A surprisingly complex, psychological story. At times it is difficult to read due to the subject but I couldn't stop reading once I'd started. It's beautifully drawn and the relationship between Tani and Frannie is loving and innocent - siblings at their best. This is a dark, troubling mystery which as it's solved leaves you with a broken heart. Emotionally deep and highly recommended.

Angel of Death by Sylvie Roge & Olivier Grenson is both a masterful graphic novel and a heart-wrenching dramatic piece of art that I’m not sure I was prepared for today. It’s a tale of two young women coping with past childhood abuse and trauma, and how not everyone makes it out the other side in one piece. The main protagonist, Frannie Duroy, has committed an unspeakable act – the murder of her twin sister and mother. She doesn’t remember why because something flipped her into a blind rage and she just snapped, it’s up to her lawyer to find out exactly what happened on one cold Christmas Eve in 2006. The book is the tale of her life leading up to that night and how the actions of a selfish person can have irreparable effects on somebody growing up. If you are like me, you are almost “rooting for” the ultimate end of the book, as Frannie’s mother is such a big example of human garbage that one can understand what ultimately happens.

I particularly love the artwork in this book. Olivier Grenson has a way with his lines in that everything looks like a well-detailed colored-pencil sketch even though I assume this was likely done digitally. The style actually somewhat reminds me of Japanese comics from the 80’s, especially color insert pages, which is always a delight for me – I love that style. Everything is subdued with the color red popping spectacularly in certain scenes, and the composition has a masterful touch, akin to that of a cinematographer for a feature film. Honestly, this would make a great film if it ever got re-conceptualized in that way despite the bitter sadness of the plot.

I’m not sure I should have read such a sad book today, to be quite honest, but Angel of Death by Sylvie Roge & Olivier Grenson as published by Europe Comics is an instant classic for me. Both the story and the artwork are amazing, and I REALLY need to look for more works by the creative staff. The book doesn’t really leave you on any sort of ending that gives the story closure, which is fair. The main plot doesn’t really center around the fate of Frannie Duroy, but the story of she and her sister’s inseparable love despite the invisible hand of pure evil trying to ruin it. What a great book, very unexpected.

this isnt the correct book, publisher ignored all emails and attempts to contact to get the actual book

I loved this. Beautiful art and really beautiful, dark story. It delivers everything I want from a graphic novel.

This is a stunningly illustrated, darkly emotional graphic novel that explores trauma from childhood and loss of twin girls Frannie and Tania, who suffered in the toxic environment of their mother's own mental illness, and how this trauma left undealt-with slowly tears them apart.

By far, one of the biggest strengths of this graphic novel is the artwork - Grenson's delicate, melancholic style lends itself so well to the tone of the story and the feelings of the characters; there is a wistful, daydream-like quality to Frannie's recollections of her childhood.

I loved the way the story was told, although I think I would have loved to go even more in depth into specific events of their childhood, their feelings, and their mother's story and motivations.I think the title makes it sound more like a thriller than it really is, and it doesn't really fit with the tone of the book, but perhaps this is down to this being translated from French. A really interesting read, and one I can definitely recommend.

It was so, so, so amazing.

I was reading this graphic novel with bated breath and I felt more and more pain with each chapter. The pain of a child rejected by the mother, unloved, even hated. Pain that accumulated in the main character from day to day, from page to page. The pain that seeped through the pages was penetrating me and I felt it with my whole self. This novel is a masterpiece, not only in terms of its plot, but also of illustrations.

The last time I was so impressed by the comic book "The Days That Disappear" by Timothé Le Boucher. “Angel of Death” is a similar league - by far the highest.

Incredible novel that I will not forget for a long time and which I absolutely must have on my bookshelf.

This book was fantastic! The art style was so unique, unlike any graphic novel I've read before. I seem to be reading a lot of great graphic novels coming out of France at the moment, and this one is no exception. It's perfectly paced, with a little suspense. Not super unpredictable, but I think that's what made it so great. You kind of knew where it was going, but were still interested in the ride. It's a heartbreaking story as well. It's also a quick read, so very unlikely to be a regrettable read. I had a lot of fun with this one and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a new graphic novel to pick up!

This was a gripping and haunting Graphic Novel from the first chapter. After a terrible event, Frannie must go back and tell the story of her upbringing by mother Cecelia, Uncle Louis and Auntie Pauli and the bond with her sister Tania.
With a soft muted colour palette, we glide between present and past, slowly learning of the destructive jealous nature of her mother and the unwavering bond of sisterhood.
I was lost in this book and only paused to savour it. The chapters meant there were convenient break points, with time to digest the revelations building to the books crescendo ending.
A bitter end but satisfying, this is definitely one I will reread and recommend.

I absolutely devoured this book in less than a day, it was devastatingly beautiful.

The growth of the storyline and connecting timelines throughout reading it was oddly enjoyable considering the topics mentioned. You have a hint of what is going on throughout the first few chapters, but when all is revealed it’s like an obvious punch to the gut, it’s laid out for you with specific details hidden until the story progresses to divulge them.

I truly appreciate the movement through the timeline as it gives the reader a much more thorough understanding of Frannie’s life and her perspective on it.

Frannie understood her mother was filled with hatred, but also believed her to feel remorseful for acting as such: ‘When our mother wasn’t mad at us she would get mad at herself. Which for us, that was just as bad’. Even though her mother has only shown her and her sister negativity, they both hold onto the glimpses of happiness and positivity they’ve experienced. Though as a reader you can’t help but disagree with the optimistic outlook, especially considering the mother aged into even more hatred and anger.

I have to mention the symbolism with the balloons and the shade of red that sometimes also appears almost orange. Seeing the balloons progression throughout giving us a sneak peek into what was to come was heart wrenching. I may have shed a tear when the second balloon was erased from the scenery in the end. Red almost feels like the balance between good and bad within, it’s a constant throughout the book. Whether they were happy or miserable they always shared a shade of red.

The art, storyline, and execution were so well meshed it flowed incredibly, easy five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc of Angel of Death, this is an unbiased review and all opinions are my own.

I would like to start by saying I absolutely adored this graphic novel, the story, the depth of the characters & the graphics.

It was brutal, fast paced and beautiful. The only reason I’m giving it 4 and not 5 stars is because I found it, quite literally impossible to decipher the script text used for journal entries/music lyrics/singing. I just had to use my own initiative looking at the images to figure out what was happening

The story follows a young woman on Christmas Eve, anxious about seeing her sister and estranged mother. The very next chapter we discover something horrible has happened, we aren't told what. Instead the book focuses on the Why. Why would someone so gentle and timid do something so horrific.

Through beautiful pastel style art and contrast tones, this graphic novel delves into the depths of childhood trauma and mental abuse. The most beautiful aspect of the story is undoubtedly the bond between the two sisters and the tenderness of it which keeps them alive, nurtures their lives.

What drives a young woman to commit an unspeakable crime that's completely out of odds with her personality?

Gosh, this was heartbreaking and yet so beautiful at the same time. The characters were so well-written. I loved Louis and Pauli, while Cecilia terrified me. The book does an incredible job in showing the idyllic and carefree life that the sisters enjoy with their uncle versus the cloud of fear they live under when with their mother. You can also genuinely feel the special bond that Tania and Frannie share.

The artwork is breathtaking and I love how vivid the characters' expressions are, whether it's pain, fear, grief, joy or happiness.

Truly a captivating and haunting read that will stay with you for long.

A beautiful, heart rending tale of love, loss and betrayal, captured in a delicate, pastel style.

The artistry adds weight to the compelling story and the drawings gently soften the tragedy.

Beautifully drawn and presented.

There are graphic novels like this where the art is the primary storyteller, and its amazing how some illustrators can brilliantly structure their art to suit various narratives, even hidden elements in the story. Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.

The storyline of this is deeply interpersonal and familial, focusing much on upbringing, childhood, relationships and affection. I liked the gradation in the plot, the smooth translations and the overall concept of the story kept me glued.

Definitely would recommend!!

A graphic novel about depression, toxic relationship within family and love, the art style is gorgeous and the writing was almost lyrical.

"We were like two free spirits...we didn't need anyone else. We were complete unto ourselves."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❗This is a completely spoiler-free ARC review from Netgalley❗


Wow...my mind is blown and my heart is in ribbons. I'm not sure how if I can collect my thoughts long enough to write an adequate review but here we go. As usual, because this is an ARC and spoilers are huge oh-no-no's, this review will be shorter than usual, which I'm sure you'll enjoy more than my usual crazy rants.


This was INCREDIBLE!!! This story captured me and refused to let go until I finished it, beginning to end. Just...wow. It was beautiful, sad, and gruesome, all at the same time. I absolutely loved the structure, the way the story was told/narrated by the main character and accused murderer, Frannie. The way it is methodically revealed what her childhood was like, how she was raised, what was her relationships like with her mother, twin sister, uncle and aunt was very well written. It was all complicated in a very, very intriguing sort of way. There was only one short moment, near the beginning, where I felt confused and didn't really understand what was happening but that became clear quickly for me. It was all written in a way that caused anticipation. I went crazy waiting to see if she really was a murderer or not, and if yes, then who did she kill?? It was all sweet torture. In addition, the art was preeeettyy sweet. It wasn't just how well the character's expressions were drawn, I feel like it also captured the tone of the story, its mystery, its sadness, and its few moments of joy perfectly.


I found the characters to be incredibly well written. From Frannie, herself, to pretty much everyone else in the story. The only thing that bothered me a little is that, while it became completely clear what Frannie was like as a child, there was hardly any information on how she was like as an adult. There are several clues, including her boyfriend's various statements about her kindness, etc. but it was clear that she also kept a lot of things from him, including a lot of her past. I would have loved to see a little more of what she was like as a grown person, away from the traumas of her past, but still not healed from them, perhaps even the see differences between her and her sister now that they are adults. Especially since her relationship with her twin is the one with the most emphasis in the story.


If you're a fan of a good murder mystery, this would be a pretty good choice. I highly recommend it.

This was such a powerful story. My heart went out to the main character the whole time. The artwork is absolutely beautiful and really immerses you into the story.

Publisher’s description: A beautiful young woman is accused of an unspeakable crime that seems completely out of step with her sweet personality. As she tells her life story to her attorney, the book delves into the psyche and past of a young girl with a cold mother, an absent father, a twin sister with whom she shared an unbreakable bond, and a horrific family secret that leads to tragedy. 

This was one of the saddest graphic novels I’ve read that I can remember. Two beautiful twin girls, the love they have for each other is enviable. A rare and special love that seems to be unique to twins. The horrific family secret didn’t seem that horrific to me. It was no one's fault and just the luck of the draw in some identical twins.

The mother was a monster! But then that may be an insult to monsters. She married a man she loved, who did not want children, yet she got pregnant. Best laid plans and all, right? But his response was to just walk away as if she and his child did not exist. For her part, she waited for him to return forever and blamed her beautiful children for the loss of this man.

First, she gives the babies away to her brother, whose wife cannot have children, and they love these girls with everything they have. Then, of course, Mommy dearest wants them back when she sees how happy they are.

She makes their lives a living hell. She tells them she hates them, never wanted them, wishes they were dead. So why the heck take them back?

Both girls do what they can with the cards they have been dealt, and cling to each other for love. The tragedy that finally happens is heartbreaking. There is no happy ending here. Just crushed lives and hearts.

The story was excellent and the artwork was wonderful. Europe Comics has become one of my favorite publishers of graphic novels. So far I have not had one that wasn’t wonderful in some fashion or another. I will continue to look for them when I want above-the-ordinary graphic novels.

Thanks to @netgalley, Europe Comics, Sylvie Roge, and Oliver Grenson for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

A graphic novel about depression, toxic relationship within family and love.

The story starts at Christmas time in Paris when a family is supposed to meet up for Christmas Eve dinner party. In the meantime, we meet Thibault, who is called to attend police station to find his partner Frannie arrested for, what at that time appears to be, a physical assault.

When Frannie meets her lawyer, in order to defend her at the tribunal at his best ability, he must have all necessary details which occurred prior to the attack. Therefore she starts telling him her story.

Frannie has a twin sister Tania with whom they share a special bond. Their mother seems to have untreated depression and is lacking any emotions towards to her children which results in her intrigues against twins to destroy their special bond by preferring Tania over Frannie.

Luckily for girls, they experience what a family life should like, thanks to their Uncle Louise and his wife Pauline. They spent holidays together (Easter, Summer, Christmas), Pauli shares her wisdom with girls in terms of growing up into womanhood, boys, makeup etc. and all four of them seem to have a special bond. Except girl's mother.

The story is fast paced and keeps you guessing of what is coming next. Illustrations easily awoke any emotions along with importance of the hidden message of the story. What I will take out of it is the importance to heal any wounds gained in the past. Otherwise, the pain can take control of our mind and dictate our future path. It is always easy to judge someone for their bitterness but to seek the truth behind it might not be always pleasant.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Europe Comics for an electronic ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was truly captivating. I haven’t seen many graphic novels with such a dark plot, and I absolutely loved to read something like this. The story was fast paced and keeps you on your toes wanting more. The illustration is lovely, and the muted colours contrasting to the splashes of red was such a nice touch to go with the storyline.