales like the one Soul Taker presents to us, I like making theories and been given bread crumbs little by little until we have all the puzzle pieces and can see the whole picture at the end.
I think this ties with my lack of attachment to Amarantha, so of course I would not care much about her past and whatever characters she has met. Really, by the end of the comic I was only hoping that her friend-turned-romantic-partner would survive the imminent slaughter; the rest of the cast, not so much. Even the Venatori didn't feel that defined; they look and act like the typical villainous group that is hunting down a group of magical creatures/people who they've deemed the monster of the story because...yes? Though Amara makes a point of not consuming too much life force from one person so not to kill them. And the pharmacist that is also following her didn't feel like too much of a threat, even thought I feel like it should have, because they want a youth serum (make through experimenting on Amarantha) for their CEO, who's dying, but the urgency was never felt.
It all felt flat for me. Like, sure, things are happening, Amarantha is reacting to them, and she only makes a decision at the end, when she's cornered. That's probably why I only liked the end too well, because we finally see Amarantha make an active choice for her life, instead of letting her enemies reach and having to defend herself in the battle.
Finally, I want to talk about the art, which I think is something worth mentioning when reading a comic. And that's it, really, common "comic art", not so much detailed, well-colored I'll admit, blending warms with colds to give the sensation of Amarantha hiding something and not being quite human as the people surrounding her, for example. But, it wasn't something I haven't seen before, though it was definitely better than others. I'm going to give a point in the art segment to the issue covers and the extra art at the end of the file: those were gorgeous and kept me staring at them for a while. My congratulations for the artist(s).
To sum up: the premise sounded good, but the deliverance of it wasn't too much different to other things I've read within the genre. At first, it kind or reminded me of The Old Guard: immortal people trying to life under their own rules, except, unlike the Old Guard, Amarantha isn't too up for helping others, but at least she doesn't go around murdering masses, so that's something. And the stories differ, obviously. But, I think, that if you like the Old Guard, the exploration of immortality and an original protagonist to all these mysteries, I think you can like Soul Taker.
And the end definitely calls for a continuation, because that cliffhanger was criminal!
In Soul taker we meet Amarantha, an immortal creature that lives off the energy force of others. She can pass for human, looking like an old woman and trying to live under her own rules without attracting attention to herself, for she thinks that enemies from her past may still be haunting her down, though she swears she killed them all in the past, when she became the last one of her kind.
I have mixed feelings about Soul taker. Which is something I feel I'm saying about everything that I'm reviewing lately😂 Unfortunately, it is true. With Soul Taker it was because of how the story was told, being a little unbelievable even for a fantasy tale and the characters, their portrayal and development through this first volume, that, if I'm correct, compiles issues 1 to 6, so it is quite the glimpse of the story we get.
So, we start seeing Amara's calm life in the present, with her best friend and a quite boring (compare to her previous) life at the retirement community she lives at. Quite the dream for someone like her that has spent most of her immortal life been hunted and losing loved ones. And, now, that has ended, she's made friends and even found a new possible romantic partner: said best friend. Who is a woman. I want to mention that, because something I can give Soul Taker is originality in its protagonist: a looking-older woman who is attracted to other women, which is something that is not seem much is thy type of more fantastical comics that deal with immortality and/or supernatural forces. So that's a point in favor of this comic. (And if anyone knows of more stories, in whatever format, with more protagonist like Amara, send them my way😉)
Anyway, that's he context Amara live in. Until two things occur: her old enemies, who call themselves the Venatori and are a combination of knight templars bring to the modern world, find her out and send one of them to finally kill her for good and end her kind; and, a pharmacist company gets interested in her, offering to work together to replicate her immortality, which she refuses, 'cause it would alter her peaceful life.
With all that, I think the problem was the structure of the telling events, and the characters themselves. Some times, some thing would be mentioned that pointed to Amarantha's past, and a flashback would get inserted, either a bit before or a bit after that thing got relevant to us, so it could get explained, or we could get a grasp of who some other characters related to Amara where. In my opinion, a couple flashbacks felt force to explain a future character's presence, which I feel could have been done later in the story, when the character have got already revealed in the present and we have been wandering for a few pages what type of relationship these two share; I like to keep the tension going for as long as possible, without overdoing it. And I mention this, because it was what was done with another character, and I think that was well-done; someone that appears to Amarantha as a ghost of her past, and we wonder, until it is finally revealed who she is and what kind of relationship they shared and if your theories are right or wrong.
Maybe other people like it the other way around, to be given the flashbacks first so they know who the characters are when they finally appear, which is completely find. But I like mystery in fantastic tales like the one Soul Taker presents to us, I like making theories and been given bread crumbs little by little until we have all the puzzle pieces and can see the whole picture at the end.
I think this ties with my lack of attachment to Amarantha, so of course I would not care much about her past and whatever characters she has met. Really, by the end of the comic I was only hoping that her friend-turned-romantic-partner would survive the imminent slaughter; the rest of the cast, not so much. Even the Venatori didn't feel that defined; they look and act like the typical villainous group that is hunting down a group of magical creatures/people who they've deemed the monster of the story because...yes? Though Amara makes a point of not consuming too much life force from one person so not to kill them. And the pharmacist that is also following her didn't feel like too much of a threat, even thought I feel like it should have, because they want a youth serum (make through experimenting on Amarantha) for their CEO, who's dying, but the urgency was never felt.
It all felt flat for me. Like, sure, things are happening, Amarantha is reacting to them, and she only makes a decision at the end, when she's cornered. That's probably why I only liked the end too well, because we finally see Amarantha make an active choice for her life, instead of letting her enemies reach and having to defend herself in the battle.
Finally, I want to talk about the art, which I think is something worth mentioning when reading a comic. And that's it, really, common "comic art", not so much detailed, well-colored I'll admit, blending warms with colds to give the sensation of Amarantha hiding something and not being quite human as the people surrounding her, for example. But, it wasn't something I haven't seen before, though it was definitely better than others. I'm going to give a point in the art segment to the issue covers and the extra art at the end of the file: those were gorgeous and kept me staring at them for a while. My congratulations for the artist(s).
To sum up: the premise sounded good, but the deliverance of it wasn't too much different to other things I've read within the genre. At first, it kind or reminded me of The Old Guard: immortal people trying to life under their own rules, except, unlike the Old Guard, Amarantha isn't too up for helping others, but at least she doesn't go around murdering masses, so that's something. And the stories differ, obviously. But, I think, that if you like the Old Guard, the exploration of immortality and an original protagonist to all these mysteries, I think you can like Soul Taker.
And the end definitely calls for a continuation, because that cliffhanger was criminal!
March 9, 2025
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my opinions.
‘Soul Taker’ delivers a compelling mix of horror, intrigue, and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the darker elements. It’s an engaging read with a fascinating protagonist and an eerie atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While the setting wasn’t as immersive as I would have liked, the strong character development and striking illustrations made up for it.
Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged, blending mystery, supernatural elements, and romance in a well-paced narrative. There’s a solid balance between the dark and tender moments, making it an enjoyable read for those who like a touch of the macabre alongside their intrigue. Some aspects felt a little predictable, but the execution was strong enough to keep me invested.
Character: ★★★★☆
Amarantha is a refreshing protagonist - complex, determined, and distinct from the usual heroines in the genre. She has a depth that makes her feel real, and her interactions with other characters add layers to the story. The supporting cast is also well-developed, though I would have liked to see some of them explored further. The relationships, both tense and tender, add weight to the story and keep the emotional stakes high.
Setting: ★★★☆☆
While the setting contributed to the book’s eerie, supernatural vibe, it didn’t feel quite as immersive as the plot and characters. There were moments where I wanted more from it to truly sink into the world, but overall, it did its job in setting the tone. It provided enough of a foundation for the story’s events, though I felt like it could have been pushed further to truly bring the world to life.
Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations were truly wonderful, really elevating the horror/fantasy vibes of the book. They added an extra layer of atmosphere, making certain moments even more striking. The art style fit well with the tone of the story and helped bring the characters and supernatural elements to life in a way that words alone wouldn’t have fully captured.
Engagement: ★★★★☆
I found myself drawn into the story fairly quickly, and the mix of tension and emotional depth kept me reading. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed a little too much, but for the most part, the book held my attention well. The combination of supernatural intrigue and character-driven storytelling made it easy to stay invested.
Readability: ★★★★☆
The writing style was smooth and easy to follow, with strong pacing and dialogue that felt natural. There were a few areas where I would have liked more, especially in terms of the illustrations of the setting, but overall, it was a well-written and accessible read. The balance between action, introspection, and dialogue kept things moving at a good pace.
Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
I really enjoyed this book! The mix of dark fantasy, horror, and romance made for a compelling read, and the illustrations were fabulous. While there were areas I would have liked to see expanded upon, the overall experience was satisfying. Fans of supernatural intrigue with a touch of romance will likely find this an enjoyable and engaging read.
‘Soul Taker’ is a well-crafted supernatural story with a strong protagonist, a solid plot, and a great mix of tension and emotion. While the setting could have been more immersive, the illustrations and character depth made up for it. Definitely a worthwhile read for those who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of romance and eerie vibes.
‘Soul Taker’ delivers a compelling mix of horror, intrigue, and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the darker elements. It’s an engaging read with a fascinating protagonist and an eerie atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While the setting wasn’t as immersive as I would have liked, the strong character development and striking illustrations made up for it.
Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged, blending mystery, supernatural elements, and romance in a well-paced narrative. There’s a solid balance between the dark and tender moments, making it an enjoyable read for those who like a touch of the macabre alongside their intrigue. Some aspects felt a little predictable, but the execution was strong enough to keep me invested.
Character: ★★★★☆
Amarantha is a refreshing protagonist - complex, determined, and distinct from the usual heroines in the genre. She has a depth that makes her feel real, and her interactions with other characters add layers to the story. The supporting cast is also well-developed, though I would have liked to see some of them explored further. The relationships, both tense and tender, add weight to the story and keep the emotional stakes high.
Setting: ★★★☆☆
While the setting contributed to the book’s eerie, supernatural vibe, it didn’t feel quite as immersive as the plot and characters. There were moments where I wanted more from it to truly sink into the world, but overall, it did its job in setting the tone. It provided enough of a foundation for the story’s events, though I felt like it could have been pushed further to truly bring the world to life.
Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations were truly wonderful, really elevating the horror/fantasy vibes of the book. They added an extra layer of atmosphere, making certain moments even more striking. The art style fit well with the tone of the story and helped bring the characters and supernatural elements to life in a way that words alone wouldn’t have fully captured.
Engagement: ★★★★☆
I found myself drawn into the story fairly quickly, and the mix of tension and emotional depth kept me reading. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed a little too much, but for the most part, the book held my attention well. The combination of supernatural intrigue and character-driven storytelling made it easy to stay invested.
Readability: ★★★★☆
The writing style was smooth and easy to follow, with strong pacing and dialogue that felt natural. There were a few areas where I would have liked more, especially in terms of the illustrations of the setting, but overall, it was a well-written and accessible read. The balance between action, introspection, and dialogue kept things moving at a good pace.
Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
I really enjoyed this book! The mix of dark fantasy, horror, and romance made for a compelling read, and the illustrations were fabulous. While there were areas I would have liked to see expanded upon, the overall experience was satisfying. Fans of supernatural intrigue with a touch of romance will likely find this an enjoyable and engaging read.
‘Soul Taker’ is a well-crafted supernatural story with a strong protagonist, a solid plot, and a great mix of tension and emotion. While the setting could have been more immersive, the illustrations and character depth made up for it. Definitely a worthwhile read for those who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of romance and eerie vibes.
February 4, 2025
Book Review: Soul Taker #1
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Soul Taker by Jeannine Acheson and Thomas E. Sniegoski is a fast-paced graphic novel that follows Amarantha, an ancient soul-feeder who’s been living in hiding for centuries. Now settled in a retirement community, she’s trying to keep a low profile, only taking the energy she needs to survive. But when a secretive religious order and a powerful pharmaceutical company set their sights on her, she’s forced back into a dangerous game of survival. The premise immediately grabbed my attention—I loved the idea of an older female protagonist in a supernatural thriller—but while the book had some great moments, it didn’t fully deliver on its potential.
There’s a lot to like here. Amarantha is an intriguing lead, and I enjoyed seeing a protagonist who looks and feels her age, rather than some immortal who conveniently still acts like a 20-year-old. The action is relentless, which keeps the story moving, and the mix of ancient enemies and modern corporations makes for an interesting dynamic. But at times, it felt like too much was happening at once. With multiple antagonists vying for Amarantha’s life, the plot started to feel overcrowded, and I wished for more time spent fleshing out the world and characters. The pacing is so quick that there’s little room for emotional depth, which made it hard for me to fully connect with the stakes.
Visually, the art style leans heavily into classic American comics, which is fine but not particularly groundbreaking. It gets the job done, but I didn’t find myself wowed by it. The writing also follows a traditional comic-book style, relying a lot on captions to tell rather than show. While that might appeal to fans of old-school storytelling, I prefer a more immersive approach.
Overall, Soul Taker had a solid premise and kept me entertained, but it didn’t quite hook me enough to be a favorite. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars—worth a read if you like action-packed supernatural stories with a noir feel, but not a must-read for me. I might check out a sequel if it dives deeper into character development, but for now, I’m on the fence.
*Please note that I received this book as an ARC for free through NetGalley*
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Soul Taker by Jeannine Acheson and Thomas E. Sniegoski is a fast-paced graphic novel that follows Amarantha, an ancient soul-feeder who’s been living in hiding for centuries. Now settled in a retirement community, she’s trying to keep a low profile, only taking the energy she needs to survive. But when a secretive religious order and a powerful pharmaceutical company set their sights on her, she’s forced back into a dangerous game of survival. The premise immediately grabbed my attention—I loved the idea of an older female protagonist in a supernatural thriller—but while the book had some great moments, it didn’t fully deliver on its potential.
There’s a lot to like here. Amarantha is an intriguing lead, and I enjoyed seeing a protagonist who looks and feels her age, rather than some immortal who conveniently still acts like a 20-year-old. The action is relentless, which keeps the story moving, and the mix of ancient enemies and modern corporations makes for an interesting dynamic. But at times, it felt like too much was happening at once. With multiple antagonists vying for Amarantha’s life, the plot started to feel overcrowded, and I wished for more time spent fleshing out the world and characters. The pacing is so quick that there’s little room for emotional depth, which made it hard for me to fully connect with the stakes.
Visually, the art style leans heavily into classic American comics, which is fine but not particularly groundbreaking. It gets the job done, but I didn’t find myself wowed by it. The writing also follows a traditional comic-book style, relying a lot on captions to tell rather than show. While that might appeal to fans of old-school storytelling, I prefer a more immersive approach.
Overall, Soul Taker had a solid premise and kept me entertained, but it didn’t quite hook me enough to be a favorite. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars—worth a read if you like action-packed supernatural stories with a noir feel, but not a must-read for me. I might check out a sequel if it dives deeper into character development, but for now, I’m on the fence.
*Please note that I received this book as an ARC for free through NetGalley*
March 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, and Jeannine Acheson for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!
It's never a dull day in the retirement community for Amarantha ("Amara"), a centuries-old lost species who siphons life energy from humans between sleeping with one eye open and flirting with her neighbor. Though she's content to plan surprise parties and visit with the other old folk, enemies new and old have a bone to pick with her (her bones, mostly), and Amara must keep her wits and claws sharp if she wants to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to destroy her while also staying under the radar and keeping her sanity (never mind the ghost who pops up to speak with her at inopportune times).
This was an interesting take on a skinwalker-type ghoulie, and I will be keeping my eye out for the next installment in this series for sure. Amara's lore as a parallel species to humans; the element of church persecution, secret societies, and ancient Knights Templar-like societies with really loose morals; the interplay of immortality among all parties, not just Amara; and the idea of a centuries-old being blending in seamlessly with an ever-changing society while also being on the run for hundreds of years of her life were all cool elements to this story. I also like that Amara is a really interesting blend of morally grey monster and also a bit of your average person - she doesn't go out of her way to cause trouble and avoids killing when she can, but she's a survivor so she's not afraid of carnage when it's called for. Couple that with having an elderly (this isn't your mom's 3,000-year-old-diety-in-the-body-of-a-10-year-old story, Amara lives in a retirement community and looks like she belongs there) and queer protagonist and you've got the makings of a series that will one day be a cool movie if picked up by the right producer.
It's never a dull day in the retirement community for Amarantha ("Amara"), a centuries-old lost species who siphons life energy from humans between sleeping with one eye open and flirting with her neighbor. Though she's content to plan surprise parties and visit with the other old folk, enemies new and old have a bone to pick with her (her bones, mostly), and Amara must keep her wits and claws sharp if she wants to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to destroy her while also staying under the radar and keeping her sanity (never mind the ghost who pops up to speak with her at inopportune times).
This was an interesting take on a skinwalker-type ghoulie, and I will be keeping my eye out for the next installment in this series for sure. Amara's lore as a parallel species to humans; the element of church persecution, secret societies, and ancient Knights Templar-like societies with really loose morals; the interplay of immortality among all parties, not just Amara; and the idea of a centuries-old being blending in seamlessly with an ever-changing society while also being on the run for hundreds of years of her life were all cool elements to this story. I also like that Amara is a really interesting blend of morally grey monster and also a bit of your average person - she doesn't go out of her way to cause trouble and avoids killing when she can, but she's a survivor so she's not afraid of carnage when it's called for. Couple that with having an elderly (this isn't your mom's 3,000-year-old-diety-in-the-body-of-a-10-year-old story, Amara lives in a retirement community and looks like she belongs there) and queer protagonist and you've got the makings of a series that will one day be a cool movie if picked up by the right producer.
January 26, 2025
This story was incredibly fast-paced, and honestly had such interesting plot concepts! The last surviving member of an ancient species, an ancient Catholic order of crusaders, and an evil pharmacological company. The story has such interesting story concepts, and multiple characterizations I enjoyed. But...something about this story just fell flat for me. There were many individual concepts that were really cool to me, but when brought together, lessened their coolness. I think there was just too much going on at once? Having both the pharmacological company AND the Catholic crusaders trying to hunt her down at the same time made the story a bit hectic. This story also focused much harder on the Crusaders than the pharma company, so the evil company felt a bit like an afterthought. I feel like this story does have room to expand on itself, and maybe with another volume or two the plot will even out. The art was interesting, very American classic. I did really enjoy the fact the main character is an older woman and looks like one! You don't really get to see older women in stories do all kinds of cool adventure stuff like this story has.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 17, 2025
I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3 1/2⭐️, rounded up to 4
This comic is about a woman named Amara who has supernatural abilities to drain people's lifeforce to keep her alive and sustain her own life—able to live for thousands of years—like an energy vampire. Her species is called the Nehmer.
Thousands if years prior, when dead bodies were found drained of their life force, the church sent forth specially trained knights that fought the supernatural, called the Venatori, to hunt and exterminate the Nehmer believing it to have been them killing innocent humans. Now Amara is the last of her kind and on the run.
There is a lot of fighting, bloodshed, and action that happens really quickly in the beginning of the story. With this story only being 162 pages, there was a lot of backstory and information that gets thrown at you so you understand Amara's past and what's happening in the present. Most of the beginning is spent in flashbacks so you learn Amara's history. It was told in such a way that didn't feel rushed, however, and it was an overall okay story if you're into action and fighting.
This book had a good story and a good art style. I would read the next installment in the series to find out what happens!
Rating: 3 1/2⭐️, rounded up to 4
This comic is about a woman named Amara who has supernatural abilities to drain people's lifeforce to keep her alive and sustain her own life—able to live for thousands of years—like an energy vampire. Her species is called the Nehmer.
Thousands if years prior, when dead bodies were found drained of their life force, the church sent forth specially trained knights that fought the supernatural, called the Venatori, to hunt and exterminate the Nehmer believing it to have been them killing innocent humans. Now Amara is the last of her kind and on the run.
There is a lot of fighting, bloodshed, and action that happens really quickly in the beginning of the story. With this story only being 162 pages, there was a lot of backstory and information that gets thrown at you so you understand Amara's past and what's happening in the present. Most of the beginning is spent in flashbacks so you learn Amara's history. It was told in such a way that didn't feel rushed, however, and it was an overall okay story if you're into action and fighting.
This book had a good story and a good art style. I would read the next installment in the series to find out what happens!
February 5, 2025
Soul Taker es una novela gráfica que nos cuenta la historia de Amarantha, quien es la última de su raza, una especie antigua que ha vivido entre humanos durante milenios, alimentándose de su energía vital. Ahora disfrutando de una existencia pacífica en una comunidad de jubilados, consumiendo solo lo suficiente para sobrevivir. Pero Amarantha se ha ganado enemigos a lo largo de su larga vida y uno de ellos que creía haber derrotado hace mucho ha regresado para cazarla, mientras que una nueva amenaza busca capturarla para sus propios fines.
Me gustaron varios aspectos del cómic que se sintieron refrescantes, como el hecho de que Amarantha es una protagonista que se ve y se siente de su edad. La historia fluye entre el pasado y el presente logrando mantener el interés, aunque a veces se sentía que avanzaba demasiado rápido. Definitivamente me interesa continuar leyendo la historia en volúmenes subsiguientes para descubrir cómo se desarrolla.
Gracias a NetGalley y Mad Cave Studios por proporcionar el e-ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta del libro.
Me gustaron varios aspectos del cómic que se sintieron refrescantes, como el hecho de que Amarantha es una protagonista que se ve y se siente de su edad. La historia fluye entre el pasado y el presente logrando mantener el interés, aunque a veces se sentía que avanzaba demasiado rápido. Definitivamente me interesa continuar leyendo la historia en volúmenes subsiguientes para descubrir cómo se desarrolla.
Gracias a NetGalley y Mad Cave Studios por proporcionar el e-ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta del libro.
March 11, 2025
Amarantha has lived a thousand years, thanks to her ability to regenerate by feeding the life energy of humans, though these days she looks like a sprite older lady. There used to be a whole race of her people, but she’s the last one, thanks to special hunters set on them by the Church. And they’ve not given up killing her too.
She’s also given grief by a pharmaseutical company that wants to use her body to create a youth serum. More urgently, something to save their old CEO before he dies of old age.
All Amarantha wants is to live in peace in her retirement home in Miami, maybe start a romance with the nice lady next door. But her enemies land on her, putting her friends in danger—again.
This was a good story, if a tad confusing with all the players and the history bits. Art was full colour with large panels, but artists changed in every chapter and I liked some more than others. The story ends with a cliffhanger, but I’m not sure I’d continue with this.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
She’s also given grief by a pharmaseutical company that wants to use her body to create a youth serum. More urgently, something to save their old CEO before he dies of old age.
All Amarantha wants is to live in peace in her retirement home in Miami, maybe start a romance with the nice lady next door. But her enemies land on her, putting her friends in danger—again.
This was a good story, if a tad confusing with all the players and the history bits. Art was full colour with large panels, but artists changed in every chapter and I liked some more than others. The story ends with a cliffhanger, but I’m not sure I’d continue with this.
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2025
Soul Taker is a beautifully illustrated comic about Amara, a woman who has lived for several lifetimes, being able to do so through feeding on life energy. She is just trying to live a normal life, but is being targeted by multiple large threats from her past that come back to haunt her. Amara has to fight to survive and thrive in a world that is out to get her.
I really enjoyed the art style, and especially the cover pages are gorgeously illustrated. The story is easy to follow, with an interesting cast of characters. I am rating it at three stars because the plot wasn't anything mind-blowing, but it was still a worthwhile read.
I'd recommend this comic book to anyone interested in superheroes and action stories and I can't wait to see where this story is heading in future volumes!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the art style, and especially the cover pages are gorgeously illustrated. The story is easy to follow, with an interesting cast of characters. I am rating it at three stars because the plot wasn't anything mind-blowing, but it was still a worthwhile read.
I'd recommend this comic book to anyone interested in superheroes and action stories and I can't wait to see where this story is heading in future volumes!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Soul Taker by Jeannine Acheson and Thomas E. Sniegoski.
This fast-paced graphic novel follows an ancient soul-feeder who’s been living in hiding for centuries named Amarantha. This character now lives in a retirement community, trying to set down roots in this phase of her life. Meanwhile, some very old enemies are lurking in the darkness to kill the final "monster" of her kind.
My favourite part of this story is that the main character is NOT an 18/19 year-old styled character, and that the underlying love story brings representation to aging adults. I enjoyed the art style - especially the artwork found at the end, past the cliff hanger ending.
This fast-paced graphic novel follows an ancient soul-feeder who’s been living in hiding for centuries named Amarantha. This character now lives in a retirement community, trying to set down roots in this phase of her life. Meanwhile, some very old enemies are lurking in the darkness to kill the final "monster" of her kind.
My favourite part of this story is that the main character is NOT an 18/19 year-old styled character, and that the underlying love story brings representation to aging adults. I enjoyed the art style - especially the artwork found at the end, past the cliff hanger ending.
March 14, 2025
"Soul Taker" is an action oriented urban fantasy graphic novel featuring an intelligent, likeable and mature female protagonist. The book starts with a bang and the initial premise is promising with some glimmers of originality. However, the book quickly bogs down with a tangled plot involving a soulless pharmaceutical company questing for the secrets of immortality and a secret militant Catholic organization that even Dan Brown would find implausible. The result is a book that falls far short of its potential and never quite takes off.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Mad Cave Studios, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded to 3.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Mad Cave Studios, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars rounded to 3.
February 21, 2025
4⭐
Amarantha - the last of an ancient, immortal species that thrives on the feeding of the life energies of humanity - thought she had killed the last of her enemies and has been living her best, peaceful life in a retirement home. That was until they started hunting her again!
ATE THIS UP! The art was absolutely vibrant, and loved how the colours corresponded to the time periods. It kept my eyes completely entranced - love!
Need the next one ASAP!
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Amarantha - the last of an ancient, immortal species that thrives on the feeding of the life energies of humanity - thought she had killed the last of her enemies and has been living her best, peaceful life in a retirement home. That was until they started hunting her again!
ATE THIS UP! The art was absolutely vibrant, and loved how the colours corresponded to the time periods. It kept my eyes completely entranced - love!
Need the next one ASAP!
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2025
Soul Taker was a really well done graphic novel/comic. We follow Amara the last of her kind as a "soul taker" there's another word for it but this explains it better. She's made a deal with a pharmaceutical company to live quite comfortably but things go wrong and not only is she being chased by them but a group from her past. I liked the illustrations and look forward to reading more in this world/series.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
March 14, 2025
Dark and weird, but I dig it. I love the idea of a vampire-esque immortal who lives in a retirement home and hangs out with old people because these are the only folks old enough to relate to in life. It's sad that our lead is the only one left, and I am curious if we will ever find another enclave of her people or if she'll find out how to procreate somehow? It's a very interesting story.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
April 23, 2025
This story seemed interesting at the beginning, though it did get a bit confusing at times. It's about a vampire, and while the present-day plot is okay, I found her past to be way more interesting. Even though vampire stories have been done a lot, there were some unique twists that kept me reading. The art really stood out—it brought the horror elements to life and set a great tone for the story.
August 16, 2025
I’m not sure why this one did not line up for me. It had the makings of a great graphic novel. A woman that has survived for centuries due to her race. An ancient crusade led by the Catholic faith hunting after her for hundreds of years. There was even a robotic cat entwined into the story. However, it fell flat, and I found myself wishing that I cared more for the characters within the story but did not. Hopefully it hits differently for you.
#ThxNetGalley
Merged review:
I’m not sure why this one did not line up for me. It had the makings of a great graphic novel. A woman that has survived for centuries due to her race. An ancient crusade led by the Catholic faith hunting after her for hundreds of years. There was even a robotic cat entwined into the story. However, it fell flat, and I found myself wishing that I cared more for the characters within the story but did not. Hopefully it hits differently for you.
#ThxNetGalley #JeannineAcheson #ThomasESniegoski #SoulTaker
#ThxNetGalley
Merged review:
I’m not sure why this one did not line up for me. It had the makings of a great graphic novel. A woman that has survived for centuries due to her race. An ancient crusade led by the Catholic faith hunting after her for hundreds of years. There was even a robotic cat entwined into the story. However, it fell flat, and I found myself wishing that I cared more for the characters within the story but did not. Hopefully it hits differently for you.
#ThxNetGalley #JeannineAcheson #ThomasESniegoski #SoulTaker
May 22, 2025
Soul Taker reminded me of nostalgic comic books and old cartoons.
I enjoyed the art and the plot. I really like Amara and that this comic is centered around an older queer woman in a retirement home. The art is so reminiscent of other comics like Marvel and DC.
I disliked the long expositions on each page. I would much rather have had the story be a bit longer with dialogue than constant expositions breaking up good dialogue. As a result, I'm not likely to read the second in the series.
I enjoyed the art and the plot. I really like Amara and that this comic is centered around an older queer woman in a retirement home. The art is so reminiscent of other comics like Marvel and DC.
I disliked the long expositions on each page. I would much rather have had the story be a bit longer with dialogue than constant expositions breaking up good dialogue. As a result, I'm not likely to read the second in the series.
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