Release: May 12th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: First Second
Source: Netgalley
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An Atlantis-like city from Celtic legend is the setting of this mythical graphic novel fantasy from M. T. Anderson and artist Jo Rioux.
Ys, city of wealth and wonder, has a history of dark secrets. Queen Malgven used magic to raise the great walls that keep Ys safe from the tumultuous sea. But after the queen’s inexplicable death, her daughters drift apart. Later, Rozenn, the heir to the throne, spends her time on the moors communing with wild animals. However, Dahut, the youngest, enjoys the splendors of royal life and is eager to take part in palace intrigue.
Rozenn and Dahut’s bond is irrevocably changed. Thus the fate of Ys is sealed now, exposing the monsters that lurk in plain view. M. T. Anderson and Jo Rioux reimagine the folktale of love, loss, and rebirth, revealing the secrets that lie beneath the surface.
About the Author:
M. T. Anderson is the New York Times–bestselling author whose titles include Feed (a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize) and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (winner of the 2006 National Book Award). He is also the author of two previous graphic novels: Yvain: The Knight of the Lion and The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge.
Jo Rioux is an author and illustrator of children’s books. Her debut graphic novel Cat’s Cradle won the 2013 Joe Shuster Award for Comic for Kids. She lives in the lush suburbs of Ottawa where she spends most of her time drawing, reading, teasing her dog, and spinning tales of magic and monsters.
The Daughters of Ys Review:
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me a e-copy of this book for my review. The Daughters of Ys is a beautiful fantasy graphic novel that brings the Breton folktale to life.
I always enjoy reading graphic novels that have an aura of magic and mystery to it. The highlight of the story is the characters. I loved both the sisters, and felt they both brought their own uniqueness to the story. Personally, I loved Dahut more than the others, as she was very complex. Even though Rozenn is pleasant, I felt Dahut consistently fought her emotional demons for her conscious. Also, I liked Corentin and his conversation with Rozenn. Moreover, I loved the illustrations and colors. The artwork feels simplistic, but each panel explains the story really well with its beautiful graphics. Some parts are gruesome and dark, but adds well to the plot.
However, my only problem with the story was the lack of information. There is not enough history provided for the characters. For instance, why does the villain (who appears in the second half) want to end the contract? Why do Rozenn and Dahut suddenly have a change of heart? How does the family suddenly prosper after all the events with nothing of value? I enjoy stories where some parts are left for readers to interpret. However, this story felt like there were many elements unexplained. If would have been nice if more details were provided.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this graphic novel, but would have loved it had it been longer with more details. But, it is still worth reading just for its beautiful imagery and illustrations.
