I'm not sure if I would personally label this as horror, but this was a surprisingly heavy read all the same. The subtle changes in the art style and use of color as the story progresses adds to an amazingly deep portrayal of the effects of religious trauma.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Catherine, the main character, was raised Catholic and despite having distanced herself from religion, has never missed Sunday Mass

Until she does.

And almost immediately she starts seeing a demon who says he is a prince of hell, here to claim her soul.

As someone who was raised Catholic but left the church as a young adult after a LOT of existential turmoil, I was very drawn to this graphic novel and did, in fact, get emotional over it.

And if you or a loved one have struggled with Catholic Guilt despite being agnostic or an atheist, Saint Catherine might be the right read for you.

I found Catherine's struggle between what she feels is right and good versus what the church tells her is right and good so very real. She had her flaws, but that really drove home her struggle - even if one of her biggest mistakes did feel a little out of nowhere for me. I can't discuss that too much without getting into deep spoilers, but I felt shocked (not in a good way) that she would go so far. Still, I do think her having done something truly considered Bad added to her character arc. She felt like a very real, very human young woman who is trying to find what really matters to her in this world.

Her friends and boyfriend were also fun and I enjoyed their relationships with Catherine. I understood how and why she really cared about this group of friends.

I also appreciated the tension between Catherine and her mother (who means well, but really believes faith in the church's teaching is all you need to be "Good"). How do you connect with a family member who is so religious when you're trying to distance yourself from that same faith? How do you be true to yourself when that means your family thinks you're on a one-way track to hell?

The art in this is great - I absolutely loved the blobby demon haunting Catherine. As said in the comic, he's actually kind of cute. The sloshy, oozing aura of the demon that often shadowed Catherine also looked amazing and did a great job evoking Catherine's internal state without narration (with how it would twist and spike and consume her).

Overall I thought this was a great graphic novel and I'd love to read more from Anna Meyer.

Actual rating 3.5ish stars.

Saint Catherine is Anna Meyer's debut graphic novel. In this book, Catherine, an emerging adult, is living a pretty solid life in the big city--she has a job she thinks about quitting, friends she adores, and a sweet and caring boyfriend. But Catherine, who was raised Irish Catholic, has a secret--she has never missed a Sunday Mass and is terrified of the consequences if she does. Then, the one day she decides to skip church, she wakes up host to a demon prince and his 27 legions of Hell, sparking an existential crisis about herself, her loved ones, and the role of religion in her life.

Like Catherine, Meyer was raised Catholic and also had an existential crisis as a young adult, so although this story is fictional, it draws on the author's personal experience. Historically and sociologically, there is a lot that can be said about the Church and how it has influenced/affected believers, but the book focuses mainly on one's personal connections to family and faith, rather than on any particular scandal, as well as the general culture of Catholicism (particularly, Catholic guilt), which I found interesting. It also points out the potential generational and cultural differences in terms of connections to religion and the Church as well--Catherine's mother views religion differently from her children, and while there are commonalities in beliefs and practices between Catherine and her Russian Orthodox friend, her boyfriend's family--also Christian--views religion much more loosely than she does. These nuances, if brief, offer layers to the book as Catherine quite literally struggles with her own demons. The book does have an overall positive ending, though I'm kicking myself a bit over the plot twist at the end. Meyer's art is also very well rendered, with color-coded flashbacks and flowing panels. Her depiction of Vassago, Prince of Hell, was also quite fun--who knew that a blob could be both so cute and so scary?

While I generally felt this graphic novel to be engaging and an interesting read, I did feel that there were some questions left unanswered, possibly due to space/focus constraints. Catherine's complicated relationship with her mother didn't feel full addressed to me, even though it seemed to be a significant element in her existential crisis. Also, though she mentions siblings casually and there are visuals of them depicted in the book, I found it curious that she didn't reach out to them during her struggles with faith and found family--surely, as the author suggests in the Acknowledgments, they would best understand/be most familiar with what Catherine was facing? (Of course, sibling relationships can also be very complicated--it was just that there was so little mention of them that it would almost make more sense if Catherine was an only child.) Finally, there were points where Catherine's drama felt a bit frustrating and circuitous--if her usual fallbacks weren't working, why not try alternatives, like therapy (for example)? But, as an outsider to this particular demographic, I acknowledge that there might be something here that I am missing, and am curious to hear what those more connected to religion think of this book. I would still recommend it to interested parties, and will look forward to more of Meyer's work in the future!

Readers who enjoy this graphic novel may also enjoy: Visitations by Corey Egbert, Covenant by LySandra Vuong, Fun Home and Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel, and Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H., among others.

Saint Catherine is an incredible story about the demons inside ourselves and how we can never be perfect enough to expel them. This book took a crazy turn I never expected! I honestly wasn't sure what to expect in general. I really enjoyed watching Catherine going through the motions of discovering herself and how to handle things she's going through. All the characters were lovable and relatable. The artwork was stunning. I loved this book.

Thank you Netgalley and and First Second Books for early access to this title in exchange for an honest review

Saint Catherine is a book for those of us who have been taught to be scared of our sins and the consequences we'll face. I enjoyed both the current plot and the well-placed flashbacks. I really identified with Anna's struggle to be a good person while feeling guilt for mistakes from long ago. I would recommend this to atheists who enjoy a good faith exorcism.

Saint Catherine is a beautifully illustrated and emotionally intense graphic novel that explores religious guilt, personal identity, and the struggle to define one's own morality. The story follows Catherine, a young woman raised Catholic, who moves to the city but continues going to church every Sunday out of fear that something bad will happen if she doesn’t. When she finally skips a service to spend time with her boyfriend, her worst fears come true—she is possessed by a demon. As she spirals, trying to get rid of any evil and be a "good person," she begins unraveling her own life, pushing away the people who care about her.

This book is both stressful and cathartic. If you grew up around Catholicism, it stirs something in you because of how accurately it portrays what it’s like to be raised in that environment—how stifling, punitive, and guilt-driven it can be. The story captures the weight of religious fear and self-denial so well that it’s impossible to feel indifferent while reading. It just reminded me how much I hate it.

Catherine’s relationships add so much depth! Her dynamic with her boyfriend is refreshingly mature, even in how it ends—something rarely seen in fiction (for me at least). Her friendships feel just as real, and the side characters are complex and multidimensional. The art style and soft color palette contrast beautifully with the novel’s heavy themes, making the reading experience even more impactful. The small, quiet moments—like Catherine’s father avoiding family conflict or her mother giving her a Bible at the end and her choosing to take it—show just how complex and nuanced relationships can be. Sometimes there’s no resolution but you still love each other.

Saint Catherine is a haunting, deeply personal read that really made me think. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy—this is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

This was exceptional - both the art and the story. As an ex-religious person who was raised in a religious environment, I definitely felt things.

“Saint Catherine” follows Catherine, a 20 something red head who lives in Brooklyn and has never missed a Sunday mass. Until one day. She and her boyfriend go to an abandoned church on Coney Island and something is waiting for her.
She gets possessed by the Prince of Hell: Catholic guilt embodied.
Through humor and tension we learn more about Catherine and her friends. The flashbacks gave insights into Catherine and her friends’ pasts. The cast of characters in “Saint Catherine” does not disappoint in its diversity. We even get a queer romance! Kim and Marta spin off please???
Other highlights include the oh-so-virgo color palette and awesome drawing style.

In the Afterward the author talks about how she is no longer catholic: “I can’t ignore the way religion is used for harm, both historically and currently.” I think this sums up the moral of this story nicely: questioning the way things are is important. You can choose the practices that serve you and leave the ones that don’t. Would read more about Catherine and her adventures. Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the e-arc.

As someone exploring their faith, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The illustrations throughout helped move the story along perfectly.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

While I'm not religious myself I definitely have plenty of friends with religious trauma, it is easy to see the effects of religion on people around me, anywhere from the Catholic guilt which so prevalent to the enforced morality. I also live in the American South where religion is big, and while it is not the same flavor as Catherine's its easy to see how I might still be affected by it after being soaked in the culture.

Guilt is a big theme of this book. It is done well because you question whether or not Catherine's actions are coming from the demon who is infesting her or her own guilt at her past actions. Throughout the process of being possessed, she starts to tell the truth about things she kept hidden.

However, the demon challenges if she is simply doing that because she wants to get rid of him leading Catherine to question her own actions. I think this is a good parallel for the way religion makes you question your own actions. Are you doing things because you are a good person, or because you fear punishment?

There is a twist at the end of the book. Some people may feel a little cheated by it. I find it ties in with the B plot that is going on with Catherine's friend very well. But to each their own. I'd give this book five stars, it is brilliant in its exploration of themes with great art and a solid story.

Thank you NetGalley!

This was a fantastic graphic novel from start to finish!

I loved the art style and the color palette was chef's kiss! I love weird graphic novels and this one hit every box on my checklist, cannot recommend this enough

First off, thank you so much to Anna Meyer, First Second Books, 23rd St. Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this advanced reader copy of Saint Catherine.

Sometimes you go into a story thinking that it is going to hit you in one way, but you soon get blindsided with emotions that you didn't think were there.
I grew up Catholic. The whole bit, Catholic school, Church on Sundays (or maybe Saturday evenings in the summer), uniforms, the ever-present pall of guilt and ever-lasting damnation hanging over my head. So pretty normal, right? I even had the thoughts about becoming a priest, if ya can believe it? This is all to say, I was going into reading Saint Catherine with some preconceived notions. That was my first mistake.
This story had me drawn in right from the start. A lapsed Catholic who moved from the suburbs to the big city, still struggling with past religious trauma. Now add a possible demonic possession, and ya got me hooked.
Though I did read this book with my preconceived notions and life experience at the forefront, I think this book would be enjoyable to people of all backgrounds, religious or otherwise. I look forward to what Anna Meyer has next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Anna Meyer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This graphic novel was immersive and beautiful. The characters were well fleshed out and lovable, the art style was simple yet detailed at times, and I found myself really connecting with the overall message. As someone who went through bouts of intrusive thoughts from OCD I can really understand Catherine’s urgency to go to church “or else she’ll be damned”. Seeing that manifested the way that it was in this was equal parts wholesome and heart wrenching. Having to come to terms with losing your religion is not an easy task, nor is it always easy to convey and this both captures those feelings and shares them with you with such ease and grace. I think what I’m getting at is this felt so genuinely human and unique. And some of the panels were so gorgeous I can sense that they’re seared onto my brain now. I love this artist’s work and I hope to read more.

I am so thankful to 23rd Street/First Second Books, Anna Meyer, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this title before it hits shelves on April 29, 2025.

I was initially drawn to this one due to its mention of Catholic guilt and relatability, and trust I have tons of that type of guilt lingering over me as I age lol.

Saint Catherine tells the story of Catherine, who has never skipped a day of Mass out of fear that something horrible will happen to her if she does. This irrational fear backs her into a corner through most decisions in her life, including when she’s convinced herself she’s been possessed by a hell-bound demon.

This one was fun and I do wish there was more character development but for a graphic novel it did pretty alright.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and First Second Books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, so I am OBSESSED with this! The art is stunning. I’m a sucker for horror centered around religious imagery. And I loved the way relationships were handled in this book. There are a lot of themes about how important communication is, as well as the difference between apologizing because you actually care about someone, vs apologizing to assuage your own guilt. Saint Catherine just feels like an idea that was executed perfectly.

Also, I absolutely adored the fact that the main couple stayed broken up in the end. It felt like a really mature decision for both of them. Overall, I was just pleasantly surprised at the amount of nuance that was applied to both topics of religion and relationships.

Trigger warnings for religious trauma, suicide attempt

This is a contemporary story about — as you can see from the blurb — a vaguely religious young woman who skips mass and ends up seeing a demon. But this isn’t a comedy, or even a fantasy, instead it’s a look at how a strong religious upbringing can, however inadvertently, cause difficulties for children growing up. Catherine’s parents seem like good parents, who did their best to raise good, religious children, but there is such a pressure from her mother to always go to church, to always go to Mass. She calls her daughter every Sunday to ask: Did you go to mass? Did you go to church?

Catherine is dutiful, but … going to church isn’t exactly her choice. It’s something she hides from her boyfriend; not because she thinks he’ll be angry, but because he might judge her for it. So skipping Mass for one day, lying to her mother, the pressures of being good, of being an obedient daughter, an obedient Catholic eat at her. The demon isn’t one of possession or debauchery, but guilt. Now she can only see the worst in herself, exacerbated by the lie she is keeping from her boyfriend.

The artwork is nice, the colors a little muted, but the text is always easy to read and the action scenes are clear. I liked the demon and how it was presented, how it knew exactly what buttons to push and what cruel words to say to cause the most painful result. The side characters are all supportive and kind, and the story resolves itself in a surprising way.

All in all, an interesting read. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5

thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for the arc!

a moving and relatable—even as someone with no religious background—tale of a 20something unpacking the baggage of her upbringing while juggling the mundane struggles of young adult life. this is a book that understands that no matter how "over it" you may think you are, childhood can roundhouse kick you in the head when you least expect it

and god (ha) i loved the art style! the full page spreads of catholic imagery were soooo gorgeous

definitely recommend, esp for my religious trauma girlies out there

Catherine's experience resonated with me as a former catholic.
The ending was bittersweet, but I love when stories make me feel that way. It feels grounded in reality.
The artwork was stunning, you could sense the overwhelming emotions in each panel.

Honestly, I wish my demons were as cute and funny as this fella over here.

Overall, it's a beautiful story about a young woman overcoming the religious guilt that is ingrained in those of us who were forced to go to church every Sunday.

Saint Catherine is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant comic book that tells the story of a young woman grappling with her personal beliefs and her relationship with her mother’s steadfast religious views. Through its heartfelt narrative and breathtaking art, the story explores themes of individuality, family dynamics, and spiritual self-discovery in a way that feels deeply personal and universally relatable.

At its core, the comic captures the tension of carving out one’s identity in the shadow of familial expectations. The protagonist’s journey to develop her own ideas about religion—and her struggle to communicate them to her mother—is handled with nuance and authenticity. The mother-daughter dynamic is a key strength of the story, presenting the mother as a figure of unshakable faith and the protagonist as a young woman tentatively navigating her own spiritual path. Their interactions, often fraught with unspoken emotions, will resonate with readers who have faced similar generational or ideological divides.

What truly sets Saint Catherine apart is its masterful use of art to amplify the emotional weight of the story. The visuals are richly symbolic, with the artist using color, texture, and composition to mirror the protagonist’s internal struggles. Warm tones dominate scenes tied to tradition and familial comfort, while cooler, muted hues reflect moments of doubt and introspection. The interplay of light and shadow is particularly striking, with glowing, serene imagery accompanying the mother’s presence and darker, more fragmented visuals illustrating the protagonist’s uncertainty.

Panel layouts shift dynamically throughout the book, alternating between structured grids that echo stability and fluid, abstract designs that evoke emotional turbulence. This approach draws readers deeper into the protagonist’s world, making her inner conflicts feel immediate and tangible. The incorporation of religious motifs—such as candles, stained glass, and open skies—is both subtle and powerful, with their meanings evolving alongside the protagonist’s journey.

The dialogue and pacing also deserve praise. The story deftly balances heavy themes with moments of quiet reflection, ensuring the emotional depth never feels overwhelming or didactic. Instead, it invites readers to engage with the complex interplay of faith, love, and self-definition at their own pace.

In combining poignant storytelling with evocative artwork, Saint Catherine offers an unforgettable reading experience. It is a story about growth, courage, and the complicated love that binds families together, even in moments of discord. Whether you’re drawn to its exploration of identity or its breathtaking visuals, Saint Catherine is a must-read for anyone who appreciates comics that challenge and inspire.

While this wasn’t what I totally expected, I still had a fun time. I enjoyed the art and think a lot of people will also have a good time with this one.