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Flow
Three adolescents at camp convince a naïve girl they can cure her “curse” (really her first period) if she does everything they say--only to be cursed themselves 10 years later.
When blood began to run down Dara Lund’s legs at Nature Camp, she thought she was dying. Homeschooled by a protective dad after her mom’s mysterious death, Dara wasn’t told the facts of life. “It’s the Curse,” her bunkmates said, not revealing it was her period. “But we can lift it…if you do everything we say.” So began their week of torment, making naive Dara do torturous tasks for their amusement. But now, 10 years later, as they embark on their careers, the three tormentors find themselves cursed—so they reunite to track down the likely a vengeful Dara. And they’ll pursue her to the bloody end.
When blood began to run down Dara Lund’s legs at Nature Camp, she thought she was dying. Homeschooled by a protective dad after her mom’s mysterious death, Dara wasn’t told the facts of life. “It’s the Curse,” her bunkmates said, not revealing it was her period. “But we can lift it…if you do everything we say.” So began their week of torment, making naive Dara do torturous tasks for their amusement. But now, 10 years later, as they embark on their careers, the three tormentors find themselves cursed—so they reunite to track down the likely a vengeful Dara. And they’ll pursue her to the bloody end.
128 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 16, 2025
Representation: protagonist of colour, gay Indigenous secondary character, white secondary characters, Black secondary character, gay tertiary characters. Indigenous tertiary characters.
Content Warning: bullying, violence, blood, alcohol, homophobia, death.
Flow really surprised me! It was engaging and it flew so well.
Content Warning: bullying, violence, blood, alcohol, homophobia, death.
Flow really surprised me! It was engaging and it flew so well.
November 28, 2025
We follow the life of three people, who were bullies in their past, and their believe they have been cursed for bullying Dara with her first period.
I am not entirely sure what to think of this comic. I feel like they could have done so much more with it, to have a very deep message. It just misses its mark for me, sadly enough. I do like all the representation in the book, with a very diverse cast. But the characters felt very shallow and the story felt like it was all over the place. It just doesn’t entirely make sense.
And then we have to talk about the art-style. I am very sorry, but the amount of cross-eyed characters was quite something to behold.
Flow felt a bit like Carrie, but then less thought out. There definitely is a good idea there, but the execution just did not completely work. The pacing of the story felt off, at some points it moved to fast and some too slow. The horror elements felt forced, though the details of said horror did add some variety that the comic could use.
I am still giving it two stars because of its diverse cast of characters and a good idea for a storyline. It entertained me enough to finish it, but I definitely would not pick this up again.
Disclaimer:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I am not entirely sure what to think of this comic. I feel like they could have done so much more with it, to have a very deep message. It just misses its mark for me, sadly enough. I do like all the representation in the book, with a very diverse cast. But the characters felt very shallow and the story felt like it was all over the place. It just doesn’t entirely make sense.
And then we have to talk about the art-style. I am very sorry, but the amount of cross-eyed characters was quite something to behold.
Flow felt a bit like Carrie, but then less thought out. There definitely is a good idea there, but the execution just did not completely work. The pacing of the story felt off, at some points it moved to fast and some too slow. The horror elements felt forced, though the details of said horror did add some variety that the comic could use.
I am still giving it two stars because of its diverse cast of characters and a good idea for a storyline. It entertained me enough to finish it, but I definitely would not pick this up again.
Disclaimer:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
November 12, 2025
this was so good. it’s such an interesting take on a similar story to carrie, mixed with the perfect jawdropping ending. the art was stunning and added so much to this story alone.
November 27, 2025
Flow is a horror, coming-of-age story, that aims for the stars but sadly doesn't get all the way there.
I think the general idea is good. Poor Dara Lund, a sheltered and uninformed homeschooled girl, has gotten her period at camp, and the kids, well, one in particular, is being a royal witch, convincing her that she is subject to a literal "Curse." They subject her to humiliating and dangerous rituals, utimately leading to her near death. So years later, Dara's revenge begins on the three former bullies as awful, bloody things that perfectly mirror the past torments begin to happen to them.
As while it starts good, and I think the first two issues are strong as the adult bullies begin their descent into paranoia, the story tries too much by the end. The grand reveal of the curse's true nature is just okay at best, and the villains never really get the full, satisfying comeuppance they deserve for their calculated cruelty. But overall, a 3 out of 5 stars.
I think the general idea is good. Poor Dara Lund, a sheltered and uninformed homeschooled girl, has gotten her period at camp, and the kids, well, one in particular, is being a royal witch, convincing her that she is subject to a literal "Curse." They subject her to humiliating and dangerous rituals, utimately leading to her near death. So years later, Dara's revenge begins on the three former bullies as awful, bloody things that perfectly mirror the past torments begin to happen to them.
As while it starts good, and I think the first two issues are strong as the adult bullies begin their descent into paranoia, the story tries too much by the end. The grand reveal of the curse's true nature is just okay at best, and the villains never really get the full, satisfying comeuppance they deserve for their calculated cruelty. But overall, a 3 out of 5 stars.
November 8, 2025
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Flow, by Paula Sevenbergen
★★★★☆
128 Pages
I wasn't sure how this one would start – whether it would show you the entire summer camp events first, then jump ahead, but I actually really liked that it began in the present, where everyone was an adult, then trickled little flashbacks of the past when it became relevant. It was a really good way to find out all the facts about the past in a way that left space for lots of surprises and twists.
Girls being bullied or shamed for their periods – even by other girls – is a sad reality in the world, even now, but this story showed just how easily a 'prank' could get out of hand. In a group of bullies, there's always one person who enjoys humiliating and hurting others, who always takes it too far, and one person who knows it's wrong but is too afraid to stand up and speak up.
I feel like this was a solid story, but I;m a little disappointed in the ending. It was unrealistically forgiving – which I think is because this is billed as a YA horror – but it feels more like a “teaching” ending gears towards YA readers rather than something realistic. Most bullies tend to never change or regret what they did, but I can understand why they chose the ending they did for this comic.
I also have to question the absolute insistence of NO adults actually talking to Dara about what was happening to her. Knowing her mother had died when she was young, that she didn't have a female influence, just her father at home, you would hope – and expect – one of the females at the camp to step up and sit Dara down to tell her about periods, to help her understand what was happening to her body and protect her from the bullying. I know that would have eliminated the point for the book, but there were a lot of opportunities to speak to Dara about what was going on and none of the adults took that chance.
I do agree with some other reviewers that the blurb is misleading. The story is told by one of the bullies and her POV, all the way through. Never once do we get Dara's POV, which would have really changed this story into something far more emotional and meaningful, to see that ignorance and understand her thought processes when she allowed the girls to bully her. But we don't. We see the bully trying to rationalise and reason through everything they did.
I feel like there was A LOT of potential to the story, lots of other things they could have done to make this have more of an impact. However, I do see what they were trying to do with it and I think a lot of teenagers will see themselves in at least one character and may learn something good about how to treat people with more respect. I don't think the magic aspect was necessary, but that's just me.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Flow, by Paula Sevenbergen
★★★★☆
128 Pages
I wasn't sure how this one would start – whether it would show you the entire summer camp events first, then jump ahead, but I actually really liked that it began in the present, where everyone was an adult, then trickled little flashbacks of the past when it became relevant. It was a really good way to find out all the facts about the past in a way that left space for lots of surprises and twists.
Girls being bullied or shamed for their periods – even by other girls – is a sad reality in the world, even now, but this story showed just how easily a 'prank' could get out of hand. In a group of bullies, there's always one person who enjoys humiliating and hurting others, who always takes it too far, and one person who knows it's wrong but is too afraid to stand up and speak up.
I feel like this was a solid story, but I;m a little disappointed in the ending. It was unrealistically forgiving – which I think is because this is billed as a YA horror – but it feels more like a “teaching” ending gears towards YA readers rather than something realistic. Most bullies tend to never change or regret what they did, but I can understand why they chose the ending they did for this comic.
I also have to question the absolute insistence of NO adults actually talking to Dara about what was happening to her. Knowing her mother had died when she was young, that she didn't have a female influence, just her father at home, you would hope – and expect – one of the females at the camp to step up and sit Dara down to tell her about periods, to help her understand what was happening to her body and protect her from the bullying. I know that would have eliminated the point for the book, but there were a lot of opportunities to speak to Dara about what was going on and none of the adults took that chance.
I do agree with some other reviewers that the blurb is misleading. The story is told by one of the bullies and her POV, all the way through. Never once do we get Dara's POV, which would have really changed this story into something far more emotional and meaningful, to see that ignorance and understand her thought processes when she allowed the girls to bully her. But we don't. We see the bully trying to rationalise and reason through everything they did.
I feel like there was A LOT of potential to the story, lots of other things they could have done to make this have more of an impact. However, I do see what they were trying to do with it and I think a lot of teenagers will see themselves in at least one character and may learn something good about how to treat people with more respect. I don't think the magic aspect was necessary, but that's just me.
November 19, 2025
Which only makes it more vital that we let educators tell the bloody truth.
Paula Sevenbergen's Flow was deeply disturbing and I hated reading it.
That said, I think this is one of those horror-esque graphic novels that is, put simply, incredibly important. It won't work for everyone and some will be made deeply uncomfortable by its contents, but that doesn't change the fact that our society gatekeeps important information and the act of doing so can have extremely dangerous consequences. Flow is an exploration of that, albeit in a disturbing and mystical related way.
It speaks to an important truth, one that teachers unfortunately also face, in which parents have an absurd amount of control over hiding information from their children. Personally, I'm of the mind that if you have to hide access to information, if you can't have a conversation with your children about the knowledge they will inevitably find within the world—especially information like periods—you're a shitty parent. I've always been against educational neglect and we unfortunately live in a world in which the behavior is painfully present. It's hidden behind a veneer of age appropriateness, used as an excuse to control others and keep them in the dark about the realities of the world.
The fact of the matter is that we are all almost always better for having knowledge; after all, you can't fix problems if you don't understand them. And while Flow may be centered mostly around the censorship of access to information about periods, the problem exists with a great number of things. And I think you can apply the problems and lessons brought up in this graphic novel to censorship in general.
While this book isn't exactly to my personal tastes, I do think it is an incredibly important take on a topic that definitely doesn't get addressed well enough in my country and likely many others.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2025
Dara Lund is a girl whose mother worked at a chemical plant and was rumored to have started a fire using voodoo to cause the fatal explosion. Since her mother’s passing, Dara’s father has homeschooled her but she attends a summer nature/no-internet camp. She is bullied by fellow campers Conley, Moe and Alister when she has her first menstruation and believe she is dying. Rather than telling her she has her period, the bullies convince her that she is cursed. The bullies convince Dara can get rid of her curse by performing unforgiveable tasks such as swallowing a beetle, spend a night in the woods, eating dirt, run in the rain naked, drinking a foxglove potion, etc. Dara’s mother’s childhood friend Marg is a counselor at camp and tries to protect Dara at every opportunity. When trying to help Dara during her foxglove poisoning by inducing vomiting, Marg came into contact with it and died from poisoning. The bullies have no knowledge of Dara’s whereabouts since camp ended.
Fast forward ten years later the bullies continue to remain friends but are feeling guilty about the torture they instilled in Dara. They start to experience the same effects as Dara had during her hazing such as bleeding and vomiting for no reason. Have they become cursed? How is it possible?
This was an enjoyable mild horror graphic novel that provided the right amount of suspense and tension with an unexpected twist at the end. I enjoyed the story even though the subject of bullying always sets me off a bit (was a bullying victim in my youth). The target audience would be for ages somewhere between tweens and YA.
Warning: Mild horror (blood, vomit), menstruation
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Fast forward ten years later the bullies continue to remain friends but are feeling guilty about the torture they instilled in Dara. They start to experience the same effects as Dara had during her hazing such as bleeding and vomiting for no reason. Have they become cursed? How is it possible?
This was an enjoyable mild horror graphic novel that provided the right amount of suspense and tension with an unexpected twist at the end. I enjoyed the story even though the subject of bullying always sets me off a bit (was a bullying victim in my youth). The target audience would be for ages somewhere between tweens and YA.
Warning: Mild horror (blood, vomit), menstruation
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ten years ago at nature camp one of the more insular and naive kids gets her first period – and is then tormented through a set of 'rites' needed to rid her of the 'curse'. Well, her mother was a witch who burnt down factories, etc, etc. Oddly now some adults – a medical student in a delusional relationship, a tech entrepreneur and more – are facing things that seem to be the exact replica of what they told her to do – or what they never told her not to put herself through. Is this really a mystical kind of revenge? Either way, back then and now, there will be blood…
This seemed a pretty decent revenge drama to me, only perhaps losing a small touch of its coherence in later stages. The bullying aspect seemed very well played (I don't know for sure – I wasn't ever a teenaged girl and won't ever be, either), and the whole thing reads fairly quickly and in sprightly fashion. It's a rather underpopulated camp, so there are few kids to keep tabs on, and there are authorial decisions here that could have been clearer and more logical, but on the whole this worked. Clearly positioned as a lesson that evil spreads due to ignorance, regarding periods and a lot else besides, this is worth a look.
PS Prompted by other reviews, I do see the issue with the victim looking like she's nine-fingered on one page, followed by the main lead seeming to have eleven fingers (and completely different-sized hands) on the next. I put that down to quickness, which here is not a flaw I feel like down-marking it for.
This seemed a pretty decent revenge drama to me, only perhaps losing a small touch of its coherence in later stages. The bullying aspect seemed very well played (I don't know for sure – I wasn't ever a teenaged girl and won't ever be, either), and the whole thing reads fairly quickly and in sprightly fashion. It's a rather underpopulated camp, so there are few kids to keep tabs on, and there are authorial decisions here that could have been clearer and more logical, but on the whole this worked. Clearly positioned as a lesson that evil spreads due to ignorance, regarding periods and a lot else besides, this is worth a look.
PS Prompted by other reviews, I do see the issue with the victim looking like she's nine-fingered on one page, followed by the main lead seeming to have eleven fingers (and completely different-sized hands) on the next. I put that down to quickness, which here is not a flaw I feel like down-marking it for.
November 7, 2025
This book requires you to believe that a camp counselor wouldn’t tell a girl what her period was … out of respect for the girl’s father. Instead, she allows other children at camp to bully and mock Dara. Once you get past that ridiculousness, you’re left reading a book with no teeth, just cruelty, and no real ending. Reading the blurb it comments on exploring this rite of passage through the eyes of a sheltered young girl, which is incorrect because the narrator and POV character of the book is Moe, one of the tormentors.
The book mentions dealing with shame, which … if you squint, maybe, at Moe realizing she’s letting another girl bully Dara? Maybe. The horror and wonder of the human body? Nope, none of that here. The blurb mentions rage, compares this book to Carrie and Yellow Jackets, and that’s also wrong. There’s no rage here, no bite, no revenge, no catharsis.
Other than bullying, there isn’t really anything at all to this book. The book wants me to believe in a curse, and then does nothing to make that curse come to life. Sorry, this is a solid pass. If you want horror, there are so many other books out there. If you want female rage, look elsewhere. Maybe read Carrie or watch Yellow Jackets.
I do not recommend this book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
The book mentions dealing with shame, which … if you squint, maybe, at Moe realizing she’s letting another girl bully Dara? Maybe. The horror and wonder of the human body? Nope, none of that here. The blurb mentions rage, compares this book to Carrie and Yellow Jackets, and that’s also wrong. There’s no rage here, no bite, no revenge, no catharsis.
Other than bullying, there isn’t really anything at all to this book. The book wants me to believe in a curse, and then does nothing to make that curse come to life. Sorry, this is a solid pass. If you want horror, there are so many other books out there. If you want female rage, look elsewhere. Maybe read Carrie or watch Yellow Jackets.
I do not recommend this book. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 16, 2025
The drawings are frankly disastrous. I tried to make a detailed list, but I ended up giving up because there were so many ‘blunders’: the couple on page 8 (reused as is on page 9...), the hands still on page 8, the absurd spacing of the eyes at the bottom of page 10, and almost all the faces on page 16...
I even suspect that AI was used for some of the panels, or that they were drawn with total indifference by the artist. I don't understand how an artist can agree to publish this in its current state. We can easily do without ultra-detailed backgrounds or anatomical perfection, but here, a critical threshold has clearly been reached.
I ended up having to ignore the drawings to continue reading — otherwise, I would have simply given up.
As for the storyline, Flow is clearly in the vein of Carrie. Dara, the victim, is pitiful, Conley, the main bully, is abominable... But there are some inconsistencies that are hard to swallow. How is it possible that no one at the centre explains to her that she is simply having her period? spoiler/Also, it's understandable that the mother is in hiding, but the fact that she never tries to contact her daughter during this whole time is completely implausible. /spoiler
I even suspect that AI was used for some of the panels, or that they were drawn with total indifference by the artist. I don't understand how an artist can agree to publish this in its current state. We can easily do without ultra-detailed backgrounds or anatomical perfection, but here, a critical threshold has clearly been reached.
I ended up having to ignore the drawings to continue reading — otherwise, I would have simply given up.
As for the storyline, Flow is clearly in the vein of Carrie. Dara, the victim, is pitiful, Conley, the main bully, is abominable... But there are some inconsistencies that are hard to swallow. How is it possible that no one at the centre explains to her that she is simply having her period? spoiler/Also, it's understandable that the mother is in hiding, but the fact that she never tries to contact her daughter during this whole time is completely implausible. /spoiler
November 9, 2025
My Selling Pitch:
Aunt Flow meets Carrie.
Pre-reading:
It only feels right to read this while on my period.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Oh so this is a Carrie retelling.
I'm so not a good for her girly.
Post-reading:
This was cute. The art’s a little inconsistent. Some of the panels have pretty weird faces. It’s a predictable story, but still satisfying. I roll my eyes a bit at a good for her storyline, but I know plenty of people like the trope. It’s a fine graphic novel, but it didn't wow me.
Who should read this:
Good for her fans
Ideal reading time:
Summer
Do I want to reread this:
No
Would I buy this:
Nah, grab it from your library.
Similar books:
* Mary by Nat Cassidy-Carrie retelling, horror, revenge, cults
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-graphic novel, horror, highschool, revenge
* This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham-YA horror, revenge, queer
* Golden Rage by Chrissy Williams-graphic novel, dystopian, horror, revenge, queer
* The Lamb by Lucy Rose-horror, family drama, queer, revenge
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Aunt Flow meets Carrie.
Pre-reading:
It only feels right to read this while on my period.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Oh so this is a Carrie retelling.
I'm so not a good for her girly.
Post-reading:
This was cute. The art’s a little inconsistent. Some of the panels have pretty weird faces. It’s a predictable story, but still satisfying. I roll my eyes a bit at a good for her storyline, but I know plenty of people like the trope. It’s a fine graphic novel, but it didn't wow me.
Who should read this:
Good for her fans
Ideal reading time:
Summer
Do I want to reread this:
No
Would I buy this:
Nah, grab it from your library.
Similar books:
* Mary by Nat Cassidy-Carrie retelling, horror, revenge, cults
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-graphic novel, horror, highschool, revenge
* This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham-YA horror, revenge, queer
* Golden Rage by Chrissy Williams-graphic novel, dystopian, horror, revenge, queer
* The Lamb by Lucy Rose-horror, family drama, queer, revenge
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2025
"Flow" reminded me, as I'm sure it will remind lots of people, of "Carrie".
This ended up being a lot more YA than I expected, but I think that is a great thing. As the author's letter at the end mentioned, S. Ed. being censored or not taught properly, because the parents are dumb, uncomfortable or uneducated themselves about such themes, has serious consequences, particularly for young girls and women who find themselves completely unprepared for what is happening to them, and makes it so much easier to manipulate them.
Unfortunately, not all representation is good representation. The decision to have an Indigenous character with an alcoholic father, having a bloody handprint appear on him, over helping to torment a white, blond girl was not a good idea. Not only was his family situation a stereotype, but a symbol for missing Indigenous girls and women was appropriated, when the entire reason the symbol exists is that their lives are never taken as seriously as those of white people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this DRC.
This ended up being a lot more YA than I expected, but I think that is a great thing. As the author's letter at the end mentioned, S. Ed. being censored or not taught properly, because the parents are dumb, uncomfortable or uneducated themselves about such themes, has serious consequences, particularly for young girls and women who find themselves completely unprepared for what is happening to them, and makes it so much easier to manipulate them.
Unfortunately, not all representation is good representation. The decision to have an Indigenous character with an alcoholic father, having a bloody handprint appear on him, over helping to torment a white, blond girl was not a good idea. Not only was his family situation a stereotype, but a symbol for missing Indigenous girls and women was appropriated, when the entire reason the symbol exists is that their lives are never taken as seriously as those of white people.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this DRC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What is more horrific, believing yourself to be cursed or experiencing your first period at a summer camp?
This dilemma is faced by sweet, naive Dara, who is being helped by her bullies to get rid of her curse of menstruation in a series of torments. Years later, the same bullies, now responsible adults, encounter strange retributions, believing themselves to be truly cursed in return for their adolescent actions.
Flow is a fun, quick-paced, campy horror trip. An incredible strength of the novel is the depiction of a girl's period as something normal; even if it's setting up this horror story's premise, it's never depicted as something shameful or a source of gore or any kind of jump scare.
The art is fine enough, but some characters were sometimes cross-eyed in their impressions, which felt silly in some serious sections. The story's resolution is acceptable enough, but it seemed too quick, forgiving, and a bit lacking in greater depth for my taste.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing an ARC for an honest review.
This dilemma is faced by sweet, naive Dara, who is being helped by her bullies to get rid of her curse of menstruation in a series of torments. Years later, the same bullies, now responsible adults, encounter strange retributions, believing themselves to be truly cursed in return for their adolescent actions.
Flow is a fun, quick-paced, campy horror trip. An incredible strength of the novel is the depiction of a girl's period as something normal; even if it's setting up this horror story's premise, it's never depicted as something shameful or a source of gore or any kind of jump scare.
The art is fine enough, but some characters were sometimes cross-eyed in their impressions, which felt silly in some serious sections. The story's resolution is acceptable enough, but it seemed too quick, forgiving, and a bit lacking in greater depth for my taste.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing an ARC for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Flow is an interesting coming of age story with a magical horror twist.
The cover draws the eye and the art is impactful and emotive. The characters are diverse and visually interesting. Even though they begin somewhat unlikable, one can understand why they behaved in these ways as teens. And the story, as well how the "curse" is finally resolved, will surprise you. The resolution was unexpected—but I liked it!
I also like how the author wanted to address shame and secrecy around menstruation. This is an important topic to address in a sensitive way that does not teach people who menstruate to feel negative emotions and disgust around bodily functions.
I am unsure that this book was able to convey what Ms. Sevenbergen intended. The characters are not very fleshed out. There are serious pacing issues. Flow can feel rushed at times, slow in others. And the ending itself was abrupt.
In the end, I enjoyed reading this comic but would not recommend it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
The cover draws the eye and the art is impactful and emotive. The characters are diverse and visually interesting. Even though they begin somewhat unlikable, one can understand why they behaved in these ways as teens. And the story, as well how the "curse" is finally resolved, will surprise you. The resolution was unexpected—but I liked it!
I also like how the author wanted to address shame and secrecy around menstruation. This is an important topic to address in a sensitive way that does not teach people who menstruate to feel negative emotions and disgust around bodily functions.
I am unsure that this book was able to convey what Ms. Sevenbergen intended. The characters are not very fleshed out. There are serious pacing issues. Flow can feel rushed at times, slow in others. And the ending itself was abrupt.
In the end, I enjoyed reading this comic but would not recommend it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
March 5, 2026
***ARC from NetGalley***
A taut psychological thriller that spans two time periods. A summer camp for teens, ten years ago and the present day.
12 year-old Dara is attending a summer camp after having spent the last few years home-schooled and carefully sheltered from the world. Her mother died several years earlier and she has been raised since by her very overprotective and conservative father.
While at the camp, she has her first monthly cycle and does not understand what is happening. The counselors are not allowed to tell her. This leaves Dara a target for the camp mean girl, Conley, and her friends to torment Dara by telling her that she is cursed and they know how to lift it.
What follows is a series of nasty pranks that terrorize poor Dara.
Ten years later, the group of friends all start to have hallucinations and odd occurrences tied to the various pranks - the curse lifters are now cursed.
Originally a 4 part comic - this is the combined graphic novel.
A taut psychological thriller that spans two time periods. A summer camp for teens, ten years ago and the present day.
12 year-old Dara is attending a summer camp after having spent the last few years home-schooled and carefully sheltered from the world. Her mother died several years earlier and she has been raised since by her very overprotective and conservative father.
While at the camp, she has her first monthly cycle and does not understand what is happening. The counselors are not allowed to tell her. This leaves Dara a target for the camp mean girl, Conley, and her friends to torment Dara by telling her that she is cursed and they know how to lift it.
What follows is a series of nasty pranks that terrorize poor Dara.
Ten years later, the group of friends all start to have hallucinations and odd occurrences tied to the various pranks - the curse lifters are now cursed.
Originally a 4 part comic - this is the combined graphic novel.
April 3, 2026
3/5⭐️
thank you to mad cave studios and netgalley for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
flow is a darkly comedic revenge horror story where adolescent bullying and childhood trauma escalate to much worse levels. dara lund gets her first period at camp, but with a conservative father, a dead mother, and the naivety of childhood, three fellow campers convince her she is cursed, bullying and mocking her. ten years later, the consequences come back to bite these three, but now they are cursed.
i enjoyed the way that flow flipped the script on how someone’s first time menstruating was explored. sevenbergen turned a taboo subject into a way to reveal the horrors that targeted ignorance can create for young girls. poor choices made by adults and malicious behavior from her fellow campers turn an already bad experience into a form of torment. framing the curse as more literal than the characters expected was another effective way to reframe the discussion.
toward the end, especially in chapters 4 and 5, the storytelling felt a bit heavy-handed, quickly tying up all the loose ends. this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but i did feel it pulled me away from the story a bit while i was reading. and while i understand what sevenbergen was trying to achieve with flow as it was a novel concept (no pun intended), i’m not sure if it was the most impactful way to tell this story.
this was a quick read but an intriguing concept nonetheless. if you want to read a campy, revenge-horror story about menstruation with witches and middle-school bullies, then this is the graphic novel for you.
thank you to mad cave studios and netgalley for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
flow is a darkly comedic revenge horror story where adolescent bullying and childhood trauma escalate to much worse levels. dara lund gets her first period at camp, but with a conservative father, a dead mother, and the naivety of childhood, three fellow campers convince her she is cursed, bullying and mocking her. ten years later, the consequences come back to bite these three, but now they are cursed.
i enjoyed the way that flow flipped the script on how someone’s first time menstruating was explored. sevenbergen turned a taboo subject into a way to reveal the horrors that targeted ignorance can create for young girls. poor choices made by adults and malicious behavior from her fellow campers turn an already bad experience into a form of torment. framing the curse as more literal than the characters expected was another effective way to reframe the discussion.
toward the end, especially in chapters 4 and 5, the storytelling felt a bit heavy-handed, quickly tying up all the loose ends. this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but i did feel it pulled me away from the story a bit while i was reading. and while i understand what sevenbergen was trying to achieve with flow as it was a novel concept (no pun intended), i’m not sure if it was the most impactful way to tell this story.
this was a quick read but an intriguing concept nonetheless. if you want to read a campy, revenge-horror story about menstruation with witches and middle-school bullies, then this is the graphic novel for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Girls can be so cruel. Especially to outsiders. Ten years ago, the kids at a co-ed, no-screen summer camp fooled a naive home-schooler into thinking that her first menstruation would lead to her death from bleeding out. To “save her life,” the kids–with one particular ringleader–tell Dara to engage in a series of more grosser and deadlier acts, leading up to a final horrific event and the permanent closing of the camp.
I wish this had ended with a less supernatural climax, which is the main reason I’m going with 4 stars, instead of 5. There are supernatural elements from the very start–manifestations of guilt which lead the bullies to seek out their own sort of cure–but the finale leans into the magic HARD.
Overall, though, this was a fun read, with a nice, karmic ending.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
I wish this had ended with a less supernatural climax, which is the main reason I’m going with 4 stars, instead of 5. There are supernatural elements from the very start–manifestations of guilt which lead the bullies to seek out their own sort of cure–but the finale leans into the magic HARD.
Overall, though, this was a fun read, with a nice, karmic ending.
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
November 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for this ARC.
In “Flow” by Paula Sevenbergen, Dara Lund is made to believe that her first period is a curse by three of her fellow campers. Ten years later, they start to experience the same torment they put Dara through.
Though this novel was quite entertaining, the end fell short. I would’ve hoped it would have been more developed, but it was still an end I did not expect. The art style wasn’t to my taste, but it did support the tone of the plot. The artist captured the facial expressions well which helped convey the characters’ emotions. The transitions between past and present were done well.
I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fast-paced novels with expressive artwork.
In “Flow” by Paula Sevenbergen, Dara Lund is made to believe that her first period is a curse by three of her fellow campers. Ten years later, they start to experience the same torment they put Dara through.
Though this novel was quite entertaining, the end fell short. I would’ve hoped it would have been more developed, but it was still an end I did not expect. The art style wasn’t to my taste, but it did support the tone of the plot. The artist captured the facial expressions well which helped convey the characters’ emotions. The transitions between past and present were done well.
I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fast-paced novels with expressive artwork.
November 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! The art is absolutely stunning, every panel feels alive. I also loved the representation woven throughout the story, featuring characters of different races and sexualities in a way that felt natural and meaningful.
The curse element gave me total Carrie vibes, which made the story even more gripping. Even though it’s a shorter read, it’s packed with thrills, heart, and a storyline that’s easy to follow without ever feeling simple. I really appreciated the themes of growth, acceptance, and learning to rise above the harm others have caused.
Overall, this was a genuinely fantastic read, and I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
Thank you to Mad Cave Studios and Netgalley for giving me early access to this book!
This book tackles some heavy themes, and I appreciated how it shows the long-term impact of a single summer gone wrong. The mix of present-day scenes and brief flashbacks worked well and kept me curious about what really happened.That said, I struggled with how disconnected the adults were from Dara’s situation. It felt like someone should have stepped in, and the story never really addressed that gap. Even so, the message about how easily cruelty can escalate, and how silence can enable it, comes through strongly. What did really stand out to me was the art. The overall style fit the tone perfectly, and the chapter page illustrations were especially detailed!
This book tackles some heavy themes, and I appreciated how it shows the long-term impact of a single summer gone wrong. The mix of present-day scenes and brief flashbacks worked well and kept me curious about what really happened.That said, I struggled with how disconnected the adults were from Dara’s situation. It felt like someone should have stepped in, and the story never really addressed that gap. Even so, the message about how easily cruelty can escalate, and how silence can enable it, comes through strongly. What did really stand out to me was the art. The overall style fit the tone perfectly, and the chapter page illustrations were especially detailed!
December 5, 2025
I was excited for a Carrie remake, but this missed the mark.
I think that Carrie is one of the best horror movie/book of our time. It weaves so many intricate parts together, so this had to follow that. I know that it is not explicitly Carrie, but it's pretty damn close. A small sheltered blonde girl gets her period in public and then is bullied for it, only to come back and wreak havoc on those who did it. Pretty similar.
The art style was also not up to standard. Some of the panels felt rushed and not thought out. Like where their eyes pointed or where their hands rested. Art makes or breaks a graphic novel, and it was tough to get through this one.
Unless you want an underwhelming rewrite, skip this one and try something less.
I think that Carrie is one of the best horror movie/book of our time. It weaves so many intricate parts together, so this had to follow that. I know that it is not explicitly Carrie, but it's pretty damn close. A small sheltered blonde girl gets her period in public and then is bullied for it, only to come back and wreak havoc on those who did it. Pretty similar.
The art style was also not up to standard. Some of the panels felt rushed and not thought out. Like where their eyes pointed or where their hands rested. Art makes or breaks a graphic novel, and it was tough to get through this one.
Unless you want an underwhelming rewrite, skip this one and try something less.
December 10, 2025
Flow is a superbly brilliant way to deliver such a meaningful topic! Just like a classic camp horror film, Paula Sevenbergen uses horror to express the importance of thoughtfully informing and destigmatizing the period. Periods are not the only theme covered in this graphic novel, Sevenberger also highlights bullying, environmental justice, family trauma, and grooming within Flow's pages. I think that while this book covers a topic that often only pubescent teens read about, Sevenberger has created a unique and meaningful use of art and horror to deliver a message to a lager audience of adults who may be able to make better informed decisions to support young people who are learning and experiencing the early years of menstruation!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this Graphic Novel!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this Graphic Novel!
September 17, 2025
Great start to the series. Super sad and a bit confusing. It's about kids on a camping trip. One girl is homeschooled and has her first period. She's scared and confused. Yet the teacher won't let anyone tell her about periods. I don't understand why. I think it's something they should talk about. One of the other girls thinks it's a good idea to bully her and tell her she's cursed. So she has to do specific tasks everyday to lift the curse. It's awful and sad to watch this poor girl get bullied into doing terrible things. I have a feeling I know where it's going. Excited to see. Might get the trade.
November 11, 2025
Woodland Magic & Carrie!
Flow is an important story! This was a unique read and such a vivid storytelling experience. Following Dara through the eyes of assorted cast of bullies, readers can expect to watch a girl hit her period for the first time. However, flashing forward years, a curse has been afflicted to those who teased Dara. And it’s starting to get deadly. This was a wild ride and certainly fast paced. Just when the plot needed a push, a time shift happened or a new character took the spotlight! This kept a fast paced adventure with an important message for the world! Don’t miss this graphic novel - share it around!
Flow is an important story! This was a unique read and such a vivid storytelling experience. Following Dara through the eyes of assorted cast of bullies, readers can expect to watch a girl hit her period for the first time. However, flashing forward years, a curse has been afflicted to those who teased Dara. And it’s starting to get deadly. This was a wild ride and certainly fast paced. Just when the plot needed a push, a time shift happened or a new character took the spotlight! This kept a fast paced adventure with an important message for the world! Don’t miss this graphic novel - share it around!
November 11, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and Mad cave for sending me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The concept is what first drew me to this work. I love a Carrie style story of the girl bullied for being weird getting her revenge. But this fell apart. The reasoning for the timing of the revenge felt incredibly random and the reveal twist was honestly a damage to the story. Like the mom being suddenly alive and gasp so long as everyone apologies and means it its okay!!! Was just ew. If your gonna give me girl getting revenge let's go all the way. This was a very mid graphic novel. Fun concept needs better execution.
The concept is what first drew me to this work. I love a Carrie style story of the girl bullied for being weird getting her revenge. But this fell apart. The reasoning for the timing of the revenge felt incredibly random and the reveal twist was honestly a damage to the story. Like the mom being suddenly alive and gasp so long as everyone apologies and means it its okay!!! Was just ew. If your gonna give me girl getting revenge let's go all the way. This was a very mid graphic novel. Fun concept needs better execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
A quick, fun, disturbing read about teenage revenge. Flow gave me real Carrie vibes - cruel social dynamics, power and control turning feral; and I never felt even a little bad for Conley. Who would? Sevenbergen nails how truly awful teenage girls can be, and the story moves fast enough to keep that tension. I was a bit let down by the ending, though. I wanted it uglier, more brutal, and less restrained. It pulls its punch right when it could’ve gone harder. Still, a solid, darkly entertaining read that mostly delivers, even if it doesn’t fully commit.
3.25 stars rounded down.
I received this book as an eARC.
3.25 stars rounded down.
I received this book as an eARC.
November 19, 2025
Flow started off good and had a lot of potential. From the description I was expecting a ‘Carrie-esque’ horror experience and I got crumbs of that, but I wanted more. The ending didn’t live up to its full potential. I felt unsatisfied that there wasn’t more bloodshed and carnage. Overall though I did enjoy the story and the art work.
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mad Cave Studios via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Mad Cave Studios via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 6, 2025
I recieved a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios. I am leaving a review voluntarily.
I loved the start of this book, with kid's going to camp, and one girl being bullied just because of her cluelessness involving her period. I also liked the idea of her haunting those bullies years later.
However, I felt the ending was a little weak. There was a lot going on, everything was rushed, and I just didn't feel the ending was satisfactory.
I loved the start of this book, with kid's going to camp, and one girl being bullied just because of her cluelessness involving her period. I also liked the idea of her haunting those bullies years later.
However, I felt the ending was a little weak. There was a lot going on, everything was rushed, and I just didn't feel the ending was satisfactory.
December 10, 2025
Kids are cruel. They tormented a little homeschooled girl at summer camp that was having her first period. The girl’s mother was not in the picture and so she didn’t understand what was happening to her body. The other children took advantage of her ignorance and made her do stupid, disgusting things under the guise that it would cure her “curse”. A decade later, the cruelty of their childhood comes back to haunt them.
#ThxNetGalley #PaulaSevenbergen #Flow
#ThxNetGalley #PaulaSevenbergen #Flow
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's a modern day Carrie. Some girls pick on a homeschooled girl at camp when she gets her first period and doesn't know what's happening because she only has her dad. They tell her it's a curse and put her through horrible hazing to try and remove it. Now as adults, they are being tormented in the same way. It's not bad. Well, except for the twist at the end which is just stupid.
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