What do you think?
Rate this book
NIOBE: She Is Life #1
Niobe: She Is Life #1
PLEASE NOTE: The Kindle version of Niobe #1 was experiencing technical difficulties prior to November 13th and would only display in single page landscape on Kindle devices. The issue has now been corrected. If you downloaded it prior to that date, Amazon will be contacting you shortly with a notification that an update is available. You will not be able to download the update until you receive that notice. If you do not receive it by November 20th, please contact Amazon Help.
Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and also the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned... toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell.
Co-Written by Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games, Sleepy Hollow) and Illustrated by rising talent Ashley A. Woods.
Niobe Ayutami is an orphaned wild elf teenager and also the would-be savior of the vast and volatile fantasy world of Asunda. She is running from a past where the Devil himself would see her damned... toward an epic future that patiently waits for her to bind nations against the hordes of hell.
Co-Written by Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games, Sleepy Hollow) and Illustrated by rising talent Ashley A. Woods.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2015
19 people are currently reading
1371 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 24, 2021
Beautiful art, but slightly confusing story.
I've recently begun my search of attempting to not only find more independently published comics to read, but also ones that are written by BIPOC authors specifically Black writers. Little did I know this comic has been releasing over the past few years and the primary writer is Amandla Stenberg who I know from a lot of YA movie adaptations that have been getting picked up. To be quite honest, I can't even begin to tell you what the story is about. It appears to be a clashing between a young girl by the name of Niobe and her elfin father. She appears to travel to this other land and then it gets a little confusing from there. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and is full of these deep, rich colors that assist in building this fantasy world. I think that this is one of those comic series where each issue will begin to reveal a little more about the plot and then it'll all just fit together. Overall, I thought it was intriguing and I'm definitely interested in picking up the next issue.
I've recently begun my search of attempting to not only find more independently published comics to read, but also ones that are written by BIPOC authors specifically Black writers. Little did I know this comic has been releasing over the past few years and the primary writer is Amandla Stenberg who I know from a lot of YA movie adaptations that have been getting picked up. To be quite honest, I can't even begin to tell you what the story is about. It appears to be a clashing between a young girl by the name of Niobe and her elfin father. She appears to travel to this other land and then it gets a little confusing from there. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and is full of these deep, rich colors that assist in building this fantasy world. I think that this is one of those comic series where each issue will begin to reveal a little more about the plot and then it'll all just fit together. Overall, I thought it was intriguing and I'm definitely interested in picking up the next issue.
May 18, 2018
This was pretty good. You are somewhat thrown into the middle of the story, but the artwork is stunning and story great.
January 21, 2016
I don't know much about comics, so the reading format was confusing to me. The story seems to start in the middle. I hope as the comic progresses, questions will be answered. Kudos to Amandla Stenberg. She is life!
August 14, 2021
You know, I forgot how comforting reading the Niobe series is. I even understand what was going on in this issue but I'm not holding my breath. This was super poetic and I enjoyed the art (partially because I'm a fan of Amandla Stenberg)
February 3, 2016
Beautiful illustrations but the story line was very vague and confusing.
January 1, 2016
A protagonista semella interesante (e as heroínas de cor nunca sobran), mais a narración é algo difícil de seguir. Pode que me falte contexto.
Iso si, tanto ilustración como tintas molan mil!
Iso si, tanto ilustración como tintas molan mil!
December 9, 2015
Amandla Stenberg was at this year's Comikaze. So I'm definitely picking this up.
March 24, 2016
Love the illustrations but the story needs to be tightened up some. I'm going to continue supporting this series by advancing to the next issue. Hopefully I can gain some answers.
April 28, 2017
The illustrations are just gorgeous, the story does just enough to keep you wanting more
June 28, 2024
I’ve been meaning to read this series since it came out, because I was excited to read a comic book series by a bipoc author, but upon finally reading the first issue, this story (if you could call it that) was a letdown.
I don’t quite understand the plot of the story and it seems like it will gradually start to make sense with each issue I read, but I feel like in order to write a great story, you need to hook readers from the beginning. And I’m not hooked.
The only thing that makes up for the story’s lack of depth is the artwork, but good artwork isn’t enough for me to finish a comic book series.
I’m not completely sure if I’ll continue this series, but I might, just to see if the story gets better.
I don’t quite understand the plot of the story and it seems like it will gradually start to make sense with each issue I read, but I feel like in order to write a great story, you need to hook readers from the beginning. And I’m not hooked.
The only thing that makes up for the story’s lack of depth is the artwork, but good artwork isn’t enough for me to finish a comic book series.
I’m not completely sure if I’ll continue this series, but I might, just to see if the story gets better.
February 21, 2022
I'm about 3 chapters (62 pages in the version I have) in and have no clue why I should care about the world, characters, and their relationships. The art is lovely, and the character design is beautiful to look at. But I do not like having to struggle to read things, especially graphic novels. This seems like it could've been really good, and from the other comments, it really is.
But I'm not even gonna finish reading the full first volume because of how much I do not care about the characters (or their motivations), thus can not be invested in the world they're in-though it does look interesting.
But I'm not even gonna finish reading the full first volume because of how much I do not care about the characters (or their motivations), thus can not be invested in the world they're in-though it does look interesting.
February 16, 2020
"If these men cannot hide us in silk or parade us in chains, they would rather destroy our soul than bear the shame. For there is nothing more beautiful than a wild woman." -- "Niobe She is Life" written by Sebastian Jones and Amandla Stenberg, illustrated by Ashley Woods
I struggled a bit with the story, but I was completely mesmerized by Woods illustrations.
There were quite a few YouTube videos when it first came out, but it seems to have been scince forgotten which is a shame because Woods illustrations are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen in a comicbook #blackhistorymonth
I struggled a bit with the story, but I was completely mesmerized by Woods illustrations.
There were quite a few YouTube videos when it first came out, but it seems to have been scince forgotten which is a shame because Woods illustrations are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen in a comicbook #blackhistorymonth
February 12, 2018
The artwork is great, and I love the diversity of characters, but the story is so confusing. The world building felt less like a gradual exploration and understanding, and more like having a bunch of rocks thrown at you. It tries to establish so much in such a short span and it didn't really work. Unfortunate, because I feel like with better execution this could be the beginning of a great series.
June 12, 2018
I liked the story but felt it was a bit rushed, especially the love story. The world building could have been developed or explained more. So there is potential there. The art is very pretty. The lines are clean and easy to interpret what going on. I love the colors.
I just wish instead of 4 issues it could have been longer so that the story could have been developed more.
I just wish instead of 4 issues it could have been longer so that the story could have been developed more.
July 6, 2019
Maybe it'll be elaborated on in another book, but where did man go that we were initially following in The Untamed? I feel like the story suffers from jumping around and the characters making rash decisions that don't feel appropriate. While the art can be incredible, I feel like the quality can be inconsistent.
April 9, 2021
I was ordering these because I admire Amanda Stenberg. I was hoping that reading the entire series would cause it to make sense. It didn’t work.
I admire a kick ass female teenager. However, I am still not sure about the family connections and plot. Perhaps reading The Untamed will bring it together....
I admire a kick ass female teenager. However, I am still not sure about the family connections and plot. Perhaps reading The Untamed will bring it together....
December 5, 2017
Okay, almost hitting that sweet spot but not quite their yet. The romance in the story really bogged down everything else and was overly cliche. But everything else was interesting and cool and had/has so much potential! Especially for a graphic novel.
December 26, 2017
It's Okay
The story isn't too bad for just the first comic. Interesting character and interesting plot. My only issue is that it seems to lay it on pretty thick with "depth" without actually having much so far.
The story isn't too bad for just the first comic. Interesting character and interesting plot. My only issue is that it seems to lay it on pretty thick with "depth" without actually having much so far.
April 24, 2018
Give this to Black Panther fans. This slender volume packs in a lot of conflict/history/blood, perhaps almost too much for comprehension. But how often do we get a female black superhero origin story?
December 16, 2017
3.5 stars
A unique though somewhat confusing story (the confusion being it setting up the story / world without resorting to heavy exposition). It shows promise but it also didn't really grab me.
A unique though somewhat confusing story (the confusion being it setting up the story / world without resorting to heavy exposition). It shows promise but it also didn't really grab me.
February 24, 2018
The art work was amazing and the story was pretty enthralling as well.
April 12, 2019
The artwork and world are beautiful, the characters are flat and the plot poorly developed - all could have been more dynamic if drawn out across more issues.
November 15, 2019
WOW. Breath-taking.
This is one of my favourite graphic novels. It's so pretty, and so well-written.
Niobe is an exquisite hero.
This is one of my favourite graphic novels. It's so pretty, and so well-written.
Niobe is an exquisite hero.
Read
June 25, 2020Definitely interested in continuing this one!
January 14, 2022
Okay loved it.Art and plot
May 19, 2022
Great Comic
I enjoyed the backstory of Niobe and I can't wait to read more about her adventures. The illustrations and character development was amazing.
I enjoyed the backstory of Niobe and I can't wait to read more about her adventures. The illustrations and character development was amazing.
September 5, 2025
Written by a misogynistic man, throwing "you're just a girl" around. I did not enjoy that.
August 18, 2025
5* art, negative 5* story. I got more plot from some of the reviews on good reads than I did from the actual comic. Sad because the art is gorgeous.
November 22, 2017
A great fantasy story.
September 20, 2016
It's a very promising start!
The reason I'm giving this four stars rather than five is mostly due to me being fairly new to the comic format (I usually read novels over graphic novels/comics). I'm sure once I get the hang of the layout, I will enjoy the series even more.
The reason I'm giving this four stars rather than five is mostly due to me being fairly new to the comic format (I usually read novels over graphic novels/comics). I'm sure once I get the hang of the layout, I will enjoy the series even more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews