I was incredibly intrigued by the premise of this graphic novel - a modern Mary Shelley trying to figure out how to fill some very large shoes? Yes, please! I wasn't quite sure where this story was going to go from the beginning, but the bit of foreshadowing in the biology classroom gave me a little bit of an idea. I thoroughly enjoyed the inclusion of various monsters. I mean, if you're going to have harpies and un-dead you might as well have witches too, right? Overall, this graphic novel was a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the art style and I hope there will be more in the series as well!

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel sounded so unique and fun, I couldn't wait to dive into this one!

I find graphic novels to be a little hard for me to enjoy, and because of that unfortunately I didn't care much for this one. The artwork is cute and the concept is nice as well but what i couldn't get past was the pacing. Now, I'm all for action-packed and fast pacing but this was just too much.

I felt like things were constantly thrown in one after the other and way too close together. One thing is for sure, the action doesn't stop in this one. I also wasn't too big of a fan regarding the romance in this. It seemed very thrown in and there wasn't chemistry (haha) between the characters and it felt like our main character was forcibly written to pine after a character we know pretty much nothing about.

Sadly, I was let down with this one. But if you're a fan of Shelly then I do recommend to try and give it a shot! Just because I didn't like it much doesn't mean you won't!

This is a very good graphic novel. The story is very unique, I love Mary as a character, and the art is fantastic. I love the idea that Mary Shelley and her descendants have the ability to heal monsters and it’s executed in a way that I think really honors Mary Shelley.

My only complaint is that while Mary Shelley, the character, is well developed, none of the other characters are. For being as short of a story as it is, I think too many characters are squeezed in and it doesn’t really work for me. Focusing more on either Rhonda, Aunt Macy, Adam, Shirley, or Polly would have added a lot more to the story, rather than just brushing over all the characters. In general, this could have been improved upon by another 50 pages. The story is also a bit clunky in the transition from scene to scene.

Don’t get me wrong though, this is still a fun read. I laughed out loud at certain parts and the art is one of my favorite styles. I hope the story continues because I’d love to see more from Mary’s world.

I found this to be a very fascinating graphic novel and I'm curious to know more about it in the next installment. :)

3.5

this was fun but there was SO much going on. I think this could have done with maybe 30/40 more pages as it felt as if we just jumped from one plot point to another with no real development of the story. I did really enjoy the character of Mary and her typical teenage behaviour, as well as her friendship with Rhonda. However, everything moved so fast that it all felt a bit underdeveloped, and that is my main issue with this graphic novel.

I really enjoyed the art style and how it really fit the mood of the story, and I think if you like Mary Shelley and Frankenstein this would be worth picking up, especially since it is a very fast read.

Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter is a thoroughly enjoyable YA graphic novel. The art is lovely and the story was really fun. It felt almost like what I wanted Twilight to be...a story of fantastical creatures with some romance, but our heroine has a backbone and tons of sass. I would love to see more of Mary's adventures, but if we don't get more I will definitely be checking out more from Brea Grant!

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book!

This was a very charming introduction to what I can only assume will be a series of books. Mary comes from a long line of of successful women writers, and her mother expects her to take her position in the line. Mary has no inclination to write, and instead stumbles upon her innate ability to heal other beings (monsters, but I'm guessing humans, too). Members of her immediate family are introduced, and the reader gets a good impression of their personalities.

The overall story was interesting. I'm not sure if I found Mary's reaction to her discovering her powers to be very convincing, but it seems that as she is fleshed out over more stories, her character will be easy to like. And, while it's very convenient that other people in her sphere also discover having powers, I have no problem with that and look forward to how Mary will work with those people in the future. There is a bit of a love story that is really not needed, but thankfully does not overwhelm the other aspects of the book.

There are funny lines interspersed throughout the book making it really fun to read. The monsters and demons are crazy. Should be a fun series!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy and a chance to review this book.

I selected this graphic novel because Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of my least favourite books. Yes, you read that correctly. I can’t stand Frankenstein. When we read it at grad school, I seemed to be the only one in the class who was utterly unimpressed with the book. So, with those feelings in mind, I was surprisingly intrigued when I read the description of Mary by Brea Grant, and then once again surprised when I found I truly enjoyed the book.

First, the art worked well with the story. It had a great modern gothic feeling that, at the same time, never got too heavy. The art also went well with the book’s humour.

Which leads to another thing I enjoyed. The humour. Well done on taking a gothic story and turning it into a comedy. It felt very Adams Family-ish.

Finally, the actual story itself was completely engaging. What’s not to love about a frustrated teen who feels pressured by her family and just wants to figure out her life on her own terms as monster, demons and ghosts follow her around? It worked for me.

This was absolutely fantastic!!! I loved the story and reading it so much! This was definitely really cool way to talk about Mary Shelley and monsters. Also Shirley Jackson ohmygod. I loved that she possessed Bun Bun and just the little witty things she says throughout the whole book.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. The idea of a descendent of the OG Mary Shelley (an author whom I greatly admire) dealing with the pressures and everything, was simply fantastic. I thought the art style was just as awesome and I hope everyone who loved FRANKENSTEIN picks it up too! I only wish we get a sequel!!!!!!!!

As someone new to graphic novels and comic books, I didn't really know what to expect from this book. I loved it, and I hope there's a sequel coming up. I loved how Mary as a teenager was trying to find her footsteps and liberate herself from family legacy, also the illustration was on point. What i did not like about this book was 1. The pace was not consistent at some points, the romance which was injected into the book abruptly, even tho dreamy still lacked chemistry. 2. The fact that Mary's best friend turns out to be a witch felt somehow forced? I didn't feel it was necessary except for the scene where she helps the monsters. Probably the writer has plans for Mary and her friend if there are any sequels.
Overall it was an enjoyable read for me as an adult, sure can be enjoyable for teenagers who are looking for adventures of their own.

This is a great graphic novel and by the end of it, I found myself wishing there would be a sequel. Imagine you're Mary Shelley--not THAT one, but rather her descendent. All of the women in your family are incredible writers and it's hard enough having one family member being a famous author; imagine all of them being famous authors. The titular Mary learns that there's more to the original Mary Shelley than she ever knew, and she learns how to carve her own path.

Absolutely loved this graphic novel! It was amazing! I ended up falling in love with another fictional boyfriend so go me, I guess. I was able to relate to mary on so many levels and I'm excited to continue on this journey!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandaughter is an upcoming YA graphic novel about the teenaged descendant of the famous author who shares the same name. What modern Mary doesn't know is that she has gifts beyond this world and she is about to fall into a role she wasn't prepared for.

The women of the Shelley family have all become successful writers. But Mary isn't so sure she wants to follow in their footsteps which brings a lot of arguing between her and her crime-novel writing mother. If life wasn't stressful enough for a teen, she also find out that monsters are real and she has the power to heal them, which is also a trait inherited from the Shelley women. And to make matters even worse, demons are hunting her down. So Mary has big decisions to make and a lot to learn about who she really is.

The art is perfect for this story and is very well done. Especially when we see different monsters and their unique appearances especially compared with the human world.

Much like Mary, we have a lot to learn as readers about this monster world, demons, and the fact the Shelley's have the ability to heal monsters. The story is well-paced where it is not confusing to follow despite it being crazy for Mary to live. And it is a story full of surprises that I really enjoyed.

The writing and humor are really on point. Hands down my favorite character is Bun Bun who is possessed by Shirley Jackson. Yes you read that correctly. It is a really funny companion character to Mary that pairs well with the overall core group of Mary, the undead Adam, the harpy Polly, and the witch Rhonda.

While the novel ends in a way where it could be the end, I really hope it isn't because the world and story they set up is great for a series. I would happily read more about the antics and shenanigans of being a monster healer. Plus the demons aren't done, as far as we know. So hopefully we get more adventures.

Overall, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It is a fun read full of humor and interesting story. I can see it being enjoyable for younger teens as a coming-of-age story about finding your own path and what you want to be in the world.

Mary by Brea Grant illustrated by Yishan Li releasing October 6th
5/5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! And I highly recommend it! It follows a young teenage girl as she struggles to discover her identity and what she wants to do with her life.
This graphic novel is perfect for young readers (and older ones as well). I really related to Mary and her desire to figure out what she wants to do with her life while struggling with familial expectations. Also the illustrations are amazing!
Thank you @netgalley and @sixfootpress for a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

Treats: Very likable characters, a fun brisk plot, quick witted, and a positive message make this an enjoyable read.

Tricks: A breakneck pace might give rise to some confusion regarding the plot, the romance lacks chemistry, and some fuzzy world-building might leave some readers wanting more.

The Legal: This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Legacy often times can be a weight constantly clinging to the psyches of those who have to live under it. Whether good or bad, all too often the children are judged through the lens of their family history. Couple this with the dread one begins to feel in high school when they think about what’s next and it can almost incapacitate you. This is where we find our main character Mary in Brea Grant and Yishan Li’s new graphic novel Mary: The Adventures of Mary Shelley's Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter out October 6 from Six Foot Press.

Mary is your typical disaffected 16 year old, gifted but distracted in her studies and constantly hounded by her mother to take up the family tradition of being a writer. It doesn’t help that under the same roof as her and her mother are her grandmother and aunt, both also distinguished writers in their own right. Mary doesn’t seem to have much interest in being a writer and is pretty sure she doesn’t even have the chops to be one which puts a strain on her family relationships, except with her Aunt who seems more than happy to let Mary be whatever she wants to be. One night, Mary catches a glimpse of a mysterious stranger who turns out to be a monster and who is determined to convince Mary that she has a different calling, that of a healer. It’s a calling that will expose Mary to her hidden strengths and show her a new life that she can forge for herself while still giving honor to her families legacy.

Mary is a great read for people who like to spend time in the world of the spooky without being spooked. While there are monsters, demons, and ghosts, the tone is always fun, airy, and never too dark. Mary herself is a strong main character, one you empathize with and want to to be friends with. She’s snarky, sharp as a tack, and a bit of a goth crush with her black heavy wardrobe and Cure posters adorning her room. Her best friend Rhonda is a fun counterpoint to Mary. Assertive and smart, bold in planning her future where Mary is wishy-washy. The various characters that enter Mary’s life are colorful and unique, each bringing a specific flair with the star of the bunch being the ghost of Shirley Jackson who inhabits a stuffed bunny rabbit full of vim and vigor. This is one funny book with some genuine laugh out loud moments. The art is equally good with manga artist Li bringing the characters to life in their facial expressions. The action is clear and well blocked with each panel used fully without ever losing the thread of which panel to read next.

That being said, there is some clunkiness to the story and world building that might leave some readers confused. Everything in the story happens really fast. The monster characters all assume Mary is up to date and knows more than she actually does. This lets the reader feel Mary’s confusion and anxiety about her quickly escalating life but readers may find themselves in the same boat. The story lurking off the page is only given cursory mention and isn’t fully developed. Talk of treaties between humans and monsters, the laws of the supernatural world, and the roles some of the characters are left vague and to be explained later. Our main monster Adam looks like a normal person (aside from the missing foot) so why is he a monster? There is mention of a treaty between humans and monsters being broken but doesn’t go into how exactly and why this makes the demons so intent on attacking Mary. There is also the start of a budding romance between Adam and Mary which feels a little forced and lacking in chemistry. Not to mention the missing body parts and Mary being 16 while Adam is 200. All of this might be attributed to the book feeling like it is part one of a soon to be ongoing series. This would be good news as Mary and company are certainly worth going on further adventures with, but it would be nice if the story had a more defined ending and contained feeling.

Overall though Mary is a highly enjoyable read and perfect for a Saturday afternoon. Hopefully there will indeed be more adventures with Mary and her pals that will expand and flesh out the rules and intrigue of the monster world and what exactly Mary’s newfound powers entail. It’s a book with a needed message about forging your own path, staying true to what interests you and not being beholden to what’s expected of you just because it’s always been that way. There’s lots of treats to be had for fans of these kinds of stories and it’s sure to offer them a good time.

Brea Grant does everything! She acts, directs, co-hosts the wonderful Reading Glasses podcast, and now, alongside illustrator Yishan Li, she has started an exciting graphic novel series about author Mary Shelley's great-great-great-great-great granddaughter, who also happens to be named Mary.

Young Mary Shelley has quite a legacy to live up to. In a family of writers, it is expected that she will become part of "the family business". But at only sixteen years old, she is still trying to figure life out, and does not need the extra pressure. However, when genuinely weird things start to happen, and the world of monsters starts to become real, Mary realizes she has a bigger destiny than her family could ever have imagined.

Mary is an incredibly enjoyable graphic novel, and I really hope this is the start of an on-going series. It is funny, honest, and genuinely exciting. This first installment has a stuffed bunny possessed by the author Shirley Jackson, the Loch Ness monster, and a Harpy carrying a giant egg. Not to mention the "normal" challenges of trying to navigate high school.

Yishan Li's illustrations are clear, classic, and do not distract from the story. I especially love her take on the aforementioned Shirley, who has some hilarious facial expressions.

I love this new spin on a literary great. Brea Grant and Yishan Li have created an incredibly charming world, and some compelling characters. I really hope there are a lot more adventures to come.

3.5 stars! 16-year-old Mary Shelley (yes, great great etc granddaughter of) feels the pressure of living up to her ancestors’ legacies. Problem: she has no idea what to do with her life. That is, until she figures out she’s able to resurrect dead creatures. Now, she still doesn’t know what to do with her life but she’s suddenly overrun by a range of ghosts, dead guys with a missing foot and harpies with ancient eggs and dental problems that all want her help.

Someone described Mary to me as the kind of novel that when you read it, you slightly feel as if you’re on drugs. 50 pages in I thought, “Well, it’s an interesting concept and fun in execution but on drugs? Nah.” 10 pages later I suddenly had an “Aha” moment (this was around the time the harpy with human tooth issues made an appearance. We’re not in the business of calling women harpies here, by the way. This is a literal actual harpy). Let’s say this though - they’re not bad drugs, Brent. Mary is great fun - both the book and the character. When previously mentioned harpy, named Polly, shows up in Mary’s treehouse, Mary self-awarely states, “I don’t want you here, and I’m 16. In a game of stubbornness you’re no match for me.” Who is a match for her? Oh, the giant rodent with laser eyes that comes to visit her, insisting he’s “a marsupial” and “closer to a kangaroo”.

That also brings us to a couple of... issues? There’s a lot going on in 146 pages. Maybe a little too much. Definitely a little too much to explain. I’m left with questions about when this story is supposed to be set because Adam says he’s 200 years old and to prove that he makes Grey’s Anatomy references? Sir that proves that you have been around for the past 10 years. The rest of the world looks vaguely 2010-2020-esque. And that’s just a small one. I have a whole bunch more worldbuilding questions that leave me feeling... a little unsatisfied by the end of the book. Maybe it’s pacing, partly. There’s so much happening so fast that all decisions and developments happen really fast as well, and I think a little too much without explanation for my tastes.

Again - great fun, though! Absolutely a delightful, light, funny graphic novel. Would recommend it for any teen who like a bit of spookiness, some monsters, and a whole lot of sass.

I loved the art style of this comic, it definitely kept me hooked! I loved to read more adventures of Mary! A fun thrilling adventure!

First of all, thanks to netgalley for sending me a copy.

This was such a crazy story.
It has excellent halloween vibes and is a very fast and fun read.

I think the illustrations are very cute and I love the main storyline.
Although it is not extraordinary, the plot is very captivating and immersive.

I also loved the way family pressure is addressed. Sometimes we are so afraid to disappoint the people around us that we end up not being ourselves.


Although I loved this book, I feel that the romance was a little unnecessary. This seemed very forced and unnatural.

I rate this book with 3.9 stars out of 5.