I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this and have read it three times since then. As with most graphic novels it is a quick read but one that has been sitting on my mind in the best way. As someone who grew up religious and feels very comfortable in my relation to it I truly appreciate how easily the author demonstrates religious trauma, How approachable the story and theme is doesn't take away from the impact at all though, instead adding to it. Anna does a fantastic job balancing the seriousness of the subject matter and Catherine's various failing relationships with a sort of tongue in cheek comedy from the demons that are possessing her. I also appreciated how she choose to make the demons usually small, cute, and quippy with them only occasionally becoming towering beasts that she fears. It helps paint the contract to how Catholicism was a byline constant in her life that she could roll with until it became a larger issue. The artwork complimented the story well and was visually engaging with background varying in level of details depending on where the attention should be drawn. Aside from the stories the characters were all believable and relatable if not as flushed out as the could have been, which is understandable in the restraints of a shorter graphic novel. Anna does a good job switching between Catharine's past and present without confusing the reader adding a dynamic level to the story telling as well. The ending is the only thing keeping me from giving the book a 5/5. While I do appreciate how it calls back to a scene early in the book it still felt slightly anti climatic and that it didn't quite fit into the dramatic build up that it was following. It wasn't a bad ending it just felt too convenient and easy for what the story deserved.

Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer was extremely interesting. In it (not a spoiler because it’s in the description), Catherine is possessed by a demon after not attending Sunday mass for the first time in her life. I really appreciated the humor that the demon provided. It reminded me of Luci in the Netflix series Disenchantment (complete with being all black, humorous, and having one eye). I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but that does not deter me from giving this book five stars. Highly recommend it! Especially for those who enjoy a bit of humor dealing with religion.

A girl who was raised as an Irish American Catholic finds her life turned upside down when she skips Sunday mass for the first time and begins to think she is possessed by a demon. When your entire life is spent revolved around the being Catholic, it can be hard to separate. After moving out of her family house and living alone, she still has one rule: always attend Sunday mass. Yet when her boyfriend convinces her to skip....things take a turn for the worst as she begins to see a demon, a demon that only appears and talks to her... and she begins to question whether or not she is a good person and why she is condemned to hell. This was a really interesting story about what faith can do to a person and how it can warp our sense of morality. I liked reading the author's explanation and discussion of why they wrote this story and how it was inspired by their own experiences. It's definitely a good read for anyone who is separating from their religious upbringing.

Release Date: April 29,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and First Second Books | 23rd St. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*