A review by ehmannky
The Daughters of Ys by M.T. Anderson
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was completely unfamiliar with the original Breton tale of Ys, but I am familiar enough with the beats of Celtic mythology in general to see where this story was going. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It had the feel of old storytelling, with so many unexplained tidbits and a kind of mournful vibe.
The art and story remind me strongly of Cartoon Saloon's The Secret of Kells in terms of art style (big plus, I love it) and Evangeline Walton's Mabinogion retelling in terms of tone. There's just a hint of making it more emotional and palatable to modern readers (mostly giving interiority to those whose actions seem just flat out spiteful and nonsensical), but it doesn't make the retelling itself Modern. And I love a good feminist spin on an old tale as much as the next person, but there's something really compelling about reading stories about tragedies that stay tragedies.
The art and story remind me strongly of Cartoon Saloon's The Secret of Kells in terms of art style (big plus, I love it) and Evangeline Walton's Mabinogion retelling in terms of tone. There's just a hint of making it more emotional and palatable to modern readers (mostly giving interiority to those whose actions seem just flat out spiteful and nonsensical), but it doesn't make the retelling itself Modern. And I love a good feminist spin on an old tale as much as the next person, but there's something really compelling about reading stories about tragedies that stay tragedies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Death of parent