A humble immortal vampiric character called Amara is up against it – the pharmaceutical company paying her a ridiculous stipend for genetic samples to work on cellular regeneration drugs have convinced themselves to get a whole lot more heavy-handed, and the religious nutjobs that have trailed her throughout the centuries are closing in. And all she wants to do is bond with the woman next door over her French bulldog, and have the typical Miami retirement.

It's undeniable that we've seen so much of this before. The melancholic vampire, talking of "[t]he price I've paid so that I could live", the last of the vampires, the medical science of vampirism, the lesbian vampire. But we do seldom get it all in one pudding, along with the way that blood doesn't need to be consumed here, for Amara can regain her life energies just through simple touch. And generally it's all done well, with a freshness and the necessary brio to combine all these old tropes together. It's not perfect – the way the girlfriend gets out of the hands of the Hound is just risible – but generally this is done well enough. No classic, it's about four stars for me, as a light genre read.

Soul Taker was a really well done graphic novel/comic. We follow Amara the last of her kind as a "soul taker" there's another word for it but this explains it better. She's made a deal with a pharmaceutical company to live quite comfortably but things go wrong and not only is she being chased by them but a group from her past. I liked the illustrations and look forward to reading more in this world/series.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Unfortunately I dnfed this one it wasn't quite my vibe. This is by no means a sign that this is bad or anything like that it just wasn't quite for me. I might try it again in the future since this could just be that I wasn't in the mood but for now I will be putting this book on hold.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a fast-paced, pretty interesting take on the classic vampire story. While the main plot did not feel terribly new (I mean, how many times have you seen vampire vs. religious vampire hunter stories?) there were some interesting elements added to that, like the alchemist seeking immortality and the hunters having humanoid hounds to help them hunt down their prey. I'm also a fan of the queer representation!

I was honestly not the biggest fan of the art style. Amara's design in particular did not seem very consistent from panel to panel. Despite this, I would like to continue reading the comic!

Was not a fan of this story at all. It’s certainly not horrible but it’s definitely not to my taste. At no point was I really intrigued to see what would happen next and I dunno if that because parts of the story feel overdone and convoluted. But probably the big reason is because there’s a lack of context. You get trickles of the history throughout but genuinely that’s way more intriguing than the current day timeline. Also we needed more descriptions of the various monsters. We kinda get the gist of everything but that’s it. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

First a BIG thank you to NetGalley, the Author and the Publisher for this ARC.

This is NOT what I expected.
Not that I read what it was about. I just went for the cover.

So the art style is not the style I would usually go for and it took some getting used to.
But the story is good. Definitely interesting and not as I expected.
I like the "crusading/witch-hunt" they imbedded in the story although I s till have a lot of questions that need answering.
But I will wait for the next volume.

First, my thanks to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for the eARC copy. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

In Soul taker we meet Amarantha, an immortal creature that lives off the energy force of others. She can pass for human, looking like an old woman and trying to live under her own rules without attracting attention to herself, for she thinks that enemies from her past may still be haunting her down, though she swears she killed them all in the past, when she became the last one of her kind.

I have mixed feelings about Soul taker. Which is something I feel I'm saying about everything that I'm reviewing lately😂 Unfortunately, it is true. With Soul Taker it was because of how the story was told, being a little unbelievable even for a fantasy tale and the characters, their portrayal and development through this first volume, that, if I'm correct, compiles issues 1 to 6, so it is quite the glimpse of the story we get.

So, we start seeing Amara's calm life in the present, with her best friend and a quite boring (compare to her previous) life at the retirement community she lives at. Quite the dream for someone like her that has spent most of her immortal life been hunted and losing loved ones. And, now, that has ended, she's made friends and even found a new possible romantic partner: said best friend. Who is a woman. I want to mention that, because something I can give Soul Taker is originality in its protagonist: a looking-older woman who is attracted to other women, which is something that is not seem much is thy type of more fantastical comics that deal with immortality and/or supernatural forces. So that's a point in favor of this comic.

Anyway, that's he context Amara live in. Until two things occur: her old enemies, who call themselves the Venatori and are a combination of knight templars bring to the modern world, find her out and send one of them to finally kill her for good and end her kind; and, a pharmacist company gets interested in her, offering to work together to replicate her immortality, which she refuses, 'cause it would alter her peaceful life.

With all that, I think the problem was the structure of the telling events, and the characters themselves. Some times, some thing would be mentioned that pointed to Amarantha's past, and a flashback would get inserted, either a bit before or a bit after that thing got relevant to us, so it could get explained, or we could get a grasp of who some other characters related to Amara where. In my opinion, a couple flashbacks felt force to explain a future character's presence, which I feel could have been done later in the story, when the character have got already revealed in the present and we have been wandering for a few pages what type of relationship these two share; I like to keep the tension going for as long as possible, without overdoing it. And I mention this, because it was what was done with another character, and I think that was well-done; someone that appears to Amarantha as a ghost of her past, and we wonder, until it is finally revealed who she is and what kind of relationship they shared and if your theories are right or wrong.
Maybe other people like it the other way around, to be given the flashbacks first so they know who the characters are when they finally appear, which is completely find. But I like mystery in fantastic tales like the one Soul Taker presents to us, I like making theories and been given bread crumbs little by little until we have all the puzzle pieces and can see the whole picture at the end.

I think this ties with my lack of attachment to Amarantha, so of course I would not care much about her past and whatever characters she has met. Really, by the end of the comic I was only hoping that her friend-turned-romantic-partner would survive the imminent slaughter; the rest of the cast, not so much. Even the Venatori didn't feel that defined; they look and act like the typical villainous group that is hunting down a group of magical creatures/people who they've deemed the monster of the story because...yes? Though Amara makes a point of not consuming too much life force from one person so not to kill them. And the pharmacist that is also following her didn't feel like too much of a threat, even thought I feel like it should have, because they want a youth serum (make through experimenting on Amarantha) for their CEO, who's dying, but the urgency was never felt.

It all felt flat for me. Like, sure, things are happening, Amarantha is reacting to them, and she only makes a decision at the end, when she's cornered. That's probably why I only liked the end too well, because we finally see Amarantha make an active choice for her life, instead of letting her enemies reach and having to defend herself in the battle.

Finally, I want to talk about the art, which I think is something worth mentioning when reading a comic. And that's it, really, common "comic art", not so much detailed, well-colored I'll admit, blending warms with colds to give the sensation of Amarantha hiding something and not being quite human as the people surrounding her, for example. But, it wasn't something I haven't seen before, though it was definitely better than others. I'm going to give a point in the art segment to the issue covers and the extra art at the end of the file: those were gorgeous and kept me staring at them for a while. My congratulations for the artist(s).

To sum up: the premise sounded good, but the deliverance of it wasn't too much different to other things I've read within the genre. At first, it kind or reminded me of The Old Guard: immortal people trying to life under their own rules, except, unlike the Old Guard, Amarantha isn't too up for helping others, but at least she doesn't go around murdering masses, so that's something. And the stories differ, obviously. But, I think, that if you like the Old Guard, the exploration of immortality and an original protagonist to all these mysteries, I think you can like Soul Taker.

And the end definitely calls for a continuation, because that cliffhanger was criminal!

Dark and weird, but I dig it. I love the idea of a vampire-esque immortal who lives in a retirement home and hangs out with old people because these are the only folks old enough to relate to in life. It's sad that our lead is the only one left, and I am curious if we will ever find another enclave of her people or if she'll find out how to procreate somehow? It's a very interesting story.

"Soul Taker" is an action oriented urban fantasy graphic novel featuring an intelligent, likeable and mature female protagonist. The book starts with a bang and the initial premise is promising with some glimmers of originality. However, the book quickly bogs down with a tangled plot involving a soulless pharmaceutical company questing for the secrets of immortality and a secret militant Catholic organization that even Dan Brown would find implausible. The result is a book that falls far short of its potential and never quite takes off.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Mad Cave Studios, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, and Jeannine Acheson for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love the supernatural? Pondered over immortality? This is the book for you, as we follow Amarantha on her journey we get to see many engaging characters through several different artists views, Soul Taker is an excellent book, slightly confusing at times but otherwise good fun and I look forward to picking up more by this author.

Amarantha has lived a thousand years, thanks to her ability to regenerate by feeding the life energy of humans, though these days she looks like a sprite older lady. There used to be a whole race of her people, but she’s the last one, thanks to special hunters set on them by the Church. And they’ve not given up killing her too.

She’s also given grief by a pharmaseutical company that wants to use her body to create a youth serum. More urgently, something to save their old CEO before he dies of old age.

All Amarantha wants is to live in peace in her retirement home in Miami, maybe start a romance with the nice lady next door. But her enemies land on her, putting her friends in danger—again.

This was a good story, if a tad confusing with all the players and the history bits. Art was full colour with large panels, but artists changed in every chapter and I liked some more than others. The story ends with a cliffhanger, but I’m not sure I’d continue with this.

‘Soul Taker’ delivers a compelling mix of horror, intrigue, and just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the darker elements. It’s an engaging read with a fascinating protagonist and an eerie atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While the setting wasn’t as immersive as I would have liked, the strong character development and striking illustrations made up for it.

Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged, blending mystery, supernatural elements, and romance in a well-paced narrative. There’s a solid balance between the dark and tender moments, making it an enjoyable read for those who like a touch of the macabre alongside their intrigue. Some aspects felt a little predictable, but the execution was strong enough to keep me invested.

Character: ★★★★☆
Amarantha is a refreshing protagonist - complex, determined, and distinct from the usual heroines in the genre. She has a depth that makes her feel real, and her interactions with other characters add layers to the story. The supporting cast is also well-developed, though I would have liked to see some of them explored further. The relationships, both tense and tender, add weight to the story and keep the emotional stakes high.

Setting: ★★★☆☆
While the setting contributed to the book’s eerie, supernatural vibe, it didn’t feel quite as immersive as the plot and characters. There were moments where I wanted more from it to truly sink into the world, but overall, it did its job in setting the tone. It provided enough of a foundation for the story’s events, though I felt like it could have been pushed further to truly bring the world to life.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations were truly wonderful, really elevating the horror/fantasy vibes of the book. They added an extra layer of atmosphere, making certain moments even more striking. The art style fit well with the tone of the story and helped bring the characters and supernatural elements to life in a way that words alone wouldn’t have fully captured.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
I found myself drawn into the story fairly quickly, and the mix of tension and emotional depth kept me reading. There were a few moments where the pacing slowed a little too much, but for the most part, the book held my attention well. The combination of supernatural intrigue and character-driven storytelling made it easy to stay invested.

Readability: ★★★★☆
The writing style was smooth and easy to follow, with strong pacing and dialogue that felt natural. There were a few areas where I would have liked more, especially in terms of the illustrations of the setting, but overall, it was a well-written and accessible read. The balance between action, introspection, and dialogue kept things moving at a good pace.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
I really enjoyed this book! The mix of dark fantasy, horror, and romance made for a compelling read, and the illustrations were fabulous. While there were areas I would have liked to see expanded upon, the overall experience was satisfying. Fans of supernatural intrigue with a touch of romance will likely find this an enjoyable and engaging read.

‘Soul Taker’ is a well-crafted supernatural story with a strong protagonist, a solid plot, and a great mix of tension and emotion. While the setting could have been more immersive, the illustrations and character depth made up for it. Definitely a worthwhile read for those who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of romance and eerie vibes.

This comic attempts to answer the question of what would life be like for an immortal? Is immortality a life worth striving to achieve? Amarantha has been hunted down over the centuries by a cult trying to find the secret of her immortality. She thought she had fought off the last of them years ago, but her relative peaceful life is turned upside down by the cult once more.

Over the centuries Amarantha has experienced loss after loss and she is willing to give anything to protect herself from experiencing that level of pain again.

This was an action-packed and interesting comic that held my attention from beginning to end. Amarantha is an interesting and badass character who has experienced multiple lifetimes worth of hardships.

Soul Taker contains beautiful art and a story that switches between the past and present to tell the story of an immortal. I enjoyed my time with it from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mad Cave Studios, and Jeannine Acheson for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

It's never a dull day in the retirement community for Amarantha ("Amara"), a centuries-old lost species who siphons life energy from humans between sleeping with one eye open and flirting with her neighbor. Though she's content to plan surprise parties and visit with the other old folk, enemies new and old have a bone to pick with her (her bones, mostly), and Amara must keep her wits and claws sharp if she wants to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to destroy her while also staying under the radar and keeping her sanity (never mind the ghost who pops up to speak with her at inopportune times).

This was an interesting take on a skinwalker-type ghoulie, and I will be keeping my eye out for the next installment in this series for sure. Amara's lore as a parallel species to humans; the element of church persecution, secret societies, and ancient Knights Templar-like societies with really loose morals; the interplay of immortality among all parties, not just Amara; and the idea of a centuries-old being blending in seamlessly with an ever-changing society while also being on the run for hundreds of years of her life were all cool elements to this story. I also like that Amara is a really interesting blend of morally grey monster and also a bit of your average person - she doesn't go out of her way to cause trouble and avoids killing when she can, but she's a survivor so she's not afraid of carnage when it's called for. Couple that with having an elderly (this isn't your mom's 3,000-year-old-diety-in-the-body-of-a-10-year-old story, Amara lives in a retirement community and looks like she belongs there) and queer protagonist and you've got the makings of a series that will one day be a cool movie if picked up by the right producer.

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

This was a very interesting graphic novel! I love the idea of and older gay women fighting back against the church. I also love the idea of zombie priest warriors. The art for this story was alright, I think I liked some of the cover art more than the actual art for the story but I still enjoyed it regardless. I'm interested in reading more!

A story about an immortal psychic vampire who is hunted by the Venatori, an ancient Catholic sect of warriors. I've seen a variation of this story a lot of times before. It's fine. I hate how it ended in the middle of the story though. With these new titles from smaller publishers you need to have a series of well-defined arcs in case of cancellation so you have a complete story. This ending was pretty frustrating.

4⭐
Amarantha - the last of an ancient, immortal species that thrives on the feeding of the life energies of humanity - thought she had killed the last of her enemies and has been living her best, peaceful life in a retirement home. That was until they started hunting her again!

ATE THIS UP! The art was absolutely vibrant, and loved how the colours corresponded to the time periods. It kept my eyes completely entranced - love!

Need the next one ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Soul Taker by Jeannine Acheson and Thomas E. Sniegoski.

This fast-paced graphic novel follows an ancient soul-feeder who’s been living in hiding for centuries named Amarantha. This character now lives in a retirement community, trying to set down roots in this phase of her life. Meanwhile, some very old enemies are lurking in the darkness to kill the final "monster" of her kind.

My favourite part of this story is that the main character is NOT an 18/19 year-old styled character, and that the underlying love story brings representation to aging adults. I enjoyed the art style - especially the artwork found at the end, past the cliff hanger ending.

Rating: 3 1/2⭐️, rounded up to 4

This comic is about a woman named Amara who has supernatural abilities to drain people's lifeforce to keep her alive and sustain her own life—able to live for thousands of years—like an energy vampire. Her species is called the Nehmer.

Thousands of years prior, when dead bodies were found drained of their life force, the church sent forth specially trained knights that fought the supernatural, called the Venatori, to hunt and exterminate the Nehmer believing it to have been them killing innocent humans. Now Amara is the last of her kind and on the run.

There is a lot of fighting, bloodshed, and action that happens really quickly at the beginning of the story. With this story only being 162 pages, there was a lot of backstory and information that gets thrown at you so you understand Amara's past and what's happening in the present. Most of the beginning is spent in flashbacks so you learn Amara's history. It was told in such a way that didn't feel rushed, however, and it was an overall okay story if you're into action and fighting.

This book had a good story and a good art style. I would read the next instalment in the series to find out what happens!

First of all I'd like to thank NetGalley for this ARC.

Overall I enjoyed the narrative, is really fast paced and I enjoyed the characters and how they were built.
However, I believe the story can get a bit confusing and hard to understand. Nonetheless, this was very enjoyable, the concept was well created and new. I enjoyed the criticism present and I do believe the second one will bring more clarifications to the plot.
I think a bit more context would've been useful to better understand the story line and understand the characters dynamics, It felt a bit confusing the changes between Amarantha and the characters in Italy. However, almost near the end point this gets clearer.

Final rate: 3,5 stars