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A Garden of Spheres #1
A Garden of Spheres, Volume 1
A new story from the multi Eisner-nominee, Angouleme Prix Revelation winner, and famous frog artist Linnea Sterte. The world of A Garden of Spheres is a unique vision unlike anything else, a massive unabashed fantasy spanning generations following an immortal demi-god of destruction wandering through a land of deities and dragons.
A Garden of Spheres (book 1) is 336 pages long, with duotone portions, and the other parts are probably the most stunning full color comics we've ever printed. This book is a once-in-a-generation kind of fantasy epic from a single creature that we rarely get in comics.
A Garden of Spheres (book 1) is 336 pages long, with duotone portions, and the other parts are probably the most stunning full color comics we've ever printed. This book is a once-in-a-generation kind of fantasy epic from a single creature that we rarely get in comics.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2025
10 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Linnea Sterte
15 books153 followersLinnea Sterte is a Swedish illustrator and comic book author. She gained international notoriety with her graphic novels Stages of Rot (2017) and A Frog in the Fall (2022). The latter book won the 'Prix Révélation' at the Angoulême Festival in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 21, 2026
Incredible, truly no notes. Eagerly awaiting Volume 2.
December 29, 2025
Linnea Sterte's Stages of Rot remains one of my all-time favorite graphic novels, so for the near future I'm bound to read any new work from her pen. The first volume of A Garden of Spheres is her longest work to date, and it's both wonderful and a bit frustrating.
On the wonderful side, her artwork is absolutely nonpareil. In the grand European tradition of the ligne claire, Sterte derives maximum visual impact from the smallest number of marks on the paper, focusing her efforts on shape over detail. Not a few comics artists use this approach, but Sterte is a true master on the level of Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius). It is a joy to flip through this book and get lost in the complete world that Sterte has created, with all of its broad horizons, crumbling ruins, and lush plant life.
On the frustrating side, Sterte has a tendency to render human faces in a repetitive manner, so that even male and female characters can be difficult to distinguish from each other in closeup, and many of the panels in A Garden of Spheres are focused tightly on faces. The problem disappears when characters are depicted with more than their faces showing, but Sterte's frequent use of "head shots" can make following the development of the narrative challenging at times.
That said, Linnea Sterte remains one of the most talented graphic artists working today, and this first volume of A Garden of Spheres is great stuff, even if it's not her best work to date. Despite my minor criticism above, I'm eagerly awaiting future volumes in this series.
On the wonderful side, her artwork is absolutely nonpareil. In the grand European tradition of the ligne claire, Sterte derives maximum visual impact from the smallest number of marks on the paper, focusing her efforts on shape over detail. Not a few comics artists use this approach, but Sterte is a true master on the level of Jean Giraud (aka Mœbius). It is a joy to flip through this book and get lost in the complete world that Sterte has created, with all of its broad horizons, crumbling ruins, and lush plant life.
On the frustrating side, Sterte has a tendency to render human faces in a repetitive manner, so that even male and female characters can be difficult to distinguish from each other in closeup, and many of the panels in A Garden of Spheres are focused tightly on faces. The problem disappears when characters are depicted with more than their faces showing, but Sterte's frequent use of "head shots" can make following the development of the narrative challenging at times.
That said, Linnea Sterte remains one of the most talented graphic artists working today, and this first volume of A Garden of Spheres is great stuff, even if it's not her best work to date. Despite my minor criticism above, I'm eagerly awaiting future volumes in this series.
December 28, 2025
Gorgeous, immersive, and mysterious. It felt right to take my time with this one and let all the details sink in. Already looking forward to the next installment.
February 3, 2026
On an alien planet gods are born from large, egg-like spheres scattered about the landscape. As these gods emerge, they create unique humanoid subjects to populate their domain, who often develop distinct abilities which mirror the deity that created them. Over the centuries, these factions of disparate species evolve their own cultures and begin to engage and conflict with each other. Amongst this dynamic, a new being is born that is not quite god nor subject and begins to wander the world in search of understanding and purpose.
My god this book is breathtaking. I'm an absolute sucker for Sterte's visual world building and she really took it to the next level in this. The diversity in locales and the depth of their realization builds significant immersion; chapters include seaside marshes, barren tundra, white sand beaches, dense jungles, pastoral plains, and intricate cityscapes reminiscent of Angkor Wat or Constantinople. This visual creativity extends to the huge cast of characters and cultures as well; from the vitiligo adorned winged humanoids to armor clad dragon riders and fashionable, cosmopolitan city dwellers. This book is a visual feast on every page, with the only real downside being the 30% or so of its contents that are in grayscale and don't benefit from the enchantingly desaturated color palette.
Beyond the stellar visuals, world building delivered via dialogue and narration is equally interesting but can be exceptionally dense. Once finished, this series definitely seems like it will benefit from multiple read throughs as the breadth of cultures, personalities, and gods is a hell of a lot to take in over a single pass. The fluid progression of time also adds to the complexity, with some chapters separated by decades and others by days as the stories themselves move at a deliberate yet dynamic pace. Lastly, the names of characters and the settings they occupy can also be exceedingly difficult to remember (so much so that I don't think I could tell you more than a couple names just a day after reading this).
While I'm absolutely hyped to see where this title goes, it does seem like the kind of series where each subsequent book will get harder to execute. Being the first entry, this volume can largely ride the promise of its huge world and the novelty of its introduced cultures / characters. Not to say that I would dislike the end product if that's all this series ends up being, as the world is simply enchanting, but if Sterte could execute a satisfying narrative with good character arcs this could be an all timer for me.
My god this book is breathtaking. I'm an absolute sucker for Sterte's visual world building and she really took it to the next level in this. The diversity in locales and the depth of their realization builds significant immersion; chapters include seaside marshes, barren tundra, white sand beaches, dense jungles, pastoral plains, and intricate cityscapes reminiscent of Angkor Wat or Constantinople. This visual creativity extends to the huge cast of characters and cultures as well; from the vitiligo adorned winged humanoids to armor clad dragon riders and fashionable, cosmopolitan city dwellers. This book is a visual feast on every page, with the only real downside being the 30% or so of its contents that are in grayscale and don't benefit from the enchantingly desaturated color palette.
Beyond the stellar visuals, world building delivered via dialogue and narration is equally interesting but can be exceptionally dense. Once finished, this series definitely seems like it will benefit from multiple read throughs as the breadth of cultures, personalities, and gods is a hell of a lot to take in over a single pass. The fluid progression of time also adds to the complexity, with some chapters separated by decades and others by days as the stories themselves move at a deliberate yet dynamic pace. Lastly, the names of characters and the settings they occupy can also be exceedingly difficult to remember (so much so that I don't think I could tell you more than a couple names just a day after reading this).
While I'm absolutely hyped to see where this title goes, it does seem like the kind of series where each subsequent book will get harder to execute. Being the first entry, this volume can largely ride the promise of its huge world and the novelty of its introduced cultures / characters. Not to say that I would dislike the end product if that's all this series ends up being, as the world is simply enchanting, but if Sterte could execute a satisfying narrative with good character arcs this could be an all timer for me.
February 6, 2026
I've followed Sterte online for many years. From early days on tumblr, marveling at their incredible drawing ability. A scratchy, confident line, that arcs out forms of vast landscapes, subtly expressive characters and ornate dress and vegetation. If you draw, you can learn a lot from a deep study of these lines.
But the tone, built out of rythmn and texture that comes from their understanding of comics. It's a tone I've found in Corto Maltese, in certain instances of Otomo's work, perhaps Daisuke Igarashi? (but here I'm less studied). Frankly I don't see the Moebius connection. Moebius was not much of a writer to me and he was moving too quickly to capture spaces, (or...dramatic spaces? Maybe he was bored of this from years of cowboy comics.) Its a boring occupation, to list these things but these are the closest off the cuff connections I can make to Sterte's 'tone'. Which is entirely her own. They are not a 'new artist', or an 'emerging' artist. Within this book is a visual and written language that has been studied and eeked out over more than a decade, its a work of great skill and accomplishment. Its a tone of airiness, of windiness. There is a delicate quality to it. A gentle touch. A light breeze even! And then the lines scatter, as like when one of the dragons shown within takes flight, the lines themselves seem to rearrange in a strong gust. It is so nice, after so long, to be able to take in a real big thick book of Sterte's work and think here we are at last!
I'd finally bought a book of theirs only a couple of years ago; Stages of Rot. Of which I'd seen so many peaks, glimpses from across their social media presence. And this book was a dream. Please check that out also.
But Garden of Spheres is another beast, a bigger beast! Here a ground work is being laid for a longer narrative that I hope Sterte is able to see through. A generational dynastic narrative, set in a world of alien biomes and metaphysics. The rules of which are flighty, as the land is kept in a way, by gods whose whims are mercurial at best.
If you like the worlds of Ursula Le Guin, or the weighty atmospheres of Hugo Pratt's characters I think you'd love this book and the promise it holds.
But the tone, built out of rythmn and texture that comes from their understanding of comics. It's a tone I've found in Corto Maltese, in certain instances of Otomo's work, perhaps Daisuke Igarashi? (but here I'm less studied). Frankly I don't see the Moebius connection. Moebius was not much of a writer to me and he was moving too quickly to capture spaces, (or...dramatic spaces? Maybe he was bored of this from years of cowboy comics.) Its a boring occupation, to list these things but these are the closest off the cuff connections I can make to Sterte's 'tone'. Which is entirely her own. They are not a 'new artist', or an 'emerging' artist. Within this book is a visual and written language that has been studied and eeked out over more than a decade, its a work of great skill and accomplishment. Its a tone of airiness, of windiness. There is a delicate quality to it. A gentle touch. A light breeze even! And then the lines scatter, as like when one of the dragons shown within takes flight, the lines themselves seem to rearrange in a strong gust. It is so nice, after so long, to be able to take in a real big thick book of Sterte's work and think here we are at last!
I'd finally bought a book of theirs only a couple of years ago; Stages of Rot. Of which I'd seen so many peaks, glimpses from across their social media presence. And this book was a dream. Please check that out also.
But Garden of Spheres is another beast, a bigger beast! Here a ground work is being laid for a longer narrative that I hope Sterte is able to see through. A generational dynastic narrative, set in a world of alien biomes and metaphysics. The rules of which are flighty, as the land is kept in a way, by gods whose whims are mercurial at best.
If you like the worlds of Ursula Le Guin, or the weighty atmospheres of Hugo Pratt's characters I think you'd love this book and the promise it holds.
January 30, 2026
Every single page of this book is so beautiful, it took me weeks to finish because I spent so much time soaking in each little detail. The world building is staggering and the story feels like it drifts through centuries of history with a meandering pace that lets you stop and enjoy the scenery, it's in no rush and I'm so happy let it lead me along. Each garden we visit feels so uniquely its own and so entrenched in the world at large, I think that's a hard balance to pull off and Sterte does an incredible job.
For all the impassive nature of certain gods in this world, there is a push and pull in the little perfect moments of humanity. The woman who stays behind with the dogs and the spirits, the dragon-rider carrying on generations of care for one dragon. Its beautiful world building at its finest--which is to say that the people make the world feel real, not just relying on the landscape to convey the world.
That being said, I'd recommend this book for the art alone, its just that incredible.
For all the impassive nature of certain gods in this world, there is a push and pull in the little perfect moments of humanity. The woman who stays behind with the dogs and the spirits, the dragon-rider carrying on generations of care for one dragon. Its beautiful world building at its finest--which is to say that the people make the world feel real, not just relying on the landscape to convey the world.
That being said, I'd recommend this book for the art alone, its just that incredible.
January 18, 2026
Another gorgeous, sprawling fantasy world created by Linnea Sterte. Worldbuilding told at a refreshingly slower pace than the mainstream and drawn absolutely beautifully.
Narrative momentum is very relaxed. The central character doesn't age. Years pass between chapters. Everything moves at a more natural pace, and the stories and characters in this book feel richer and truer to life because of it.
Sterte's art enthralls and is arguably the most critical aspect of her worldbuilding. Her world is never just a backdrop for character drama - it's always present and in contact with the characters, making everything feel realised and dimensional. Sterte keeps you immersed in these locations with gorgeous establishing shots and sequences and detailed vignettes. Every page is a feast.
A Garden of Spheres Book 1 reads to me a lot like The Fellowship of the Ring. Sterte has taken her time and given her fantasy world and characters ample real estate to be built up meticulously detail by detail. The world feels rich and established and I'm well and truly hooked.
Very invested in what's to come.
Narrative momentum is very relaxed. The central character doesn't age. Years pass between chapters. Everything moves at a more natural pace, and the stories and characters in this book feel richer and truer to life because of it.
Sterte's art enthralls and is arguably the most critical aspect of her worldbuilding. Her world is never just a backdrop for character drama - it's always present and in contact with the characters, making everything feel realised and dimensional. Sterte keeps you immersed in these locations with gorgeous establishing shots and sequences and detailed vignettes. Every page is a feast.
A Garden of Spheres Book 1 reads to me a lot like The Fellowship of the Ring. Sterte has taken her time and given her fantasy world and characters ample real estate to be built up meticulously detail by detail. The world feels rich and established and I'm well and truly hooked.
Very invested in what's to come.
January 27, 2026
Garden of Spheres is as much an environment as it is a narrative - porous, wild, and immersive. The illustrations are, of course, the focal point: both the colored and b&w sections are richly imagined. Often opaque upfront, they require study and emergent context to be fully parsed. The world-building carries quiet and otherworldly sensibilities that remind me a bit of Nausicaä or Angel’s Egg. This is at once Sterte’s loosest and most generous work to date.
January 28, 2026
I love the way Linnea Sterte draws plants and animals, especially those that don’t exist in our world, but look like they should. I’m not entirely sure what is going on in this wandering story, but this is a gorgeous and immersive world to look at. I plan to show this to nature and art loving friends who don’t read comics, in hopes of opening their eyes to what is possible in this medium, and hopefully making some converts.
January 27, 2026
moebius 🤝🏼 miyazaki
December 18, 2025
Stunning artwork from a master. Stages of Rot and A Frog in the Fall are both beautiful (I mean, Peow really put a package together!), and World Heist is an amazing piece of art, but rather hard to follow -- so I was really pleased that this book, which I've been reading in bits on Sterte's Patreon, works remarkably well as a narrative, if you let it.
It's very slow-moving, with various short story detours along the way, which mostly wind their way back to the central narrative soon enough.
But really, the artwork is sumptuous! The switches from black & white to exquisite colour are a wonder to experience, and the detail in these convincing, strange organisms is sensational.
It's got the feel of a far future that matches Clarke's maxim that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic... I'm not sure there's any way to class this as hard science fiction, but it has the "feel" of SF.
Cannot recommend highly enough - it's somewhere in the vicinity of Anders Nilsen's Tongues I, which is the greatest graphic novel (first half of) in the last couple of decades, so being nearby is high praise.
It's very slow-moving, with various short story detours along the way, which mostly wind their way back to the central narrative soon enough.
But really, the artwork is sumptuous! The switches from black & white to exquisite colour are a wonder to experience, and the detail in these convincing, strange organisms is sensational.
It's got the feel of a far future that matches Clarke's maxim that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic... I'm not sure there's any way to class this as hard science fiction, but it has the "feel" of SF.
Cannot recommend highly enough - it's somewhere in the vicinity of Anders Nilsen's Tongues I, which is the greatest graphic novel (first half of) in the last couple of decades, so being nearby is high praise.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews