Saint Catherine was a creepy, reflective graphic novel exploring what it is to be raised in a Catholic family and community, and how to grow with and/or out of it.

We get a brief glimpse into Catherine’s day-to-day with her boyfriend and roommates, her work, and her reluctant but dedicated relationship with the church. Pretty quickly Catherine finds herself haunted by an ominous multi-eyed blob who seems to feed on her guilty and transgressions. I really liked the way this resolved and my only complaint would be that I’d love to see more as a few plot lines felt unfinished, though potentially this was on purpose/for effect.

This comic is an amazing representation of Catholic guilt. It makes the idea of the demon that is whispering in your ear to do bad is a real and tangible thing. Catherine begins seeing this little kinda cute blob of a demon. The demon begins putting into her mind feelings of shame, guilt, and sadness. It creates a wedge between her, her friends, and her boyfriend. Her life begins to crumble around her.

The story goes on as she works through her difficult feelings and the discovery of what she’s really seeing and why happens in the end. It’s a mystery that kept me intrigued by this fun concept for a comic.

I loved the art and I loved how it melded cute with spooky. The story was well-written and well thought out. It spoke to me on a deep level as I was raised Catholic and I too have since left my faith. I thought the way the anxiety that a Catholic person has was portrayed perfectly.

This is a great comic to read for anyone whose had a history of difficulty with faith. It’s also a great look at mental health issues and dealing with problems in relationships. It is a solid pick up for any comic collection.

This graphic novel is a phenomenal exploration of religious guilt. I never quite knew where the story was going to go which kept it interesting, but it was very easy to follow. It heavily discusses the influence of concepts of morality, consequences of deviating from those morals, and moving forward after facing the consequences. While this isn't a feel good story, I do think it still has an overall hopeful message. Although this particular plot exists within a Catholic lens, I also think its relatable across strict religious institutions in general. I very much enjoyed the artwork, and found the text spacing easy for my brain and eyes to digest quickly. I would very much recommend this book to anyone who wants a thought provoking read.

Saint Catherine was a delicious read for anyone with lingering relgious trauma, or just enjoys compelling characters, spooky vibes, and heart wrenching moments. I was taken by surprise by how lovely the art work was, and how well it did at setting a tone. Loved it.

Top 5 Reasons to Read:
1. Atmospheric Artwork - this book uses color and monochromatic sequences intertwined with the plot
2. Importance of platonic love - this book features a ton of different relationships and treats them all as contributing important pieces to our lives
3. Overcoming religious guilt - Saint Catherine struggles with differences in her religious practice and beliefs, especially compared with others who are not as strict to her expectations
4. Hilarious demon sidekick - I mean what could be better in a story like this
5. Confronting generational trauma - Catherine’s journey forward intertwines with a need to establish her own beliefs separate from those handed down to her

I loved this adult graphic novel & it’sabsolutely worth the read. The story follows Catherine who believes if she skips Sunday Mass, something horrible will happen, because of her religious upbringing. You watch her struggle with her own faith and beliefs; also how it affects her relationships with friends and family. This graphic novel is incredibly relatable, and grasps all the subjects captivatingly. I absolutely loved Catherine’s friendships with Olga & Kim. Kim is hilarious, I included a scene where I actually laughed out loud.
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Also the representation is EVERYWHERE in this book! There’s Latinx rep, Queer rep, BiPoc rep, Chronic pain rep, Religious rep (not just catholic). I enjoy reading books with so much representation, as I am a Latina with chronic pain.

This is a stunning debut. Meyer uses creative plotting and gorgeous images to tackle to subject of religious trauma in a deeply emotional and unique fashion. While some of the protagonist's relationships felt a bit thinner than I'd have preferred at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel and will be recommending it to the readers in my store.

A gorgeous graphic novel, first of all. I think perhaps disjointed at times, but maybe that's because I was reading it as a "single-page" rather than full spread.

Adored the story. Very relatable.

Illustration: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Wow—I loved this. I ate it up. The author did an incredible job crafting an accessible, relatable, and honestly refreshing graphic novel. If you grew up in a very religious household and are currently on a spiritual journey, reestablishing what faith looks like for you, I think Saint Catherine will really speak to you.

The author explores these themes in a way that’s playful, real, and emotional. So much of this story is about growing up, navigating everyday struggles, and figuring out what’s next. But it’s also deeply about guilt—the weight of it, how it festers when left unresolved, and how it can manifest in our lives, especially when tied to religious trauma. Catherine, our main character, lives in the city and feels awkward and unsure of herself. She finds joy in her friendships and relationship, but she’s constantly questioning whether she deserves happiness, whether she’s good, and how her upbringing is shaping her current emotional landscape.

One of the highlights of this book is how diverse the cast is—Catherine’s friend group is filled with rich, authentic characters who each feel like someone you could call up today. It was honestly amazing seeing a friend group that reminded me so much of my own. Catherine stands out as the most religious of the group, so when she misses Sunday mass for the first time in her life, everything changes. That choice sets the story in motion. Suddenly, Catherine finds herself haunted, possibly possessed, by a demon calling himself the Prince of Hell, and he’s made it clear he wants her soul.

What makes this so entertaining is Catherine’s inner dialogue and banter with the demon. She stumbles through trying to figure out what she’s done wrong and how to fix it, and it’s darkly funny but also profound. The author delivers a story that is deeply human while illuminating heavy topics with heart and humor.

And the illustration—chef’s kiss. The artwork perfectly matches the energy of the story. It amplifies the pacing and emotion, especially through the use of color. The story begins mostly in black-and-white, reflecting the rigid structure Catherine has boxed herself into. As the story progresses, color starts seeping in, until the whole book bursts into vibrancy—mirroring Catherine’s emotional transformation.

I also loved the relationship dynamics, particularly between Catherine and her boyfriend. Every relationship felt realistic and thoughtfully developed. The ending doesn’t tie everything up neatly, but it gives us closure, growth, and real emotional payoff. It’s cheeky, sharp, and clever in how it approaches religious trauma, guilt, and forgiveness—especially in showing how we can give power to something when we leave it unexamined. This is absolutely a graphic novel I’ll be buying, and I can’t wait to see what this author does next.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and 23rd St. for this great graphic novel!

What a beautiful story!

Catherine for the first time in her entire life skips sunday mass. What should be an exciting change in her day ends up being life changing. She makes the horrific discovery that she’s a host for demons trying to take her soul to hell. Grappling with her new situation she opts to live more honestly which sounds good and dandy until it costs her her job and loving partner. What else will she sacrifice to absolve herself?

This was a great graphic novel that I think will appeal to readers of all ages, especially the adults but perhaps even some older YA readers. I think it will also appeal to those who have a non-linear relationship with religion. I genuinely didn't think that a story about a young woman who believes she's possessed by dozens of evil spirits because she missed church one time could be so entertaining. However, the author did a fantastic job bringing Catherine's story to life. I didn't expect to feel a slew of emotions from frustration and shock to heartbreak and overwhelming sadness to healing contentment, but this made me run the gamut.

Catherine was a pretty flawed character and while that made it so she wasn't the most likable, it did make her more realistic and relatable. She's young, makes questionable if not downright awful decisions, and is a bit self-centered at times, but she also genuinely cares about the friends and family in her life. It was honestly almost painful how relatable Catherine was to me but it also made me connect to this story even more. In particular, her struggle to reconcile what religion means to her as an adult vs how she was raised with religion as a child, was something that really hit home. While this book is specifically about Catholicism, I think anyone who has been raised religiously and whose faith has changed as they have grown will be able to relate. I know it made me reflect on my own journey with my religion, what that means to me now considering where I live, and I'm honestly still trying to figure that out even now!

But I digress... This graphic novel clearly made me feel and think a lot and I greatly appreciated that about the story. I was pleasantly surprised by it and having such wonderful artwork to accompany an impactful story made it no hardship to get through. The story is a mix of flashbacks onto childhood and the early days of her relationship with Manolo and I love the colour choices used to depict these scenes, and it was a great way to indicate the differences between the past and present. Although the overall colour palette is more muted, I think it fit Catherine's story perfectly, especially the contrasting red and black accents. I really love this style of art and how "simple" yet evocative it can be. There aren't many huge scenes but zoomed in and intimate scenes with beautiful detailing and textures. My favourite part is how the expressions are captured so well through shading and simply drawn expressions. It's so well done!

That ending, while bittersweet, felt quite hopeful and it surprisingly made me teary eyed because I didn't want to believe that their story was over. Those last few lines: "it's up before over" somehow just really struck me hard. I think this is a story that I can see myself revisiting on occasion, especially the climax and the end. I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a thought-provoking, relatable, and realistic adult graphic novel about growing up, working through the past to heal and find your way forward, even if it's through the most unexpected of events!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to 23rd St. for providing a digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’ve ever grown up Catholic and felt haunted by guilt for literally everything, Saint Catherine will hit you right in the soul—and make you laugh while doing it.

This adult graphic novel follows Catherine, a twenty-something Irish American woman who’s never missed Sunday mass… until she finally skips it and suddenly finds herself possibly possessed by a demon. What follows is a funny, oddly touching, and very real look at the intersection of religion, anxiety, and identity.

The real magic here is in the voice. Anna Meyer writes with sharp humor and an almost uncomfortable honesty about the inner life of someone trying to untangle herself from inherited beliefs. Catherine’s inner dialogue, especially her banter with the demon (who might be real or might just be her guilt given form), is absolutely golden.

Visually, the book is just as clever. It starts in black and white and shifts to color the moment Catherine first sees the demon as a kid—such a brilliant choice that mirrors her internal shift. The artwork is expressive and playful without losing emotional weight.

There’s also excellent representation—Catherine’s best friend Kim is a grounded, lovable lesbian character who isn’t reduced to a stereotype. The friendship adds a layer of heart that balances out the chaos.

If you enjoy stories about messy young adulthood, mental health, religious trauma, or just want a smart, emotional, and deeply human read with a touch of the supernatural, you’ll probably love this.

It’s raw, funny, and surprisingly comforting for anyone who's ever asked, "Am I a bad person if I skip mass?" (Spoiler: you’re not.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – One of the most relatable graphic novels I’ve read in a long time.

This graphic novel was great. I appreciate the representation of Catholic/religious guilt and, without any spoilers, wondering if she's truly possessed or if it's a manifestation of the guilt. It's, unfortunately, relatable for many people, including myself, but it was a great way to feel seen and validated. Definitely would pick this up.

This was an extremely emotional read that took me on a journey I didn't know I needed to go on. The cozy artstyle both contrasted and contributed to the building suspense in the story. The themes of religious trauma and identity were tackled very realistically and tactfully.

★ ★ ★ ★

Call me surprised because I actually ended up really enjoying the plot: A young woman who skips mass for the first time in over 20 years and then mysteriously thinks she’s been possessed by a demon.

Sign me up!

I wasn’t a big fan of our FMC, Catherine. Girl was spineless and did some crappy things to her boyfriend and friends. Like, she was FLAWED.

The friend group was fun though and I really loved how they went after Catherine at the climax. That twist was fun!!

My heart hurt the most for Manolo. That sweet man cared deeply for Catherine. I was SO HAPPY when he made that tough decision. BUT I feel with that ending that maybe, JUST MAYBE, they *could* have a future because it was still there.

As someone who has always struggled with faith and the Church, the message in this story is SO IMPORTANT. You can be a good person NO MATTER WHAT. The end.

♡ adult graphic novel
♥ diverse cast of characters
♡ religious struggles
♥ family expectations
♡ identity crisis

{I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book. All reviews are my own.}

This is how you write a 350 page graphic novel. I was never bored. I was always engaged and just wanted to keep on reading. It's about a twenty-something living in New York. Her mother has always guilted her about going to church and she's never missed a mass. If you know any Catholics from the Northeast, this is a very common thing. Just ask my wife. The first time she decides to skip mass to spend the day with her boyfriend, something happens and she may be possessed by a demon. I'll leave the rest of the story up to you to find out what happens.

The art is wonderful. It's got this soft and clean feel to it with subtle colors. I really enjoyed it. Now I need to see if Anna Meyer has worked on anything else.

Saint Catherine was a beautiful exploration of finding your place in the world after growing up in a high pressure like Catholicism. Meyers art is evocative and emotional. I loved the use of color to show Catherine’s emotional state.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

As someone who also has a lot of Catholic guilt, this was a great story. I really enjoyed the art style of this story and the overall plot. Catherine's struggle with her "demons" felt very real and personal. From the estranged parents who've lost contact with most of their kids, to being afraid to stop going to church, this whole story was really moving. What I didn't expect was the actual ending with the parasite. I also wonder what it was that Monolo saw. He briefly mentioned it but I almost wanted to see what he actually saw drawn out. Oh well though! I'm also wondering if the end symbolizes that they're really not getting back together or if it means something else.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of an e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine, our main character, hasn't missed mass. Ever. When her boyfriend convinces her to ditch one Sunday morning, things begin to go... downhill. Skip mass = get possessed. Apparently.

Honestly? This book hit me right in the chest, especially with the whole religious trauma thing. It was refreshing and strangely cathartic to see a story that acknowledges how not everyone vibes with the faith they were raised in. Catherine's journey really dives into that in a way that felt super real.

And the art! Think super flat, almost paper cutouts, with this really limited color palette that somehow just WORKS. It reminded me a lot of Fun Home!

By the time I was on the last page, I was a mess. This book sneaks up on you!

It gets a 4/5 star rating from me. Somehow giving this a full 5 star feels sacrilegious...

Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer follows Catherine, a twenty something semi-religious girl who has never missed Sunday mass. Ever. Until one day, she does. She misses Sunday mass and goes out with her boyfriend, Manolo, to Staten Island where they adventure in an abandoned church. In this church, Cat falls off an altar and all of a sudden, she’s seeing a demon. Vassago, prince of hell, and his 27 legions of hell are now possessing Catherine. Catherine believes this is divine punishment for missing mass, and the presence of her demon makes her question herself and her actions. Even though she’s trying to do everything right, she just keeps messing up and eventually everything comes to a peak. Afterwards, Catherine’s life goes back to normal, bit by bit, piece by piece. This is a story of religious guilt, of friends and family, of doing what is best for yourself and for others.

My personal thoughts: First of all, before I even get into the story, the art style is just itching a scratch I didn’t know I had. It’s beautiful. I ran through the entire book. It made me cry, I really enjoyed this read. I was absolutely not expecting the squirrel thing, a well written surprise. I really enjoyed this read and I think I’ll be getting a copy for my shelf when it comes out.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this e-arc.