Member Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars!
"You might be a talented exorcist, but talent doesn't mean shit if you can't remember the most basic rites!" - Sister Samson
Listen! Hot priests with full sleeves or full body tattoos that wield holy weapons. Oh, and many of them represent different flags from the LGBTQ+ community! Add in some cussing and "unholy" acts and well, we have our team.
Providence Church has a bit of a reputation amongst the other churches and it's not a good one. The church has been under suspicion for a while because of the groups' unorthodox methods. The Great Church is pressing in as Ezra and his team are trying to keep peace and save innocents. Ezra's a very skilled and gifted exorcist holding his own during combat. But his faith has been wavering. When given a mission to look out for someone he agrees only to find that this guy, who's the opposite of him in every way, may not be what he seems.
"I believe in demons, for I have seen them. I believe in angels, for I know them." - Ezra
The artwork gave me vibes of the manga "Solo Leveling". Just the style and the feels within the action scenes. There's a little bit of a slow build but we need that world building to understand the setting! Learning how the different churches conduct their work and exorcisms along with history of demons and how they came about.
I like how the priests of Providence Church aren't the strictly holy priest who don't delve into temptations. We do meet priests who are very devote and definitely cuddle with the Bible at night. Our group is very unique and interesting bunch. The fight scenes are fantastic, and I like how their uniforms are designed to help them get easy access to their tattoos. I kept thinking of Shura from "Blue Exorcist" and how she pulled her blades from markings on her body. Each exorcist having different weapons and angel patrons, so diverse skill sets that help aide one another.
Ezra believes in the angels and his covenants but his faith in God isn't there. He's struggling and there are hints of a dark past we will undoubtedly learn more about in later volumes. Ezra gets assigned a mission to find and protect a man. He did not expect to find Sunny so quickly and in his own college class!
I love that Sunny is the complete opposite of his name and of Ezra! He's a grumpy, goth, introvert who would rather avoid the sunshiny, golden retriever, but for some reason their paths keep crossing or lining up. Sunny's hiding something and doesn't want Ezra getting too close. The banter between them is funny and I feel like we will have a romance. It won't be the sole focus of the series or at least it's going to be a rather slow burn because the two really don't officially meet until the last quarter of the read.
This manga does have language, violence, and bloodshed. We get glimpses and hints at dark pasts for both MCs. Death is present in this read. We have a scene to understand how the tattoos are done and it isn't by a tattoo gun. Traditional tattoo styling.
I have to say my favorite character is Samson! Keeping Ezra in line while also having his back. I loved her attitude and just how she handled situations. Helping to also create great banter and comedy for the read when she's around Ezra. Pretty sure Samson just became another one of my book girlfriends! The main POV is Ezra's, but we do get a little of Sunny's POV. There's a cliffhanger and I am ready for the next volume!
Do enjoy the graphic novel with amazing fight scenes and unorthodox priests! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
A great graphic novel
I loved the art style and the story was easy to follow.
I’m intrigued where this will go
3.5 stars
If you like me grew up reading and watching a lot of Shonen like Bleach and Soul Eater, this book will be right up your alley. I think that there are elements of this book that could definitely appeal to folks that loved Gideon the Ninth. This first book isn't doing anything revolutionary plot wise, but I personally don't think that it needs to. What really shines for me is the world building and characters. The concept of tattooed queer priests fighting demons is so targeted at me that I probably would have given this a high rating based on vibes alone. I really enjoyed the core and supporting cast that was already established, especially Samson who I love. Overall, this book has a great setup for a slow burn romance and a fun action packed plot. I'm excited to see the progression of the story and might consider resurrecting my webtoon account to get caught up.
Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I loved the concept of non-religious based exorcists working with Gods to protect humanity from demons. I found the story fluid, intriguing and keeping me engaged. The illustrations were simple but impactful. The characters were not perfect hence they were relatable and loveable in their own ways. I can’t wait for the second volume!
DNF it at 35% for personal reasons
this title just wasn't quite for me but it really might be for you. I enjoyed the John Wick x Exorcist vibes and the absolutely stunning panels but there was just far too much discussion and orientation towards religion, no matter how much of it was irreverent. LOL
(+) queer characters, Vietnamese author
I loved this! I've never read the webtoons series so this was new to me and I'm hooked. It follows an exorcist who doesn't believe in God but believes in angels and demons because he's seen both, he's tasked with keeping a cute guy safe from demons who seem to follow him everywhere. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, Samson is definitely my favorite. The dynamics between the team and the genuine care they have to human life makes them a lot more enjoyable than the shady Great Church. I would read this again and again and all the rest because it has so many layers happening that makes you want to continue the series.
I need this book biblically (metaphorically and literally). This graphic novel has been on my watch list for months since I found out it was moving into a print format. I was so excited to get to read this because the concept behind it is utterly brilliant and the artwork is stunning.
I could not put this down once I started and I am so desperate for more. I am obsessed with this, literally cannot get enough of it.
Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
<i>My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Ezra is in religion studies. The studies-the-best-ways-to-vanquish-a-demon kind, not the writes-a-thesis-about-the-socioeconomic-impact-of-the-Reformation kind (well, kind of both, actually, but mostly the former). When not serving as the humankind's last line of defence against demons, he's basically a ray of sunshine or a labradoodle puppy in human form. He's tasked with protecting Sunny, the seemingly ordinary human facing a bad case of a demon infestation. The most important thing about Sunny is that he has the thoroughly misleading name ever.
The <i>Covenant, Vol. 1</i>, which collects episodes 1–18 of the original WEBTOON comic, covers the meet-cute part of what will eventually become a romance between them, because meet-cutes are supposed to come with a body count and a supernatural threat of a demonic war looming over the city.
While I like the wish-fulfillment fantasy where the Catholic church is an ~aesthetic~ demon-hunting order instead of a morally corrupt institution with a child abuse problem that sides with the perpetrators in pretty much every genocide happening on its doorstep, the world-building so far felt a tad thin on the ground and predictable (yes, of course the big church does not value puny individual human lives & that will generate the conflict that drives the plot, etc.). So was the characterization (of course, the character's prickly because of past trauma, etc.). Both the worldbuilding and the characterization will probably have a lot of room to develop and breathe in the next volumes, but I'm not sure if this one provided enough of a hook for me to keep reading. Plus I'm always curious about how page layout changes between its original web version and the book edition, and I think the webtoon version was more streamlined and dynamic, especially in the battle scenes.
To sum up, it's a fun and tropetastic read that I expected to like more than I actually did, but if it hits your laundry list of favourite tropes, it's entertaining and worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this novel!
I remember reading this on webtoon when it first came out. I ended up dropping it eventually (no idea why, probably just because I was trying to cut back on webcomics), but I decided I would try it again now that it is getting a print edition.
Storywise, I think it's fine. Even though this covers 18 episodes of the webcomic, it mostly felt like set up. I liked the characters well enough. As of now they are pretty one dimensional, but again, this kind of fits in with the "set up" vibe this volume gives. I don't really remember much about this story, but I have a feeling it will start to pick up in the next volume.
As for the art... it's fine, I guess? I don't know, I just thought the characters felt flat. I thought the drawings were done well, but they felt more like stagnant images more than comic panels, if that makes sense.
I was delighted to find out that the comic has been licensed for print publication. It's a story with a lot of potential and it deserves to have a print edition!
This first volume may seem like an information overload because this story has a lot of content and a lot of plot that needs to be understood to know how things work: angels, demons, exorcists from different conflicting churches, mana, etc.
Ezra is one of our MCs, an exorcist who, as a child, gained the support and blessing of the archangel Gabriel and whose purpose is to fight to help others, to protect those in need, and to save as many people as he can from demons. But God? As contradictory as it may seem, Ezra doesn't believe in God. Demons? He's seen them. Angels? He's met them. God? Not so much. But his conviction, his goal, is what drives him to continue his fight.
Then we have Sunny, a new guy at Ezra's university to whom Gabriel gives the task of protecting. Why does Sunny need protection? He doesn't know, but ignoring an archangel's mission is not an option, and Ezra will soon realize that something strange is happening with the boy and that different demons seem to be after him.
In this first volume, therefore, you can expect an introduction to a story that will be much larger and more complex, full of well-woven plot and varied and very interesting characters.
Additionally, in this first volume, we already get a first look at who will be some of the most important secondary characters in the story, as well as the camaraderie shared among the exorcists (at least those in the same church as our MC).
Do you like plots filled with demons, the struggle of good and evil, and two totally opposite characters who will embark on a slow journey toward love (slow, because this part of the plot takes its time; I warn you)? Then you have to check out this title.
Priests with holy tattoos battle supernatural demons!
I’ve been following LySandra Vuong on twitter for some time, and I’ve loved their priest art ever since. I jumped at the opportunity to get Covenant on NetGalley, and I’m glad I did! The story is fast and fun with plenty of action. The plot and dialogue may be simple, but it’s great for a quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC.
I always love binging webtoons!
I came across Covenant before but because my goldfish, dopamine-high brain was too distracted with Villainess manhwas I totally forgot about it!
I'm glad our paths crossed again. I wouldn't have know what I was missing
The art is gorgeous. Not exactly Long-strip manhwa-like (at least the orientation in my Netgalley shelf is square) but leans and takes after more on western style comics. Keep in mind though that it sounds and "moves" like an action manhwa, but the art has hints of western comics in it, as well as the humour.
I wasn't too attached to the characters because of their lack of bonding in the spotlight but I absolutely saw the potential between Ezra and Sunny. Shipped immediately.
The plot was kind of complicated... I was kind of detached to it. The first part was also info-dumping, which almost led me to DNF. I'm glad I didn't, the pay off is worth it!
Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the ARC!
Welcome to an amazing vision world. This is fine comics narrative and I hope there are many more print editions to come. Fantasy-infused and imaginative.
I am not sure how I feel about this series. I sometimes find that Webtoon comics do not translate very well. It feels very Wattpaddy to me and not in a good way. If it is available to read for free on Webtoons, I don't see the point in purchasing the physical copy.
3/5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing the advanced reader copy.
This graphic novel centers around a group of warriors who fight against the demonic and other supernatural beings in the name of the church and their angels. Interesting plot, great artwork. The story overall was nothing entirely too special, and it was fine. Honestly not usually my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it just fine. I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys graphic novels.
I was so excited to get this arc because the art looks absolutely stunning. However the dialect and story outside the drawings definitely lacked a bit for my taste :( I still think it was good but it is for sure more ya then new adult. thank you for the arc
3/5 stars
** I received a copy of this as an ARC through NetGalley! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m really excited to pick up the next volume! The characters are so much fun, and it’s jam packed with action. Wishing it was long is a great sign of a good story, and I could see this becoming an anime. I love Samson and Ezra’s dynamic, and the dynamic setting up for Ezra and Sunny—who I’m assuming are love interests? Me intrigued. Not only that but the magic system is super cool and easy to follow!
However do be mindful of heavy religious themes if you aren’t interested in that sort of stuff.
Stunning artwork with a darker storyline than I originally anticipated, loving the golden retriever and black cat trope and brilliant queer representation, my only complaint was the dialogue didn't seem to match the energy the art and storyline gave off, seemed a little immature compared to both, apart from that, I really enjoyed this and will be reading the next one
The first thing I have to say is that the art is absolutely beautiful, and probably one of the best features of the book.
The story presented has quite a few compelling aspects as well; the religious symbolism and the christian iconography were fun to spot in the art; it was packed with action sequences, which made it pretty fun to read; and the first glimpse we get of the characters is interesting enough to at least like them.
However, and this is the reason I deducted a star☆, the pacing was all over the place. It starts in the middle of the action, and you are expected to understand everything from the very beginning, which with the little info we have is basically impossible. Yes, you do, eventually, understand what's going on, but still, everything seems to go way too quickly.
I did like this first installment of the webtoon, and I am excited to read more about the characters and learn more about the story.
Let me start off by saying there were several aspects of this book I enjoyed. I loved the artwork - the book is absolutely stunning. I thought the use of Biblical mythology (literally speaking) was quite clever. It reminded me of several anime and manga series I've enjoyed, but felt unique. The author built suspense and opened a lot of doors to the point I could imagine this being a long running webtoon.
However, it was almost too much at once. The story at times felt disjointed, or characters were introduced without much explanation. I was left with more questions, few answers, and not much desire to go searching past Volume 1.
For those who may be curious, this is not a Christian graphic novel. It, like many anime and manga, pulls from Biblical mythology to lay a tentative foundation, and then the author creates the rest on their own. Do not go into this book expecting it to be theologically sound.
I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, but artwork and suspense weren't enough. I wish some of my questions, or even a few more characters had been introduced/ explained further.