5/5
Soft is a retelling of Carmilla but set in from what I can tell is turn of the 21st century Hong Kong. The story focus on Laura (now the child of a restaurant manager) who meets and starts seeing the titular Carmilla, a Vampire who is feeding on the local community. They end up forming a close relationship that leads to Laura being isolated from their community and friends.
This book is much more on the nose with the themes and relationship with Carmilla (and much more on the nose that it's a complicated predatory relationship) than the original. And I think that works to it's favor?
The book presents itself like a diary -- the book alternates between written pose from Laura's perspective, doodles in the corner, and the actual written comics. It's a pretty unique style and I think really works with how introspective and internal the story is -- the dynamic between Carmilla and Laura can be seen in the more objective third person comic sketches, and then Laura's introspection is sad as well.
Personally, I also thought the relationship between Laura and her friend feels very naturalistic and organic. And I enjoy Laura's internal narration and the revelation that (distinct from the novel) she is extremely aware of what Carmilla is and has done, but is
If you've read the original Carmilla or enjoy coming of age novels about women, I definitely recommend it! It also has lovely typesettings and a gorgeous art-style.