What do you think?
Rate this book
String
Yoon-Sook Namgung, a 25-year-old Korean-American woman, has the intriguing ability to see two types of strings connecting various people. The first is bright blue and reaches between sexual partners. The second string—dark black—stretches between murderers and their victims.
Yoon-Sook Namgung is a 25-year-old Korean-American woman with the remarkable ability to see two types of “strings” connecting various people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. If you have a murder that needs solving, Yoon can help. Worried your partner is cheating on you? Yoon can literally SEE the connections. Yoon’s life—for all the drama and constant TMI—is good, at least until the day she notices a string, a BLACK string, connected to… herself! This means she’ll either soon murder someone, or be murdered herself! So…dang. Which one?
Yoon-Sook Namgung is a 25-year-old Korean-American woman with the remarkable ability to see two types of “strings” connecting various people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. If you have a murder that needs solving, Yoon can help. Worried your partner is cheating on you? Yoon can literally SEE the connections. Yoon’s life—for all the drama and constant TMI—is good, at least until the day she notices a string, a BLACK string, connected to… herself! This means she’ll either soon murder someone, or be murdered herself! So…dang. Which one?
120 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2025
2 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tobin
928 books407 followersPaul Tobin is the Eisner-award winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Bandette, Colder, and many other comic books and graphic series.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
March 11, 2025
An enjoyable rollercoaster of a book - Yoon-Sook Namgung sees strings: blue strings between people that have had sex with eachother, and black strings between a murderer and their victim. People mostly get nervous around her because of the blue strings, but Namgung uses her black-string-vision to solve crimes of the murdery nature. But what is this! Namgung sees a black string attached to herself! Someone is about to murder her, but who?
And then there are several other murder mysteries that she solves during the main story, all the time followed on foot by a police detective who she's also working with.
It's all quite wacky, but stays on the right side of whimsical, so it's actually funny. I really enjoyed the art, very expressive, and Sara Colella actually manages to draw easily readable action scenes, which is its own form of art.
(Thanks to Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
March 23, 2025
3.5☆
A retelling of the legend of the red string. But here it's not just one string; there are two, and neither one is red.
Yoon is a 25-year-old woman who has the ability to see two types of strings that connect people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. She starts working with the police to solve cases, but a black string connects her to someone. This means she will either murder someone soon or be murdered herself.
I liked the illustrations, especially the way they're colored.
I like that the plot moves quickly; it keeps you engaged.
If you like urban fantasy, you should check out this story.
⭑ Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.
A retelling of the legend of the red string. But here it's not just one string; there are two, and neither one is red.
Yoon is a 25-year-old woman who has the ability to see two types of strings that connect people. The first is blue and stretches between sexual partners. The second—dark black—connects murderers and their victims. She starts working with the police to solve cases, but a black string connects her to someone. This means she will either murder someone soon or be murdered herself.
I liked the illustrations, especially the way they're colored.
I like that the plot moves quickly; it keeps you engaged.
If you like urban fantasy, you should check out this story.
⭑ Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.
March 18, 2025
This was a big surprise for me.
We have our main lead Yoon-Sook who can see "strings" on people. Blue strings attach from one person to another letting her know those two did the dirty deed. But the Black String on someone means they murdered someone or will. It's a fun story to be had here when Yoon-Sook see a black string on her. Fast paced, funny, and solid art (Though sometimes the faces go haywire) all make for an enjoyable comic. While I feel sometimes we move TOO quick to let things settle in, we have to wrap it up in the set amount of issues given. Overall a fun time. A 4 out of 5.
We have our main lead Yoon-Sook who can see "strings" on people. Blue strings attach from one person to another letting her know those two did the dirty deed. But the Black String on someone means they murdered someone or will. It's a fun story to be had here when Yoon-Sook see a black string on her. Fast paced, funny, and solid art (Though sometimes the faces go haywire) all make for an enjoyable comic. While I feel sometimes we move TOO quick to let things settle in, we have to wrap it up in the set amount of issues given. Overall a fun time. A 4 out of 5.
February 20, 2025
¿Y si la leyenda del hilo rojo existiera, pero de una manera totalmente diferente?
tw: sexo, armas, violencia, secuestro, muerte.
ideal para un público +18, que le gusten las fantasías urbanas y series policiales.
String es un cómic donde se nos presenta una protagonista con un poder particular: puede ver quienes tuvieron o tienen una unión sexual y quienes han cometido asesinatos. Todo esto a través de una habilidad que desarrolló luego de la muerte de sus padres. El hilo azul que ve entre dos personas indica lo sexual y el hilo negro los asesinatos. Por esta razón la Policía trabaja junto a ella en algunos casos para resolverlos; sin embargo, todo da un giro inesperado cuando un día despierta y ve atado a ella un hilo negro. ¿Una premonición de su muerte o ella sería la asesina?
El cómic tiene un tipo de dibujo bastante crudo y grotesco que en cierta manera me ha gustado porque siento que va con la historia y la personalidad de los personajes. Por el momento su trama no es tan difícil ya que esta habilidad es bastante nueva para nuestra protagonista también por lo cual vamos aprendiendo junto a ella.
No soy una fan de la acción, pero siento que acá está en dosis perfectas y que están muy bien ejecutadas.
No tengo realmente nada malo que decir sobre el cómic, pero creo que para algunas personas podría estar algo sexualizado y el sistema fantástico de la habilidad de la protagonista no estar tan bien ejecutado (que se explique a fondo).
Para puntuar uso una versión personalizada del sistema de puntuación CAWPILE, la cual me dio una puntuación de 3.5 estrellas, pero goodreads al no tener medias estrellas lo dejo en 4 estrellas.
Quiero agradecer a NetGalley y a Mad Cave por enviarme esta copia avanzada.
What if the legend of the red thread of fate existed but in a totally different way?
tw: sex, weapons, violence, kidnapping, death.
ideal for an audience +18, who likes urban fantasies and police series.
String is a comic that has a protagonist with a particular power: she can see who had or has a sexual relationship and who has committed murders. All this through an ability that she developed after the death of her parents.The blue thread she sees between two people indicates sexual relationship and the black thread indicates murder. For this reason the Police work with her in some cases to solve them; however, everything takes an unexpected turn when one day she wakes up and sees a black thread tied to her. A premonition of her death or would she be the killer?
The comic has a rather crude and grotesque kind of drawing that I kind of liked because I feel it fits with the story and the personality of the characters. For the moment, the plot is not that difficult since this ability is quite new for our protagonist as well, so we are learning along with her.
I'm not a big fan of action but I feel like it's in perfect doses here and very well executed.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the comic but I think some people might find it a bit sexualized and the fantastical ability system of the protagonist might not be that well executed (explain in depth).
For rating I use a custom version of the CAWPILE rating system, which gave me a rating of 3.5 stars, but since goodreads doesn't have half stars I'm giving it a 4 star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave for sending me this advance copy.
tw: sexo, armas, violencia, secuestro, muerte.
ideal para un público +18, que le gusten las fantasías urbanas y series policiales.
String es un cómic donde se nos presenta una protagonista con un poder particular: puede ver quienes tuvieron o tienen una unión sexual y quienes han cometido asesinatos. Todo esto a través de una habilidad que desarrolló luego de la muerte de sus padres. El hilo azul que ve entre dos personas indica lo sexual y el hilo negro los asesinatos. Por esta razón la Policía trabaja junto a ella en algunos casos para resolverlos; sin embargo, todo da un giro inesperado cuando un día despierta y ve atado a ella un hilo negro. ¿Una premonición de su muerte o ella sería la asesina?
El cómic tiene un tipo de dibujo bastante crudo y grotesco que en cierta manera me ha gustado porque siento que va con la historia y la personalidad de los personajes. Por el momento su trama no es tan difícil ya que esta habilidad es bastante nueva para nuestra protagonista también por lo cual vamos aprendiendo junto a ella.
No soy una fan de la acción, pero siento que acá está en dosis perfectas y que están muy bien ejecutadas.
No tengo realmente nada malo que decir sobre el cómic, pero creo que para algunas personas podría estar algo sexualizado y el sistema fantástico de la habilidad de la protagonista no estar tan bien ejecutado (que se explique a fondo).
Para puntuar uso una versión personalizada del sistema de puntuación CAWPILE, la cual me dio una puntuación de 3.5 estrellas, pero goodreads al no tener medias estrellas lo dejo en 4 estrellas.
Quiero agradecer a NetGalley y a Mad Cave por enviarme esta copia avanzada.
What if the legend of the red thread of fate existed but in a totally different way?
tw: sex, weapons, violence, kidnapping, death.
ideal for an audience +18, who likes urban fantasies and police series.
String is a comic that has a protagonist with a particular power: she can see who had or has a sexual relationship and who has committed murders. All this through an ability that she developed after the death of her parents.The blue thread she sees between two people indicates sexual relationship and the black thread indicates murder. For this reason the Police work with her in some cases to solve them; however, everything takes an unexpected turn when one day she wakes up and sees a black thread tied to her. A premonition of her death or would she be the killer?
The comic has a rather crude and grotesque kind of drawing that I kind of liked because I feel it fits with the story and the personality of the characters. For the moment, the plot is not that difficult since this ability is quite new for our protagonist as well, so we are learning along with her.
I'm not a big fan of action but I feel like it's in perfect doses here and very well executed.
I don't really have anything bad to say about the comic but I think some people might find it a bit sexualized and the fantastical ability system of the protagonist might not be that well executed (explain in depth).
For rating I use a custom version of the CAWPILE rating system, which gave me a rating of 3.5 stars, but since goodreads doesn't have half stars I'm giving it a 4 star rating.
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave for sending me this advance copy.
February 13, 2025
I have received an ARC copy through NetGalley, however my review is my honest opinion. (4.5 stars rounded up to 5)
***
Do you know the story of the red string of fate? Good, good.
How about the black string of murders and blue string of lovers, hm?
This graphic novel has a something for everyone: a stunning cover and artwork (these pulled me in to request it, actually), an intriguing premise, a diverse and loveable duo, a solid backstory to build up on, pets (!).
It's also the funniest damn thing I've read in a long time. I was chuckling at our characters banter on almost every page.
Who doesn't want to get take away coffee from Agatha Crispie's?
I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series.
***
Do you know the story of the red string of fate? Good, good.
How about the black string of murders and blue string of lovers, hm?
This graphic novel has a something for everyone: a stunning cover and artwork (these pulled me in to request it, actually), an intriguing premise, a diverse and loveable duo, a solid backstory to build up on, pets (!).
It's also the funniest damn thing I've read in a long time. I was chuckling at our characters banter on almost every page.
Who doesn't want to get take away coffee from Agatha Crispie's?
I am looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series.
June 4, 2025
Has a lot of potential for future Volumes!
Review submitted to X @AdamReadsComics for MadCave Studios
Review submitted to X @AdamReadsComics for MadCave Studios
March 31, 2025
I really enjoyed String! The art is solid overall, though I did notice a couple of continuity errors—like a character’s glasses disappearing and reappearing in the same scene without explanation. That aside, the storytelling kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
The villain was a real standout: completely unhinged, delusional in his self-righteousness, and utterly detached from reality. It made him all the more compelling and unsettling.
Litty was my favorite character, hands down. I also really liked Luke, the cop partner—I found myself wanting to know more about them. And Yoon, the main character, was great too. She’s definitely a bit loony, but that just made her all the more interesting to follow.
Plus, the cast was wonderfully queer, which is exactly how I like it.
The villain was a real standout: completely unhinged, delusional in his self-righteousness, and utterly detached from reality. It made him all the more compelling and unsettling.
Litty was my favorite character, hands down. I also really liked Luke, the cop partner—I found myself wanting to know more about them. And Yoon, the main character, was great too. She’s definitely a bit loony, but that just made her all the more interesting to follow.
Plus, the cast was wonderfully queer, which is exactly how I like it.
February 26, 2025
Cuando Yoon tenía 14 años sus padres fallecieron pero ella (debido al trauma) en ese momento obtuvo un “don”, puede ver hilos entre las personas que los conectan, los color azul para lo romantico / sexual y los color negro para la muerte (el asesino y su victima), con su don, empieza a trabajar con la policia para resolver casos, Yoon no puede ver sus propios hilos pero de repente un hilo la conecta, pero no sabe quien puede ser, y lo mas importante, no sabe si alguien la va a asesinar o si ella va a asesinar a alguien, y ahí empieza todo…
Estuvo muy interesante, me gustó la historia, estaba muy entretenido, y siendo sincera, no soy muy fan de ese estilo de arte, no es de mi gusto jaja pero creo que le da el toque a la “crueldad” de la trama, esta muy bien hecho, da totalmente las vibras jajaja, Yoon es una mujer muy loca, me gusta 😆, de igual manera lo recomiendo!!✨
Eng:
When Yoon was 14 her parents passed away but she (due to trauma) at that time got a “gift”, she can see strings between people that connect them, the blue ones for romantic/sexual and the black ones for death (the murderer and his victim), with her gift, she starts working with the police to solve cases, Yoon can’t see her own strings but suddenly a string connects her, but she doesn’t know who it could be, and most importantly, she doesn’t know if someone is going to kill her or if she is going to kill someone, and that’s where it all begins…
It was very interesting, I liked the story, it was very entertaining, and to be honest, I’m not a big fan of that art style, it’s not my taste haha but I think it gives the touch to the “cruelty” of the plot, it’s very well done, it totally gives the vibes hahaha, Yoon is a very crazy woman, I like it 😆, anyway I recommend it!!✨
Thanks Netgalley Mad Cave for the arc
Estuvo muy interesante, me gustó la historia, estaba muy entretenido, y siendo sincera, no soy muy fan de ese estilo de arte, no es de mi gusto jaja pero creo que le da el toque a la “crueldad” de la trama, esta muy bien hecho, da totalmente las vibras jajaja, Yoon es una mujer muy loca, me gusta 😆, de igual manera lo recomiendo!!✨
Eng:
When Yoon was 14 her parents passed away but she (due to trauma) at that time got a “gift”, she can see strings between people that connect them, the blue ones for romantic/sexual and the black ones for death (the murderer and his victim), with her gift, she starts working with the police to solve cases, Yoon can’t see her own strings but suddenly a string connects her, but she doesn’t know who it could be, and most importantly, she doesn’t know if someone is going to kill her or if she is going to kill someone, and that’s where it all begins…
It was very interesting, I liked the story, it was very entertaining, and to be honest, I’m not a big fan of that art style, it’s not my taste haha but I think it gives the touch to the “cruelty” of the plot, it’s very well done, it totally gives the vibes hahaha, Yoon is a very crazy woman, I like it 😆, anyway I recommend it!!✨
Thanks Netgalley Mad Cave for the arc
February 16, 2025
Graphic novels are still pretty new to me, but I really want to read more of them. When I saw the cover of String, I was immediately intrigued—the vibrant colors and the art style caught my attention right away. The premise also sounded incredibly exciting and unique:
Yoon-Sook Namgung can see two types of “strings”—blue ones that connect sexual partners and black ones that link murderers to their victims.
Such an original concept! I was really curious to see how the story would unfold. But in the end, it was just okay for me.
First of all, the illustrations are fantastic! I absolutely loved the art style, and the bold colors made the story visually striking. Yoon-Sook, as a protagonist, is beautifully designed, and the overall artwork was definitely a highlight for me.
However, the storytelling left me a bit conflicted. The plot jumps very quickly between different locations, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I often felt like I didn’t have enough time to fully immerse myself in a scene before being rushed to the next one. The language is also extremely raw—at first, I found it amusing, but after a while, it became too much. Lots of swearing, a lot of sexualization—it could have been toned down a bit for my taste. A big downside for me was the scene where a dog gets thrown through the air for no real reason. That’s just not something I enjoy.
I did like the character Luke, but I didn’t really feel a strong connection between him and Yoon-Sook. Their relationship remained surface-level, and I couldn’t fully invest in it emotionally.
Despite my mixed feelings, String is still a fast-paced and unique story that made me excited to explore more graphic novels. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was an interesting read. A solid 3 stars.
Yoon-Sook Namgung can see two types of “strings”—blue ones that connect sexual partners and black ones that link murderers to their victims.
Such an original concept! I was really curious to see how the story would unfold. But in the end, it was just okay for me.
First of all, the illustrations are fantastic! I absolutely loved the art style, and the bold colors made the story visually striking. Yoon-Sook, as a protagonist, is beautifully designed, and the overall artwork was definitely a highlight for me.
However, the storytelling left me a bit conflicted. The plot jumps very quickly between different locations, which sometimes made it hard to follow. I often felt like I didn’t have enough time to fully immerse myself in a scene before being rushed to the next one. The language is also extremely raw—at first, I found it amusing, but after a while, it became too much. Lots of swearing, a lot of sexualization—it could have been toned down a bit for my taste. A big downside for me was the scene where a dog gets thrown through the air for no real reason. That’s just not something I enjoy.
I did like the character Luke, but I didn’t really feel a strong connection between him and Yoon-Sook. Their relationship remained surface-level, and I couldn’t fully invest in it emotionally.
Despite my mixed feelings, String is still a fast-paced and unique story that made me excited to explore more graphic novels. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was an interesting read. A solid 3 stars.
May 8, 2025
2.5⭐️
"String" has a very unique concept and the art was amazing but other than that there wasn't much going on.
The main character has that "I'm not like other girls" attitude and she says multiple times that she is "weird" and "special"
The author constantly reminds us throughout the entire novel about her powers and how they work.
It is honestly very simple. She sees blue and black strings that tie people to other people. The blue is for people who have hooked up and the black are for people that are about to die or kill someone else.
It is an easy concept to grasp yet every person the main character meets she hashes out every single detail all over again about her powers and how they work.
Another thing that felt odd was how the characters talked and reacted to things. It felt so unrealistic and unnatural that I couldn't connect with any of the characters. They were all so childish and cringey and all of them were open book. There were no secretive or bashful characters which just felt odd. It was like every character had the exact same personality.
All in all it was average writing, but the art was very well done. It was very colorful and detailed and it did help the story come to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
#Netgalley #arc #Madcavestudios
"String" has a very unique concept and the art was amazing but other than that there wasn't much going on.
The main character has that "I'm not like other girls" attitude and she says multiple times that she is "weird" and "special"
The author constantly reminds us throughout the entire novel about her powers and how they work.
It is honestly very simple. She sees blue and black strings that tie people to other people. The blue is for people who have hooked up and the black are for people that are about to die or kill someone else.
It is an easy concept to grasp yet every person the main character meets she hashes out every single detail all over again about her powers and how they work.
Another thing that felt odd was how the characters talked and reacted to things. It felt so unrealistic and unnatural that I couldn't connect with any of the characters. They were all so childish and cringey and all of them were open book. There were no secretive or bashful characters which just felt odd. It was like every character had the exact same personality.
All in all it was average writing, but the art was very well done. It was very colorful and detailed and it did help the story come to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
#Netgalley #arc #Madcavestudios
February 15, 2025
✨Thank you to Paul Tobin, Mad Cave Studios & NetGalley for providing me with a free E-ARC! These are my honest opinions about what I read✨
3.25 ✨ This comic is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in terms of supernatural abilities. Our main character, Yoon, can see strings that connect people who have had sexual relationships and see strings connecting murderers to their victims.
While I think the dialogue between the two main characters was at times witty, there were other times where I felt the dialogue was unnecessary. It’s not like Bendis level, but there is a lot of background yapping and information that could’ve been edited out.
Issue 1 is solid enough to entice readers to come back. Again, very interesting premise.
Some of the character introductions and their cases felt rushed. Issues 2 and 3 were fun, though sometimes the ambiguity of Yoon’s powers are used to quickly end cases. It felt like their problems were just wastes time, as neither Litty nor the Quinones case had much to do with Yoon’s initial concern. I was waiting for these cases to tie into each other, as well as Yoon’s parents, but in the end neither did.
Overall, fun characters, art is average, the colorist did a good job. I would be willing to read another installment of this series! Good start to something that has potential.
3.25 ✨ This comic is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in terms of supernatural abilities. Our main character, Yoon, can see strings that connect people who have had sexual relationships and see strings connecting murderers to their victims.
While I think the dialogue between the two main characters was at times witty, there were other times where I felt the dialogue was unnecessary. It’s not like Bendis level, but there is a lot of background yapping and information that could’ve been edited out.
Issue 1 is solid enough to entice readers to come back. Again, very interesting premise.
Some of the character introductions and their cases felt rushed. Issues 2 and 3 were fun, though sometimes the ambiguity of Yoon’s powers are used to quickly end cases. It felt like their problems were just wastes time, as neither Litty nor the Quinones case had much to do with Yoon’s initial concern. I was waiting for these cases to tie into each other, as well as Yoon’s parents, but in the end neither did.
Overall, fun characters, art is average, the colorist did a good job. I would be willing to read another installment of this series! Good start to something that has potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Book #569
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this novel. I am a big fan of graphic novels and usually i give them a 1-3 star rating but i really enjoyed this one and the concept was very good, This novel follows a great lead character with pink hair who has an ability to see strings from people.. black strings meaning murderers and people who have murdered someone and blue strings, so basically if she is in the room and sees these strings she knows these people did either of those 2 things she goes on a fast paced journey trying to solve a murder with her non binary cop who was also a great lead and I loved the non binary rep! I really enjoyed the story and the artwork and even the side characters were great. As i mentioned earlier i love how fast paced this graphic novel was and how everything made sense as well and the concept was not confusing at all and all was revealed by the end of this novel. I do hope to get the chance to read the others of this graphic novel story because i noticed this author has other ones i think. If you enjoy graphic novels with great leads i think you all will enjoy this one i sure did!
4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this novel. I am a big fan of graphic novels and usually i give them a 1-3 star rating but i really enjoyed this one and the concept was very good, This novel follows a great lead character with pink hair who has an ability to see strings from people.. black strings meaning murderers and people who have murdered someone and blue strings, so basically if she is in the room and sees these strings she knows these people did either of those 2 things she goes on a fast paced journey trying to solve a murder with her non binary cop who was also a great lead and I loved the non binary rep! I really enjoyed the story and the artwork and even the side characters were great. As i mentioned earlier i love how fast paced this graphic novel was and how everything made sense as well and the concept was not confusing at all and all was revealed by the end of this novel. I do hope to get the chance to read the others of this graphic novel story because i noticed this author has other ones i think. If you enjoy graphic novels with great leads i think you all will enjoy this one i sure did!
May 18, 2025
String is a retelling of the story of red string with an interesting twist; instead of one string, there are two. A blue one which connects sexual partners as well as a black one which connects murderer's and their victims.
I really enjoyed the idea of this story and really loved Yoon-Sook Namgung, who can see these two strings connecting people, as a character. I'm obsessed with the cover and I'm a big fan of the art style in general too.
But. Did you see it coming? But - it's very short. I would have greatly enjoyed some more pages in this as I feel like everything is happening too fast. There is a problem and just a few pages later it's already resolved. And even though I did really like the characters, it's a very little you learn about them and I would have loved a bit more in-depth exploration about not only the main character but some of the side characters as well.
All in all though, I really enjoyed this one! I did think the ending was a bit too predictable considering the plot itself but it didn't bother me too much. Would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed the idea of this story and really loved Yoon-Sook Namgung, who can see these two strings connecting people, as a character. I'm obsessed with the cover and I'm a big fan of the art style in general too.
But. Did you see it coming? But - it's very short. I would have greatly enjoyed some more pages in this as I feel like everything is happening too fast. There is a problem and just a few pages later it's already resolved. And even though I did really like the characters, it's a very little you learn about them and I would have loved a bit more in-depth exploration about not only the main character but some of the side characters as well.
All in all though, I really enjoyed this one! I did think the ending was a bit too predictable considering the plot itself but it didn't bother me too much. Would recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
August 11, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
String follows Yoon, woman in her mid-20's who has the unique ability to see strings that connect people. Blue strings show sexual relationships and black strings link murderers and their victims. This ability leads to Yoon working with the police to find murderers. Everything gets more complicated when Yoon herself sees a black string coming from her own body.
The premise of this graphic novel is quite unique and interesting. While the story starts off intriguing and fun, I did not always like the way problems were solved. It seemed like every time Yoon was looking for someone or trying to figure something out, she just guessed and solved the problem. I feel like the mystery aspects or the conflicts were solved in very contrived ways and that took away from my enjoyment of the story overall.
The art in String is stunning! I also really liked Yoon as a character. She is a very likable and confident character and I would come back to this series just to read more about her and her ability!
This is a fun graphic novel with amazing illustrations. If you don’t mind the resolutions of plot points being a little far-fetched, you will enjoy this. The great characters and interesting premise makes this an entertaining and enjoyable graphic novel.
*e-ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
String follows Yoon, woman in her mid-20's who has the unique ability to see strings that connect people. Blue strings show sexual relationships and black strings link murderers and their victims. This ability leads to Yoon working with the police to find murderers. Everything gets more complicated when Yoon herself sees a black string coming from her own body.
The premise of this graphic novel is quite unique and interesting. While the story starts off intriguing and fun, I did not always like the way problems were solved. It seemed like every time Yoon was looking for someone or trying to figure something out, she just guessed and solved the problem. I feel like the mystery aspects or the conflicts were solved in very contrived ways and that took away from my enjoyment of the story overall.
The art in String is stunning! I also really liked Yoon as a character. She is a very likable and confident character and I would come back to this series just to read more about her and her ability!
This is a fun graphic novel with amazing illustrations. If you don’t mind the resolutions of plot points being a little far-fetched, you will enjoy this. The great characters and interesting premise makes this an entertaining and enjoyable graphic novel.
*e-ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
February 20, 2025
I really loved the whole idea of this story. Going along with Yoon-Sook as she follows the strings she sees connecting people, blue for lovers and black for murderers and their victims. Yoon-Sook is quirky and brave and she is so easy to like as a character. She is rather accepting and unapologetic and I appreciate that about her. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the story as a whole.
My only gripe about this graphic novel was that it was too short. I am very new to reading graphic novels, so this might be the normal length and I’m just not used to it yet. I just felt like there wasn’t enough time. Everything happened so very quickly and it feels like if I could have spent more time with the characters I could have learnt more about them and connected with them more.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this story and as soon as I can I would really like to read the next one.
4 out of 5 Turtle the cats.
My only gripe about this graphic novel was that it was too short. I am very new to reading graphic novels, so this might be the normal length and I’m just not used to it yet. I just felt like there wasn’t enough time. Everything happened so very quickly and it feels like if I could have spent more time with the characters I could have learnt more about them and connected with them more.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed this story and as soon as I can I would really like to read the next one.
4 out of 5 Turtle the cats.
March 4, 2025
I have been OBSESSED with The Red String of Fate for as long as I can remember. So to think that there could be more kinds of strings that connect you to someone, really many people, is so intriguing. This book explores how a woman who can see those strings can help solve murders for the Seattle police.
While this book isn’t inherently gay, it is very queer, diverse and with great representation. The MC, Yoon, is Korean, her partner is Black and Non-Binary and both of them seem to have no problem having sexual relationships with any sex. So that’s a HUGE plus in my eyes.
I’d be interested to see how this could continue on for more volumes.
While this book isn’t inherently gay, it is very queer, diverse and with great representation. The MC, Yoon, is Korean, her partner is Black and Non-Binary and both of them seem to have no problem having sexual relationships with any sex. So that’s a HUGE plus in my eyes.
I’d be interested to see how this could continue on for more volumes.
February 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
String tried extremely hard to be both edgy, and woke at the same time, and it failed on both accounts. I kept eye rolling at how bad the dialogue was written for the FMC. Men writing women can sometimes just give you the ick.
The art is what cinched an extra star for me, because the art was great. Plus, the story takes place where I live which was fun. That's where the enjoyment ended for me.
String tried extremely hard to be both edgy, and woke at the same time, and it failed on both accounts. I kept eye rolling at how bad the dialogue was written for the FMC. Men writing women can sometimes just give you the ick.
The art is what cinched an extra star for me, because the art was great. Plus, the story takes place where I live which was fun. That's where the enjoyment ended for me.
February 20, 2025
I loved the plot. The characters were great, the art style was so good I adored the colour scheme that was chosen. Really really interesting comic/gn! Excited to see if we’ll get another in this series cause I very much want more!!
Thank you Netgalley and MadCave for a copy!
Thank you Netgalley and MadCave for a copy!
July 26, 2025
the artstyle and characters are lovely<3
April 7, 2025
3.5 stars. Unique story idea: Yoon can see strings connecting people, and one of the string types means MURDER. Follow Yoon as she suddenly sees a murder string attached to herself - is she the victim or the perpetrator? Good art, fun supporting cast. Wish there was more backstory to the strings and how Yoon started to see them. Maybe in book 2?
Read
February 12, 2025Yoon-Sook Namgung can see strings connecting people, invisible to everyone else. Blue connects people who've slept together; black links a murderer and a victim. I read this more for the writer, Paul Tobin, who's done a fair few things I liked, especially when working with other half Colleen Coover; gimmick detective stories aren't necessarily my bag, and this one seemed particularly prone to handwaving. So it proved, with the black strings especially prone to flickering in and out according to plot requirements, especially once Yoon finds one attached to herself, indicating that within a day she will either be killer or victim. So, with the aid of her new police liaison, she sets out to close her open cases, in case it's someone tied up in one of those who wants to get her out of the picture. And they all resolve a little too neatly, and often include some heavy-handed social commentary (the porn star who feeds the homeless, who in turn are only there because of the WGA strike and doing their best to get their lives back together...) – but in between the very important messages, there's a countervailing grasp on how people really speak and react, a winning sense of rapport and of the utter strangeness of the world: how many stories open with the lead catching a French bulldog being thrown out of the blast radius by a suicide bomber*? Which Olivares and Colella render on the page in all the absurd yet deadly serious roundness that life deserves. Though, less happily, the main area in which the art can falter (aside from a van described as white when it clearly isn't) is in the titular strings, absolutely crucial to the whole concept yet not always as legible to the reader as they're supposed to be.
*Fair warning: that isn't the only animal jeopardy, and it doesn't always end so well, though is never unpunished.
(Netgalley ARC)
*Fair warning: that isn't the only animal jeopardy, and it doesn't always end so well, though is never unpunished.
(Netgalley ARC)
May 30, 2025
I’m not sure how I feel about this? It wasn’t bad. The concept was interesting. But in the end it was just gang violence and just…different than what I was expecting. It probably would have been better as a slower paced graphic novel.
June 13, 2025
this has an interesting premise and some cute/funny moments but ultimately the reveal was unsatisfying and i didn’t feel connected with the characters at all. also wtf is it with media and the fucking lgbtq cops 😭 enough!!!!
February 18, 2025
Wow. It's hard to say what could have made me like this comic less other than if it had been objectively offensive in some bigger way.
So, you'd think that a supernatural mystery starring a pink-haired Korean-American woman and a Black nonbinary police officer would be right up my alley. Here's the thing: to me, this read like absolute tokenism. Like, what are Yoon-Sook Namgung's defining characteristics? Well, she introduces herself as Korean-American, she has pink hair, and she has a poorly explained magic power and Batman-adjacent backstory. And a cat. And... that's it. She had nothing else going for her. I was left with the uncomfortable feeling that her background was the shorthand substitute for making her an interesting person. Oh, we do get an uncomfortable line apropos of NOTHING about how she gets horny when she's anxious. This line is delivered in a context that made my skin crawl off my body and take up residence in a separate room of my house.
Same with Luke, the cop. What do we know about them? They're nonbinary. They like to, and I quote, "slap ass." They like coffee and like to make jokes about how they want to sleep with famous people. They're sort of dating a woman at work who is revealed to have slept with someone new in every scene in which she appears. That's literally all I can tell you about Luke as a person.
The "mysteries" are worse than pointless. Yoon-Sook "solves" them by walking into a room, seeing the black strings, and shouting about it. That's it. Mystery solved! And the mysteries are so stupid and pointless. We get no story. No lead-up. No denouement. There's no reason to care about anyone or anything that happens. On top of that, this story features a two large gangs of Hispanic criminals who do violent, hypersexualized things with zero motivation. The "reveal" at the end makes less than zero sense. If the whole story arc had focused on that storyline, maybe something could have made that feel less pointless, but it seemed like an afterthought, and isn't even consistent. Dude had nasty chemical burns on his face that healed in... 8 hours??? Less?????
On top of that, the art did the thing where the main character's buttcheeks would take up half a frame, or a female side character would twist so that you could see her T&A on full display for NO. REASON. other than sexualizing the female characters. Listen. You can put in cute little dialogue about how women are more than objects, but it doesn't land if you spend your entire d*** comic objectifying those characters.
To say that I was disappointed in this would be an understatement, and the fact that the book paid lip service to diversity somehow made it worse for me. At best, this was lazy characterization and storytelling. At worst, the main characters' identities was a gimmick intended to make them more interesting than making them white and cis. The fact that the blurb makes such a big deal about Yoon-Sook's racial identity gives me the ick in hindsight. I'll leave it at that and say that I have no idea who the target audience for this book is.
I received an ARC of this comic through NetGalley. My thoughts are my own, obviously. xD
--
Clarification edit: There is a character in her who is a s*x worker. Weirdly, she's the most fully-developed and emotionally engaging character in here, despite also being an excuse for even more bared 'cheeks. Just sayin', my problem isn't that the characters have desires and attraction, just that it would be nice if they had a single other meaningful character trait.
So, you'd think that a supernatural mystery starring a pink-haired Korean-American woman and a Black nonbinary police officer would be right up my alley. Here's the thing: to me, this read like absolute tokenism. Like, what are Yoon-Sook Namgung's defining characteristics? Well, she introduces herself as Korean-American, she has pink hair, and she has a poorly explained magic power and Batman-adjacent backstory. And a cat. And... that's it. She had nothing else going for her. I was left with the uncomfortable feeling that her background was the shorthand substitute for making her an interesting person. Oh, we do get an uncomfortable line apropos of NOTHING about how she gets horny when she's anxious. This line is delivered in a context that made my skin crawl off my body and take up residence in a separate room of my house.
Same with Luke, the cop. What do we know about them? They're nonbinary. They like to, and I quote, "slap ass." They like coffee and like to make jokes about how they want to sleep with famous people. They're sort of dating a woman at work who is revealed to have slept with someone new in every scene in which she appears. That's literally all I can tell you about Luke as a person.
The "mysteries" are worse than pointless. Yoon-Sook "solves" them by walking into a room, seeing the black strings, and shouting about it. That's it. Mystery solved! And the mysteries are so stupid and pointless. We get no story. No lead-up. No denouement. There's no reason to care about anyone or anything that happens. On top of that, this story features a two large gangs of Hispanic criminals who do violent, hypersexualized things with zero motivation. The "reveal" at the end makes less than zero sense. If the whole story arc had focused on that storyline, maybe something could have made that feel less pointless, but it seemed like an afterthought, and isn't even consistent. Dude had nasty chemical burns on his face that healed in... 8 hours??? Less?????
On top of that, the art did the thing where the main character's buttcheeks would take up half a frame, or a female side character would twist so that you could see her T&A on full display for NO. REASON. other than sexualizing the female characters. Listen. You can put in cute little dialogue about how women are more than objects, but it doesn't land if you spend your entire d*** comic objectifying those characters.
To say that I was disappointed in this would be an understatement, and the fact that the book paid lip service to diversity somehow made it worse for me. At best, this was lazy characterization and storytelling. At worst, the main characters' identities was a gimmick intended to make them more interesting than making them white and cis. The fact that the blurb makes such a big deal about Yoon-Sook's racial identity gives me the ick in hindsight. I'll leave it at that and say that I have no idea who the target audience for this book is.
I received an ARC of this comic through NetGalley. My thoughts are my own, obviously. xD
--
Clarification edit: There is a character in her who is a s*x worker. Weirdly, she's the most fully-developed and emotionally engaging character in here, despite also being an excuse for even more bared 'cheeks. Just sayin', my problem isn't that the characters have desires and attraction, just that it would be nice if they had a single other meaningful character trait.
October 11, 2025
A chatty civilian consultant, for local crimes, with too-short bangs and a funny supernatural ability. A too-trusting, too-confident police officer whom, in practical terms, is way too young to be holding the rank of detective while working in a major U.S. metropolitan area.
In the end, Yoon-sook Namgung and Luke Mayfield constitute another investigative duo that earns its street cred in all of the most awkward, haphazard, and decidedly human ways. STRING is a beautiful comic book whose vibrant colors, detailed character expressions, and emphasis on personality over archetype seeks a limited but worthwhile and appreciative readership.
The archive of crime investigators who use unique angles of deductive reasoning or prescient, mystical abilities (actual or perceived) is long and artificial. STRING doesn't wear itself thin but does come close. Yoon-sook is a twenty-something woman who perceives black strings attached to those with a close relationship with death (i.e., as a murderer or as one about to be murdered) and blue strings attached to those linked to more intimate relationships (i.e., sexy time). For better or for worse, the comic elides the more obvious reality that there's no actual, practical explanation for why Yoon-sook has this ability, and simply runs headlong into her work as a consultant to a major crimes detective.
To the comic's benefit, readers are enveloped in purposeful action from start to finish. Yoon-sook and Luke investigate a cold case, try to wrap up in a few loose ends, and find themselves stuck investigating Yoon-sook's own dilemma (involving a rather murderous stalker). It's a good story for a comic book, but the chain of events wouldn't make sense for a police drama in any other medium.
The creative team's abundant skill in crafting deceptive cheek bones, arrogant brow lines, and silent nods of sort-of approval lend the fast-paced book a degree of humanity that a lot of detective stories feign appreciation for but ultimately lack. The crowd scenes are packed with detail and the park scenes are full of sensitive, environmental atmosphere, but the tetchiness and irritation on the face of a gangster, when Yoon-sook tells him who killed his nephew? The awkward humility of the police station janitor who, against all odds, is sleeping with absolutely everyone on the force?
STRING is a reliable book for pulling apart its characters' apprehensions when it suits the story. The comic is also, unfortunately, fairly good at convenient and contrived key turns. Yoon-sook is supposed to be a crimes consultant, but in reality, she just blabs the truth, gets people to admit they've done something wrong, and only slightly avoids being killed by kidnappers, gang members, or other unruly folk. In this way, STRING is less of a singular, coherent story and more of an enduring, run-on escapade. Not entirely a bad thing, but truly insufferable for those interested in a story that might beget actual detective work.
A few narrative quirks may put off a few readers, such as the voluminous inconsistencies in how the cast refers to or addresses Yoon-sook's character (full first name? partial first name? last name?), or other characters, or how the writer's penchant for annoying, Sorkin-like walk-and-talk episodes slows down action scenes (e.g., car chases, specifically). Still, it's a good book, and it's a book worth reading more than once.
In the end, Yoon-sook Namgung and Luke Mayfield constitute another investigative duo that earns its street cred in all of the most awkward, haphazard, and decidedly human ways. STRING is a beautiful comic book whose vibrant colors, detailed character expressions, and emphasis on personality over archetype seeks a limited but worthwhile and appreciative readership.
The archive of crime investigators who use unique angles of deductive reasoning or prescient, mystical abilities (actual or perceived) is long and artificial. STRING doesn't wear itself thin but does come close. Yoon-sook is a twenty-something woman who perceives black strings attached to those with a close relationship with death (i.e., as a murderer or as one about to be murdered) and blue strings attached to those linked to more intimate relationships (i.e., sexy time). For better or for worse, the comic elides the more obvious reality that there's no actual, practical explanation for why Yoon-sook has this ability, and simply runs headlong into her work as a consultant to a major crimes detective.
To the comic's benefit, readers are enveloped in purposeful action from start to finish. Yoon-sook and Luke investigate a cold case, try to wrap up in a few loose ends, and find themselves stuck investigating Yoon-sook's own dilemma (involving a rather murderous stalker). It's a good story for a comic book, but the chain of events wouldn't make sense for a police drama in any other medium.
The creative team's abundant skill in crafting deceptive cheek bones, arrogant brow lines, and silent nods of sort-of approval lend the fast-paced book a degree of humanity that a lot of detective stories feign appreciation for but ultimately lack. The crowd scenes are packed with detail and the park scenes are full of sensitive, environmental atmosphere, but the tetchiness and irritation on the face of a gangster, when Yoon-sook tells him who killed his nephew? The awkward humility of the police station janitor who, against all odds, is sleeping with absolutely everyone on the force?
STRING is a reliable book for pulling apart its characters' apprehensions when it suits the story. The comic is also, unfortunately, fairly good at convenient and contrived key turns. Yoon-sook is supposed to be a crimes consultant, but in reality, she just blabs the truth, gets people to admit they've done something wrong, and only slightly avoids being killed by kidnappers, gang members, or other unruly folk. In this way, STRING is less of a singular, coherent story and more of an enduring, run-on escapade. Not entirely a bad thing, but truly insufferable for those interested in a story that might beget actual detective work.
A few narrative quirks may put off a few readers, such as the voluminous inconsistencies in how the cast refers to or addresses Yoon-sook's character (full first name? partial first name? last name?), or other characters, or how the writer's penchant for annoying, Sorkin-like walk-and-talk episodes slows down action scenes (e.g., car chases, specifically). Still, it's a good book, and it's a book worth reading more than once.
March 27, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me with an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
2.5
This book offers a compelling blend of queer representation and an intense mystery, laced with explicit sexual elements. Nothing like anything I've read before. Beyond the eye-catching cover of 'String,' the story's intriguing and original concept truly piqued my interest. Initially, I was blown away by the illustrations. The art style was exceptional, and the bold colors made the story visually unforgettable.
I thought the concept of Yoon's powers was quite intriguing. Her character, overall, was interesting and relatable. From her hairstyle, to her type of humor, to hobbies, to the cases she was working on. There was never a dull moment with her.
Which leads me to some of my issues with this story. Halfway through the story, I started to see a slightly annoying pattern. I noticed the writer likes to have calm moments before having these abrupt, action filled scenes. It was exciting the first couple of times, but after awhile, I was getting metaphorical whiplash and would rather a smoother transition into the action. Often when that approach was utilized, it wasn't enough suspense for me prior to the action. Not to mention, there was a highly unnecessary chase scene in the beginning of the story. A random, "crazy" woman on the road tried to run over Yoon because... she assumed Yoon, then Luke slept with her husband?? This scene wasn't mentioned again in the story and it only delayed the plot.
My next point, this book is very sexual, even overly sexual to the point that I'm wondering what some of these side stories and interactions have anything to do with the plot, outside of expanding Yoon's powers through sexual references. Most of them, have some relation to sex, and if I'm not mistaken, she could also spot murderers and their victims. There's a way angle your character in a nonsexual way. Way too many times, I see Yoon's bum or frontside in the panel to show she's talking or seeing something in the distance. You can easily draw her side profile or her feet/ legs or perhaps ANYTHING else on her body to show she's talking or looking at something without entirely taking up the panel. Also, in one of her side stories, if the family is having sex with the butler, why are the strings black for murder and not blue for sexual connections?? Overall, the level of sexualization was just a bit too much and unnecessary for me at times. Was the 'naughty girl' remark from Finch really necessary? It felt incredibly gross.
The ending was fairly decent. I found it to be a very powerful moment for Yoon to finally confront the main antagonist and stand in her truth!! However, I felt no ways about the antagonist their self. This person was barely mentioned in the story and though I was proud of Yoon for embracing her genuine self, I felt absolutely nothing for the other person. I know they're supposed to represent all the haters and doubters in Yoon's life, but if I had more information about said person, then I'd feel more of a emotional connection in that moment.
I appreciate the author's choice to not reduce Litty as just some promiscuous, overly sexual being just because she's a porn star. She also does plenty of charity work, she's a dog lover, dare I say a book reviewer, and seemingly a hockey enthusiast.
Regardless of my mixed feelings, String still was an exciting, intriguing, fast paced story. If you're into queer narratives and high-stakes mysteries with explicit sexual content, this is definitely for you!
2.5
This book offers a compelling blend of queer representation and an intense mystery, laced with explicit sexual elements. Nothing like anything I've read before. Beyond the eye-catching cover of 'String,' the story's intriguing and original concept truly piqued my interest. Initially, I was blown away by the illustrations. The art style was exceptional, and the bold colors made the story visually unforgettable.
I thought the concept of Yoon's powers was quite intriguing. Her character, overall, was interesting and relatable. From her hairstyle, to her type of humor, to hobbies, to the cases she was working on. There was never a dull moment with her.
Which leads me to some of my issues with this story. Halfway through the story, I started to see a slightly annoying pattern. I noticed the writer likes to have calm moments before having these abrupt, action filled scenes. It was exciting the first couple of times, but after awhile, I was getting metaphorical whiplash and would rather a smoother transition into the action. Often when that approach was utilized, it wasn't enough suspense for me prior to the action. Not to mention, there was a highly unnecessary chase scene in the beginning of the story. A random, "crazy" woman on the road tried to run over Yoon because... she assumed Yoon, then Luke slept with her husband?? This scene wasn't mentioned again in the story and it only delayed the plot.
My next point, this book is very sexual, even overly sexual to the point that I'm wondering what some of these side stories and interactions have anything to do with the plot, outside of expanding Yoon's powers through sexual references. Most of them, have some relation to sex, and if I'm not mistaken, she could also spot murderers and their victims. There's a way angle your character in a nonsexual way. Way too many times, I see Yoon's bum or frontside in the panel to show she's talking or seeing something in the distance. You can easily draw her side profile or her feet/ legs or perhaps ANYTHING else on her body to show she's talking or looking at something without entirely taking up the panel. Also, in one of her side stories, if the family is having sex with the butler, why are the strings black for murder and not blue for sexual connections?? Overall, the level of sexualization was just a bit too much and unnecessary for me at times. Was the 'naughty girl' remark from Finch really necessary? It felt incredibly gross.
The ending was fairly decent. I found it to be a very powerful moment for Yoon to finally confront the main antagonist and stand in her truth!! However, I felt no ways about the antagonist their self. This person was barely mentioned in the story and though I was proud of Yoon for embracing her genuine self, I felt absolutely nothing for the other person. I know they're supposed to represent all the haters and doubters in Yoon's life, but if I had more information about said person, then I'd feel more of a emotional connection in that moment.
I appreciate the author's choice to not reduce Litty as just some promiscuous, overly sexual being just because she's a porn star. She also does plenty of charity work, she's a dog lover, dare I say a book reviewer, and seemingly a hockey enthusiast.
Regardless of my mixed feelings, String still was an exciting, intriguing, fast paced story. If you're into queer narratives and high-stakes mysteries with explicit sexual content, this is definitely for you!
February 18, 2025
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my opinions.
‘String’ presents an intriguing premise, offering a unique blend of science fiction and social commentary. However, while the core concept has potential, the execution struggles under the weight of heavy-handed messaging, which at times overshadows both the plot and character development.
Plot: ★★☆☆☆
At its core, the plot of ‘String’ has a compelling foundation, but it often takes a backseat to the book’s political and social themes. While messages about gender identity, toxic masculinity, and women's rights are important and relevant, their frequency and intensity can make it difficult to stay engaged with the actual narrative. Rather than seamlessly integrating these themes into the story, they at times feel like interruptions, pulling readers out of any potential immersive experience.
Character: ★★☆☆☆
The characters have potential, but like the plot, they feel somewhat overshadowed by their defining traits. While representation is valuable and welcome, the way it’s handled in ‘String’ makes the characters feel more like vessels for messages rather than fully realised individuals. Their identities, occupations, and personal struggles are undoubtedly interesting, but they don’t always coalesce into well-rounded, engaging characters.
Setting: ★★★☆☆
The world of ‘String’ is intriguing, though it lacks the depth and development needed to make it truly immersive. There are glimpses of a fascinating setting, but they often feel underexplored, leaving the reader wanting more. The potential is certainly there, but the book prioritizes themes and character traits over truly fleshing out its world.
Illustrations: ★★☆☆☆
The artwork in ‘String’ is well-executed, but the style may not appeal to everyone. While the illustrations are technically solid and complement the story, they don’t necessarily enhance the reading experience in a significant way. Personal preference plays a big role here - some readers may love the aesthetic, while others, like myself, may find it less engaging.
Engagement: ★☆☆☆☆
Due to the overwhelming focus on social and political themes, it can be difficult to stay fully engaged with the story. Readers who are looking for a plot-driven experience may find themselves struggling to stay invested as the narrative frequently shifts its focus. While some may appreciate the book’s dedication to addressing important topics, others may find it disrupts the overall storytelling flow.
Readability: ★★★☆☆
Despite its other shortcomings, ‘String’ is well-written in terms of prose. Paul Tobin’s style is clear and easy to follow, making for a smooth reading experience. However, the density of the themes and messages may still make it feel heavier than its actual page count.
Enjoyment: ★☆☆☆☆
Enjoyment of ‘String’ will largely depend on what a reader is looking for. If you are seeking a story that focuses on its plot and characters first, this book may feel frustrating. However, if you enjoy books that engage deeply with social commentary and themes of identity, there may be more for you to appreciate. Ultimately, the book’s balance - or lack thereof - between story and message will determine how much each reader enjoys it.
��String’ is a book with an important voice but struggles with its execution. While its themes are relevant and its writing is solid, the overwhelming focus on social commentary drowns out its core story and characters. Readers who enjoy narrative-driven storytelling may find themselves disappointed, while those who prioritise strong thematic discussions may find it more compelling.
‘String’ presents an intriguing premise, offering a unique blend of science fiction and social commentary. However, while the core concept has potential, the execution struggles under the weight of heavy-handed messaging, which at times overshadows both the plot and character development.
Plot: ★★☆☆☆
At its core, the plot of ‘String’ has a compelling foundation, but it often takes a backseat to the book’s political and social themes. While messages about gender identity, toxic masculinity, and women's rights are important and relevant, their frequency and intensity can make it difficult to stay engaged with the actual narrative. Rather than seamlessly integrating these themes into the story, they at times feel like interruptions, pulling readers out of any potential immersive experience.
Character: ★★☆☆☆
The characters have potential, but like the plot, they feel somewhat overshadowed by their defining traits. While representation is valuable and welcome, the way it’s handled in ‘String’ makes the characters feel more like vessels for messages rather than fully realised individuals. Their identities, occupations, and personal struggles are undoubtedly interesting, but they don’t always coalesce into well-rounded, engaging characters.
Setting: ★★★☆☆
The world of ‘String’ is intriguing, though it lacks the depth and development needed to make it truly immersive. There are glimpses of a fascinating setting, but they often feel underexplored, leaving the reader wanting more. The potential is certainly there, but the book prioritizes themes and character traits over truly fleshing out its world.
Illustrations: ★★☆☆☆
The artwork in ‘String’ is well-executed, but the style may not appeal to everyone. While the illustrations are technically solid and complement the story, they don’t necessarily enhance the reading experience in a significant way. Personal preference plays a big role here - some readers may love the aesthetic, while others, like myself, may find it less engaging.
Engagement: ★☆☆☆☆
Due to the overwhelming focus on social and political themes, it can be difficult to stay fully engaged with the story. Readers who are looking for a plot-driven experience may find themselves struggling to stay invested as the narrative frequently shifts its focus. While some may appreciate the book’s dedication to addressing important topics, others may find it disrupts the overall storytelling flow.
Readability: ★★★☆☆
Despite its other shortcomings, ‘String’ is well-written in terms of prose. Paul Tobin’s style is clear and easy to follow, making for a smooth reading experience. However, the density of the themes and messages may still make it feel heavier than its actual page count.
Enjoyment: ★☆☆☆☆
Enjoyment of ‘String’ will largely depend on what a reader is looking for. If you are seeking a story that focuses on its plot and characters first, this book may feel frustrating. However, if you enjoy books that engage deeply with social commentary and themes of identity, there may be more for you to appreciate. Ultimately, the book’s balance - or lack thereof - between story and message will determine how much each reader enjoys it.
��String’ is a book with an important voice but struggles with its execution. While its themes are relevant and its writing is solid, the overwhelming focus on social commentary drowns out its core story and characters. Readers who enjoy narrative-driven storytelling may find themselves disappointed, while those who prioritise strong thematic discussions may find it more compelling.
March 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGally and Mad Cave Studios for giving me the opportunity to read this. I originally requested this book for a few reasons. The cover art was gorgeous. I loved the different colors used, and the art style was appealing. The characters looked realistic without creeping into uncanny valley territory. Secondly, the description caught my eye and intrigued me. I wanted to know more about Yoon, why she can see strings, and why there was a black one connected to her. I was rewarded with a compelling story full of entertaining characters and mystery.
I was immediately endeared to Yoon. Some of her first interactions on the page are of being outcast among people around her. When Detective Luke Mayfield chooses to team-up with Yoon, I loved that they just rolled with her ability, and didn’t do a whole lot of skeptical questioning. The character designs for Yoon and Mayfield were perfect. Yoon, unlike a majority of characters in the story, stands out with her pink hair and brightly colored outfits. Mayfield dresses like a cliché police detective complete with the bomber jacket and clean haircut. I loved their dynamic – both so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
The story was not without its action. There were moments when the story slowed down to discuss deeper topics, but never long enough to get boring, and all of it harkened back to the overarching plot. The story never dragged, and I found the slow, character-focused moments to be just as enjoyable as the fast-paced action scenes.
Despite getting a minor amount of screentime, Litty Mondo was easily my favorite character. She was entertaining every time she was part of the story, and I love that her character was your stereotypical porn star. She had depth and character outside of her sex work. When she was first introduced, I was worried that would be her only character trait, and I’m glad it wasn’t. She was a lot of fun, and should this series continue, I hope she sticks around.
I undeniably enjoyed this graphic novel. I ate up the story so fast, and wished I could have read it without interruptions. The characters are memorable and complex, and the story is full of touching moments and action scenes that compliment each other. I eagerly hope that Tobin will continue to explore and build these characters. 4.5 stars!
I was immediately endeared to Yoon. Some of her first interactions on the page are of being outcast among people around her. When Detective Luke Mayfield chooses to team-up with Yoon, I loved that they just rolled with her ability, and didn’t do a whole lot of skeptical questioning. The character designs for Yoon and Mayfield were perfect. Yoon, unlike a majority of characters in the story, stands out with her pink hair and brightly colored outfits. Mayfield dresses like a cliché police detective complete with the bomber jacket and clean haircut. I loved their dynamic – both so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
The story was not without its action. There were moments when the story slowed down to discuss deeper topics, but never long enough to get boring, and all of it harkened back to the overarching plot. The story never dragged, and I found the slow, character-focused moments to be just as enjoyable as the fast-paced action scenes.
Despite getting a minor amount of screentime, Litty Mondo was easily my favorite character. She was entertaining every time she was part of the story, and I love that her character was your stereotypical porn star. She had depth and character outside of her sex work. When she was first introduced, I was worried that would be her only character trait, and I’m glad it wasn’t. She was a lot of fun, and should this series continue, I hope she sticks around.
I undeniably enjoyed this graphic novel. I ate up the story so fast, and wished I could have read it without interruptions. The characters are memorable and complex, and the story is full of touching moments and action scenes that compliment each other. I eagerly hope that Tobin will continue to explore and build these characters. 4.5 stars!
March 25, 2025
String, written by Paul Tobin, is a graphic novel that delves into an intriguing concept: Yoon-Sook Namgung, a young woman with the ability to see two types of "strings"—the blue ones that connect lovers and the black ones that link murderers to their victims. This original twist initially caught my attention, offering a unique premise that, although fascinating, fails to maintain the pacing and depth one might expect from a story with such potential.
Visually, String is a treat. The illustrations are stunning and vibrant, with bold use of color that brings the story to life in an impactful way. Yoon-Sook, as the protagonist, is beautifully designed, capturing the essence of her character, and the overall artwork is one of the strongest aspects of the graphic novel. The illustrations, without a doubt, stand out as a highlight.
However, the storytelling presents certain issues. The plot feels rushed, with quick jumps between different settings, making it difficult to fully immerse in each scene. The speed at which the story moves from one place to another leaves little room for emotional connection to key moments.
On the other hand, the relationship between the main characters, Yoon-Sook and Luke, never deepens significantly, making it hard to invest emotionally in their connection.
While String presents an intriguing narrative and boasts stunning visuals, it is a unique work that might appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels with a different twist.
3 Reasons to Read String
Unique and Intriguing Premise: The concept of the "strings" that connect people in different contexts is innovative and provides a fresh perspective on themes of love and crime.
Stunning Artwork: The illustration in String is vibrant and detailed, capturing the essence of the story in a visually appealing and emotionally intense way.
Fast-Paced and Exciting Adventures: If you enjoy narratives with rapid pacing, unexpected twists, and a tense atmosphere, String offers a dynamic and unique experience.
Visually, String is a treat. The illustrations are stunning and vibrant, with bold use of color that brings the story to life in an impactful way. Yoon-Sook, as the protagonist, is beautifully designed, capturing the essence of her character, and the overall artwork is one of the strongest aspects of the graphic novel. The illustrations, without a doubt, stand out as a highlight.
However, the storytelling presents certain issues. The plot feels rushed, with quick jumps between different settings, making it difficult to fully immerse in each scene. The speed at which the story moves from one place to another leaves little room for emotional connection to key moments.
On the other hand, the relationship between the main characters, Yoon-Sook and Luke, never deepens significantly, making it hard to invest emotionally in their connection.
While String presents an intriguing narrative and boasts stunning visuals, it is a unique work that might appeal to those who enjoy graphic novels with a different twist.
3 Reasons to Read String
Unique and Intriguing Premise: The concept of the "strings" that connect people in different contexts is innovative and provides a fresh perspective on themes of love and crime.
Stunning Artwork: The illustration in String is vibrant and detailed, capturing the essence of the story in a visually appealing and emotionally intense way.
Fast-Paced and Exciting Adventures: If you enjoy narratives with rapid pacing, unexpected twists, and a tense atmosphere, String offers a dynamic and unique experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews