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juushikaTitle: The Daughters of Ys
Author: M.T. Anderson
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Published: First Second, 2020
Rating: 2.5 of 5
Page Count: 205
Total Page Count: 527,370
Text Number: 1930
Read Because: browsing graphic novels shelf at..., hardback borrowed from the Timberland Regional Library
Review: After the death of the fairy mother, the lives of two princesses radically diverge. Rioux's illustrations are remarkable. I wasn't initially sold on the faces, but the stylization grew on me (the horse was my tipping point), and the real strength is the color work: superb, varied palettes, deep and dark and with fantastic use of contrast; the art can sell this whole book.
Good thing, too, because the narrative is weaker. This is a retelling of Breton folklore, and making Dahut a more complex and sympathetic character is a great jumping off point. Indeed, she's the only character with real depth; but introducing a second daughter both dilutes and simplifies Dahut's arc with a good/virginal/uncultured vs Problematic™/sexual/cultured dichotomy which is extremely tedious. Not recommended; at the same time, I was happy to read it, and would seek out more of Rioux's work.
Author: M.T. Anderson
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Published: First Second, 2020
Rating: 2.5 of 5
Page Count: 205
Total Page Count: 527,370
Text Number: 1930
Read Because: browsing graphic novels shelf at..., hardback borrowed from the Timberland Regional Library
Review: After the death of the fairy mother, the lives of two princesses radically diverge. Rioux's illustrations are remarkable. I wasn't initially sold on the faces, but the stylization grew on me (the horse was my tipping point), and the real strength is the color work: superb, varied palettes, deep and dark and with fantastic use of contrast; the art can sell this whole book.
Good thing, too, because the narrative is weaker. This is a retelling of Breton folklore, and making Dahut a more complex and sympathetic character is a great jumping off point. Indeed, she's the only character with real depth; but introducing a second daughter both dilutes and simplifies Dahut's arc with a good/virginal/uncultured vs Problematic™/sexual/cultured dichotomy which is extremely tedious. Not recommended; at the same time, I was happy to read it, and would seek out more of Rioux's work.
