Wow. The second volume of Monstress was better— more gripping, more intense— than the first, and that one was excellent. The world Marjorie Liu has created is the most detailed and intricate I have yet encountered in a graphic novel. And it is gloriously illustrated by the incredible art of Sana Takeda, who, between the first two volumes of Monstress I have completed, is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite comic artists. Monstress is a gorgeous, sweepingly epic dark fantasy graphic novel absolutely unlike anything else I have read.The worldbuilding is on a level one might expect from a doorstopper of an epic fantasy novel. There are so many different factions, so much history. Every little detail feels well thought out and filled with intention. Nothing feels like throw away information or extraneous material. The plot is rife with dangerous alliances & political rivalries, populated with betrayals and reveals that will leave you gasping. And there is still so much that we the readers— and the main characters — have yet to understand. The author has done an excellent job of doling out any and all relevant information bit by precious bit, filling in just enough as it is needed to understand the story. While some readers might become lost or overwhelmed by the density of the worldbuilding, I feel many others— myself included— will throw themselves into the story with abandon & thoroughly enjoy the immersive intricacy of this world.I am a huge fan of political intrigue in my fantasy, but I don't think I've ever seen it done quite so well in a graphic novel. There are numerous different races and factions, mostly with conflicting desires and ancient rivalries. Each faction has its own rich backstory, which we learn more about in every subsequent issue. They are each driven by their own detailed motivations, many of which we the reader do not fully understand— yet. And all of these factions are walking a fine line of threads as fragile and tangled as a spider's web. With every kernel of additional history or knowledge revealed, the story becomes more complex and more gripping. I am absolutely absorbed by it. I couldn't put this volume down and read it all the way through in one sitting.The characters are as vivid and fascinating as the world they populate. The MC, Maika Halfwolf, is a young, beautifully flawed protagonist on a search to discover who she is, and perhaps more importantly, WHY she is the way she is. She is fighting a battle with herself while on the run from several different factions, each of which want her— and the power she possesses— for their own purposes. Not knowing where to turn or who to trust, Maika struggles through her world with two companions: the adorable fox Arcanic child, Kippa, who has untapped potential of her own & is determined to accompany Maika on her quest, despite the danger to herself; and Master Ren, a two tailed orange tabby cat Nekomancer (no, that's not a typo— its cat magic!) who made a promise to protect Maika but with whom Maika shares only an uneasy trust.Characters and world alike are brought to brilliant life in each striking, colorful panel. The art is some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen. There is an almost dreamlike watercolor feel to some parts, while others are crisp & elaborate. The best way I can describe the overall vibe of the work is art nouveau meets steampunk meets Japanese anime. Takeda's artwork is both like and yet unlike each of those styles, combining the best of each into something beautiful, unique, and charming. The art could not be more perfect for portraying a world of such dazzling fantasy. Every single panel takes my breath away. While reading, I frequently paused just to study individual panels, to take in every miniscule detail of each picturesque landscape or baroque cityscape.The characters are just as dynamic as the world they populate. Each character is depicted as a completely distinct individual; I have not once had difficulty determining who I was looking at, despite the vast variety of characters! I absolutely adore the complex diversity of races portrayed: from ordinary humans & the human-like witches; to half-human, half-animal Arcanics; to the anthropomorphic Ancients; multi-tailed cat warriors, scholars, & sorcerers of all shapes and colors; to— perhaps my favorite— the eldritch, Lovecraftian monstrosities known as the old gods, all which seem to possess an alarming number of enormous eyes & considerably more than the average amount of extremities. All are rendered in delightfully exquisite, lifelike detail.While I could probably gush about Monstress for another 5 or 6 paragraphs, the bottom line is that this graphic novel is absolutely magnificent. I'm astounded by the artistry of every element of the volumes I have read so far. I was highly impressed with volume 1, but volume 2 was even more remarkable. I have a feeling this is a trend that will continue, that the deeper I dive into this world, the more of a hold it will have over me. I absolutely recommend you pick up the first volume at your earliest opportunity— or, if you're on the fence, the first issue is available for free on Kindle, so you can read it and decide if it's for you before committing! I am so grateful I decided to purchase the physical version, because I feel like art this spectacular ought to be digested in person. If you are a fan of epic fantasies that feature complex, realistically flawed characters wandering vast, elaborate worlds while attempting to unravel the mysteries of the universe, then Monstress is definitely the graphic novel for you! Happy reading!