The Daughters of Ys

Two sisters, in a mythical kingdom, are daughter of a witch? They control the sea, bringing prosperity to the kingdom and showing off great magical abilities (like controlling sea monsters and having underwater ballrooms). One sister throws it all away and lives like a pauper in the woods, the other sister pays the price for all of the magic. When she make a decision to not pay the price one night, the thing controlling all of the magic shows up looking for recompence. The father is a total a-hole in this story.

Note to self: I knew going in this would be a weird one. I read it over a week. I'd like to say that I loved it, but I didn't and I have a feeling that has everything to do with the format. I tried reading it online and every time I loaded the book, it crashed the app (on my Kindle). I ended up reading it on my phone. I highly suspect I would have enjoyed it more if I had been reading a physical copy.
The story is unique, and the art is exceptional. I just couldn't stand reading it on a small screen where I had to zoom in on every panel to read the text.
So, to be fair, I will find a physical copy, reread it and update this review later.

Beautiful artwork lots of visuals and minimal dialogue and narration used to tell the story which suits the folklore.

The Daughters of Ys was a very interesting graphic novel. I enjoyed reading it and am a huge fan of the art style! As an avid reader of mythology/folklore, I found it interesting that this was based on an old folktale, as I was unaware of that when I picked up this book.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. But be aware that there are some dark themes/graphic elements that younger teens or preteens might not need to see.

“Miracles have a dismal way of favouring the rich.”

Art was beautiful. MT Anderson I respect and admire because of his mind-bending, mind-opening YA novel, Feed. But I didn't care for this. The daughters were both unpleasant and unlikable. The plotting had that stodgy, meandering, Medieval myth vibe. The setting was imaginative and fantastical (yay), but I was relieved when it was over. Apparently it's a Breton myth.

Gorgeous and sad- two wonderful things.

I liked the plot and I liked the art and somehow it just didn't come together for me.

MT Anderson is CONSTANTLY doing shit where I read the description and I'm like “well who wants to read that” and then I read it anyway because it's MT Anderson and then I'm like “ok me I guess” but I do think this would be a hard sell to most...teens? Like I feel like the target audience here is...people who are already fans of MT Anderson, or people who are fans of Breton mythology, I guess??

Anyway once you get here, it's gorgeous and sharp, but just...............who is this for? I do not know.

Thank you @NetGalley and @01FirstSecond for the ARC of the Daughters of Ys. This is my honest review.

The Daughters of Ys was a lovely graphic novel, from character design, to scenery, to color it was indeed a treat turning these pages. This story of two Celtic sisters who live in this Atlantian world was a richly foretold folk tale with truths that are self-evident even today. If you enjoy an original story depicted in a unique art format, then you should give this a shot.

''For you, I will build walls to push back the sea and will spin you a palace of domes and towers.''

Lady Malgrev of the Faerie Folk comes to the rescue of a brave, young prince. Through her powerful spells, they succeed in creating a mythical city and a beautiful family. But greed is a sickness and the Faerie Folk becomes weaker as the Old Ways disappear. With their mother passing away, the two princesses have to rely on their own abilities and gifts. Rozann and Dahut. One wild, dwelling in the moors, away from the machinations and the extravagance of the court, and the other retaining her mother's gift for miracles and the darkest kind of witchcraft.

''We live by devouring those we love. How can we help it? They're the ones within closest reach.''

Based on a Breton folktale, this is the wonderful story of the city of Ys, a city of marvels, sin and hidden terrors. Above all, it is the story of two sisters, so different and, yet, so alike, and their fight to fulfill their destiny. Witchcraft, bravery, obsession, betrayal. Doubts and the fear of carrying out an unwelcome duty. The struggle to keep the faith in yourself alive and the flame of hope that may seem out of reach. Both sisters are extraordinary characters with traits that will be familiar to all of us and weaknesses that are necessary to bring balance and drive their actions forward. Even if the dialogue is a bit off from time to time, the beautiful illustrations and the heart-pounding plot will not disappoint you.

And on a superficial note, Dahut is given the most magnificently outstanding array of green gowns ever!

''There is no trace of Ys, though sometimes fishermen say they hear the bells of the sunken steeples ringing in the deep, rocked by the tides. Or the singing of a maiden beneath the waves.''

Many thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/