I actually really ended up enjoying this, in the end it gets 4 stars but for most of the story things were floating around in the 3 star category. The art itself is not particularly endearing or aesthetically pleasing, it's very basic, with the sort of cartoon characters we've all seen 100 times before, nothing unique or particularly appealing about the art, the color scheme of black/orange/peach/various shades of pink b& orange isn't something that especially appeals to me either which is why I wasn't sure if I would end up liking it, but I'm glad I kept on reading because the story ended up getting it's hooks in me and making it worth reading. It was the nuances of the MC's life that really made for a good story, by the end I was really invested.

Sweet graphic novel about a young woman negotiating her relationship with catholicism. Nice artwork and realistic characters made this an enjoyable story. Thank you NetGalley and 23rd Street Books for the ARC.

It wasn't quite what I expected. I thought the graphic novel would be more focused on horror, but it ended up being a mix of horror and a look into Catherine's mind.
Just like Catherine, I went to church every Sunday unless I was sick, and I feared what might happen if I didn't go. This story hit close to home, and I greatly enjoyed it! The story follows Catherine when she decides to skip mass to spend time with her boyfriend then after that moment she starts experiencing a demon. Well, not just one demon "You're currently hosting my twenty-seven legions of hell". She's freaking out, and thinks her world is ending! This is an interesting one that gets you to think but the storyline isn't exactly what I expected. However, the ending is good! The ending made me happy!
The graphics were good, and the characters were really neat! This is overall a good graphic novel with a story that I not only enjoyed but could relate to as well! Thank you Netgalley and 23rd Street Books for the opportunity to read and review this one! It was an exciting treat!

This is a charming story that delves into feelings of religious guilt as the main character, Catherine, questions her faith after missing Mass for the first time in her life. It’s a quick and enjoyable read with excellent artwork.

This was a great depiction of religious trauma mixed with self doubt and emotions. I loved that the reader was constantly questioning whether the demon was real or not. This story is great for anyone in that stage in their 20s where they are trying to figure out their life.

"A relatable adult graphic novel about a woman who skips Sunday mass for the first time in her life only to discover she's possibly being possessed by a demon." I mean, that really sums it up, doesn't it?

I loved the art style and storytelling in this graphic novel. The personification of Catherine's inner demons was incredibly effective and delightful storytelling, creating a sort of cozy horror environment that I didn't know was possible. While I think this is likely to feel especially poignant to lapsed Catholics and potentially other former religious folks, I think that even those without religious trauma can likely relate to the feeling of being followed by your choices. And honestly, pretty cute demon, actually. Totally readable in one sitting and covering some pretty hefty topics in a pretty adorable way, I think this one is going to be great for a lot of people.

This was a cute little story! the art style was impeccable. I think this was a cool way to tackle a lot of hard topics.

Anna Meyer is an author, designer and comic artist living in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from the midwest, Anna went to a two-year design school in Lakewood, Ohio where she received her associate degree in graphic design. She has over eleven years of professional design experience as both a senior designer and a design manager. She has been drawing and making comics ever since she could hold a pencil. Anna’s debut graphic novel is Saint Catherine.

Saint Catherine focuses on Catherine, a 20-something woman who is caught up in the world of urban living. While she juggles friendships, life, work, relationships, and more, her certainty, her one faith, is that if she skips mass, something bad will happen to her. When she finally does skip mass for the first time, she is possessed by a demon. Not a guilt or shame demon, but a real-life, black oil slick of a demon that haunts her day and night.

Saint Catherine is an interesting novel. It very much reads like a coming-of-age story, but the fears involved with maturing and living on one’s own, separating oneself from one’s family and traditions, and simply wrestling with the complexities of the world are turned into actual horrors. While the demon may or may not be metaphorical, for our protagonist, it is quite real, quite visceral, and does quite a lot of damage to her life before she’s able to come to terms with it.

While this is certainly a graphic novel that adults will want to read, older YA audiences might find something here as well, so this could absolutely be a good intro novel into demon horror. There’s nothing too horrific that will scare audiences, but the demon is problematic and threatening, so the tension and fear are still high. Furthermore, anyone with a conservative religious background will be able to identify with the character and her internal struggles. This is a really strong debut graphic novel, and Meyer is a new author to keep an eye out for.

What a delight! Catherine is so relatable in so many ways as someone who also considers themselves a recovering Catholic. The Catholic guilt will get you even when you have stopped going to church for well over a decade! This graphic novel was fun and funny while also being deep. Catherine is flawed but she grows and that is what makes her feel real. Her inner demons being actual demons really works here and the art style is eye-catching. I highly recommend this one to people who were raised in organized religion and grew out of that belief and lifestyle. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

As someone who grew up in a religious household and has struggled with the same guilt and shame that Catherine expresses in this graphic novel, I felt so seen and understood. The artwork is beautiful and clever with its visual storytelling. The plot overall is engaging and clever, a lot of the dialogue actually had me chuckling as well.

I loved Saint Catherine! I loved the theme of religion being something that can cause distress and guilt over being "good". I loved the illustrations and the friends/side characters were believable.

Saint Catherine is a lovely graphic novel about a 20-something woman who is going about her normal life - she has beautiful friendships, a job she doesn't like, a caring boyfriend, a slightly overbearing mom, and a weekly ritual of going to mass on Sunday - until one Sunday she doesn't go.
After a series of seemingly inconsequential events, she becomes possessed by demons from hell.
This graphic novel is lovingly observant to real life - in both the artwork, which features details like earrings on the side table, and the writing, with moments like Catherine explaining how she wanted blonde highlights when she was thirteen. It's details like these that get you so invested in her story.
This story is about guilt, lies, and being a human with Catholicism inextricably woven into one's life.
Loved the character Manolo!
Some elements of the story feel slightly unresolved, but in that way it feels true to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Like Catherine, I grew up in a religious household. I struggled for years with that overwhelming/ all consuming guilt about every decision and thought I was making/having. Becoming an adult and determining what you want your life to look like outside of religion and the way you were raised can be tough— especially when that religion was used as a weapon to keep you quiet and obedient. Anna did a wonderful job of showing what some of that inner turmoil can be like— even manifesting that guilt etc into a demon.

Saint Catherine tells the story of Catherine, a recovering Catholic. She's an adult now, but one thing she hasn't been able to shake is going to Mass every Sunday, fearing something bad will happen if she skips it. Eventually, she reveals her secret to her boyfriend, who convinces her to go to the beach with him that Sunday instead. The two explore an abandoned church together and after falling off the altar, Catherine starts to be followed around by a demon, who claims to be a prince of hell. As time goes on and the demon stays with her, Catherine does everything she can to try to deal with the fear and the guilt that her upbringing has left her with.

I really loved this graphic novel. The artwork and colors were beautiful, the characters were all unique and interesting, and the demon was actually quite cute all things considered. I found the story really interesting, it obviously deals a lot with Catholic guilt, which I don't often read about. Even for nonreligious readers, I think they will be able to relate to Catherine's struggles. This is a great one for anyone looking for a new adult coming of age story with beautiful artwork.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

This graphic novel follows our main character, who skips Sunday mass for the first time. It explores guilt and faith. I like the book's art style. I completed it in one sitting.

🖤♦️Don't forget to go to mass♦️🖤

This was a fun, cozy horror and extremely relatable read that was beautifully illustrated!

Being raised in the Catholic church, with nearly mirror beliefs, I could see myself in Cat's shoes when navigating the modern world, when your own personal beliefs and values are pinned against the expectations that your parents had for you, and although my demons and Cat's demons are no where near the same, I resonated with them.

I devour this one in one sitting. It kept me engaged and entertained, wishing there were more.

I recommend this to anyone who has struggled between living the life they created for themselves vs. the life your parents wanted for yourself. (I know a little too intense, but in a cozy horror kinda way)

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Saint Catherine is a graphic novel about overcoming religious trauma. Catherine is feeling guilty for missing her first mass and winds up possessed by demons. We get to know her friends, boyfriend, and ex, and see the fracture between her childhood and adult life. I really enjoyed the art style, and how the story resolved as well as its commentary on the catholic church. Thanks to First Second and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book as an ARC! I greatly appreciate it!

I've been on a weird graphic novel kick lately, so I thought I'd give this a shot! It wasn't quite what I expected, as the cover makes it seem more horror-leaning than it actually is, but I had a good time with it. It was an interesting take on Catholic guilt.

Three-and-a-half stars to Saint Catherine!

Saint Catherine is a unique graphic novel about catholic guilt and recognizing the difference between making a bad decision and being a bad person. I really enjoyed the art style and art work. I wish we got more of a conclusion to one aspect of the story- the ending is the only area where this graphic novel fell a little flat for me. Four stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Saint Catherine!

Excellent and a little heartbreaking. I like that most ages could read this book and take something from it. Not what I was expecting, but not in a bad way- this story makes you think more than it scares you.

I received this ARC for free and I’m leaving a review of my own volition.