"Saint Catherine" by Anna Meyer: Catholic Guilt, Demons, and a Seriously Relatable Crisis of Faith
- Kim Bartosch
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
What happens when a lifelong Catholic skips mass for the first time and accidentally opens the door to a demon? In Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer, that question leads to a hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply resonant exploration of faith, identity, and emotional baggage. Published by 23rd St. and featured on tour with TBR and Beyond Tours, this adult graphic novel blends sharp wit with stunning visuals to create a story that feels as personal as it is universal.
Thank you to the author and 23rd St. for including me on this tour. Book tour is sponsored by TBR and Beyond Tours. Learn more and read my full review below.
Title: Saint Catherine
Author/Illustrator: Anna Meyers
Publisher: 23rd St.
Date: April 29, 2025
Audience/Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Horror/Humor
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis:
A relatable adult graphic novel about a woman who skips Sunday mass for the first time in her life only to discover she's possibly being possessed by a demon.
In her 20-something years of existence, Catherine never skipped mass once. As a recovering Irish American Catholic, she has mostly traded the world of communion and confessionals for the “city-girl” struggle of work-life balance, family, and her relationships. The only thing she has not been able to shake is her fear that something bad will happen if she misses Sunday mass.
But her fears become a reality when she skips mass for the first time and discovers she is now being possessed by a demon claiming to be the prince of hell. As she takes matters into her own hands and attempts to exorcise these demons (both the paranormal and emotional kind), Catherine must face her buried guilt and what it truly means to be good.
A cathartic and engaging view into the messy life of an urban women in her early twenties, Anna Meyer's Saint Catherine is truly a story of letting go of guilt and taking responsibility for your desires, hopes, and mistakes.
My Review of "Saint Catherine" by Anna Meyer
Catherine, our neurotic but lovable protagonist, is a twenty-something Irish American Catholic with a deep-seated fear of divine punishment. When she finally gives herself permission to skip Sunday mass, her worst fear comes true—not in the form of lightning bolts from the sky, but something a bit more… chatty. Enter a demon who claims to be the literal prince of hell and takes up residence in Catherine’s psyche. Their banter, sharp and dry, instantly became one of my favorite parts of the book. The demon isn’t just scary or seductive—he’s hilarious, maddening, and weirdly insightful.
As someone who grew up Catholic, the portrayal of Catherine’s religious anxiety hit very close to home. That low-level dread, the intrusive thoughts, the guilt layered with obligation? Meyer nails it. The story manages to be both specific in its Catholicism and universal in its depiction of inherited fear and how hard it is to unlearn patterns passed down from our parents—especially mothers who mean well but don’t realize the emotional weight they’re placing on their children.
Visually, the book is striking. Meyer’s choice to begin the story in black and white and then suddenly burst into color the moment Catherine sees the demon at age 12 is genius. From that point on, her red hair and the use of color act as both metaphor and mood—signaling transformation, inner chaos, and personal awakening. The illustrations are expressive, slightly chaotic in the best way, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
One of the standout elements is the representation of Catherine’s best friend, Kim, a confident lesbian who feels grounded and real. Her queerness isn’t a plot point or token identity—it’s part of the natural fabric of Catherine’s world, and it’s handled with warmth and nuance. Kim’s presence adds balance and emotional safety, showing how chosen family can be a source of clarity in the middle of spiritual and existential messiness.
Meyer’s greatest strength, perhaps, lies in how she uses humor to soften the edges of heavy topics—faith, sexuality, guilt, self-loathing, and the exhausting effort it takes to figure out what you believe outside of what you were raised to believe. Saint Catherine is laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also deeply cathartic. It never mocks religion outright, but it certainly questions the systems and assumptions that religion—especially Catholicism—often brings with it.
This is a must-read for anyone who grew up religious and now finds themselves somewhere between belief and burnout. It’s also perfect for readers who enjoy messy, real female protagonists, dark humor, and stories that blend the surreal with the sincere.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
With a demon who feels like your sarcastic inner critic and a protagonist who’s just trying to make sense of it all, Saint Catherine is one of the most relatable and refreshingly honest graphic novels I’ve read in a long time. Whether you’re still practicing, lapsed, or just Catholic-adjacent, this one will stick with you—in the best way.
Meet the Author/Illustrator:
Anna Meyer is an author, designer and comic artist living in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from the Midwest, Anna went to a 2 year design school in Lakewood, Ohio where she received her associate degree in graphic design.
She has over 11 years of professional design experience as both a senior designer and a design manager. She has been drawing and making comics ever since she could hold a pencil.
Anna’s debut graphic novel is now available for pre-order from 23rd St Books/First Second.
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